The search began.
But it wasn't easy.
Aliana approached several people-shopkeepers, travelers, and even a few curious teenagers.
She tried to explain their "game"-saying they needed to gather a group of friends for a surprise event.
But most people just... ignored them.
Some thought they were weird.
Others laughed at the handcuffs and walked away.
Star just stood there-watching it all-his old fear of betrayal and rejection creeping back into his mind.
With each rejection, his heart sank deeper.
"They... don't want to be my friends," he muttered after a group of boys snickered and walked off. "Master was right. People with emotions don't care."
Aliana grabbed his handcuffed wrist again, forcing him to face her.
Her eyes were fierce.
"No, Star," she said firmly. "He was wrong."
Star blinked.
"But-"
"Not everyone is kind-but not everyone is cruel either," Aliana interrupted. "We'll find people who want to be your friend. I promise."
Star's lips parted slightly-but no words came.
The pain of rejection still lingered-but Aliana's words were a fragile thread pulling him back from the edge.
----
As the sun began to drift lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the town, Star suddenly spoke.
"Aliana..." he whispered. "We only have tonight and tomorrow night left."
The fear of his master's return still gnawed at him.
The curse mark on his neck burned just thinking about it.
Aliana nodded solemnly.
"I know."
She gently touched the handcuff between them.
"But we're not giving up."
Star's black eyes met hers-his fear clashing against the spark of trust she was slowly kindling.
For the first time in his life... he wasn't alone.
Even if the town didn't accept him-
-Aliana did.
And that was something his master could never take away.
----
The sun dipped further, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.
They had no friends yet but Aliana's grip on Star's handcuffed wrist never wavered.
And for once-Star didn't want to pull away.
The town's evening lights flickered on as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. Street lamps illuminated the cobbled roads, casting soft glows on the bustling crowd.
Though the day was ending, the town was still alive - couples walked hand in hand, merchants packed up their goods, and children chased each other through the streets.
Star stood in the middle of it all, his hood still drawn, his hand still shackled to Aliana's. The night felt safer to him - familiar. But tonight, it felt different. He wasn't alone.
"We have to hurry," Star muttered, his voice laced with unease. "If we don't find 9 friends by tomorrow night..."
He didn't finish his sentence. He didn't have to. Aliana knew what he meant - the master's fury, the curse mark's deadly magic.
Aliana tightened her grip on the chain.
"We'll find them, Star," she said firmly. "Not fake friends, real ones."
Star's dark eyes flicked to her. Real friends.
He still didn't know what that meant.