It came as a direct in-game message that no one else could see. It was Endrance. "Haseo, did you get the thing I sent you?"
Confused, Haseo currently solo grinding in the fields of x immediately returned to Mac Anu to check his email. Doing so, he only found an assortment of spam, including chiding emails from Pi, video game newsletters, and his recent figurine purchase receipts. With the Sage Palace tournament his only focus, Haseo only took the time to answer those in his immediate tournament circle. With his incredible performance and versatility, Endrance was his key for his success in this tournament with Atoli being a close second. Atoli typically sent direct messages only though, while Endrance preferred to send emails, messages, and even letters. Haseo knew if Endrance sent something through email it meant he wanted to talk about something serious and didn't want game logs of the conversation.
Finishing his scan over his email for anything from Endrance, he sent back, "I don't see anything."
"I sent you a package through the mail. Just a little something for the holidays and our total domination."
Oh, right. Christmas is around the corner. The rogue twinged with embarrassment upon realization he had selfishly spent the majority of his monthly cash from his dad on figurines just yesterday. It's not like he had family to celebrate with; his parents were overseas in Germany for the year. All the boy thought about was The World or the newly released limited edition scantily clad 1/7 complete figurine scales of bunny girls.
Stricken with guilt but not responding, the player of Haseo, Ryou, put down his controller and headset. Putting on his slippers, Ryou left his single-room apartment and sauntered to the landlord's office to see if Endrance's package came in. It felt weird to receive something from someone he met over the internet, but he knew Endrance, or Kaoru, lived in Tokyo like himself. One day when talking about other video games, Kaoru touted he had a whole room filled with video games he finished playing and was willing to send some Ryou's way if he gave him his address. The next week after exchanging information, the teenager received six boxes full of Playstation games and a newfound esteem for the dethroned emperor.
Nonetheless, admittedly, Haseo had been talking to Endrance more than anyone else in his life for a few months now. It kind of became a thing for the two boys to routinely talk about their next match, what weakness they needed to focus on, or power leveling. It wasn't a bad thing, he reflected. It was what needed to be done to get closer to investigating AIDA and saving Shino.
His package did come in, meaning the selfish teen would have to return the favor...next month. Kicking the door shut with his foot, Ryou stared at the return address for a second before ripping open the palm-sized parcel. There was a letter and an official miniature generic, unpainted prototype twin blade inside. His attention was on the letter that began with his moniker.
"Haseo, ever since I met you, I never felt this insatiable excitement to play the World. When we talk, fight, or level together, my heart endlessly pounds to the point of insanity."
While he did always find it weird, Ryou was desensitized to Endrance's fond language at this point. He always figured Kaoru was passionately committed to roleplaying Endrance's romantic, fanciful character since the guy spent 17+ hours a day playing the game. As for Kaoru's living situation, Ryou figured he was probably a NEET but never brought it up out of fear of hurting his feelings. Besides, it was none of his business. The highschooler did consider the responsibility-free lifestyle whenever he attended classes and wondered what Endrance was doing at the time.
In any case, the thought was nice. It was nice that somebody out there enjoyed spending time with the loner highschooler. Even if it was a NEET that devoted his time to a video game character. He wouldn't mind visiting the guy for real life adventures.
It continued. "But, as you may have figured now, I'm a good-for-nothing freeloader-a heavy burden to my family. I'm sorry to say this to you, Haseo, but I've not long for The World. But I'm so glad to have met you. The figure enclosed is a meaningless gesture of my gratitude. Endrance."
What. A wave of panic crashed into him when he read over the last couple of lines over and over again, thinking he misread or misunderstood. Each reread was shallower and shallower; he eventually flipped the letter to its backside. Nothing. There was nothing else on the back or in the box other than the figure and letter.
Abruptly, Ryou donned his headset and grabbed his controller to confront the guy. Endrance was AFK. It was 7 PM, meaning Kaoru was picking up his take out right now and coming back home, but the guy should be back any second. He normally ate at his computer. Ryou silently cringed for knowing such creepy information, but his worry took the forefront.
He sent the message anyway. "Hey, I got your thing. But what did you mean by you aren't meant for the world anymore?"
Agony built up with each passing second. This was torture. Ryou eventually gave up after a minute or two and angrily pitched his controller to the floor. On screen, Haseo darted to the left and eventually hit a nearby wall and maintained a perpetual run. The thoughts were surging as Ryou watched his avatar run in place. What if he didn't get food? What if instead he… no. No. No.
Fear overwhelmed the boy. As he agonized and considered the worst possible scenarios, he came to the conclusion that he had to do something NOW. Then it dawned on him.
