"Can I ask some questions?" Mitsuki asks.
"Go ahead."
"So what kind of guy do you like or what features do you like in a guy?"
"I like long hair and short hair but I prefer short hair."
"What about facial hair?"
"I prefer no facial hair. What about you? What do you want in a girl?"
"Mm.. I'm not too picky. Just someone who is pretty and respects boundaries."
"I talk a lot so let me know if I am crossing boundaries that you're uncomfortable with."
"Okay, I will. How about we head to my place? It's not that far plus we need a saving point."
"Sounds like a plan. I didn't know we can have houses here,"
"Mhm, this is an mmo virtual simulating game."
"I know we're still getting to know eachother but I hope someday we can meet in real life."
"Do you really think we'll be able to meet in real life?"
"I do"
"That's sweet of you to say. We'll have to see someday."
"Are you not a fan of meeting friends?"
"I am, I just never did it before, meeting friends in real life outside of a game."
"Me neither, but I think it seems exciting to do."
"Anyway, follow me."
I follow him to a white mansion covered in moss and blue flowers. The moonlight paints light on every petal.
"Now place a memento of yours on the counter inside the house. It can be any memento like your phone or pen or something of yours. These are called mementos because they symbolize your essence and life. Becareful of not losing or breaking your mementos. You can also make new mementos through gifts or finding and claiming items as yours in your inventory. You can brand your new mementos by configuring their status in the settings."
"I'll remember that. Is there anything else I need to know?" I say as I place my phone on the counter.
"Just try to remember where your mementos are and decide safe places to save your in-game progress and safehouse."
"Okay, then that's it?"
"For now that's what we will end with. I'm going to head to sleep now."
"Oh, okay, thanks so much for your help. I think I'll head out too. Goodnight, Mitsuki."
"Goodnight, Hina."
-The Next Day, March 21st, Saturday, 2054-
The white orb above me cracks along with the sandy floor below me. Scattering beams of light bloom across the sky as I lift my legs forward through the rush of water.
I need to run-
I heave as my chest clenches tightly.
I wake up with a jolt and sigh heavily.
Lastnight's dream was incredibly… disturbing. I don't remember too much of it but why do I always dream of the world ending?
Atleast, it's the weekend. No work today, so I can play Starmates.
My phone vibrates. Ugh, not him again. I'm going to have to answer this call and tell him. Yes, today I'll just tell him.
I pick up my phone and slide across the green icon.
"Goodmorning. Why haven't you been answering my calls lately? Is something the matter? I haven't heard from you for a long while."
"Kevin, I- I need to tell you something that's been on my mind lately."
"What is it?"
"You know how I've always told you I needed your attention?"
"Yes, like everyday. What's up?"
"Exactly. I've been asking for your undivided attention, but it doesn't seem like you want to change your…" I tried to think of something. I don't want to come off as rude and disrespectful, but I need to say things short and simple. "It doesn't seem like you want to change.." I keep thinking and sigh," You're not willing to change your decisions in life when it comes to me. So, I'm breaking up with you."
"You know, you're really selfish. Do you even think about the people you worry? You worried Zara for not talking all this time."
"Why are you bringing Zara into this? Look, I already talked to her. All I have asked for was your attention, but obviously, I'm not a priority in your life and I am done waiting for you."
"You're not going to give me a chance?"
I sigh, "I did. For three years, I told you about the same issue and I'm just done. I know we just aren't the ones for each other. I know because, when you truly love someone, you change your life for the better because you want to live a better and happy life with the person you want to be with."
"What? But you do make me happy."
"Just because you're emotionally happy, doesn't mean you are truly happy. I know just based on the way you live your life. You know more than me that you're depressed and don't want to make any changes in your life for the better. I've advised you before and you don't want to take my advice-"
"But you make me happy just being here. It's enough for me."
"That's the thing. It's not enough for me. It doesn't fulfill my emotional needs. Maybe you seem happy, but if you were really happy and loved me, you would have noticed how terrible your treatment has been affecting me. I've even brought it up multiple times. And I realize, I have been numbing myself just to pretend that I was happy with you. I'm sorry, but I'm done"
"Alright, if that's what you want."
"Yes, this is what I want."
"I'll wait for you until you change your mind. I'll be here."
