Chapter 10 – Sammelplatz Diner

I had been waiting for about ten minutes in front of the girls' dormitory, checking the time every so often. It was already five in the afternoon. I watched as female students walked in and out of the building. I even noticed a familiar face—a male student who used to wait with me by the entrance. Now, he was with his partner, ready to head off together.

Standing there, I probably looked like one of those guys waiting patiently for his girlfriend. Some of the female students glanced at me, maybe assuming I was waiting for someone special. I glanced down at my outfit—a black and blue checkered polo shirt, unbuttoned, with brown pants. I wore them just in case Myrrh picked a spicy restaurant. To be honest, I did look like I was waiting for a date. But I had dressed up because Myrrh mentioned she’d be treating me to a fancy dinner.

I checked the time again, starting to feel a little impatient. After what felt like forever, my fifteen-minute wait finally ended. Stepping out of the dorm was Myrrh, the reason I was here.

She looked stunning. Myrrh was wearing a short white dress paired with thigh-high, high-heeled boots. A blue corset cinched her waist and highlighted her curves, pushing up her cleavage just enough to be noticeable. Her long lime-green hair flowed down her back, and she had winged hairpins above her ears, adding a delicate touch to her look.

“So… shall we go?” Myrrh asked, leaning in with an adorable smile on her face.

“Y-yeah,” I replied, quickly looking away to avoid her cute expression. “But you made me wait.”

“Wasn’t the wait worth it?” Myrrh teased, her smirk playful. “I mean, you’re about to have dinner with a beautiful girl like me.”

“Just so you know, you’re the one paying tonight,” I reminded her, trying to stay composed. “I’m more interested in the free meal than the ‘date.’”

“Fine, fine,” she sighed, pulling back and groaning. “No wonder you’ve never had a girlfriend with that attitude,” she muttered, pouting.

“Stop picking a fight and let’s get going. I’m starving,” I said, stepping forward.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying,” she grumbled under her breath. I decided to ignore her complaints, thinking it was safer not to push my luck—who knows what she might do to my food if I gave her a reason.

Myrrh quickly caught up as we left the university grounds and walked along the sidewalks. With the sun already setting, the neon lights of the cyberpunk metropolis, Xyraxis, were beginning to shine brightly. The entire city seemed to come alive. Giant advertisements glowed atop the towering buildings, their colors reflecting off the glass windows. The streets grew noisier with a strange mix of 1950s music playing from nearby speakers, while hologram screens flashed everywhere, showing off the latest trends and products.

I wasn’t sure where to go next. I slowed down and eventually stopped, waiting for Myrrh to take the lead. Noticing I had paused, she turned back to look at me, a curious expression on her face.

“What’s the matter, Zaft?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Ladies first,” I replied, gesturing for her to go ahead.

She smirked, a knowing look in her eyes. “Wait, does that mean… this is your first time in the metropolis?” Her smug grin only widened.

I froze for a moment, surprised by how quickly she had figured it out. My cheeks flushed red as I glanced away. “So what if it is?” I mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed.

“You mean to tell me you survived your first week of university life without ever stepping into the city proper?” Myrrh asked, her eyes wide with astonishment. “So for five whole days, it was just dorm and school for you?”

“Why on earth would I even bother going into the metropolis?” I replied, crossing my arms defensively. “We can get meals at the cafeteria or order food with an app. And there’s no need for textbooks when we can just download electronic copies online.”

“What about entertainment?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“I’ve got my laptop and phone for games. As long as I have my gadgets, I’m set,” I shrugged, thinking my point was solid.

Myrrh scrunched her face in disbelief. “What are you, a cave troll? Xyraxis Metropolis has every kind of entertainment you can think of. It’s strange that you’ve never even considered skipping class or spending your free time exploring this cyberpunk city. Wait… don’t tell me…”

I swallowed hard, sensing where she was going with this. Myrrh had always been good at reading me, ever since high school. She probably knew exactly what I was thinking.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared of getting lost in the city?” she grinned, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Boo hoo. Do you need your mama to hold your hand, you manchild?

“Ack!” I stammered, caught off guard by how easily she had nailed it. "Shut up!"

She hit the bullseye once again. I had learned my lesson on my very first day in Xyraxis. I was late to class because my sense of direction, especially in crowded cities and huge universities, is terrible. The idea of getting lost in this vast cyberpunk city terrifies me, so I never took the risk.

