At the southwest end of a rainy field, surrounded by ocean, the PCs Haseo and Endrance stand together. They have just defeated the last monster altar.

"Oh, another one of these items...I have 99 already," Haseo opens the treasure box in the middle of the mound. "Endrance, could you use it?"

Endrance is putting away his sword. "Of course...I will gladly accept any gift from you..." He reopens the chest and takes the item.

"Not technically a gift..." Haseo mutters, "It just won't fit in my inventory."

Endrance ignores the comment and gives a smile. "What a lovely area..." He makes a gesture as though to breathe the misty air. "...I could stay here forever with you...Haseo..."

"Err, yeah..." Haseo awkwardly rubs the back of his head. "It's getting late though, we should finish up here. Look, the boss monster's over there."

Endrance follows beside his friend who is walking toward the massive beast silhouetted in the fog. He feels like he could skip, he's so happy to be adventuring with Haseo. It doesn't matter where they go, as long as he can see and talk to this wonderful boy.

Currently they're trying to find a rare weapon material to complete Haseo's "Book of 1000". Once Canard's guild level increases to ten, he will be able to ride his steam bike inside the temples, not just in the fields. So Haseo chose the area, as he does every time he and Endrance play together.

The two stop just behind a Forest King, prepared for a surprise attack.

"Ready, Endrance?"

Endrance nods his head.

Unseen, they rush the monster, and gain the upperhand. The two make a good team – both quick, both powerful, used to the other's fighting style. This boss is slow, but Haseo mistimes a dodge and is thrown backward. The Forest King is powerful when the hits connect. Not missing a beat, Endrance tosses over a healing potion and continues attacking, raising the combo chain into double digits.

Purple and blue lights begin to swirl about the creature's huge body. Haseo, now back on his feet, wastes no time in activating the Rengeki. His dual swords slice easily through the boss as he spins high in the air.

Soon after, the great Forest King collapses, causing the ground to shudder. Haseo, as the leader of the party, is presented with the reward.

"Yes! Desert Rose Leaf - I got it," he turns to Endrance, smiling triumphantly.

"That's wonderful, Haseo," Endrance returns the expression. "Thank you for inviting me along."

Haseo snorts, "You say that every time. I'm not trying to do you a favor, you know. You're actually helping me." He appears to consider something for a moment, then adds, "Here, this is for you - reward items I won't use. Thanks for healing me back there."

He's given Endrance a gift of a Loose Lionel and few status effect items. The swordsman knows from experience it's pointless to refuse - it only irritates Haseo. So he simply says "Thank you," his eyes sparkling in the dim light.

"Don't mention it," Haseo waves his hand and starts to walk away again. "I should log out and get some studying done. Let's head back to town."

"Of course..." Endrance turns in the same direction as Haseo, towards the warp point. He's reluctant to end the quest, nevertheless he accomodates Haseo's busy schedule. "...You're...so dedicated, Haseo. Perhaps you should take a break now...get some rest?"

Haseo sighs, "Can't. Exams are coming up. But I had fun adventuring tonight. I'll message you next time I have an evening free."

"Thank you again, Haseo...I always treasure the time we spend together. I look forward to seeing you soon..."

They have reached the warp point now. Haseo is surrounded by the bluish rings and slowly disappears, followed by Endrance. Once back in town, they bid each other good night and sign out.

Ichinose Kaoru only logs out of 'The World' reluctantly. Having his headset on means he's connected. He's afraid to be disconnected, alone. Even though he spends most of his days in his room, seeing the sun and trees and people in 'The World' is the opposite of solitude - it's a perfect world where he controls how close others get, where no one can see his face and judge him.

For him it's good enough to live in one reality. Kaoru doesn't have the capacity to fully exist in two.

But then six months ago...

He met Haseo.

A person who is busy, who has a life so full; Kaoru can't help but compare himself. If he and Haseo both had gardens to represent their lives, Kaoru would have a largely empty plot. He likes roses best, so he would have a single thriving bush in one corner, the ground just soil and some weeds, not even grass. But Haseo's garden is full. It's not landscaped or tidy, it looks wild, but there's so much colour. Every plant has a different flower. Kaoru can think about that garden and admire it.

It's more than admiration. Kaoru is amazed at Haseo, yet he doesn't understand why someone would go through all the trouble when a single rose bush is good enough.

Perhaps Kaoru himself isn't as adequate as he thought. Perhaps befriending Haseo means he's ready to plant something new and become a worthwhile person.

He decides to check his email before he tries to sleep. He doesn't bother glancing at the clock or out the window - date and time have been irrelevant to him for years.

A smile sneaks out when he sees a message from Haseo. He must have just sent this – Kaoru feels a wave of warm appreciation at the the thought of Haseo taking time to answer before opening his textbooks. So, even without the M2D over his eyes, Kaoru still has this connection.

The email reads:

"Re: Where you live

I live in Tokyo. What about you?"

Haseo isn't one to type long exchanges, but it still thrills Kaoru. He composes his response:

"I live in Kanagawa Prefecture...I can see the ocean from my window...

I see...So you're in Tokyo...

That means we can meet anytime...I'm so happy...

I'd even be willing to leave my room if it meant I could meet you..."

He sends the email, first draft, showing his true feelings. Whether or not Haseo wants to meet doesn't bother Kaoru much; he will accept it wholeheartedly either way. He doesn't overanalyze his words when speaking to Haseo. On the rare occasion he converses with other people, Kaoru always avoids potentially uncomfortable topics. But he can't imagine lying to Haseo.

There's something different about his new friend; Haseo seems to genuinely care for him, like no one else ever has. Back in Indieglut Lugh where they first really spoke, it was as though Haseo could see through Endrance into Kaoru's heart. However terrifying, it was also a relief to not need to pretend. Haseo's blunt rhetoric cut through Kaoru's defences and saved his life, therefore he felt he owed it to Haseo to be completely upfront. Kaoru was honest to another person for the first time when they met. And when it comes to do so nowadays, it isn't a chore.

Kaoru sighs. His mind working makes him more tired. He doesn't change his clothes before settling into bed.

Being away from his computer makes him nervous. Kaoru fidgets with the blankets, staring at the ceiling. The apartment outside his room is silent. To put himself at ease, he imagines a day out with Haseo. They're somewhere in Tokyo - he uses a scene of Akihabara he remembers from a movie - and Haseo is showing him all his favourite shops. Kaoru, laying on his back, puts his hands behind his head. In his imagined scene, he enjoys the tea at Haseo's regular cafe. They sit together and talk for hours.

Kaoru sighs, more contentedly this time, and he drifts off to sleep.