Just before Temari opened the door to the dorm, the loud conversation on the other side made her pause and open her eyes wide.
"Okay but have you done it yet?"
"N-No, of course not!"
Did I get the right dorm?
"Why not?! Sakura-chan, stop swearing at your screen and back me up here. You don't have to go hard for your first time, Hinata-chan!"
It's the right number and the names are right. But the conversation...
"D-Don't you think it's kind of intimidating?"
"You've got good partners, don't you?"
Unable to resist any more, Temari burst through the door. Tenten and Hinata both looked up at her, startled. "Partners?! Multiple?! What do you need multiple partners for your first time for?! Isn't one enough?"
"Not if you want to run an instanced mission without dying," Tenten replied, staring at Temari's red face. "Hey Temari-chan, what's up?"
"A-are you okay?" Hinata got up, concerned.
"Mission..." Temari said blankly, "You guys were talking about gaming?
Tenten narrowed her eyes at her."What did you think we meant?"
"... you know what. Nevermind. Just ignore me," Temari felt vaguely ashamed of her gutter brain, so she tried to wave it off by turning to their last roommate buried in a corner, "Hey Sakura-chan, what are you muttering at?"
"People are calling me names on the internet," Sakura pouted.
"Like that's anything new for you," Tenten teased her.
Sakura threw a pillow at her. "This time it's got nothing to do with me! I blame Meister!"
"What happened?" Temari went over, concerned.
"People are calling me cruel and sadistic for the ending to our video. Saying putting such a cute beginning with such a hopelessly painful ending like that is just abusing the viewers," Sakura complained, "But I didn't even write the ending! Meister changed it on me, but he still put me down as the writer!"
"Oh the video's out with the new ending? Whoo hoo! Let me see, let me see!" Tenten jumped to her laptop. Hinata drew up to her computer to look as well.
Tenten whistled, impressed."Oh wow, that's a looooot of votes for what's essentially a nonsensical melodrama, Sakura-chan. And you only posted this last night!"
"Th-the editing quality is really good," Hinata already had one earbud in, "Wh-what about the changed ending though?"
"Ask her," Sakura tilted her chin to Tenten.
"It was so hard to keep the secret! But judging from the comments, it paid off," Tenten grinned, not at all abashed, "Just watch it! I'm not going to spoil it for you."
"Is this the cheesy romance video you were filming to spite the girl who stole your in-game husband and then made fun of you in her video?" Temari sat back, not concerned anymore. Instead, she rolled her eyes at Sakura, "I thought your current in-game husband beat up your ex-husband for you because of that. Don't you think it's overkill?"
"We didn't film the video to spite her," Sakura protested, but then grinned, "but it won't hurt my feelings if we beat her."
(￣ω￣)
"Sai, are you listening to me?!" Sai winced as he held the phone away for his ear to protect his eardrums when his girlfriend's pitch reached a new high. Still, he jammed it back between his ear and his shoulder to dutifully respond.
"Yes, I'm still here. I'm still at work though." Sai said as he gathered his discarded work clothes for the laundry and tidied the living room of his apartment.
"Awww baby, you work too hard!" Ami's voice instantly turned sweet and soft. It gave him the willies. "It would have done you good to come out and have dinner with us tonight. Oh well, next time, okay? I want to show off my amazing, successful boyfriend to all my friends!"
"Mm, next time," Sai agreed.
"It would've made me more cheerful to have you here. I can't believe SakuraBlossom's catching up to us so quickly? How's that a love story, anyways?"
"I don't know either." I only started this whole relationship thing because you asked nicely.
"Boy meets girl, boy leaves girl, boy kills girl. Bleh! Ours was so much more romantic!"
"Mmm," I don't even remember what our video was about.
"And they forced us to take down the original video. We lost so many votes with that!"
"Mmm," At least you didn't lose two levels and get humiliated.
"It's so unfair."
"Mmm,"
"You understand me, Sai."
"Mmm."
"But what are we going to do now? I really want that rainbow colour suit…"
"Mmm."
"Why don't you… resolve it the way you always solve problems?"
Since Sai wasn't standing in front of her right now, he didn't resist the urge to roll his eyes. So this is why she called me. If that's all she wanted, she could've just sent me a text.
