But for now, I had to fix this body—or I'd die of a heart attack before the next penalty.
Ding!
[Quest Timer: 8 minutes remaining]
"FUCK!"
I sprinted through the hallway, searching for Aria—my childhood love. My lungs burned, my stomach protested with every step, but there she was—blonde hair, perfect posture, completely out of my league.
Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind the gym.
"Mark? What are you—"
"Shh."
The sound came out sharper than I intended. She froze, eyes wide.
I took a deep breath, forcing a grin that didn't reach my eyes. "I just… needed a second."
Ding. [7 minutes left.]
The world held still for a heartbeat. My pulse was so loud it drowned out everything else.
"What's going on with you lately?" she asked softly.
I smirked, trying to hide the chaos inside. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"That.…"
"I like you" suppressing my shit-eating grin, I said with a straight face. 'Wow, she didn't shout. She must be a nice girl'.
Aria replied, shaking her head, "I think we have a misunderstanding here, Mark. I'm not looking for a relationship now"
Oh cool. Just stab me, twist it, add salt. Maybe throw me in the microwave for the full experience.
"Haha… yeah, of course" I said, smiling like my soul didn't just uninstall itself.
But would I let life walk on me?
Fuck no. My name's Mark Everest—I carved it into the top of that mountain with the cold wind dangling my dick.
"Alright, if you reject me like this, can't you make it up to me by giving me a peck on my cheek?"
She made a hesitant gesture, but after I kept pressing. Her shoulder relaxed in defeat.
"I guess that only makes sense."
She started closing in to my cheek; suddenly I turned my head rapidly, stealing a kiss from her. Our lips met.
Chu~
I could see her eyes widen, her breath hitting my face, our nose bridges touching each other.
hahaha—I pulled away fast before she could react and ran off. 'Guhhh, kill me. The great me uses this low method to get kissed'.
"System, I'm really gonna make you pay for the humiliation I went through."
Ding!
[Quest Completed. Host receives 10 points and a gift box.]
I laughed at the 10 points as it sank into the ocean of my -1 billion debt. Figures.
I ran out of the gym like a new man, breathing the cold air, my head clearer.
'What a joke. She doesn't even compare to the milf I live with'. I said to myself, trying to elevate my self-esteem after the rejection.
Well, strictly speaking, she rejected the guy who was in this body, not the new me. I would make her regret losing such a deal like me.
Anyway—time to head home and check the reward.
Back in the gym, Aria stood there dumbfoundedly.
Her fingers traced her lips. It was the first time her crush kissed her.
"Sorry Mark, I would accept but…I just can't now with things around us"
Just as Aria left the gym with tears running down her cheeks, the teacher stepped out from the shadows. Her eyes… weren't the same.
---
I almost lost my way.
The city looked slightly off—lights dimmer, streets quieter. I had a hunch something wasn't right.
Climbing the stairs, I knocked on the door.
"Wait a minute," came a melodic voice from inside.
'God, cleanse my soul with that voice'
The door opened—she stood there in an apron shaped like a heart, a wooden spoon in hand.
I grinned. 'What did this idiot do to deserve a woman like that?'
I took her hand and kissed it lightly. "Bella."
She blushed instantly, turning her head.
"Did I just stumble into the cute milf route?" I muttered under my breath.
"Dinner's ready," she said. "Let's go to the back. I already set the table."
I dropped onto the tatami, body aching, while she placed dishes in front of me. I devoured them like a starving wolf.
She just watched, cheeks resting on her palms, smiling.
"Hey, System," I muttered. "Why don't you ever give me a quest for Bella, huh? Even if you didn't, I'd still go for her."
I said grinning, taking a sip of soup. My eyes met hers—soft, warm, too good for this world.
The system replay?… silence. 'Figures.
My system's a dick. Now I'm sure of it'.
Before my thoughts could drift, the TV drama cut off abruptly—replaced by breaking news.