The day began slow.
No alarms. No mission pings. No sudden system trials.
Just the sun pouring soft gold through the tower's eastern glass, and the faint echo of laughter from the courtyard. That laughter wasn't Elias's.
It wasn't any of the harem girls'.
It was Null's.
Or something like it.
---
Morning – Courtyard
Lilith had tied a bright pink ribbon around Null's left wrist.
"For balance," she claimed, smirking. "You've got that 'mysterious apocalypse girl' vibe. Gotta soften the mood."
Null stared at the ribbon like it was an unstable chemical.
"Why would you… decorate me?"
Lilith rolled her eyes. "It's not decorating. It's accessorizing. Big difference."
Then she leaned close. "Also, Mira bet me five coins you'd rip it off in ten seconds."
Null blinked. "Why?"
"Because Mira thinks you're emotionally constipated."
Null looked at the ribbon.
Didn't remove it.
Lilith whistled. "Well, color me impressed."