"Pretty please, Sai?"
None of his exasperation leaked into his voice. Still as gentle as ever, he responded. "Of course. I'll handle it."
(￣︿￣)
For the first time in a while, Sakura logged in to Way of the Ninja with no plans to play with anyone else, just so she could get started on gathering for her super-secret project. Before she could go too far, though, Chun_Lee caught up with her.
I haven't talked to CL in a while. I wonder what's up? I did tell the clan I'd be busy for the next couple of months to prepare for the tournament.
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Sakura!
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Hey! What's up?
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: I'm enjoying being young and beautiful ;)
Sakura laughed at the old joke.
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Haha of course
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: you're our clan's #1 beauty after all
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Urgh, not anymore
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: at least not since UWUKasumi joined the clan
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: She went off on me being disrespectful to Ami, since she's ACTUALLY got the title of server beauty
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Rude!
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: When did she join? She's not nearly a good enough player to meet the level requirements
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: And is that title real?
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Oh ages ago
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: She joined when UWUAmi married into the clan
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: The whole family did
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Oh jeez
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: And yes, that title's actually real
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Although UWUAmi doesn't use it since it's too embarrassing
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: But she won it fair and square from the irl picture contest
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: So she popped it at her clan introduction
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Right that was a thing
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: You should have entered, I'm sure you would have won
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Hehe 3
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Of course
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Ami and Fuki aren't that bad
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: But that Kasumi….
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Well, if I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say anything lol
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: At least they don't make a ruckus
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: And she and Fries seem to be pretty happy together
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Hey, you know they're going out in person right?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: yeah, that's why we got divorced
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: I got couples pics of them irl, wanna see?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Nah
Sakura didn't even think before she turned CL's offer down. She had no interest in Fries' real life, and seeing his picture crossed the boundary she always had between her game life and her real life.
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: lololololololol
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Speaking of Fries…
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: He wanted me to ask you…
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: …
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Wait first promise me you won't get mad at me
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: ?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Tell me what it is first
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: …
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Oh fine
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: He asked me to ask you how much money it would cost for you guys to take down the video.
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: You know, the [Finding Love in the Way of the Ninja] Contest
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: …
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: …
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: …
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Don't be mad, Sakura, you know how he is
Shannaro! He has some damn nerve! Sakura was a bit outraged by his cheek. Even without considering the tiny grudge she'd held over Fries and Ami's video, Fries probably wasn't willing to pay what their work was worth. Then again, he's always been like that. It's like the guy thinks money covers a multitude of sins, and time, effort, and sincerity mean nothing.
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Pft if he can afford me
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: It's not like I lack money
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: woah, really Sakura?
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: You don't seem like a rich kid
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: I try to keep it lowkey
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: If he can't afford at least 5k tell him to go away
In her heart, Sakura apologized to her working-class parents who owned a bakery, but she was determined to make Fries pay a high price for his nerve. Looks like Meister's beat down wasn't enough.
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: 5k!?
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: I think he was thinking more like max 500
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Forget it, lol
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: tbh I didn't want to ask anyways, but he seems to really like Ami
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: and Ami really wants the [All The Hues in the Rainbow Suit]
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: You big softy
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: I really am
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: … You're really not mad at me?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Not you
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: And not mad, not really
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: … You don't still have a thing for Fries, right?
Why does everyone think I liked him?! We were just married, okay?! Sakura scowled.
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: how'd your brain go there?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: There was no 'thing' in the first place
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: We had a marriage of convenience, remember?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Besides, I have Meister now
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Pft show off~
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: How's it going with him?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: It's a little stressful
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Tournament's soon, but we're nowhere near intimacy cap, even with our multiplier
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: And we're both going to get busy soon
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: I think we might have to try the impossible couples mission to make it in time
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: You guys are going to try the [Love Across Time and Space] Chain Mission?!
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: But no one's beaten it, ever!
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Like ever ever, in the history of Way, ever
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: We haven't tried yet ;)
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: I believe in us
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Woaaaaaaaaaaaah
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Pf have you never heard of show your love, die sooner?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: We're not in love!
