“Echo……” Seraphine’s voice caught in her throat as she took an unconscious step forward. Her eyes widened in shock.

I tilted my head—an action that felt strangely natural in this new body. Silver hair cascaded over my shoulders like liquid moonlight, pooling against pale skin that seemed to glow in the chamber’s soft light. Curious about this new form, I raised my hand toward my host.

Seraphine, still reeling from the transformation, extended her own hand in response.

Two pale hands drifted closer until fingertips touched—soft meeting soft, warmth greeting cool.

The moment our skin made contact, something shifted. My eyes, no longer the simple dual-circle display of my orb form, conveyed emotions with startling clarity. Within their depths lay memories of cosmic vistas, of mountain ranges kissed by dawn, of countless worlds I’d observed through system interfaces. Yet despite all I’d seen, my gaze remained pure, untainted, as I looked up at my host with innocent curiosity.

Seraphine felt her fingertips lightly touched, then gently squeezed. She lowered her gaze and watched the silver-haired woman awkwardly spread her fingers and take hold of her hand.

“Seraphine……” I said, my voice carrying the crystalline quality of winter streams. Though my expression remained neutral, my eyes brightened with wonder. “This is Seraphine’s warmth.”

“Human body temperature…… Seraphine is warm.”

“……I should be warm.” she replied.

She opened her palm that was being held, interlaced her fingers with Echo’s ones, clasped its hand firmly, and lifted Echo up from the ground.

Echo’s first time in human form was stiff and awkward; its eyes fixated on where Seraphine held it, and it bumped into her.

Seraphine saw white for a moment as she tumbled into a patch of snow, the coolness brushing her nose—followed immediately by the warmth of a human body.

Since she was six, Seraphine had never been this close to anyone. Her ears heated uncontrollably. Embarrassed, she reached out and pushed Echo away. “Stand properly! What do you think you’re doing?”

Echo, unable to balance, tipped backward with an innocent expression.

Seraphine inhaled sharply, about to pull her back—but in a flash, Echo tilted her head and grabbed her hand. With a sudden thump, they tumbled together, one on top of the other.

Seraphine’s ears burned even hotter. She scrambled aside and quickly draped her outer robe over Echo.

“Idiot!”she huffed.

Echo blinked up at the beams.

Her eyelashes were black, but the tips were dyed silver, the same as her hair, catching the light as she blinked—a subtle glimmer reflecting in her calm eyes.

The weight of a human body amazed me. The sensation of fabric against skin was entirely novel compared to my previous matchstick-body interactions. This was different—a large, soft covering that carried Seraphine’s scent.

I pulled the robe closer to my face, breathing in deeply. “Seraphine.” I said with genuine wonder, “you smell nice~ nice~”

Seraphine’s gaze snapped downward to where Echo lay draped in nothing but her golden-red silk robe, her pale skin visible beneath the gaps. Every inch of Echo’s body was flawless—smooth, pristine, without a single imperfection.

Echo’s voice matched her appearance perfectly, carrying the clarity of eternal snow. When that melodious tone pronounced those four simple words, the image of her old spherical form instantly overlaid itself onto this elegant figure.

The words were just as infuriating as ever.

Still infuriating.

Seraphine wanted to snatch the robe back, but if she did that…… She closed her eyes, stood, and swept her sleeves dramatically. “Nice what nice? Get up this instant.”

“Please wait.” I said.

She turned her back to Echo and stood with her hands clasped behind her. After several minutes of rustling sounds, her patience snapped. She whirled around to glare at Echo, who was still lying on the floor.

I looked up to meet her gaze, then gestured to the holographic interface floating before me.

Want to see too? Please, go ahead.

“……What are you doing?” Seraphine demanded.

“I’m learning to adapt to this human body.” I explained. “Step one of adaptation is research.”

