Summer is here, which means two things for me; hot weather and christmas.

Kind of an intended SAO kinda AU, only the actual game isn't the main focus of the chapter, so that's why it's not really featured that much.

I recently downloaded Injustice 2 on my phone, and i gotta say, i'm not really impressed all that much so far. It might change if i play it more, but so far i like the original better.

Hope you enjoy the chapter :)

START OF CHAPTER:

Hajime had always been somewhat of an average boy.

Not really terrible at anything, but at the same time he wasn't exactly skilled in anything either. Everything, from his name to his appearance, was and always had been, painfully average.

But that had changed when he found online gaming.

He had grown up with hid childhood friend Chiaki, who had been an avid gamer for as long as he could remember. All types and consoles, she had one of the biggest game collections he had ever seen. Having rich parents probably helped.

So while he had been aware that games existed, and even played a few at Chiaki's insistence (not that he ever beat her at anything). But even as they entered their teenage years, the concept of online gaming had been something he had been vaguely aware of, but was mostly foreign to him.

But then Chiaki, bless her quiet brand of enthusiasm, had signed him up for one of the new VR RPG's that had come out, buying him the game and any necessary equipment. She had already made on of her own accounts of course, but her making one for himself had come as a surprise.

Class, powers and abilities, everything had been chosen for him. At least there was that, since he'd have no clue what he was doing should he create his own. And he'd also named his character, so there was that too.

So unpacking the new headset, which Chiaki had generously paid for, in his bedroom, he hadn't really expected much. A nice way to relax and kill some time now and again, maybe teaming up with Chiaki to go on quests from time to time (which was apparently a thing you could do, made sense he guessed).

But he had been utterly drawn in.

Now he hadn't turned into a recluse or anything, he still went to high school and talked to people, not forgetting his homework either. But every spare moment when he was home, he found himself putting on his headset, and logging into the fantasy world time after time.

He'd even made a friend.

…

He'd been wandering through a forest area in the game, encountering some mildly powered monsters along the way. He'd levelled up quite a bit while playing so far, and even though he wasn't the most powerful player ever, he was satisfied with how strong his character had become.

His cousin Izuru, had briefly teamed up with him to grind experience and provide healing assistance. But since the other boy was a genius that got bored easily, he had quickly lost interest in playing. If he'd ever do so again, Hajime couldn't be sure.

So here he was, walking through the forest, minding his own business, when he'd heard someone approaching.

He got out his sword, ready in case an enemy attacked. But he wasn't prepared for war would actually happen next.

"Oh! Hello, are you lost too?"

Another boy came out of the surrounding bushes, and Hajime could swear that he looked like some mythical forest nymph or some other angelic being.

But then he'd heard what the other said.

"Lost? Do you need help?"

"Oh that would be fantastic! You see, my previous team ditched me in the forest, so now i'm all alone, and as i said, quite lost."

"You…" Hajime couldn't believe the other gave him that information so quickly. "You know you just told potentially crucial information to a stranger right? What if i was an assassin hired to kill you?"

He only received a cheerful laugh in response.

"You look trustworthy, so it's fine. Besides, i'd only be logged out for a while right? Stats and gold, and everything you lose can all be recovered, so what's the worst that could happen?"

"Just because i won't kill you, doesn't mean other people won't challenge you. Do you have enough strength to get away if something happens?"

"Nope! I'm mostly magic based, largely versed in healing magic and a couple elemental attacks to defend myself in an emergency."

Good god, did this boy have any sense of danger?

"I…" Hajime sighed. "I'll team up with you and take you to the closest village, if you'd like."

The other's eyes sparkled at the offer, which Hajime definitely didn't find cute.

"Would you? Thank you, that would be a big help!"

The two boys made small talk, chatting about any and every topic the came to mind. This of course, included the skills and abilities of their characters.

When they'd reached the inn at the nearest village, Hajime was almost sad. Not heartbroken or anything, but the paler boy had made for quite an interesting conversation partner.

But then the other boy, who's character name was simply 'Yuki', had made a proposal.

"I'm mostly a supportive character, and your a fighter, right? I… well, i've quite enjoyed your company, selfish as it may seem, so would you like to maybe… team up?"

Hajime had smiled, and agreed.

….

From then on, the two boys had become quite inseparable within the parameters of the virtual reality. Both of them were careful not to expose to much of their personal details, but they had become quite close friends over time.

Then Chiaki caught wind of it.

"You made a friend?" She smiled, placing a hand over her heart. "That's great, i was concerned when i didn't get a party invite from you."

