[IRL]

[Yuuki's POV]

I couldn't feel any pain, it was always quite jarring but I've gotten so used to that empty feeling. Not to sound like some teenage emo, but that's just how it felt, a sense of pain that most experienced was gone almost entirely, there were very rare moments I felt physical pain unless you count VRMMOs. I wandered the void, staring at various screens, one I had framed for a while now was of last night which really was only a couple of hours ago.

It was of me and Malzeno, or Zeno since I don't think he likes 'Mal' as a nickname, hmph, that'll teach him to call me 'Cupcake'. My face heated up a little before I focused on the image, he was sipping on his green tea, eyes closed in content. I flicked the image left, and now he was looking at me, asking about my sweet tooth with that winning grin of his.

Another picture was of us sitting at the edge of the castle grounds, overlooking the town and the night sky. I knew we flew to our destination soon after that, but sitting there was really relaxing. Sure, I had learned he was a mercenary through and through, even if it was a little worrying at first, knowing how many enemies he had was a little exciting, like an guns-blazing action movie.

Hehe, maybe getting him a leather jacket would be cool.

I ran my fingers down the screen, staring at his face a little longer than expected. He was my age from what he said, his avatar did look a little older than me but Nori's avatar made her appear that way too, guess that's Spriggans for you. He wasn't one of those 'thinks he so cool but is actually edgy' types, I thought he looked 'calm and confident'... yeah, that sounded better.

I smiled warmly, a weird feeling in my chest as I moved away to enter full-dive again. Today was the day but we had to supply ourselves first and foremost. I swear, we're going to carve our names into this world. "Time to roll the dice, sis," I said without thinking of it. I sat down, closing my eyes. "Link Start!"

[Alfheim Online, World Tree City]

I stepped out from the teleport gate with a sigh and stretch, but beside me, my partner in crime was less than pleased. "Grah, why!? I set the brightness to zero!" Malzeno whined while rubbing his eyes to clear the stars as he stumbled forward. "God, this system is out to haunt me..."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, tugging his sleeve to keep him steady. "You'll be fine, come on, we've got window shopping to do!" It was only 09:40 so we had alot of time but that begs the question, what the heck does he do this early on a Saturday?

"Aye, Boss," He cried, blinking to adjust to the city. "Ugh... been a while since I came here... why?"

"It's got the best prices, I fact-checked it too!" I grinned proudly at my research. If we were to succeed, we needed all the info possible. This time, we'll win! "So move your butt, Zeno, we've got prices to steal!"

"Oooh, my specialty," I don't know if that meant he was good at bartering or he was going to steal things. Though from what I've seen it could very well be both.

While we strolled down the streets in search for the shops and NPCs I had jotted down for the best deals on potions and crystals, I thought to ask without really thinking, "Soooo, why are you on so early, didn't you stay on after me?" I had gone offline at just after midnight, but Malzeno was still on.

The ravenette quirked a brow. "Y'know it's taboo to talk about the real world," It was? Oh, well, that's good for me, right? "Eh, what can you gain from my boring life?"

"I doubt it's that dull," Anyone's is when compared to me.

He sighed, rubbing his right eye, "My siblings, had to get them in order while my Mom caught up on some beauty sleep," Malzeno smirked slightly with a huff. "Being the eldest, plus some other things, I had alot on my plate even on a weekend."

"How many siblings do you have?" I was curious now that I didn't think to stop myself, considering how little I knew about him I wanted to know more.

"Hm, counting me there's six, four younger siblings, two brothers, two sisters, one of each are twins," He read off like a script, guess this was a repetitive question. Now, he prodded my forehead with his finger. "I've spilled, what about you?"

"Well... uh," I... wasn't really sure but... I did start this conversation. "I have an older sister, she's like much stronger than me in every way, she led the Sleeping Knights before me, us and our best friend, we were the founding members," It was nice to think about them, hopefully I've done alright keeping their dream alive.

"Please tell me she's not as odd as you?" Malzeno smirked at me as I pouted. This guy...

