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Chapter 3: Up for a Lunch Chat?
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Sasuke is in a good mood. He doesn't know why. Maybe the stars are aligned just perfectly right but Itachi and him were able to vibe just like the old times. And while his father was apathetic much of the time, the man didn't go out of his way to make his life miserable. All in all, it was a good day in Sasuke's books as he entered his office.
Plus, when he arrived in his office, he was informed that his order from Bijuu Online was delivered in time. So here he was, in immaculate and pristine black suit and tie with a slim full body suit underneath, on his eyes, a discreet eyewear connected to wireless earbuds that allowed him to game discreetly while he was on his desk. He was building a section in Konohagakure where Narushiki and he could dine in peace, and he knew the perfect place for it.
He decorated the Hokage heads on the mountain and expanded it with an overhanging veranda decked out with red crimson and purple flowers. He can envision it now. Just the two of them under the bright shining stars, twinkling like diamonds in the dark blue night sky; a perfectly round golden moon illuminating these flowers, giving them an ethereal glow as the city lights underneath glitter. And on the veranda, he and Narushiki will feed each other the most succulent and luxurious feast.
His eyes glazed just thinking about it. He took a moment to admire his handiwork. As he let himself be carried away by the sight and the game's music blasting through his ears, a loud chime interrupted the serenity of his in game experience. He scowled in annoyance.
But his irritation instantly ebbed, turning to confusion. The notification didn't come from the game from his secure mail account. It was the familiar tech support email for Bijuu Online. But its contents prevented him from mulling it any further when he read through the contents.
"Good day Taka. It's me. I received your invite for tonight and will definitely be there at 9 pm sharp! Say, are you up for a little lunch chat? Doesn't have to be through the game. Install the Veam app on your phone and we can chat through there. Why don'cha try it out?"
He raised an eyebrow at this. But didn't question it. Why would Narushiki contact him outside of game when he's already in game? Thinking that the game was just glitching out because he was accessing his account through his phone and not his PC, Sasuke shrugged.
Still, he surveyed the email once more and an eyebrow rose. He was struck just how human Narushiki sounded here and that longing to be closer to the AI returned in his chest. Ninshu Studios is really making strides with machine learning here, he rationalized.
That much is logical, especially since with NAO, Ninshu is a well-established brand at this point. And after the much publicized WanTai controversy over at Bitzstorm's HQ, it's not really a surprise that many of their senior employees would jump over to Ninshu. Ninshu and Blitzstorm have been bitter rivals for decades now. And Blitzstorm's anti-consumer arrogance has allowed Ninshu, then a small scale studio to eat up some of its competitor's disillusioned customers. It's entirely possible that much of the talents from the gaming juggernaut has moved over to Ninshu.
Still, Sasuke got a little bit curious himself. He never knew that there's a Veam app on myOS now. So he decided to do what Narushiki wanted and tapped the AppMarket. When the app loaded, he can definitely see that indeed, Veam topped the charts as the most downloaded app of the year. It managed to rank second to Bijuu Companion App in the trending section and while it has four star reviews out of five, its comments are generally positive.
Without wasting another time, he downloaded the app and it automatically synced with his mycloud ID. And as soon as the app connected, a notification popped out.
Veam App | Ramen4Lyf: Hey you're online! What's up, Taka?
Sasuke paused. The username Ramen4Lyf was unfamiliar to him. Normally, he doesn't even answer unsaved numbers and emails. So he typed a simply message in reply.
HawkEye23: Who's this?
(….)
Ramen4Lyf: Ouch. That's cold, teme. Forgot about me already? It's Naru-chibi here!
Sasuke reread the message again. And at the last name, he thought that the AI was just having trouble typing its own name. It's not that uncommon especially for machines after all. He smiled, finding it adorable for some reason.
HawkEye23: Oh… Narushiki right?
Ramen4Lyf: heyyy… Whaddya know? You got it! So what's up, Taka? You had lunch yet? And seriously? HawkEye23? What kind of name is that?
A smile graced Sasuke's face. Cute. Real cute Narushiki. Who knew that an A.I can type like this?
HawkEye23: Shut up… You know that July 23rd is my birthday right?
Ramen4Lyf: Ohhh. Really? Wow. That's good to know.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. The game should know his birthday already. He literally wrote it when making the account.
HawkEye23: And you shouldn't talk like that, you know. It's not like Ramen4Lyf is any better. What are you 12?
Ramen4Lyf: Hey! Thou shalt not insult the food of the gods, teme! Ramen is the bestest food in the world!
Sasuke sweatdropped. Ahhh there's the familiar "godly" speech pattern of his beloved A.I. Well, not yet, but Sasuke will make sure of it in the end. Narushiki will be his once he's done. He has come to terms with his feelings for the A.I almost overnight and he figured there's really no use denying the pull he felt for Narushiki anyway. Although the slightly childish sentence that followed perplexed him. Probably just a result of the A.I confusing its databases when grabbing its words. It's not that common for machine learning to mix up its references. At least this Narushiki is a smarter conversationalist than FroggleBot.
