Chapter 1: Crushed Expectations

Leanbox, an island off the main continent of Gamindustri, harbouring the Console Patron Unit (CPU) Green Heart, was a nation proud of its technology and ability to create structures of tremendous size. In times of peace its own citizens were able to sustain their economy, despite their constant failing profit ventures onto the continent. The country contains a bustling and near-futuristic capital, but its large fields of green give it the title 'The Land of Green Pastures'. Heavily focused on entertainment and competition, their main gaming exports are Fantasy RPG's and FPS's. However, despite the nation's success, rumours say the CPU is a lazy woman who only has time for games.

"This nation is so convoluted, how would this place hold itself up if its CPU was a couch potato?" Haruka muttered to herself as she made her way to the Basilicom, the home of the nation's CPU. Normally immense in size, the Basilicom housed everything needed to run a nation, and the personal belongings of the CPU inhabiting it. Usually built prior to the city's development, its appearance affects the rest of the city's aesthetics.

The city's architecture called for as much development as possible, and showed this by creating towering skyscrapers and wide stadiums. Large magnetic railways. connected buildings to others, and allowed for fast and efficient travel. Despite the space constraints, the nation also contained a soft spot for nature, with lots devoted to parks littered across the city.

As Haruka walked along the metallic streets of Leanbox, she noticed a rather large number of arcades and gaming outlets. Sometimes there would be more arcades than actual stores down a street. Children and teenagers flooded the arcades, each of which were filled with hundreds of different games, with enough variety to satisfy every niche. However, something that was ever present, wasn't the feeling of joy but the feeling of frustration.

"Who is this LGH!?"

"99,999,999 points! Is that even possible?"

"Holy crap! Here too?!"

These types of sentences were common statements coming from the crowds of kids. The moaning of gamers everywhere was caused by a single player. Apparently, there's a top notch gamer going around to each and every arcade and filling the high score boards with their name, LGH.

Haruka made a mental note of the nation's obsession with games, and continued on her way. However, she eventually reached a particularly large group of people crowding around an arcade entrance. The crowd was large enough to block the street, so Haruka decided to check up on the situation while she waited for the people to disperse. She pushed her way through the sea of people to get a better look. Near the center of the crowd, she found the source of the commotion. A taller feminine figure clothed in a black hoodie and sweatpants along with a cap and sunglasses was winning every prize from the claw machine. With deadeye accuracy, the figure managed to nab a prize with each and every coin inserted. The crowd was overjoyed to see such an amazing display of skill, and was even more ecstatic when the figure emptied the machine. With the plethora of prizes won, the woman began to throw her plentiful winnings into the crowd. Stuffed animals, candy, and toys flew into the hungry hands of the people. The citizens went wild, pushing each other to get even a measly stuffed frog.

Having been a part of the crowd, Haruka was suddenly enclosed by the waves of people. Startled by the sudden movement, she began to fight her way to the other side of the blockade of people. What seemed to be a lifetime passed before she made it through the crowd. As she reached the other side, she spotted the figure making its way through the riot. The figure seemingly passed through the people as they fought for the prizes, dodging every push and shove with grace while she made her way out. Haruka was stunned, how could such an amazing person exist? Surely, she couldn't have been human. However, her shock didn't last long, as the figure grabbed Haruka's hands and placed a stuffed bear in them. In a fairly lady-like voice, the figure asked Haruka "Please, take care of him for me, will you?"

Haruka could only nod as this amazing woman dashed off towards another nearby arcade. A couple of minutes went by as Haruka stood frozen in surprise and shock before she remembered why she was in Leanbox. "Ah! I'm going to be late for the appointment!" she yelled before she began running towards the Basilicom with her new, fluffy bear in tow.

Nearing the Basilicom, Haruka spent no time slowing her pace as she ran past the crowds. She was late, what a way to start off her new job as Leanbox's Oracle. The CPU would definitely fire her immediately. Tears in her eyes Haruka threw the front doors of the Basilicom open. "Please forgive my tardiness!" she yelled into the entrance hall.

Her voice was met with no response and, when she looked up, the hall was empty. Looking around, Haruka quickly snapped to, and reached into her pockets for the letter. Quickly skimming through the letter, she found the expected time, '17:00', and looked at her watch, '5:22', she was definitely late. She looked around the hall once more broke down to her knees. "They just left me, deciding I wasn't good enough." she muttered to herself tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry mother, I'll be home soon."

Haruka began to hug the stuffed bear and continued her sobbing, "Going back to Eden, and all I have to show for is this stuffed bear."

A few minutes passed, with Haruka finally wiping away her tears with her sleeve. Getting up, she put up her stoic face once more and began to make for the exit. As she was about to leave the building, she was stopped by a familiar figure. It was who seemed to be that black clad woman from earlier. "Pardon me, are you my new Oracle?" the figure questioned.

"I was going to be..." Haruka's voice trailed off before she realized what the figure just implied, "Y-You're Lady Green Heart?!"

The figure then pulled off her cap and sunglasses to reveal her long flowing blonde hair and deep blue eyes hidden under the guise. "That would indeed be the case." the goddess replied.

Haruka stood confused for a moment, then immediately got down on one knee and bowed her head. "I apologize, Lady Green Heart. I was a tad tardy in my appearance."

"Please, address me as Vert." the blonde woman stated as she grabbed Haruka's hand and pulled her up. "And it is not a problem, for I was a bit late myself, 17:00 is strikingly similar to 7:00."

Now face to face with her goddess, Haruka's eye's welled up in tears again but this time because of joy. Vert grabbed her and held her tightly, Haruka's face ended up into quite the softness. "Aww. You're so adorable! I simply must have you as my little sis- ... Pardon me...my Oracle."

Haruka snapped back to reality hurriedly and wiped her tears into Vert's clothes before pushing her off. "Then, Lady Vert, shall we get started?"

"Oh my, putting up such a strong front after crying in my arms? You must really be into this." Vert stated, with an impressed look on her face.

Vert then cleared her throat, fixed her posture and spoke professionally, "Alright, let us discuss the job over some tea, all that gaming has made me parched."