It's me again! After I updated this story, I had an urge to play .hack/G.U again! So I started playing. My ps2 was collecting dust tbh... I wish they would remaster it for ps3 or ps4... *Wishful thinking* I am now playing the second vol. and I just got Endrance's member address! 3 I've been going everywhere with him... Anyways enough of me and my life! Please enjoy this chapter and put in a comment or a review or something! I always smile when I see the Stats and Review! They make me want to write even more XD!


He jolted awake to his phone vibrating right next to his ear, "Fuck!" Somehow, during his sleep, his phone found its way between his ear and the pillow. Blinking owlishly, he looked at his digital clock to see that it was a little past 6 in the morning. "Shit! I forgot to set my alarm!" he muttered angrily to himself and picked up his phone to see who has texted him.

Sender: Mother

Time: 06:07AM

Subject: Remember

Hi honey, don't forget to drop by on your way home from school. We miss you.

Feeling dejected that it wasn't who he hoped it was, he sent a quick reply confirming that he's going and then got out of bed. Stretching, he headed towards the bathroom to clean up and get ready for his day.


Once he got to his parents' house, he saw his mother in the kitchen preparing dinner. "Hey mom." He greeted her, kissing her cheek.

"Oh! Honey welcome home." She smiled at her only son and hugged him, loving to spoil him whenever she could because she rarely saw him. But she would always keep it to an extent, she didn't want her son growing up spoiled, which explained the reason she let him have his own apartment. (Second reason actually, his school was far away from home, which is why he lived alone.)

"Thanks." He smiled back at her. He really loved his mother, she was a petit woman, and age hasn't affected her looks, she looked as pretty as she always has been. Or maybe you are biased.

Sometimes, Ryou would wonder if he actually had someone living in his brain. That would explain all those stupid voices in his head that rarely left him alone.

"Dinner is about to be ready, can you set up the table? Your father is on his way home."

"Sure." He said, walking towards the cabinets to get bowls and chopsticks.


After dinner was over, Ryou headed to his old bedroom, he had promised his mother that he'd be spending the night there, since there was no school the next day. It was just as he had left it, his mother cleaned it from time to time, but other than that, she never touched a thing.

Sitting on his bed, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, and looked at his messages. He had two messages.

Sender: Shino

Time: 5:13PM

Subject: Hi!

Where have you been? You haven't texted or called me in days. *pouts* :c Call me as soon as you can, I have news! J

He winced while reading the message; he has totally been neglecting Shino the past few days. Since Endrance came back…

He opened the second message, which was from an unknown number. Dare he hope?

Sender: +81 xxx xxx xx2

Time: 5:22PM

Subject: Hello

Um… Hello. I'm sorry it took me this long to text you… I had to order a phone and it just arrived about two hours ago… I still don't know how to use it… My mom was very …happy? when she found out I ordered a phone… She has been teaching me how to use it, though… it's easier than I thought…

Ichinose Kaoru.

He reread the message again. And again. Without thinking, he pressed the dial button and waited.


Hearing a very unfamiliar tone, he jumped from his chair. What was that? He thought to himself. Looking around his room, he realized it was his brand new phone ringing. But who would call him? His mother was downstairs and nobody had his number… Dare he hope?

He looked at the caller ID and his heart fluttered in his chest. Is this real?

"…H-hello?" he whispered after pressing his phone to his ear.

A deep breath, and then a most-loved voice filled his ears. "..Hey."

A few moments passed, with both of them just savouring the moment. Hearing only each other, no background sounds, no background music, no background murmurs. Nothing. Just Ryou and Kaoru.

Kaoru didn't know what he should say. So he settled for biting his bottom lip, a nervous habit of his.

"…I hope I haven't disturbed you?" Ryou said, his voice unsure.

It wasn't like him to be unsure of something, to be nervous.

"N-not at all! I would much rather talk to you than do anything else…"

A soft chuckle escaped Ryou's lips. "Thanks."

"…Mm."


The view of Dol Dona's sea has always calmed him. He loved to stand by the atHome and watch the sea. He always imagined what it would feel like to swim. Being the way he is, he never had the chance to experience these simple things. Small pleasures as they called them. He was always cooped up in his room, in front of his computer. Even before he was introduced to The World R:1, he has always preferred staying indoors. As lonely as it was, he actually felt comfortable.

But when he sees things like this, Dol Dona's vast sea, Indieglut Lugh's lake, Arche Koeln's waterfall, he starts wondering how he would have been like if he were normal. If he had friends to go out with…

He shook his head; it wasn't right to think like this. He had Haseo, he wasn't alone anymore. The past few days have been heaven. He felt like he was pulled from the darkness within, and was shown a world that only knew happiness and lights and joy. Ever since that first phone call, he felt blessed. Absolutely nothing can burst his bubble of bliss.

"Hey. Sorry to keep you waiting." A much-loved voice said from besides him, as a much-loved hand rested on his shoulder.

"It's alright," He answered, smiling. "Shall we go?"

They were going on one of their adventures. Endrance couldn't wait at all, he has been anticipating this for days now. Since Haseo was very busy with school and couldn't go level up with him. Not that Endrance cared much for levelling up as much as he cared about being alone with Haseo.

"Ahh. About that… Atoli is coming along." Haseo said, scratching the back of his head.

"..Atoli?.." He looked down at his feet, then looked up to see Haseo's arms crossed over his chest. "...I wanted us to go alone." He whispered to the ground.

"We need someone who can use healing spells. We are both fighters so…"

What was that? They always went alone.. Why now? "Gaspard can do it, can't he? You used all those Healing Scrolls on him…"

Haseo clucked his tongue in annoyance, "I already invited her. Do you want to go or what?"

Endrance nodded his head, "I'll go…"

He didn't understand. Why would Haseo invite her? It's not that he particularly hated her, he just didn't like her. She clung to Haseo way too much in his opinion. He, of all people, understood why she likes Haseo. After all, what is there not to like about him?

"-ance. Endrance! Are you even listening to me?"

He shook himself out of his reverie. "I'm sorry, I have zoned out. What did you say?"

Haseo looked at him sceptically. "…If you really don't want her with us, I can just make up some excuse and cancel it."

"You would?" At Haseo's nod, Endrance continued, "No. It's alright. I wouldn't want to be the reason for your distress."

Grinning, Haseo reached out and took Endrance's hand, pulling him towards the stores of Dol Dona. "There is this Accessory I wanted to buy for you. Let's go."

Even Atoli being there with them couldn't bring Endrance down from the clouds Haseo's actions and words sent him to.