Noticing my reaction, Myrrh’s teasing grin softened into a genuine smile. She started twirling a strand of her lime-green hair between her fingers. “If you want, I’d be happy to show you around. I can take you to all the exciting places,” she offered.

“S-sure,” I replied, scratching the back of my head, embarrassed by how easily she had read me. “That’s really kind of you.”

“Well, you’re so helpless. I guess I’ll be your guide around Xyraxis,” she said with a playful smile. “Let’s go!”

She began skipping ahead cheerfully, and I followed along. Soon, we arrived at a massive mall with a grand arc at the entrance. The building was covered in moving holographic billboards advertising food, clothes, motorcycles, and even undergarments.

“This is our first stop—welcome to the all-famous Cyberpunk Megamall!” Myrrh exclaimed, gesturing proudly to the massive structure. “You might’ve seen it in commercials back on Earth. It’s super famous for having the best selection of stylish clothes, trendy souvenirs, and even a rooftop water park! If you ever get lost, just head northwest and follow the sidewalk until you reach the university grounds.”

Myrrh was about to continue talking, but then a loud groan interrupted her. It was my stomach. I had only eaten a light lunch and skipped snacks, so now my body was loudly protesting for food.

“Myrrh…” I muttered, trying to hide my discomfort. “The acid in my stomach is threatening to revolt.”

“Hahaha…” Myrrh forced a laugh. “I see you weren’t exaggerating earlier about being hungry. Let’s head to the plaza, and I’ll treat you to a nice meal. Follow me!”

She took the lead once again as we walked to the east side of the megamall. We arrived at a block lined with classy restaurants, each offering a variety of delicacies. Some even served food from Earth. One restaurant specialized in Asian cuisine, while others focused on European and American dishes.

Myrrh stopped in front of a charming, wood-themed restaurant lit up with neon orange lights. The sign at the entrance flashed its name—Sammelplatz Diner. The place had an intriguing mix of cyberpunk and classic aesthetics, blending the old-world charm with modern technology.

“We’re here,” Myrrh said, opening the door. We stepped inside, immediately greeted by a warm, romantic atmosphere. The chandelier lighting gave the place a cozy, fire-like glow. Though it was busy, I noticed most of the tables were designed for two, making it seem like a popular spot for couples.

We found a table near a large glass window with a view of the bustling highway outside. Once we sat down, a waitress came over and handed us the menus.

“Feel free to order whatever you like! It’s my treat today!” Myrrh said with an adorable smile.

But I wasn’t going to let her charm distract me. I had learned my lesson from last time, when I ended up paying because she conveniently “forgot” her cash. I wasn’t about to fall for that again.

“Did you actually bring enough money this time?” I asked, my tone cold.

“Of course!” Myrrh pouted, reaching into her pouch and showing me a wallet stuffed with bills. “What do you take me for?”

“A gold digger,” I replied flatly.

“Fuck you, Zaft! Hmph!” She crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks, her face turning a shade of pink. “Just order already, and pick whatever you like!”

I couldn’t help but be amused by her reaction. With a grin, I opened the menu, scanning through the options. There was a lot to choose from—giant burgers, overloaded pizzas, ice cream shakes, and even healthy salads. The sheer number of choices made it hard to decide, so I figured I’d ask for her recommendation.

“What’s their best seller?” I asked.

Myrrh’s pout turned into a smile. “I love their Sammelplatz Pizza! It’s the best seller, and I get a slice every day.”

I glanced at the picture of the Sammelplatz Pizza on the menu. It was massive, loaded with thick layers of meat and cheese, almost like a regular pie. Bacon, pepperoni, ham, and a pile of vegetables were stacked on top, making it look both indulgent and filling.

“Aren’t these things loaded with calories?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Huh? Ummm…” Myrrh blushed, her confidence faltering for a moment. “W-well, that’s why I only have one slice a day. And… I make sure to exercise every morning so I don’t gain weight. So it’s fine, hahaha…” she laughed awkwardly.

I couldn’t help but glance at her figure, trying to be subtle about it. Myrrh always managed to keep her waistline slim, but her curves were impossible to ignore. Her chest strained against her clothes, and her hips had a fullness that definitely caught the eye. Maybe all those calories were going straight to her best assets, and honestly, it wasn’t a bad thing at all.

“You creep,” Myrrh muttered, her face flushed as she pouted and quickly covered her cleavage with her arms.

I froze, realizing I had been caught in the act.