"Don't be. Because, I'm never coming back. Goodbye, Kevin."
"Bye."
Finally… that is over.
I place the glassy head gear on my face and lay in bed.
"DreamScaping presents StarMates," narrated by Aeris.
My body is scanned and the virtual world loads before me like dominos lifted up from the ground.
"Welcome back, Hina. How was your sleep?" Aeris asks.
"I had nightmares," I say.
"Strange. Well, I hope your dreams get better," Aeris says.
"So what will you be doing today?" Aeris asks.
"Um, I'd like to go see Mitsuki again, today," I say.
"Oh? Did he pique your interest?"
"Mhm."
"Hmm.. so out of the whole world, you choose him?"
"I guess so. I've only known him for a while, but I think he seems like a great partner so far."
"So far, huh. Well, I'll still be praying for your happy end."
"Thanks, Aeris."
"I won't keep you from your journey so off you go."
I walk into the white door, covered in moss and blue flowers as Aeris leads me out.
The sun blares in the sky and a familiar garden of red bushes and white flowers pool out in front of me.
I walk through the maze to the front door of a white mansion of moss and knock.
I hear muffled footsteps coming toward me and watch the door knob turn.
"'Morning, Hina. What brings you here so early in the morning?"
"I was just curious about continuing the game and I'm kinda surprised you're awake right now, too."
"I'm pretty much always here."
"Um, what about your job?"
"Well, this is a little bit of a secret, but playing this game is part of my job."
"Oh, so you're probably like a Viewgamer."
"You can say that I guess."
"So, how should I start the game?"
"You should check your story arcs in the main page of your stylus. Your stylus is your magic memento, but usually people either forge it, wait to be granted rights after apprenticeship, or search for it. But if you're like me, you were born with your status and stylus. Wait, that on your hand."
"My hand?"
"That ring."
"What about it?"
"Why..how did you get that ring?"
"My mother gave it to me after I graduated highschool."
"That's..that ring is- You need to hide it or wear it discreetly."
"Why?"
"Please, come inside," He says.
I walk inside and watch him close the door and window blinds. We listen to the rumbling earth and the clinking of his chandeliers as he clicks a switch on the wall and the darkened window slowly switches to a night view of stars.
"This is going to be tricky," Mitsuki leans to my ear and whispers," The world doesn't need to know you yet. You're going to have to trust me and build your status as my apprentice. I'll tell you more later."
"Okay, but I have to say, I really like your shaved look. Your hair looks nice, too."
His ears burn red.
"Is that what you've been thinking about this whole time? Look, I know you think this is just a game, but it's not."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you recall doing anything before going to bed?"
"Um, I did my usual routine and fell asleep?"
"But did you log out?"
"Uh, you can log out? I just went to through the door again where I left you and turned off the game."
"So you didn't log off?"
"I..didn't"
"So you're stuck here with me," he says.
"What do you mean stuck? I woke up like I usually did and turned on the game."
"Did you ever make a username and character profile?"
"Um, no, I just came here as myself. I was wondering what kind of simulation the game would be"
"Like I said, this isn't just some sort of game. This is a virtual world simulator."
"But you told me yourself it was just a game."
"That's because- That was before I knew you were stuck. I know we just met, but I really need you to believe in me no matter what happens, because your life is going to be a lot different than you think."
"Why? What's happening? Don't tell me the game got hacked and now our lives are stuck like in Duo Swordmasters Online."
"It's a little more complicated than that. It's like that but ten or more times fold."
"You're kidding."
"I'm not. Here, I'll look for something to hide your ring. Follow me."
He walks up the stairs and I follow him upward.
He walks into the third room on the right and rummages through his first few drawers.
"There we go," He says quietly.
"Now I need you to take off your ring and give it to me. We're going to use magic to hide your ring."
"Um, okay." I slide off the ring and put it in the center palm of his hand. i can feel and see a tiny spark tingle between our fingers as I place the ring in his hand. an electrifying tingle dances through our bodies after the ring sits in his hand.
He takes a quick inhale and sighs. "Darn it, I- I'm sorry. It looks like we're both going to have to do this the hard way. It's okay, things are going to be better than I think."
"Are you trying to convince yourself?"
