System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]

Chapter 133: What happens to dinner?

"This is way worse than I had anticipated."

Blake wasn’t even sure this mission was possible to complete.

Even if it was, what bothered him the most was the fact that everything hinged on tonight.

He had tried bothering Myles in every way imaginable, doing whatever he could to make him jealous.

Yet now, somehow, he had to make sure Myles got jealous... without him constantly shoving it in his face.

Which, honestly, sounded completely ridiculous, even for him.

’Maybe I should convince that guy into doing something suggestive with me for a picture. He looks exactly like the type who enjoys bothering Myles...’

As he finished putting on his new clothes, Blake pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.

This one was getting sent to his target too.

At this point, his desperation to keep his privileges was stronger than his dignity.

Click.

"Alright, I look good to go!"

Or at least, that’s what he hoped.

Taking a deep breath, Blake finally stepped out of the house.

The flower shop was only a short detour from his route.

The day before, Blake had ordered a small bouquet in advance. Nothing extravagant or that screamed romance. Just enough flowers to look thoughtful without making it weird.

Well, any weirder.

The florist handed it over with a smile, and Blake inspected it briefly.

’Yeah, this will do!’

After paying, he carefully adjusted the wrapping and headed toward the bus stop.

’I can do this, failing isn’t an option, not when my privileges are on the line...’

Not when he’d already spent way too much of his monthly allowance on clothes for this stupid mission.

Seriously, looking down at his outfit, Blake almost winced but, at least, he looked good.

If he was going broke, he deserved to look good.

A few minutes later, the bus arrived.

Blake climbed aboard and took a seat by the window.

The city rolled past him as the vehicle lurched forward, his thoughts naturally drifting toward the restaurant.

’Surprisingly, that dude picked a decent place...’

It wasn’t too far from Blake’s house, and it wasn’t outrageously expensive either.

A welcome surprise.

He had already decided what he was ordering before he even arrived.

Pasta with pesto, since it was so simple and affordable, while also having a nice taste.

As much as he wanted his beloved soup, he couldn’t justify it tonight.

’I mean, even if I order soup, I wouldn’t be able to actually enjoy it, with this mission hanging over my head, and with Zlatan sitting directly across from me...’

Blake sighed, then, he pulled out his phone.

On the bus. Where are you?

He stared at the screen.

One minute later, his phone vibrated.

Walking there (•3-)!

I’m bout ten minutes away, so we’ll probably arrive around the same time!

Blake lowered the phone.

’Good.’

He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes.

’I won’t fail. I won’t. Why would I? I managed to move Myles emotionally plenty of times. So why will this be any different?’

Of course, Blake knew exactly what he was doing.

He was trying to reassure himself, to smother the anxiety before it could fully take hold.

And it wasn’t working, but still, he kept repeating it.

’I won’t fail!’

’I won’t fail!!’

’I won’t fail!!!’

Finally, the bus slowed.

Blake stood and stepped outside, the evening air immediately greeting him.

And almost instantly, he spotted Zlatan, who was standing farther down the street, casually waving in Blake’s direction.

Blake blinked.

’Seriously? What are the odds... the restaurant is still around ten minutes away.’

Yet somehow they’d spotted each other already.

Blake raised his hand and waved back, smiling as he picked up his pace.

And then he got a better look at Zlatan.

’Damn it.’

Blake had put genuine effort into his appearance tonight, with a budget-destroying effort.

Yet this dude somehow looked unfairly good regardless.

He could probably throw on a sackcloth and still look like some gigantic fairy prince.

By the time Blake reached him, he had already fixed his smile.

"Hey."

Without wasting time, he held out the bouquet.

"A little something. It’s a pleasure meeting you again."

Zlatan looked down at the flowers, then he smiled, his eyes narrowimg slightly.

For some reason, the expression immediately sent alarms ringing inside Blake’s head.

There was something unsettling about it.

Before Blake could figure out exactly what it was, Zlatan reached forward.

A hand brushed against his cheek.

"Of course," Zlatan said softly. "The pleasure is all mine."

Goosebumps immediately exploded across Blake’s skin, and not the good kind.

But Blake simply laughed.

"Right. Well, we should probably get going."

Zlatan smiled.

"Of course."

The two began walking toward the restaurant.

After a minute or two, Blake casually spoke.

"So, did it take you long to get here?"

