Deep within the sterile, high-tech confines of a private apartment in Gampid City, afternoon sunlight filtered through the reinforced windows, illuminating the quiet room.
Haruto was sprawled out deeply asleep across the soft mattress of the bed. The door clicked open, and Daisy walked in, having just returned from school. Tossing her bag onto a chair, she paused as her eyes landed on the bed.
A heavy, irritated scowl instantly twisted her features. She marched over, her face flushing with anger, and turned sharply toward the corner of the room where a floating metallic sphere hovered.
"Retro!" Daisy hissed, her voice sharp with fury. "Who told you he could sleep there?!"
The retro robot hovered forward nervously, its digital optical sensors blinking. "M-Master... you gave the order yourself this morning!"
"I told him to sleep, yes!" Daisy snapped, crossing her arms. "I didn't say he could take over my bed! Why didn't you put a mattress down on the floor for him instead?!"
"I honestly don't know, Ma'am..." Retro stammered, its gears whirring defensively. "He just collapsed there on his own before I could move him!"
Daisy let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temples. "Fine whatever. I need to change out of my school uniform." She turned to the robot. "Throw him out of the room so I can—"
"Wait, Ma'am, should I help you—?" Retro started.
"No, leave it, I'll just change like this," she muttered, though a fresh wave of annoyance hit her as she glanced back at the sleeping boy.
A dangerous glint entered her eyes. Acting on pure instinct, Daisy walked over to the wall shelf, snatched up a sleek, heavy-caliber tactical pistol, and whirled around. In one fluid, practiced motion, she marched straight to the bed, cocked the hammer, and pressed the cold barrel of the gun directly against Haruto's temple.
Retro panicked, its digital lights flashing red. "M-Ma'am! Why are you pulling a gun on him?!"
Daisy's expression was ice-cold, her finger resting lightly on the trigger as she stared down at Haruto's peaceful face and started to change her clothes.
"If he accidentally wakes up right now," Daisy whispered, her voice dropping into a deadly, threatening tone, "that's going to be the last mistake he ever makes."
Daisy lowered the pistol slowly, letting out a heavy sigh as she stepped back from the bed. She quickly changed out of her school uniform, tossed the gun back onto the shelf, and walked out of the room to give him some space to sleep.
A little while later, she sat down at her desk, typing out a few documents and reviewing some system notes on her holographic tablet. Looking up from the screen, she called over to the hovering robot. "Hey, Retro. Didn't Gampid City just ping back online recently?"
Retro hovered closer, its digital eye blinking. "Yes, Ma'am! I just received an encrypted data packet from Gampid confirming that Haruto has been successfully treated and stabilized."
Daisy's eyes widened slightly. "Oh? Well, that's a relief." She tapped her terminal. "Connect me to Gampid's main terminal right now."
With a soft hum of light, a sharp holographic projection flickered to life in the center of the room, displaying the high-ranking AI head of Gampid City.
"Master," the projection greeted respectfully. "You called?"
"Gampid, do you have the current locations of the other founders?" Daisy asked, her tone dead serious.
Gampid shook its holographic head regretfully. "Apologies, Master. They've completely suppressed and extracted their core essences to stay off the grid, making it impossible for my network to track them since they're far outside city limits."
"I see... thanks anyway," Daisy muttered, cutting the connection with a wave of her hand.
She leaned back in her chair, falling into deep thought. Philo... she found us, patched Haruto up, and just let us go like that. Is she really not that strong, or was she playing a different game entirely?
Daisy clutched her fist tight. Either way, I'm only at Level 89 right now. If a real threat drops in, I won't stand a chance. I need to push my level up higher.
Standing up from her desk, she turned to the floating robot. "Retro, go ahead and diffuse some high-frequency calming agents through the room's ventilation. I'm going to head down to the kitchen and make some food."
Deep into the night, the apartment fell completely silent, save for the faint hum of the climate control systems.
Daisy walked quietly back into the bedroom, stopping beside the bed to look down at Haruto. A deep, aggravated sigh escaped her lips. Seriously... why does he always end up taking over my bed? Am I really supposed to sleep on the floor now?
She considered waking him up, but quickly thought better of it. If I wake him up now, he'll feel too refreshed, and then he'll spend the entire rest of the night causing chaos and wreaking havoc.
From the corner, Retro's optical sensor flickered on. "Ma'am, if I may suggest... why don't you sleep down at the main base tonight? That is your official residence, after all."
Daisy shot the robot a sharp glare and crossed her arms. "No. You know I can't stand living down there."
Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she shook her head. I really need to take a bath and clear my head.
As she walked back out to the living area, her mind drifted back to the absurd reality of it all. Just how different is Haruto's world anyway? I mean... look at his luck. On top of everything else, the guy somehow has five fiancées?! Is he seriously telling the truth, or is he just spinning some ridiculous lie?
