"Alright, thank you for today."
Max stood outside his apartment building, wearing a new coat he bought today. The girls were tired, and it was late in the night. They had even helped him out with carrying the shopping bags into his apartment.
"Let me buy you guys pizza for dinner. I feel bad about keeping you this late."
"No, thank you. I'll feed her what I make for dinner."
"Maxi!! I'll see you tomorrow night at that restaurant. Wear a formal suit, I'll wear my new dress."
She's never out of energy, like a little baby.
"Sure, let's do that."
Max looked at the back of the car with a smile. It drove without making any noise, just like his current neighborhood. Max looked up and saw a little child smiling and waving at him from the opposite apartment building. Technically, they were neighbors.
Look how happy she is, children should be like this all around the world.
Max waved at her, then smiled as big as he could to appear friendly. When his stomach growled with hunger, he walked down the road. His new goal was to get some bread and some fruits from the grocery store nearby.
I have to pick some utensils as well, like plates and spoons.
The night was cold, with no people in his sight. The residential area where he lived now was a very quiet place, but the road ahead was very different. It was a big road with tons of clubs, fast-food stores, and everything you need.
I live in a library, and this road is a gymnasium full of students.
Colorful speeding cars, drunk half-naked women vomiting on the side, muscled men with tattoos—Max could see every kind of creature this city had to offer. From rich to poor, everyone was present in this gorgeous city.
*CLING*
Max entered the grocery store he saw earlier today when he went out to buy pizza. It was huge compared to his hometown, but in this city it was just one of the medium-sized ones. He directly went for the big-sized bread, then oats for breakfast, and took several bottles of milk, some packets of cheese, and pasta.
I want to become a bit healthier. I am very skinny.
When he went to the fruit section, he saw that there was a woman shopping beside him. He would have ignored her, but there was a colorful sticker behind her which said 'Baby Bo'. Usually, he wouldn't take notice of this kind of thing, but today he had received a lot of kindness, so returning a little wouldn't be bad.
"Excuse me, you've got something stuck on your back."
"Oh? Where is it?"
"O… on your back."
She turned halfway, twisting her upper body to look, then laughed softly when she failed. As she moved, her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose.
She's maybe a model or something. She also has a accent.
"Can you grab it for me? I can't reach it."
Up close, Max realized she was very beautiful and older than him—late twenties, maybe early thirties. The low-cut dress she wore clung to her frame without trying too hard, the fabric moving with her body as if it belonged there. She didn't look out of place. If anything, the fluorescent grocery lights felt unworthy of her.
As she leaned slightly forward, the motion drew his eyes toward her massive chest despite himself. The curve of her chest pressed gently against the fabric, full and unapologetic. Max felt heat rise up his spine. This was sudden and dangerous for him.
Focus, Max.
He stepped in just long enough to peel the sticker away with two fingers. His knuckles brushed her warm skin for the briefest second. It felt soft, alive. He withdrew immediately.
"There, I got it."
He simply gave the sticker back while looking at her white, almost pink hand. The woman taking the sticker in her hand laughed out loud, then smiled, melting with affection.
"Isn't this cute? I was babysitting my niece this afternoon. She's three, and she might have put it there. Thank you so much."
"You are very welcome."
Max nodded his head and looked at the fruits again. He felt like this woman was very dangerous, and he had become very relaxed with his discipline after getting money.
I am so stupid. How can I be this dirty minded?
He was blaming himself for looking at her, despite being a self-claimed disciplined man, while Jennifer was very shocked to see such a polite boy. He didn't even gaze at her other than what was necessary in the conversation.
"You might want to check those organic ones. They are better for your health."
Jennifer poked at Max's shoulder lightly to show him the fruits she was getting. Looking at his skinny appearance, she decided to help him out somehow.
"Thank you."
"You are very welcome."
Max saw her walking toward the counter after that. Shaking his head from the distraction, he picked organic apples, avocados, and oranges. They were costlier, but if he wanted to become healthy, eating a more expensive and good meal was, in his eyes, not a waste of money.
Then he went to the utensils corner and picked several sets of plates, spoons, and forks. This store didn't have many utensils, so he decided to go to a bigger departmental store next time.
Time to go home, eat some bread with butter, and sleep. I am very tired.
As his shopping cart rolled toward the counter, he saw the woman again. She was second in line after an old man. As it was nighttime, only this counter was still working late. Max was in the fifth position.
For some reason, the woman Max helped earlier decided to leave the line and wait on the side. Maybe her payment declined or something. Max didn't care. He looked ahead, and as it was his turn, he pulled out his new wallet.
"I'll pay with card."
He took out his silver-colored card with confidence and made a mistake. The pink-colored love card jumped out with it and fell on the ground. He was not used to the new wallet yet, and it felt extremely awkward for him with people around. As he went down to grab it, another hand went ahead and took it from his hand.
"I am taking this. You should focus on your studies more, rather than being a pervert."
[Updated]
[Love Card 69% Crit (Used Successfully): This card can alter human emotions. If a female takes it from your hand willingly, there's a 69% chance she will fall in love with you with 300% more passion than a normal human.]
[Used on: Jennifer Anne Gaskill, Critical Hit]