The breakfast table at the Kisaragi household was a peaceful affair. Or at least, it was supposed to be. Today, however, Samantha was eating under the watchful gaze of a tiny, overexcited ghost who could taste her food through sheer proximity.
"AHH SO GOOD!" Mochi flailed its stubby arms as Samantha took another bite of omelet. "The egg! The buttery texture! The balance of flavors! This is DIVINE!"
Samantha fought the urge to glare at the floating specter. "Can you NOT narrate every bite like a food critic?"
"But it's soooo good!" Mochi whined, spinning happily above her plate. "You don't understand I've never tasted food before! Well, felt someone else taste it, but it's the same thing!"
Samantha stuffed a piece of toast into her mouth, chewing pointedly. "Yeah? Well, welcome to the joys of eating. Now shut up before my mom thinks I'm talking to myself."
Mochi clamped its tiny hands over where its mouth would be. "Mph! Mmmph!" It then realized it didn't actually have a mouth and deflated in disappointment.
Across from her, Elena watched her daughter with a bemused expression. "You're in a good mood today."
Samantha paused mid-bite. Right. She was different now.
No longer sluggish, no longer pushing food around on her plate. She was actually eating. Enjoying it. Her mother must have noticed.
"Uh yeah," Samantha said quickly, forcing a sheepish laugh. "Guess I just have an appetite today."
Elena's expression softened, though a hint of concern remained. "That's good. But don't overdo it. Your body"
"I'm fine, Mom. Really."
Elena studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Alright. But if you feel the slightest bit unwell, tell me immediately."
Samantha nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. She wasn't exactly lying. But she also couldn't exactly say, Hey Mom, I made a supernatural contract with a floating dumpling so now I'm perfectly healthy but also have to complete missions to avoid becoming a bodybuilder with anemia.
Yeah. That wouldn't go over well.
"Psst! Samantha! Finish up! We need to check your first mission!" Mochi whispered eagerly.
Samantha swallowed the last of her toast, quickly excused herself from the table, and rushed back to her room. The moment the door shut, Mochi exploded with excitement.
"Okay, okay! Open your system interface! Just think about it, and it'll pop up!"
Samantha raised an eyebrow. Alright, sure. Let's try this.
She took a deep breath and thought, System, show my status.
Immediately, a translucent blue screen appeared before her.
[Host: Samantha Kisaragi]
Vitality: Normal (No longer weak and sickly!)
Physical Strength: Average (For now!)
Mission Status: 2 Pending Missions
"Wait… two?" Samantha blinked.
"Ooooh, a bonus challenge! Check it out!" Mochi bounced up and down in anticipation.
Samantha did as instructed. Another screen materialized.
[Main Mission #1: Make Someone Fall in Love with You!]
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Time Limit: 30 Days
Reward: Enhanced Stamina
Penalty for Failure: Partial Muscle Growth Activation
Samantha froze. "…I'm sorry, what?"
Mochi peered at the screen and gasped. "OH-HO! Your first mission is a romance quest! And look only two stars! That means it's not even that hard!"
Samantha reeled. "What do you mean not that hard?! I've never even been on a date!"
Mochi floated closer, studying her face. "Hmm. You're pretty cute! You should be fine."
"That's NOT the issue!" Samantha shrieked. "How am I supposed to make someone fall in love with me in a month?!"
Before Mochi could respond, another notification popped up.
[Sub-Mission: Complete 100 Push-ups, 100 Sit-ups, 100 Squats, and a 10KM Run within 24 Hours]
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Penalty for Failure: ???
Samantha stared in horror. "…Is this some kind of joke?"
Mochi whistled. "Whew! That's intense! But hey, at least it doesn't say what the penalty is!"
"That makes it worse!" Samantha clutched her head. "I can't do this! I've never exercised in my life! Why would I need to" She stopped. A cold realization sank in. "Wait. Is this… related to the penalty from the first mission?"
Mochi blinked, then gave a sheepish laugh. "Uhh. Well. You see. The system kinda wants to prepare you? In case you… you know… partially transform."
Samantha groaned. "This is a nightmare."
"Oh, c'mon! Think positive!" Mochi encouraged. "If you do this, you'll build endurance! And besides, I'll cheer you on!"
"Not helpful." Samantha rubbed her temples. "Alright. I need a game plan. First, I need to survive this stupid workout mission. Then… I guess I need to figure out who I'm supposed to make fall in love with me."
Mochi clapped. "That's the spirit! Let's get started on Operation: Buff and Fluff!"
Samantha buried her face in her hands. This was going to be a disaster.
To Be Continued…