"It means that there are certain things that boys understand that girls don’t necessarily need to know the details of, okay?" I explained, allowing my fingers to gently ruffle her hair in a comforting gesture that I hoped would lighten the atmosphere. It was a simple action, yet one that felt deeply rooted in my past interactions. As I rubbed her head, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, bringing to mind memories of Rachel back on Earth. That small act of affection had become a cherished habit between the two of us, a way to express care without words. The gesture spoke volumes—of friendship, support, and familiarity. But now, here in this alternate world, I felt an undeniable restraint. The urge to repeat that same motion with this Rachel felt different, almost forbidden. It was as if I