After leaving the command center, Jin found himself in a quiet corridor, his mind still reeling from the kiss. His heart rate had returned to normal, but the memory of Sera's lips against his remained vivid.
"Asha," he said quietly, leaning against the wall. "I need to ask you something."
"Your vital signs have stabilized, though your oxytocin levels remain elevated. I assume you're processing the romantic encounter."
"The affinity numbers you keep showing me... what happens when they reach maximum? Like, if someone gets to 100?"
There was a pause, then Asha's tone shifted to her lecture mode. "Ah, finally asking the important questions. Very well. The Affinity System operates on five distinct levels, each more intimate than the last."
Jin's HUD flickered, displaying a new interface:
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[PHOENIX CORE - AFFINITY SYSTEM EXPLANATION]
LEVEL 1: ACQUAINTANCE (0-100)
- Basic trust and friendship established
- Willing to work together
- Shares surface-level thoughts