HawkEye23: Whatever you say, dobe.
Sasuke smirked at the lengthy (…) that followed. It's as if the AI was typing, and then deleting and then typing and then deleting again, not knowing how to say. He didn't know why but it's so easy to fall into this pattern of teasing with the A.I.
Ramen4Lyf: What did you call me?
HawkEye23: You saw it. Or can you not read?
Ramen4Lyf: Why you… Say that to my face, teme!
HawkEye23: Heh… Later… when we meet.
And so the rest of the afternoon fell into this pattern of banter between the two of them. He didn't even realize that afternoon has turned to night. It wasn't until Konan, his secretary knocked on his door that he realized just how late it was.
"Sasuke-kun?"
He snapped his head from his phone, eyes wide. He knew he hadn't done any work for the rest of the day. He remembered all at once that Itachi had been preparing for an important meeting with Sannin Industries, some group he couldn't really care less about. But his department have been tasked in preparing the accommodation like the conference room and the logistics including food and entertainment.
"Izumi-san from the executive office called to follow up on our progress for the upcoming conference. She said Itachi's asking for status report."
Eyes still wide, as if he's a child caught stealing from a cookie jar, he gave Konan a sheepish grin.
"Err…"
"You didn't do it, did you, Sasuke?"
Konan sighed. "Don't worry about it. I'll just call Hidan and Kakuzu to arrange it for us. Besides, our friends at Akatsuki have already promised their support anyway."
"Whatever. Thanks Konan. What's the big deal with this conference anyway? Why is Itachi worried about it?"
"Haven't you been listening Sasuke? The Sannin Industries control 80% of the gaming market and has exclusive rights to virtual tech. Itachi wanted its application in Medicine and the Uchiha private military. Don't worry alright? We'll figure it out."
Sasuke sighed. He had been so wrapped up in his sibling rivalry with Itachi that he completely forgot that he too had a stake in the Uchiha empire. Maybe he need to pay a closer attention to what his brother is doing, rather than competing with him needlessly; maybe he should start cooperating, just as he should have done a long time ago.
"Alright Konan. I'll send Suigetsu over and Juugo to help, too."
"Thanks, Sasuke-kun. You should go home. It's already past 7 and the guards should be locking up soon."
Sasuke's eyes widened. It's that late already? Wait, 7? He promised Narushiki he'll be there at 9!
"Thanks for the reminder Konan. I'll head out as soon as I can." And before Konan can even respond, Sasuke gathered his belongings and was instantly outside before she can even react. The woman just shook her head. She's used to the young alpha's impulsivity at times. And this doesn't really surprise her anymore.
She made her way back to her office. She has her own preparation to do.
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Sasuke rushed to his room that night. And for once, he's thankful that he picked a driverless car because he was able to at least make himself presentable by the time he arrived home. Of course his in-game avatar would be the one facing Narushiki later, but his alpha pride would never let himself face anyone both virtual or real life, alike, in such a state.
As soon as his computer booted up, he logged in to his Veam Account and readied himself. He was thankful that he was on time for once. He looked at the time in game and noted that it's still 8:30. He breathed a sigh of relief.
At last, nothing will stand in the way of this moment.
He looked at the winding pathway to the stone heads, and snapped his finger. In an instant the candles glowed one by one, lighting up the path to reveal it was blanketed with petals. He also prepared the food on the veranda. Remembering from their earlier conversation that the A.I loved ramen, he purchased the most expensive ramen he can find in the game shop. He hoped that it's something that Narushiki would like.
Sasuke glanced at the in game clock and noted that it just struck 9. Like clockwork, a message appeared on the upper right corner of his screen.
[Event Started: Dinner with a Friend]
And just in time, Narushiki appeared at the base of the steps and in an instant, Sasuke's breathing hitched. Narushiki was in an elaborate kimono. It was a simple black and white theme but the various comma lining its trim and the thin see-through veil that draped over his horns gave him an otherworldly glow.
For a minute, Sasuke stared, admiring the approaching deity before him. His eyes widened when he met Narushiki's glowing ones and the NPC smirked at him, catching him in the act of staring.
"What's the matter, Hokage-sama, cat got your tongue?"
That seemed to have snapped Sasuke out of his reverie, leaving him a few seconds to compose himself.
"I-uhh… I…"
Narushiki gave a soft chuckle… a music to Sasuke's ears as the being looked at him amused.
"Hey now…" Narushiki casually draped an arm over the perplexed alpha's shoulders. "No need to ask so shocked, Taka. This is an in-game event. Of course, I'm allowed to spruce up a little, right?"
"Right.. I… uhhh. I prepared a little something for you." Sasuke finally regained his senses. "But first… I want to show you something." He led Narushiki to the edge of the veranda and leaned themselves close to the railings overlooking the village.
It was Narushiki's turned to be tongue-tied as he gazed at the glittering lights of Konoha. How Taka did this in such a short amount of time amazed him. He knew that their customer can spend recklessly on the gameshop, even using real world money without second thought to enhance his game. But this is beyond rational.
