章節 3: Chapter 3. First Meeting

The first time Harper Wilson met Rachel Lee was in a game community. Harper was only sixteen years old, and Rachel was eleven years old at the time. There is a big age difference between them, so Harper was surprised when she found out the person she had been talking to was only eleven years old. Rachel acts and thinks like she is much older than her actual age. She's more mature and calmer in a way that is unusual for someone her age.

Some of Harper's younger siblings don't talk like she does. They are both interested in the same things, but Rachel is good at diminishing them and only asking what is needed. In fact, Harper liked having to explain things to Rachel because she saw her as the cute little sister she never had. Unlike the little monsters she has at home.

Rappelz, a South Korean company, developed Grand Fantasia, a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game for them to play. Players have the option to join forces in parties, embarking on thrilling monster-hunting quests and reaping the spoils together. Additionally, they can establish guilds, fostering seamless communication and camaraderie among fellow adventurers.

As their friendship deepened, they made the decision to join the same guild and spend even more time playing together. They even went a step further and exchanged social media accounts, allowing them to connect and communicate outside of the game.

"You know, I'm thankful that my friend forced me to play this game," Harper typed one afternoon, their words echoing their newfound appreciation.

"Why is that?" Rachel responded, her curiosity piqued.

"Because I got to know you," Harper replied, their words filled with sincerity. "This game has been more fun with you."

The reason Harper plays Grand Fantasia isn't just because it's popular and all of her friends play it. But she needed something to run from reality; she needed a distraction to keep on going with her life. She and a small group of friends from school have formed a guild and are enjoying playing together.

In her school, Harper doesn't fit into any specific social group; she stands proudly as her own unique self. She has a way of effortlessly drawing people in; even the most intimidating individuals retreat in her presence. She has the ability to engage in conversation without passing judgement or showing much interest in others.

She effortlessly moved to one-to-one social circles in her school, effortlessly connecting with both the popular group and others. When she's in the mood for some excitement, she'll enlist the help of the most well-liked student to show her a good time. Partying until I drop dead, walking back home the next day pretending to be sober, and having a rough night studying.

Or when she needs to be focused on studying, she will seek out the nerdy group for a joint learning session, and none of her popular circle of friends will call her out for that. She possesses a multitude of talents that make her a favourite among teachers, and she fearlessly expresses her emotions, even when she's feeling down. The bully will run at the sight of her. Harper is the type of person who's not scared of anything, not even when she is threatened, which makes her one of the most terrifying people at her school.

"You want to hit me? Do it. Let's go." She said that in her first year, some bullies tried to teach her a lesson. But instead of teaching her a lesson, they get humbled instead.

As for Rachel, the game offers a much-needed escape from the world around her. She has always felt distant from her family because she is the youngest and does not have many people who believe in her. She doesn't experience the same level of pressure as her eldest sister. This is due to the fact that her father is a highly sought-after surgeon in New York, while her mother owns a reputable law firm in the city.

Harvard Law School accepted her eldest sister, and prestigious medical schools like Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Duke, and Cornell extended invitations to her brother due to his academic brilliance. It's unfortunate that people often underestimate her because of her aspiration to become a singer. Immersion in the game surpasses the experience of living in her actual reality. The players of the game are unaware of her actual identity and are indifferent to the decisions she makes for her future.

Rachel excitedly messaged Harper, "So, are you planning to attend college in Germany?" She had just received a new phone from her parents, who had surprisingly bought it for her without much questioning. Having a cellphone was considered quite luxurious at the time.

Harper replied, "Yes, I'll be following my older sister there."

Rachel's heart sank a bit. "Why can't you stay in the US?" she asked, almost pleadingly. Harper wasn't just a friend to Rachel; she was like an older sister, someone who always provided her comfort, even though Rachel knew Harper's own situation wasn't easy.

Harper chuckled, a skill she had honed over time to mask the true depth of her feelings. "My father can still chase me by car, but he doesn't have enough money to chase me by plane."

Rachel, keenly aware of the troubles Harper faced, couldn't help but appreciate her friend's ability to make light of the situation. Wanting to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, Rachel exclaimed, "Oh, I see! It's interesting that we both ended up getting the same phone—the Nokia 1110!"

Harper smiled. "It's a nice phone, isn't it?"

"Absolutely! Now we can communicate constantly. Will you be available to answer all of my calls, Harper?" Rachel asked with a bright smile.

"Sure, Rachel, I'm just one call away," Harper replied, and they shared a hearty laugh, their joy filling the air.

Over the next two years, their bond grew stronger as they played their shared game and spent countless nights talking on the phone. Finally, the moment arrived for Harper to start her journey to Germany. Before her imminent departure, Rachel kindly requested to meet up with her one last time.

As they met, Harper expressed her desire: "I wanted to go to the K-pop audition, but I don't have anyone to go with. Can you please be there with me?"

"Sure, when is it? Where?" Harper readily agreed, having grown a deep bond with Rachel over the course of two years. She had come to learn about her family without needing to ask. Coming from a Korean American household, Rachel was expected to pursue a career in medicine or law, just like her two older siblings, who had successfully adhered to their parents' aspirations.

"Next week, in L.A., I'll gladly use my pocket money to reserve a hotel room for you," Rachel says softly on the phone.

"Why stress over it? Let's just book the hotel; you don't need to think too much. Let's simply enjoy our time together in the room. We're both girls anyway," Harper responds, her tone casual and lighthearted.

"Oh, well, alright then." Rachel appeared slightly agitated, but she relaxed after.

"And now that I'm officially an adult, I can take responsibility for you," Harper declares in a playful tone.

"Oh my God, so cocky," Rachel retorts, rolling her eyes, but a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, betraying her amusement.