"Do you always wait outside people's doors with snacks, or am I just special?" Lina asked, a playful edge in her voice that didn't quite hide the unease.
Rin grinned, waving a plastic bag. "You're special. Besides, who says no to late-night dumplings?"
Lina took the bag, eyes drifting to Rin's nails—perfectly shaped, scarlet red, glossy under the hallway light.
Don't trust the girl with painted nails.
The words from the unknown number scratched at her mind.
She forced a smile. "Thanks."
Inside, they sat cross-legged on the couch, a movie playing on low volume, barely watched. Rin chattered easily, laughing at her own stories.
Lina nodded, smiled, responded, but her focus wavered. Every glance at those nails was like a warning light.
[System Alert: Paranoia Rising – Trust Evaluation Triggered]
[AI Companion: Would you like to run a background scan?]
[> Yes] [No]
Lina blinked once.
"...and then he fell into the pool with his wig still on!" Rin laughed, popping a dumpling in her mouth.
Lina smiled faintly. "That's wild."
Her System pinged silently.
[Scan Initiated: Rin Kase – Alias: Real Name Obscured]
[Accessing Known Databases… Breach Success]
[Profile Tag: Affiliated – "Aurora Net"]
[Status: Not a Direct Threat – Intent: Observation / Unknown Motives]
[Recommendation: Caution]
Aurora Net.
That name again.
Lina's expression didn't change, but her chest tightened. The group had come up in a side-note during a hacked System task weeks ago—something about manipulation through influence and tech. Supposedly "watchers" embedded in society.
And Rin was one of them?
Why her?
Why now?
"Hey, earth to Lina." Rin waved a hand in front of her face. "You okay?"
Lina blinked and smiled. "Yeah, just… exhausted."
"You've been working like a machine lately," Rin said softly, and there was genuine warmth in her eyes. "I'm just glad you haven't gone full ice queen. You're still human under all that glow."
Lina looked away. "Some days, I wonder."
Rin leaned back. "Don't overthink it. You're winning. That's what matters."
[System Notification: Temporary Power Boost Unlocked]
[Skill: Lie Detection – 24h Activation]
[Condition: Increased Emotional Sensitivity | Risk of Overload]
[AI Companion: Use it wisely. Sometimes the truth does more harm than good.]
Lina blinked. The world didn't shift, but something under the surface did.
She looked at Rin again.
[Lie Detected: "I'm just glad you haven't changed."]
[Intent: Emotional Softening / Maintain Proximity]
Lina's throat tightened.
Later that night, as Rin left with a cheerful wave, Lina closed the door and slid down against it, staring at nothing.
"Why is everyone always watching?" she whispered.
Her AI voice responded gently.
"Because stars don't go unnoticed when they start to rise."
System Log: Lina Vale
Lie Detection: Active (23h 17m remaining)
Rin – Status: Observational Agent
Emotional Load: Rising
Isolation Level: Moderate
Tactical Awareness: +2
Public Danger: Approaching Threshold
End of Chapter 26