“Don’t be so cocky! One more! One more match!” Akane clung to the controller as Saito tried to rip it away.
Just thirty minutes ago, she had sworn she’d never get into gaming. Now, she seemed completely hooked. That said, if Saito kept destroying her in the game, their already delicate relationship might suffer. So, feeling a little guilty, Saito decided to give her some pointers.
“Okay, so the key to winning this game is getting the items. When they drop, always go for them.”
“I’ve been trying, but you keep getting to them first! We should take turns, like civilized people,” demanded Akane.
“Uh, no. If I let you take them, then it wouldn’t be much of a game, would it? By the way, as a beginner, you should use a speedy character with powerful attacks. One that can win just by mashing,” Saito advised.
“Winning with a handicap would be a hollow victory. I must prevail on the strength of my own skill alone!” Akane pouted.
“You don’t have the skill yet though. That’s why I’m giving you advice!”
“I do so have the skill! It just hasn’t blossomed yet!”
Determined, Akane pressed on. An hour passed. Two. She hadn’t won a single round. Her mood was plummeting. She wasn’t just teary-eyed anymore—she was actively weeping.
“S-sniff… I-I’m not giving up yet!” She wiped her tears with her sleeve, determined to continue playing.
“Uh… Can I assume I won’t be getting any sleep tonight?” Saito asked Akane.
“Of course! There’s no way I’m letting you win over and over while I haven’t gotten a single win!”
“You’re seriously that stubborn?”
Saito was in a pickle. He had been the one to suggest playing the game in the first place, so he couldn’t exactly back out now. But he was starting to feel exhausted. His eyes were blurry from staring at the screen for so long, and fatigue weighed on him heavily. Sleep was creeping up behind him and fast. His consciousness wavered for a split second—and in that moment, Akane’s character glowed with rainbow light as she unleashed a devastating combo. No, it couldn’t even be called a combo. It was pure, relentless aggression. A wild, furious onslaught. Akane was mashing buttons with reckless abandon, spamming basic attacks at an absurd speed, her sheer brute force racking up damage at an alarming rate.
“Damn, when did you pull so far ahead?”
“Too slow!” Akane cackled.
Saito tried to guard, but before he could react, Akane’s character swung her sword with a final, decisive strike. A cinematic cut-in for the ultimate move flashed across the screen. Saito’s character was sent flying off the stage, consumed by a dazzling explosion of fire and fury.
“I did it! I won! Finally! I beat you!”
Akane bounced up and down in triumphant excitement, celebrating like a little kid. Saito let out a dry chuckle.
“Pure force of will, huh?”
Strangely, he didn’t feel frustrated about losing—just relieved. He was free now. He was finally allowed to sleep. Akane slumped back against the sofa, exhaling in satisfaction.
“Ahh, that was fun.”
“Glad to hear you actually enjoyed yourself.” Saito smirked; his voice was dripping with sarcasm. Akane’s face froze, realizing something.
“I didn’t have fun. It was absolute torture.”
“Then I guess you won’t be playing anymore,” Saito teased.
“Don’t count on it,” said Akane.
“…Why?” Saito inquired.
“Because I need to completely destroy you. Next time, I’ll research strategies, train on my own, and get strong enough to win every single match!” replied Akane.
“You…you’re trying to break my spirit?” Saito asked.
“I am going to break you. Until you can never stand again.” Akane stood, shoulders square, her flushed cheeks glowing with excitement.
Saito silently packed away the controllers. They had been subjected to brutal abuse, but somehow, as expected of a gaming company that builds consoles tough enough to withstand the force of an actual tank, they had survived. There was one battle scar from the intense melee however: The protective cover on one of the controllers bore the unmistakable imprint of Akane’s teeth.
Akane carried her empty cake plate to the kitchen.
“I’ll wash these up,” volunteered Akane.
“It’s just a couple of dishes. I’ll take care of it. You go take your bath,” Saito offered.
“Oh, I see. You’re planning to send me in first so you can peek on me later, huh?” Akane quipped.
“Hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
“Really? You say that, but it wouldn’t be the first time,” teased Akane.
Akane narrowed her eyes at Saito in mock accusation.
“That was an emergency.”
Saito sighed, feeling the familiar wave of frustration crest over him. He was completely innocent, yet the memory of that incident still resurfaced all too easily in his mind. Akane shifted awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.
She started mumbling, “Back then…well…”
“Well, what?” Saito asked.
“…It’s…nothing.”
Akane suddenly turned around and dashed away, her ears burning red. Left alone at the sink, Saito absentmindedly washed the plates—only to realize he was humming to himself. That surprised him. The thought of their future gaming battles still felt uncertain, maybe even overwhelming. But at the same time, it wasn’t unpleasant to look forward to. Watching Akane’s stubborn determination, her ridiculous competitiveness—it had been surprisingly endearing. To his own shock, he discovered himself looking forward to their next match. Spending an enjoyable evening with his longtime rival…? That was a new, strange, and slightly terrifying experience.
The soft orange glow of the nightlight illuminated the bedroom. Saito stirred awake, his eyes drifting lazily to the ceiling. He could hear Akane’s steady, quiet breathing. The intense movie marathon and gaming session must have worn her out too; she had fallen asleep the moment she hit the bed.
It hadn’t been that long since they started this strange life—sleeping side by side with a classmate. But in just that short time, their days had become overwhelmingly full, packed with more experiences than Saito could have ever imagined just weeks ago. This isn’t normal everyday life—this is completely ridiculous. Yet, bit by bit, the ridiculous was beginning to feel normal for him.
Saito turned his head slightly and noticed that Akane had shifted in her sleep, leaving part of her body exposed outside the blanket. Her small, loosely curled hands looked unexpectedly delicate. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared—but tonight, for some reason, the thought crossed his mind: She might catch a cold like that.
Carefully, making sure not to wake her, Saito pulled the blanket over her. Turning away from her, he let his body relax and sank back into the comfort of sleep.
A shy whisper from Akane broke the silence.
“…Thank you.”
“Y-you were awake…?” Saito spoke, startled.
“Mm, for a little while now,” whispered Akane.
“I see…”
A wave of embarrassment washed over him, making his body feel uncomfortably warm. They both fidgeted awkwardly under the covers, but neither could find the courage to say anything more.