Hajime looked to the side briefly, sheepish expression on his face. While they were friends in their game accounts, he'd completely forgotten to party up with Chiaki, instead going on quests and partnering up with 'Yuki'.

"I… heh, sorry about that."

"It's alright." Bless Chiaki's never-ending amount of patience and kindness. "I'm just glad you have someone other then me to talk to."

"Hey, i talk to-"

"You tolerate classmates. How many of them would you say you know as well as 'Yuki'?"

"We… don't know each other's name?"

"It's an online game, i'd be surprised if you did. It's only natural to take safety precautions."

"…."

"See? You don't have any close bonds other then me, and now this 'Yuki'."

She was right, she usually was in her advice.

"That's… not bad?"

"No, it's good you've made a friend." Chiaki stated. "But i do think you should consider meeting in real life."

"In real life? We don't even know where we both live."

"Exactly. Look, i'm not saying to propose to the boy, but if you don't at least know what each other look like, then you may as well have bonded with the character, instead of the person behind them."

He knew where Chiaki was coming from, and the point she was trying to make. But he didn't know. He could make all the excuses in the world about how he wasn't ready and wasn't sure what the other boy wanted.

But really, he was scared.

He was all too aware of how painfully average he was. And that was the problem. Would the other hate him? Be disappointed? He was unsure, other people during his childhood hadn't played with him because he was too boring.

He didn't want 'Yuki' to leave him too.

He treasured the other's friendship, and if they met in real life, he wasn't sure if the other would like what he saw.

Chiaki had nodded at his explanation.

Should he tell the other? Or should he keep it to himself? The topic of their outside lives was going to come out sooner or later.

But what should he do?

He didn't know.

—

"You need to tell him."

Nagito had been invited by his friend Chiaki to have lunch at the cafe, and upon his arrival, this was the first statement he was met with.

"Him who?"

"Nagito…"

He sighed.

He'd spent ages building a friendship within the game with another player called 'Hiraku', and truth be told, he wasn't much of a gamer usually. Nowadays, he only logged on so regularly to see his friend.

At some point, he had told Chiaki, and she had immediately jumped on his statement, asking about details. He was unsure why the pinkette wanted to know, but he'd told her anyway.

Apparently, the player he made friends with was a real life childhood friend of hers. She would only tell him that his name was Hajime, and he was a brunette young man his age.

At least he was who he said he was. It wasn't that he doubted the other, but it was always nice to have something you knew confirmed.

"I… i just can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Does it matter?"

Chiaki gave him a blank look, and Nagito sighed again.

"Chiaki, not that i don't value your opinion, but why are you so insistent on this?"

"…i think he has a crush on you."

Nagito promptly choked on the sip of coffee he'd taken.

"C…crush? No way, you can't be serious, right?"

The gamer puffed out her cheeks.

"Why would i lie?"

"Sorry…"

When Chiaki didn't speak again, he knew what she was waiting for.

"Why would you think he has a crush on me?"

"Simple. Has Hajime ever asked about your home life? If you look like your character? Or even your real first name?"

"No. I always assumed it was because he wouldn't want to know someone like me…"

"That's wrong."

"And how do you know that?"

"Listen. I know Hajime. The only reason he wouldn't ask you any of this, well over two years of being friends, is actually the opposite. He's actually scared, and doesn't ask anything about you because he's afraid he'll scare you off."

"That's ridiculous." Nagito cut in. "He doesn't have anything to fear from me."

"…"

"Come on, am i that scary?"

"It's not you."

"…?" Nagito tilt his head, confused.

"He's… always struggled with being average. So even if he did like you, and he does, he won't say anything because he's too afraid you won't like who he really is. In short, he thinks he's not good enough for you."

"That's ridiculous!"

"… didn't you just tell me the same thing?"

"I…well…" He knew he had no argument for that.

"This is the only reason why i decided to tell you. Because i love you both dearly, but neither of you will do anything unless something changes."

Once again, he knew Chiaki was right.

It was a little comforting to know that his friend had the same fear, but it didn't lessen his own anxiety.

Would he like him? Should he reveal that he knows the others name? No that was a stupid idea. Should he ask the other first? It was so confusing.

Different thoughts and questions were flying around in his mind, but it was hard to focus on just one.

But both boys were thinking along the same lines with one unanimous thought.

'I really want him to like me…'

END OF CHAPTER:

Perhaps the most addictive game/s i've ever played is the Danganronpa series.

I saw the DR1 anime first, then i was like 'whoa there are games?!' and from there, i've been firmly hooked ever since. It's been a good few years now, and i regret absolutely nothing.

There was a lot less focus on both the VR game and the chapters prompts then i originally intended.

Cya next chapter :)

Tairulz