"No!" Jin said quickly. "I just... five levels seems like a lot. Will they know when they level up?"
"They'll feel the deepening connection, but they won't see numbers like you do. To them, it will feel like natural relationship progression. First crush, then love, then deeper commitment, and so on."
Jin hugged his knees to his chest. "What if they're happy just being friends?"
"Then they remain at whatever level feels natural to them. The system doesn't force progression—it merely quantifies what already exists. You cannot make someone fall in love with you, Jin. The numbers simply reflect reality."
"And if multiple people reach high levels?"
Asha's tone turned amused. "Then you'll have to navigate the complexities of polyamorous relationships in a post-apocalyptic vault.."
Jin groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Why did my parents' project have to include this system?"
