After everyone who’d been at the floating cottage logged out, I continued my homework in real life. We were planning to gather at Akira’s house to finish it all tomorrow, so I had to get through as much as I could before then!
“Haaaah! Faster, faster!”
While I rushed to make progress, the door to my room opened. My mother stood in the doorway, looking rather disturbed.
“Ren, I can’t believe you can yell like that while you’re doing your homework. It’s kind of impressive.”
“Oh, it just comes naturally to me. What’s up?”
“It’s time for dinner! Come on down.”
“Awesome! I’ll take a quick break, then.”
I stopped working to chow down for a bit. If you’re interested, tonight’s dinner was fried shrimp, and it was fantastic.
Oh, right! I have to tell her about tomorrow.
“By the way, Mom, I’m going out tomorrow. I’ll be at a friend’s house all day.”
“My, really? Whose is it?”
“Akira’s!”
“Wow! That’s the girl you’re always playing games with, right? I saw her back during your little event; she was adorable! Well, all of your friends were cute, though.”
“Hm? Yeah, I guess so.”
Aside from me, our guild was all girls. Considering the usual MMO gamer demographics, it was so unlikely that I’d have to call it a miracle.
“Are you going on a daaate? Could it be? Is my little baby going out with a girl?!”
I figured all the moms latched on to subjects like this, and mine was no exception. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“No, no! We’re all just doing homework there. Besides, it’s my first time meeting her in real life.”
“Really? Well, that’s still nice. You’ve got to start talking to real girls anyway.”
“I talk to her in-game, though.”
“I’m sure there are things about her you can only learn in person.”
“You think?”
Hmm, I dunno.
I was excited, but her avatar’s appearance was based on an actual scan of her body; she would look just about the same in real life.
Oh, but Akira’s hair color is pink in-game, so that’ll definitely be different. I’d be terrified if she had pink hair for real.
The game also mimicked human softness and warmth; it was almost disturbingly realistic. It didn’t retain human smell, though, so she’d probably smell like something. Kataoka had once said my party was full of Hime-chans and that they smelled nice or whatever, but he was definitely imagining it!
Real-life Akira probably smells incredible. I can’t wait for that!
“I’ll be so relieved if you can get yourself a girlfriend. It’s nice how all the girls in that school are sure to have similar hobbies to yours too.”
“Okay, but seriously...”
“Come on, now. Akira’s cute, and she likes you a lot. I think you’d be great together, don’t you?”
“She has her own problems to deal with, though.”
“Oh? What about you, though?”
“Well...”
I agreed that she was cute, and I thought we got along well too. We thought of each other as best friends, after all! Sometimes, I even thought about gaming with her forever.
“Aah, forget it. I’ve gotta hurry up and get back to my homework!”
“What a good boy. Homework is important! Do you want seconds?”
“Yes, please!”
“Got it! Wait right there.”
After I finished, I returned to my room to find that I had a message on the school’s network. It was from Shizuku, the young woman who had actually turned out to be Akira’s grandfather.
What’s her real Grandpa like? Is he mega strict?
Leaving that aside, I checked the message.
“Hm? He needs me urgently, so I have to log in right now, huh? He wants to meet at the park near Telluna’s guild shop district, huh?”
Can Shizuku access places other than Summertide? I didn’t think that was possible. Eh, maybe that’s just part of her power as a VIP. Based on how Ms. Nakada treated her, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Anyway, I was being summoned. Might as well check it out!
✦ ✦ ✦
When I logged in and went to the meeting point, Shizuku was waiting at the park entrance with her arms crossed. Though she looked like a pretty lady on the outside, she was still Akira’s grandfather. It wasn’t rare for people to play as a different gender in games, but this was my first time seeing a GIRL—that is, a Guy in Real Life—as old as Akira’s grandpa! Apparently, her appearance was meant to replicate Akira’s grandmother when she was young.
Come to think of it, she does kind of resemble Akira a little.
“Hey, Shizuku. What brings you here this fine evening?”
“Hello, Takashiro. I apologize for calling you here.”
“No problem! What’s up?”
“Well, there’s something I have to show you. Come this way.”
“Sure!”
“Take this and conceal yourself.”
Shizuku handed me an item called Prism Sand. Its effect was the same as a sword dancer’s Vanishing Whirl; it turned the user invisible. Mainly, it was used to avoid monsters or work covertly.
What’s the point of using this in town? I’m nowhere near as embarrassing as Ryuutarou.
“Huh? Why?”
“We don’t want to be seen. It’s nothing dangerous, though. Follow me and stay quiet.”
“Hm? Sure, I guess.”
With that, we concealed ourselves and proceeded into the park. Eventually, we arrived at the area farthest from town, where only a few steps past the fence would take you into the starry night.
There, I saw her.
“Oh? Akira’s here.”
She was leaning against the fence and screaming something into the night sky. Akabane was next to her too. They really had hit it off.
“Heeey, Akira!”
“Shhh! Quiet! Get closer, and don’t speak a word.”
“Huh?”
We crept closer, and then I could hear what Akira was shouting into the abyss.
“Reeeen! I love yooooou! I want you in my life, Reeeeen!”
What the...?! Uhh, am I supposed to be here?! Did Shizuku bring me here just so I could hear this?! Is this okay?!
“Hey, Shizuku!” I hissed. “I seriously shouldn’t be hearing this, right?! We’ve gotta get out of here!”
“Don’t be silly. If we did, there would’ve been no point in me bringing you.”
Before Shizuku finished talking, she uncloaked herself and started clapping. Noticing her, Akira jumped and turned around.
“Well said, Akira. I like your enthusiasm.”
“Grandpa?! Wh-Wh-Why are you here?! N-Nozomi, what’s going on?!”
“Don’t be too surprised yet, my dear. Shizuku, did everything go as planned?”
“Yes. Come, Takashiro. You can show yourself. You heard it too, didn’t you?”