Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit
Chapter 88 – The Last Date

Chapter 88 - The Last Date

Since this was my last date with Myrrh, I wanted to make sure I looked my best—like someone straight out of a boy band poster. I chose a crisp white long-sleeve collared shirt, patterned with subtle triangular designs that caught the light just right. My fitted brown pants hugged my legs just enough to look stylish without being too formal, and my polished topsider shoes added a touch of effortless charm. For once, I even bothered to comb my hair properly, ensuring I looked clean and put together.

As someone who had never been on a "real" date with a woman before, this was the best I could manage.

I stood in front of the campus gate, shifting my weight from one foot to the other, waiting. This time, loitering around the girls’ dormitory felt a little too creepy—even for me. The dorms were eerily quiet, with only a handful of students staying behind for the vacation. If security caught sight of me lingering near the entrance on the cameras, I’d probably look like some kind of suspicious prowler.

“Zaft.”

Myrrh’s voice rang out behind me, smooth yet unmistakably firm.

I turned, and whatever thoughts I had instantly scattered like dandelion fluff in the wind.

She stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the evening lights, dressed in something both peculiar and breathtaking. A short, frilly dress split into stark halves—one black, one white—hugged her form, adorned with glinting silver ornaments that shimmered like tiny stars. A sleek black band wrapped snugly around her right thigh, and knee-high gothic boots gave her an almost regal air. She wore elegant black gloves, the fabric smooth and pristine against her skin.

For a brief, unguarded moment, I was completely stunned. My breath hitched, and warmth crept up my neck as I felt my face grow hot.

But I caught myself.

This was Myrrh Alicent—my enemy-turned-friend. Of course, she was always this beautiful. Always striking. Always perfect. A flawless ten out of ten.

But something about today felt different — like she’d transcended perfection. Tonight, Myrrh wasn’t just a ten out of ten. She was an eleven.

“Oh, nice shirt you have there. I like it.” Myrrh smiled, her voice light and teasing.

I blinked. I never expected her to start this date with a compliment. “R-really?” I stammered, caught off guard.

“Now you look like an actual person and not some hobo.” She scoffed, crossing her arms with a playful smirk.

I forced a smile. Yep, this was Myrrh, alright. A compliment wrapped in sarcasm — classic. I knew I had to fire back.

“You look pretty as well. Eleven out of ten.” I smirked, watching her brow quirk slightly. “But your personality? That’s plummeted into the negatives. -1 out of 10.”

Myrrh scoffed again, but this time it had a refined air to it, like a spoiled princess dismissing a lowly peasant. It was… surprisingly cute. I chuckled, scratching the back of my head. Our banter had become second nature — a rhythm we’d fallen into over time. The insults we threw at each other barely had any sting anymore. They were more like inside jokes, playful jabs that only brought us closer.

“Anyway,” Myrrh said, her tone shifting slightly as she reached into her cute black bag, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

She pulled out two tickets, each one glimmering with a starry night sky design. With a little flourish, she held them out to me. “Here!”

“Midnight Space Cruise Ship?” I tilted my head, eyebrows knitting together.

Myrrh beamed, her eyes practically sparkling. “The Midnight Space Cruise Ship is the most luxurious and grand tourist attraction in the entire Xyraxis Metropolis. And tonight, it’s the best place to watch the Xyraxis New Year’s fireworks.” Her voice carried a rare enthusiasm, almost childlike in its excitement.

“Oh.” I rubbed my neck, trying to process the sudden upgrade in our evening plans. “Are we heading into another deep-sea voyage like during our internship?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Nope. This cruise ship isn’t bound for the ocean. It’s going to orbit around Xyraxis, giving us the best view of the city lights and fireworks from space.” She leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing mischievously. “And that’s not all. The ship is packed with activities — there’s a gym, go-kart racing, a massage parlor, Broadway shows, ice skating, a skyride…” She paused dramatically, leaning closer. “And… wait for it… a casino.”

That got my attention. “Now I’m excited.” A grin spread across my face.

“Right, right?” Myrrh giggled, a sound so light and genuine that it tugged at something deep inside me. Then, with a playful flourish, she extended her hand toward me — delicate, gloved fingers outstretched — like a princess waiting for her gentleman. Her expression softened, eyes glimmering beneath the soft evening lights.

“So… shall we?” she asked, voice low and inviting.

I swallowed, feeling my heart skip a beat. Without hesitation, I reached out and took her hand. “Let’s go.”

