It was a peaceful morning. Birds chirped. The sky was clear. Elira Vortemer sipped her tea like an elegant blade in a dress.
And then—
[SYSTEM QUEST UNLOCKED]
Objective: Make the Villainess Blush.
Target: Elira Vortemer
Time Limit: 24 hours
Failure Penalty: -1 Charisma | +1 Social Death
Reward: Unknown
Yuuji blinked at the glowing panel only he could see. "...This system really wants me dead."
The quest floated there, mocking him with its shiny gold trim and passive-aggressive energy.
He looked at Elira.
Then at the quest.
Then back at Elira, who raised an eyebrow. "Why are you staring at me like that? It's unsettling."
"I'm just admiring the view," Yuuji said with a forced grin.
She gave him the kind of glare that could stop a heart at twenty paces.
[SYSTEM NOTE]:
Attempt 1 Failed.
Ice Queen's Resistance is too high.
Hint: Try not sounding like a creep.
Phase One: Smooth Talk (In Theory)
Yuuji straightened up. "Okay," he muttered to himself. "I've played this game. I know her dialogue trees. She likes literature. Maybe a poetic approach..."
He cleared his throat. "Elira."
"What?"
"If I were to describe your beauty in words, I'd—"
"Don't."
"I'd say it's like winter's first snowfall—sharp, cold, and almost certainly fatal."
She paused.
"Are you trying to flirt or insult me?"
"Yes."
[SYSTEM]:
Charm Attempt Failed
Bonus: +1 Courage for Trying
Phase Two: Tactical Joking
Alright. Plan B. Humor.
"Elira, what do you call someone who's noble, powerful, and always pissed off?"
She didn't even look up from her tea. "If this is a joke—"
"You."
Pause.
Long pause.
"Do you want to be poisoned?" she asked politely.
[SYSTEM]:
Humor Attempt Failed.
Achievement Unlocked: "Class Clown (But Not in a Good Way)"
Phase Three: Desperate Improvisation
Okay, time to go all in.
He faked tripping over absolutely nothing, flailing dramatically before crashing into the bench with an exaggerated groan.
"Ow… My pride."
Elira didn't blink. "Did you just throw yourself on the ground?"
"It's called comedic timing. You wouldn't get it."
[SYSTEM]:
Physical Comedy Detected.
Elira Status: Amused. Barely.
Yuuji sat up slowly. "Look, I'm running out of dignity here. Could you maybe—just once—blush or giggle or react like a human being?"
She took another sip of her tea and stared down at him with the grace of an annoyed goddess. "If you put this much effort into tutoring, I'd be a genius by now."
[SYSTEM]:
Sarcasm Level: 80%
Flame Resistance Recommended
Phase Four: Unexpected Success
Yuuji stood up, brushing dirt off his coat. "Alright, screw the act. Maybe I'll just tell the truth."
Elira blinked. "Which is?"
"I think you're cool. And scary. And a little dramatic. And I kinda respect that."
She looked at him, caught off-guard.
"You're the type of character players hate at first," he continued, "but then they realize you've actually got depth, and trauma, and high-grade sarcasm, and suddenly everyone's simping."
She blinked again.
Then turned her head slightly—just slightly—away from him.
Was that… color in her cheeks?
[SYSTEM]:
Objective Progress: 92%
Status: Slight Blush Detected
Quest Success Pending Final Trigger
Yuuji squinted. "...Wait. Are you blushing?"
"No."
"You are. Oh my god, I won!"
"I'm not!"
He pointed dramatically. "You can't lie to the system, Elira! It sees all!"
She looked genuinely panicked now. "You're hallucinating."
[SYSTEM]:
QUEST COMPLETE!
Reward Unlocked:
+1 Charisma
Title Gained: "Blush Hunter" (Toggle: Yes/No)
New Passive Skill: "Unwanted Charm" – Slightly increases reaction chance from emotionless types.
Yuuji held his arms out in victory.
Roux chose that exact moment to walk past and give him a thumbs up. "Nice moves, Casanova. You finally made the Ice Queen steam."
"I did not steam," Elira snapped.
"Steam confirmed," Theo added from behind a book.
Elira stood. "I'm going to class. Alone."
Yuuji grinned after her. "See you in tutoring, Your Blushiness."
[SYSTEM]:
Threat Level Rising: Prepare for Violent Repercussions
Epilogue: Gamer Instincts
Later that night, Yuuji stared at the ceiling of his dorm, arms behind his head.
"Okay. System sucks, but I survived. She didn't murder me. I got a skill. And she definitely blushed."
[SYSTEM]:
Quest Chain Unlocked: [Emotional Development Series – 1/???]
Next Objective: TBD
Hint: The cafeteria stew may be sentient. Avoid.
Yuuji sighed. "Can I go one day without something weird happening?"
Silence.
Then the sound of his door creaking open.
"Elira?" he asked, sitting up.
A slipper flew across the room and hit him in the face.
[SYSTEM]:
Bonus Damage Received.
Elira Affection +1