Date Night Concludes.

Kyle drove Jane back home, their ride peaceful and soothing as they shared casual conversations and listened to gentle, relaxing music playing softly in the background. Occasionally, they hummed along to the tunes, their shared rhythm fostering a sense of mutual connection.

Before reaching her home, Kyle stopped briefly to pick up some additional food for her to take back. He wanted to ensure that whoever she was staying with could also share in the experience of the night. This small gesture, he reasoned, would leave a positive impression on her roommate or any other companions she lived with. Kyle understood that winning over the people in her circle was a strategic move, as they could significantly influence her perspective on him.

"Say, do you live alone?" Kyle asked casually, though he knew such a question could come across as invasive under different circumstances. However, the elaborate date they had just shared provided enough context to make the question feel appropriate.

"No, I'm staying with a roommate," Jane replied, her tone light but her words slipping out faster than she had intended. "But she won't be back tonight," she added, immediately realizing the implications of what she had just revealed.

As soon as the words left her lips, Jane felt a wave of panic. She worried that Kyle might misinterpret her statement as an invitation for intimacy. This unintentional reveal caused a cascade of anxious thoughts to flood her mind.

Kyle, on the other hand, found it peculiar that her roommate would be out all night, but he chose not to pry. It wasn't his place to question her living arrangements, and he trusted that Jane would use the extra food wisely. If nothing else, he assumed her roommate could refrigerate it and enjoy it later, ensuring nothing went to waste.

When they finally arrived at her home, Kyle walked her to the door. Jane lingered, reluctant for the night to end. Kyle sensed her hesitation, but he knew better than to rush things. "Too much of a good thing too quickly can ruin its charm," he thought to himself, keeping his emotions in check.

"Here we are," Jane said, turning to face Kyle with a shy smile, her eyes locked on his.

Kyle could tell she wanted to invite him inside but seemed unable to muster the courage to say the words aloud. "Here we are," he repeated softly, his gaze meeting hers. Despite her understated appearance, there was something undeniably captivating about her.

Jane wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them, but her nervousness held her back. Kyle, however, understood that this moment called for a gesture—something memorable that would keep her thinking about him long after he left.

"You know," Kyle began, his voice warm and genuine, "I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight. If I'd known someone like you was in that store, I would've found you a lot sooner."

Jane blushed deeply, her gaze dropping as she struggled to maintain eye contact.

"Hey…" Kyle whispered, gently tilting her chin up with a finger, compelling her to look at him again. "Don't look away. I want to see those beautiful eyes."

His words seemed to break through her hesitation. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Kyle leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a tender yet deliberate kiss. Jane froze for a moment, caught off guard, but soon melted into the embrace, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

The kiss lasted a full minute, both of them savoring the moment before pulling back to catch their breath.

"I'd definitely like to see you again, Jane," Kyle said, his voice steady but laced with a subtle intensity.

"I… I would like that," Jane replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned and disappeared inside, leaving Kyle standing at the doorstep.

It took everything in him to resist the temptation to follow her inside, but he knew his restraint would make the night all the more impactful. Just as he expected, his actions had already made an impression.

[Update in Affection Bar!]

[Jane's Affection: 60%!]

Kyle couldn't believe how much progress he'd made in just one day. It almost felt too good to be true. "She must have little to no experience in relationships," Kyle thought. "Or maybe… she's just that gullible." Either way, he wasn't about to complain. However, the thought of his eventual encounter with Calista filled him with dread.

---

Meanwhile, across town, Ella was wrapping up her gig. Though the performance had gone smoothly, the turnout had been disappointing. She had hoped for a larger crowd, but deep down, she had expected this outcome.

Breaking into the rock music scene was no easy feat, especially for a new band without significant connections or resources to promote their work. Even getting their songs played on the radio required money they simply didn't have.

Sitting alone at the bar, Ella sipped her drink, her bandmates having called it a night long ago. She couldn't help but feel disheartened. Her dream of making it big seemed to slip further away with each passing day, and tonight was yet another stark reminder of that reality.

Ella had initially planned to stay out all night, but with the lackluster crowd and her band's early departure, her plans felt meaningless. Performing for an empty bar wasn't just demoralizing—it bordered on absurd. She knew the band wouldn't survive much longer without financial success, and the thought weighed heavily on her.

As she stared at her nearly empty glass, her phone buzzed on the counter. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, but then she remembered Jane's date. Curious, she picked up her phone, her mood lifting slightly at the sight of Jane's name on the screen.

Ella smiled at the message, grateful for the stability and joy Jane brought to her life. Despite her own struggles, Jane's excitement was contagious, and Ella was happy to support her friend.

[[You wouldn't believe what just happened. WE KISSED!!! HURRY UP AND GET BACK; I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!]]

Ella chuckled at the enthusiastic message. For a brief moment, her troubles faded, replaced by a sense of comfort. Life wasn't perfect, but as long as she had Jane, she knew she could get through anything. Still, she couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious man Jane had been so smitten with.

"If he can casually buy her an iPhone and a MacBook, he's probably not the average guy," Ella mused. "But who is he really?" The question lingered in her mind as she downed the last of her drink and prepared to head home.