The return address.
Glancing over at the ripped paper that covered the box, Ryou launched himself at it and began to stitch the torn pieces together to reveal Kaoru's address. The anxiety-stricken boy scribbled the address down and then realized how close his friend was. Putting on his unkempt navy hoodie and slippers, Ryou left the game and apartment and headed towards the subway.
It's here. Ryou nervously ran his fingers through his disheveled hair and cupped a hand to waft his questionable breath. It didn't occur to the boy until he arrived at his destination that he may look like a train wreck. This was going to be the first in-person meeting, and Endrance was probably going to think he was a disgusting slob. He didn't look a thing like cool Haseo; he definitely was going to be disappointed. God-why was he even comparing himself to his virtual character? Eugh. Listening to his doubtful whispers echoing through his head, Ryou stared at the front door of the first-floor apartment. Nevertheless, his hand, without command, lifted itself to the door.
He had to know. He had to know Endrance was in there.
"Hello," a familiar voice called out to him from behind. A lanky male with straight, white hair that reached the end of his pale, porcelain nape approached with a plastic bag filled with a styrofoam takeout box in one hand. He wore a long-sleeved button up white shirt and solid black skinny pants. He placed his free hand on his hip. "Can I help you?"
Without thinking, it happened. Ryou threw his arms around him, drew him close and cried out, "It's me, Haseo."
His plastic bag containing his food dropped to the ground. Kaoru's arms were constricted by Ryou's embrace. "Haseo? Why are you here? Why are you crying?"
The teen pulled back and looked straight up into the other boy's confused eyes. "Don't kill yourself! I can't imagine a world without you. Please, don't leave me."
"I'm… Not? I'm not sure what-"
"I love you. Okay? Is that what you want me to say? I love you." He didn't know why he said that. Impulsively, he wanted to mimic Endrance's romantic talk but of course it all came out wrong. He couldn't pass for bewitching, attractive Endrance for a moment. He couldn't act like the cool, calm Haseo either. It didn't matter. None of it mattered if he was going to die.
Kaoru placed both his hands firmly on Ryou's shoulders and pushed him back an arm's length.
The teenager didn't break the eye contact. He muttered, "I saw your letter. You said that you weren't meant for this world any longer."
Kaoru took a moment to process the statement with wide, surprised eyes. He then slowly raised a hand to his forehead and looked away. "Oh. Oh…"
A smile unfurled across his pale visage upon realization. He spoke slowly, "I said 'I've not long for the World' as in the game. I'm not a... rounin-sei anymore. I-I've retaken the college entrance exam after three long years of attempts and passed; I'm enrolling in Tokyo University this fall. I won't have time to play as much as you want me to."
Rage enveloped him. He forcefully punched Kaoru's shoulder and gritted his teeth. The boy growled, "Why couldn't you had said that sooner?"
Dropping his eyes and covering his face, he seethed, "Why do you always have to confuse me with your words?! Here I am in real life and you're sending me real life mail as Endrance!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to confuse you," he calmly stated. "It… was embarrassing to talk about. I wanted to ease into it. It was hard for me to tell you I can't play much anymore. I was afraid you'd be angry."
Still in his hands, Ryou replied in a dry voice, "Why is it hard? Have I ever gotten mad at you for anything?"
"I'm sorry."
Ryou lifted his gaze to the other male who had a gentle but pained smile. Kaoru wasn't clean or pristine like Endrance; he had dark bags under his eyes, a chin-to neck-stratiation of light stubble, and unruly white hair. This was the pretty boy that sent him all those doting, fawning messages. This was the guy he would spend nights with him just to power level and get better equipment. This was the same guy that sent him six boxes of video games at a moment's notice. Ryou never felt so relieved. He extended his arms out and wrapped them around the male again, burying his face into Kaoru's exposed neck.
Kaoru returned the embrace by wrapping his arms around Ryou. He sighed deeply with a smile on his face. "Thanks for checking up on me. Not many people care."
"I don't want to lose anyone else," Ryou answered quietly. "Especially not you."
Meeting eye-to-eye, Ryou withdrew his head to be centimetres away from Kaoru's face. Upon realization what all had happened, the teen's anxiety ushered waves of embarrassment. But, for some reason, Kaoru's eternal smile quelled those panicked thoughts.
Slowly, the older male leaned in. "I'll never leave you, Ryou. I wouldn't be able to even if I wanted to. It's as if fate has decided that there's something between us."
It was unexpected. Ryou felt cracked lips brushing softly against his lips. It felt...right. Riding the wave of surging emotions, the lonely boys found a new adventure to explore.