The parchment floated between them.
Words rearranged themselves.
Luna read aloud:
"By the next Blood Moon, the Host must choose one bound star."
"The chosen star becomes mortal."
"The unchosen return to stardust."
"If no choice is made—annihilation."
Ren blinked.
"…Define annihilation."
The quiet armored girl near the door finally spoke.
Her voice was calm.
Sharp.
"All seven die. And so do you."
Silence fell heavy.
Akari—the redhead—crossed her arms.
"So hurry up and fall in love with me."
Ren choked.
"I just met you!"
"Details!"
The blue-haired strategist adjusted her posture.
"Emotionally impulsive selection increases regret probability by 73%."
Akari rounded on her.
"This isn't a science project!"
The black-haired girl laughed softly.
"It is, actually. The experiment is whether love can survive mortality."
Ren raised both hands.
"Okay. Everyone stop. Let's rewind."
He pointed at Luna.
"You're saying I used to be some cosmic king?"
"Yes."
"You all followed me?"
"Yes."
"I died?"
"Yes."
"And now I have to choose one of you before a murder moon shows up?"
"Correct."
He exhaled slowly.
"…I miss algebra."