Chapter 6: Playing games (II): [BubblySunbeam]
It was 10 a.m. when I started playing the game. After finishing some of the easiest tasks, like recording myself doing the stretches listed, brushing my teeth and flossing, and proving I took a shower (which was a little creepy at first, but then I realized it didn't say I had to record myself inside the shower), I set my phone to record, then covered the camera, and got in the shower. Frey also did those simple and mental tasks with me, and it did fill the completion rate a bit, but it barely did anything for our pet's growth rate. We decided to do most, if not all, of the food-related ones so we could do them today and increase the growth rate.
According to the game, we can do food tasks together, but we still have to eat the amount it tells us to; usually, we'd have to eat the amount the recipe makes. That means if it says that we both have to bake a cake and eat the whole thing, we still do, no matter what size it is. The cake was good, but I was scared when making it. The recipe had peppers, vegetables, and a bunch of medicinal herbs and protein. Like a lot of protein. The cake wasn't too big, so we were able to eat one each.
Then we made 1 matcha avocado mousse each; it was as good as I thought it would be; it's hard to mess up matcha. We knew that by the end of the day, we wouldn't be able to eat dinner, and the fact that we both had an uncontrollable sweet tooth didn't help. Next were ginseng-infused honey-nut pastries. These were quite delectable, with an earthy flavor of ginseng, the sweetness of honey, and the crunch of nuts. We had five each; I saved this recipe.
And lastly, we made licorice root and ginger cookies. They were…they weren't bad; they just didn't fit my tastes. We both had 12. Well, the recipe made twelve, which we had to eat, but we just made two giant cookies, which used all the batter, so it counted. By the time we stopped, it was sunset. My completion rate was 50.05%, and my pet's growth rate was 10.001%. Frey's was the same as mine. I can see why Geomi finished her completion before growth and why she was so adamant on me accepting administrators' missions.
As I thought about it, my phone buzzed. [Message from administrator [BubblySunbeam]] "Huh?" Frey rolled over and looked at me. We were both lying on her bed. "What's wrong?" "I just got a message from an administrator named [BubblySunbeam]. I think it might be the one that Geomi was telling me about." "Then look at the message, duh." Frey leaned closer to me so she could see my phone, almost lying on top of me. I opened the game and clicked the mail icon.
.
.
[BubblySunbeam]: You're the one that Geomi helped, right?
Me: Yes.
[BubblySunbeam]: Good. I've read your information.
Me: Ok?
[BubblySunbeam]: I wanna be your benefactor or at least one of them. There are a few who have an eye on you.
Me: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
[BubblySunbeam]: It depends on who it is. But I can help you figure out who has your best interests in mind.
Me: And why would you do that?
[BubblySunbeam]: Because it'd be beneficial for both of us. It'll help you grow, and it'll help me…with something.
Me: With what?
[BubblySunbeam]: The only way I can describe it to you now is that it's like a promotion. I can't explain it fully yet, but you'll understand soon enough.
Me: Why is everyone so cryptic?
[BubblySunbeam]: Part of the job. So, will you accept my offer?
Me: Fine.
.
.
Frey turned away, assuming that my talk with [BubblySunbeam] was over. Suddenly, a message appeared on my screen.
[Special task from [BubblySunbeam]: Record yourself hitting on your best friend for 30 minutes.]
I stared at the message and blinked my eyes for a few seconds, then opened my conversation with [BubblySunbeam].
.
.
Me: What in the fuck?
[BubblySunbeam]: I told you I'd help you, but I didn't say it'd be boring for me~Serious Sunbeam is gone now.
Me: Do I have to?
[BubblySunbeam]: Yes, and make it entertaining. If I'm successfully entertained, then I'll give you a bonus award. Oh, and your friend can't know about the task, so don't let them see your recording.
Me: Fine, I'll do it.
[BubblySunbeam]: Good, I'll be waiting.
.
.
As if it were planned, Frey turned and looked at me. I opened my camera, hit record, and put it in a spot where it could see her face, but not let her know I was recording. "Hey, Rika, do you have any anime recommendations?" "Sure, I have a few in mind," I replied with a smile. "Black★Rock Shooter is good. Actually, you remind me of Black Rock Shooter, mysterious yet alluring, and being around you feels like I'm in a whole world of dreams." Frey blushed and looked at me with a confused expression. "Thank you; that's a unique compliment," she said softly. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at her reaction.
"You're welcome, beautiful." As Frey's cheeks flushed with a deeper shade of red, I couldn't help but notice how adorable she looked. Encouraged by her reaction, I continued, my words tumbling out clumsily. "You know, Frey, if I were a cat, I'd spend all nine lives with you," I said, attempting to inject a playful tone into my words. But even as I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was tiptoeing on thin ice, venturing into uncharted territory that I wasn't entirely comfortable with.
Frey's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and confusion dancing in them. "That's…uh, sweet of you, Rika," she responded, her voice a tad uncertain. I cringed inwardly, realizing that I might have overstepped. But before I could backpedal, Frey's soft chuckle cut through the awkward tension. "You're really laying it on thick today, huh?" she teased. She began caressing my cheek while smiling seductively. I blushed, feeling a rush of warmth at her touch, unsure of how to respond. As Frey leaned in closer, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness.
I began to brace myself, thinking that she was going to kiss me. I closed my eyes and waited for the moment to happen, my heart pounding in my chest. Instead of feeling her warmth on my lips, I felt her breath on my ear. "Rika, why'd you close your eyes? Were you expecting me to do something?" I opened my eyes, meeting her gaze with a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation. "I... I wasn't sure what you were going to do," I stammered, feeling a flutter in my stomach. Frey chuckled softly, her hand moving from my cheek to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Next time you want to flirt with someone, make sure your heart can handle it, especially if it's jokingly~" she teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously. I roll my eyes as if I don't care, but I feel like a mouse. "It's my first time flirting…" My voice is softer and quieter than usual, betraying my aloof facade.
Frey's laughter fills the room, making me feel both relieved and embarrassed at the same time. "Well, you did a pretty good job for a first-timer," she said with a wink, causing me to blush even more. Suddenly, a shit-eating grin appeared on my face. "Rika, don't you dare." "Hehe." "Rika, if you do it, I'll…" Frey paused to think. "I'll kiss you, or something." "I'm not afraid of anything anymore. Fear left me when I lost everything."
"Was that-" "And if you kiss me, I'll just kiss back harder." "Was that a challenge and a quote from Tokyo Ghoul?" I smirked. "Yes," Frey looked at me in confusion.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Resset_Potato
Resset_Potato I've been binge-watching anime recently. That's why the chapter is a little late, it was due on Wednesday. That's also why there are a few references. Black Rock Shooter(2010) is really good.
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