Quest Completed!

[Woah... that's some unreliable idea you have there.]

'Well, I can only think of that in my current situation... Wa—wait, you can even read my thoughts?!'

[...]

Layla was still watching him closely, concern evident in her face.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked again, her voice softer now.

Ariz hesitated… then let out a small wince, shifting his leg slightly.

Layla's eyes immediately snapped to it. "…Wait. Did you hurt your leg?" Her brows furrowed.

He sighed, rubbing his calf. "I… I think I twisted it a bit during the fall. It's not broken, just sore…"

Layla cursed under her breath, guilt flashing in her eyes again. "Dammit… This is my fault. If I had just—" She exhaled sharply. "Do you need someone to take you to the hospital?"

"N-No, it's not that serious… It's just, well..." He hesitated, looking down. "Getting to college tomorrow might be… difficult. No one at home can drive me, and I doubt I can walk the whole way…"

Layla visibly stiffened. A battle waged in her mind—guilt, responsibility, concern.

Then—she sighed, pulling out her phone. "Give me your address."

Ariz blinked. "Huh?"

Layla's emerald gaze locked onto him with unwavering authority. "I'll pick you up tomorrow for class."

'Perfect, just a little more, Ariz.'

Ariz hesitated a bit. "Oh no, no, I don't want to burden you… I'll just take leave for a couple of days. No need to work so much for me."

'Come on, don't reject me… don't reject me…'

Layla frowned slightly and spoke in a stern voice. "No, you will not be skipping classes, and I am also to blame for your condition, so I have to be responsible for it."

"But—"

"No buts… now give me your address."

With a resigned sigh, Ariz gave her his address.

'Time for the real thing.'

After contemplating a bit, Ariz turned to the professor and said, "Um, Professor, if you're going to pick me up tomorrow, then we should exchange contact numbers too… so you can, uh, tell me when you arrive?"

Layla stared at Ariz for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I guess."

She took out a small notepad from her purse, wrote her number on one of its pages, and handed it to Ariz.

'Yes! I got it!'

Tucking the note safely inside his bag, Ariz looked out of the bus window. His stop was approaching, and his heart pounded in his chest.

He took a deep breath. 'Alright, Ariz, don't screw this up. If you do, you'll be labeled a pervert and a creep.'

Ariz turned to Layla, forcing a hesitant, slightly weak expression. "P-Professor," he mumbled. "I-It's my stop… and I'm having a little trouble standing up. Can you help me out?"

Layla's concerned gaze softened. "Alright," she sighed. "Here, let me help you."

She stood up first, her long, shapely legs moving gracefully. Then she held out a hand.

Ariz grabbed it.

Her fingers were soft yet firm, her grip strong as she pulled him up.

And then—

Ariz wobbled.

"Oh—! Shit—!"

His balance faltered. His body lurched forward.

Layla reacted instantly, wrapping an arm around his waist to support him—

But Ariz's hand shot out to steady himself…

And landed directly on her plump, round ass.

'H-HOLY FUCK—'

His fingers sank slightly into her soft yet firm flesh.

Layla's entire body tensed.

Ariz froze.

The bus jolted to a stop.

Her juicy curves pressed even tighter against his palm.

'OH. MY. GOD.'

Layla gasped. "A-Ariz—?!"

Her voice came out softer than expected—more startled than angry.

Ariz's brain kicked into overdrive. He needed to act fast. He immediately pulled away, eyes wide with horror.

"I-I'M SO SORRY! I LOST MY BALANCE!!"

Layla stared at him, her emerald eyes blinking rapidly. For a split second, her lips parted—like she was about to scold him. But then—her eyes softened.

"…It's fine," she muttered. "It was an accident." Her voice was quieter, her gaze shifting away.

But not before he caught the slight pink dusting her cheeks.

Ariz internally celebrated. 'HELL. YES.'

DING!

[Quest Completed!]

Mission: "The First Touch"

Ariz barely held back his smirk as the system notification popped up. The sheer thrill of successfully pulling that off sent a rush through his veins.

But before he could even process his victory—

DING!

[Starter Pack Unlocked!]

'Huh?'

"Ariz."

Layla's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He looked up to see her watching him with a strange expression—somewhere between awkwardness and lingering embarrassment. "Be… ready tomorrow." She adjusted her glasses, her fingers brushing against her cheek, where a faint pink hue still remained.

Ariz blinked, then quickly nodded. "Y-Yeah, of course, Professor."

Layla glanced at him one last time before stepping aside, letting him move toward the exit.

As Ariz stepped off the bus, the cool night air brushed against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth inside. The sky had already darkened, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the quiet road. He took a step forward—

"—Tch."

A faint ache pulsed through his leg.

'Damn, I really wasn't built for all this tension…' he mused, rolling his ankle slightly to shake off the stiffness.

Behind him, the bus doors hissed shut. Instinctively, he turned—

Only to catch Layla still watching him.

Through the window, her emerald eyes lingered on him for just a second longer before she quickly averted her gaze, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

And then—

The bus rumbled away, disappearing down the street.

Silence settled.

Ariz stood there, the realization slowly washing over him.

'…I actually did it.'

His heart pounded. He groped Layla Whitmore. His fingers sank into that plump, juicy ass. And she didn't slap him. She didn't scream. She blushed.

His gaze drifted to his own hand, still faintly tingling from the contact.

It felt… surreal.

Then—

A wild thought hit him.

His fingers curled slightly, remembering the firm softness, the way her curves molded against his palm.

His breath hitched.

Glancing around, making sure no one was watching…

He lifted his hand to his nose—

And took a slow, deep inhale.

Intoxicating.

A subtle mix of vanilla, soft perfume, and a hint of womanly warmth.

"Pfft—AHAHAHAHA!!"

The system's voice burst out in laughter, shaking his mind with pure, unfiltered amusement.

[OH. MY. GOD. YOU SNIFFED IT. YOU ACTUALLY SNIFFED IT. AHAHAHA!!]

Ariz jerked his hand away, his face heating up. 'S-Shut the hell up!!'

[No way, you're down bad. My man is out here chasing Layla's scent like a drug addict.]

Ariz groaned, rubbing his temple. 'Damn it… I forgot I now have a tenant in my mind. So embarrassing.'

[Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing… for now~ But seriously, check your rewards already!]

Ariz exhaled, regaining his composure.

"…Let's see what I've got," he muttered with anticipation and excitement, stuffing his hands in his pockets and stepping forward into the night.