The world did not end with fire or thunder.
It respawned.
One morning, the skyline of Tokyo flickers like a buffering video, and suddenly convenience stores have quest boards, train stations double as fast travel points, and everyone walks around with glowing status windows hovering above their heads like awkward halos.
And in the middle of it all stands Riku Hayashi, clutching a very ordinary wooden practice sword that now has a rarity rating.
đź“– Synopsis
The world doesn't end — it respawns. Overnight, Earth overlays itself with MMORPG mechanics: quest boards in convenience stores, train stations as fast travel hubs, glowing status windows above every head. Amid the chaos, Riku Hayashi discovers his interface is unlike anyone else's.
While others see standard class trees, Riku's System unlocks a unique skill: Contracted Hearts — the power to forge battle bonds through genuine emotional connection. His first contract forms with Aoi Mizushima, his girlfriend, transforming her into a radiant spirit warrior whose strength flows not from commands, but from choice.
Together, they fight monsters erupting from corrupted dungeons, synchronize their combat in dazzling choreography, and unlock devastating fusion skills fueled by trust. But the System is unforgiving: bonds weaken if affection is hollow, and betrayal can shatter power.
As guilds rise to dominate the respawned world, Riku and Aoi's rare ability draws attention — some see it as leverage, others as liability. Their journey uncovers fragments of the God Program, the entity behind the update, testing whether human bonds can stabilize reality better than cold algorithms.
From glitching chimera bosses to guild wars and server-like towers piercing the sky, Riku and Aoi must prove that connection is not inefficiency, but evolution. At the summit of a citadel of light, they confront the System Administrator itself — a godlike overseer who rejects emotion as weakness.
In the final battle, their Bond Gauge surpasses measurable limits. The interface dissolves into words: "Connection: Infinite." Their love rewrites the rules of the world, stabilizing reality not through code, but through choice.
🌌 Premise
Riku awakens to discover the Earth has patched itself into an MMORPG. Forests outside the city now spawn monsters. City halls operate as guild headquarters. Even shy classmates now have visible stats.
But Riku's interface is different.
While others see basic class trees and skill lists, his System reads:
Unique Skill Acquired: Contracted Hearts
Form bonds. Forge power. Rewrite fate.
The ability allows him to form contracts with people he shares a profound emotional connection with, turning them into battle companions.
The first person eligible?
Aoi Mizushima. His girlfriend
.
🌌 Main Character – Riku Hayashi
Appearance
- Age: 17, high school student
- Lean build, more wiry than muscular — looks ordinary at first glance
- Black hair, slightly messy, often falling into his eyes
- Wears casual school uniforms or hoodies, but his wooden practice sword (now rarity-rated) is always with him
- His aura changes when fighting alongside Aoi — his status window glows faintly, reflecting their bond
Personality
- Persistent and quietly resilient; not flashy, but steady
- Initially self-doubting, unsure why he received such a unique System
- Protective of Aoi, but not possessive — he values her choice and agency
- Analytical in combat, but emotionally driven when bonds are threatened
- His defining trait: he believes connection is strength, even when others dismiss it as weakness
💖 Female Lead – Aoi Mizushima
Role
- Riku's girlfriend and first Heartbound Partner
- Transforms into a radiant spirit warrior when contracted, clad in shimmering constellation-etched armor
- Acts as both emotional anchor and combat equal — she's not a sidekick, but a co-protagonist
- Her bond with Riku is the foundation of the System's true potential
Appearance
- Age: 17, same class as Riku
- Long dark hair with a soft sheen, often tied back casually
- Warm, expressive eyes that glow faintly when her spirit form activates
- Spirit form: luminous armor patterned with star maps, flowing light around her like a living constellation
Personality
- Playful and teasing outside combat, often grounding Riku when he gets too serious
- Courageous and decisive in battle — she accepts the contract without hesitation
- Values honesty; arguments with Riku don't weaken her bond, they deepen it when resolved
- Her strength comes from choice — she fights because she wants to, not because she's bound
- Defining trait: she embodies the theme of partnership over possession, proving love is agency, not leverage
🌸 Secondary Female Leads
1. Kaede Tanaka – The Strategist
- Appearance: Short auburn hair, sharp glasses, always carrying a notebook filled with tactical sketches.
- Personality: Analytical, pragmatic, and slightly sarcastic. She thrives on planning raid strategies and reading dungeon patterns.
- Role: A classmate who becomes one of Riku's contracted allies. Her bond grows through mutual respect and trust in his leadership. She represents intellectual connection — proving that bonds aren't only romantic, but also forged through shared purpose.
- Dynamic with Aoi: Friendly rivalry. Kaede teases Aoi about being "too emotional," but secretly admires her courage.
---
2. Yumi Sato – The Healer
- Appearance: Long silver hair, soft features, often dressed in flowing robes when contracted. Her spirit form radiates gentle light, like moonlight.
- Personality: Compassionate, empathetic, but quietly strong. She listens more than she speaks, and her calm presence stabilizes the group.
- Role: A childhood friend of Riku who re-enters his life after the respawn. Her bond forms through shared history and trust. She embodies healing through memory and care.
- Dynamic with Aoi: Sisterly. Yumi respects Aoi's role as Heartbound Partner and supports their relationship wholeheartedly.
---
3. Reina Kurose – The Rival Ally
- Appearance: Tall, athletic, with jet-black hair tied in a high ponytail. Her contracted form is fierce, clad in crimson armor with flame motifs.
- Personality: Bold, competitive, and stubborn. She challenges Riku constantly, pushing him to grow.
- Role: Initially part of a rival guild, Reina contracts with Riku after a moment of mutual trust in battle. Her bond is forged through conflict and respect.
- Dynamic with Aoi: Tense but respectful. Reina admires Aoi's strength but often clashes with her over tactics, creating sparks that energize the team.