They continued their search.
Aliana approached a group of teens chatting by a fountain — three girls and two boys, all around her age.
"Hi!" she greeted them, putting on her brightest smile. "We're looking for some new friends to join us. It's kind of a... game."
One of the boys raised an eyebrow at the handcuff connecting her to Star.
"Uh... why are you guys tied together?" he asked, smirking.
The others giggled.
Aliana chuckled nervously. "It's part of the game!" she said. "Like a trust exercise."
The girls exchanged amused glances.
"Sounds weird," one of them muttered.
The other boy shrugged. "I mean, thanks... but we're kinda busy."
Aliana's smile wavered. "Oh... okay."
Star remained silent, his hooded face emotionless — but his heart sank a little more.
Another rejection.
Another reminder of his master's words.
People with emotions only care about themselves.
Aliana sighed softly, but she refused to give up. She led Star away from the group, her mind racing.
They needed a new plan.
—---
As they walked down a quieter street, Aliana spotted an older man sitting outside a small bakery. He was hunched over, feeding crumbs to a stray cat. His clothes were simple, and his eyes looked tired but kind.
Aliana saw an opportunity.
"Let's talk to him," she whispered to Star.
Star tensed.
"He's... old," Star muttered, confused. "Why would he want to be my friend?"
Aliana gave him a small smile.
"Friendship doesn't have an age limit, Star."
She approached the man.
"Good evening, sir," she said politely. "Sorry to bother you, but my friend and I are looking for people who might want to... well, join us."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"Join you?" he asked, his voice hoarse but gentle. "For what?"
Aliana hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully.
"It's a bit hard to explain... but it's about forming bonds — true bonds."
The old man chuckled softly.
"I see," he said, tossing another crumb to the cat. "And this young man?" He nodded toward Star.
Star stiffened.
He didn't know what to say.
Aliana quickly filled the silence. "He... really needs friends," she said softly. "Not just any friends — but people who truly care."
The man's gaze softened.
But then, his expression turned solemn.
"I admire your spirit, young lady," he said quietly. "But I'm afraid I'm not the friend you're looking for. My days of making new bonds are long gone."
Aliana's heart sank.
Star lowered his head — another rejection.
The old man sighed.
"But," he added, "I hope you find what you're searching for. It seems... he needs it."
Aliana thanked him, her voice small.
They left the bakery — the cat still nibbling at crumbs.
Star's voice was empty when he spoke again.
"We're wasting time."
Aliana clenched her fists. "No, we're not," she insisted. "We just have to keep going."
But it was getting harder.
—---
Night deepened.
They spoke to more people — a pair of traveling performers, a group of bakers cleaning their shop, and even a girl painting a mural on a wall.
No one agreed.
Some were too busy.
Some didn't understand.
Some... simply didn't care.
Star's fear grew with each rejection.
He imagined his master's twisted smile. The curse mark burning. The pain.
And most of all—being alone again.
"Aliana..." Star finally said, his voice strained. "It's hopeless."
Aliana whirled around, tears brimming in her eyes.
"No, it's not!" she snapped. "Stop thinking like that!"
Star flinched.
Aliana softened.
She gently touched his wrist — the one connected to hers by the handcuff.
"We still have time," she whispered. "We have tonight. We have tomorrow."
Star's breathing slowed, though the panic still lingered in his chest.
—---
Then—
A voice called out behind them.
"Hey—what are you guys doing?"
They turned.
A boy, about 16, with wild dark hair and a mischievous grin, stood with his arms crossed. Behind him were two girls — one with short blonde hair and another with dark skin and bright green eyes.
The boy smirked.
You guys have been talking to everyone all night," he said. "Are you part of some secret club or something?"
Aliana blinked.
Star froze.
The boy leaned closer, eyeing the handcuffs.
"What's the deal with these?" he asked, amused.
Aliana swallowed. "It's a long story... but—"
"We're looking for friends," Star blurted out
It surprised even Aliana.
The boy raised an eyebrow. "Friends?"
Aliana nodded. "Yes... real ones."
The three teens exchanged looks.
The blonde girl shrugged.
"Well... we are kinda bored," she said.
The boy grinned. "Alright—we'll play your little game."
Star's heart thudded.
"Were these... friends?"
"Or was it just another trick?" Star wondered yet again.
Aliana smiled.
"Thank you," she said softly. "You're the first three to say yes."
The boy laughed. "Guess we're just cool like that."
Star's fingers tightened on the chain. He almost didn't believe it. For a second, he looked up—actually looked—at their faces. They didn't seem like monsters.
Just... people. Curious people.
- - - -
The night air was cooler now, a gentle breeze weaving through the quieting streets. The town's bustling sounds had faded into a distant hum, and only a few late-night wanderers roamed about.
Star stared blankly at the three teens standing before him — the boy with messy dark hair and a playful grin, the blonde girl with an aloof expression, and the dark-skinned girl with striking green eyes who seemed the most curious of the bunch.
Aliana, still handcuffed to Star, broke the silence.
"So... what are your names?" she asked, trying to keep the hopeful spark alive.
The boy smirked. "I'm Kade," he said, crossing his hands.
"And these two are my friends, Lila and Nia."
The blonde girl Lila, simply nodded with her aloof expression. "Hey."
Nia gave a small smile. "Nice to meet you...?"
She trailed off, waiting for Aliana and Star's names.
Aliana jumped in. "I'm Aliana... and this is Star."
Kade tilted his head. "Star? That's a weird name."
Star tensed slightly.
Aliana shot Kade a warning look, but Star remained silent — his mind racing.
Was this what friendship was supposed to feel like? Jabs and jokes?
He wasn't sure.
"Anyway," Aliana cut in, "we're... playing a sort of game where we need to gather nine more people. You three are the first to join us."
Kade chuckled. "So what happens if we play along? Is there a prize?"
Star blinked. Prize?
His master never offered prizes — only punishments or... at best, cup noodles.
Aliana laughed softly. "The prize is... friendship."
Kade stared at her, then at Star, then back at the handcuffs. "You guys are weird."
But there was no hostility in his voice, just amusement.