Walking in the moonlit night, Grace clings onto Sunz like he is her personal item, while showing him how to hold onto her as the two exchange small talk, information about each other, until they arrive near C.C Cafe.
Sunz: You really seem to love this place, Grace.
Grace: I mean, where else can we have our date? Date is just the intimate version of hanging out.
Sunz: Well, that will limit our dating options in the future.
Grace: Don't worry, my servant, your lady can always find activities that both of us can enjoy.
"Since, we are way too boring." *she said with a disappointing tone*
Sunz: I don't think we are boring, Lady. We trap ourselves in a confined cubicle, and do our favorite activities like reading or gaming because the outside offers us nothing.
Grace: Aw, that's why you're my favorite and only servant. You know what to say, but still say what you shouldn't.
*As they entered C.C Cafe, there were 2 other customers*
A Lady in business attire, wearing a brown trench coat on top, talking to a Guy in casual outfit wearing a fedora with the word 'Windscale' embroidered on it.
The Lady then glanced at Sunz and Grace, then she went back to talking to the Guy, and he gestured his hand toward them, and the Lady started approaching them.
Sunz whispers to Grace: What is happening? Who is she, and why is she going toward us?
Grace whispers back: You don't remember her, it's Jun.
Sunz (Jun?-)
Jun: Hi Grace, hi Sunz. I didn't expect to see you two here.
Grace: Same goes to you, Jun. Sunz doesn't remember you much, so I'm gonna do the talking for him.
Jun: Oh well, that's a shame.
Grace: Are you here to pick up some cake slices with your colleagues?
Jun: Oh yes, but he is my boyfriend. Are you two here for a date or something? You both dressed up so nicely.
Grace: Is he the police officer that you kissed back at the incident?
Jun: Oh wow, I didn't expect you to catch that moment.
Grace: I mean, your boyfriend, Officer Silver, did catch us in the middle of something, because of that, he was the only person we recognized after getting relocated.
Jun: I mean, he is a top A-rank Hero, and that building usually gets hit a few times a year. So he was being cautious after all.
Grace: A few times a year? Then why is it still there?
Jun: Because it is a symbol of Korea's advancements and achievements
Grace: Really? It's a glorified internet cafe.
Jun: A lot of our achievements are through games and based on games. And there was a quote created while that building was being built, 'Our future will be our history'.
Sunz (Isn't that just regression… wow, can't believe I know all of Korea's history… damn, I might get torn apart if any Korean can read my mind.)
Grace: Ok, didn't expect to learn new information.
Jun: Also, we are used to seeing that building getting attacked, so it has become a norm, but this recent one was the worst one of all time.
*ding*
So: 3 cake slices, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and 2 coffees.
Silver: It's ours.
So: Enjoy. *hand the food to Silver*
Silver *take it*: We will, and don't overwork yourself, kid. I can see bags under your eyes. *start walking out*
Jun: Bye! Enjoy your date! *walk out with Silver*
Sunz: That was Jihu's Sister and Officer Silver?
Grace: Yeah, dummy.
Sunz: Ok, there have been too many people I've met within the last few weeks, so I can't remember them all.
Grace: That is true.
*Both of them got close to the counter and were greeted by So*
So: Are you two here for the date?
Sunz: Yes… we are? I don't know what she planned.
Su came running out from the kitchen, then grabbed both of Sunz's hands with her hands and said: You are coming with me!
Sunz: Was this your plan, Grace?
Grace: Take him away, Su!
Su: Hehe, let's go! *easily drag Sunz into the kitchen area*
Sunz: Why are all the girls I met physically stronger than me?
*The final sentence he got to say before disappearing in front of So and Grace*
So: This really is a strange request, but you paid for this. Get around the counter, then I'll teach you the basics.
*Inside the kitchen*
Sunz: Wow, this place is bigger than expected.
Su: Well, with profit comes expansion. Come here and help me with these.
Sunz: Sure?
*Helping Su prepare what seem to be ingredients for baking a cake*
"Can you please tell me what is my purpose here? I know she and I are here on a date, but I'm ok with whatever this is, disguised as a "date"."