"What's that supposed to mean?" I huffed as he again patted my head, though it felt really nice it was really annoying - wait, what was that first part? "Grah, I'm the same age as you!"

"Are you? I thought you were a guy playing a girl avatar when we met, though that's my informant not filling me in on that detail," He squeezed to fingers close together. Then he deadpanned, smiling like some cat that swallowed a canary. "Oh, I get it, you're a tomboy,"

"I'm fifteen you jerk - and so what, I'm a bad boy too!" I puffed out my chest, and he immediately doubled over in laughter that was infectious. How he can be this funny and annoying at once is astounding.

"Month?" He quizzed as we hopped down a staircase.

"May, you?"

"Ah, so you're older than me, July," Malzeno replied with a peace sign. "Funny, I'm still taller, Short-Stack."

"I'm older,"

"Taller,"

"Older!"

"Taller~!"

I'm going to bury this guy in a second. "Hmph, as leader, I want an apology!" I crossed my arms with my chin high to show my seriousness, then pointed to the first shop that caught my eye. It had a green sign hanging above the doorway with a silver battle-ax. "There, I want to go there!"

"Your wish is my command, Milady," He did that polite bow and took my hand, it was... nice. I smiled again and let him trail me off to the storefront, only when he realized where we were going did his expression fall. "Ah... oh boy..."

"Is it not a good store?" I perked up but he quickly shook his head. What's he nervous for - oh wow he's sweating.

"Nope, but I'm going to regret waking up today," He reluctantly opened the door with a bell ringing above. Inside was your standard trade shop. Weapons lined the walls, some shelves with items that were fairly good prices. But it was the items behind the counter that looked the most expensive. Then I saw the clerk, a player of all things.

The man was a massive and bulky African-American man with a brown goatee and brown eyes and no hair. He was a Gnome race and wore dark moss green robes. He spotted us and gave a small wave. "Well, look who finally crawled out from the depths," With my hand still caught in Malzeno's, I was dragged along to see the two guys fist-bump. "Whatever happened to joining us for that quest for Excalibur?" Wait, this guy was part of that team!? Man, I really wanted it too...

"Hey, Argo had me running the deets by you guys, you think she can handle those monsters with her level?" Malzeno scoffed. "Bet Blackie's loving the new stats..."

"Barely uses it though," Agil sighed as I raised my hand slightly.

"Hi, still here by the way," These two completely forgot I was here.

Spotting me made the man's eyes widen beyond measure, and in seconds, Malzeno's hand was snatched from mine as the large man wrapped an arm around his neck and practically threw half his body over the counter to whisper not-so-quietly.

"You're hangin' around Zekken!? Since when did this happen, and you're holding hands!" He hissed in Malzeno's ear.

"Ahahaha... you make it sound worse than it is, and, why do I get the feeling you've done this before?" Malzeno chuckled hesitantly. "Really, I'm just a hired bow for her cause, I swear, her guild would have my head if I did anything to her,"

"Kirito mentioned the Rat heard from you that you were beaten and then dragged off, now here you are all happy with this girl," Okay, this was starting to get a little embarrassing.

Finding my courage, I cleared my throat to draw the boys back to me and my slight smile, "T-that's right, I'm Yuuki, pleasure to meetcha!" I stuck my hand out as the man grabbed mine to shake.

"Agil, old friend of this sad sap."

"Okay, that was uncalled for," Malzeno plight made us laugh together.

"He's a dummy but he's been a big help so far," I was honest with that one so the ravenette's frown softened.

"Speaking of... we need supplies, got any deals or am I about to be run dry again?" He got us back on topic as Agil stood straight with his arms crossed.

"Given who you brought with you, I'll see what I can do, what's the occasion?" Agil was straight to business, that's really professional.

"We're taking on the floor boss with just one party," I answered, seeing Malzeno rub under his nose again. Wait, did I say something wrong?

"You what!?" Oh, now I get it... whoops.

[To Be Continued...]

[Author's Notes]

This and next chapter will be more from Yuuki's POV just to spice things up and gauge her reactions to Malzeno. Agil's a cool guy, I like him. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support, seeya in the next chapter, Readers!