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: We're .. compatriots
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: With a common goal
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: at least in gaming
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: pf right
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Because you totally beat the fluff of your compatriot's ex-husband
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: What are you going to do after the tournament?
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Any plans to meet in person?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: … I don't know
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Woah, it's not an immediate rejection? From you, that's practically a declaration of love
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Is he in Konohagakure too?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: I think so?
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: Based on things he and his static have let drop
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: But I haven't really asked
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Man you guys are so lucky!
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: I wish I could meet you guys in person
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: You'll just have to hitchhike down here some day
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Maybe I will!
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: But not today - gotta run
[Whisper] Chun_Lee: Seeya Sakura-chan!
[Whisper to Chun_Lee] SakuraBlossom: bye
I hadn't really thought about what came after the tournament. They'd been spending so much time in-game trying to max out intimacy levels, and she still had school and her summer internship to worry about. The tournament was scheduled to overlap with her last month of classes after midterm exams ended, with the all-server final about a week before her first final.
If we get that far in the first place, Sakura smiled at her own confidence. Should I ask him if he wants to meet up? No, that's too weird. Still… Her heart ached a little at the thought of fading out of each other's lives just like that. I can't believe this person whose face I've never seen is someone has become so important.
I just have to make sure he remembers me, Sakura made up her mind. With renewed vigour, she set off to get started on her super-secret project.
(￣▽￣)
"Are you still playing?" Temari came back to the dorm one day during midterms to find Sakura shrouded in darkness, her face made ghastly pale by the glowing screen. "Turn on a light, you're going to hurt your eyes!"
Temari turned on the lights herself. The sudden brightness made her wince, but Sakura didn't even flinch. "Thanks Temari-chan. Could you grab me the cup noodles by the kettle? The water should be boiled by now."
"You shouldn't be eating that crap. Go eat actual food," Temari sighed, but she went over to the electric kettle in the bathroom, only to find that the water was already tepid. "Sakura-chan! How long has it been since you last ate?"
"Huh?" Sakura finally looked up from her game. Before she could say anything else though, her stomach rumbled loudly.
"Honestly," Temari shook her head as she turned the kettle back on. Considering the one open container of cup ramen on the counter, she hesitated for a moment, but pulled out another from her closet. It's just once! She promised herself. As she waited for the water to boil, she started talking to Sakura again.
"If you keep eating this stuff, you're going to get fat," Temari admonished her.
"I run every morning, I won't get fat," Sakura replied, "You guys should come with me sometime. The track's nearby, and it's not too crowded in the mornings."
"With the way you run? No way," Temari shuddered just thinking about it, "Besides, our midterms are starting soon, and I haven't finished our assignment for next week. Not all of us are like you and can put gaming before schoolwork."
"I'm done with my revision and all my assignments are done," Sakura protested, "I'm taking a well-deserved break!"
"Can I see your proof for Linear Algebra 2?" Temari asked, perking up a little, "Shika was too lazy to explain it to me properly."
"Sure, but write out your own answer and don't look at mine when you're working on it. It's in the second drawer of my desk," Sakura said.
"Don't worry, I just need to figure out what theorem to use," Temari reassured her as she went over to rummage around. While she was at Sakura's desk, she noticed a new green addition to her desk. Curious, Temari touched the soil, "Have you been watering your cactus every day? You're going to kill it by overwatering it!"
"Huh?" Sakura blinked. "I'm just watering it when the soil gets dry."
"You don't need to water these more than once a week during the growing season. You can even leave it alone for a few months with no problems. Trust the desert girl when it comes to cactuses, Sakura-chan. Cactuses are very low maintenance."
"Gotcha. Thanks Temari-chan!"
"When did you get a cactus, anyways?"
"Oh, when Tenten-chan and I went shopping to cheer Hinata up after we found out she and I failed the ROOT interview. We went to the flea market," Sakura said absently.
"Ah…," Temari snuck a peek at Sakura, but she didn't seem to be bothered by failing the interview at all. Hinata though… "How did Hina-chan take it?"
"She was a bit down. We told you about her asshole cousin and how she turned down the internship he just shoved at her, right?"
"Oh yeah… at the beginning of the term?"
"Yeah. So she really wants to prove herself to her family this summer."
