Evening Game

“That was so unfair! What was that?! I don’t know if you can even fire at me from that position!”

“I’m not sure you’re supposed to in real life…”

Chione was met with both questions and complaints alike when they met the other two back in the hotel. They sat on a table in the hotel’s restaurant, virtual tea in front of them, Hatasdei’s landscape behind them. The restaurant had been decorated with luxurious maroon carpets and burgundy red walls. On the end facing the street, there were large floor-to-ceiling windows that gave them a magnificent view of the world outside.

“I think what you did was impressive as well.”

Chione said with a smile.

“You say that after you send me into the water?”

“It’s a game, isn’t it?”

Chione said with a light-hearted laugh. Ethan sat on her right. He looked as she smiled, a smile that somehow felt a lot more genuine compared to the ones she had given before.

“I’ll definitely get you next time.”

Calista, sitting across from him, said with a smug smile.

“Ya two make a good pair together. Ya know each other in real life?”

Mason asked.

“Yes. I’m his friend.”

Chione answered. Friends, for now just friends. He knew that Chione probably wouldn’t feel the same as him, and he could imagine himself getting unnecessary attention if something went wrong.

“I see.”

Ethan still wore the cloak, hiding as much of him as possible. He decided not to lie, as if one day this fact was leaked, he could get in trouble. Instead, he answered as vaguely as possible.

“What are you two doing in the red zone, anyway? We were there to hunt for materials, and were hoping to catch one of the loners there.”

Calista explained. Ethan glanced at Chione. By loner, she probably meant the person that they had defeated before.

“Where are the other two?”

Ethan asked. He didn’t feel like explaining that he was mentoring Chione, not wanting to expose more of their relationship than necessary, and especially not on what they did today before the game. Even if Chione knew who the real him was, for now, he would like to stay as FireRock.

A tall man with a dark red cloak covering most of his body, someone skillful but also cold and uncaring.

“They’re like, super pissed after ya get them so easily, so they retire early.”

Mason answered while sipping the tea before him. A waiter then brought four plates of fish and chips to them, as a late-night snack in a way. Ethan checked his clock and stood up.

“I have something to do, I’ll be leaving.”

“Ya not at least eat something?”

Ethan bent down and grabbed a single french fry, dipped it in sauce, and ate it before turning around.

“Thanks for the meal. Enjoy the rest of it.”

He walked toward the exit, savoring the delicious taste.

Ethan soon found himself under the gray ceiling of his real-life bedroom. The ceiling looked empty, dull, boring, somewhat reminiscent of his real-life uninteresting self. He couldn’t wield a weapon here, nor could he leap nimbly above ground. He was a normal, uninteresting high school student.

He let out a small smile as he looked at the single lightbulb that occupied the ceiling.

Now I have something to look forward to.