I'm the King of the World!
Butterflies in the stomach!
'You must be kidding. But that's definitely what I'm feeling. ' Haruki analyzed and concluded, 'I can already exchange confidences with my little sister!'
But without being able to stop looking at the being and object of his desire, he continued to stare at Jun.
'How can I have the hots for this idiot?' the singer reproached himself.
His feelings betrayed him. His body betrayed him.
He needed to stop this. End this madness or it would be ruining his future, his life.
Jun wore a black bandana that covered only the upper part of his head, leaving the nose and mouth out, and was tied to the back of the neck, like Zorro.
'Smart idiot,' Haruki realized that Jun had taken a napkin from the tables whose decor was black and gold, and transformed it into a mask with two holes.
'You cheap smartass.'
And the baker was exhaling sex appeal. The singer only came out of his trance when he saw a heart resting on Jun's wrist. Haruki felt himself seething with jealousy. And looking at his 'date', she mentally reproached her, 'Oh, how fickle Miyu-chan is.'
It took just one glance at the baker and it was enough for the girl's heart to shamelessly go to his smartwatch!
'Breathe man, breathe.' And turning to his date, he suggested,
"Shall we dance?"
Before, Haruki was determined that he would get away from the girl as soon as possible. To put Miyu at ease at her own party.
However, now afraid that she would go after Jun, the singer decided to become her shadow. He would stay as her defender all night, close to her and preventing Miyu-chan from getting close to Jun.
'Miyu-chan, I'll protect you from Lovebread!' He could be her paladin for tonight!
Haruki knew that his actions lacked a little logic, but he didn't know how to point out the contradiction. And he was helping the girl! Jun was too intense and difficult for someone as naïve as Miyu!
And putting his plan into action, he took her by the hand and led her to the center of the dance floor.
Haruki showed Miyu all his professional dancer swing, sliding with her across the dance floor, under the mirror ball.
The girl looked at him with admiration as he led her across the room, doing improvisations over and over to cover up her partner's flaws and help her out of embarrassment. His smile and his ease gradually helped her to relax and try some newly learned steps.
Miyu laughed at her own clumsiness, but he showed to be having a great time!
"I'm thirsty," she looked at him with adoring puppy eyes, after dancing two songs in a row, as if apologizing for interrupting.
The smartwatch beeped, but he ignored it for a moment, taking her to the buffet table.
The carefully decorated dishes, besides being beautiful, looked delicious. Haruki started to munch portions of tasty carpaccio. He was taking the opportunity to eat in a hurry while she drank from her water in crystal cups.
The singer intended to keep Miyu dancing as long as he could.
"Hm, it does really look tasty, right?" Miyu asked the singer about the carpaccio, and he nodded, because his mouth was full.
"I'm going to feed Mimi some."
'Opsie!' Haruki had totally forgotten about the kitten.
But there he realized that she cared for the little animal. Shaking his head in agreement, he picked up a plate to help her. Together they went looking for the animal.
By the way, the Ball was crowded… by holograms. It at least made the Pearl Hall like a true masquerade ball.
The cat had already found another lap to warm himself, Hinata's.
The singer only now realized that Hinata was sitting in a corner of the party next to the buffet, and wore a mask that covered his entire face, Venetian Carnival style.
'He must have a purple face as a result of the fight,' Haruki realized.
Miyu took the opportunity to sit too, next to the senior student. She was a little breathless.
They started talking about Mimi. The singer did not know that Hinata liked pets!
Haruki took the time to discreetly consult his smartwatch.
.........
Event: Masquerade
MINI MISSIONS: 7
MISSIONS UNLOCKED: 3
SECRET MISSIONS: 4
...
MISSION UNLOCKED 1/8: ELEGANCE
Minimum CHARISMA required: 60% + Black Tie
Bonus (Per CHARISMA + 25% above the requirement): Double pearls for the next mission
Rewards: 1 pearl | 1% bonus in CHARISMA | 0 player rewards | 80 diamonds
...
Mission unlocked 2/8: Dance with the protagonist
Minimum required: CHARISMA 60% | Dexterity 60%
Repeat bonus: 10 diamonds per dance
rewards: 1 pearl | 2% bonus in CHARISMA | 0 player rewards | 150 diamonds
...
Mission unlocked 3/8: Discover something the Protagonist likes
Minimum required: CHARISMA 60% | intelligence 60%
Repeat bonus: 5 diamonds per item
rewards: 1 pearl | 0% bonus in CHARISMA | 0 player rewards | 50diamonds
Haruki scratched his chin thoughtfully.
'Hm, you mean there are missions I can't see? Why? And I found out she likes Mimi ... and my mouth. So I got double points for this task.'
Checking the messages, he found that his status had changed, and he had completed the 3 unlocked tasks!
...
System Message:
Miyake Takao completed the Mini Mission [Elegant!]
...
System Message:
Miyake Takao completed the Mini Mission [Dance with Protagonist x2]
...
System Message:
Miyake Takao completed the Mission [ Discover Something the Protagonist Likes x2]
…
SECRET Mission 4/8 UNLOCKED: Get 1 Positive Reaction Point from the Protagonist (1 heart)
Minimum required: N / A
Repeat bonus: N / A
rewards: 3 pearls | 2% bonus in CHARISMA | 2% CHARISM player rewards | 200 diamonds
...
System message:
Miyake Takao completed Mission [Get 1 Protagonist Positive Reaction Point]
…
'YAY!'
He had unlocked a secret mission with no minimum requirements and had already completed it. That should refer to a heart that a character got from the protagonist. Unfortunately, the mission gave no replay bonus.
His status was fantastic, except for his Intelligence! That was a little offensive, actually.
...
System message:
UPDATED CHARACTER:
Miyake Takao - ATHLETE Starting
Points:
INTELLIGENCE 50%
DEXTERITY 82%
CHARISM 72% [equipment upgrade: 5%]
[FEATS: (1) - OPEN]
[Permanent defect: (1) OPEN]
[EQUIPPED ITEMS: (1/4): Fox Mask OPEN]
[ITEMS IN THE INVENTORY: (16/20) OPEN]
[1,255 diamonds available]
[6 pearls]
HAPPINESS STATUS: (5) INDIFFERENT
...
'Who could resist my overwhelming smile? ' he asked himself, satisfied with the 12% increase in his charisma, counting on the equipment.
But of course, Mimi had 100% charisma!
The cat was his biggest rival, if he was really competing for Miyu-chan's attention.
And while Hinata and Miyu stayed with the cat, and Mimi ate his carpaccio, Haruki went to the bathroom to relieve himself.
"I'm going to pee," he informed. Perhaps he should lessen his charisma a little by not being elegant? He still didn't know how the system's mechanisms worked.
Very pleased with himself, Haruki didn't notice the glare behind the mask, following in his footsteps.