Kurumi Ogino stood frozen in Akira's ruined apartment, eyes wide, chest heaving from the adrenaline of the fight she'd just witnessed. Moments ago, she was an ordinary second-year student with a nosy habit of checking in on her reclusive neighbor and classmate. Now?
Now she had seen her childhood friend radiating golden energy while a gorgeous, barely-dressed cat-eared girl launched spells in a made-up language to destroy a monster straight out of a nightmare.
"What… what just happened?" she gasped, brushing glass shards from her skirt. "You—Akira—you glowed! And she spoke, like, elf language or something!"
Sera Rymer dusted herself off, her hoodie slipping off one shoulder. She wore a smug grin and little else.
"You caught us during our little nightly bonding ritual," she said teasingly. "We usually save that for after dinner, but the Rift Beast was very rude."
Akira coughed violently. "I-It's not like that! She's not—I mean, we're not doing—"
"He means the Pact. I'm his servant. In the magical sense." Sera winked. "But it's also fun teasing him in the other sense."
Kurumi's fists clenched. Her face was scarlet.
"So all this time, you've been hiding a magical catgirl in your apartment?! And fighting monsters?!"
"I didn't know either until she fell from the sky!" Akira protested.
Kurumi glared. "And I suppose her ridiculous… anatomy is part of her magic too?"
Sera's ears perked. "You mean my boobs?"
Kurumi sputtered.
Sera stepped closer, suddenly serious. "Actually, yes. My body stores magical density differently. The Cresettla Stone responded to Akira, and I was bound to him. But now…"
She turned to Kurumi and stared thoughtfully. "You saw the battle. You felt the mana. Your presence didn't disrupt the resonance. That means… you might be compatible."
Kurumi blinked. "Compatible?"
"With the stone," Akira added, eyes widening. "You mean she could—"
"Become a Star. A Cresettla Companion."
Kurumi folded her arms. "I don't want to be anyone's companion. Especially not in the weird, steamy way you're suggesting."
"But what if you're already connected?" Sera said, stepping close enough that their chests nearly touched. Kurumi flinched but didn't back away.
"A simple compatibility test could awaken your latent magic," Sera said, voice a low, teasing purr. "Of course, it'll require physical contact. A lot of it."
"What kind of test?!"
"Spirit syncing. Skin-to-skin contact. If you're lucky, the Stone will react. If not… well, we'll still get to see how flustered you get."
Akira groaned. "Please stop messing with her. This is serious."
"I am serious," Sera replied, now tracing a finger along Kurumi's collarbone. "Her mana threads are awakening. I can see them."
Kurumi swatted her hand away, cheeks burning. "Fine! If it shuts you up, I'll do your stupid test! But if this is a pervy trap—"
Sera grinned like a cat with cream. "No promises."
---
Later That Night – Spirit Bath Ritual
Kurumi sat cross-legged in the center of a circle drawn with glowing runes. Her school uniform was replaced with a thin white ceremonial robe provided by Sera. She pulled it tighter around her chest, glaring.
"Why is this thing practically see-through?!"
"Traditional Crescentian garments," Sera said sweetly. "Maximum mana exposure."
Akira turned away, face flushed. "Are you sure this is necessary?"
"Completely. Now place your hands on her shoulders. Like this."
Sera guided Akira behind Kurumi, his hands trembling as he touched her. Kurumi gasped slightly at the warmth.
"Now, focus on the bond. Let your mana flow through her."
"This is so weird," Kurumi muttered.
The Cresettla Stone at Akira's neck pulsed. A gentle light flowed through his hands. Kurumi shivered. Her eyes widened.
"I… I feel it. It's warm… and tingly."
Sera's voice softened. "Let it in. Accept the Stone. Accept your feelings."
Suddenly, light burst from Kurumi's chest. Her robe fluttered open slightly, revealing smooth skin and the outline of magical runes forming across her body.
"W-Wait! What's happening?!"
"You're syncing," Sera whispered. "It's beautiful."
Akira's hands instinctively moved to stabilize her shoulders—but the magic pulled them closer.
Kurumi's back arched, and a radiant sigil appeared on her lower back—a crescent moon encircled by stars.
With a final flash, the energy faded. Kurumi slumped into Akira's arms, breathing heavily.
"D-Did it work?" she asked, dazed.
Sera leaned in, gently brushing hair from Kurumi's forehead.
"Welcome to the fold, Third Star."
Kurumi blinked up at Akira, who held her like she might shatter.
"You're really the chosen one, huh?"
He laughed weakly. "I guess we're both stuck in this now."
Kurumi smirked. "Then you'd better take responsibility."
Behind them, Sera's tail flicked. "Oh, I like her."
---