After school the next day, Satoru was packing up his books when Misaki appeared at his desk. She leaned down, her silky hair falling over one shoulder as she flashed him a smile. "Hey Satoru, got a minute?"
Satoru blinked up at her, caught off guard by the casual invitation. "Uh, sure, what's up?" He stuffed his notebook into his bag and stood.
Misaki straightened up, slinging her own bag over one shoulder. "I need help with something at the office. Mind coming with?"
Satoru raised an eyebrow. "Your office? What do you need help with?"
Misaki shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing major, just some filing and organization. Mom's been swamped and I'm drowning in paperwork." She gave him a crooked grin. "Plus it'd be a nice break from boring school stuff, right?"
The system chimed in:
[Potential Target Detected: Misaki Kawashira.]
[Physical Attraction Established: 7/10.]
[Affinity Potential: High.]
[Suggested Action: Accept Invitation. Proximity will boost Libido Levels.]
Satoru hesitated for a moment, but the promise of spending more time with Misaki was too tempting to resist. "Okay, sure, I'll help out."
Misaki clapped him on the shoulder. "Great, let's jet."
As they walked to the Kawashira Designs office together, Misaki regaled Satoru with amusing anecdotes about her mother's antics at work. She laughed easily, her demeanor far more approachable than the cool, professional mask she wore around most people.
The system tracked their interaction:
[Target's Guard Lowering: Emotional Starvation Detected.]
[Suggested Strategy: Exploit Emotional Vulnerability. Flirtatiously.]
When they arrived at the office, Misaki led Satoru to a cluttered storage room. Boxes of files were stacked haphazardly along the walls.
"Alright, so here's the deal," Misaki said, rolling up her sleeves. "These files need to be organized by client name and then project type. Think you can handle that?"
Satoru surveyed the mess, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "I think I can manage."
Misaki grinned back, bumping her shoulder against his playfully. "I knew I could count on you."
As they worked side by side, the sexual tension in the air was palpable. Misaki brushed against Satoru 'accidentally' as she reached for a file, her breath hot on his neck. The system urged him on:
[Libido Levels Rising: Subtle Attraction Acknowledged.]
[Suggested Action: Initiate Flirtation. Test Target's Limitations.]
"Hey Misaki," Satoru said casually, not looking up from his sorting. "If you're this much of a mess at work, I wonder what your apartment looks like..."
Misaki barked out a laugh. "You'd probably die from the cleanliness," she quipped back.
Satoru chuckled, risking a glance at her. She was smiling at him with genuine warmth, her cool professionalism melting away. Emboldened, he took a step closer.
"Maybe I should come over and check for myself sometime," he said lightly, teasing. "You know, for quality control purposes."
Misaki's eyes widened a fraction before she covered it with a smirk. "Careful Satoru, offer like that might actually tempt me to take you up on it."
The system hummed with satisfaction:
[Flirtation Successful: Target Responding Positively.]
[Pursue Opportunity: Encourage Closer Contact.]
Just then, Misaki reached for a file on the shelf above Satoru's head. Their hands brushed in the process, and she lingered for a moment longer than necessary. Her gaze flickered to his lips before meeting his eyes.
"I, uh..." she trailed off, biting her lip.
Satoru's heart pounded in his chest as the air between them crackled with tension. This was it—the moment of truth. Would she pull away, or...
Just then, the storage room door banged open and Rei burst in. "Misaki! There you are! I need you to..." She froze when she saw them standing close together, touching. Her eyes narrowed as she looked between the two.
Misaki stepped back quickly, a flush creeping up her neck. "M-mom! We were just... um..."
Rei crossed her arms over her chest, not looking appeased. "I see. Well, carry on then."
She turned on her heel and left just as abruptly as she'd arrived, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
Misaki let out a shaky breath, avoiding Satoru's gaze. "I should probably get back to work," she mumbled.
The system sighed in disappointment:
[Attempt Terminated By Interruption.]
[Re-evaluate Approach: Maintain Subtlety.]
Satoru nodded slowly, trying to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, me too."
As they both returned to their sorting, the charged atmosphere had dissipated, leaving only an undercurrent of unspoken tension simmering between them.
The system plotted silently:
[Next Encounter: Continue Flirtation Attempts.]
[Avoid Further Interruptions To Prevent Disruption Of Progress.]