Friends (2)

[Yuito's POV]

(12th April, 2019)

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe I have been too quick to judge simply because of the knowledge the manhwa provided. 

These are real people.

They are not 2-dimensional beings wrote to be evil or to be a villain. Even if they have a really bad side to them, they are human.

Incapable of either true good or evil.

"I am going to get you! Oh, I am so gonna get you this time." Vivi said and bit out her tongue cutely in concentration. 

We were in my hotel room,right in front of the TV screen as we played a game that was already installed in the device.

Awesomenauts. 

A fun game which was a little similar to League of Legends with the concept of destroying turrets to get to the base. But it was 2d and instead of heroes, we have awesomenauts.

It has been two days since I infiltrated the third Affiliate and became friends with President Vivi.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I have gotten oddly fond of the girl.

And this was not in a sexual or romantic way, but it was similar to the feelings I first had for Saki.

She was like a spoilt little sister I never had.

I could not for the life of me, predict this kind of development. 

At first, I was just being nice to her so that I would be able to learn more about how they operate or get some evidence which I could use against them but in the process, I have come to like the girl.

It didn't help that she was cute and had the mental maturity of someone half her age.

"Yes!! YESS!!" She screamed in excitement as she destroyed my turrent.

She was sitting beside me on the floor 6 feet away from the screen at first but now she was right in front of the screen, blocking my view.

"I am so gonna beat you this time." She said and abused her controller.

"Vivi, you're blocking my view." I said and she sifted a bit but still preferred to stay close to the screen.

Poor girl. I was just giving her hope before squashing it away.

If the world was not going to be harsh on her and teach her, then I will.

"Nononononononono!" She said as my grin grew a tad bit crueller.

I quickly killed her character and the time for her revival was long since it was later in the game. I took the time to destroy the final turrent and destroyed her base.

"That was close. Good game." I said in a smug tone as she remained unmoving in front of the screen.

That was until she started shaking uncontrollably and with a frustrated scream, she was about to smash the screen with her controller.

Well, I couldn't blame her. It was already her sixth loss in a row tonight. And everyone knew gamer range was a real thing, it was quite impressive that she stayed calm till now considering how spoilt she was growing up.

But I couldn't allow such behaviour from someone I saw as my little sister could I?

"Vivi." I called out sharply and she stopped in her track. "What did I say about not destroying things?"

She stayed like that for a while before her shoulder slumped. I smiled and she looked pitifully back at me.

"It's not fair. I have been playing this game for so long yet you are still better than me." She said sadly.

Apparently, the reason the hotel have this game pre-installed was because it was one of her favourite game.

And she thought she was actually good because no one she played with until now had the courage to win against her.

So she sucked, even though she played and won a lot.

"Well, my unmatched perspicacity coupled with my sheer indefatigability makes me a feared opponent in any realm of human endeavour." I said.

I liked the phrase and it was a description of my skill. I often use it when I don't want to explain the true reason for some things.

She scrunches her nose cutely, "What does that mean?"

She didn't understand that? Truth it is

"Let me put it this way. You suck."

"Gah!!" She blurts out, "I do not suck. You are the only person that has managed to defeat me."

"The other people you played with sucks even harder. As a wise red dragon once said, the best of shit is still shit." I explained carefully. 

She gave me a pout and looked towards her bodyguard who was always with her at all times.

"Xiaolong. Do I really suck?" She asked.

"Of course not my lady." The bodyguard answered

"See?" She said almost happy.

"Of course, he would say that. He's too in love to tell you otherwise." I said and her face completely became red.

I also saw Xiaolong try to hide his blush.

'These two.' I sighed in my head.

"W-What do you mean?! Xiaolong is just telling the truth, it has nothing to d-do with love?" She squeaked out.

"That is right. I have nothing but admiration for the lady and was merely speaking the truth." He coughed.

Vivi simply gave him an annoyed side eyes at that.

The two were madly in love with each other. It was only natural for Vivi to fall for someone who protected her with his life and saved her on multiple occasions. 

The classic knight in shining armour saving the princess.

And for Xiolong? His only purpose in life was to protect her. It was not a surprise that he fell in love along the way. 

But their status was the problem. Although Vivi loved Xiaolong and would even agree to elope if he asked, the guy was a man of honour and he dared not to try and even show his love to her.

He thought he had no right to claim Vivi, it was like a bird trying to own the sky. So he had been absolutely rejecting any advances Vivi made.

Troublesome.

But also really fun to witness.

"Since none of you are going to confess to each other soon, let's play another game." I said, "Do you have anything you don't suck at? 'My Lady'. " 

She was stunned at my words for a few moments before she smiled, "Actually, there is a game. Wait a sec, I will surely beat you in this one."

She happily sat close to me again as she searched for a game.

It was concerning how much she craved any kind of affection.

As one might've already guessed, Vivi had no real friends in her life. She was the only daughter of a billionaire and everyone around her wanted to take advantage of that or simply got close to her because of that.

Even the men who expressed their desire for her were only really after the inheritance she would have.

She had everything yet she had nothing.

The only thing that was keeping her sane and feeling loved was Xiaolong. But he was also closed off due to his position as someone below her.

In my case on the other hand, I was clearly not trying to take advantage of her. I was rich so I did not need anything from her.

I did not try to butter her up or use honey words with her. Nor do I act in a way to please her every time. I simply treat her how I would treat a bratty girl.

And to her, that was precious.

That was new.

That was genuine.

She was especially vexed at the way I was treating her at first but she soon came to value it. 

It has only been just two days but she was attached to me to the point that I told her to stop using drugs if she wanted our friendship to continue and she agreed.

Easily.

We enjoyed the night together by playing games and we even watched my previous fights and I explained to her in detail about the fight.

This went on until eventually, she leaned on my shoulder and simply fell asleep.

Just like that.

"Xiaolong?" I called and he came to my side.

He looked at her sleeping face with loving eyes and tried to touch her. He hesitated for the briefest moment before he scooped her up and carried her in a princess carry.

I got up and saw them off to the door.

"Good night." I said. I would've added, 'don't do anything to her while she slept' but then I remembered that he no longer can do such a thing so I did not say it.

Xiaolong was like a robot. Although I have gotten close with Vivi, he was as stoic and cold as ever. Except for the blush whenever I teased them.

He walked out of the door but paused midway.

"She had been smiling a lot these past two days." He said with a sincere tone, "Thank you."

And then he leaves.

"You're welcome," I said and watched them leave.

{He really loves her.} The author suddenly commented in my head.

I smiled, "He does."

{Did you know he eventually stole her away on her arranged wedding day and they eloped from her father?} 

"I didn't but that's good to know." I said.

Love was truly a strange thing.

I think the reason Vivi was not evil or grew up to be worse was due to her love for Xiaolong.

It was also the reason why she took great care of her appearance and was not overweight even when every luxurious food was presented to her.

She loves him but Xiaolong is still hesitant to love her back. He had the whole inferiority issue since he was raised to protect the goddess known as Vivi.

To him, she was like a divine being. A being he was not allowed to have.

But as the author said, he'd get over this soon.

Speaking of which, "You have been oddly quiet recently. Anything wrong?"

{Nah, not really. It's kind of silly actually. I binge-read this book and it's made me oddly sad. I have been a wreck mentally for a while. I can't even bring myself to work properly or care for anything else.}

"I've been there buddy. Give it a week."

{Urgh, I don't have a week.}

I shrugged, there was nothing else I could say.

I am going to call the girls now, I miss them badly.

Maybe we should be on video call the whole night even when we sleep.

A good idea.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------