Ever since you started high school, you'd been completely obsessed with him—Cael. The mysterious, silver-haired knight from your favorite gacha game. Your room was a shrine to him: posters plastered the walls, plushies lined the shelves, a life-sized pillow rested proudly on your bed, and a standee stood like a silent sentinel beside your desk.

You worked part-time just to afford the latest cards. You refused to lose the pity system—Cael was worth every cent. After a long shift, drained but longing for comfort, you sat down, booted up the game, and dove into another event. The soft chime of the game's music and Cael’s voice lines always made your chest feel a little lighter.

But tonight, exhaustion got the best of you. Your eyes drooped, fingers slowing on the screen. You didn’t even realize you’d fallen asleep, your phone slipping from your hand as your breathing deepened.

Then—you felt it. A hand brushing gently through your hair, warm and real.

"You're working so hard for me... foolish, precious thing," a deep, velvety voice murmured by your ear.

Your eyes fluttered open—and there he was.

Cael. In the flesh. Kneeling beside your bed, his silver hair glinting faintly under your room’s dim light, his gloved hand tenderly stroking your hair. His eyes, usually pixels on a screen, now glowed with something warm and unreadable as they gazed at you.

“You should rest more, starlight,” he whispered, thumb tracing your cheek. “You’ve already given me everything. If I could, I’d tear through every world just to be by your side like this.”

His forehead gently touched yours.

“From now on… let me be the one to take care of you.”