First Mission Complete

"Do you want to hear some interesting hospital stories?"

[Progress: 40%]

Alex was surprised when Emily initiated a conversation between the two of them. Even though he was feeling a little shy, he still nodded and let her.

'Emily sat in front of Alex, her arms crossed, while a small smile played on her lips.

"Alright, let's see… There was this one time a guy sleepwalked out of his room and ended up in the hospital cafeteria, demanding a full-course meal at three in the morning."

"No way. Did he wake up?" Alex chuckled as curiosity laced his voice. 

"Oh, he did. Right after the cashier asked if he was going to pay with cash or card," Emily said, grinning.

[Progress: 45%]

Alex let out a small laugh. He hadn't talked to someone this casually in a long time. 

"You don't talk much, huh? What's your life like outside the hospital?" Emily tilted her head, watching him with interest.

Alex hesitated. His fingers played with the hem of his blanket.

 "Not much …" He took a deep breath before continuing, "After all, I'm not a social person. I don't have many friends. Just one."

"Just one?" Emily's expression softened. She felt pity for Alex.

"Yeah," Alex mumbled, looking away.

"I-I've always been kind of a loner. I'm not great at talking to people." Alex was scared that it'd turn off Emily.

Emily pitied him even more. She had met all kinds of patients, but something about Alex struck her differently. Maybe because he looked good, and his life story was a little sad. 

"That's kind of sad," she admitted without thinking.

"Yeah. I know." Alex let out a small chuckle.

"Why, though? You seem nice. Why don't you make more friends?"

"I don't know. I guess I just don't fit in. People don't usually notice me much." He paused, then added, "Or they do, and they find me boring."

"That's ridiculous. You're not boring." Emily frowned.

"Well, you just met me." Alex looked at her, startled by her bluntness. 

"So?" Emily countered, smiling. "I've talked to plenty of people, and trust me, you're doing fine."

Alex didn't know how to respond to that. He felt his face heating up. It was the first time he had received such a compliment from a girl.

"Besides, you're talking to me just fine." Emily continued.

"That's because you're easy to talk to." Alex's eyes widened when he realized he had just said it out loud.

Emily raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Oh? So you're saying you're comfortable around me?"

Alex felt his face heat up again.

"I—I didn't mean it like that."

"Relax, Alex. I'm just teasing. You're too cute when you blush." Emily laughed, shaking her head.

"U-uhm…" Alex became even more shy.

'Am I really talking to her fine?'

[Progress: 80%]

Emily leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Because of it, her chest popped out even more and Alex noticed it.

"Alright, since we're talking about friends, let's make a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"For now, I'll be your second friend." She smiled warmly. "That way, you can't say you only have one anymore."

"You'd want to be my friend?"

"Why not?" Emily shrugged. "You're not as bad at talking as you think you are."

[Progress: 85%]

Alex wasn't sure what to say. He had always been. And now, here was Emily, someone he had just met, offering to be his friend.it kind of boosted his confidence.

"Okay," he said quietly. "I'd like that."

'Good! Now you officially have two friends." Emily beamed

Alex chuckled softly. The idea was still foreign to him, but he liked how it felt.

[Progress: 90%]

The room fell into a comfortable silence for a moment before Emily glanced at the clock.

"I should probably get going soon."

'This soon?'

Alex felt disappointed. He didn't want the conversation to end this soon.

Before he could say anything, Emily stood up and stretched. "But before I go…" She stepped closer, looking at him with a thoughtful expression.

"What?" Alex blinked.

Emily leaned down and, without warning, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

Alex froze. His brain completely shut down.

[Prorgess: 100%]

[Mission Complete!]

[Your recovery progress will speed up by 5%]

The notification appeared before his eyes, but he barely noticed it. His entire focus was on the warmth on his cheeks.

Emily pulled back, clearly amused by his reaction. The kiss was too sudden, but she felt like giving him one.

"Consider that a reward for doing well on your first conversation."

Alex, face burning, could only stare at her in shock.

"Y-You just—"

"I'll check in on you later, okay?" Emily smirked.

"Maybe I'll give you more if you recover well."