A harmless question, at least on the surface. What he actually wanted to know was where Zlatan lived.

Or at least approximately where.

"Not really," Zlatan answered. "I don’t live too far away. About twenty minutes by foot."

Blake nodded.

’He might as well lie, too, but who cares... that’s something.’

He filed the information away, just in case.

"How is Myles doing?"

Blake nearly sighed, of course that topic came up.

"He’s doing well."

"Is he?"

The question carried a strange amusement so Blake looked over.

Zlatan was smiling.

"My boy seems to be getting two-timed."

Blake almost choked.

’What?!’

A nervous laugh escaped him, still, he maintained his most charming smile.

"Well, Myles and I aren’t together anyway."

"Hm."

Zlatan hummed thoughtfully, a smirk slowly appearing.

He looked like he was about to say something else.

Something Blake absolutely did not want to hear.

So he acted immediately, pointing right ahead.

"Oh, look at that. We’re finally here. How nice."

The interruption worked, thankfully.

The restaurant itself was beautiful.

And once they were guided to their seats, Blake had to admit Zlatan’s choice had been excellent.

Their table sat out on a balcony overlooking the city. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

The evening lights stretched into the distance.

Above them, the night sky glittered peacefully.

For a moment, Blake simply looked up.

’It really is beautiful.’

The menus were brought over shortly afterward.

Blake opened his immediately.

"I already know what I’m getting."

"Oh?"

"Pasta with pesto."

Zlatan glanced at him.

"And what should I get?"

Blake looked down the menu, then pointed. ƒreewebɳovel.com

"Shrimp."

Zlatan’s eyes slowly lifted from the menu and, for several seconds, he simply stared.

Then a smirk appeared.

"Why would you suggest that?"

Blake laughed, since he was waiting for this golden opportunity.

"You just look like the type who appreciates shrimp."

"Do I?"

"Absolutely."

Zlatan slowly nodded.

"Of course, not everyone would be able to tell, only a friend would know."

There it was.

That weird feeling again.

Thankfully, the waitress arrived before the conversation could continue.

Orders were placed.

Menus disappeared.

And silence briefly settled over the table.

To fill the gap, Blake glanced around.

A television mounted inside the restaurant had a news broadcast playing.

The topic immediately caught his attention.

Recent issues throughout this country, Wertice, as whole.

Including the infiltration at AL-TECH headquarters.

Blake sighed ever so slightly.

Apparently, he wasn’t escaping that story anytime soon.

"Interested in the case?"

Blake turned, Zlatan was watching him.

"Not particularly."

"Really?"

"Well." Blake shrugged. "I’m not not interested."

"I see."

Zlatan leaned back.

"I’ve certainly been enjoying the mess."

Blake stared.

’What a nut job. Shouldn’t you at least try to hide it. Who would openly admit something like that?’

Then again, this was Zlatan, normal standards didn’t apply.

"Are you interested?"

Blake considered it, then shrugged again.

"Honestly, AL-TECH has no business being such a massive tech company if they can’t even stop unauthorized people from walking into their headquarters."

...

"Hahaha! At the end of the day, AL-TECH doesn’t lack much."

Zlatan leaned closer.

"The people who infiltrated it are simply too much to handle."

Blake wasn’t entirely sure what that was supposed to imply, if that was even the intention, and frankly, he wasn’t eager to find out.

"Will we meet again?"

Blake blinked.

"Hmm?"

"After tonight."

As he spoke, Zlatan reached across the table and took Blake’s hand.

A shiver immediately shot down Blake’s spine, every alarm bell in existence ringing.

Still, his smile never faltered.

’This son of a bitch is truly something else.’

Instead, Blake smoothly pulled out his phone with his free hand.

Click.

The picture was taken and immediately sent to Myles.

’Perfect.’

Then he looked back up.

"Of course we’ll meet again."

Zlatan smiled, looking satisfied.

Almost immediately afterward, their food arrived.

’Phew. Perfect timing.’

Plates were set down.

The smell alone made Blake’s stomach growl.

He picked up his fork and took a bite, immediately brightening.

"Mh, this is really good."

He swallowed, then looked up.

"What about yours?"

But the moment his eyes landed on the other, everything happened at once.

Zlatan’s body went rigid, the fork slipping from his fingers.

Clatter.

For one confused second, Blake simply stared.

Then Zlatan collapsed straight to the ground, the entire restaurant erupting into chaos.