Chapter 6

I was absolutely stunned.

Holy crap. So the reason Snow's mood improved was because I was miserable after my failed confession? What kind of twisted logic is that?

Just then, the system said, "Snow's mood is +5. The current mood is 100. The task to calm Snow is completed.

"Congratulations, Charlie. You have successfully completed the beginner task to calm Snow. The reward is one 'Basic Social Suicide Resistance.'"

The system notifications chimed one after another.

I felt like I'd been played for a fool.

"Basic Social Suicide Resistance?" I didn't need resistance; I needed a "Social Suicide Reset Button."

"Charlie, why did you go quiet?" Snow asked again.

I took a deep breath, trying to pull myself together. "Snow, just stay put for now, okay? I've got some stuff to handle at the office."

"Charlie, I'm hungry," she said, sounding absolutely pitiful.

My heart skipped a beat. A snake demon probably wouldn't be satisfied with a bowl of instant mac and cheese, right?

"What... what do you want to eat?" I asked.

"I want... something alive." Her voice was soft and sweet, but it chilled me to the bone.

I was speechless.

Figures. Her common sense was zero, but her predatory instincts were off the charts.

"No! Absolutely not!" I cut her off immediately. "You're a human now; you can't go around eating live prey. Just... just order some takeout."

"What's takeout?" Snow asked.

Again, I was at a loss for words. This girl was going to be the death of me.

"Forget it. Just wait for me. I'm coming back right now." I hung up and sprinted back to the office faster than I ever had in my life.

I asked for half a day off and told my boss I was feeling sick and might have caught some bizarre virus that made me spit out snake tongues.

My boss looked at me like I was a total freak, but he signed off on it anyway. He was probably just terrified I'd pass it on to him.

When I got home, I found Snow sitting on the living room rug, watching TV in the most bizarre position.

Her head was craned so close to the screen it looked like she was trying to crawl inside.

National Geographic was on, showing a python mid-hunt, about to swallow an antelope.

I didn't say a word. I just marched over and turned off the TV.

"Snow, stop watching that stuff. You're human now. You've got to drop those... those barbaric ideas," I pleaded, trying to reason with her.

Snow looked at me, totally puzzled. "But that's how I've always done it? I'm starving."

I sighed.

"Alright, I'll whip something up for you," I said, resigning myself to the kitchen.

I made her a juicy cheeseburger, a side of crispy fries, and some creamy mac and cheese—the simple, standard fare.

Snow watched with wide eyes as I set the plates on the table. She picked up a fork, clumsily mimicking the way I held mine.

She poked a fry and gingerly popped it into her mouth. Then, her face instantly twisted into a grimace.

"Charlie, this... this is gross." She wrinkled her nose, making no effort to hide her disgust.

I was speechless. I wasn't exactly a Michelin-star chef, but surely my cooking was at least halfway decent?

"Well... what do you think tastes good?" I asked.

Snow thought about it for a moment, then pointed straight at me.

"Charlie... you look pretty tasty." With a look of pure innocence, she dropped a line that nearly made my heart stop.

I had a sinking feeling that my future was either getting eaten or suffering social suicide.