"Well, she's got plenty of time. You only need 12 weeks to call it an internship, right? So you guys have technically until the end of May to find a job. That's a whole month after the end of term, and you know with five exams over three weeks, we'll have some free time on campus anyways."
"I know that. But Hinata's worried."
"Are you planning on finding an internship in Konohagakure? What about your parents?"
"Yeah, that's the goal. I booked an earlier train back on the first day after the exam period ends so I can spend a couple of weeks with them in April if I do get an internship. And if I don't...," Sakura trailed off and grimaced, "Well, it's not like I have a boyfriend or anyone keeping me here."
"Hey what about us!?" Temari protested, "We won't get to hang out at all if you go back that early! It'll be a whole four months before we see each other again!"
"All we've done in the past semester's post exam period is go out, get bubble tea and fried chicken, and go shopping. I'm totally broke, remember?" When Temari opened her mouth to offer to lend her money, Sakura hurriedly spoke over her, "Besides, next semester Shikamaru-senpai won't be here anymore, so you'll be around more often. We can hang out then."
"Fine," Temari made a face at her, "But we're going shopping before then so you can help me pick clothes. You always have the stupidest luck with deals."
When she saw the hesitant look on Sakura's face, she added, "After your game tournament is done. I know you, Miss Responsible Scholarship student, you'd never schedule a game tournament in the exam period. C'mon! I haven't gone out with you all semester!"
"Okay fine, twist my arm. But I'll end up just being the bag carrier," Sakura complained.
"I will treat everyone to dinner if you do, okay?" Temari offered, "Oh don't give me that face, Sakura-chan, you know I do at least once a semester, except someone's been avoiding going out because of her gaming addiction."
"I don't have a gaming addiction, I have a tournament to prepare for!" Sakura protested, but when Temari gave her that look again, she gave in, "Oh fine. Thank you, Temari-chan, you're the best."
"Thank me by finding me the perfect cashmere sweater for under $100 again," Temari snorted, but she smiled when she got Sakura's agreement. "How's that tournament going, anyways? That's with your in-game husband, right? You've been spending a lot of time with him - you guys aren't online dating, are you?"
"No! Geez Temari-chan!" Sakura overreacted. "I don't know what he looks like or what his real life circumstances are. He might not even be a guy! That's not enough to start a relationship with!"
Temari raised an eyebrow when she saw Sakura's red cheeks. The lady doth protest too much."I didn't think you were the superficial type, Sakura-chan. You've probably spent more time talking with this guy in game than I have with Shika this semester. You must have a good idea of his character and values, and interests and whatever by now."
"That's because you guys have been dating too long so you don't feel the need to chat any more," Sakura muttered, but she didn't refute the first half of Temari's statement.
"Hey, we're talking about your relationship here, not mine," Temari shook a finger at her.
"There is no relationship!" Sakura protested. "I haven't even met the guy!"
"But would you want to?" Temari asked seriously, "You've put in all this time during the tournament and this video and whatever, you can't just throw it away afterwards."
"Well…," Sakura paused. The struggle in her heart showed on her face.
I shouldn't push her too hard, Temari sighed and put one hand on her shoulder, "Think about it later - our noodles are going to get soggy if we wait much longer."
(ｏ・_・)ノ"(ノ_、)
Sakura was still thinking about it a week later, even while she was supposed to be focused on her couple's mission with Meister.
[Couple] System: Oh no! You've killed one of the imperial guards sent by the daimyo. When Heitaro-san reaches the capital to appeal to the daimyo to spare his willow wife, he will be put to death for the crime of attempted murder of an imperial guard.
[Couple] System: Would you like to reset this challenge? Type Y to agree, N to quit
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: URGH slkdjfha
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Sorry .
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: nw
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: Are you okay?
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Yeah I'm fine
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Just a bit distracted
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: sorry, I know you're busy and we're overtime
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: I can do this one on my own
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Just afk do whatever you need to
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: It's OK
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: But if you want to try it yourself, go ahead
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Yeah I think I will.
