“Come on, Josh... You can do this...”

Josh muttered under his breath, trying to rein in the surge of anxiety bubbling up as he approached the electronics store. This wasn’t like his usual visits, where he’d browse for gadgets or parts. No, this time was different.

The bell above the door chimed softly as he entered, the familiar scent of new electronics and plastic packaging filling his nostrils. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the cool metal of his earring brush against his指尖. This time, he was finally going to talk to them—the cute employee who had been living rent-free in his head for months. It all started the day he wandered in, searching for a motherboard. One smile, one casual interaction, and Josh was hooked.

Since then, he’d made it a habit to drop by the store at least once a week, always under the pretense of “needing something,” when in reality, he just wanted a few moments of conversation. The soft hum of the air conditioning and the distant beeping of cash registers created a soundtrack to his nervous anticipation.

Josh would’ve been content with quietly admiring them from a distance, but when the DedSec crew caught wind of his not-so-secret crush, they weren’t about to let it slide. They pushed, teased, and schemed relentlessly to make him ask them out. Wrench, of course, couldn’t resist chiming in with, “Just hit them with your rizz, bro.” What does that even mean?! How was that supposed to help?

Still, after weeks of relentless pep talks and painfully awkward “practice,” Josh had finally decided he was ready. Or... as ready as he’d ever be. His heart hammered against his ribs as he spotted them near the back of the store.

He took a shaky breath and approached, hands trembling like crazy. As he reached them, his voice came out uneven but determined:

“G-good evening... I hope you’re h-having a great day.”