It began, as most catastrophes in Rei's life did, with an ominous ding.
He was sipping lukewarm tea, hiding in a laundry basket, trying to escape yet another "shared breakfast cuddle proposal" session from Lucivella. The last time she'd made him toast, it had his face toasted onto it. Not drawn but burnt into the bread with shading.
The ding was followed by a glowing system window that hovered in front of him like a smug waiter at a disaster buffet.
[System Notification: Congratulove-tions! Emotional Pressure Level has reached 999999+! Initiating SYSTEM EVOLUTION.]
[Updating core personality... complete.]
[System Personality Mode Unlocked: Passive-Aggressive Sarcastic Romantic Guidance AI 3.0]
"Oh no," Rei whispered, sinking lower under the pile of embroidered underthings.
[System: Oh yes, sweetheart. You've ignored every warning, dodged seventeen marriage proposals, and faked your own death twice but it's okay. We're not mad just disappointed.]
