Evening Game

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“But you’re angry.”

“I’m not.”

“Then look this way.”

The two of them sat on the sofa. Ethan sat in his usual position, Chione to her right facing the house’s front door.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’m so embarrassed I’m about to cry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I told you, stop apologizing!”

She raised her voice, which caused Ethan to shudder.

“Ah, I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”

“Yeah…”

“Please. Any more and I’ll die.”

Chione said while covering her face.

“... So, you’re not sleeping?”

She asked shyly, not daring to turn around.

“Should I?”

“You should.”

“... Alright.”

But Ethan didn’t feel comfortable with leaving her here, not in this state. Even if she told him to not apologize, there was no denying that it was his fault. He should have answered when she called, and none of this would happen in the first place.

“... You’re not leaving?”

“You want me to?”

“No. I want you to be here. Face the other way.”

Ethan complied and turned his face away from Chione, her back facing her. He suddenly felt a weight on his back, Chione’s hair on his avatar’s clothes.

“I like you.”

She whispered. Ethan wondered if he should reply to this confession first, or find out what made her like him in the first place, because quite frankly, he didn’t see a reason for her. So many questions popped up in his head, and he wanted to know the answer to them all, but he didn’t know which one to prioritize.

“I… same…”

“You like yourself?”

“No, quite the opposite if I’m being frank.”

He absolutely hated himself. If he could, he would choose to never exist in the first place. Besides, if he liked himself, FireRock, the ideal Ethan, wouldn’t exist in the first place.

“I like you too.”

He pushed the words out, his throat feeling strained and dry, even if he shouldn’t be able to feel those things.

“Good to know.”

“Same here…”

He wondered if he should ask those questions in the first place. She liked him, not Mason, nor Kennard. Not Calista, not Fionna, but him. Ethan.

Ethan felt doubting her feelings, now of all times, would be rude and inappropriate, but he just couldn’t help wondering why.

Why did she like him? What did she see in him that she didn’t see in anyone else?

It didn’t need to be flipped, though. Ethan didn’t need to think when mentioning her good points. Even if he only knew her for a total of three months at this point, he could make a long list of the great things about her, so why?

And all this happened the night before tomorrow’s game.

“Ethan.”

“Yes?”

“If I say those words Calista mentioned earlier-”

“No, I won’t ask anything from you.”

“Why?”

“You already gave me a lot.”

The amount of attention she gave this good-for-nothing boy was already more than enough. Ethan didn’t want any more. All he wanted was to reach Chione’s sister together, to see her dream come through. That was his goal.

“Then, if we win, can I ask you something?”

“As long as I can fulfill it.”

“Alright then.”

Chione got up, her back still toward him. She made a turn heading toward her bedroom.

“Good night. See you tomorrow.”

“Night.”

She glanced at him, a little smile on her face. She opened the door and closed it, the living room soon fell into a deep silence. Ethan adjusted his position on the sofa, this time intent on getting to sleep.

If she gave me one request…

Should I ask those questions?

Why?

Ethan closed his eyes.

Ethan and Chione sat on the white sofa. Chione glanced at him.

“You’re ready?”

Chione glanced at Ethan. Ethan took a breather and calmly let it out. He moved all the things that happened last night to a faraway corner deep in his mind, not wanting those things to disturb him and his mission. He was fully intent on repaying the mistakes he made yesterday. They will take the victory, and he will listen to her wish.

“I’m ready.”

He said as confidently as possible, despite knowing that in truth, he wasn’t ready. But alas, that wasn’t possible. The clock in his vision wouldn’t wait for anyone. It warned the players of the game, the counter ticking down.

Chione extended her left hand and took Ethan’s right. They held each other on the sofa, the game’s voice counting down the numbers.

It then hit zero.

“Game Start.”