Welcome to "The World"
Daisuke wiped the dust from his headgear and viewed the orange, sunburst desktop through the display screen. Down the side were icons highlighted with 'New', and he first checked his inbox. His breath hitched at the pages of unopened mail, all from a single user: Elk
I know you're not reading these, but...I suppose that's why I can send these. You won't judge me-not that you ever have! Um... thank you for being a true friend, unlike me. I'm sorry for always being a burden. It's just that...well...I keep losing everything, and I didn't want to lose you, too!
The thing is, is that...well...
*sigh* Why won't you log on?! Do you hate me?!
The last message sent was from months ago, but after meeting in person, these one-sided conversations probably seemed pointless. Yasuhiko hadn't been kidding when he said he was sorely missed in the virtual world.
After clicking through a few more messages, he found himself in his red attire once more. His bright blue eyes opened to the familiar European-style town, the glowing Chaos Gate revolving behind him. Brown boots clicked against the stone surface of the Delta Server, acoustic guitar plucking in the background. He stopped to admire the glittering water that flowed beneath the bridge and into a sea of blue and white pixels.
He made his way past the illuminated Magic Shop and down the alleyway. It didn't take long for him to notice the blue-clothed character sitting along the edge of the dock, his feet grazing the surface of the liquid. Heaving a sigh, he rested his elbows on his knees and supported his heavy head in his gloved hands.
The red player took the spot beside him, but didn't speak until their eyes met several moments later.
"...—Eh?!..." his red eyes widened to rubies, his pale skin somehow becoming whiter, "...I-Is that really you?!"
The teen, however, only turned back towards the scenery and let the artificial breeze blow back his turquoise-colored bangs.
"...Why haven't you been at school?" his focus was on the sky, its clouds passing in a continuous loop. It was hard to remember this was all a game.
"...W-What?"
"Why haven't you been at school? Everyone's worried about you."
Silence filled the gaps in their conversation.
"...How'd you find me?"
"It wasn't hard to guess. You and Mia used to spend a lot of time here, and if not in this server, you've taken me to a lot of your favorite areas already."
"...I didn't think you'd remember that." Kite finally gazed upon the blue character, his eyes lowered to his lap. Noting his real-life features, he couldn't help but see Kaoru in the design.
"Does this mean...you're worried, too?"
"No." his character sank a little and Kite smirked, "I knew you'd be okay. You've gotten a lot stronger."
"You think?...Yet you expected me to be here...you were looking for me." the red player shrugged.
"I guess you have a point."
Wood creaked in the near distance as characters passed and interacted with their fellow party members. Somewhere in the chatter of new areas and level-raising, he caught mention of a Grunty race.
"...Hey, what happened to Star?" the player perked up at the mention of the horse-like creature he'd helped nurse to adulthood. Blackrose often joked that it was their child and went so far as to ask who the mother in the relationship was.
"I haven't visited her in a while. It didn't feel right without you." Kite stood at the news of their Grunty's neglect and offered his hand to the blue-clad player, "...hm?"
"Let's visit her. I'm sure she misses us!"
Elk hesitantly took his gloved hand and was led to the Chaos Gate, where they warped to the Sigma server, one of Elk's favorites. For some reason, he liked the misty settings and thought the Grunties galloping along the wooden surfaces was entertaining.
The two bypassed the usual Grunties like Johnny and Rayne before finding their star-plated "baby". She neighed just like she had a year ago and ran into the gentler boy's arms. Kite petted her mane and met glances with the second parent.
"...Hey...Kaoru?" Daisuke wasn't speaking as Kite, but as himself, making the address all the more heartfelt, "I want to apologize for how I've been acting. It's not...you I'm angry at...or Yasuhiko or Shouta..."
"...Kite..." was all the blue clad character could muster, the hue of his cheeks matching the redness of the real life Kaoru's.
"Your dad visited my house the other day and said you've been trying to contact me. In fact, at school, Natsume approached me saying the same thing. I didn't want to log back in, but...I don't hate you, Kaoru. In fact, I still consider you a very precious friend of mine. It's just...everything tied to this game...I...want to forget."
"Does it have to do with your father?"
A sad smile graced Kite's lips.
"...Everything seems to boil back down to him, huh? It's pretty pathetic, but...I guess it's true. I guess you could say I used to really look up to him." his voice trailed off, "...Let's just forget about it. I've been trying to."
"...Kite-"
"Hey! Why don't we...play something? For old time's sake?"
"Ah-!" Elk's pale features brightened, "Mm! I have some good area words! Let's invite—"
"No!" Kite interrupted, "Just...the two of us, okay?"
Kite's gloved hand then took Elk's and the two approached the chaos gate donning shy smiles.
"Kite...I...—"
"Let's just have fun, okay? We can talk about what happened later."
Elk gazed admiringly at his Red Knight and sent a firm nod.
"It...it's good to see you again...Daisuke."