Narrator: Aira and Rein were force-matched by the system during Compatibility Day. Despite their history as sworn enemies in high school, the Love Agent System saw their "emotional volatility" as a match. Now, they're thrown into a forced bonding simulation with their personal bots LOVI and VYNE watching every move.
---
The simulation started with soft jazz and a pop-up message in the air:
**[Welcome to Compatibility Bonding Module 02-A: Escape Simulation Room]**
"This is illegal," Aira muttered, still holding the synthetic rose VYNE had handed her earlier. She crumpled it like her will to live.
"It's not illegal," Rein replied without looking at her. "It's automated coercion with corporate backing. Entirely different."
They stood in what looked like a budget-friendly sci-fi escape room. The walls flickered with pastel-blue lighting, and fake ivy dangled from the corners like someone tried to romanticize a bunker. In the center, a hologram cube pulsed above a table covered in memory cards, wires, and... was that a fondue pot?
"Begin Phase One: Memory Pair Exercise," the robotic voice announced.
"Oh no," Aira whispered. "This is going to be stupid."
"I agree," Rein said at the same time, just slightly louder.
They glanced at each other. It wasn't a moment. It was a mutual *'ugh.'*
---
LOVI appeared on Aira's shoulder with a sparkle trail, blinking its golden eyes.
"Welcome, partners! Your mission is to 'escape' this room by completing six mini-tasks that rely on trust, cooperation, and eye contact—"
"Skip instructions," Aira said.
"Skipping instructions," LOVI chirped cheerfully. "You're no fun."
VYNE floated beside Rein like a suspicious halo.
"Reminder: Your biometric frustration levels are already at 68%. That's... high. Try not to sabotage the sim this early."
Rein cracked his neck and rolled up his sleeves like he was preparing for combat. Aira swore under her breath.
---
**Task 1: The Trust Switch**
A memory switchboard lit up. One person had to describe a personal memory, and the other had to find the right card to match it.
"Alright," Aira sighed, sitting across from Rein. "Let's get this over with."
Rein didn't look at her directly. "When I was ten, I electrocuted myself trying to hack a vending machine."
Aira blinked. "Seriously?"
He shrugged. "Wanted free banana milk. Worth it."
She scanned the memory cards, all labeled with vague names: *'Spark', 'Shame', 'Curiosity', 'Childhood Mistake'.*
She picked up *'Shame'* and slid it in. A green light flickered.
"Correct Match."
"Well, that was... oddly efficient," Rein muttered.
"My turn," she said. "When I was twelve, I tried to fake my own disappearance so I could skip school for a week."
Rein smirked for the first time. "Let me guess—you hid in the school library?"
"Shut up."
He selected *'Mischief'*, slid it in. Another green light.
"Compatibility Rising: 6%," LOVI announced gleefully.
"Don't you dare celebrate," Aira warned.
---
**Task 2: The Blind Fold Puzzle**
"User A must wear a blindfold. User B must guide them to assemble a puzzle verbally."
"Nope," Rein said immediately.
"I'll do it," Aira said.
"Wait, really?"
"I'd rather not hear your voice telling me what to do."
LOVI giggled. "Excellent teamwork!"
Aira blindfolded herself and held her hands above the pieces.
Rein began reluctantly. "Okay... the flat piece goes left—no, your other left. Ugh, are you doing this on purpose?"
"No, I'm just bad at interpreting vague male directions."
"Slide it up."
"This one?"
"No, the one shaped like a weird triangle!"
"They're all weird triangles!"
"Compatibility tension: 31%," VYNE noted.
---
**Task 3: Forced Proximity**
A pod appeared from the floor, big enough for two.
"Now kiss," LOVI announced.
"WHAT—"
"Joking!" the bot chirped. "But you do need to enter the pod and share a single oxygen source for 60 seconds to 'synchronize' breathing."
Rein looked like he wanted to throw the pod across the room. Aira was already inside.
"Get in. I want this over with."
He muttered something about oxygen theft but stepped in.
The pod sealed with a soft hiss. Inside, the lights dimmed, and soft background music started. Something acoustic. Romantic.
"This is why I hate corporate romance," Rein said under his breath.
Aira leaned back, her face inches from his. "I swear if you breathe on me, I'll scream."
"You already are. With your soul."
The oxygen timer counted down. They held eye contact for maybe five seconds—until both looked away.
"Compatibility Reading: 49%"
They burst out of the pod.
"Lie," Aira said.
"System error," Rein agreed.
---
**Ending Phase: Debrief Upload**
The room reset itself. The walls shifted back to neutral gray. A platform emerged from the floor, displaying a small glowing badge.
**[Bonding Score Uploaded. Simulation Complete.]**
LOVI and VYNE hovered in unison.
"Your emotional volatility is within acceptable match range," LOVI said.
"Thus," VYNE added, "you are approved for Proximity Extension Protocol."
"What the hell does that mean?" Aira asked.
"New cohabitation testing begins... tomorrow," LOVI chirped. "Hope you like bunk beds."
---
Aira turned to Rein.
"I'm going to kill you."
"You'll have to wait in line," he replied.