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Y
[Couple] System: Heitaro-san requests your help to protect his willow wife. His wife is the spirit of the tree, and if the tree is chopped down, she will perish! However, the daimyo has demanded each village provide the best timber possible. Protect Heitaro-san's willow wife as he goes to the capital to beg the daimyo to spare the large tree at the front of the village.
[Couple] System: However, since the imperial guards were sent by the daimyo, you absolutely cannot kill any of them! Otherwise, Heitaro-san will be charged with conspiracy to murder an imperial guard.
[Couple] System: Keep the guards distracted so they don't chop into the willow, but don't kill any in the time it takes for Heitaro-san to reach the capital.
[Couple] System: The imperial guards are approaching
Shannaro! Focus, you idiot, Sakura scolded herself and buckled down to complete this annoying task. Now I understand why you get so many intimacy points by completing this task. For most couples, one would heal and the other would kite, but since the imperial guards were so squishy, the window for healing was very narrow. As she got into the rhythm of the event, though, Sakura realized that at her level, it was easier to do this solo, since she could control both damage output and healing output. Meister's just too damn strong for his own good.
She didn't even notice that Meister had gone up to a nearby rooftop to avoid drawing aggro, nor that they had company, until she heard the sound for two defeated opponents. Shannaro! No way I accidentally killed one of the guards. Distracted, she checked the chat. She didn't see the failure message, but she did see something else that made her laugh.
[Here] OldRamenMan: What are you doing up here?
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Couples mission
[Here] Beowulf69: Huh?
[Here] Beowulf69: lololol
[Here] Beowulf69: It looks like 3SIL's doing the work and you're sponging xp off her
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Benefits of having a wife
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: You slackers wouldn't understand
[Here] Beowulf69: HEY
[Here] OldRamenMan: Oy!
[Here] System: Sm1rkMeister has accepted a 1v2 duel challenge from Beowulf69 and OldRamenMan
[Here] System: Sm1rkMeister wins!
[Here] Beowulf69: *******
[Couple] System: Heitaro-san's about to return with the daimyo's stay of execution. One of you should help escort him through the soldiers!
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Could you?
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: Of course, mdw
That appellation always made Sakura's heart tremble a little. It's just a joke, Sakura, get yourself together. Don't screw up this mission now. She refocused on her task.
[Here] Beowulf69: Yo, where are you going, *******?
[Here] Beowulf69: Come res us!
[Here] Beowulf69: SM!RK YOU ******
[Couple] System: Heitaro-san has made it through the crowd and presented the Daimyo's stay of execution to the imperial guards!
[Couple] System: Congratulations! You have successfully completed this couples mission! 20,000 intimacy points (base 10,000 points plus a bonus 10,000 thanks to your couples karma) will be rewarded.
Sakura sat back in her chair with a sigh of relief. Finally!
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: gj
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: ty ^^
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Only 20K points though…
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: sorry I got busy
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: I thought we'd have enough time
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: dw about it
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: irl stuff is more important
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Good thing you rerolled that multiplier for us, though
In a dorm room not too far away from where Sakura was, a certain someone felt a twinge of conscience. So he changed the subject.
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: Should we go for the [Love Across Time and Space] Mission?
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: I can make time next Saturday
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Are you sure?
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: If we fail, we've wasted a lot of time when both of us are busy
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: believe in us
Is it that simple? Sakura wondered. As much as she'd shown off confidently to CL before, she was still hesitant. But it's Meister. If anyone could do it, we could.
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: OK
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Let's do it
[Here] Beowulf69: Now can you come up here and res us?
[Here] Beowulf69: Geez
[Here] Beowulf69: Idiot couples just lost in their own world of two
[Here] SakuraBlossom: It's been so long you could just waypoint and run back here
[Here] SakuraBlossom: idiot yourself
[Here] Beowulf69: Hey 3SIL
[Here] Beowulf69: We were defending your honor and teaching Sm1rk a lesson for you
[Here] Beowulf69: he should do his part!
[Here] SakuraBlossom: I can teach my own husband
Sakura's fingers froze on the enter key, and her face turned bright red when she read what she'd just sent. Whyyyyy isn't there a takebacksies button?! She wanted to slowly bang her head against her keyboard. That's what I get for bantering with the guys! Dammit!
