Tip tapping away at the keys in front of me, I gazed at the lit screen before me.
My phone vibrates and lights up. A melodic chime sings its tune but I don't flinch. I continue to type away at the holographic keyboard.
The phone lights up with multiple missed calls.
"Why don't you just answer his call?" I ask myself.
I hesitate to pick up my phone then continue to type.
A little break won't hurt.
I pick up my phone and scroll through social media.
"I should check out this new mmo virtual simulator called Starmates… It looks really interesting! Maybe I'll make friends there." I laugh nervously to myself.
I go back to finish typing for a few hours then stare at my phone.
I have to stop ignoring him and try new things to occupy myself. I just.. Don't feel ready yet. I'm not ready to tell him. It's a Thursday night. Maybe it would be a good idea to-
I hear my phone chiming a melody again.
I sigh and answer the call reluctantly.
"Hi, is everything okay?" Kevin asked.
"Sorry.. I just got busy with homework. I lost track of time."
"Alright, well let me know if there's anything going on." Kevin just stared at me through his screen.
"I don't feel well, so I'm just going to shower and head to sleep."
"Okay, goodnight."
I walk into a room with porcelain checkered walls and run the water in the tub. I undress and lather my body with a golden sap. Tiny bubbles foam up in my hands as I rub my body. I step into the spotlight of trickling droplets and rinse the foam off of me. Afterwards, I wrapped myself in a soft, warm towel.
-Two Years Ago-
"You know, I never had someone who would just sit and listen to me until I met you guys," i say.
Mango says, "Just know, we will always be here if and when you need to talk, Aika."
Berry says, "That's right! Don't be shy and just talk to us whenever you need to."
"Thanks, you two. I'm glad I met you both," I reply.
"I know I don't say much but I'm here for you," Kevin says.
"I'll be here for you too when you need me!" Monty says.
"Alright well it's getting late so I'll talk to you guys tomorrow," Mango says.
"Me too, guys, goodnight everyone," Berry says.
"Goodnight" I said to them all.
Berry had logged off.
Mango has logged off.
Monty has logged off.
"I guess it's just you and me, Kevin." I say to him.
"Yep, like always," Kevin stays sitting down.
"Have any plans?" I ask.
"Not really. I'm just playing this one game at the moment," Kevin replies.
"Oh? What Kind of game is it?" I ask.
"A plane game," He answers dryly.
"Oh so you like flying games?" I ask.
"I guess so," Kevin replies.
"I think I'm going to go to sleep," I say.
"Wait! I.. I have something to tell you," He says.
"Yes?" I ask.
"I.. I know it's been pretty obvious with how often I am around you but.. I like you."
"I-I'm sorry. I don't like you that way and I'm not ready for a relationship yet."
"It's okay if you don't feel the same for me but can I ask you to think about it?"
"I.. I'm sorry I only see you as a friend."
"Okay.."
And weeks went by, I thought I could only see him as a friend.
"Um.. so, I've been thinking, will you go out with me?" I asked Kevin.
"Wait really? Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. Do you want to go out with me?" I asked him.
"Ye-Yes!"Kevin replied ecstatically.
-Present-
And even though I said those words… our days became a routine. Him coming home to play games with his friends, by himself, or with me. We watched shows together and had meal times online. It was a long distant relationship. I was.. Getting tired of him, tired of this one-sided relationship. i was burning out from neglect.
Monday. He plays games alone.
Tuesday. He plays games with me.
Wednesday. he goes out with coworkers.
Thursday. He plays games alone.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He plays with his friends.
Are we even dating anymore?
-Last week-
Dishes were clinking in the sink as I rinsed the last plate. I see a flashing light near the sink. It was Kevin calling me. I dry my hands with a kitchen towel and answer.
"Welcome home babe!" I said excitedly.
"Hm? Thanks," Keven says as he places his phone on the counter, proceeding to turn on his G-box.
Every evening was followed by his silence and clicking game controller. Did I even mean anything to him? What about our memories of when he was there for me? I don't know.. Somewhere along the way, things burned down and I had been falling out of love for him.
"I thought we were going to play a game together," I said.
"Later. I wanna do this first." He said.
"Um, for how long are you going to play your game?" I asked.
"I don't know. When I decide I am done, I guess." He said his classic line.
"Can't you pay attention to me?"
"what do you mean? i do. i always listen to what you have to say"
"yet.. You always forget. if it was important to you.. You'd remember wouldn't you?"
"yeah, you tell me every single day"
"and you'd do something about it wouldn't you?"
"i don't know what you want me to do."
He continues to play his games. i can hear his controller clicking away.
"having your undivided attention is what I always asked for."
"and I give it to you"
i sigh. "you playing your games nonstop is not giving your undivided attention."
i hang up.
I couldn't take this anymore.
-Present-
I went to sleep without looking at my phone. Sometime in the morning, he hung up, but I didn't want to care anymore. Today, I'm going to prioritize myself this time.
I woke up and cleaned my room and threw away the trash. I took a warm shower and made me brunch. I ddon't normally eat breakfast because I of my diet, a one or two meal a day diet. I decided I would play that one game, Starmates.
I had been seeing ads for Starmates so often, I got curious what it was all about.
Twenty billion downloads, that is extremely popular.
I download the game on my virtual reality gear set and start to place the head gear onto my head.
The game loads and my mind enters a digital realm.
"DreamScaping presents to you, StarMates. Hi, my name is Aeris. I'll be your little cupid, helping you meet your true Starmate." the narrator says.
"Hello, Aeris." I say.
"Now, what kind of features would you like your potential starmate to have?" Aeris asks.
"I'd like for him to be Asian and have blue eyes, fair skin, and be at least six feet tall," I tell her.
She snickers a little and says, "Okay, that's a bit unrealistic but I'll see what I can do. Now what name do you think he might have? You never know, fate always starts with names."
"I think his name might be… Mitsuki."
A little melody plays while Aeris loads matches onto the screen.
"How about this man?" She says.
"Sure."
"Then goodluck, may the gods watch over you and keep you safe. I'll pray for your happy ending, HIna," Aeris says.
Wait..did I ever tell her my name? Oh well, maybe the game remembers my ID from my account. But this is the first time they used my real name. It must be a realistic feature.