Beyond Narushiki's avatar, Naruto's blue eyes widened in shock as he calculated the cost of the enhancements that the user, Taka bought just for this moment. And even he as CEO would tremble on it. Even more so when all this are nothing more but virtual currencies and assets. Deep down, Naruto saw Taka in a new light. Taka must be so lonely in real life that he have to build this world around him, that he saw the need to invest so much in such a fleeting world.
He resolved that whoever Taka is, he will be the one to erase the man's loneliness, and bring him back to appreciate the real world; to enjoy life beyond virtual realities. Sure, Naruto wanted all people of all sub-sex to engage freely in Bijuu Online, but Taka seemed to be trapped in this game.
He saw the same pattern when he studied Taka's history with NAO. The man was obsessive to a fault, building a life in this virtual world to the point of buying family NPCs to populate his world. And his heart and soul ached at that thought. No soul, no person deserves such a cruel fate.
"So… what do you think?"
Naruto nearly jumped from his seat when Taka's voice vibrated through his isolation helmet, the soft but rich chocolatey tone, a timber lower, tickling his ears as the headset thrummed with Sasuke's voice.
"It's… it's beautiful, Taka." Naruto was able to utter breathlessly into his mic. And the sincerity of his voice seemed to have carried over, reaching Taka himself for the man stopped, an unknown expression shining in dark ebony eyes.
For a moment, Naruto nearly forgot that this was supposed to be an in game event. But he quickly recollected himself. He pressed an option on his admin console causing a prompt to pop up in Taka's end.
[Narushiki's affinity for you rose by ten points. Hold him? Or Kiss Him?]
Naruto was relieved with his quick thinking. Meanwhile, Sasuke took the opportunity to pick his option and held Narushiki from behind.
"Naru…" Naruto's eyes stung for some reason. Knowing that despite the trembling passion coursing through Takas's voice, his words were meant for Narushiki and not him. But he endured it, content in seeing the look in Taka's avatar captured by the biosensory system in his isolation helmet.
"I—" Naruto's throat nearly clogged at Taka's voice. So full of emotion, of longing, of unfiltered raw feelings and love, love for Narushiki; of longing for a family of his own; baring not just his heart but soul. "I have to admit… I'm a very lonely man. I grew up in the shadows of my older brother. I grew up separated from my peers… And so… I never knew what real connection is, how it feels to be human. But with you… I feel like I'm alive… Like I'm living… Don't… Don't ever leave me please."
The last word was uttered with such desperation, with such weight that Naruto could feel tears falling down his eyes. How could this man live this way? He wanted to reply, but he was afraid his shaking voice would give himself away.
Instead, he just leaned back against Taka, turning his neck so he now face the avatar and delivered a soft kiss to the man's lips. Taka looked at him with wide eyes.
"Does this mean that you…"
Narushiki just nodded his head as hugged Taka.
After the vulnerability that Taka showed this night, Naruto realized that he too started to fall for real with this man. At first, he just wanted to study this customer from up close, to analyze his behavioral pattern and assess just how this man can spend so much in this game to the point where it would bankrupt some CEOs.
Naruto wondered just who this Taka is in real life that he can afford to build his life in NAO and now in Bijuu Online with his spending habits like this; to the point where the life he lived in virtual reality can trump the physical world.
"Shall we eat?" Sasuke broke the tension between them. Narushiki's eyes practically glowed at the thoughtful spread of food on the table. And Taka started feeding him, they conversed, connected on multiple levels like never before. Overwhelmed with what happened this night, Naruto forgot to end the event manually.
And by the time they left the game, it was already 2 am, much to Sasuke's bewilderment.
Something changed between them following this night. And both of them will only come to realize the ramifications of this in the near future. For now, both men came together, with very different backgrounds, with very different intention.
One wanted to build a life in this digital realm.
The other simply wanted to increase his profits and realize a dream for himself.
But in the end, both men got more than they bargained for. As Taka poured all that he had, all that he is into Narushiki that night, Naruto responded as well, completely and utterly captivated by the man holding him.
After tonight, both will emerge changed men.
Because even when they haven't realized it yet, the game already captured them wholly and completely; here in each other's presence, in each other's embrace. And beyond bits and bytes, beyond ones and zeroes, something between them transcended beyond what little that technology has bridged; something deeper connected beyond the superficiality of artificial machine was born.
Unwittingly, their souls united as never before, tied as one bond, one path, one thread; transformed from a disorganized chaotic entropy into one indivisible whole. Tonight, two souls became one, sharing one destiny, one life, one thread of fate.
And no greater power will ever tear it asunder.
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A/N: And yes, my apologies if they seemed a bit rushed. But I've been craving for some angsty fluff for a while now. I hope this sufficed. As always, feel free to tell me your thoughts. Liked it? Disliked it? Saw any mistakes? Feel free to let me know. And as always, thank you for reading.