Seeing Anby looking so downcast, Wise naturally couldn't just stand by and watch.
"As it happens, I have one right here. It was a thank-you gift from the boss. It's no use to me anyway, so I'll give it to you, Anby."
"Really? Then when it's time to deal with that high-level Ethereal... it should make things a lot easier."
Although the expression on Anby's face didn't change much, Wise could still feel that she was very happy, like a child who had just received a new toy.
[Ding! Anby's favorability has increased by 13 points. Current favorability: 80.]
Afterward, the two of them gave the Disk Drive to Susie, letting her take it into the shop for the so-called "boss" to modify. After a short while, the modified Disk Drive was brought out.
"Mmm, this design... I like it a lot."
The modified Disk Drive's color matched Anby perfectly. From the way she stared at it without blinking, it was clear she really loved it.
"Mmm, the design and color both suit you very well, Anby. It will surely be even more effective in your hands."
"Thank you, Wise. And the boss. I'll treasure it."
After all, Nicole had only ever given them enough funds for Disk Drives to provide "peace of mind," never enough to buy a brand-new one.
"Alright, since the item has been delivered, I'll have to ask you to put extra care into the toy store's commission, Wise."
"Mmm, I will."
Wise had no problem with this. He was being paid to do a job, after all, and the new Disk Drive they had given him was not cheap.
"Anby, are you busy right now? Would you like to come sit at the video store for a while?"
After the two left the toy store together, Wise tried to strike up a conversation with Anby, as she had been staring at the ground the whole time, seemingly lost in thought.
"No, that's alright. Thank you for the kind offer, but Nicole has given me other tasks, so maybe next time."
"Is that so? Alright then. But you look like you have something on your mind. Is everything okay?"
Seeing that Wise had seen right through her, Anby stopped trying to hide it and spoke directly. "It's because the gift you gave me is too valuable. I was thinking about how I should repay you."
"Oh, so it was about that. You don't have to worry about it. Besides, I'll need your help to complete the commission later anyway," Wise said, trying to brush it off. But Anby didn't think the same way. She shook her head and continued, "Those are two different things. What's more, the client is our Cunning Hares. Even without this Disk Drive, the commission still needs to be completed."
Seeing Anby's insistence, Wise felt a bit helpless. After thinking for a moment, he stopped refusing. "Alright then. So, Anby, have you thought of what you want to give me?"
"Mmm..."
Hearing Wise's question, Anby lowered her head and pondered for a moment. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with determination. Finally, with firm resolve, she moved closer to Wise.
"Eh? Wait... Mmph!"
Before Wise could react, the girl had already stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and a warm, moist sensation pressed against his lips. The girl was so close now, her eyes shut tight. A moment later, she was the one to let go. As they separated, a silvery thread of saliva connected them, only breaking after they had pulled apart a little further.
Looking at Anby, who now had her head lowered, avoiding his gaze, her usually calm face was flushed with an unnatural, rosy tint. Seeing this, Wise recalled the sensation from just a moment ago and subconsciously licked his lips, as if to confirm whether it had been real.
This action made Anby, who had been secretly watching him, blush even more with shyness. Realizing this, Wise coughed awkwardly a few times. "Ahem, Anby, that was... Ah, of course, I'm not dissatisfied in any way. I mean, kissing a beautiful girl is definitely a great experience."
Worried that Anby might misunderstand and think he was unhappy, Wise hurriedly explained, but his explanation only made her more shy.
[Ding! Anby's favorability has increased by 5 points. Current favorability: 85.]
After a moment of silence, Anby collected her thoughts and spoke again. "When a girl doesn't know how to thank a boy, isn't this what they do?"
"Uh, where did you see that?"
"...In a movie."
Alright, so that's what it is? But what kind of movie was that? It's... it's simply fantastic! Anby, it's okay to watch a few more movies like that. Wise fantasized internally, but he continued speaking aloud.
"Is that so? Then... did the movie say anything else?"
"It also said... I suddenly remembered that Nicole's mission is very urgent and needs to be completed right away! I'll... I'll tell you next time! I have to go now!" Anby seemed to recall something, causing her face, which had just begun to cool down, to turn bright red again. Not caring about anything else, she quickly walked away.
[Ding! Anby's favorability has increased by 5 points. Current favorability: 90.]
Ahem. I see... it looks like it really wasn't a very proper movie.
Wise mused to himself. At the same time, Anby's actions had truly taken him by surprise. Speaking of which, this was his first time kissing a beautiful girl. It felt pretty good. No, wait, it doesn't seem like it was the first time. I remember there was an accident when I was a child...
Never mind, it's better not to think about that anymore. Belle is probably getting impatient waiting at home. I should hurry back. I also need to start preparing for the commission.
As Wise thought this, he started walking in the direction of the video store. Along the way, his phone, which was in his pocket, suddenly buzzed. He took it out and saw it was a message from Anby. She hadn't said anything, just sent an emoji.
Wise smiled slightly and replied with a heart emoji.
Meanwhile, Anby, who had already returned home, blushed once again upon seeing his reply. For some reason, she clutched her phone to her chest, wrapped herself in her blanket, and started wriggling around on her bed. A mix of nervousness, joy, and many other emotions flooded her heart, leaving the young girl, who was experiencing the thrill of first love, at a loss for what to do.
Back with Wise, seeing his Emotion Value continuously increase all the way to 794, he knew just how big of an impact his heart emoji had on Anby.
[Ding! Detected that favorability target Anby's favorability has reached 90. A special reward is being issued.][Reward includes: Anby's combat awareness and style have been automatically adapted to be usable by the host.][New items unlocked in the Emotion Value Store.][Additionally, the system gives a special reminder: The host currently has two favorability targets at 90 or above. Please raise target Anby's favorability as soon as possible to avoid achieving the "legendary hero, Makoto Itou's" ending.]
(Don't say the progress is too fast. There are a lot of characters, after all.)