Aug 23, 2026

I started the morning still playing Project Zomboid alone and trying to get good at it, but I was also talking to my date for today about our plans. I am happy that she agreed it was a date, which was honestly cute because I've never thought I could go on a date with a girl as cute as her. So I had a packed Sunday ahead. I played a bit of Project Zomboid until I made sure I was okay, but that's when I realized it: the house that I had set up a base in HAD NO KITCHEN. It was just counters, which threw me off because I've never seen a house with no kitchen. Since I was already kind of fuming at this point so I called it a day in my solo world and went to sleep. For the rest of the day, I had my stuff lined up: my iPhone Air case replacement and my date with her for the rest of the day. I booked a ride to Podium where I got to ask the staff handling warranties. After a long wait and some back and forth, they declined to issue a replacement then and there, which kind of threw me off and they told me that the price for getting it checked out + having it replaced will take a week or so, then I'd have to pay for the replacement itself, which will cost as much as a new one. So I'd rather not replace it and just live with it. I left and booked a ride to SM Light Mall where my date and I was supposed to meet. It was my first time going to Light Mall and I was surprised at how short the mall was. Like, it was literally just 1 mall strip large. I couldn't believe it that when I got to the end, that was the end of the entire mall. It was surprising, to say the least. Then my date said that she had gotten here and I was nervous to meet her. She wore such a cute white top and I was so surprised to see her and I couldn't believe it. She looked just like her pictures, and she was prettier in person, too. I legit thought I was being pranked or this was some sort of practical joke pulled by my friends. Never in my mind did I expect that a guy like me would go on an actual date with a girl like her. I'm way out of my league, but sure, what the hell. Then I told her that this mall didn't gave Genki Sushi and that we'd have to go to SM Megamall so we could eat there, and thankfully she agreed. We had some short conversations about the mall while we waited for the ride there, and I could tell that we were both stiff and awkward as hell, haha. I'm honestly just awkward from the shock of going on a date with a pretty girl. I really didn't expect this. Our car ride eventually arrived and we got in the car, which was hot as hell inside and the driver wanted to save on gas by not turning on AC that high. We tried to talk about where she lives and her hobbies, as well as her living situation, but we couldn't talk much since it was inside some dude's warm car. Once we got dropped off, I could feel myself gain more confidence, honestly. Light Mall seemed to confined and restricted; the car, even more so, so it was difficult for me to put up my A game. But once we got to Megamall, I felt better. We got to a coffee shop nearby the entrance and I got us some drinks. It's cool that she likes matcha, too, and I got to drink it for the first time again in a few months since I usually love matcha, but have switched to coffee. I got to ask her what she thinks about the baristas here and I sorta joked to her a bit that she'll apply for a barista position soon. But after that, we walked around for a bit and talked while walking. I opened up to her that I found it weird that a pretty girl like her wasn't busy with dates and stuff, and I guess she was surprised to hear that, too. But we got to the ice skating rink and we just talked for a bit. We both kind of decided to just go bowling since both of us haven't tried it in a while, since we didn't have any activities planned. Our time was for 6 p.m. and she was good for it, so we just went to a place where we could talk and pass the time. Then I decided we go to Serenitea so we have a proper place to sit and talk. We stayed there for quite a while, I mostly just asked how she was doing with work and how the IT field was. She got worried over me drinking an extra beverage that's sour and wondered if it will upset my stomach. I was able to assure her and we just kept talking for a bit more until people crowded up in the store and we decided to leave. We went downstairs and played some bowling for a while, she also remarked how she played billiards since she saw some of the pool tables there. But then we went bowling. It was cute how competitive she was and how she wanted to make a bet for whomever wins. I tried my best and she asked me what I wanted when I won, which was just a hug. She said that it was the bare minimum, but it was fine for me. I eventually won the first round (I'm pretty sure why) and then I kinda flunked for a bit during the first few parts of the second round. I kept asking her what did she want, if she ever won, and she really didn't want anything and just wanted to compete for the fun of it, which was interesting. She caught up so close to me and was ahead for the second game, but I kind of clutched it near the end and got a 50 again, surprisingly. We both ended that round on a draw, though. For the third round of bowling, I pretty much kept getting pins, even though my hands and arm were sore from swinging the bowling ball. Funny how I got 50 again at the end, and I got a score of 50 in all 3 games. She tried her best, though, and got 31-50-33, which was funny because her score was also consistent. Since we still had time left in the day and we didn't want to eat yet, I figured that we would play some billiards instead. She looked like she wanted to anyway, and I wasn't one to decline. She taught me the basics and kept guiding me throughout the game. She told me when I could move the white ball freely, and I could tell she was really good at this. She won the 2 games of our time playing billiards in a row. It was just a nice gesture from her that she said I put up a good game, even though it was literally my first time playing pool, ever. She looked so pretty playing pool, too, and I appreciated her helping me. We stopped playing before our time ran out. We walked to Genki Sushi and we ordered some tempura that she wanted. I also ordered some stuff that seemed interesting. For dinner, I just asked more about her and what her standards in dating were. I just couldn't shake off the idea that this person had no physical expectations, not even requiring the guy to have a car or something. It was just super crazy to hear. I opened up about my past with that dumb open relationship in 2022 and she remarked how weird it was, which I agree. It was one of the yucky moments of my life. But after we got the food, we just ate and kept getting to know each other more. Afterwards, we just talked and settled down at the main activity center of the mall. Since there were kids, I asked her what her thoughts were about them and then I showed her more about the company I worked for. It was really nice to know that she thought we vibed and admitted that she was awkward at first, which was kinda cute. I also brought up the idea of our next date, and if she was open to the idea of us dating, which I'm glad she was receptive to. It was a complete shocker, too, since this would be the first time I'd go on a second date with a girl. But after that, the mall had begun to close and we walked for a bit to the exit. She said that it was kind of like The Backrooms and I agreed. I didn't think that we were going to the right place, so I just circled us back to the entrance. We exchanged details and I deleted my Bumble profile then and there, too, since I wasn't interested in meeting other people anyway. After that, we got on a ride to her place and eventually mine. I also did get that hug that I was owed before she left, which was cute, and it was also cute of her to hug me again before leaving. After that, I just enjoyed the ride home and messaged her on and off for the night.