Secure Yu's assistance

"This is all so surreal," you say, shaking your head and turning to Yu. "Thank god you're on my side, I don't know anyone smarter to figure this out with than you."

"It's my pleasure," says Yu, grinning and fixing her glasses. "Maybe we can try claiming some tickets to Disneyland next? We could have the post-graduation senior trip we've always daydreamed about!"

"Not a bad idea," you say, "but why stop there? What if I claimed the whole park?"

"Seems like a lot of responsibility," says Yu.

"Or we could go on a trip somewhere else," you say, recognizing the logistics problem of owning a theme park. "You always wanted to visit London, yeah?"

Yu's ecstatic. "Are you serious? I don't know if my parents would give permission on such short notice though."

"Ooh. Good point."

Man, she's always thinking two steps ahead. Again you're struck by how lucky you have Yutong around. Yet, the implication of your new claiming ability is clear. Yu's excited now, but it's not that simple.

Claiming things in a lot of cases is tantamount to theft. And while Yutong's bright, she's also one of the more principled people you know. What happens when you want to claim something she doesn't think you should? What happens if you push things so far that even the power you wield can't keep your brilliant friend's conscience at bay?

A simple solution to the problem pops into your head.

"Hey Yutong," you say, facing her with arms akimbo.

She perks up.

"I'm going to go ahead and claim your help from here on out," you say.

Yu's eyes go wide, and her mouth falls open. "My help?" she asks. "Geeze, Chase. I know you can claim anything you want, but how am I going to get anything done if I can't even help myself?"

"No no, it's fine. You have full discretionary use of your help just like normal," you rush out.

Yu breathes a big sigh of relief and puts a hand on her chest. "Phwew, okay, you scared me for a second there."

You hold up a finger. "The only caveat is that from now on you'll always use your help to help me when I need you to," you say. "For example, like what you've been doing so far with helping me figure out these claiming powers. You've been super helpful, I just don't want that to stop before we even get started."

Yutong nods, understanding. "That's more than fair, considering I'll still be doing all the things I normally do with my help like 99% of the time," she says. "Anytime you need my help - or should I say your help now - just say the word, Chase."

Pearl clears her throat, reminding you and Yu of her presence. "Not to interrupt your guys' planning," says the dark-haired girl, "but it's kind of awkward pretending like I'm a part of this conversation when the whole context of our friendship is me being sarcastic and funny."

Yu makes a sympathetic face and quickly takes Pearl's hand in hers. Don't be down on yourself. You'll always be our friend, sassy attitude or no."

But Pearl shakes her head. "Right now it doesn't feel like it. I still like you guys, but I don't know how I feel about this version of me." She turns to you, her expression resigned. "I'm going to head home, Chase." Pearl pulls her phone out and waggles it at you. "Text me when I can use the personality... fragment... thing that you took from me. I'd really appreciate it."

Pearl turns to leave. You can't help but feel guilty.