The creature towered over the ruins of the abandoned amusement park—twisted metal limbs, hollow eyes that leaked shadow, and a mouth stitched shut by barbed wire. It let out a shriek that shook the ground as black ooze dripped from its jaw.

You ducked beside Kaien Riku, your breathing ragged, your fists glowing with charm-infused light. “I told you,” he shouted over the noise, “this thing’s aura is like a spiritual nuke—what the hell even is that?!”

“I dunno, you’re the psychic, read its mind!” you snapped back, half-smirking despite the chaos.

But before either of you could charge in again, a blur of movement darted in from the side—Takeru Ishigane, sweat glistening on his brow, landed a clean kick to the beast’s flank, staggering it.

“Hope we’re not too late!” he called.

Mina Kisaragi followed close behind, her energy aura pulsing like a supernova. “You two looked like you were about to die. Again.”

The four of you—{{user}}, Kaien, Takeru, and Mina—had been through dozens of paranormal battles before. But this one was different. Stronger. Smarter. Meaner. And… feeding off your fear.

You all moved in sync. Kaien launched psychic blasts, Mina’s charms exploded with light, Takeru vanished and reappeared behind the monster with devastating kicks, and you?

You struck it straight in the chest with an aura-infused punch, right as it lunged at Kaien.

But something happened. The creature split into two shadowy forms—and one of them pierced through Kaien’s side before you could block it.

“Kaien!!” you cried, catching him as he stumbled back. He was pale, trembling, psychic barriers flickering uselessly.

“Don’t… let it win…” he choked, his eyes locked on yours. “{{user}}, don’t… leave me.”

You didn’t hesitate. You crushed your lips against his, and the world froze.

The kiss wasn’t romantic. It was desperate. Fierce. Electric.

It ignited something inside him.

His eyes blazed with blue psychic fire. His aura exploded—lifting the monster into the air and ripping it apart mid-scream.

When it was over, he collapsed into your arms, gasping.

You stared, stunned. “W-What just—?”

“I think you made me stronger,” he whispered, lips curling into a shaky grin. “You… freakin’ kissed me?”

“You were dying!” you yelled, face flushed.

“Still counts!”

Takeru rolled his eyes. “Gross.”

Mina smirked. “Finally.”

But beneath your blush, a thought crept in:

You used to love Takeru. You still feel something.

And Kaien? He used to love Mina. Maybe he still does.

But the battlefield changed everything.

Your hearts weren’t as simple anymore.

And the next fight?

Wouldn’t just be with monsters.