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: exactly, wife
[Here] Beowulf69: …
[Here] OldRamenMan: …
[Here] Beowulf69: I hate you both
[Here] OldRamenMan: Forget it, we can't get involved in other family's problems
[Announcement] System: The [Finding Love in the Way of the Ninja] contest has ended! The Winners have been decided!
[Here] SakuraBlossom: Oh I didn't realize they'd be announcing this in-game
[Announcement] System: SakuraBlossom and Sm1rkMeister's video, "On Living" has won!
[Announcement] System: Congratulations to both players!
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: woah we actually won!
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: of course we did
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: gj, mdw
Sakura had stopped paying attention to the voting when she'd gotten annoyed by people scolding her for being cruel and sadistic. Tenten had kept her up to date on the voting progress, but she hadn't realized that voting ended today.
A ping announced that she had mail, and a flashy rainbow mail carrier appeared on her screen, delivering her prize. Eagerly, Sakura opened it up and immediately rummaged through all the prizes.
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Worth adding the flashbacks
[Here] SakuraBlossom: WOW that's a lot of gold
[Here] Beowulf69: Yo where are our royalty fees?
[Here] SakuraBlossom: Sure
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Don't bother, they didn't do much
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Count it as a meeting gift
[Here] Beowulf69: What meeting gift, we've know 3SIL for months now
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Be glad I'm not charging you interest
[Here] Beowulf69: You ***hole
[Here] OldRamenMan: Never mind that, didn't you guys get a couples outfit with the package?
[Here] Beowulf69: Oh yeahhhhh
[Here] Beowulf69: try them on, go be all matchy matchy
[Here] Beowulf69: my sister does that to her three dogs
Sakura ignored Kiba's jeering. I wonder what's so special about the All the Hues of the Rainbow outfit that Ami wanted it so badly. Fries was even willing to pay real money for it. When she put on the outfit, she realized that not only was it a gorgeous, highly detailed, and incredibly revealing wedding gown, complete with a shimmering veil, she could also change the colours at will. Fascinated, she cycled through all the colours available. It really is every hue of the rainbow.
[Here] Beowulf69: Woah that's insane
[Here] Beowulf69: No wonder it's a limited prize, can you image the GPU overload if everyone had that outfit?
[Here] OldRamenMan: Oi
[Here] OldRamenMan: You look really good 3SIL
[Here] OldRamenMan: Yo Sm1rk, what are you waiting for?
[Here] Beowulf69: Yeah I want to see
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Go away
[Here] OldRamenMan: Not until you show us
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: We can wait until they're gone, but I'd really like to see it
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: …
Sakura nearly fell out of her chair when Meister's avatar suddenly changed into a dazzling tuxedo, complete with a natty top hat. She enjoyed the eye candy as the outfit changed from a brilliant red, to a burnt orange, to a sunshine yellow, to a bright blue, to a deep indigo, and ending on the elegant violet colour. Sakura blushed a bit when she realized that they now matched, since they both stopped on the last violet colour.
[Here] Beowulf69: yooooooooo
[Here] Beowulf69: That was only six colours
[Here] Beowulf69: Where's the last one?
[Here] Beowulf69: There's no way they ****ed up the rainbow
[Here] OldRamenMan: You report it to the devs
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: It's not like I'm going to wear it again anyways
[Here] Beowulf69: Waaaaaaat
[Here] Beowulf69: No, you gotta match with 3SIL
[Here] Sm1rkMeister: Old couples like us don't need any stupid gimmicks
Old couples? Sakura put her hands on her incredibly hot cheeks to try and cool down her embarrassment. In an attempt to dispel her embarrassment, she even covered her eyes so she wouldn't see her stupid grin in the reflection on her monitor. She nearly missed Sm1rk's last message.
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: I need to go now
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: See you next weekend for [Love across Time and Space] mission?
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: …
[Couple] Sm1rkMeister: Sakura?
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Sorry!
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Yes
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: Let's try it next weekend
[Couple] SakuraBlossom: See you later ^_^
[Couple] System: Your husband Sm1rkMeister is now offline
I should probably log off, too. Sakura mused. Just before she logged off, though, Wulf and Old Man's conversation caught her eye.
