[ DING! ]
[ Congratulations, host. Ultimate Lover System has been accessed. ]
Han couldn't believe the sound he was hearing, much less his eyes. A translucent pink screen hovered in front of him–a system was just granted to him. Impossible, that only happens at birth he thought.
Still as someone who was through a lot, and absolutely begged for a system since forever, he rolled with it. Shock gave away to curiosity.
[ DING! Notification. The system was dormant. Core functions locked. ]
"Dormant?"
[ DING! Tutorial interference Loading. ]
[ DING! Loading completed, tutorial interference set. ]
[ DING! To unlock the SSS – Special Ultimate Lover's System full version, complete the tutorial trial.]
[ DING! Tutorial trial: Convince the woman in front of you to a date. ]
[ DING! Time of completion: 20 Minutes. ]
'H-Huh wait a second, who, me? Pardon? This beauty, and me? Impossible-
The screen flickered and disappeared, but at the left part of his eye sight he still saw the notification, System: Dormant.
'Screw you! I know you can hear me..'
And more importantly, above the girl's head a separate pink window was hovering, it had her information.
____________
Mirai Nikki, 21.
Affection level – Unknown. (Probability is 0 to 10.)
Physical attraction — Unknown.
Desire – Unknown.
Benefit – SSS Rang.
Risk level – Unknown (Potentially S/S+.)
Love for you: 35, Simple curiosity and bits of empathy, reason – Lineage
Lives at Luxury Hills.
___________________________________
[ DING! Advanced mechanics are locked until tutorial completion. ]
His brain processed the information one by one, he didn't get much but he couldn't continue if he didn't understand what the system was first.
'Hmm what about Unknown, wait.. SSS!? Eh.. Mirai Nikki? Where did I hear that surname?'
His curiosity about the system he just gained–instantly switched to the young girl in front of him–He glanced at the dungeon backdoor he left behind feeling as if he'd forgotten something terribly important.
That's when it hit him, Nikki corporations, major shareholder in the guild he was just fired from.
"Hey, excuse me." She softly said, leaning closer.
'Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh SHIT, fuck, am I in trouble? Did she notice I was staring at her?Take her on a date!? How?! She's literally world class elite, mother fucking royalty in flesh, im a no–one!'
In his mind, time passed like a decade of time, cursing himself to death he ever stared at her, when in reality, a handful of seconds had passed at most.
'Realistically speaking, we're far from a date… If anything, I will be lucky if I'm not in trouble.'
He glanced at her smile, her head tilted slightly, the emerald dress draping with effortless elegance—modest, yet carrying a quiet allure. Her short, fiery-red hair brushed just above her arms. She trudged closer, her nose sniffing something.
His gaze slipped lower, landing on her feet, modestly covered by white Nike sneakers.
"Oh, nice shoes. I've been meaning to buy those for my sister," he blurted, then winced, shutting his eyes.
'Brilliantttt, absolutely brilliant Han. Compliment her shoes. Not her hair, not the dress—no, the shoes. But of course, she must think I'm crazy now… And I didn't even say hi- Oh Brilliant. Yeah.'
The only answer that made sense now was simple: run.
Run anywhere, away from the weight of her presence and the decade of anxiety pressing on his chest. But before he could bolt, she laughed softly. "Thank you, I guess."
His thumping heart calmed slightly, "Y-Yeah." He wanted to say something more, but she took the initiative again. "Sorry for stopping you," She took a few steps closer, "I'm Mirai. I thought about what happened to you earlier, and it was quite unjust in my opinion."
He nodded, "Yeah, thanks. He wanted me gone for some time now."
She took out a card from her sleeve, "A gerart, right?" she raised it in the air as she continued, while Han slightly raised his eyebrow. "Here, I don't have much time–but call this number and explain Mirai Nikki sent you then explain what happened, they will be able to help you get a re-location at a different dungeon."
He took it, a system was maybe finally given to him but he was still dirt poor–besides, he needed somehow to get closer to her, a rejection of good-will wouldn't fit nicely.
