Chapter 1: You Lose

Bang* Bang* Bang* Bang*

Click* Click* Click* Click*

"Ahhhh, no, I lose again." The main character said intensely.

"Hahaha. Two wins, zero lose. Okay, Awaya, let's have another round" The enemy player said triumphantly.

This main character is Awaya Suzuhara. He is a player who calls himself a "self-proclaimed professional player". On the other hand, he can't still beat the enemy player.

Here at the Rave Gaming Center, there are many players that their skills on gaming is beyond the true player's skill.

"Hahahaha. You still can't beat me? Hahaha." The enemy player said as he laughs hysterically.

"Damn it… Another match!" Awaya said to the enemy player angrily.

"Hahahaha, are you still going to defeat me? You can't even beat me since the first match." The enemy player said triumphantly.

"Hmmm, you bet." Awaya said.

.....

Bang* Bang* Bang*

Awaya was very serious while competing with his friend.

Click* Click* Click*

*YOU LOSE*

"Ahhhh, damn it." Awaya shouted angrily.

"Hey you! You better keep your mouth shut! You're too noisy!"

Yeah, shut the hell up! You're ruining my gameplay here!" The other players said to Awaya.

"Ahhhh, I'm sorry. I'm very sorry." Awaya humbly apologized to the other players.

The atmosphere is very gloomy at the moment. The other players were looking at him with a murderous intent. Awaya can't look at him at their eyes straightly.

Awaya seated besides the enemy player.

"Hahaha! What was that? What's the big deal? You even bowed just to apologize." As the enemy player besides him while laughing hysterically again and again.

"Now, now. Let's have our next match." Awaya quickly changed the subject.

"Haha, changing the topic, huh? Alright, let's play." The enemy player replied.

…..

"Ahhhh, this is sucks!" Awaya went rage.

Awaya immediately go to the front of the enemy player.

"Well, that's a great match, Shuu. I admit that I can't still defeat you." Awaya said to the enemy player.

"Hahaha, it's okay, Awaya. And I will take that as a compliment. Well, let's call it a match and go home." Shuu replied.

He is Shuu Spencer, the enemy player and the childhood friend of Awaya Suzuhara. His father is an American, the manager of Rave Internet Café. His mother is a Japanese. A successful entrepreneur and an opportunist.

"Okay, Shuu. Let's go home." Awaya said like he is going to collapse.

(Thank you, come again next time)

Awaya and Shuu walks out to the internet café.

***

tmp* tmp*tmp*

The footsteps coming from their shoes simultaneously.

"Man, you're so goddamn good at that game since middle school." Awaya said gloomily.

"Hahaha, why are you complimenting me? Is it because I'm too good and handsome?" As Shuu flipped his hair and sparkling.

"Gweeh. Yeah, right. You're a narcissist after all." Awaya said as he laughs.

"No! I'm not a narcissist, Awaya!" Shuu cried.

"Hahaha…" Awaya grinned.

And then, they became quiet at the moment. Thinking for the next conversation.

Stmp* Stmp* Stmp*

"….."

"…Say, Shuu."

"Yes, Awaya?" Awaya immediately asked.

"How come that you're so good at playing? I still can't beat you on everything. Especially on Online Games." Awaya cried to Shuu.

"Okay, I will give my three tips to improve your gaming skills." Shuu said.

"Ehh? Really? Thanks Shuu." Awaya smiled.

"Okay. Tip number 1, just forget your surroundings and seriously focus on your gameplay. It may also improve your concentration on everything." Shuu said as he pointed his finger.

"Ehh? Are you serious? Then can I talk to the other players while playin—"

"Tip number 2." Shuu quickly dodged Awaya's question.

"Hey, try to let me finish my question." Awaya glared to Shuu furiously.

"Hahaha, yeah, yeah. So tip number 2, we all know that practicing makes perfect, right? So, to put it simply, you need to practice a lot and enjoy to the fullest. Do not think that you can't beat that certain player." Shuu said while he is fidgeting his fingers.

"But, I'm practicing a lot. I can't still improve for a various reasons… So what's the 3rd tip?" Awaya asked with a serious eyes.

"Tip number 3, don't fall in love with a girl." Shuu said seriously and grab Awaya's shoulder.

"Ehh, how come that falling in love with a girl is related to the game?" Awaya asked.

Awaya felt confuse and uncertain for some reasons. He can't say anything to Shuu due to confusion. Like he is waiting for Shuu's next sentence.

"… Of course it is related to games… Haha…" Shuu replied while he is burning and sweating.

"It is like an obstacle in our game. Having a girlfriend is full of annoyance for all gamers. For instance, you're in the middle of your game and then your girlfriend suddenly texted you to go out on a date. Can you abandon your game and go out with your girlfriend or abandon your girlfriend's request and continue your game?" Shuu is very serious and staring at Awaya with a serious eyes.

Awaya frantically startled at Shuu's question. He can't move a single inch, thinking for an answer.

"…Ahh…"

"Hmm?" Shuu replied.

"…Ah, I mean, you have a point. Having a girlfriend is such a nuisance for all gamers, right?" Awaya said.

Awaya was startled. Then he started to walk to get ahead with Shuu. Thinking all over again on that Shuu's question.

"Kukuku. I'm really happy that you get my point." Shuu makes a thumbs up and grabbed Awaya's shoulder.

