"Please walk out this door" Aeris says as she leads me out of the lobby.
I follow behind her and open the white door in front of me.
The sky was dark, filled with glittering stars. I can never get enough of the night view in virtual reality games.
I wander through a flower garden with bright crimson leaves, and find a man sitting alone at a bench.
Maybe that's Mitsuki? This game is supposed to be like a dating simulation right?
Oh my gosh, he looks like a Japanese version of Jesus with his facial hair and shoulder length black hair.
"Um, Hello," I peek out from a bush.
"Oh, Hi." He says.
"Are you Mitsuki?" I ask.
"Yes, and you are?"
"My name is Hina Yune," I said.
"I see.. So they just want this to keep going, I guess," He whispers under his breath.
I swallow a little gulp of anxiety and ask,"So, do you like music?"
"Yes"
"Nice, I love music. I write songs on my own."
"Really?"
"Mhm, do you write music too?"
"Yes, I do."
"Would you like to share a song for me?"
"Sure."
Mitsuki starts to sing,
"I feel so alone
Trapped in my own head
I feel so lost,
Like I'm in a maze
I feel disconnected,
Like i'm on my own
I feel like I'm in
a world not my own
I feel so alone
Like I'm in a cage
I feel isolated,
in a prison
I feel disconnected,
Like i'm in a void
I feel like I am…
All alone.
in a place where I don't belong
where I can't express myself
where I can't be myself
in a place where I can't be free
in a place where I can't be heard
I feel like I'm in a place where I just
can't be understood
can't be accepted
can't be loved
can't be seen
I feel like i'm in
a place where I can't be myself
I feel like i'm in
a place where I can't be happy
where i can't be me
where i can't be free
Can't be me
Can't be loved or accepted
Can't be happy
Can't be me
Can't be loved
or accepted
Can't be happy"
As he finishes singing, I am speechless.
"I didn't know what to expect but that was amazing. I am impressed that the app let's us use actual instrumental features. I am excited to make music here. Can we make music together? I really enjoyed your song."
"What about you? How about you share a song too."
"Oh- Okay. I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure how well I will sound, but here is a song I made called 'Stardrops'."
"[Verse 1]
I know that time Flows slowly.
time always comes to meet ends.
beginning's light, sparks the night.
Echoing silver and gold
[Verse 2]
Shining stars and moon reflect
A spherical miracle.
Snow Fills the white sky with hopes
still remembering cold nights.
[Chorus]
I'll sing For you and pray too
Just as stars above us cry
They dance into the evening
Wondering when sparks will meet
[Verse 3]
I'll always love you more
than all the snow tonight
Free falling from the skies
Because miracles glow
[Chorus]
In a dream I've seen before
You held me closely
I'm waiting for your return
for our light to meet
[Bridge]
Like the days when you
listen to the sky
sing you lullabies
and kiss you goodnights
[Chorus]
Like stardrops raining for me
Your melody sings
overflowing from my heart,
Through your touch it rings"
"Alright, you have a deal. I'd like to make music with you too. What's the meaning behind your song? Like what inspired you?" Mitsuki asks.
"I.. this is going to sound cheesy but I've been waiting to meet my soulmate."
"I see, that's cool. I kinda believe in true love too. I just haven't met the right person yet."
"I..feel the same. Well, I hope we can be great friends and write music together. I look forward to our future. Thanks for meeting me tonight," I said.
"You're different from the others. I don't mean to sound rude but I.. I'd like for us to continue to learn about eachother."
"Okay sure. I have nothing on my plate today."
I hear and see vibrations from my phone in my hand.
He's calling me again. Tonight is a night where I need to focus on myself and what I want.
I stare at my phone and Mitsuki notices.
"Do you have to go?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? By the look of your face, it looks like something important," he says.
I scoff a little,"Not really."
"You say that but your expressions say other wise"
"It's just.. I have a boyfriend."
"You have a boyfriend and you're still willing to come to see me?"
"I know it sounds trashy but I just wanted to meet new people and make friends again. I sincerely wanted to make new friends who could be here when I.."
"You can always reach out to your friends"
"I know I can but I.. I need someone who can be there with me.. A lifelong friend who can be there for me. And I believe that's what a soulmate is. Someone who can be there for you no matter what. Because.. Even friends can't always be there for you."
"And you don't think your boyfriend can do that?"
"Nope.. because he pretty much ignores me or he occupies himself and forgets about me."
"Have you spoken to him about how you feel?"
"Yes I did. Pretty much everyday for like three years."
"It doesn't sound like he gets the message."
"And I'm tired of it. I.. I'm going to break up with him. I've always thought about it. I just.. Don't feel ready yet."
"I understand. Telling someone you want to break up isn't always an easy step to take. But expecting for someone to always be there for you is a bit unrealistic. Everyone has things on their mind and life."
"I.." I sigh,"I know, but I need someone right now."
"And that's why you came to meet me today?"
"Yes…"
"So it could have been anyone to be here for you?"
"No, not exactly. I just needed someone who was kind enough to listen and be here when I need them"
"I see. I can't be a replacement for the people in your life but I understand how you feel because I also need someone in my life. It's just.. Difficult saying goodbys and having time to myself or have one person who would be there."
I nod and listen to his voice. It was a soft, calming voice.
"I like your voice"
"Thanks"
"Can we really make music together?"
"Sure"
"Thank you.. For listening to me."
"I was born to listen to people so don't worry about it."
I laugh a little.
"I was wondering, what inspired your song?" I ask him.
"I was going through a hard time in the past, I was lost in a dark place," he says.
"I'm so sorry. So you got lost?"
"I did. I got lost in the dark once and couldn't find my way back home."
"I'd be scared if that was me. I'm directionally challenged sometimes."
"Well, you found me, so you're not too directionally challenged."
I blushed a little and asked,"Why were here alone?"
"I was waiting for someone"
"Who were you waiting for?"
"For my potential starmate. Do you.. Want to be my starmate?" he asks me.
"Sure, hehe. I've never done this with anyone before. It's my first time playing this game. How do we add each other as starmates?"
"Well, starmates are a duo team."
"A duo team? So we can only be starmates with one person?"
"Yes, much like soulmates. It's a simulation of being a couple and I think that you're someone I think I'd enjoy being starmates with. You're nice. You didn't make fun of me or my music."
"Please teach me how to play this game. I have no idea what to expect."
"I'll teach you what I know,"
"So, How do we make a star child?"
"Are you serious?" He asks.
"Yes?"
He blushes," It's uh.. It's like almost how you normally do it in real life."
"What do you mean?"
He gulps down and hesitates.
"It's when two people grow close," he nervously says.
"Oh, like ranking up their level in their relationships?"
"Y-yeah I guess you can say that."
"So, you want me to be your Starmate?"
He nods and says, "Yes, I think you're someone who I've been waiting for. Someone who I can relate to and doesn't just see me as eye candy. You're different from anyone I've met."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, you're a little weird."
"What? How?"
"You just are. Can't really explain a fact" He laughs a little," It's just so easy for you to get excited about things and move on to topics."
"I guess I do switch topics a lot sometimes."
"So.. you'll be my Starmate?"
"Yes, I'll be your Starmate," I answered.