Chapter 28 - They Know Each Other

Talon was surprised when a familiar green text suddenly appeared in front of him. It had been weeks since the system had last shown itself, so he was not expecting it to appear now. He knew that whatever it had in store for him must be important for it to appear at this time.

[Host, welcome to this incredible show where you have the opportunity to transform your life. Are you ready for a mini-quest?]

[Your objective is to convince one of the female contestants to kiss you, no matter how you do it.]

[Clear Rewards: You will receive information about their profile and talents to help you win the contest.]

[But be warned, if you fail, your guitar skills will be disabled for two weeks.]

[Time is of the essence. You only have four days to complete this challenge.]

"Wait, are you asking me to persuade them to kiss me? Is that even possible? And what about cheek kisses, do they count?" His brow furrowed in confusion as he waited for a response from the system, but none came.

Talon found himself in a conflict, faced with a challenge that was completely unexpected and outside his comfort zone. The task of getting one of the female contestants to kiss him within four days seemed absurd and intimidating, especially for someone who wasn't experienced in matters of romance.

He stood there, taking a deep breath, trying to process the reality of the situation. The stakes were high – failing this task meant losing his ability to play the guitar for two weeks, a critical setback for him in the competition.

Talon briefly considered asking Maya, given their prior acquaintance. But he quickly dismissed the thought. It felt inappropriate and manipulative to leverage their familiarity with such a task. Moreover, it went against his principles. He wasn't the type to exploit relationships, even for something as important as this competition.

The idea of getting a woman to kiss him in just four days when he had no prior experience with such situations, seemed almost impossible. Talon was more comfortable with chords and melodies than with romantic gestures. The challenge felt like an insurmountable obstacle, leaving him in a state of dilemma and confusion.

His thoughts were a whirlwind of strategies and ethical considerations. How could he approach this task in a way that was true to his character and respectful to the other contestants?

As he stood there, contemplating his next move, he realized that this challenge would require him to step out of his comfort zone and think creatively. He needed to find a way to approach this task that was genuine and considerate yet effective.

The show's cameras closely monitored every move the contestants made. And if anything noteworthy happened, it would be broadcast to a large audience. While kissing was allowed, it was sure to stir up some drama.

[Host: Talon Starborn]

[Body: 41 (Good)]

[Mind: 32 (Good)]

[Performance Skills - 1

1. Singing - 17 (Advanced)]

[Musical Instrument Skills - 1

1. Guitar - 22 (Expert)]

[Creative Skills - 1

1. Songwriting - 8 (Beginner)]

Talon was pleasantly surprised when he checked his status and saw that both his mind and body had increased by one point. He couldn't help but wonder if this was a result of the experiences he had gone through in his new life over the past few weeks. With this boost in his abilities, he felt confident that he had what it takes to win the contest. All he needed to do was make the most of the opportunities presented to him.

Maya's interactions with each of the male contestants were marked by a mix of curiosity and sincerity as she sought to understand their reasons for choosing her.

Derek's calm and composed demeanor exuded a sense of confidence as he gazed into Maya's eyes. "Hi, Maya, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice steady but with a hint of intrigue in his gaze.

"Hi, Derek, nice to meet you too," Maya responded, her tone equally calm.

"I liked your voice; it was so beautiful," Derek complimented. "I'm sure we will make a good couple for the contest."

"I really enjoyed your performance as well," Maya responded with a pause, her expression deep in thought. "But I can't help but wonder, what made you choose me? Is it because of my voice? I have my doubts about it being the best, to be honest."

Derek paused for a moment before continuing, "You know, you're really interesting. And kind, too. I would love to get to know you better. I have always been drawn to girls like you." It was clear that her singing wasn't the only thing that caught his attention.

"Thanks," Maya replied, her smile appreciative of his honesty.

Maya walked over to Ethan.

"Hi, Maya."

"Hi, what about you, Ethan? What's the real reason you chose me?"

Ethan smiled and replied, "You have a good singing technique, you are talented, and I think I will be able to make friends with you. This is the starting point for a better relationship. That's why I chose you." He emphasized their potential compatibility, hoping to reassure Maya of his genuine intentions.

Maya's face lit up with gratitude, "Thanks, Ethan."

Maya walked over to Leo, who greeted her with a warm smile and an upbeat energy. As they stood face to face, Leo spoke confidently, "Maya, I have a feeling we have great chemistry."

"Hi Leo," Maya responded, returning his smile. "I'm curious. Why did you choose me?"

Leo's smile widened, "Well, you're incredibly cute, and your cheerful nature caught my attention. I just had to get to know you more."

"Thank you, Leo. That means a lot," she said gratefully.

Leo's smile grew even wider, "And I have a feeling my choice was definitely not wrong."

As Marcus pondered the odds, he couldn't help but think that even if he wasn't chosen, there was still a possibility of being paired with either Claire or Emily. To him, it felt like a true gamble.

"Maya, it's a pleasure to meet you," Marcus said with a warm smile.

Curious, Maya turned to Marcus and asked, "What about you, Marcus?"

Unable to hide his feelings, Marcus replied, "I can't deny that I'm drawn to your personality, Maya. You're incredibly kind, and I feel honored to have the chance to choose you in this first challenge." His tone was genuine and full of respect.

Everyone's eyes were fixated on Maya and the male contestants, their expressions a mix of anticipation and tension.

Heejin watched silently, her body tense with curiosity. "This is really interesting. Derek is so smooth and confident."

Sofia chimed in, "Leo seems very dominant and aggressive. I wonder what kind of man Maya is attracted to."

David interjected, "Ethan is incredibly polite. He always gives the most reasonable answers. And Marcus appears to be less aggressive than the others, which speaks to his maturity."

Oscar joined in, "Now, Maya is approaching Talon. I'm curious to see how he will respond."

The moment Maya stood before Talon was noticeably different from her interactions with the other contestants. Talon, breaking the pattern, did not initiate a greeting but instead simply gazed at her, a mixture of thoughtfulness and familiarity in his eyes.

"Hi, Talon..." Maya broke the silence, her voice soft yet clear.

"Hi, Maya..." Talon replied, his tone calm and steady as he maintained eye contact with her.

"Why did you choose me?" Maya asked.

Talon paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "To be honest, I do have certain preferences when it comes to the female contestants' singing abilities," he admitted, his voice sincere. "But when it came down to choosing someone for this first challenge, your name was the only one that came to mind." A small smile formed on his lips. "I guess it's because I am most familiar with you. We're friends, and we've sung together before."

Talon's response was both honest and heartfelt, causing everyone to be caught off guard. The room was suddenly filled with a hushed silence as they were all taken aback by the genuine and simple nature of his answer.

Maya, completely surprised by his honesty, couldn't help but giggle and gaze down, feeling a wave of amusement and maybe even a little bit of affection wash over her.

"They know each other?" the group collectively questioned, their curiosity piqued.