You entered a room and a gust of warm air blew across your face. You heard the door close behind you.
'MC, I can take the blindfold off now,' he said and you felt him step closer to you. You held your breath as his fingers lifted the cloth from your eyes.
The first thing you saw was his face. It was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen. Not just because his every feature was lovely, but it was the shining in his eyes. It was cautious and hopeful. It was a look you imagined a baby deer would have. His eyes were a bright, teal colour and his hair was bleached white with soft pink tips. His lips were parted and you could tell he was taking quick, shallow breaths. Was he as nervous as you was? He didn't say anything as you studied him, and then you cast your gaze to the room around you.
From the bed to the floor to the curtains to the bundled carnations in the corner, everything was a baby pink colour. The room was clearly a bedroom. A really, really pretty bedroom. There was a wardrobe in the corner with its doors wide open. A row of soft, pastel coloured t-shirts and dresses were hung up. Everything looked new and unused.
Ray took a step back and cleared his throat. 'You'll be staying in this room while you're testing the game.'
'W-What do you mean? Staying here?'
He straightened and tried to speak more firmly, as if he had expected the question and had an answer already rehearsed. 'Yes, you'll have to stay here until the party in the game. We can't risk the game being leaked to the public.'
He then smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. 'I hope you can trust me,' he said in a much softer tone.
From what he hold told you, the game wouldn't take a long time to complete and you had just started your spring break at university. Also, it wasn't like you had a roommate at your university or any particularly close friend who would be worried about your whereabouts.
Pushing down the panic that was simmering below the surface, and the shame that your mother would feel if you told her about this, you gave him a quick nod. You tried to give a reassuring smile, but you're not sure you fooled him.
'Ok,' you said, 'I'll trust you.'
Suddenly, his face transformed and his green eyes lit up. You didn't think that you had said anything special, but his shoulders sagged in relief. You didn't know back then that it was his first time hearing those words from someone.
You both sat down on the edge of the bed, elbows nearly touching as you gave him your phone so he could install the game. He then explained the game some more and gave you information about the characters.
'If they're really suspicious you can just tell them that someone called Rika sent you to hold a party, ok?'
You nodded slowly. Satisfied, he stood up and you copied. You walked him to the door and just as he reached for the handle, he quickly spun back around. You raised yours eyebrows in surprise.
'Do you have any last questions about the game or the AIs?' he asked. Sunlight shone through the windows, showing that his hair wasn't actually completely white but a very pale pink colour. His thick eyelashes and the dark circles under his eyes made them practically glow. You had never seen anyone so perfect and innocent and it made your heart flutter.
Without thinking you muttered quietly to yourself, 'how do I pursue you, Ray?'
His eyes widened and he froze, hand still outstretched to grab the doorknob. Your heart pounded in embarrassment. He had heard! What on Earth had made you think it was a good idea to say that out loud? He was going to think you were mad and you probably were, considering what you had just agreed to. A faint glint in his eyes told you that Ray might've been a little mad himself.
'I-I mean…' you stuttered, trying to think of something to say. You looked away, unable to meet his stare.
'You want to pursue me?' he asked in a breathless whisper, 'but I'm not in the game.'
You watched his confused face melt away and be replaced with a smile out of the corner of your eyes. He gave a light chuckle, and you met his eyes in surprise.
'You like my looks? That feels kind of good.'
That wasn't what you had expected him to say and you felt your cheeks go a little warm. His expression turned a little more serious as he went on.
'I-I have a small voice, one that not many people seem to listen to. I've always dreamed of someone who's a good listener to the things I have to say. Just, don't try to take the easy way out of the game ok? Promise me.'
'I promise,' you said without hesitation. He had warned you that if you told the AIs the truth it would be game over and that you would have to restart the whole thing.
He smiled one his adorable Ray smiles. 'Thanks so much! I wish I could stay some more, but I have things to attend to,' he said and this time he grasped the doorknob and turned it. 'Give it your best shot, party coordinator!' he said over his shoulder as he walked out. The door closed.