Chae Luna stood at the heart of a storm.
The digital stream from the Heartlock Trial had gone viral—not just within Amour Academy, but across its partnered institutions. The sight of Han Leejun and Luna wrapped in subtle, mounting affection had set the algorithm ablaze.
> Trending Now: #HeartlockTrial #SyncFlare #LunaLeejun
But the aftershocks were hitting harder.
The morning after Riven's outburst, Luna sat at her desk in Ethics of Affection class, trying to ignore the constant pinging of her holo-tab.
"Look this way, low-ranker~!" one of the students teased from behind.
"She'll be a top-ranker by next week," another sneered. "Thanks to her boyfriend boost."
Luna turned slowly. "He's not my boyfriend."
They just smirked.
At the front of the class, Professor Melrose cleared her throat.
"Let's discuss the unintended consequences of algorithmic bonding. Sometimes, emotional sync disrupts social hierarchy. Thoughts?"
All eyes darted to Luna.
She sighed.
---
Meanwhile: Han Leejun
Leejun leaned against the balcony rails of the East Wing, watching the students below.
He was used to attention. Praise. Envy.
But now? Now, everything came with a side of scrutiny.
> LP Analysis: Slight Dip Cause: Public Doubt
He didn't care. Not really.
Except he did. Because Luna was being dragged into it.
Because he'd dragged her into it.
He stared at the red SyncBand thread, still softly pulsing between them. Just hours left.
And he wasn't sure if he wanted it to disappear.
---
Back in the Girls' Lounge
Ivy poured herself a sparkling hibiscus drink.
"So, it begins," she mused to her friends.
"They're cute," one of them offered.
Ivy smiled without humor. "Cute doesn't last at Amour. Stats do."
But her grip on the glass said otherwise.
---
In the Courtyard: Riven Kai
He kicked at a pebble.
He wasn't supposed to care.
He wasn't supposed to feel that jab when she blushed at Leejun.
He told himself it was because she was being played.
But then why did it hurt?
> LP Drop: -2
He cursed under his breath.
"Fine. Let's play it your way, Leejun. But this time—" he looked up toward the glowing tower that housed Luna's dorm— "I'm not standing back."
---
Final Scene: Dormitory 7B
Luna reached for her SyncBand.
Only 10 hours left.
The thread between them glowed softly, but it felt heavier now.
"What happens after this?" she asked quietly.
Leejun looked at her.
"What do you want to happen?"
She didn't answer. Not yet.
But the butterflies in her chest did.