Su: Well, this "date" is a learning class for both of you. She is learning how to make coffee, and you will be learning how to bake a cake.
Sunz: That was not something I expected, but quite convenient for me. Was planning to learn how to bake a cake for her, but seems like the plan was moved quite ahead.
Su: You planned to learn how to bake for her? That makes you seem quite charming.
Sunz: I can assure you, I'm far opposite of that word's meaning. She is a nice girl, who somehow fell head over heels for me, and I just want to return the favor.
Su: Return the favor? Don't your love for her is enough?
Sunz: Who said I love her?
Su: Are you saying you don't love her?
Sunz: I care about her… before all of this, I was a normal student with specialty in some subjects, and I had the worst reputation with the girls that no high school boy can achieve.
Su: Were you a creep, pervert?
Sunz: That's the fun part. I was never labeled as any of that. Just an insufferable normal male that makes girls want to kill me whenever I open my mouth.
"So, the solution is to ignore this bitch *point at himself* and leave it alone."
Su: You sure you are not making all of this up to make you seem more…pathetic?
Sunz: I don't pay enough attention much but thanks to Jihu, that is where I got the confirmation of my action.
"Back to the reason."
"With that background of mine, combined with the sudden appearance of Grace, makes it hard for me to love her and only care about her."
"And I prefer this, if I care about someone, that means I love them, but if I love them and don't care about them, then why did I love them."
"But that is just my own opinion, apply to only me."
Su is very confused but able to string up a common answer: You sure it's not the, she is too good for you and you don't deserve her?
Sunz: Ohh no, that does not apply here at all. It's more, she is too persistent that I can't escape, and no one deserves me except her.
"Well, we've been talking too much. Why don't you show me rope, teacher, and we can discuss more while the cake is in the oven or in other situations."
Su: Ok, so first off.
Start showing Sunz how to do the basic steps, and he is following them quite well. As the process continued, there were hard steps, ok steps, but nothing was easy for Sunz.
*At the counter*
So: Ok, great, you seem to be getting the hang of it.
Grace: Oh, I am? Thank you.
So: And I think you can stop faking being a beginner.
Grace: Of course, I'm a beginner, I've only made coffee a few times here and there.
So: I mean, you can stop acting being incompetent.
Grace: haha, so you noticed?
So: I did, also no one set up a date, and have each other doing separate activities, they do them together.
"So, is there any reason why you aren't in there baking with my sister? We know you like cake more than coffee."
Grace: Well, just so he can bake cake for me and I can make coffee for him… that is the small reason, the main one is… I want your input on our relationship.
"Since you saw so many relationships already and you were quite frustrated seeing our fight, that is not a fight by mentioning the 'breakup cake'."
So: The 'breakup cake' is more of a way to ensure the breakup does not happen here.
"Besides making coffee, my other job is to listen to what everyone is saying. Knowing their like and dislikes, why they are here, the cause of their breakup, and any useful information that comes up."
"I then relay that information to Su if the situation is getting heated. She is impulsive, loudmouth, a bit of an airhead, but her cakes always work their magic."
"They can't instantly reconnect a breakup, but they can soften the pain caused by it, put the relationship on pause, or strengthen that relationship."
"But if all that didn't work and the breakup still happens here, she just accepts it, moves on, since she did all she could."
Grace: I see, she is the person doing the heavy lifting, and you are reconning for her, which is all the more reason I need you to give me advice.
So: *sigh* So what fight is happening between the two of you?
Grace: Well, I mean, it's not about a fight, it's more about me coming onto him too aggressively.
So:…*writing down note* keep talking.
Grace: We've only been dating for about 2-3 weeks, and I was the person forcing him into this relationship. And sometimes I feel like if he wants to leave me, I can't bring myself to stop him because the feeling is one-sided.
So: Any reasons that made you feel that way, he's probably just not good at showing his feelings.
Grace: Well, he does have poor popularity with all of the girls in his school, which makes him care less about the way he talks and interacts with them. Also, that attitude is why his popularity is so low with the girls.
