Arthur woke up with a smile plastered on his face. Not the fake one he used to wear to school or the tired one he gave Raul after a long shift—but a real one. A stupid, cheesy, I'm-so-in-love grin. The sky looked clearer, the world felt softer, and even the alarm clock didn't seem like it wanted to ruin his life.
He jumped off the bed, startling Lay the kitten, who rolled over and gave him a judgmental meow.
"Sorry, Princess Lay," he said with a dramatic bow, then scooped her up and spun around like a Disney character before placing her gently back on the pillow.
After a quick wash, he grabbed his hard hat and practically danced to the construction site.
Raul, standing by the entrance, was mid-sip of his coffee when he spotted Arthur skipping across the gravel like it was a meadow.
"Jesus, who gave you sugar for breakfast?" Raul blinked. "Did you win the lottery or finally poop after three days?"
"Nope. Just living the dream," Arthur beamed.
Raul narrowed his eyes. "You got laid."
Arthur choked. "NO! I mean—NO. I just—No!"
Raul burst out laughing, slapping his thigh. "Relax, Romeo. Your blush is visible from space. Just messing with you. But seriously, what's up with the glow?"
Arthur shrugged, but couldn't hide the joy. "Let's just say... things are going well."
"Ahhh," Raul winked. "The girl. It's always the girl. Alright, Casanova, get your lovesick butt moving, we've got concrete to lift and dreams to crush."
---
Arthur worked with renewed strength. His arms didn't ache as much, or maybe they did and he just didn't care. Each brick lifted brought him closer to the evening—his first official date with Lay. And he had a plan.
Over the past five days, he took every extra shift Raul offered, even cleaned out the backroom of the grocery store where rats looked tougher than him. All for this one night. He wanted it to be special.
A real restaurant. With tables. And forks that weren't plastic.
---
The restaurant was tucked into the corner of the city—a place with low lights, fancy menus, and waiters who spoke softly like everyone was trying not to wake a sleeping cat.
Lay wore a light-blue dress that fluttered around her knees, her hair in soft waves and her cheeks glowing more than the candles on the table.
Arthur, in his best (and only) button-up shirt, couldn't stop staring.
"You clean up nice," she teased.
"I tried," he said. "My shirt ironed itself out of fear."
They both laughed as they sat down. Arthur's heart pounded.
Then it happened.
Ding!
A blue box popped into his vision like an unwelcome email from a boss.
[NEW MISSION] Spend $400 on Lay today
Reward: +20 LP (Life pointes) / +2 Charisma Punishment: None
Arthur nearly fell out of his chair.
"$400?!" he whispered.
Lay tilted her head. "You okay?"
"Yeah! Yeah, just... this water is so clean. Like, suspiciously clean."
She laughed again, but Arthur was sweating bullets.
Four hundred dollars?
He looked at the menu. Prices danced before his eyes. $28 for soup? Was it brewed from unicorn tears?
But the reward was tempting. And more than that... he just wanted her to be happy. She deserved it.
So he let it happen. The appetizers. The main course. The dessert with a name he couldn't pronounce. When Lay's eyes lit up at every bite, it made every dollar feel worth it.
Until they left.
His wallet? Dead.
He checked the balance on his card and winced. "I just committed financial suicide with a smile."
But Lay looked happy. And she talked more than ever—about school, her favorite songs, how she used to come to this place as a kid and dream of eating here like a grown-up.
He walked her home, every step feeling light.
They stopped outside her house.
"Today was amazing," she said.
"I'm glad. You deserve amazing."
Lay blushed. "Well, goodnight, Arthur."
He waved as she went inside. Then turned and sprinted.
To the nearest jewelry store.
---
Ten minutes later, Arthur stood outside the shop, holding a tiny box. Inside? A ring worth $400. It sparkled like a tiny moon. He stared at it.
"Why did I do this?!"
He paced.
"She's gonna think I'm proposing! Or insane! Or both!"
He sighed, rubbing his face.
"Twenty LP. Two Charisma. That's... worth it? Right?"
He walked home under the stars, ring tucked safely in his pocket, fear and joy doing somersaults in his chest.
Now he just had one problem:
How the hell was he going to give it to her?