"Jeez, really, Shuu…" Awaya sighed and speaks.

"... You really hate girls, huh? Ever since we're in middle school." Awaya said.

"No, it's not like I hate girls. I just don't want an obstacle in my gaming life." As Shuu sighed intensely.

While Shuu and Awaya are walking, Awaya suddenly saw a cat to their direction. And he goes to the cat to pet it. He ran as fast as he can.

"Ahhh, Awaya! Where are you going?" Shuu shouted.

"To pet to this cat, of course. Hehe." Awaya replied smiled to Shuu.

"Man, you still love cats, huh? Since your first cat died 3 years ago." Shuu said.

"Yeah, my first cat was like my little sister to me. I always pet her because she is very fluffy and cute. I even made a fight with my parents just to keep her to our house. But the day she died, I always think that I need to protect all the cats."

Awaya suddenly cried then Shuu was just looking at pitying him.

The unpleasant noises coming from the vehicles on the street were masking the sound of Awaya's cry. Shuu gets his handkerchief and he give it to Awaya.

"Jeez. Why are you crying, of all times?" Then Shuu looks sad while he is looking at Awaya.

They started to walk while Awaya is still crying. Shuu and Awaya reached Awaya's house and said their goodbyes.

"…."

"Well then, Awaya. Remember to keep my 3 tips, okay? See you tomorrow in school!" Shuu ran fast because he never wanted to get this late at night. Awaya is still waving at Shuu.

"Thanks for the tips and thank you for the handkerchief!" Awaya shouted while he is still waving to Shuu.

"Hahaha. Don't mention it, Awaya. Well, see you tomorrow!"

***

Awaya went inside of his house. Then he removed and organized his shoes at the front door.

"I'm home." Awaya said calmly.

Awaya always says "I'm home" whenever he go to his house after school as the Japanese Tradition.

"Ara, welcome back, Awaya." His mom said.

His mother's name is Ayumi Suzuhara. She is a very loving, responsible mother, especially to Awaya. His mother is always taking care of him and her little sister.

"Ahhh, Big Brother, welcome back, hihi." Her little sister said cheerfully.

This is Ai Suzuhara, Awaya's little sister. She is an ideal little sister and is cute. She is very popular in their school and also achieved the 1st rank in their school.

"I'm home, Ai. Thank you." Awaya smiles back to his little sister.

"Ahh, mom. I'm not going to have a dinner now. I'm coming upstairs now." Awaya ran to his room to play his console game.

"Ara, are you sure? Then me and Ai are going to have a dinner now." His mom prepared the dishes in the table. Then his mom and his little sister are eating.

"Hmmm, so delicious!" Ai continuously eating.

"Of course, it's delicious. I put some of my love for you and your big brother." Then his mom sits on the dining table while talking to Ai.

"Speaking of which... Hey, mom, did you think that big brother is acting weird just recently?" Ai said to her mom.

"Yeah, I noticed that. Even his eyes were a little bit red. I wonder if he cried." His mom looks sad while thinking what happened to Awaya.

"EHHH? Big Brother cried? Who did that to him!? I will kick them and protect Big Brother!" Ai stands up and speaks enthusiastically.

"Ara, you really love your big brother, don't you?" Then her mom starts to eat again.

"Of course, mom! I really do love Big Brother! He always protected me at all cost. This time, it's my turn to return the debts from Big Brother!" Ai stands up again and raise her spoon.

"Ara…" Her mom smiled and kept eating at the same time.

***

Awaya was still setting his console and change his cloth at the same time. He is struggling while setting his console because the wires are tied up. After a couple of minutes, he managed to fix it.

"Well then, it's time for the finishing touches." Then Awaya sits beside his bed. And then he suddenly wondered.

"Oh yeah, come to think of it, that 3rd tip Shuu gave me is still worrying me. And why would this is even related to games? And speaking of which, does he really hate girls that much?" Awaya felt confused.

"Back from middle school…"

*2 years ago from middle school*

"Ehhh, don't tease me hehe."

"Hey girls, did you ever had a boyfriend?" The girl classmate said with enthusiasm.

"Boyfriend, huh? And speaking of boyfriend, isn't Shuu Spencer is like an ideal boyfriend? He's a Half-American and Half-Japanese. And also, he's very handsome." Said the other girl classmate.

"Yeah, that's right… Hey, want to make a move?"

"Kyaaah, I'm going first! I'm going first!" Then the girl classmate approaches Shuu.

"Hey, Shuu, do you have a girlfriend?" The girl classmate is blushing. She looks like a tomato with that kind of face.

"HUUUH??? GIRLFRIEND??? WHAT'S THAT? IS THAT EDIBLE OR SOMETHING??" Shuu said with an aggressive voice.

"Uwaaahhh!! So scary!" The girl classmates were frightened at Shuu.

.......

"Hahahaha, that's Shuu for you. He really despite girls." Awaya is sweating while he laughs.

Then Awaya started to play. But he always think about the 3rd tip that Shuu gave him. It can't go away through his mind.

"Well, nevermind that. I'm going to play all night." Then Awaya continued his game.

"...…."

*Yawn* "It's time to sleep. There are classes tomorrow." Awaya murmured.

Awaya turned off his console and his Television. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. And then, he turned off the light.

*Yawns* "Goodnight to me." Awaya closed his eyes and sleep.

-END OF CHAPTER 1-