Riku leaned back against his creaky chair, watching the system screen fade with a soft shimmer, like a dream politely bowing out.
It still sent a shiver down his spine, Yumi's last seductive words, whispered with a promise that curled around his brain like smoke:
"I'll be more ready next time."
He exhaled slowly, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright then," he muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Time to stop being the half-assed version of me."
He opened his wardrobe.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again in disbelief.
"…Jesus. I look like a guy who peaked in art school and got dumped over text."
---
He stared at himself in the mirror. Hair like bedhead cosplay. Eyes half-dead. Clothes that screamed 'abandoned ambitions.'
"Yumi's preparing herself for me."
Not for sex. Not even for validation.
Just... to feel like he was worth the promise she'd made.
That alone should scare him straight.
If he showed up looking like he lived off ramen and porn algorithms, he didn't deserve her.
Ten minutes later, he was on the sidewalk, hoodie flapping, hair wild, determination written across his face like a lost script.
---
First stop: the salon.
It wasn't anything high-end, just one of those low-key places with spotless floors, soft music humming in the background, and a barber who looked like he cut hair as a form of therapy... for himself.
Clean. Chill. Not fancy. But definitely the kind of spot that made you feel like you might leave looking like your life wasn't falling apart.
Riku sat down and let the stylist assess him like a sad bonsai tree.
"We'll do something fresh," the man said, already reaching for clippers like he was about to do God's work. "You've got the bone structure. We'll bring it out."
"I do?" Riku blinked.
"Shut up. Trust me."
---
An hour later, he left feeling… sharp.
Hair trimmed, face exfoliated, eyebrows shaped like a K-drama antihero. He didn't look like a completely new man. Just the version of himself that hadn't given up.
"Step one: no longer look unemployed."
---
Next stop: shopping.
He stepped into the boutique with real purpose this time. No tripping on the mat. No nervous glancing.
But for once, he didn't feel like a nobody walking through it.
He decide to test his improved stats.
'Let's check if little improvement can affect my appeal. '
'Alright, Riku. You've seduced a very sexy MILF, unlocked a desire-powered system, and cashed out a hundred thousand yen in one day. You can flirt with one salesgirl. Easy.'
He took a breath. Rolled his shoulders. Even whispered a little pep-talk.
'Why are my palms sweaty? Why do I suddenly feel like I'm in middle school again? Relax. You've got a system now. You're smooth. Right?'
He stepped into the boutique like a man on a mission, only to trip on the entrance mat like an NPC.
Saved it with a cough.
The store smelled like rosewood and expensive laundry. Soft jazz curled through the air like a wink.
And then… she appeared.
Slim, warm-skinned, hair in a sleek bob, wearing a smile that made you feel like an old flame even if you'd just walked in.
Riku made eye contact. Too fast. Then looked away. Too quick.
'Cool. Now you look suspicious. Great start.'
She approached, voice light. "Welcome in. Looking for something today?"
'Okay. Say something suave. Say something… clever. Anything but—'
"I-I'm, uh… just shopping for… a shirt. Casual. But, uh… sexy? I mean—not like sexy sexy, just… the kind that makes a girl go, 'Damn.'"
She blinked.
Then grinned.
Then laughed. Not mean. Not mocking. A real laugh. Warm. Honest.
"Oh my god," she said, covering her mouth. "Are you doing some kind of dare?"
Riku felt every part of him implode.
"Abort. Abort. Buy socks. Go home."
"I'm serious!" he blurted. "I'm just… really bad at this. And, look, I had this thing last night and I thought, 'Hey, maybe I'm confident now,' but turns out I just got lucky."
She tilted her head. Eyes twinkling.
"You're adorable," she said, giggling. "Trying so hard and still honest. You're like a stray puppy in a nightclub."
"Adorable? Oh great. Next comes a pat on the head."
But instead, she stepped a little closer.
"Tell you what," she said, leaning in just a bit. "Let me pick something out for you. For this mysterious sexy occasion."
He blinked. "Wait… you're not mad?"
"Mad? Please. You're a breath of fresh air. Most guys just grunt and ogle. You? At least you're interesting."
She turned, hips swaying with intention.
"That worked? That actually worked? I'm living in a simulation."
He followed her through the racks, blinking like a man seeing snow for the first time.
"Yumi came to me. Led me. I didn't have to try. But here? I'm trying. I'm failing. And somehow… it feels right."
He smiled faintly.
"Maybe awkward honesty is… me."
---
She held up a sleek black shirt with embroidery along the collar.
"This one... might be dangerous."
"I hope so."
He took it, brushing her fingers slightly. Her gaze held his for a second too long.
[+20 E-CAP Earned]
[Emotional Response: Playful Curiosity]
[Available MP: 1.0]
"Got any cologne recommendations?" he asked, voice like melted chocolate now.
She walked closer, just within his bubble, and picked a small dark bottle.
"If you walk past her wearing this, she won't remember her husband's name."
He grinned. "Sold."
Just as he was about to head to the counter, another voice chimed in, smoother, deeper.
"Need a second opinion?"
He turned.
Another saleswoman stood there, older, maybe mid-thirties, effortlessly confident, with a neckline that made eye contact difficult and a smirk that said I eat boys like you for brunch.
His throat dried.
"I...I mean, sure?" he offered, already feeling the sweat prickling behind his ears.
She took the shirt from his hand, held it up to his chest like she was measuring more than fabric, and said, "Good bones. Shame about the posture."
Then she winked.
Riku could feel his brain glitching.
'This isn't flirting. This is trial by fire.'
'Should've put points into Composure.'
He nodded, trying not to visibly combust.
[+20 E-CAP Earned]
[Emotional Response: Predatory Interest]
[MP Total: 1.2]
His system pinged softly in his ear.
[Target priority recalibrated]
______
Author's Note:
This chapter was about more than flirting and grooming, Riku's finally taking himself seriously.
Even if it's messy. Even if he trips on the mat.
It's about trying. And maybe that's the sexiest thing of all.
Thanks for sticking around. If you've ever felt not-good-enough, like Riku, I hope this story reminds you that showing up matters.
And please don't forget to help me with Power Stone and Collections!