[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"It's broad daylight. Where am I supposed to find a Spirit to bring back? I'm not the protagonist of some fantasy world."
Alexander walked down the street, muttering to himself. He was alone, and no matter how hard he searched, it seemed like finding his target was a futile effort.
"Or… if worse comes to worst, maybe I'll hack into the city's surveillance system from an internet café," he mused.
With his advanced electrical manipulation abilities, Alexander's skills far surpassed those of Mikoto. He could easily pull off what she could do and more. Although the technology in the 'Date A Live' world was impressive, it still lagged behind that of Academy City.
As Alexander pondered his next move, Shido finally arrived nearby. Hidden in the shadows, Shido hesitated, his nerves getting the better of him.
"Shido! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and approach him before the Nightmare shows up!"
Kotori's stern voice echoed in Shido's earpiece. Knowing how difficult it was for Shido to initiate contact with another man, she had enlisted the help of various "experts" to guide him. These included a nightlife prince, a "good guy" with decades of experience, and a seasoned emotional expert. They had all devised strategies for Shido, relying on methods often seen in 'gal games'. But all their advice hinged on one condition: Shido's cooperation.
"Kotori, I don't think I can do this. Can't we just… pick someone else?" Shido pleaded.
"No!" Kotori's voice was unwavering. "If you back out of your very first mission, how will you handle tougher situations later?"
"This… this… Fine. But how am I even supposed to approach him?"
As soon as Shido asked, four options appeared before him—visible only to him.
A: "Hey, handsome! I can't unscrew this bottle cap. Can you help me?"
B: "Hey, bro, I forgot my phone. Can I borrow yours?"
C: "Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the cinema?"
D: "You've been robbed! Just cooperate, and I'll show you how to do it properly!"
Shido stared at the choices, horrified. "These options… Are they from some demon? Who uses these ridiculous methods to start a conversation?"
Meanwhile, back in Ratatoskr, Kotori and the "experts" began voting on the best choice.
Votes:
- A: 15%
- B: 45%
- C: 30%
- D: 10%
The nightlife prince exclaimed, "It's got to be C! Ask him for directions to the cinema, thank him, and then invite him to watch a movie together. Under the cover of night, sparks will fly, and the rest is history!"
The emotional expert countered, "Nonsense! It has to be A. Playing the helpless card will make you seem cute and vulnerable, triggering his protective instincts and showing off his masculine charm!"
The "good guy" chimed in, "A? No way! How do you even know if this Alexander is dominant or not? B is the way to go! It's subtle, leaves a contact record, and starts a natural conversation!"
Kannazuki Kyohei boldly suggested, "I think D—"
"Get out!" Kotori shouted. "What kind of idiotic plan is that? He'd get beaten to death before the conversation even started! We're going with B!"
"Understood!"
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Shido received the decision and reluctantly approached Alexander, who was still strolling along the street. As he walked closer, Shido's nerves tightened, but he mustered his courage.
Suddenly, he tapped Alexander on the shoulder.
Alexander turned around, his expression neutral as he faced Shido, who looked completely out of place and awkward. But a glimmer of excitement flashed in Alexander's eyes.
'This is perfect! Just when I was wondering where to find a Spirit, the protagonist himself shows up. If I stick with him, I'm bound to find what I'm looking for~'
Seeing Alexander's unexpectedly bright expression, Shido felt even more uneasy. He cleared his throat and stammered, "Uh… Dude, I forgot my phone. Can I borrow yours?"
Alexander blinked, a question mark practically forming above his head. 'Borrow my phone? What is this strange sense of déjà vu?'
Shrugging, Alexander handed over his phone. "Sure. Here you go."
Shido quickly took the phone and, with trembling fingers, secretly jotted down Alexander's number before handing it back.
"Thank you! I'm Shido. Nice to meet you," he said, forcing a smile despite his obvious discomfort.
Alexander nodded, bemused by the interaction. 'This is turning out to be more interesting than I thought.'