I enlarged the display panel, showing her anatomical diagrams and functional analyses of human organs. I lifted my arm, watching how the pale skin looked almost translucent in the light, then touched my stomach through the robe while studying the digestive system schematics. Then I started to reach upward—

Seraphine’s eyes widened abruptly. Flustered, she lunged forward, grabbing Echo’s wrist. Equal parts exasperated and helpless, she tugged the robe tighter around Echo and hoisted her up from the ground.

I swayed but managed to stay upright.

“Oh!” I blinked in surprise.

I was standing!

Looking down, I met Seraphine’s eyes from above.

Even more surprising.

“Seraphine.” I said calmly, “you got shorter.”

I’d always perched on her shoulder as an orb, looking up at her. This was my first time looking down at such close range. I studied her face carefully before declaring, “Seraphine, you’re truly beautiful. Like a flower, like precious jade, with natural elegance that could topple kingdoms and—”

“……”

Echo’s clear, watery gaze brimmed with sincerity and admiration. Seraphine’s face “flushed” crimson, and she instinctively gripped the collar of Echo’s garment tighter.

I tilted my head back, opened my mouth, and made a small choking sound.

“Ack.”

—

System Alert: Breathing function compromised—

“Step one of being human: put on some proper clothes!” Seraphine snapped, tugging Echo’s robe tight. “Come with me.”

She paused. “Can you walk? How did you move around before?”

Matchstick legs felt very different from human limbs. Plus, I used to float everywhere.

My eyes lit up with realization. Seraphine was so clever! “Please wait.” I told her.

She raised an eyebrow and waited.

After thirty seconds, she couldn’t help but reach out to smooth Echo’s hair behind her shoulders. “What exactly are you trying to do?” she asked with resignation.

“Huh?” I looked down at my feet.

“Human body energy systems work differently than system protocols. I’m still learning.” I explained, manifesting a small bubble in my palm. Inside it, my silver spherical form extruded wide, flat appendages.

Never mind energy systems—just put on clothes! Seraphine’s patience finally snapped. She released Echo and stalked toward the inner chamber, looking ready to abandon Echo entirely.

I swayed unsteadily, catching myself against a nearby pillar. Opening my mouth, I employed the technique System 05 had taught me during our last meeting, making my voice as pleading as possible: “Seraphine, help~ help~”

The moment I spoke, a crimson silk ribbon shot out from behind the curtains, wrapping around my waist and binding my arms to my sides. I tilted my head curiously.

The ribbon pulled taut, and I felt myself being yanked forward with a whoosh. Pearl curtains chimed as I flew through them, landing with a soft bounce on the bed.

Lying on my back, I let out a relieved sigh. “Ah.”

Being horizontal was much more manageable.

That technique really worked.

Seraphine perched on the bed’s edge, poking at Echo’s ribbon-wrapped form with obvious amusement in her eyes. “What’s this about?”

“Where did you get a human body? I thought you didn’t have enough points?”

She’d seen right through me. Truly deserving of my certified-intelligent host status. I honestly explained how I’d negotiated with the Main System for endorsement fees.

“After buying the body, do you have enough points left for other purchases?” she asked curiously.

I lowered my head in shame.

No. I no longer had points to buy sword techniques for Seraphine. But—

“I signed a contract with the Main System. I’m now the exclusive advertising system for the System Shop. I granted them usage rights to my name and image. Every time they use my identity for promotional materials, I earn a commission.” I presented this as a stable, long-term investment strategy.

“……” Seraphine shook her head with a sigh. “Fine.”

Since Echo had chosen to exchange for a body, it was her decision. And honestly, compared to constantly worrying about someone coveting a small orb…… Seraphine looked at the beautiful woman squirming in silk ribbons, her lips curving slightly.

“This suits you better.”

I watched Seraphine’s expression, then carefully mimicked the way her mouth curved upward.

I smiled my first human smile.

[Author’s Note]:

“Step one of being human: put on some proper clothes!”

Echo: Step two? Stumble spectacularly—and watch me figure it out in the next 20 chapters on /LoveisLove520.