It was four in the damned morning. I was confused and troubled about the thing in front of me: it was an interface, pastel pink, that apparently had some supposed "Rules."
...
RULES FOR WHAT!? No, no, no, wait, take it easy, I mustn't fall into despair. This could be some kind of dream, right?... But... the bump on my head really did hurt...
"I'm going to try touching it... Just a little bit."
When I touched that interface thing, I felt like I was touching a flat surface, like some kind of wall? Okay, honestly, this defies all kinds of logic.
The moment I pulled my finger away from that bright screen, the screen proceeded to change into a more rectangular and vertical shape.
[EIRAN SOLEN]
Age: 16
Favorite activities: Reading webtoons
>Charisma: 0 (Completely useless)
>Confidence: 3 (You have to be good for something)
>Social skill: -6 (Society repellent)
>Mental endurance: 20/100 (acceptable for what you are)
>Being stupid
...
Is this crap looking for a fight? Is it messing with me? Because believe me, you fucking excrement, I have a great record in pillow fights, seventy wins and two losses... Don't ask how I lost.
Isn't this supposed to be like webtoons? Where the protagonist gets incredible superpowers or items for the slightest stupid thing they do... WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO GOT STUCK WITH THIS FUCKING TRASH SYSTEM!?
...
Alright, now what do I do with this? Supposedly this thing is going to give me a mission or something, right? Come on, do it quickly.
I proceeded to touch it again, thinking something would happen.
[FIRST MISSION]
[CONDITIONS]
TRY TO BE HER FRIEND FROM DAY 2
[TIME LIMIT: 10 DAYS]
...
Hey...
...
You've got to be kidding, right?
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE! Me, a simple, totally normal human being, conquer her? I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TALK TO A WOMAN!
[IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH WHAT'S STATED...]
The screen suddenly transformed into a bright red color, approaching me in a millisecond.
[THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES!]
"Hiiih, O-okay, I understand"—scared, I simply agreed to that command.
No... I couldn't sleep all night. How is it possible to sleep? They practically have me threatened with a knife at my throat! This is crazy!
Tsk.
Well, the only positive thing is that it disappeared from my face.
Wait, why am I scared? It's a fucking screen. What the hell could a screen do against me?... I'll just ignore it. Besides, what's that mission thing? Conquer the new student? As if I could! It's like putting a three-year-old child against a tiger! CLEARLY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO WIN!
Okay... Let's forget this, now I need to shower and get dressed.
"What a relaxing shower," I spoke to the air. I was ready now; it was time to leave the burrow and eat, nothing more than that... "Haaaah"—I sighed unconsciously. I still can't get that out of my head. Will there really be such consequences?... And if there are, what will they be?
I left my safe place and there he was, my father, a man of few words, an adult man, like a rock with a face carved into it... Well, that's not important. Honestly, I want to eat something.
It was time to leave to repeat the same old routine. I touched the doorknob. "See you later."
"..."
Well, I didn't expect an answer anyway... Was it just out of, what, respect? I have no idea.
On the way to class, I was excessively nervous. I had a lot of crap to think about: the system, the mission, Elin Mora, too many things giving me a headache.
The door, the damned door to my classroom, I was in front of the big door... Will she be there? That makes my hair stand on end... "Haaah"—don't overthink things, Eiran, if you stand here too long, you'll draw attention.
I make the grand decision to take a step towards the door, but first... I'll look through the windows to see if she's there.
Yes, she was there. Her bright and distinct hair was there. "Huh- crap, I really don't want to go in."
Really.
I don't want to go in.
NO! Concentrate, it's just a fucking screen, it won't do anything to you. GOOD! Yes, that's it, act like someone normal, be the flattest and most non-existent person that exists (if you can put it that way).
I took a step forward and entered... All my classmates were talking about everyday life things (I guess), nobody cared when I entered.
"That's it!" I celebrated inwardly.
Now that nobody noticed me I'll si-
There she was, in my seat.
How is this possible? I saw her in another seat. Why did she have to move to mine? Or did I just see wrong?
IS THIS THE SYSTEM'S FAULT?! THIS CAN'T BE POSSIBLE! WHAT CRAPPY TIMING!
"Hey..."
I hear such a sweet and calming voice interrupting my thoughts.
"Is something wrong?"
It was her... Asking if something was wrong.
"Huh?"
At that moment, the system appears.
[ELIN MORA]
Age: 16
Favorite activities:???
>Love level:1/100
>Interest:10/100 (you're just an insignificant classmate)
>Trust:5/100 (She wouldn't even trust you to watch her pencil)
>Emotional State: Slightly impatient (GIVE HER AN ANSWER ALREADY!)
[TIME LIMIT]
>Condition: 16 HOURS 27 MINUTES 39 SECONDS
>Total time: 9 DAYS 16 HOURS 27 MINUTES 39 SECONDS
"It's like a dating sim," I said awkwardly.
...
"What?" she responded, confused.