The world swam back into focus slowly, the sharp edges of the cryo-bay softening as Jin's consciousness stabilized. The first thing he registered was the warmth of a thermal blanket draped over his shoulders and the gentle weight of Sera's hand on his forehead.
"Hang in there, Jin," her voice was a soft murmur, a stark contrast to her usual sharp tone. "You saved us. Now let us save you."
He managed a weak nod, his gaze finding hers. For a moment, he saw past the sharp exterior, to the vulnerable girl beneath. "Together," he whispered.
Sera's breath caught, and she squeezed his hand gently. "Together."
After a few moments of rest, with his head clearer and the Resurrection Sickness fading to a dull throb, Sera helped him to his feet. The immediate crisis was over, but the Vault's long-term problems loomed large.
"Alright," Sera said, her voice regaining its usual authority. "We're stable for now, but we won't last long without food and water. The mess hall is our best bet. Let's move."
The mess hall stretched before them, a vast cavern of neglect. Overturned tables were scattered like fallen dominoes, their metal surfaces rusted by decades of disuse. The air was thick and humid, a byproduct of the failing environmental systems, making their thin jumpsuits cling uncomfortably to their bodies.
Jin's stomach let out a loud, undeniable growl. "Man, I could eat literally anything right now," he said, a weak, hopeful smile on his face. "Even if it's that mystery meat stuff from the cafeteria. It bounced when you dropped it!"
Sera moved ahead, her athletic frame a stark silhouette against the gloom. The humid air had turned the mess hall into a sauna, and her jumpsuit clung to her, outlining every curve. Sweat beaded along her collarbone, tracing a path down to the tempting glimpse of cleavage revealed by her unzipped collar. "Preserved for a century?" she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow. "This better not be some toxic sludge, you naive idiot."
Clara emerged from behind a collapsed serving station, her shyness momentarily forgotten in the face of practicality. "T-The preservation systems might actually be intact," she stammered, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear. "These old Vault-Tec units were built to last. W-We might find something edible."
Then, a triumphant shout echoed through the hall. "Jackpot!"
Rosa stood on a fallen counter, holding up a metallic pouch with a faded Vault-Tec logo. Her playful energy was a welcome splash of color in the grim room. "Nutri-Sludge Supreme—the breakfast of champions and the desperate!"
She bent over to retrieve more packets, her movements intentionally provocative. The loose fabric of her jumpsuit gaped open, offering a clear view of pale skin and the generous curves of her breasts barely contained by the thin cryo-suit beneath. The pose also caused her pants to ride up, exposing the lower swell of her ass cheeks.
Jin's face immediately went crimson. His heart hammered against his ribs, and he felt a familiar, unwelcome heat rise in his cheeks. He quickly looked away, his hands fumbling at his sides.
---
[EVENT TRIGGERED: ECCHI ENCOUNTER]
Choose a Response:
•Option 1: Look Away Respectfully
→ +2% All Affinities
→ −5 Stamina (Embarrassment)
•Option 2: Offer to Help Fix Her Suit
→ +5% Rosa Affinity
→ Chance of fumbling
•Option 3: Try to Be Smooth About It
→ +3% Rosa Affinity
→ 60% chance of awkward failure
---
He ignored the game-like options flashing in his vision. His first thought wasn't embarrassment. But the well being of Rosa. The hall was cold, and her suit was in tatters.
"Rosa," he said, his voice a little strained as he kept his eyes fixed on a rusty patch on the ceiling. "Your suit… it's torn. You must be freezing." He shrugged off the thermal blanket Sera had given him and held it out to her. "Here. Take this for a second."
Rosa's playful smirk faltered, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. She had expected him to stammer or blush, to give her another easy target for her teasing. Instead, he was thinking of her comfort. A faint blush touched her own cheeks as she accepted the blanket. "Oh… thanks, hero."
She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, covering the worst of the tears. "You're too sweet for this world, you know that?" she said, her voice softer than usual.
[HUD – SOCIAL LINK UPDATE]
Affinity with Subject Rosalie: +5% (Total: 25 / 100)
'Chivalrous response prioritized over self-consciousness. Positive emotional resonance detected. Bond Event probability increased.'
As if on cue, Asha's calm voice echoed in his mind. 'Alert: Affinity with Subject Rosalie has reached the 20% threshold. Initiating Bond Event protocol.'