So: I see, despite having this 'baggage' with him. You still like him?
Grace: Of course, he is one of a kind, can't find anyone as moronic as him, who doesn't even think before speaking.
So: You seem to know him very well. If he is willing to share all of that information with you, I don't see any reason for him not to like you back.
Grace: Well, that makes sense, but he wears that 'baggage' like a medal. Like a common interesting fact about himself that everyone should know.
So (This case has all types of cause and effect.): So let's summarize your situation. You came onto him too aggressively, which makes you think he does not love you, combined with the fact that something is wrong with both of you.
"Your situation is impossible to give detailed advice on."
Grace: Aw, that… suck… I mean, it makes sense since all of these feelings bloom out of nowhere.
So: That means, I have to approach your situation in a simpler way. Do you think he cared about you?
Grace: I know he cared about me, but he's doing it for my sake, not because he has feelings for me.
So: Are you afraid he might find someone he has feelings for and leave you?
Grace: Of course! Like who wouldn't? I found him first, which means I get to have the advantage.
So: Well, you have your answer right there, Grace.
"Relationship is like a horse race, Sunz is the finish line, your feelings and other feelings are the horses. Only one can claim that relationship, and right now, you don't see any other rivals."
Grace: Well, I guess you are right. Thank you for the advice, and I know what I should do with that advantage. Shall we get back to you teaching me how to make better coffee?
So: Sure, but one more thing, aren't you and him already girlfriend and boyfriend?
Grace: Those titles are fake and are just a placeholder for this one-sided relationship. They aren't official unless he has feelings for me, and we have other titles running, so those two aren't important.
So: Sure (As long as you two are happy.). Let me show you some advanced techniques.
*After some time, the two are ready to present the result of their work to each other*
*Sunz and Grace sitting opposite of each other with their partner's result in front of them, while Su and So watching them from the counter*
Su: So? How was she?
So: She is good, just needs advice on some stuff.
Su: Is it relationship advice?
So: *sigh* yeah, it was a handful.
Su: I know, same goes for Sunz. Before this, Grace asked me questions him how he feels about her, and the answer was "I don't love her, but I care about her." Like what kind of relationship is this? You two are clearly dating, which means you love each other, it's that simple.
"No need to dodge the answer, we saw how you two act around each other."
So: Yeah, here is a new lesson for you, Su. No couple is the same, and these two… there is something unusual about them that makes this relationship work.
Su: No… I don't believe you, I believe they are shy about their feeling.
So: We'll see.
*Sunz and Grace*
Grace: So, how your experience did you enjoy it?
Sunz: It was fun, but hard tho. Su did help out to make sure it doesn't taste horrible.
Grace: Don't worry, it's your first time, there is no way you can be as good as Su. *take a bite of the cake slice*
Sunz: Well, I hope I can at least get better than good in the future, well, not to Su's level.
Grace was shocked when to heard that: *nearly choke* whhat? What do you mean future?
Sunz: Well, since you like sweets, I figure why not try to learn how to bake for you, since I don't really have anything to do. Lucky for me, this date helped me know how to start.
Grace: Did you plan to learn baking before this?
Sunz: Yeah, like, it doesn't come out of nowhere.
Grace: Well, aren't you a gift that keeps on giving. The cake is good, but not at Su's level, of course. What about the coffee I made?
Sunz: *take a sip* Well it's coffee…
Grace: Good enough of a response for a commoner like you.
Sunz: Well. I only point out the coffee is bad if it's not drinkable.
Grace:…*eating her cake*
Sunz:…*drink his coffee*
Grace: Sunz, as you know, a lot of things have happened in this tournament, which makes my feelings grow for you even more, but what about your feelings for me?
Sunz: Uhhh, I mean, I care about you a lot, I like spending time around you, but I don't know if you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with… I'm sorry.
Grace: *standing up* of course, what was I thinking? I'm the only person that have feelings for you, the one who wants a lifelong relationship. I never get your answer.
