Might have been really weird ,but I was really hungry after all that had happened these past few days ,I needed milk. And cereal. And probably something that didn't come with a "best before" date from last month.
So, reluctantly, I left the house. Alone.
Lilith had returned and gave me a half-hearted wave from her perch on my desk, sprawled on her side in nothing but an oversized T-shirt that absolutely didn't belong to her. "Don't forget—Desire Point bonuses for social interaction~," she teased.
Gelra, who had shapeshifted into a body pillow for the morning, gurgled a bubbly laugh from my bed. "Bring snacks," she added. "Something sweet!"
The system chimed softly as I stepped out into the sunlight:
---
> 🧭 Quest Active: "Reintegration"
Objective: Reengage with mundane society
Optional Goal: Maintain secret identity [Stealth Bonus +1]
Reward: +1 Lust Point, +1 Emotional Stability
---
I squinted at the blue sky. Outside felt... weird now. Too normal. Like a dream I'd woken up from but couldn't fully remember.
The local market was only a 10-minute walk, but every footstep felt like I was dragging a second life behind me. No one could see the glowing crest hidden under my hoodie sleeve. No one knew I had a literal lust demon and goo girl living rent-free in my room. I grabbed a basket and tried not to look suspicious.
Then I heard the voice.
"Yo. Yo. Dude, is that you?"
I froze.
Please no.
"Nate?"
There he was. Backpack over one shoulder. Hoodie tied around his waist. His hair was a little longer than I remembered, and he had that same crooked grin he always wore when he caught me off guard.
"What the hell, man? I haven't seen you in weeks."
I tried to play it cool. "Just... been laying low. Y'know. Stuff."
"Stuff? You disappeared off the face of the earth. Thought you got kidnapped by hentai pirates or something."
I coughed awkwardly. "That's... not far off, honestly."
Nate tilted his head, stepping closer. "You look... different. Did you lose sleep or something? Or like, discover pre-workout powder?"
"Just… been exercising. Mental health. Whatever."
He didn't look convinced. "Everyone's talking, you know. Teachers are pissed. Your parents out of town or what?"
"Yeah, work trip. Left me the place."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "So you're, what, playing house by yourself? That's dangerous. And kind of suspicious."
I gave a half-laugh and tried not to glance at the screen floating beside my vision that still read Maintain secret identity: [Active].
"I'm fine, really."
"You don't look fine. You look like you're either hiding a girlfriend… or joining a cult."
"Neither," I said quickly. Too quickly.
Nate narrowed his eyes. "Right."
We walked in silence for a moment, grabbing things off shelves—milk, eggs, instant ramen. My phone buzzed with another system ping I ignored for now.
"Still not coming back to school?" he finally asked.
"Don't think I'm ready."
Nate frowned. "Is this still about... her?"
I didn't answer.
"Dude. I know what happened sucked. But you can't lock yourself in a cave forever."
I didn't tell him I'd upgraded the cave to include a demoness, a slime girl, and a UI screen that tracked my desire levels.
He sighed. "Look, I won't press. But you can't run forever, alright? I'll let you be for now... but I will drag your ass back one day."
I gave him a small smile. "Yeah. I know."
He punched my shoulder lightly. "Good. Missed hanging out with your weird self."
I punched him back. "Same, idiot."
We split up outside the store. He waved as he walked off, muttering something about "checking in again soon."
The system screen blinked one last time as I made my way home.
---
> 🟢 Quest Complete: Reintegration
Secret Maintained: ✔️
Emotional Check-In: Stable
Lust Point +1
Bond Reminder: Nate - Affection 4/10
---
Back home, Lilith greeted me at the door with a yawn and a raised brow. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Worse," I said, setting the groceries down. "I saw my best friend."
Gelra emerged from the hallway in a tiny hoodie I know I didn't own. "Did you bring the cookies?"
"...Yes."
Lilith grinned. "Good Boy."
I sighed, collapsing onto the couch.
Real life wasn't going to wait forever. And sooner or later, I'd have to choose which one I really wanted to live.