After Kobe agreed to come, Brianna Monroe wasted no time adding him on WeMessage.
Before leaving, she shot him a lingering look and said, "You have to come. I'll be waiting," her tone carrying just enough meaning to make it clear she wasn't joking.
A few steps away, Isabella Sinclair lowered her gaze and quietly slipped into the crowd, her earlier confidence gone without a trace.
The moment the two girls were out of sight, a heavy hand clapped down on Kobe's shoulder.
"Man, Kobe, I had no idea you were this popular!"
Caleb Scott, Miles Parker, and Tyler Knox closed in on him with identical, teasing grins.
"Seriously, how did you win over a senior like that?"
"Looks like you're not just good at games, you've got talent in other areas too."
"You should start a class. We'll all sign up."
A few nearby boys, drawn in by the commotion, edged closer, clearly hoping to hear some legendary secret to picking up girls.
Kobe just shrugged, spreading his hands as if he were helpless.
"I didn't do anything. You all saw it, she came to me."
"She even asked for my contact."
He paused, then added with a straight face, "Probably because I'm handsome."
The deadpan delivery only made it worse. The group groaned in unison, rolling their eyes.
"tsk…"
By the time military training wrapped up for the day, everyone was exhausted and drenched in sweat. Kobe and his roommates rushed back to the dorm, each of them eager for a cold shower.
Freshened up and dressed in clean clothes, they were just about to head to the cafeteria when Kobe's phone buzzed.
He glanced down.
A message from Pookiemoné.
"BetonKobe, sorry to bother you… do you have time tonight? If it's convenient, I'd like to invite you to dinner."
Her cautious wording made him smile slightly.
"Hey, you guys go ahead without me tonight," Kobe said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "I've got dinner plans."
That was all it took.
"Who? That senior from earlier?"
"Already going on a private date? That was fast."
"She even asked you out? That's crazy."
"When we date, we're the ones doing the chasing. Why's it reversed for you?"
"Are you coming back tonight or not? If not, I'll cover for you with the dorm supervisor."
Kobe shook his head, amused.
"It's not the senior. It's the streamer I played with last night."
The room went silent for half a second… then exploded.
"No way… you already got her to ask you out?"
"Kobe, from today on, we follow you."
"Teach us your ways, please. We're tired of being single."
"That kind of streamer, with that face and figure, inviting you out? Just because you're good at games?"
"Forget it. I'm grinding ranked from tonight."
They were completely convinced his gaming skills were the reason. Kobe didn't bother correcting them.
'I'm not about to tell them I dropped over a hundred grand on her stream…'
Even if he did, no one would believe him. And honestly, he preferred it this way… being just another student among them, without the complications.
He texted Pookie back, letting her know he'd be there soon.
As he grabbed his things, his roommates gave him knowing looks and tossed out a few half-serious reminders about "staying safe."
Kobe rolled his eyes. "Relax. I'm a gentleman."
Still… he couldn't deny a flicker of anticipation.
It wasn't about anything romantic, not really. What interested him was something far more practical.
'If meeting in person raises her favorability… the cashback multiplier might go up too.'
That thought alone was enough to make him rub his hands together, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
Across town, Clara York read Kobe's reply on her sister's phone, and for the first time that day, a spark of hope lit up her chest.
If this mysterious "BetonKobe" was willing to help… even just a little… her mother could finally receive treatment.
And maybe… just maybe, she wouldn't have to go back to that man.
But the number loomed over her thoughts.
Hundreds of thousands.
Even if they borrowed it, how long would it take to repay? Ten years? Twenty?
Would anyone really lend that kind of money to two strangers with nothing to offer in return?
Her fingers tightened unconsciously.
Sensing her unease, Pookiemoné gently took her hands.
"Let's just try, okay?" she said softly. "If he says no, we'll figure something else out."
Her voice turned firmer.
"I'm not letting you ruin yourself for that guy."
Clara felt a warmth rise in her chest… but it was quickly followed by a familiar, bitter weight.
Time wasn't on their side.
'If this doesn't work… I'll have no choice.'
The sisters got ready quickly, putting on light makeup before heading out. As they stepped into a taxi, neither noticed the man in a baseball cap lingering near the entrance of their building.
He watched them leave, then pulled out his phone.
"Brother, they just left. Both dressed up—looks like they're meeting someone."
A pause.
"Got it. I'll follow them and send the location."
At exactly 6 p.m., Kobe arrived at the restaurant Pookiemoné had chosen.
Rush hour had made things difficult, he'd waited nearly twenty minutes just to catch a taxi.
'I almost missed it…'
As he stepped out, he glanced at the passing traffic, a thought forming in his mind.
'I really need to get a car.'
With over five hundred thousand sitting in his account now, the idea didn't feel distant anymore, it felt inevitable.
Inside, a waiter led him through the softly lit dining area and into a private room.
The moment he stepped in, Pookiemoné jumped to her feet.
She was dressed in a neat JK uniform, the crisp lines emphasizing her youthful charm. As she moved, her figure swayed slightly, drawing the eye without effort.
"You must be Brother BetonKobe!" she said brightly, her eyes lighting up. "I didn't expect you to be so young!"
Kobe had barely taken a step forward when the second person in the room stood up.
Clara York had been sitting with her back to the door. Now, turning around, she wore the polite, practiced smile of someone used to professional settings…
Until she saw him.
The expression froze instantly, replaced by pure shock.
"It's you?"