Relationships

Donovan was already having doubts. He sighed. "I came to you to ask about relationships."

"Relationships? You came to the right person. So, tell me, who's the lucky gal?" said Vi.

Donovan sighed once again, and said, "That's... none of your business. Just tell me what you know about relationships."

Vi sighed, "Answer my questions first: Are you doing this because you have someone you like?"

Someone I like? Should I tell the truth...?

"Yes," answered Donovan.

"Two, do you think that they feel the same way about you like you do towards them?"

Hm... I... I don't know...

"...I don't know," answered Donovan.

"Three, what do you like about this person?"

What do I like about Sylvia...?

"...She's beautiful, kind, and... a good leader," answered Donovan.

"Ah, so it's a she," said Vi.

What do you think it was?! A he?!

Donovan tried hard to control the twitching of the corners of his lips.

"Alright, last question. What's her name?"

Name?! What do you need that for?! And if I really told you her name, you'd kill me! I can't just say I'm trying to get together with your leader...

"I told you before, that's none of your business," said Donovan.

But seriously, why does he want to know her name? Surely he's not trying to... Sigh, he's truly a playboy.

Donovan sighed inwardly. Then, Vi said, "Hm, alright, it's simple. Just tell her you like her and treat her well. It's really that simple. Just shoot your shot."

Sigh, easy for you to say. I've been a goddamn virgin for as long as I can remember. Just the thought of confessing my feelings to someone gives me goosebumps... Sigh, but is this really my only option?

Vi shook his head, and said with a smile, "Or you can tread the path of the playboy, like me."

Yeah, no thanks...

"Are there any other options besides... confessing to her right away?" asked Donovan.

"Sigh, answer this question: Did she already confess her feelings to you?" asked Vi.

Did she...? Wait...

Donovan suddenly remembered the words Sylvia texted to him from earlier:

"Why'd you reject me? Why'd you say you just want to be friends with me? Am I not good enough for you? Do I really have to keep trying harder for you to like me back?"

That... that's a confession, right? It has to be! She practically just said she likes me... right? I'm not wrong, am I?

"Yes.... Yes, she did," answered Donovan.

Vi shook his head again with a sigh, and said, "You're hopeless. If she already confessed, then just tell her you like her back! I thought you were the smart and mysterious type, but you're really just stupid..."

Upon saying that, Donovan had the urge to punch Vi in the face, but he held back the urge because Assassin-types could beat Mage-types pretty easily.

Sigh, the reason I haven't confessed yet is because I'm scared of being in a relationship! I don't know how to maintain one, and I'm afraid I'd just disappoint her... And my main goal is to return to my original universe! I can't make too many deep attachments here...

Donovan decided to end it here. "Thank you for the consultation."

With a tsk, Vi said, "You're really hopeless. Heh, don't tell me you're a virgin?"

Donovan stood up without answering him, and flew away.

Vi ordered a cup of iced tea. He shook his head again and sighed, "Seriously hopeless."

...

Donovan's apartment, at 4:00 p.m.

Sylvia stirred awake. She opened her eyes, and was met with an unfamiliar ceiling.

Huh...?

But she's seen this ceiling before.

Oh no...

The last time she saw this ceiling was when she invaded Donovan's home in the evening when she was drunk! And she had done it again! Except this time, it was daytime.

Sylvia wanted to scream her lungs out and bury herself deep underground. She regretted drinking last night, and she regretted drinking again in the morning. And thus, what happened was her invading Donovan's apartment once again!

She immediately sat up and looked around. The TV was on, and there was a tall, brown haired man sitting on a reclining chair in the living room while he was scrolling on his phone.

It was Donovan. Then, their eyes met. Sylvia felt her heart skip a beat, her face flushing red. She managed to blurt out something, "Uh... hi."

"...You're awake. How are you feeling?" said Donovan.

"...I'm feeling fine, th-thank you for asking," she stuttered.

Ahhh!!! I messed up again! Why— oh... oh god...

Sylvia remembered what she had texted to Donovan earlier in the morning.

I'm so done... It's over...

Then suddenly, Donovan said, "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"...Sure. I'd like that. Th-thank you..." said Sylvia.

She tried hard to recall everything that happened while she was drunk, but she only managed to recall very little.

Meanwhile, Donovan stood up and went to the kitchen to make her a cup of coffee.

I hope she forgot about the fact that Alfred talked... Well, she was dead drunk, so I think it's fine...

Meanwhile, Sylvia was checking herself on the mirror.

Whew, I look fine... My hair's all messy, but everything else is fine... Okay, Sylvia, time to turn on your cool and easygoing personality... I mustn't ruin Donovan's image of me....

Meanwhile, Alfred was seated on the sofa, watching TV. The Vorlan had turned invisible to prevent Sylvia from seeing him. And partly because Donovan had told him to turn invisible.

Sylvia got out of bed, and walked towards the kitchen. Standing beside Donovan, she watched him prepare a cup of coffee for her.

"Not bad, you know how to treat a lady," said Sylvia.

Donovan chuckled, "Of course."

Then, Sylvia smirked and said, "Hehe, hm... Hey, did you perhaps do something to me while I was asleep?~ Hmmm?~"

"Ahem. No, I did not," said Donovan succinctly.

"Haha, I'm just messing with you. I know you would never do that," said Sylvia with a chuckle.

The two fell into silence. Sylvia stared at Donovan for a while, then said, "About earlier... I'm sorry. When I'm drunk, I make extremely rash decisions..."

Donovan fell silent, wondering on how he should bring up what she said to him in text earlier.

If she doesn't talk about it, I won't talk about it either...

Meanwhile, Sylvia was thinking about something else.

I quite literally just told him I have feelings for him... in text! Ahhh!!! Just kill me now... Uh, he knows I have feelings for him... But... what's his answer?

After Donovan finished making her a cup of coffee, Sylvia took the cup and took a sip. Then, the two went to the sofa. When Sylvia was about to sit down, she heard a small growl.

Huh...? A growl...?

Donovan heard it too, but he chose to ignore it.

Sorry, Alfred, we're taking your spot for now...

Sylvia put the cup of coffee on the table. After the both of them were seated down, Donovan switched channels. But as soon as he switched the channel, "something" scratched his ear!

It was none other than the invisible Alfred. Donovan chose to ignore the Vorlan, and he finally found a suitable channel to watch together with Sylvia.

As they watched the TV together, Sylvia kept taking quick glances at Donovan.

When's he going to confess...?! I already made the first move...!

Meanwhile, Donovan was also internally panicking.

Confess... confess... confession... Just... just do it...! I can do this...

Suddenly, the show they were watching got into a spicy scene where the protagonist and his girlfriend got into bed and started making love.

The situation inside the living room immediately turned awkward. Sylvia's heart was beating very fast, and Donovan's back was sweating.

The invisible Alfred watched all this happen while he was sitting on top of the table right in front of them.

Sylvia didn't even want to take a sip of the coffee because of how tense she was.

Donovan inwardly took a deep breath, turned to Sylvia, and suddenly said, "Sylvia, I..."