Capítulo 18: The Date
In his heart, Mike still found himself agreeing with Parker's philosophy: 'Don't rob people without wealth, don't hurt innocent people."'
Mia, who was sitting next to him, observed Mike with increasingly strange eyes. She wondered why she was so drawn to this person.
It was evident that Mike had a genuine interest in Parker. He believed that John and Parker would become great friends, as they both had admirable personalities.
Considering John's recent desolate demeanor, Mike felt it was high time to introduce them.
John's appearance had been quite gloomy lately, and he desperately needed a friend.
Dom, who had become friends with John not too long ago, was wanted by the entire United States.
Mike initially thought Dom would be safe, but unexpectedly, money got involved, leading to an unfortunate incident.
'Wait, did Parker also end up on the wanted list?' Mike brushed off the thought, deciding it was inconsequential for now.
Repairing a car takes time, and sometimes parts need to be ordered, so Parker stayed for a while, engaging in conversation before eventually leaving his contact information.
In the evening, Mike made plans to increase his favorability with the science group while the iron was still hot.
Coincidentally, Leonard had a dinner date with Penny that night. Originally, Mike had advised Leonard not to rush into confessing his love, but Sheldon, being the scoundrel he was, persistently pushed Leonard to take action.
Given the possibility of reality alteration in this world, Leonard might have been influenced to make a hasty decision. Despite the potential for humiliation, he'll muster the courage to seek out Penny and confess his feelings. As a result, Leonard might have managed to secure a one-on-one dinner with Penny, perhaps out of pity.
In this situation, Mike had to quickly come up with a solution. 'Let's think about the plot first.'
He understood that Leonard's nervousness had sabotaged his previous attempts at confessing his love.
He understood that Leonard's nervousness had sabotaged his previous attempts at confessing his love.
If he wanted Leonard to have a chance with Penny, Mike realized he needed to offer some advice.
He knew it was crucial for Leonard to avoid experimental demonstrations that could lead to embarrassment if Penny didn't understand the context.
As Mike pondered ideas to help Leonard win over Penny, he recognized his own lack of experience in this matter.
Glancing at Mia beside him, Mike believed that women understood women better.
Mike approached Mia, a hint of concern in his eyes.
He cleared his throat before speaking, "Hey, Mia, can we talk for a moment? I need your advice on something,"
Mia turned her attention to him, curious. "Sure, what's on your mind?" she asked.
Mike took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "It's about Leonard. He's been struggling to confess his feelings to Penny, and I want to help him out. I know he's made some mistakes in the past, but I genuinely want to see him happy."
Mia raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her expression. She crossed her arms, leaning against the nearby workbench. "And what exactly do you have in mind? You know how things can go wrong when you meddle with people's emotions, right?" she cautioned, but her expression towards him resembled that of someone viewing a scoundrel.
From a female perspective, Mia sympathized with Penny and saw her as a pitiful figure.
It was evident that this scoundrel had callously dumped her and now expected others to pursue her.
Moreover, the fact that Mike was gay made matters worse in Mia's eyes. She couldn't help but find him repulsive.
Confused by Mia's apparent dislike, Mike speculated that it might be because Penny was his ex-girlfriend.
From that standpoint, he acknowledged that he might truly be a scoundrel for helping others chase his former flame.
Caught in a stalemate, Mia wore a helpless smile, realizing she had no choice but to reluctantly agree to assist Mike.
"Well, if you think it might help, I suppose we can try," Mia said, her voice tinged with resignation. "Let's start with something simple, like watching movies, shopping, or dining at a place Penny enjoys. Maybe that will create a comfortable setting for Leonard to open up."
As Mia suggested these activities, Mike nodded in agreement, appreciating the more practical approach. However, when Mia proposed the idea of drag racing as a potentially thrilling option, his expression quickly turned to one of concern.
Shaking his head vigorously, Mike interjected, "No way, Mia. Drag racing is too risky. We can't put Leonard in danger just for the sake of a confession. We need a safer plan."
Mia sighed, realizing the validity of Mike's concern. "You're right, Mike. Racing is too unpredictable. We need something more reliable, a plan that won't jeopardize anyone's safety."
"How about taking her out for a meal at a place Penny likes?" Mia suggested.
Mike nodded in agreement, considering it a safe and stable option.
"But let's be honest, the success rate seems quite low," Mike admitted.
"Yeah, I've been trying to persuade him, but it's been challenging," Mia agreed.
"It's best to give Leonard an out, so even if he fails, they won't be embarrassed," Mike suggested.
"Yes! That's crucial. I never really supported the idea of an all-out confession. In this scenario, we'll hide in the background. If things go wrong, we can intervene and pretend it was all a joke. That way, Leonard won't be too embarrassed," Mike said with a gleam in his eyes.
It was indeed a brilliant idea.
Mike picked up his phone and dialed Leonard's number, waiting anxiously for him to answer. After a few rings, Leonard's voice came through the line.
"Hey, Leonard, it's Mike. I talked to Mia, and we've come up with a plan to help you confess to Penny. Are you up for it?" Mike asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
Leonard hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I think it's a good approach. I appreciate your help, Mike. I just hope we can pull this off without any complications."
Understanding Leonard's concerns, Mike reassured him, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out. But there's one more thing we need to consider. Sheldon. We know how much he despises dishonesty. We have to find a way to navigate this without compromising our friendship with him."
Leonard let out a sigh, worry is evident in his voice. "You're right, Mike. Convincing Sheldon is going to be a challenge. We need to be cautious and make sure he doesn't suspect anything."
Mike nodded, even though Leonard couldn't see it. "Exactly. We'll have to guide Sheldon through this carefully, emphasizing the importance of keeping secrets, avoiding pranks, and not revealing unnecessary information. We need his promise to maintain the integrity of our plan."
