Despite Ollie's initial indifference to Aoyama romantically, their friendship grew deeper with each passing day. Her energy and zest for life brought a new spark to the group dynamic, and even her chaotic antics had a way of softening everyone's hearts—especially Aoyama's.
One evening, Aoyama found Ollie sitting on the balcony, her usually vibrant energy replaced with a rare moment of stillness. The glow of the city lights reflected in her mismatched eyes, and her expression was unusually thoughtful.
"You okay, Ollie?" Aoyama asked, stepping outside with a cup of tea.
She looked up, startled, then grinned. "Oh, hey, Aoyama! Yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking."
"Thinking? That's new," Aoyama teased lightly as he handed her the tea.
Ollie laughed, her mood lifting. "Hey! I think sometimes. It's just not as fun as being loud and crazy."
"What's on your mind?" Aoyama asked, sitting down beside her.
Ollie stared at the tea, her grin fading slightly. "I guess… it's weird being here. I mean, I was fine where I was. Streaming, singing, making people laugh… But here, it feels different. Like there's more to me than just being the 'zombie idol.'"
Aoyama nodded, his gaze soft. "That's because there is. You're more than just an entertainer, Ollie. You're funny, passionate, and surprisingly kind."
She blinked at him, her mismatched eyes wide. "You… really think so?"
"Of course," Aoyama said, smiling. "You don't have to be anyone but yourself here."
Ollie's cheeks tinged with a faint blush—an unusual sight for the energetic zombie. She quickly turned away, sipping her tea to hide her reaction. "T-Thanks, Aoyama. That means a lot."
---
Harem System Update
Later that night, Aoyama checked the system, curious about how their interaction had affected Ollie's profile.
---
Name: Kureiji Ollie
Harem Affection Level: 0/100
Notes: Friendship progressing; potential for deeper connection.
---
"Zero," Aoyama murmured, a small smile on his lips. "We're finally breaking even."
A few days later, Ollie surprised Aoyama by inviting him to a nearby arcade. "Come on! I'll show you the real meaning of fun!" she declared, grabbing his hand and dragging him along.
The arcade was loud and bustling, but Ollie navigated it like a pro. She challenged Aoyama to every game imaginable, from rhythm games to racing simulators, her competitive spirit shining through.
"Not bad, zombie girl," Aoyama said as she beat him for the fifth time in a row. "You've got skills."
"Of course I do!" Ollie replied, striking a dramatic pose. "I'm the queen of chaos, remember?"
As the day went on, their banter grew more comfortable, and Aoyama found himself laughing more than he had in weeks. By the time they left, Ollie had softened around the edges, her usual bravado replaced with a quiet warmth.
"You're pretty fun, Aoyama," she admitted as they walked home. "Maybe… more fun than I expected."
---
Harem System Update
That evening, the system chimed again, displaying another change to Ollie's profile.
---
Name: Kureiji Ollie
Harem Affection Level: 20/100
Notes: Bond deepening; romantic potential detected.
---
Aoyama stared at the screen, his heart racing. "Romantic potential?" he muttered. "This system really doesn't miss a thing."
---
One night, as the group relaxed in the living room, Ollie pulled Aoyama aside. "Hey, can we talk?"
"Of course," Aoyama said, leading her to the balcony.
She hesitated, fidgeting with her scarf. "Look, I'm not great at this kind of thing, but… I feel different around you. Like… you see the real me, not just the crazy zombie girl everyone else sees."
Aoyama smiled gently. "That's because I do. And I like what I see, Ollie."
Her cheeks flushed again, and for the first time, she seemed at a loss for words. After a long pause, she stepped closer, her voice soft. "Thanks, Aoyama. For being… you."
Before he could respond, she leaned in and pressed a quick, shy kiss to his cheek, then darted back inside. Aoyama stood frozen, his face burning as the Harem System chimed softly.
---
Harem Affection Level: 30/100
---
Aoyama touched his cheek, a small smile forming. "Well, this is new."
---
To Be Continued...