Closely inspecting the metallic card, it was the official business card of the Nikki upper echelon Corporations. Black, trimmed with gold. Elegance itself which a few can touch.
She turned to leave, in the distance, near the alley's exit he could see a black limousine waiting.
He raised his voice for the first time, "H-Hey wait a second uh." She stopped, but didn't turn around. "Yes?"
"W-Who are you?" he asked, wanting confirmation she really is that girl. Her head turned slightly, one eye glancing at him. "I've told you, Mirai."
"Yeah, I heard. But you gave me this card, and earlier you even stood up for me. Also, you've been glancing at me as well."
She sighed, closing her eyes. "Men… glance once and suddenly they think it's love. Mirai Nikki. The owner of these buildings, the ground beneath you, the air you breathe. The dungeons you got fired from, again, quite unjustly."
Her eyes snapped open, sharp with conviction. "Also, I wasn't staring at you. I was watching how my employee handled that inspector — "
'Inspector?'
"She's notorious for causing trouble across newly opened or cleared dungeons. I can't believe that overseer fired you over someone as incompetent, and corrupt as that.. Thing."
She said, her face falling ill with a grimace remembering the woman. "A stain on my family's name, truly. Though again, your gaze kept drifting back to me."
Her eyes flicked downward, at her chest.
"Or rather, to a specific part of me. So maybe it wasn't completely unjustified, albeit for different reasons." She said with a slight smile.
Then eased his thoughts as he stepped back, "Relax, just kidding. I realize how just.. Let's say how wanted my body is."
Silence stretched. Han's chest tightened for a bit. She seemed kind, slightly arrogant yet her prideful tone cut deeper than his ex‑boss ever had. She continued walking away, seeing how he didn't say much.
He knew he didn't have much of a chance for a date, so he stepped forward filled with anxiety.
"DINNER!" The word tore out of him, echoing against the alley walls. "If you own the dungeon, and you feel sorry, then you owe me dinner. One dinner, no?!" it was reckless, crossing the line even.
But it was the only shot he had, he didn't know what else he could do. And the timer was now at ten minutes.
For a second the only sound both of them heard were the distant horns of cars stuck in morning rush in the distance of the city, the peaceful chirping of the birds, the calm air brushing alongside their skin.
Then a snicker, Mirai leaned forward, holding her stomach bursting in a fit of laughter.
'Did I say anything funny..?'
"Ahh." When she calmed herself down she straightened herself, fixed her long red dress, cleaned off the dirt from her sleeves which slightly draped over the ground.
Then turned to him "Interesting. Would you look at that it appears you've got some hope to those shaky legs of yours after all. I thought you'd pass out for a second. Asking me for dinner huh." She tilted her head, "Surely you don't think I'd cook for you?"
He shook his head, looking at her name on the screen, the place she lives at. "No, no of course not, miss, how about a restaurant?" He thought for a bit, something controlled by them.. "Diamonte restaurant?"
She thought for a bit, took out her phone and checked something. "Tonight, right after six pm. Be one second late and I'm leaving. Understood? Also, do not misunderstand." She sharply said, "It is strictly a business dinner, we can talk about your Re-Employment in person, leaving it to that person–" She emphasized on the person, making Han raise an eyebrow, "Would cause me anxiety… It will also be the formal apology of the Nikki family."
He couldn't believe it, "Yes!! Understood, I'll be there." he thought for a bit, "Could I get a ride aswell?"
"Don't push your luck." She answered as she left, entering the limousine an older woman in a suit closed the doors behind her, slightly bowed towards Han, entered the car, then they left.
He lingered frozen for a second, then knelt down, his legs giving out, his hands motioning forward. "YEESSSSSSSSSSS, YES!" he yelled, "YES YES YES! A DATE! WITH MODERN DAY ROYALTY!"
A parent and child passed by, "Mommy, that guy looks like a crazy person."
She silenced the kid, telling him to just pass by. He blushed a bit realizing he maybe over–reacted and stood up, cleaning his pants off. "Ahem."
"System." As he called out to it the window appeared,
[ Congratulations, host. Ultimate Lover System has been unlocked. ]