With a large gift box clutched in his hands, Kuga eagerly handed it over to me. The weight of the box hinted at something substantial inside, sparking my curiosity. However, just as I contemplated shaking it to unravel the mystery, both Kuga and Sakura swiftly intervened.
"Please don't shake it!"
They exclaimed in unison, their voices laced with concern.
"There's something delicate inside, and we wouldn't want it to break."
Respecting their request, I hastened to open the box. Upon lifting the lid, my gaze fell upon a sleek black helmet, adorned with the engraved words "VirtuRealm Studios."
"VirtuRealm Studios."
I murmured. The words feel strangely familiar yet elusive. Confusion etched across my face as I turned to Kuga and Sakura, seeking an explanation.
"But... It's a helmet. I don't even own a bike."
I voiced my perplexity.
In response, the siblings exchanged a knowing glance before Sakura settled herself on my bed.
"Oh, silly brother. Can't you see? It's a VR helmet."
Sakura chuckled, pointing at the engraved letters "V" and "R" on the helmet.
Still puzzled, I probed further,
"But, why? "And how did you manage to afford this? Isn't it quite expensive?"
I inquired, my curiosity piqued by the origins of such a lavish gift.
Kuga grinned mischievously, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Well, we pooled our resources together, saved up diligently, and took on a few extra jobs to make it happen,"
Sakura chimed in, her face adorned with a playful smirk.
"We wanted to surprise you and show our appreciation for all the hard work you've been putting in. It's a small token of gratitude for everything you've done for us."
Their words resonated deeply within me, a testament to the unwavering bond we shared as siblings. It was a humbling realization that they had gone to great lengths, both financially and through their own endeavors, to make this heartfelt gesture possible.
As I held the VR helmet in my hands, a sense of gratitude swelled within me. It was not just the gift itself that touched my heart, but the selflessness and love that accompanied it. In that moment, I knew that I had been blessed with extraordinary siblings who were willing to go above and beyond to bring joy into my life.
This time, Kuga stepped in to shed light on the matter.
"Well, you've been working relentlessly lately, with no time for enjoyment or playing games. So, we thought it was time to lighten your burden a bit and let you have fun."
Sakura chimed in,
"Besides, we're old enough to take care of ourselves. We can handle part-time jobs while studying."
"B-But"
"No 'buts,' older brother."
My response was cut short by Sakura's interjection, leaving me momentarily speechless.
"Plus, if you become a gaming ace, you can even earn money while having fun. You're really skilled at playing games, after all."
Her words resonated within me, compelling me to reconsider my relentless pursuit of work and embrace the joy of gaming, with the added potential of financial gain.
After careful consideration of their proposal, I simply nodded in agreement. Their faces lit up with joy upon seeing my acceptance. In an instant, Sakura seized the VR helmet and eagerly tugged me toward the living room, with Kuga following closely behind.
"Let's get started!"
Sakura exclaimed, her voice brimming with happiness.
"Started with what?"
I inquired, seeking clarification.
She chuckled playfully while leading me into the living room. Glancing back at Kuga, I noticed a smile on his face. We reached the couch, and we all took our seats.
Sakura swiftly grasped a black cable, which seems to be connected to the VR helmet. She pulled it and plugged it into the back of the device. The helmet, previously adorned with a black visor, now turned white.
"All done."
Sakura announced, handing me the VR helmet. They then both promptly retrieved their own helmets, leaving me astonished.
"You each have one too? How did you get the money to buy each also?"
I questioned, seeking an explanation.
They nodded in unison. Sakura then revealed.
"We have older models of the VR helmet, unlike yours, brother. Once you have the means, you can buy us the newer versions."
"Alright! Let's create our own characters and meet at the starting town."
Kuga suggested, as she donned her VR helmet. I glanced at Sakura, and she followed suit. Encouraged by their actions, I too put on the VR helmet, my heart filled with anticipation. It had been seven long years since I last immersed myself in a game, and the thought of rediscovering that joy elated me. My weariness was slowly fleeting and was replaced by the joy that my siblings had given.
As the VR helmet settled upon my head, it felt comfortable, exuding a new scent. A robotic voice resounded within the helmet, addressing me.
[The VR helmet does not have an owner. Human detected wearing it. Are you the owner?]
It inquired.
"Yes."
I briefly responded.
[Commencing ownership. Scanning the brain wavelength of the owner]
The voice announced, followed by a brief loading period. After a minute or so, the loading process concluded.
[Ownership confirmed. What is your name?]
The voice asked.
"I am Yu Kagami."
I answered, complying with the robotic inquiry.
[Yu Kagami, thank you for your purchase. I hope you have a wonderful time in Elder Tale!]
The robotic voice declared. Instantly, it transformed into the sultry and sexy voice of a woman.
"Welcome, adventurer, to Elder Tale!"
She greeted me warmly.