The following days passed in a blur. Every step Kenn took seemed heavier, as if the weight of everything—the system, the bracelet, the scanner—was closing in on him from all sides. But the one constant was Lynn. She had become his anchor, a steady presence that kept him grounded. With her by his side, he was no longer the passive observer of his own life. He was actively choosing to fight back.
They met in secret, talking late into the night, discussing the system and Yaoi. Kenn had started to share more of his experiences, his fears, and the strange, intangible pressure that came with the scanner. Lynn listened intently, never once pulling away or judging him. Every time he thought about her—about the way she looked at him, the kindness in her eyes—he felt a little stronger.
It wasn't just about fighting the system anymore. It was about being honest with himself, with her, and with the truth of what he wanted out of life. And the more he thought about it, the more Kenn realized that what he wanted—what he needed—was to be free.
He wasn't going to let Yaoi, or the system, dictate his future. Not anymore.
***
On the third day after their conversation, Kenn received a message from the system. It was cryptic, the words glowing on his wrist like a dark warning.
"Quest Available: Reaffirm Your Allegiance. Failure Will Result in Severe Consequences."
Kenn stared at the message, his heart sinking. The words were deliberate, calculated, and they sent a chill through him. Reaffirm your allegiance. The system wasn't going to let him slip away that easily.
"What's it say?" Lynn asked, her voice barely above a whisper. They were sitting in a secluded corner of the school courtyard, away from prying eyes.
Kenn hesitated before showing her the glowing text. As soon as she saw it, her face darkened, concern creasing her brow.
"That's... that's not good," she said quietly. "It's trying to force you to comply, isn't it?"
Kenn nodded, his fingers clenching around the strap of his bag. "I don't know what it wants from me. But it feels like it's about to test me again—like it's trying to force me back into the system's grip."
Lynn's gaze softened, and she reached for his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "You don't have to face this alone, Kenn. Whatever this quest is, we'll figure it out together. You're stronger than this."
Her words, simple and heartfelt, were like a lifeline thrown to him. He could feel the weight of the system pressing down on him, but with her by his side, he didn't feel so small anymore. He didn't have to fight alone.
Kenn's wrist pulsed again, and the glowing message shifted, as if urging him to act.
"Time is running out."
"Okay," he said, his voice steady. "I'll do it. But this time, I'm not doing it for the system. I'm doing it for myself."
Lynn gave him a determined smile. "And for us."
***
The quest took Kenn to an abandoned part of the school grounds, an old classroom that had been out of use for years. The air was thick with dust and the faint smell of mildew. The windows were covered by long-forgotten blinds, casting the room in shadows. Kenn could feel the weight of the system bearing down on him as soon as he stepped inside.
Lynn stayed by his side, her presence a quiet strength. "Are you sure about this?" she asked softly. "This feels wrong."
Kenn nodded, but his stomach twisted with unease. "I know. But if I don't do this, the system won't stop. I'll just be another pawn in its game."
The moment he stepped further into the room, the door slammed shut behind them. The faint hum of electricity buzzed in the air, and the familiar coldness of the emotional scanner pulsed violently in his mind. His surroundings seemed to blur, and for a moment, it felt like the world was closing in on him.
Then, a voice echoed through the room. It wasn't Yaoi's voice. It wasn't even a voice he recognized.
"Welcome, Kenn," it said, smooth and mechanical. "Your test begins now. Do not fail. Reaffirm your allegiance, and you will be rewarded. Fail, and you will face consequences far worse than you can imagine."
The air grew colder, and the floor beneath them seemed to shift, revealing a holographic screen in the middle of the room. A series of images flashed before Kenn's eyes—his past, his choices, his emotions. Each one felt invasive, like the system was peering too deeply into his soul.
"Choose," the voice said, echoing in his mind. "Will you submit to the system's will, or will you fight for your freedom?"
Kenn's heart raced as he tried to process what was happening. The system had him trapped, but he wasn't about to let it break him. His connection with Lynn had already made him stronger, and now, he could feel that strength coursing through him, solidifying his resolve.
"I choose freedom," Kenn said, his voice firm. He turned to Lynn, his eyes locked onto hers. "I choose us."
Lynn smiled, a soft, steady smile that filled him with warmth. She didn't need to say anything. The way she looked at him—trusting, unwavering—spoke volumes.
The holographic screen flickered, and for a moment, it seemed like the entire room was going to collapse in on itself. The system's presence grew more intense, the emotional scanner buzzing louder, overwhelming Kenn with the emotions of everyone around him.
But then, something shifted. The screen crackled, the light around them began to pulse, and the oppressive atmosphere loosened, just a little.
The voice returned, softer this time. "You have made your choice, Kenn. But be warned—this is only the beginning."
Kenn's heart raced. The room around him seemed to stabilize, and the door opened with a low creak, signaling the end of the test.
Lynn squeezed his hand. "You did it," she said, her voice full of relief.
Kenn looked back at the room one last time, the faint hum of the system still lingering in the air. It wasn't over—not by a long shot. But something had changed. For the first time, he had fought back, and he had won, even if it was just a small victory.
The system was still out there, watching, waiting. But Kenn was no longer afraid.
He had made his choice. And no matter what came next, he was ready to face it.