Crush

***

Another week had slipped away since the peculiar adventure in the forest, as Laska referred to it. It had been an extraordinary experience, filled with bizarre occurrences that now seemed like fragments of an elusive dream.

The discovery of the lifeless animals, followed by the encounter with Plamen and his enigmatic abilities, the bewildering encounter with the brash Phoenix, Laska and me sharing our second "first" kiss and the intriguing "Versus Mode." And of course, the Phoenix Egg that promised to hold the key to crafting our own potions.

Laska would visit me to check up on the egg every day.

I was puzzled how our relationship could be even defined.

“Dude, why are you always dozing off during my lectures? Am I such a horrible and boring teacher?” Svet-sensei broke the chain of my thoughts as I apologized for not paying attention.

He was teaching us about another crucial aspect of a potential relationship – the art of planning memorable dates.

“So, dudes and dudettes! Anybody can feel anxious about choosing the right place for your first date. You obviously want to impress your partner,” The teacher spoke, captivating me with the way he could work his crispy voice. “What are some first date areas that come to mind?”

The students started suggesting common ideas like cinema, a delicious dinner, or, in case of this little black haired weirdo, cemetery.

“Yes, those are all viable choices for a date! Well, maybe minus the cemetery – sorry, little Nebo.” He addressed the classmate and then continued, “But if you truly go deeper… what would you learn about each other in these perfectly simple and regular activities?”

A murmur of agreement spread across the classroom.

I couldn't help but steal a glance at Laska, who seemed to have been studying me intently. Our gazes locked, and instead of shying away, we maintained eye contact, reaffirming the emotions that had blossomed between us even across the different worlds.

“We’ll learn what kind of food the other person likes and what kind of movies they prefer?” Burka raised her hand politely.

“That’s true. But do y’all consider those to be the most important things? Of course not. You have to think of something unique, you have to create happy memories. Something that could perhaps unravel your deepest desires, y’ know?”

Aren’t you taking it too far, sensei? It’s just a date… I thought to myself.

“When taking a partner on a date, you have to consider their feelings. You have to consider yours. And… most importantly, y’all are supposed to have fun!”

The class concluded with smiles on every face.

There wasn’t a single student who wouldn’t like to listen to Svet-sensei’s blabbering.

***

Once our teacher led us back to the familiar training grounds, we were all ready, facing our doors with anticipation.

Svet-sensei delved into the details of our next assignment:

“Win your crush over with a perfect date idea. In this dimension, you will be free to travel anywhere and anytime with a temporary skill called ‘Mobility’. Good luck and don’t forget to… Level up your love!”

***

I opened my eyes and found myself in a realm of joyful commotion, my senses were instantly overwhelmed. Towering structures twisted and turned against the backdrop of a clear, blue sky, their screams of excitement filling the air. Food stands were offering a tempting array of treats, from cotton candy to caramel apples. The aroma of sizzling hotdogs and fresh popcorn wafted from nearby vendors, mingling with the joyous laughter of children. Colorful balloons floated above the excited crowd, and the sound of carousel music added a whimsical note to the lively atmosphere. Amidst it all, costumed characters roamed, offering hugs and photo opportunities, while games of skill and chance beckoned with the promise of prizes.

In my mind, a single thought was swirling: ‘That time I was reincarnated into an amusement park’.

When I turned around to get one more look at the sweets food stand, I saw Brana approaching me from the same direction with an oversized portion of cotton candy.

Alright, so Brana is obviously the crush I need to win over during a perfect date… or something. I won’t pretend I didn’t forget already what the assignment exactly was.

“Hey, Kiss, here’s your cotton candy.”

That’s nice. Our date is already underway, and this place is amazing. Passing this exam will be a breeze!

“Can we go already? I am bored. I don’t like it here.” Brana declared, her expression void of enthusiasm.

Heek! I should have known it wouldn’t be so straightforward!

“U-uhm… okay, we’ll go somewhere else, okay, Brana?” I replied indecisively.

Her HP bar was fully green, symbolizing her HP to be at 100%.

“I don’t mind....”

Alright, we got this new skill called ‘Mobility’, so that we could travel anywhere, anytime.

Let’s try it out.

“’Mobility!’”

[Skill ‘Mobility’ activated: Set a destination.]

Hmm… maybe a… cat café?

[Destination set. You are being transported.]

In an instant, we found ourselves in a different city, seated at a table in a cat café. Countless felines roamed around us, including several that dared to weave between our legs. I picked up a lollipop from a nearby gacha machine and offered it to the first curious kitten that approached.

The little kitty started licking it like it hasn’t eaten for days.

“Haha, this is fun! Brana, give it a try!”

“Ugh… you know I am allergic to cats, right? I’m leaving.”

[Damage: -10 HP.]

Oh god! How was I supposed to know that?!

…

I should simply ask her…

“Brana, where is it that you would like to go?”

“I don’t know, surprise me…” She said with a blank expression.

I used my ‘Mobility’ again and transported us right under the Eiffel tower in Paris.

Great, so in this world, there’s real life places and countries! That makes things easier…

Or so I thought.

Because Brana was not having fun at all.

“Yeah… a nice pile of iron. Been here twice already. Booooring.”

[Damage: -10 HP.]

This is bad! I have already lost 20 HP!

This game is so cunning, giving us an ability to travel anywhere and yet not being able to please a single girl with anything I choose!

Concentrate, Kiss.

Where would I take Laska if I had this ability in our world?

…

That’s it!

Japan!

Laska adores Eastern-Asian culture!

[Destination set. You are being transported.]

“Hey, why did you bring me here???”

“I-is there anything wrong, Brana?”

We found ourselves right in the center of Asakusa, in front of the Asakusa shrine.

“You know that my family had to flee Japan when the war erupted. Why would you bring back such terrible memories for me from my childhood?”

[Damage: 20 HP.]

No… no, no, no, no! I am already at 40 HP, I cannot afford to be sent back to my checkpoint and be out cold for another 10 days!

Talking about the checkpoint… I feel like I forgot to touch it to save the game…

If I faint here now, my progress will reset and I will lose the Phoenix Egg!

I grew frustrated with myself, with the game and even with Brana by every second.

“Brana, what do you like to do?”

“I don’t know, I love to read… alone…?”

“But you can’t have a date by yourself without me! I mean, technically you could, but still…”

“You’re really terrible at this. Why did you even ask me for a date?”

[Damage: -10 HP.]

Oh no. Only 30% of my HP left.

Damn, this version of Brana is so annoying! Bring back the cheating Brana, that one was much bearable!

E-ehm… No. I have to think of something.

“There’s just not a place in this world that I would like to see anymore… I was born too late to discover its origins.” Brana said with her gaze lowered down, face not showing any sign of positive emotion.

Okay, this is getting deep.

Wait!

This skill, ‘Mobility’. Svet-sensei mentioned we could travel anywhere, anytime!

I have to win her over by showing her something that nobody else has shown her! Something that might potentially heal her bored, unimpressed but also scarred heart!

“’Mobility!’”

[Skill ‘Mobility’ activated: Set a destination.]

“Destination is… Japan… of the past!”

[Destination set. You are being transported.]

It worked!

This skill not only allowed us to traverse space but time as well!

Brana was astonished and excited to meet her ancestors and potentially prevent the devastating war that had forced her family to flee their homeland.

***

“Congratulations! All of you have cracked the code for passing this exam! Sometimes, you just have to think outside of the box.” Svet-sensei welcomed us back. “Or maybe, the movies and the dinner could have been the easier solution all along.”

CHAPTER 12: END