Saturday, 10:15 a.m. Campus café.
The place was moderately full. Students studying, chatting, some alone with their laptops.
[ACTIVE MISSION: Social Practice] [Objective: 3 conversations of 2+ minutes] [Progress: 0/3]
I needed to talk to three strangers. Sounds simple. But for someone who had spent years avoiding unnecessary social interactions…
I took a deep breath and looked for my first target.
An Asian girl sitting alone near the window, with a laptop and Biology books spread out. She was wearing headphones, but only in one ear.
"You can do this," I told myself.
I walked over to her.
"Excuse me," I said. She looked up. "Are you studying for Bio 101?"
She glanced at her books, then at me. "Yeah, why?"
"I took that class last semester. I recognized the book." I pointed at the textbook. "Is the professor still Dr. Kim?"
"Yes." She took off her headphones completely. "Is it as hard as they say?"
"Honestly, yeah. But the exams are predictable if you study his slides."
"Really? Everyone tells me to read the whole book."
"The book helps, but he tests straight from his presentations. If you memorize those, you'll be fine."
We talked for three minutes about the class, study strategies, and what to expect from the first exam.
[DING] [Conversation 1/3 completed] [Duration: 3 minutes, 12 seconds] [Quality: NATURAL] [+5 PP]
Part of me couldn't believe this was working. But it was.
My second target was more challenging: a group of three students talking about a project. Two guys, one girl.
I approached when there was a pause in their conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I heard you're working on something Engineering-related. Is anyone here in Mechatronics?"
One of the guys nodded. "Me. Why?"
"My roommate is in that major and is always complaining about the projects. I'm curious about what you're building."
That opened the door. They explained their autonomous robot for a competition. I asked genuine questions. They got animated talking about their project.
Four minutes later, I said goodbye.
[Conversation 2/3 completed] [Duration: 4 minutes, 8 seconds] [Quality: GENUINE] [Bonus: Group (more difficult)] [+7 PP]
My third conversation was with an older guy, probably a graduate student, reading about Philosophy of Law.
"Sartre?" I asked, pointing at his book.
He looked up, surprised. "Yeah. Do you know him?"
"I'm starting to. A friend told me about him."
We talked about existentialism, freedom, responsibility. He was happy to have someone to discuss ideas with. I absorbed information I could use with Sophie.
[Conversation 3/3 completed] [Duration: 5 minutes, 41 seconds] [Quality: EXCELLENT] [You learned about a topic that interests Sophie] [+8 PP]
[MISSION COMPLETED!] [+15 PP TOTAL] [Current balance: 50 PP]
Perfect. Now I could buy the package.
Saturday, 1:00 PM.
I bought the "Successful First Date Package" and was left with 10 emergency PP.
The information downloaded instantly to my phone. I spent the next two hours reading obsessively.
The analysis of Sophie was… detailed. Uncomfortably detailed.
[IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS COMPLETED: SOPHIE LAURENT]
[EMOTIONAL STATE DETECTED]
→ Current level of interest: 73 / 100
→ Classification: High receptivity
→ Confirmed attraction: Present and increasing
→ Current condition: Awaiting active initiative from the user
→ Tolerance for physical contact: Positive (appropriate context required)
[OBSERVABLE INDICATORS OF INTEREST]
✓ Plays with her hair while interacting with you
✓ Reduces personal distance during conversation
✓ Maintains frequent eye contact in shared environments
✓ Authentic emotional response (unforced laughter)
✓ Projects future plans where you are included
Conclusion: Emotional alignment in progress. Opportunity window open.
[INTERACTION PROTOCOL – SCHEDULED EVENT: DATE]
PHASE 1 · INITIAL MEETING (7:00 PM)
→ Arrive 10 minutes early
→ Deliver a specific and honest compliment (avoid generalities)
→ Recommended greeting: brief hug
[Objective: establish early, natural physical contact]
PHASE 2 · CINEMA SCREENING (7:15 – 9:15 PM)
→ Purchase tickets without showing off
→ Do not initiate physical contact during the movie
→ Maintain open, relaxed posture
→ If she initiates contact (shoulder, arm):
→ Do not pull away
[System note: Conscious passivity is key in this phase]
PHASE 3 · POST-MOVIE (9:15 PM +)
⚠ CRITICAL STAGE ⚠
→ Suggest an additional activity (walk, dinner, conversation)
→ Do not end the date immediately after the movie
→ Extra time required to strengthen emotional connection
→ This segment defines the outcome of the event
PHASE 4 · PROGRESSIVE PHYSICAL CONTACT
→ During the walk: allow casual brushing of hands
→ If natural openness presents itself: take her hand
→ Analyze response:
• If she pulls away → step back without discomfort
• If she accepts → maintain until letting go feels natural
[Expected result: increased emotional synchrony]
PHASE 5 · GOODBYE (HIGH PRIORITY)
→ Minimum mandatory hug
→ Potential scenario for first kiss
→ Evaluate signals before proceeding
→ In case of doubt:
→ A long, intimate hug is sufficient
"Fuck," I muttered. "This is like a military mission."
Marco walked into the room with a shopping bag.
"Alright, soldier. It's time for your transformation."
What?
"Clothes. We're going shopping. Now."
"Marco, I don't need—"
"YES, you do. That gray hoodie you wear every day is not appropriate for a date." He grabbed me by the arm. "Let's go. We have three hours before the good stores close."
The next few hours were a movie-worthy montage.
Marco dragged me through three different stores. I tried countless outfits.
"No, too formal."
"Too casual."
"That makes you look like a used car salesman."
Finally, we found the perfect outfit.
Dark jeans that actually fit me (Marco insisted on the correct size)
A casual button-up shirt, dark blue
A light gray jacket
Casual but decent shoes (not my worn-out sneakers)
"Now that's it," Marco said, evaluating me in the store mirror. "You look like a functional human."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Coming from me, yes."
We also bought hair products, and Marco made me promise I'd use them.
Back in the room, Marco became my personal trainer.
"Alright, we're practicing scenarios."
What?
"Role-playing. I'm Sophie. Go."
The next thirty minutes were ridiculous but useful. Marco made me practice:
How to greet her
What to say when I see her
How to pay without making it awkward
Transition conversations
How to suggest dinner afterward
Even how to say goodbye
"And remember," Marco finally said, "she already said yes. That means she WANTS to spend time with you. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be… you, but with more confidence."
That night, I could barely sleep. I replayed every scenario in my head. Every possible conversation. Every way I could mess it up.