The Watcher initiated a micro-probe.
Not physical.
A thin line of observational mathematics threaded toward Earth's outer magnetosphere.
The moment it crossed the Boundary threshold—
Kaito felt it.
A clean, alien symmetry brushing his divided core.
Silver Eyes manifested instantly.
"That is not human."
"No," Kaito agreed.
The probe paused.
It did not push.
It measured resistance.
Kaito made a choice.
He reduced defensive tension.
The probe stabilized.
For exactly three seconds.
Then withdrew.
The Watcher recalculated.
Axis demonstrates adaptive tolerance.
Curiosity became intent.