---
[BOND EVENT TRIGGERED: ROSALIE'S SECRET]
Rosa wants to speak with you privately.
She seems to have something on her mind that she doesn't want the others to hear.
Accept her invitation?
• [Yes] → Begin Bond Event: Rosalie's Secret
• [No] → Decline (Affinity may be negatively impacted)
---
Jin's eyes widened slightly at the notification, but he kept his expression neutral as Rosa pulled him aside behind the mangled remains of a serving counter. The others were busy sorting through the food packets, giving them a moment of privacy. She clutched the thermal blanket around herself, her usual playful confidence replaced by a nervous energy.
"Jin," she began, her violet eyes darting around to make sure they weren't being overheard. A mischievous glint returned to her eyes. "I know this is probably weird, but I feel like I can talk to you. You're… different from anyone I've ever met. You're strong, but you're kind. You don't make me feel like I have to pretend to be someone I'm not."
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But I also saw how you looked at me when my suit was… well, you know." A wicked grin spread across her face. "Don't think I didn't notice, hero. You've got a good eye."
She winked, her playful nature fully reasserting itself. "It's okay. I don't mind if you look. In fact, I kind of like it. But you've got to be smooth about it, you know? You can't just blush and look away like a scared little boy. You've got to own it."
She leaned back, giving him a full view of her figure, the blanket slipping slightly off one shoulder. "So, what's it going to be, Jin? Are you going to keep being a sweet, naive hero, or are you going to show me you've got a little fire in you?"
Her boldness was both intoxicating and terrifying. Jin felt his face flush, but he also felt a spark of his own confidence ignite. He met her gaze, his own lips curling into a small, hesitant smile.
"I'm… working on it," he admitted. "But I think… I think I'd rather be the kind of hero who protects people than the one who… you know…."
Rosa laughed, a bright, genuine sound that echoed in the quiet hall. "Good answer, hero. That's the kind of talk I like to hear." She reached out and playfully tapped his nose. "You keep thinking like that, and we'll get along just fine."
[QUEST UPDATED: ROSALIE'S SECRET]
REWARDS:
• Affinity with Rosalie: +10% (Total: 35 / 100)
• New Perk Unlocked: [Rosa's Trust] - Minor bonus to group morale when Rosa is in the party.
• Status Effect: [Hope] - A small, persistent boost to all stats for the next hour.
When they returned to the group, Sera eyed them suspiciously, her sharp gaze missing nothing. "What was that about?" she demanded.
"Just girl talk," Rosa said with a wink, slipping her hand from Jin's and grabbing a pouch of Nutri-Sludge. "Now, let's see what this stuff tastes like. Jin, you're our official guinea pig."
Jin looked at the gray, unappetizing paste in her hand, then at the hopeful faces of Sera and Clara. He took a deep breath. "Okay. For humanity," he said, and took a bite.
The texture was... unexpected. Not quite solid, not quite liquid. It had a strange, slightly grainy consistency, like a thick, cold pudding. The taste was bland but not unpleasant—vaguely nutty with a hint of something metallic underneath. He swallowed, then took another bite.
"It's... not bad," he said, surprised. "Actually, it's better than I expected."
Clara smiled shyly at his assessment. "The preservation matrix is working better than I hoped. The nutritional profile seems stable."
Sera crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Don't get too excited. This is just emergency rations. We need to find a more sustainable food source. The hydroponics bay should be our next priority."
Jin nodded, finishing off the pouch of Nutri-Sludge. "You're right. We need to plan our next steps carefully."
As they finished their meager meal, Jin felt a strange sensation wash over him. The food seemed to be having an immediate effect, his energy levels slowly rising.
[HUD – STATUS UPDATE]
HP: 45 / 110 (Critical → Low)
Stamina: 25 / 110 (Severely Depleted → Low)
Condition: Resurrection Sickness — Duration Remaining: 00:28:13
"Nutrient intake is accelerating cellular repair," Asha explained in his mind. "However, your reserves are still critically low. Rest is strongly recommended before undertaking any physically demanding tasks."
Jin looked at the three girls, each dealing with the aftermath of their meal in their own way. Sera was already planning their next move, her mind clearly working through the logistics of their survival. Clara was examining the packaging from the Nutri-Sludge, her technical curiosity engaged. Rosa was watching him with an appreciative smile, her earlier nervousness replaced by a more confident, flirtatious demeanor.
They were a strange group, thrown together by circumstance