Leonard agreed though he couldn't help but express his doubts. "I hope Sheldon understands and cooperates. We both know how stubborn he can be."
With a sense of cautious optimism, Mike replied, "I know, Leonard, but we have to give it a try. We've got each other's backs, and together we can make this work. Let's talk to Sheldon and see if he's willing to support us."
After the call, Mike wasted no time and quickly met up with Leonard. Together, they made their way to Sheldon's apartment, determined to ensure he kept his promise, despite their doubts. As they entered the living room, they found him engrossed in a new issue of The Flash.
Mike faces Sheldon and says with sternness, "Alright, Sheldon, we need to talk. Leonard has something important he wants to tell Penny, and we want your support in keeping it a secret. Can we count on you?"
Sheldon raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued yet cautious. "What is this all about? You know I have a strict policy against dishonesty and secrets within our group."
Leonard jumped in, trying to appeal to Sheldon's sense of reason. "Sheldon, I understand your principles, and I respect them. But this is about my personal feelings, and I want to handle it in a thoughtful and genuine way. We're asking for your understanding and support."
Sheldon hesitated, his mind visibly processing the situation. "Well, Leonard, I must admit that your sincerity is commendable. I value honesty and integrity above all else. But I also value our friendship, and if this is something that means a lot to you, then I suppose I can make an exception. But only under certain conditions."
Curious, Mike chimed in, "What conditions, Sheldon?"
"First," Sheldon began, "Leonard must promise not to involve me in any elaborate schemes or pranks. I won't be a part of any deceptive or manipulative tactics."
Leonard nodded in agreement. "I understand, Sheldon. This is about expressing my feelings honestly and respectfully. No pranks, I promise."
Sheldon continued, "Secondly if Penny were to ask me directly about your feelings, I will answer truthfully. I won't lie on your behalf."
Leonard smiled, appreciating Sheldon's straightforwardness. "That's fair, Sheldon. I wouldn't expect you to lie for me."
With Sheldon's conditions set, Mike and Leonard felt a tad more at ease, although they knew that they were dealing with a friend who had unique quirks and unwavering principles. Nevertheless, they were grateful for Sheldon's willingness to consider their request.
As for the specific content of Leonard's confession, Mike didn't dwell on it too much. He had little hope for its success.
However, the plan included using Leonard dropping his glasses as a signal.
If that happened, Mike and the rest of the group would rush into the restaurant, pretending it was all a joke.
Once they had an agreement in place, they set their plan into motion.
Later that night, on the "date," Leonard experienced overwhelming anxiety, contemplating canceling the outing altogether.
His hands trembled as he held the phone to his ear, and his voice reflected his nervousness as he spoke to Mike.
"Mike, I don't know if I can go through with this. What if she rejects me or thinks it's all a joke?" Leonard's words came out in a rushed, anxious tone.
Mike's reassuring voice came through the line, "It's alright, Leonard. Even if things don't go as planned, we'll step in and play it off as a joke. Consider it an attempt—a chance to embrace happiness. Just think, if it succeeds, you and Penny can live happily together, even raise children."
Leonard took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "You're right. I can do this. I owe it to myself to try."
Mike encouraged him, "That's the spirit! Just be yourself, and remember, we're here for you no matter what happens."
Mike's words managed to alleviate some of Leonard's anxiety, but he still decided to take a bath to calm his nerves.
In the evening, Leonard and Penny found themselves at the restaurant, exchanging awkward glances, unsure of what to say.
The anticipated awkward topic of Leonard's confession never materialized, leaving them with an uncomfortable silence.
Meanwhile, Mike sat in a car outside the restaurant with the rest of the science group, watching Leonard through a telescope. As soon as Leonard gave the signal, they would rush inside, pretending it was all a joke.
Desperate to break the tension, Leonard nervously picked up a nearby football, hoping to initiate a conversation by conducting an experiment on the cup's centripetal force.
His voice quivered as he spoke, "Hey, Penny, did you know that the centripetal force acting on a cup during circular motion is proportional to its mass and the square of its velocity?"
Penny looked at him with a curious yet bemused expression, "Uh, Leonard, what are you doing with the football?"
Trying to mask his nervousness, Leonard attempted to explain his experiment, "Well, you see, I thought it would be interesting to demonstrate the concept of centripetal force using this football as a visual aid."
However, as Leonard prepared to showcase his experiment, his trembling hands caused the football to slip from his grasp, resulting in a failed attempt.
The football bounced awkwardly on the floor, intensifying the already palpable awkward atmosphere.
Leonard's face flushed with embarrassment as he stammered, "Um... sorry about that. I guess the centripetal force didn't quite work as I had hoped."
Penny couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, trying to alleviate the awkwardness. "It's okay, Leonard. You always find interesting ways to explain things."
Just as Leonard was about to pick up the failed ball and attempt a second time, he accidentally knocked his head, exclaiming in pain.
Simultaneously, his glasses tumbled off and fell to the ground. Unbeknownst to Mike, who had been chatting with Mia at the time, he received the signal to call the others and rush into the restaurant.
Leonard, realizing what was happening, desperately gestured under the table, urging Mike and the group not to intervene. But it was too late; Mike had already set aside the binoculars and hurried over.
As the group approached the restaurant, Penny noticed them from Leonard's angle and remarked, "I didn't expect you to be so mischievous, but your acting skills are impressive. My expression must have been quite awkward earlier."
It was a humorous way of acknowledging the discomfort of observing others' embarrassing moments.
Leonard, on the other side of the table, felt like crying, believing that the day had taken a turn for the worse.
Just when he summoned the courage, this mishap occurred. He couldn't help but question why he had dropped his glasses or hit his head.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder