บท 7: Red Violet
"I need heal. Heal!" Kotaro's urgent plea reverberated through the headset. His eyes were glued on the screen, fingers dancing across the keyboard, and each click was more intense than the last. He orchestrated his spells with lightning precision, the keystrokes melding into a symphony of strategy. "Rocky, where is my healing?"
"Bro, I was busy healing Ging!" Rocky's avatar finished tending to Ging before tossing a rejuvenation spell Kotaro's way. "Here! Since you were crying about it!"
Kotaro's health bar replenished in time to withstand the boss' devastating attack. Together, the three friends faced their colossal adversary, Draclovania the Twin Star. Despite their formidable gear, the Queen of Dragons proved to be difficult, thwarting their attacks and momentarily disabling their abilities.
As Draclovania dwindled to half her health, her ferocity escalated. Nasty breath weapons engulfed the battlefield in flames, her onslaught unrelenting. Her attacks dealt considerable damage, and Rocky, as the only reliable healer in the group, had trouble keeping up while tending his teammates' health.
"Come on, we almost have her!" Kotaro alerted his friends, adrenaline fueling his every move. After another Evisceration Breath was cast upon the team. Frustration quickly arose as their avatars' health bar disappeared in mere seconds. "Rocky, I need healing!"
"Oh come on, I just healed!" Rocky's voice crackled back, a hint of exasperation evident in his tone.
The tables had turned against the team. Draclovania proved her might, casting her Evisceration Breath in sequence. The team watched in disbelief, helpless to overcome her aggression. Kotaro could hear keyboards being slammed from Rocky.
Kotaro sighed. "We tried, boys…Draclo is too strong."
The defeat weighed heavy in the air, their efforts futile against the Queen of Dragons. Resignation settled over them like a wasted desert. Their avatars stood sentinel, huddled together for comfort. The silence that followed was rife with the echoes of dashed hopes and valiant attempts.
Kotaro attempted to break the oppressive silence that lingered like a cloud over their conversation, "Hey, we tried."
"Koty, we've gone against Draclo twenty times. Not even a glimpse of victory," Rocky's voice held a tinge of defeat. "I mean, if we lose again, maybe it's time to consider some... in-game purchases for better gear?"
"Come on, Rocky, don't be like that. We agreed to keep this free-to-play," Kotaro protested, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"But facing Draclo with our current gear feels like bringing wooden swords to a dragon fight!" Rocky's frustration surfaced. "Even the Sword of Justice isn't cutting it."
Ging, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his tone contemplative. "I get it, but I don't want to compromise our principles for a game."
Each friend's conflicting thoughts were palpable, the struggle between their dedication to playing free and the undeniable necessity for better equipment etched in their voices. The choice hung heavy in the air, testing not only their loyalty to their principles but also their desire to conquer the seemingly unbeatable foe.
"Look, let's try this again. I have to get off tonight," Kotaro asserted. "And Rocky, don't you dare spend any money on Final Rite!"
"No promises," Rocky's casual response hung in the air, a hint of mischief evident.
The trio reluctantly logged out of Final Rite. Kotaro slumped back in his office chair, a heavy sigh escaping his lips, and the weight of the game failing to alleviate the thoughts of what transpired at school.
As he pondered, the burden of reality pressed down on him like an insurmountable force. The world within his personal computer felt far easier to navigate than the complexities he faced beyond the game.
The echoes of responsibility and the unknown bore down on his shoulders. He finally stood, entered the hallway as he dressed properly for the cold.
"Kotaro, where are you going?" Amanda's voice, laced with concern, pierced the silence.
"I'm going for a walk," he replied softly. Stepping into the winter night, he wandered through the deserted streets, hoping the solitude would offer clarity. The cold air stung his skin as he ventured further, lost in his thoughts.
As he contemplated today's conversation, a snowflake happily settled on his outstretched hand, a fleeting moment of serenity amidst his confusion. The cold night was still young, a canvas of uncertainties. "If the days keep repeating themselves, I wonder if any of this matters…"
"Even if it doesn't, you always have to embrace the unknown," a voice resonated behind him, shattering the silence.
Startled, Kotaro turned to face a tall, enigmatic figure. Clad in a purple Hanfu adorned with intricate trigrams, the stranger lifted his parasol to see Kotaro. His violet gaze penetrated Kotaro's chestnut eyes. "My apologies for the intrusion. You seemed overwhelmed with some oddity?"
"Yeah?" Kotaro replied cautiously. A sense of unease lingered as he eyed the stranger. This aura emanating from him unsettled Kotaro. "And you are?"
"Just someone passing through. You may call me Yuuki," the man introduced himself in a smooth, almost ethereal, tone.
"Yuuki, huh?" He repeated with a touch of skepticism in his voice and an arched brow. "What's with the outfit?"
"Beautiful, isn't it? It's called a Hanfu, a relic from the bygone Han Dynasty in China," Yuuki answered with an enigmatic smile, his eyes gleaming with an almost otherworldly wisdom. "Tonight has been quite the lovely walk. I'd relish further conversation, but duty beckons elsewhere."
As Yuuki sauntered past Kotaro, his words hung in the frigid air like an unsolved riddle. "Sometimes, the answers are in front of you. Even if you may think they lead nowhere, it'll all come back to you like a wildfire to a forest. Unfortunately, some information slither away and chances disappear in a flash. Remember that."
"Sure, I'll keep that in mind…" Kotaro stood entranced by his encounter, the night's silence enveloping him as Yuuki continued his walk into the darkness. The cool breeze whispered through the silent streets, carrying a sense of mystery that lingered through the night. It took Kotaro a few moments to process the unease that settled in the wake of Yuuki's departure.
There was an odd familiarity about him, a sensation that whispered of a connection buried in the depths of memory. A pang of recognition tugged at Kotaro's consciousness, elusive and intangible. "Hey wait, don't I—"
He spun around, scanning the dimly lit streets, but Yuuki had vanished without a trace. It was as though he had melted into the shadows, leaving no trace of his presence. A chill slithered down Kotaro's spine. Why does it feel like I'll meet him again?
The enigmatic figure's departure left behind an echo of curiosity and a shroud of unanswered questions. Today left an indelible mark on Kotaro's psyche. From witnessing Noel face the yokai and Densetsu's existence, the day had been a medley of inexplicable events. His encounter with Yuuki didn't help it either, reverberating in his thoughts. Each moment added to the uncertainty that hung heavy in his mind.
Upon arriving safely home, Kotaro retreated to the solace of his bedroom. He lay sprawled on his bed, his thoughts drifting between the fragments of the day's mysteries and the looming curiosity of what awaited tomorrow.
The weight of the unknown pressed upon him, infusing his mind with a combination of curiosity and trepidation. As he gazed at the ceiling, the veil of uncertainty about the future seemed to loom larger. It cast a shadow over his thoughts and plunged him into a restless contemplation of the enigmatic events that had unfolded.
The sun had risen once more, declaring a new day. Kotaro woke up on time, adhering to his morning routine with ease. As he trod the familiar path to school, the wintry cold embraced him as always.
"Watch out!"
The urgent shout jolted Kotaro's attention to the left where Noel hurled over the fence once again. Before he could react, Noel's abrupt descent left them entangled, her weight crashing down upon him.
"I'm so sorry!" Noel scrambled off Kotaro, her apology tinged with genuine regret.
Kotaro's eyes flared with a mix of shock and indignation as he rose. "What the hell was that for? Why do you keep jumping over fences?"
Her retort was sharp, matching his aggression. "It's not my fault this is the only way! Maybe you should consider a different route."
His tongue clicked with exasperation, frustration etched into his furrowed brows. "You really are a gorilla."
Incensed, Noel's wrath mirrored his. "Who are you calling a gorilla?"
Noel approached him with a powerful kick. It was an undelightful experience as she aimed for every man's weakness. Kotaro groaned in agony, clutching his crutches. "Oh you mother—god that…hurts!"
"I don't want to hear that from someone like you," Noel huffed, continuing her march to school.
Regaining his footing, Kotaro blurted a mouthful exchange. "You're an out-of-control rollercoaster of emotions today!"
Noel's parting words sliced through the biting cold, leaving a bitter taste in the air. "This is why girls don't like you!"
"And how do you know that?" Kotaro shouted, but she was already out of earshot. "Bitch…"
"You two really are like a couple," Rocky appeared, having witnessed their dispute. "What caused you two lovebirds to argue?"
"She's not my type…"
Rocky smirked, his grin hinting a jesting inquiry. "Okay, whatever you say."
The duo resumed their walk to school. Arriving in time before the final bell, the familiar routine of mundane awaited them. Though Noel shared the same classes with Kotaro, the atmosphere became tinged with an uncomfortable tension. Avoiding eye contact had become an unspoken agreement between them.
Kotaro found solace that Noel integrated herself with other students. He observed her gradual assimilation, noticing how she grew accustomed to other students approaching her. The cheerleading squad, in particular, while Ashley remained missing, had taken an interest in her. They were impressed by her athletic prowess and nimble movements displayed during gym class.
At least she's not bothering me, Kotaro mused silently. Although, he wondered what kind of environment she experienced in her world. The more he thought about it, he was reminded about his past.
Densetsu. Noel's homeworld. Somewhere out there, his memories laid dormant in that other world.
Time flowed seamlessly within the confines of the school hall. Kotaro stashed away his textbooks in his locker. A looming shadowy figure alerted his attention.
"Are you Kotaro Nishiki?"
"Can I help you?" Kotaro closed his locker, greeted by a flamboyant, ebony-skinned young man with long, cascading curls. "Do I know you?"
"Oh, honey, you will soon," he slurred. His demeanor was anything but conventional, his speech draped in the vibrant cadence of a dramatic performer. Each word was delivered with a flourish of theatrical flair. "But right now, you and I need to have a little chat… outside."
Kotaro arched a skeptical brow. "And if I don't?"
The muscular student crushed a soda can with his bare fist, a crude attempt to intimidate Kotaro. "That's going to be your head."
"Got it. You're threatening me," Kotaro remained unfazed, his demeanor nonchalant despite the brewing situation.
"Honey, it's going to be ugly. Don't make it harder than it is."
Their exchange drew curious glances from passing students, the unfolding confrontation attracting attention in the bustling corridors of the school. Kotaro was not one to confront others. Mainly because he had no reason to. Not wanting the situation to escalate any further, he accepted the demands of the imposing student.
Stepping outside, the chill of the open air wrapped around them. With his voice carrying an air of authority, the student proudly introduced himself. "The name's Victor Leblanc."
"Okay, Victor, what do you want from me?" Kotaro questioned, a sense of bewilderment shrouding his thoughts. And why did we have to be outside? The icy chill seeped into his skin.
As they stood in the winter chill, Kotaro's confusion deepened as Victor assumed a determined stance. A rosy aura emanated from his right hand.
"Special Move!" The earth quivered beneath their feet as Victor unleashed his ability.
As soon as Kotaro observed Victor's hand brimming with reiki, he grasped the gravity of this confrontation. "Whoa, whoa, wait! It doesn't have to be like this, Victor!"
Victor remained steadfast. He completed his incantation in a swift breath. "Super Valentine Dandelion Glamaourous Perfectionist Jet Thrust!"
Nothing. Silence lingered between them, a pause that hung in the crisp air.
"What?" Kotaro's bafflement shattered the silence. "What's with the long ass—"
Abruptly, Kotaro found himself hurtling through the wintry air, propelled by an unseen force. Victor advanced at an alarming speed with his deadly thrust, but Noel swooped in time to rescue Kotaro, albeit executing a drop-kick upon him.
"At least warn me, asshole!" Kotaro yelled, regaining his footing.
Victor continued his assault, but Noel parried all of his attempts. The two exchanged blows, with neither of them barely receiving a single hit from the other party. Kotaro watched mesmerized; Noel smoothly swung her arms in a graceful manner, seemingly spreading her wings like a crane. Victor approached more aggressively, striking ferociously like a tiger. They fought in a choreographic manner, reminiscent of a dance.
"Hey, you're pretty good," Victor complimented, a slight grin from his big, glossy lips.
Noel scoffed, "Thank you, but I'm not even trying."
"Good, because I wasn't either!" He attempted a leg sweep, but Noel was already one-step ahead; her reflexes sharp and precise. She flipped backwards, evading Victor's attack.
"How did you get here in the Outside World?" Noel inquired.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe some gap yokai helped me cross over?" Victor teased with a cryptic hint.
Noel's irritation was palpable, her furrowed brows revealing her frustration. "Damn it, master. What are you even planning this time?"
"Oh, so you're a student of Yuuki Nohara. This will be interesting!" Victor's grin widened, his glossy lips curling with anticipation.
"You know him?"
"Yes, queen! I mean, who doesn't?"
"I don't mean to interrupt your conversation, but are you two still fighting?" Kotaro interjected, trying to grasp the situation amid their conversation. The two went straight to exchanging punches. "Thanks! I wasn't sure what was going on."
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