Kai sat across from the three girls, feeling out of place. His back was stiff, and his fingers fidgeted under the table. Music thumped loudly through the party hall, the beat matching his anxious heartbeat. He had no idea what to do in a situation like this.
"Ahh… What am I even supposed to do now?" he muttered under his breath, just loud enough to hear over the music.
Bella and Anna burst into laughter.
"What do you think people do at parties?" Bella grinned, raising her drink. "Drink, eat, dance—that's it!"
But Maria didn't laugh.
Her face stayed calm, but her eyes showed something deeper. She had tried many times to talk to Kai, to confess how she felt. But every time, he slipped away before she got close. It wasn't rejection—it was like he was scared. Or holding back something.
How do I even start talking to him? she wondered, thinking hard. Then—an idea.
"Kai!" she said brightly, standing up and locking eyes with him. "Let's dance."
She smiled, trying to hide how nervous she really was.
Please say yes. Please… just this once, she prayed silently, her heart racing.
Kai looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't want to say no, especially not to the birthday girl. But this wasn't his kind of place.
"I… I don't mind," he said at last. "But… I've never danced before."
His voice was soft, honest. He felt exposed. Dancing in front of people wasn't something he'd ever done—not like this.
Maria stepped closer and gently took his hand. Her touch was warm. Her smile was kind.
"Don't worry," she said. "I just learned a few steps myself. We can figure it out together."
She led him to the center of the dance floor. Lights flashed. People moved all around them. Kai tensed, feeling every eye in the room.
He wasn't shy with words. He could speak, lead, even argue. But dancing? That was a different world.
Then, as if triggered by his nerves, the system's interface appeared in front of him:
> [+2 Experience Points for Intimacy]
Kai blinked, surprised.
"I can gain experience… from this?" he thought.
Maria noticed his hesitation and gently guided him. She placed his right hand on her waist, then rested her right hand on his shoulder. She wrapped her fingers around his other hand.
"Kai," she said softly. "Look into my eyes."
He met her gaze. Her eyes were steady, full of warmth. There was something honest in them—a silent understanding.
> [+4 Experience Points for Intimacy]
"Now… close your eyes," she whispered. "Just follow my rhythm."
He closed his eyes and let himself move with her. Slowly, step by step, their bodies started to match. Maria leaned gently into his chest, her cheek resting near his collarbone. She closed her eyes too, listening to his fast, nervous heartbeat.
> [+10 Experience Points for Intimacy]
This... this is what I wanted, Maria thought. This closeness, this warmth. I wish time could just stop.
Kai relaxed more with each moment. Their steps matched naturally now, like flowing water. The crowd, the lights, the music—they all faded.
He wasn't thinking anymore.
He was feeling.
> [+5 Experience Points for Intimacy]
[+5 Experience Points for Intimacy]
[+5 Experience Points for Intimacy]
…
The system kept sending alerts, but he ignored them.
All he noticed was Maria—her breathing, her presence.
Then, suddenly—
Bella, clearly drunk, stumbled toward them.
"W-What the hell… they're still dancing?" she slurred, swaying.
She bumped between them by accident. The dance broke. Kai and Maria stepped back, flustered, both catching their breath.
Their eyes met again—both cheeks red now.
Kai ran a hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact.
"I… I should go," he said with a nervous laugh. "Kailey's gonna kill me if I'm late getting home."
He turned to leave. "Bye."
He walked quickly out of the party, heart pounding, head spinning.
Outside, under the starry sky, he stopped.
The wind brushed his face. He smiled quietly, hand resting over his heart.
"…This feels good."
Just then, Bobby rolled up beside him on his scooter, grinning wide.
"Dude! You actually danced! With Maria! That's big news!"
Kai chuckled, brushing his bangs out of his eyes.
"Maybe she's into you, man!" Bobby added. "She does show up everywhere you go."
Kai didn't say anything. He just smiled to himself, still wrapped in the moment.
"Anyway—congrats," Bobby said. "You landed one hell of a girl tonight."
---
Later That Night
Kai climbed the backyard fence quietly. He grabbed the ladder he kept hidden by the shed, leaned it against his bedroom window, and climbed up.
He slipped into the room silently. The floor creaked under his steps, but he made it to bed without waking anyone.
He lay down and pulled the blanket over himself, still smiling.
He drifted off to sleep almost instantly.
---
The Next Morning
A soft chime woke him.
> [Level: 1 (12/200)]
[Free Stat Points: 5]
Kai sat up fast.
"What the—? I leveled up just from dancing with Maria?" he whispered.
"If I gained this much from just being close… what would happen if I went further?" His eyes sparkled with new energy. "Could I really become a hero… like this?"
He touched the holographic panel. It shimmered under his fingers.
"System. Allocate 2 points to Strength, 1 to Stamina, and 2 to Agility."
> Ding!
> [Strength: 100 kg → 120 kg]
[Agility: 20 km/h → 24 km/h]
[Stamina: Boosted slightly]
Golden waves flowed from his chest, spreading through his arms and legs. His body lit up faintly as it changed.
He clenched his fists.
It felt like fire and light had filled him—warm and powerful.
When the glow faded, he opened his eyes.
He flexed his fingers. Everything felt… sharper.
Stronger.
He smiled.