Location: Milo's apartment – 7:42 PM
"So…" Milo looked around nervously, "I cooked."
I blinked at the small table set for two. A candle flickered in the middle, and there were two bowls of what looked like… well, something creamy with pasta.
"You cooked carbonara?" I asked, impressed.
He scratched the back of his neck. "I YouTubed it. Three times. Also maybe threatened the sauce."
I smiled and sat down. "Looks amazing. And I promise I won't ask if you used instant noodles."
He poured us water like it was wine. "Let's pretend this is romantic. But, you know, casual romantic."
"Totally casual," I echoed, picking up my fork. "Just two people who almost died in a love simulation, now trying to figure out real feelings over pasta."
"Super normal."
---
Halfway through dinner, the playlist he queued up played a weird mix of romantic classics and chaotic TikTok remixes. It was so him.
We were laughing about Leo's failed attempt at karaoke when Milo suddenly went quiet.
"I was scared," he said. "Back in that chamber. Not just of Crystal… but of you seeing the real me."
I looked at him, surprised. "Why?"
"Because…" He hesitated, eyes locking with mine. "I liked being the flirty guy in the app. It was safe. But with you—it's real. You see through all that."
I felt my cheeks warm. "And?"
"And I want you to keep seeing me. Even if I mess up. Even if I burn carbonara or say weird things when I'm nervous."
He reached across the table and gently touched my hand.
My heart did a little somersault.
We sat there, in that quiet glow, and it was perfect.
Until—
Knock knock knock!
Leo's voice echoed from the hallway.
"HEY! Emergency! Jessie tried to kiss a random guy at the park thinking he was Milo in disguise!"
I choked. "WHAT?!"
Milo sighed. "Well, so much for romantic timing."
---
Bonus Story: "Zara's (Sort of) Spicy Dream"
Zara flopped onto her bed, fully clothed, fully drained.
She muttered to herself, "No more caffeine after 9 PM… no more late-night k-drama binge…"
But her subconscious didn't care.
In her dream, she was standing on a beach—long hair flowing, silk dress, dramatic wind.
In front of her stood a faceless man in a tuxedo. Very tall. Very… built.
"You are the code I want to debug," he whispered.
Zara blinked. "What kind of AI flirt is this?!"
He stepped closer. "Say it. Say you want my source code."
Zara gasped, pointing dramatically. "ARE YOU LEO?!"
The tuxedo man vanished in glitter.
She woke up screaming, "I SWEAR IF MY BRAIN SHIPS ME WITH LEO AGAIN I'M RESETTING MYSELF!"
From the other room, Leo shouted, "I HEARD THAT!"