Two months in, Elysia had learned the digital jungle was not for the faint of heart. Swipe left, swipe right—it was exhausting. Profiles blurred together until they became a parade of duck faces, mirror selfies, and oddly angled gym photos. Swiping had become monotonous, and she missed the days when affection was shown through subtlety and patience—indirect communication, as her grandmother called it.
Then came his message: "Psycho-Pass fan? Respect." Elysia blinked at the screen. Someone had actually read her profile—someone who even knew one of her favorite animes. It wasn't a cheesy pick-up line or a bland "hi." It was thoughtful and specific. Intrigued, she responded.
Elysia clicked on his profile. Orion Dominique Madrigal—a gamer boy with glasses, a love for motorcycles, and a penchant for philosophical debates. His aloof demeanor that made him seem like he belonged in one of her mangas. They clicked instantly. Conversations flowed endlessly—anime, books, music, movies, food, games, even topics about faith, life, and the universe. Orion was different—he didn't just ask her about her favorite color; he challenged her beliefs and pushed her to see the world through a broader lens.
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The Café Meeting (From Online to Offline)
Elysia adjusted her scarf nervously as she stepped into the small, dimly lit café. The aroma of coffee wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. She scanned the room, her heart pounding, until her eyes landed on him. Orion Dominique Madrigal. He was seated at a corner table, his glasses slightly askew, his gaze fixed on the screen of his phone.
Gathering her courage, Elysia walked over. "Orion?" she asked softly.
He looked up and smiled, a little shyly. "Elysia." His voice had a calming depth to it, like the steady hum of his motorcycle engine. "You're early."
"I couldn't wait," she admitted, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I wasn't sure you'd be real, honestly. You know, with all the posers out there..."
Orion chuckled, his smile widening. "I guess we both took a leap of faith." He gestured to the seat across from him. "Sit down. Let me prove I'm not a bot."
Elysia laughed and took the seat, clutching her tote bag like a lifeline. "I wouldn't put it past you to be a bot programmed to get girls hooked on Psycho-Pass and motorcycles."
He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a smirk. "That's oddly specific. Maybe you should work in AI development instead of project management."
The banter settled her nerves, and soon, they were talking as if they had known each other for years.
Their first meeting in person was a whirlwind. Orion wasn't the typical prince charming Elysia had pictured in her head, but somehow, he was perfect. With his windswept hair from his motorcycle ride and a shy, lopsided smile, he embodied everything she didn't know she was searching for.
As they sat in a quaint café, chatting like old friends, Elysia realized why none of her past relationships worked—she had been searching for someone to fit into her world, but Orion was the one who made her want to explore a new one altogether.