Episode 3

Chapter 7: The Jealousy Jolt

Setting: A gaming café hosting the Valorant tournament. Rica’s team is competing, and Mico’s there to cheer.

Rica (focused): “Okay, team, let’s clutch this!”

A rival player, Kai, flirts with Rica after a match.

Kai: “You’re pretty good, Rica. Want to duo sometime?”

Rica (oblivious): “Oh, sure, maybe!”

Mico, watching, feels a pang of jealousy.

Mico (to Rica, later): “So, you and Kai, huh? New gaming buddy?”

Rica: “What? No, he just asked to play. Why do you care?”

Mico (defensive): “I don’t! Just… didn’t think you’d fall for a guy with worse aim than me.”

Rica (teasing): “Wait, are you jealous?”

Mico: “Pfft, no. I just… wrote a better poem than he ever could.”

Rica laughs, realizing Mico’s starting to care more than he lets on.

Chapter 8: The Confession Setup

Setting: A quiet park at sunset. Mico’s planned a “poetry reading” but really wants to confess.

Rica: “So, what’s this about? Another poem to embarrass me?”

Mico: “Not exactly. I wanted to tell you something. No teasing this time.”

Rica (nervous): “Okay… what’s up?”

Mico: “Rica, I started teasing you because I liked your reactions. But somewhere along the way, I realized I like you. Your passion, your laugh, even your gaming rants. I’m kind of in love with you.”

Rica (stunned): “You… what? This isn’t a prank?”

Mico: “Nope. Dead serious. Want me to write it in a poem to prove it?”

Rica (tearing up): “You idiot. I’ve liked you forever. Why’d you make me wait?”

They laugh, and Rica punches his arm before they hug, the tension melting away.

Chapter 9: Couple’s Clash

Setting: Rica’s apartment, now their hangout spot. They’re trying to plan a date but clash over hobbies.

Rica: “Let’s play LoL together! It’ll be fun.”

Mico: “Or we could watch Spirited Away. It’s a classic.”

Rica: “Movies again? Come on, try gaming with me!”

Mico: “Fine, but only if you read my new book draft first.

They compromise: Rica plays a LoL match while Mico narrates it like a movie script, making her laugh.

Rica: “Okay, you’re ridiculous, but this is kinda fun.”

Mico: “See? We’re the perfect team—gamer girl and poet boy.”

They kiss, blending their worlds a little more.

Chapter 10: The Love Lantern

Setting: The same lantern festival, a year later. Mico and Rica, now a couple, return to make new wishes.

Rica: “Can’t believe it’s been a year since you tricked me into liking you.”

Mico: “Tricked? You were head over heels from day one.”

Rica: “Keep dreaming, poet boy.”

They write new wishes. Rica’s reads, “To keep winning—at games and love.” Mico’s says, “To write our story forever.”

Mico: “Think we’ll come back here every year?”

Rica: “Only if you stop picking sad movies.”

Mico: “Deal. But you’re still my favorite story.”

They release their lantern, watching it float into the sky, hand in hand, ready for whatever comes next.

The End

This story balances humor, romance, and character growth, with dialogue driving the playful dynamic between Rica and Mico. Their hobbies—gaming for Rica, movies and writing for Mico—create fun conflicts and bonding moments, set against the vibrant backdrop of Shanghai.

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