Hope’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her cheeks remained flushed. "So... what does that mean for me? If I’m a candidate but not a full Magical Girl?"

System: It means you can borrow Magical Girl power in emergencies, just like you did today. But prolonged use without a full contract could destabilize your soul. Think of it as a temporary key that lets you unlock a door you’re not yet meant to enter.

Hope’s brow furrowed. "That sounds dangerous."

System: It is. That’s why the payment is necessary. The affection exchange balances the borrowed energy and prevents long-term damage.

Hope was silent for a moment, her blue eyes fixed on the floating pink screen. Then she turned to Andrey. "And you’ve done this with your team? Multiple times?"

Andrey met her gaze steadily. "Yes."

"And they’re okay with it?"

"It took time. But yes. We’ve built trust."

Hope looked down at her hands, still clasped in her lap. "I trust you, Andrey." She looked up, her expression earnest. "I don’t fully understand this system or why it chose you. But I trust you."

Andrey’s chest tightened. "Hope—"

"So," she interrupted, her voice steady despite the pink tint on her cheeks, "if this is what I need to do to balance the energy and keep myself stable... then let’s do it."

She uncrossed her arms.

Andrey’s internal thoughts churned. ’She’s nervous but determined. I need to be careful. This isn’t like with Sarah or Lisa or Sein.’

"Okay," he said quietly. "We’ll take it slow."

System: Yay~ Starting affection exchange now. Hope-chan, please remove your top.

Hope’s hands trembled slightly as she reached for the hem of her tank top. She paused, took a breath, then pulled it over her head in one smooth motion.

Her black bra was plain, functional, but it hugged her curves in a way that made Andrey’s breath catch. Her breasts were full, soft, and her nipples were already visible through the thin fabric, hardening from the cool air or from nerves.

Andrey’s voice was low, controlled. "I’m going to touch you now."

Hope nodded, her eyes fixed on his face. "Okay."

He reached out slowly, giving her time to pull away. His palms cupped her breasts over the bra, the warmth of her skin seeping through the fabric. She was soft, so soft, and her breath hitched at the contact.

"Like this?" he asked.

Hope swallowed. "Y-yes. That’s... fine."

He squeezed gently, kneading the soft flesh, his thumbs brushing over her nipples. Hope’s lips parted, a small, surprised sound escaping her.

"Ahn..."

Her internal thoughts surfaced: ’This feels... strange.’

Andrey continued the slow massage, his movements careful, deliberate. He wasn’t trying to arouse her, not exactly. He was trying to transfer the borrowed energy back, to balance the scales.

System: Affection transfer in progress. Energy flow stable. Hope-chan’s compatibility increasing.

Hope’s breathing grew heavier. Her hands gripped the edge of the couch cushion, knuckles white.

"Andrey," she whispered.

He paused. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Just... keep going."

He did. His fingers slid under the fabric of her bra, pushing it up to expose her breasts fully. Her nipples were stiff, sensitive, and when his thumbs brushed them directly, she gasped.

"Nhh..."

Andrey leaned in, his mouth hovering near her ear. "I need to kiss them. Is that okay?"

Hope’s voice was barely a whisper. "Y-yes."

He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her nipple. She shivered, her back arching slightly. He took it into his mouth, sucking gently, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peak.

"Ahhn...!"

Her internal thoughts grew hazy: ’This is... more than I expected. His mouth is so warm. I can feel... something flowing from him into me.’

Andrey switched to the other breast, giving it the same attention. His hand continued kneading the first, rolling the nipple between his fingers.

System: Affection transfer at 45%... 52%... 68%...

Hope’s hands moved on their own, sliding into Andrey’s hair, holding him against her chest. Her moans grew softer, more breathy.

"Andrey... this feels... nhh..."

He sucked harder, his tongue flicking faster. Her hips shifted on the couch, her thighs pressing together.

System: Affection transfer at 85%... 94%...

Hope’s body tensed. Her back arched sharply off the couch as a wave of pleasure crashed through her. She cried out, a high, breathless sound, and then collapsed back, panting.

System: Affection transfer complete! Hope-chan’s borrowed energy has been balanced. Compatibility increased. Affection Points earned: +85.

Andrey lifted his head, his lips wet, his glasses slightly askew. He looked down at Hope, who was staring at the ceiling, her chest heaving.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Hope turned her head toward him, her blue eyes hazy but warm. "I... think so."

She sat up slowly, pulling her bra back into place. Her cheeks were still flushed, and she avoided his eyes for a moment.

"That was... not what I expected," she said quietly.

Andrey adjusted his glasses. "What did you expect?"

Hope let out a soft, embarrassed laugh. "I don’t know. Something more... transactional? Less..." She trailed off, gesturing vaguely.

"Less intimate?"

"Yes." She finally looked at him, her expression earnest. "But it wasn’t bad, Andrey. It was just... a lot."

Andrey nodded slowly. "I understand."

They sat in silence for a moment, the afternoon light filtering through the curtains, casting warm stripes across the floor.

Then Hope spoke again, her voice softer. "Andrey... about what the demon said. About the system not being on your side."

Andrey’s expression tightened. "I haven’t forgotten."

"Do you believe him?"

Andrey was quiet for a long moment. His internal thoughts churned. ’The demon wanted to sow doubt. He wanted me to question everything. But the system has been with me since the beginning. It saved my life. It gave me a team. It gave me purpose.’

"I don’t know," he admitted. "But I’m not ready to throw away everything we’ve built on the word of a demon we just killed."

Hope reached out and placed her hand over his. Her touch was warm, reassuring. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Then don’t. Take it one day at a time. And if the system ever does betray you... you won’t face it alone."

Andrey looked down at their hands, then at her face. Her blue eyes were steady, sincere.

"Thank you, Hope."

System: Don’t worry Hope-chan, I won’t do something so cruel~

Andrey stared at the system’s holographic screen with a flat expression, but his voice carried a note of restrained frustration.

"You said there was nothing lewd. But you just told me to grope Hope’s breasts. That’s lewd."

The system screen flickered with pink ripples that seemed almost defensive.

System: It’s not lewd~ It’s a legitimate medical procedure! Chest massage stimulates the flow of love energy throughout the body. Science! Just like CPR but with... more touch.

Hope crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyebrows were raised, but the corners of her lips twitched as if she was suppressing a laugh.

"A medical procedure, huh?" she repeated, her tone skeptical but slightly amused. "I’ve never heard of a medical procedure that requires a man to put his tongue on... there."

The system screen trembled with embarrassment.

System: That was an... advanced technique! For severe cases of energy imbalance. Completely clinical. I swear.

Andrey sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I’m too tired to argue with you. Next time, disclose the compensation terms before we lend out the power."

System: But if I told you beforehand, Hope-chan might not have agreed~

Hope finally let out a small laugh, her voice soft and a little hoarse. She walked back to the couch and picked up her white tank top, pulling it back on without any self-consciousness.

"So, does this mean I’m officially part of whatever you call this group?" she asked, tugging the hem of the tank top down over her hips.

Andrey tilted his head, considering. "Not yet. You’re still a candidate. But if the system detects more compatibility, you might be formally invited to join."

Hope reached up, gathering her loose hair and tying it back into a tight ponytail. "And if I refuse?"

The system screen pulsed with anxious pink ripples.

System: Refuse?! But Hope-chan, you would make such a wonderful Magical Girl! Your outfit would be so pretty, and your wand would sparkle, and—!

"Relax," Hope interrupted, holding up a hand to stop the system’s rambling. "I didn’t say I would refuse. I just wanted to know my options."