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Penelope cast one final glance at her notes. Her adoptive brothers were easily crossed off the list. They had hated her since childhood, and besides, they reminded her too much of her real brothers. The thought of pursuing any of them made her feel icky.
Derrick Eckhart
Reynold Eckhart
Callisto’s route had been her favorite in Normal Mode. That was why she initially tried so hard to go for him in Hard Mode. But every interaction ended the same way: with her character dying. That was enough reason to cross him off the list.
Callisto Regulus
Eckles had shown her sympathy during Normal Mode. Winter was the one who brought Ivonne back. Based on that alone, Eckles seemed like the obvious choice.
Still, there were other factors to consider. She would not meet Eckles until much later in the story, and since she was racing against time, it made sense to have a backup plan.
Winter Verdandi (?)
Eckles ✅
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As Penelope ran from Callisto, it hit her all at once how much she wanted to live.
I don't want to die!
Her voice cracked as she screamed the words, tears spilling down her face. She collided with a stranger, and before she could fall, he steadied her. She kept sobbing, unable to stop repeating those same words.
Something about his presence calmed her. When she looked up, she realized it was Winter.
He looked at her with deep concern, even offering to take her to a doctor. She declined, but he still handed her a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears.
"I hope the next time we meet, the sadness has abandoned these beautiful eyes."
His affection score rose instantly to 9%.
And just like that, Winter was no longer the backup. He became her main target.