Deciding it wasn't worth losing any more sleep over, she shrugged off the frustration. Whatever. Guess I'll just crash on the couch tonight.
Making the best of it, she grabbed a thick, comfortable storybook, brewed a warm cup of coffee, and set a small plate of biscuits on the side table. Curling up under a soft blanket on the living room sofa, she cracked open the book and began to read by the dim lamplight.
The morning sunlight filtered gently through the reinforced windows of the private apartment, casting a warm golden glow across the living room.
Daisy's eyes fluttered open as she slowly stirred from her sleep. The first thing she felt was a strange, awkward stiffness in her back, followed immediately by a piercing gaze. She blinked away the sleep-fog and looked up—only to find Haruto standing right over the sofa, staring down at her with intense, deadpan curiosity.
Daisy jolted in absolute shock, letting out a startled gasp. Her limbs flailed as she scrambled backward, completely losing her balance and tumbling off the couch with a loud thud. She landed hard on the floor in a tangled, undignified mess, her legs kicking up awkwardly in the air.
Haruto didn't even flinch. He leaned casually against the edge of the sofa, looking down at her with a light, teasing smirk. "I've never seen you sleep before. But honestly? You really thrash around a lot when you're knocked out."
Blood rushed straight to Daisy's face as humiliation and pure rage boiled over. She untangled her legs, scrambling up to her knees, and pointed an accusing, trembling finger right at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing standing over me like a creepy stalker?! Have you completely lost your mind?!"
Haruto raised his hands defensively, though the amusement never left his eyes. "Relax, relax. Like I said... this is the first time I've ever seen you actually asleep. Without all your walls up, you looked so innocent and completely off guard." He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Seeing you like that for the first time... I couldn't help myself, I just had to watch for a second."
Daisy scrambled up from the floor, instinctively checking the glowing digital clock on the living room wall. Her eyes widened in absolute horror.
"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" Daisy shrieked, panic flooding her voice. "My school! Just because you took over my bed and I couldn't get a proper night's sleep on that damn sofa, I completely overslept! My classes started ages ago, you idiot!"
Haruto held up his hands defensively, offering an awkward, apologetic smile. "Hey, come on, is it really my fault—?"
"Shut up!" Daisy snapped, glaring daggers at him. "A simple 'sorry' isn't going to cut it this time. Remember how you lost that video game bet to me earlier? Well, time to pay up." She pointed a finger right at his chest, her expression lethal. "Starting right now, you are my official personal assistant. You are going to do whatever I say, whenever I say it, and obey every single command I give you. Got it?!"
Haruto let out a defeated sigh, knowing there was no escaping her wrath. He slumped his shoulders, offering a mock salute with a wry grin.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Come on, go cook some food for me! Do you even know how to cook?" Daisy demanded, crossing her arms.
Haruto flashed an easy grin. "Yeah, I actually know how to make a few things."
"Fine, whatever," Daisy muttered, flopping back down on the couch to catch up on some extra sleep.
With Retro hovering nearby to hand him ingredients and pull up holographic recipes, Haruto headed into the modern kitchen. Within a short time, he whipped up a warm, toasted omelet sandwich, neatly plating it before bringing it over to the couch.
Daisy sleepily sat up, took a bite, and blinked in surprise. She chewed thoughtfully, then nodded. "Not bad... it's actually decent." She pointed a finger toward the bedroom. "Now go clean my room."
Haruto chuckled, heading off to tidy up her messy bedroom. By the time he finished scrubbing and organizing everything and walked back out, Daisy had already drifted back to sleep on the sofa.
Bring! Bring!
Suddenly, the sharp ring of her phone cut through the quiet apartment. Daisy's eyes snapped open. She snatched the device off the side table, swiping to answer. "Hello?"
A serious voice on the other end rattled off a quick report. Daisy's expression tightened. "Oh, is that so? Okay, thanks for the heads-up... I'll handle it." She hung up and tossed the phone aside.
Haruto walked over, tilting his head. "What was that about?"
Daisy stood up, brushing down her clothes. "The military is bringing in a new batch of recruits, and they're running combat evaluations down in Layer 5. I have to go down there and oversee it."
Haruto's eyes lit up with a hint of excitement. "Oh, really? Can I come with you?"
Daisy immediately scoffed, waving a hand. "Absolutely not."
Haruto clasped his hands together, putting on his best pleading expression. "Come on, Daisy, please?" he whined softly, leaning in close with a warm, winning smile.
Daisy's cheeks flushed slightly at the sudden charm offensive. She looked away, clearing her throat to hide her embarrassment. "Ugh... fine, whatever. You can come."
As Haruto walked off to grab his gear, a thoughtful smirk crossed his face. I can get to level up.