The sun sat high above Akarigawa Park, spilling warm gold across the trees as Arthur walked beside Miyu. His palms were sweaty, his heartbeat way too loud for a normal human being, and every few seconds he had to remind himself to breathe normally. He wasn't sure which was scarier: standing next to a girl he liked… or the possibility of the system roasting him in public.
Miyu walked with small, light steps beside him, her white dress swaying with every breeze. A straw-like hat rested gently on her head, giving her an almost summer-storybook look. Arthur couldn't even look directly at her for too long; it felt like staring at the sun.
Of course, the system didn't help.
He clenched his jaw. Ignore… ignore… ignore…
He nearly tripped on air.
"Are u okay?" Miyu asked, holding back a giggle.
"Y-yeah. Just… testing gravity."
"…Testing gravity," she repeated, laughing softly.
They continued through the tree-lined path, birds chirping above them, and Arthur slowly began to relax—like the world wasn't trying to choke him with awkwardness for once.
"So," Miyu said gently, "why the park today? U usually go home early."
"I, uh…" Arthur scratched his cheek. "Wanted to… enjoy the weekend a bit."
"Oh? Alone?"
He choked on his own breath. "N-no—I mean yes—I mean—"
She smiled quietly and looked ahead. Somehow, that smile made his chest feel light.
They passed a stand selling taiyaki. Arthur, in an attempt at confidence, pointed at one.
"I'll get… that one," he said, hoping his Japanese came out right.
It didn't.
The vendor blinked.
Miyu bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
Arthur felt his soul leave his body.
Miyu stepped forward calmly. "He wants the red bean one."
The vendor nodded as if relieved, and Miyu's shoulder brushed Arthur's as she turned back to him.
"You're improving," she teased. "Kinda."
Arthur groaned. "Please don't make fun of me."
"I'm not making fun," she said, smiling. "It's cute."
His heart did a weird little flip.
---
They walked again, snack in hand, when the system suddenly flickered in his vision.
A bright window flashed:
Reward: 10 coins>
Penalty: "You know.">
Arthur froze in horror.
"No… no no no no—this is social suicide," he whispered internally.
No!
Arthur wanted to punch the air.
"Arthur?" Miyu poked his shoulder gently. "U spaced out again."
"A-ah, sorry. Just… thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing! I mean—something! I mean—just—ignore me."
She giggled softly. "You're weird today."
He wished the ground would open and swallow him whole.
---
They reached a small lake with pale blue water. Miyu sat on a wooden bench and dusted her dress lightly before placing her bag down. She looked peaceful, staring at the water.
Arthur swallowed.
The mission pulsed again.
He wanted to scream into the void.
But he sat down beside her, hands shaking a little, and whispered, "Alright… fine…"
"Hm?" Miyu turned toward him.
"There's… something I kinda have to tell u."
Her eyes widened slightly, curious. "Oh? What is it?"
He inhaled sharply.
"Back when I was twelve… I tried to impress a girl in my class."
Miyu tilted her head. "Impress? How?"
Arthur looked away in shame.
"I stood on the fountain in our city square and tried to sing…" He paused.
"…thinking she'd think it was cool."
"…Oh no," Miyu whispered, smiling already.
"And then… I slipped. In front of everyone. I landed face-first in the water. And the worst part?"
He covered his face.
"She recorded it."
Miyu stared at him for a second with wide eyes, completely still…
Then—
She burst into laughter.
Real laughter.
Soft, warm, almost melodic.
The kind of laugh that made Arthur forget the world for a second.
She leaned a little closer, wiping a tear from her eye.
"That's… that's adorable," she said between breaths. "I didn't know u were that kind of person."
"I'm not!" he protested. "I was twelve! My brain wasn't finished!"
She kept laughing, but gently—like she genuinely enjoyed being with him.
"You should talk more like this," she said softly. "It suits u… being honest."
Arthur's chest tightened. It was the first time someone had ever said something like that to him.
---
A window appeared again:
Arthur died internally on the spot.
---
The rest of the walk was easier, lighter.
Miyu talked more.
Arthur answered more.
Sometimes she leaned closer to see something he pointed at.
Sometimes he caught her sneaking small glances at him.
For once… it didn't feel like a lonely world.
As they walked toward the park exit, side by side, Arthur felt a soft warmth settle in his chest.
Maybe it was nothing.
Maybe it was something.