<><><>

We hopped into a sleek cyber taxi, its engine humming softly as it weaved through the glimmering nightscape of Xyraxis Metropolis. Soon, we arrived at a private spaceport nestled on the northern edge of the city. As we stepped out onto the polished landing pad, my eyes were immediately drawn to the massive queue snaking its way toward the docks.

And wow — talk about fancy.

The crowd looked like they’d walked straight out of a high-end fashion magazine. Men and women glided past in luxurious dresses and tailored suits, every inch of them adorned with glittering jewelry and expensive accessories. The sheer amount of bling was enough to make my eyes hurt. I tugged at my collar, suddenly feeling very underdressed.

But what really caught my attention was the age gap. Almost everyone in line looked middle-aged or older — retirement home beneficiaries, for sure. The whole atmosphere screamed exclusive. This cruise ship was clearly reserved for the elite.

Then my gaze shifted to the ship itself, and my jaw nearly dropped.

The Midnight Space Cruise Ship stood proud at the dock, bathed in soft golden lights. It resembled a traditional ocean liner, but with a few key differences. Sleek, aerodynamic wings jutted from its sides like those of a futuristic aircraft, while its tail flared upward like a rocket, engines resting dormant beneath the hull. The ship's body gleamed white with elegant gold trimmings, making it look like a vessel fit for royalty. Speaking of royalty — royal guards stood at attention along the dock, decked out in uniforms that reminded me of Buckingham Palace’s finest.

We took our place at the very end of the admission queue, inching forward at a slow pace. As the line crawled ahead, I glanced at Myrrh. She stood beside me, humming softly to herself, swaying slightly to a tune only she could hear. The corners of her lips curled into a faint smile, content and carefree.

“Uh… Myrrh?” I asked, breaking the silence.

She turned to me, eyebrows raised. “Yes?”

I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. “Are you sure you can afford this?” I gestured vaguely at the glittering crowd and the massive ship. “This doesn’t exactly look… cheap.”

Myrrh rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Of course I can. I bought two tickets, didn’t I?”

“I-I mean…” I stammered, lowering my voice. “It must’ve cost a fortune. How much was it?”

She flashed a smug smile and pulled out her phone. A few quick swipes later, she turned the screen toward me, showing an ad for the tickets. My eyes nearly popped out of my skull. My jaw? On the floor.

“T-that much?!” I gawked, voice cracking. “W-what the hell were you thinking?!”

“Geez, relax.” Myrrh waved me off nonchalantly. “It’s no big deal. I just dipped into my extra savings from the internship.” She shrugged, as if casually dropping a small fortune on a luxury space cruise was something she did every weekend.

I stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. Was she serious?

Myrrh just smiled, humming her little tune again as the line slowly crept forward.

“I-I’ll pay for my share.” I blurted out, shifting uncomfortably. “I mean… that’s at least five times what I spent back on karaoke night.”

Myrrh shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “No, this one’s all mine.” She folded her arms and looked up at the night sky, her voice growing distant. “I’ve always wanted to try this space cruise. Every Xyraxis New Year, when I was a kid, I’d see this ship hovering above the city, right at the heart of the fireworks display. I used to stare at it, wondering what it must feel like to be inside, watching the fireworks from space.” Her eyes softened, reflecting the lights from the port. “Now that I’ve saved enough to finally make it happen… this is like a dream come true.”

I blinked. “Just let me cover my half. I mean… this date is for me too.”

She scoffed, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Date, huh?” Myrrh’s gaze flicked toward the cruise ship, her expression dimming slightly. “Honestly, back in high school, I was going to invite Ephraim… but that shithead is out of the question.” She sighed, then offered a small smile. “I thought about asking my mom, but… she’s still in therapy.” Myrrh turned back to me, her bright blue eyes glimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. “So… I chose you. Consider it my thanks.”

I swallowed hard. “I didn’t ask for a telenovela, Myrrh. But fine. Whatever floats your boat. Just don't go around begging for money after this.” I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

It didn’t feel like this cruise was meant for me — not really. It was Myrrh’s dream, and I was just tagging along. Still… it was free, so I wasn’t about to refuse. That didn’t stop the guilt from settling in, though. She spent a fortune on these tickets, and here I was, barely able to scrape together enough for karaoke night.

As if reading my thoughts, Myrrh poked me in the arm and raised a finger. “If you really want to pay me back, then there’s one thing you can do.” She paused dramatically. “Treat me like a queen for the entire cruise.”

I arched a brow. “Treat you like a queen? What kind of queen? French royalty?”

She grinned proudly. “Exactly.”

I smirked. “You want me to chop your head off with a guillotine?”