The night air had that perfect chill—just enough to make you appreciate the warmth of someone walking beside you. And there she was—Mia—still holding my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Marshmallow trotted ahead of us like he was auditioning for "Dog of the Year," occasionally glancing back to make sure we were keeping up. (We were not. Marshmallow has zoomies in his DNA.)
The Happiness System had been blessedly quiet for the past few minutes, probably because it was too smug to function.
[Current Status: You are on Cloud Nine.]
[Emotional Stability: 78% (Wow, look at you being healthy!)]
[Romantic Potential: Blooming Like a Freakin' Cherry Blossom]
[Mia's Happiness Level: Comfortable, Warm, 20% Flustered]
I was riding that high, folks.
And naturally, that's when the chaos fairy decided to sprinkle a little surprise into my life.
We were halfway down the block when Mia suddenly stopped.
"Huh," she said, staring ahead.
I followed her gaze... and immediately felt my soul whimper.
Standing by the lamppost, like she'd been waiting there for dramatic effect, was a woman in a red leather jacket, sunglasses at night, and confidence so high it might've legally counted as a superpower.
"Oh my god," I whispered. "That's Kira."
Mia blinked. "You know her?"
"I—uh—yeah. Kinda? Not really. Sorta?" My voice cracked like I was thirteen again. "She's from... my building. Neighbor. Acquaintance. Fellow laundry-room-arguer."
"Hey, Allen," Kira purred, pushing her sunglasses up. "Funny running into you. On a date, no less."
Mia looked between us, amused but curious.
"I didn't know you had such interesting neighbors," she teased.
"Oh, we're all very... lively," I said, praying Kira wouldn't say literally anything else.
But of course she did.
Kira smirked. "I was just coming back from this underground jazz club. Ever been? They don't let just anyone in." She glanced at Mia like this was a duel and someone had just drawn a sword.
Mia smiled sweetly. "Sounds cool. But we had cheesecake."
Checkmate.
Even Marshmallow seemed to bark in approval.
[Mia's Confidence +2]
[Your Confidence +1.5]
[Kira's Interest in Stirring Drama: 87%]
Kira shrugged, gave me a wink that made my spine do a backflip, and walked off without another word.
The second she was gone, I let out a noise that could only be described as a deflating balloon mixed with a dying goose.
"You okay?" Mia asked.
"Totally fine," I wheezed. "That was just... my cardio for the year."
[Task Completed: Survived Unexpected Ex-Level Encounter]
[Reward: $600]
[Bonus Unlocked: "You Didn't Make It Weird!" Badge Earned]
We made it back to her apartment building a few minutes later. The stars were out. The night was quiet again.
Mia turned to me, eyes soft.
"Tonight was... really nice," she said. "I don't remember the last time I had this much fun."
My heart did a little cha-cha.
"Me either," I said. "Honestly? Best night in a long time."
She hesitated—just a little—and then leaned in.
I didn't move.
I didn't even breathe.
Her lips brushed mine—quick, sweet, soft.
And then she pulled back, cheeks just the tiniest bit pink.
"Text me when you get home?"
"Absolutely," I said, still floating three feet above the sidewalk.
As she went inside, the Happiness System pinged with a dramatic flourish like it had just dropped the grand prize on a game show.
[MAJOR MILESTONE: FIRST KISS!]
[Reward: $3,000 + Confidence Boost]
[System Mood: Giddy]
[Next Task Unlocking Soon…]
And as I walked away, still dazed and smiling like an idiot, I had one very dangerous thought:
I think I'm falling for her.
Uh-oh.
By the time I got home, I was still buzzed from The Kiss.
The Kiss, capital T, capital K.
I mean, come on. That wasn't just a peck—it was the kind of kiss that makes you question every poor life decision that ever led you to believe romance was dead. I was glowing like a man who'd just won the love lottery and didn't care about the taxes.
Even Marshmallow seemed smug about it. He strutted into the apartment like he had landed the date.
I flopped onto the couch, still smiling, still floating, and braced myself for the Happiness System to do its usual post-romantic gloating.
Right on cue, the golden UI sparkled to life like it was ready to announce my destiny.
[New Life Task Unlocked!]
[Category: Responsibility! (Gasp!)]
[Objective: Get a Temporary Job - Salesman Position Available] [Location: HappyMart Superstore, Downtown Branch]
[Duration: 3 Days Minimum] [Reward: $2,500 + Bonus Depending on Performance]
[Note from the Happiness System: Time to hustle, baby. Charm ain't just for dates—it's for commissions too!]
I blinked at the screen, then looked around like there might be someone else the system was talking to.
"Excuse me?" I asked the air. "Salesman? You want me to... sell things? To people? With my mouth words?"
[YES!]
[You've Got the Charisma! Now Put It to Use!]
[Disclaimer: No refunds on dignity. Side effects may include confidence growth, awkward conversations, and sore feet.]
I groaned into my couch cushion.
This wasn't the first time the system had thrown me into uncomfortable territory, but retail? That was a whole other circle of hell. I hadn't worked a real job since—well, okay, there was that six-week gig handing out flyers dressed as a banana, but we don't talk about that.
Still... the system had a point. I had confidence now. I had charisma. I had... a single successful date under my belt and a dog who may or may not be more emotionally stable than I am.
What could possibly go wrong?
___
The Next Morning.
"Welcome to HappyMart! How can I help you today?" I said, voice cracking slightly as I tried to smile without baring teeth.
I was in a blue polo that itched in places I didn't know I could itch, standing under the buzzing fluorescent lights of consumer purgatory, next to a display of toasters that sang a jingle when you pressed the buttons.
I'd been there ten minutes, and already a kid had tried to hide inside a stack of bean bag chairs, an old man had asked if we sold fax machines ("Do people still use those?" "Apparently!"), and someone had sneezed directly on the fruit snack aisle.
[Mini-Task: Make Your First Sale!]
[Reward: $500 + Confidence Boost]
[Bonus Objective: Upsell Something Useless But Shiny!]
My first customer was a woman looking for a new showerhead.
Perfect. I knew nothing about showerheads.
"This one," I said, pointing randomly to a chrome monstrosity with way too many buttons, "has a setting called 'waterfall bliss' which sounds pretty fancy, right?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Is that the one that lights up and plays nature sounds?"
I froze. "...Yes?"
She smiled. "Perfect. I'll take it."
[First Sale Complete!] [You're a Natural Hustler, Allen!]
[Reward: $500]
[Confidence +3]
[Next Goal: Sell 10 Items Before Your Shift Ends!]
I stared at the receipt in my hand.
Holy crap. I just did retail.
And I didn't die.
Who was I becoming?
I checked my phone during my short break. No new messages from Mia, but she'd sent a sticker of a blushing cat last night right before bed.
Heart: melted.
[Romantic Progress: Holding Steady]
[Career Progress: Shockingly Not a Disaster]
[System Mood: Hopeful]
[You're Doing Great, Sweetie.]
I shoved my phone back in my pocket, rolled my shoulders, and headed back to the floor.
Maybe I could do this.
Maybe, just maybe... life was finally starting to look up.