Dear Diary,

Today Y kinda… broke.

We got to the floor with the dire wolves, and Floofles immediately went to him wanting treats and pets. Something about hugging a big, fluffy doggo who was happy to see him made Y’s “everything is fine, honest” mask shatter. He didn't go supervillain insane, which is what I kinda thought would happen. Instead it just looked like all the energy was drained from him. Like he was a puppet, and someone cut the strings.

He kept repeating that he didn't want to be here any more. It was kinda hard to watch. But Kimi kept looking at me, like she was checking to make sure I didn't leave her alone, so I stayed.

Mika didn't stay. She’s not as close to them as we are, so it’s probably better she left.

Avi stayed. He messaged the Admin, asking if we could send Y and Kimi back to Floor 1. And after a while… the answer was no.

We either all had to stay, or all had to go.

It sucks, since we’re trying to get as many wins as we can, but there wasn't really an option. If winning breaks us, it isn't worth it.

So we’re back on Floor 1. We’re all neko again, and I'll admit that being a catgirl does feel better than being a half-dragon.

Mika says she doesn't mind. She’s been playing music all evening, so at least she’s having fun. Or, I assume she’s having fun. Avi joined her like an hour ago, and I’m pretty sure the song they’re practicing is a new one.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Kimi was with Y, but he fell asleep. Then she came down and helped me cook dinner. She’s never done that before.

Sure, she's watched me cook, but other than hand me things from the other side of the kitchen she’s never really offered to help.

And what did we make? Fish burgers. I got a bunch of sushi from Avi and separated it all out to get the fish, then squished the pieces into patties and fried them.

They were ok. If I had any of a dozen extra ingredients I know I could have made something way better. But neko tastebuds love fish, so it’s not like it could even be bad.

Oh, and I baked the seaweed into chip kinda things. They weren't my favorite, but Mika said she really liked them. So there’s that.

Anyways, I let Samurai know and cheered them on to get to the end super fast. Even if the party I'm in can't win, there’s still half our group in the running. I still have people to cheer for.

I don't know, this cycle has been hard. I wish, I really wish, I could spend a day with Nat. Just cook, and talk, and have coffee and relax… It would be nice. I need a grandma to talk to. I need someone with an outside perspective to tell me it’ll all be ok.

I mean, I know we only have nine cycles left, and then we get out of the dungeon. At most each cycle has taken fifteen days, so that’s only like… 45… 90… 135… It’s like four and a half months. That’s all.

That’s not too bad!

Four and a half months, and we’ll be in our new home.

Four and a half months.

Goodnight, Dungeon!

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