Episode 1

Chapter 1: The Crush in the Café

Setting: A cozy café in Shanghai, filled with the aroma of coffee and the hum of chatter. Rica, a 22-year-old graphic designer and avid gamer, sits at a corner table, sneaking glances at Mico, a 23-year-old aspiring novelist who’s scribbling in a notebook.

Rica (muttering to herself): “Why does he have to look so good with that messy hair? Focus, Rica. You’re here to work, not stare.”

Friend (Lina) (grinning): “You’re practically drooling. Just talk to Mico already! Everyone knows you’ve got a crush the size of the Great Wall.”

Rica: “Shh! He’ll hear you! Besides, he’s… out of my league. He’s all poetic and dreamy. I’m just a gamer girl who yells at her screen.”

Lina: “Bet he’d find that cute. Go say hi.”

Rica fidgets, then gathers courage and approaches Mico’s table, clutching her iced latte.

Rica: “Uh, hey, Mico. Nice… notebook. What’re you writing?”

Mico (looking up, smirking): “Oh, Rica. Just a poem about unrequited love. Want to be my muse?”

Rica (blushing): “W-What? No way, I’m not… poetic or anything!”

Mico: “Hmm, I bet you’ve got some hidden romance in you. Maybe I’ll write about a girl who’s secretly crushing on someone.”

Rica (nervous laugh): “Ha, sounds… fictional. Gotta go!”

She hurries back to Lina, who’s cackling.

Lina: “Smooth, Rica. Real smooth.”

Rica buries her face in her hands, unaware that Mico’s watching her with a curious smile.

Chapter 2: The Gaming Invite

Setting: A bustling university campus in Shanghai. Rica’s in a gaming club meeting, hyped about an upcoming Valorant tournament.

Rica (to club members): “Okay, team, we need to practice our strats! No slacking, or we’re toast in the tourney!”

Mico walks by, carrying a stack of movie posters for a film club event.

Mico: “Whoa, Rica, you sound like a drill sergeant. What’s got you so fired up?”

Rica (startled): “Oh, Mico! Just… Valorant stuff. Big tournament coming up.”

Mico (teasing): “Valorant? Isn’t that the game where you scream ‘I’m cracked!’ while losing?”

Rica (defensive): “Hey, I’m pretty good, okay? Bet I could frag you in a 1v1.”

Mico: “Tempting, but I’m more of a ‘watch Your Name and cry’ kind of guy. Ever tried movies instead of headshots?”

Rica: “Movies are… fine. But gaming’s my thing. You should try it sometime.”

Mico (grinning): “Only if you join me for a movie night first. Deal?”

Rica (flustered): “I—uh—maybe! I mean, sure, whatever!”

Mico winks and walks off, leaving Rica red-faced and her club mates snickering.

Chapter 3: The Movie Night Mix-Up

Setting: Mico’s dorm, decorated with fairy lights and movie posters. Rica arrives, nervous, expecting a group movie night.

Rica (to herself): “Okay, just act cool. It’s just a movie. With Mico. And others. Right?”

She knocks, and Mico opens the door. The room’s empty except for a cozy setup with popcorn and a laptop.

Rica: “Wait, where’s everyone else?”

Mico (feigning surprise): “Oh, did I forget to mention? Film club bailed. It’s just us.”

Rica (panicking): “Just… us? Like, alone? Watching a movie?”

Mico: “Yup. I picked A Silent Voice. It’s deep, emotional—perfect for a gamer girl to try something new.”

Rica: “You’re evil. You planned this, didn’t you?”

Mico (laughing): “Maybe I wanted to see if you’d survive a romance anime without raging like it’s LoL.”

They settle in. Rica’s tense at first but gets drawn into the movie, tearing up at the emotional scenes.

Rica (sniffling): “Okay, fine, this is… really good.”

Mico: “Told you. You’ve got a soft side, Rica. It’s cute.”

Rica (blushing): “Shut up! I’m not cute. I’m… tactical.”

Mico chuckles, and Rica realizes she’s starting to enjoy his teasing.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***