Sunz: Are we doing this again, Grace, since your tone sounds more arrogant?
Grace: Of course, we are. Sunz Wu, as the first woman to find your pathetic husk, you are bound to me forever, until I'm sick of playing with you, then you can leave for another woman.
Sunz: Sure, I accept this legally binding contract, as my pathe-
Grace pulls Sunz's collar and leans in for a deep kiss, then releases him.
"I said no degrading yourself in front of me."
Sunz: I'm sorry… I'm gonna go get the rest of the cake *leave*
Grace: *sigh* (I'm gonna die alone if it wasn't for him.)
…
*Su and So*
Su is shocked by the events that happened: I-I-I believe you now… this is way worse than all those relationships in manhwa.
So: It's sure is, but they are truthful to each other, which makes this relationship better than those.
Su: I might not understand what love means anymore if I keep hearing them talking.
So: Well, I am eager to see how their relationship works.
…
*Sunz returns with the rest of the cake*
Sunz: I now get to eat something after all that time in the coma. *cut a slice for himself*
Grace: Wait, you haven't eaten anything since you got back to your room?
Sunz: Yeah, I know it just suddenly occurred to me.
Grace: Oh yeah, one more thing, I did bug the outfit you are wearing. But I forgot to put on the hearing device.
Sunz: Really? You sure nothing is wrong with you today, you have two airhead moments already.
Grace: You… are not mad that I tried to spy on you, invade your privacy?
Sunz: No… should I? You were being honest about it, and I wouldn't know about it if you just let it slide. Also, I have nothing to hide
*get his phone out, unlock it, and put it in front of Grace*
"The photo is where most secrets lie."
Grace: *scoff* wow, you sure are something *take his phone and lock it* as a recon expert, I don't like obtaining information this straightforward.
*Place Sunz's phone in front of him*
"So look forward to it~!"
Sunz: I guess. Hey, have nothing to hide… what do you mean, recon expert?
Grace: Oh yeah, that's right, you know that I'm a Hero?
Sunz: Yeah…
Grace: Well, the Hero Corp doesn't actually allow those under 18 to do missions like, 'Bank Rescue', 'Gang Clearing', 'Fight Villain', etc. Unless their mission suddenly goes wrong.
Sunz: That's fascinating.
*They continue spending time at C.C. Café until it's time to go, they bid Su and So farewell, and return to the hotel*
Su: Well, they are a happy couple at least.
So: It just seems like they both love to manipulate each other.
…
*Sunz and Grace return to the hotel and back in Grace's room*
Sunz: Wow, there are clothes everywhere.
Grace: Oh, sorry haven't got the time…
Sunz: Don't be sorry, tomorrow is the last day anyway. If you need any help, just ask.
Grace: *sigh* that's right, tomorrow is… the last day… Sunz I have a really selfish request, do you mind?
Sunz felt the room got way colder (Brace yourself): Let's hear it.
Grace: After tomorrow, we won't be seeing each other regularly anymore, because of that, I have feelings… perverted ones… ughh!
"I want to have sex with you! I said it… oh my, my head feels dizzy…"
Sunz felt a burst of cold air blast out of her, immediately moved in, and then grabbed both of her hands to prevent her from falling.
"You ok?"
Grace: I'm not, not at all… I shouldn't have said anything.
Sunz: No no no, don't say that. We made a contract, and we both need to be truthful to each other.
"You started this relationship, you want this to last forever. During this tournament, you have to worry so much about my life... and it's not fair to put all that weight on you."
"I said I care about you, but doing this means more than care. You only lose your virginity to the person you love… and I love you, Grace!"
Grace: haah...haah, you finally said it.
Sunz: Do you have condoms prepared?
Grace: Of course, I do, only bring in another life if we are both ready. Now, release my hands.
*Sunz released Grace's hands then she quickly laid down on the bed still with her clothes on and presented herself as vulnerable as possible*
"Tonight you are the Master and I am your Servant, so please… please teach me everything you know…"
Sunz gets close to Grace: Tonight, I'll take the initiative.
*lean in and kissed her passionately*