[Here] Beowulf69: I FIGURED IT OUT
[Here] Beowulf69: It's marked in the book on his desk
[Here] OldRamenMan: What, the pink one?
[Here] Beowulf69: No, not Icha Icha Innocence
[Here] Beowulf69: Business Customs across the world
[Here] SakuraBlossom: ?
[Here] OldRamenMan: What about it?
[Here] Beowulf69: The suit comes with a top hat, right?
[Here] Beowulf69: and Smirk skipped the green suit, right?
[Here] OldRamenMan: Yeah, so?
[Here] OldRamenMan: Get to the point already
[Here] Beowulf69: In certain parts of the world
[Here] Beowulf69: "wearing a green hat" means that the wearer is being cheated on by his partner
[Here] Beowulf69: THAT'S why he didn't try on the green colour
[Here] OldRamenMan: … Seriously?
[Here] OldRamenMan: That guy takes things he reads in books too seriously
[Here] Beowulf69: Nah, he just likes 3SIL that much
[Here] Beowulf69: eh, 3SIL?
[Here] Beowulf69: eh?
[Here] Beowulf69: eh?
[Here] Beowulf69: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh?
[Here] SakuraBlossom: You're probably thinking too much
[Here] SakuraBlossom: He probably just accidentally skipped over it and was too lazy to go back
[Here] OldRamenMan: Nah, Sm1rk never makes mistakes like that
[Here] SakuraBlossom: It could happen
[Here] Beowulf69: No way, he's just really into you
[Here] Beowulf69: Why else would he be reading Icha Icha Innocence all of a sudden?
[Here] Beowulf69: This guy never cared about romance before
[Here] SakuraBlossom: ….
[Here] SakuraBlossom: I told you, thinking too much
[Here] SakuraBlossom: I g2g. See you guys
[Here] Beowulf69: 3SIL don't run away from his feelings!
[Here] OldRamenMan: hang on
[Here] OldRamenMan: It should be
[Here] OldRamenMan: 3SIL don't run away from your feelings!
What a bunch of dorks, Sakura chuckled a bit at the antics as she finally logged off. She could feel her face heating up again, though. I wonder what their dorm room's like. Must be chaos if Wulf snoops through Meister's books, though. I kind of want to see it.
Sakura paused when she realized exactly what she'd thought. She wanted to meet them. She wanted to get to know them as real people and not just avatars on the screens and jokes in chat. She waited for the vague clench of alienation and uneasiness she usually got when she thought of meeting her game friends in real life and felt…
Nothing. Except a little flutter of anticipation.
Maybe I should ask for an offline meet...
Naruto and Kiba with the wingman action... I think it's working XD
*cough* IT'S ALIVE! I'm alive! Well, barely. Basically stuff happened - I moved, my computer broke, turns out I can't fix it because McAfee is a PITA (I hate McAfee. Never buying them again on principle) and locked my bios, so I spent way too much money on a gaming laptop (I did spring for an RTX2060, which is part of the reason I spent too much money. I only play one game that doesn't even use the tech, but by golly, I'm going to spend on it anyways. What else are annual bonuses for? Don't learn from my example kids). And then sh*t hit the fan at work and I've spent the past few weeks working until midnight. And then I got sick. Still need to work Monday, but at least I don't have that many client deadlines breathing down my neck any more, thank GOD. ANYWAYS.
Thank you to all the lovelies who reached out and non-demandingly reminded me there are still people here who want to keep reading - you guys are the best. I hope this was a satisfying chapter to come back to - it's a bit of a smorgasbord - a bit of set-up, a bit of shenanigans, a bit of dog food (what CNovels call PDA), and whole lotta pain in the butt to localize. Especially the green hat bit. I want to keep writing this, but to be perfectly honest, if I don't manage to get one together over my Christmas break, it might have to wait until February because January is always hell on earth in my line of work. I haven't forgotten it and I still want to write it, but some days it's a choice between writing and sleep, unfortunately, and I need the sleep because Sseep-deprived LScore makes no sense. Thank you to Reglee who beta-ed the chapter! As always, reviews, comments, kudos, favourites, bookmarks, and snow angels dyed with food colouring always make my day. Stay safe and see you soon (I hope)!