The day started innocently enough. Mei had asked me to help her pick up a package from a boutique at the mall. "It'll be quick," she'd assured me. Famous last words. 😅
As we walked through the mall, chatting about the upcoming school events, I noticed a sharply dressed man observing us. He was impeccably tailored, holding a clipboard, and wearing an intense expression. 💼
"Excuse me," he said, approaching us. "Are you two models?"
Mei smiled, her radiant beauty shining through. Her flawless skin, coupled with her elegant posture, made her stand out even in the bustling mall. "I am," she said. "This is Kenjie, a friend from school."
The man's eyes scanned me up and down. I had to admit, since the app had started working its magic, I'd noticed a difference in myself. My posture was better, my face was clearer, and I even had a bit of muscle definition. "He has potential," he said, nodding. "We're shooting a campaign for a new clothing line, targeting young couples. Would he be interested in participating?"
Mei looked at me, her eyes sparkling. "It could be fun, Kenjie," she said.
"Uh… sure?" I said, feeling a mix of surprise and nervousness. 🤯
And that's how I found myself standing awkwardly in the middle of a bustling mall, surrounded by cameras and crew. Mei, on the other hand, was a natural, posing effortlessly in the stylish clothes. 📸
"Okay, Kenjie," the photographer instructed, "we need you to act like a couple shopping for clothes. Hold hands, put your arm around her waist, you know, that kind of thing."
I gulped, feeling my palms sweat. I hesitantly reached for Mei's hand, and she gave mine a reassuring squeeze. We walked through the mall, posing for photos in different outfits. I tried my best to relax and follow the photographer's instructions.
"Now, put your arm around her waist," the photographer directed.
I did as instructed, feeling a warmth spread through me as my hand rested on Mei's waist. She leaned into me, her playful smile highlighting her perfect features.
"Perfect," the photographer said. "Now, for the final shot, we need you to lean in close, like you're about to kiss."
My heart pounded in my chest. I leaned in, my eyes locking with Mei's. She didn't pull away. In fact, she leaned in closer, her lips almost brushing against mine. 💖 I felt a surge of electricity, a feeling I hadn't experienced before.
"And… cut!" the photographer exclaimed. "That was fantastic! You two have great chemistry."
Mei stepped back, her cheeks flushed. "You did good, Kenjie," she said, her voice soft.
"Thanks," I mumbled, still feeling a little dazed.
"System Notification: Mission 'Spotlight Surprise' completed. Reward: 300 Growth Points. 'Project Proficiency' skill acquired. 'Affection Level' with Mei increased to 'Like.'" 📈
As we left the mall, I couldn't help but replay the scene in my head, the closeness, the almost-kiss, the spark. I glanced at Mei, who was looking out the window, a thoughtful expression on her face. Had she felt it too?
Later that day, I was at the cafe, and I saw Akari and Reina looking at their phones. They were watching a short video clip, and I recognized the scene immediately: it was from the photoshoot. I saw myself and Mei holding hands, then a clip of my arm around her waist, and finally, the shot where we were leaning in close.
Akari nudged me with her elbow, a playful smirk on her face. "Hey, Mr. Model," she teased, "looks like you're getting pretty cozy with Mei."
Reina gave me a gentle smile, though I thought I detected a hint of something else in her eyes. "Congratulations, Kenjie," she said. "You look very professional."
I felt a wave of awkwardness wash over me, but also a sense of relief that they weren't angry. "Uh, thanks," I stammered. "It was a last-minute gig."
Takeshi and Haru, who had also seen the video on someone else's phone, were practically bouncing with excitement. "Dude, you're a model now!" Takeshi exclaimed, slapping me on the back. "You're living the dream!"
"Yeah, you're like a chick magnet," Haru added, winking. 😂
"You two looked really good together," Akari added, her tone light, but I thought I saw a flicker of something in her eyes.
"Yes, very photogenic," Reina agreed, her smile still gentle, but I sensed a slight stiffness in her posture.
Then Mei approached me. "Kenjie, I'm sorry about this," she said. "I didn't realize someone was filming us."
"It's okay," I said, trying to reassure her.
"I just… I enjoyed working with you," she said, her voice soft. "It was fun."
Meanwhile, Mei's manager, who had just stumbled upon the viral video online, watched it with a thoughtful expression. "They really do have chemistry," he murmured to himself, tapping his chin. "This could be good for the brand."
"System Notification: 'Affection Level' with Mei increased to 'Like.'" 📈
I felt a mix of awkwardness and curiosity. I was still trying to process the whole modeling experience.
Later that night, a new mission appeared on my phone. "Mission 13: Romantic Rendezvous. Objective: Invite one of the three girls on a date. Reward: 400 Growth Points. Penalty: 'Missed Opportunity' debuff."
"A date?" I muttered, my heart pounding. "But… which one?" I looked at the names on my phone, Akari, Mei, and Reina. Each of them had their own unique charm, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with all of them. This was going to be a difficult decision.