"Haha.. yeah. Because there are so many rules in this…" he sighs, " this game is so complex. You're going to wish..that maybe you should have never played."
"Well, that doesn't make sense for me. This is just a game isn't it?"
"Tell me, what did you do before coming back to my place?"
"I went and got ready for bed then I went to sleep and woke up."
"And what else?"
"I..this is a little personal but I broke up with my boyfriend this morning."
"I see..then this is far worse than I imagined.:"
"Can you fill in the dots for me?"
"This game isn't like a normal game. It's a Virtual World Simulation with high AI technology to help it develop every second.."
"So this game is like an evolving poki-beast but a world instead of a beast?"
"Uh, yes, like that I suppose."
"Okay, so it's like Duo Swordmasters Online on steroids?"
He laughs a little. "Yes, like that. You're a little weird, you know that?"
"Uh, thanks?" I laugh a little with him.
"Hey, you're shaking. Are you okay? Are you cold?"
"Oh.. I never noticed when I started to. I guess I do feel a little chilly."
He walks out of the bedroom and returns to place a blanket over my shoulders.
"I'll lend you clothes for now. You pretty much entered this world unprepared."
"To be honest, I'm.. a little scared now."
"So you were just pretending to not be scared earlier?"
"A little bit."
"Well, you don't have to worry. I know a lot more than you think."
"Are you an old guy in real life?"
"No, haha. I'm just twenty-three."
"Eh? You're younger than me? I'm twenty-five."
"So you're older than me, huh."
"I guess so. Uh, does my age matter?"
"Uh, yes. This 'game' is designed for adults only because virtual simulators uses the brain to function. Children's brains are not as full developed and may experience overstimulation syndrome or OSS. Over stimulation syndrome is what has been causing a lot of young adults to experience psychosis."
"You really know a lot. How did you find out?"
"I..found out because of my.." he sighs and gulps," Because my little brother, sacrificed himself for me to meet my starmate."
"How so?"
"I'm..sorry. I'll tell you more in the future. It's still a sensitive topic for me, about my brother."
"That's okay. I'm curious but I'll wait until you feel comfortable to share with me."
He nods.
"Okay, Hina. Do you trust me and believe the stuff I was telling you about earlier?"
"It's a little farfetched. I was kinda thinking this was roleplay, but from the sounds of it, you don't seem like the type who would joke around about this kind of stuff. I just don't get it though. I woke up and actually spoke on the phone with my ex-boyfriend."
"It's true. Whatever you were doing was in your mind, but the headset is connected to your contacts and phone right?"
"Yes"
"Then that means, your mind was simulating realistic events, but for now you're actually in a state close to a coma. Your body didn't actually move, but your mind- This stuff is a lot like sci-fi. I'm guessing your ex's phone is also connected to the Dreamscaping headset. It took me awhile to realize I was stuck in the virtual world simulation. But basically, the headset is allowing you to interact with the outside world through your mind, but your mind is actually still within the virtual world simulated space."
"So, I'm like a walking soul?"
"We are."
"That's a lot to take in."
"I know it's hard to believe, but please trust me when I say, you're an important person in this world now. You're- a princess and I've been looking for you through all the candidates that walk through this door."
"But, my mom gave me this ring?"
"Yes, and she must have met her fate as well. Like us."
"What about everyone in the real world?"
"They can't hear or see us. Only the developers of the game know what's going on. But for now, they can't really pinpoint us where we are. They can monitor a little bit of what is going on though."
"Wait, so you're not just a Viewgamer? You're like one of the people who help develop the game? Like a beta tester?"
"I guess you could say, I am the guinea pig."
"That's..you must have felt so lonely, waiting."
"Maybe a little. The people who came to visit were a bit much to handle, but you were very nice to meet, unlike the others."
"That's good to hear. I'm glad I made a good impression."
I could see his ears burns a little red as he speaks.
"You're just.. a little weird and it's a good kind of weird."
"I'm glad" I laugh a little.
"You're like.. a little girl who really knows nothing about the world, even though you're older than me."
"I guess that's what happens when you grow up sheltered. I grew up mostly alone."
"You did?"
"Mhm. I have a little brother, too. But we grew distant until a few years ago."
"What happen?"
My stomache growls.
"Let's eat something first," he says and laughs a little.