8. Beach Date

When he entered RoVe that day after work, Steve happened to see a couple boarding shuttle bus to the beach. He kept thinking about it while mindlessly entered Alaina's cafe.

He was still spacing out when Alaina asked, "Want me to lend an ear?"

Woken up from his daydreaming, Steve blinked few times. He then looked at Alaina.

"Uh… I was wondering how to go to the beach…," sheepishly he told her.

Alaina cracked a laugh. "You looked so serious, as if thinking about world peace or some new theory to win the noble prize!"

"I can think about world peace at the beach, if you want me to," Steve grinned and joked along.

"Do that," she giggled. "You can take the bus from shelter in front of game center. It departs every 15 minutes."

"I know about the bus. It's just… I can't go alone."

The beach was a date spot. So they had to bring a date to board the bus. Steve was really helpless about finding a date, but he felt challenged to go and give his review about the beach to Ron.

"Yes, you have to go with a date," Alaina nodded. "Tell me about it after you return. It must be fun! I really like beaches."

"You do?" An idea popped and Steve blurted out, "How about going with me?"

Alaina was taken aback.

"I need someone to go with me, and you like the beach. Isn't that perfect?"

"But… you should go with your date. You need to enjoy the experience with someone you like," Alaina still hesitated.

"I just want to check it out, to give my friend feedback about it." And he felt comfortable with Alaina, he silently added without voicing out.

It would be awkward if he asked Lily to go with him. He did not want her to misinterpret his intention.

Alaina was different. She was not a real person to begin with. There would be no pressure to pursue further relationship with her.

She started to be convinced. But there was still an ultimate problem.

"Can I leave this cafe?"

Traditionally, NPC was bound to specific area. In this case, as the waitress, Alaina should not be able to leave the cafe.

But Alaina was an AI. There is a chance that she did not have such limitation. Steve thought it would not hurt to try.

He stood up and walked to the door. Right under the door frame, he stopped.

Steve turned around. Alaina was still standing by the table, looking unsure. He smiled and reached out for her hand.

"Let's go!"

Slowly, Alaina walked toward the door. When she finally stood by his side, they both took deep breath, and took the step to the outside world together.

"I'm outside!" she gasped. Her face expressed mixed emotions. Excitement, fear, curiosity, and probably hundreds more.

Steve was going to let her enjoy the moment, but a bus suddenly appeared at the shelter. People started boarding the bus. He grabbed Alaina's hand and took her to run, to catch the bus.

They managed to get in before the door was closed. Steve paid fare for two. They took front seats, and the bus started to roll away.

Alaina sat at the window seat. She looked outside excitedly.

"Sorry," Steve whispered.

Confused, she turned her head. "Sorry? About?"

"About making you run."

"Oh," she laughed. "It was fun. Thanks!"

Thankfully she was happy. Steve felt relieved. He started to observe things in the bus, while Alaina was again glued to the view outside the window.

The drive was not long. The bus soon entered a short tunnel. When they exited, sky on the other side was bright blue. It was always sunny at the beach.

Steve and Alaina were the last to get off the bus when they arrived.

As he got out, he felt slightly warmer. It used the similar trick to raise the device temperature slightly, not just the gloves like when he held hot drinks.

The environmental background sound was also nice. Occasional breeze, mixed with the sound of waves crashing on the sand, were mood-lifting.

Steve had only been to the beach three or four times before, but he was sure this virtual beach was close enough to reality.

They leisurely strolled on the white sand side by side. Sometimes the water splashed on their feet, giving Steve rather cold sensation.

After walking about twenty meters, Alaina asked to stop.

"Can you ride bicycle?" she inquired out of nowhere.

Steve replied, "When I was a child, I could. Not sure about now."

"That means you can," Alaina decided. "You can't unlearn how to ride a bike."

"I hope so. But… why did you ask?"

Alaina grinned and pointed to a small booth nearby. There were some bicycles in front of it. The signage said "Bike rental."

They went and rented a bike. Steve initially thought Alaina wanted to ride, but she said she could not. She just wanted to sit at the back.

Initially Steve felt groggy to ride. He soon learnt that it was actually much easier than in real world. The bicycle in game always stood straight, never losing its balance.

They rode on bicycle track around the beach area. It was not long, but the view and the wind both were superbly relaxing.

Alaina laughed a lot during the ride. She sounded so happy, and her delight was infectious. Steve found himself giggling too.

After returning the bike, Alaina excitedly pointed at a swing under the tree, not far from the bike rental's booth.

Steve could see her interest, so he offered, "Do you want to play it?"

"Yes!" she immediately responded. Unfortunately her excitement faded instantly because a couple got there faster.

"Ah…." Disappointment was clear in her sigh.

"We can wait," Steve suggested.

Alaina shook her head. "I think we have to go back now. I've been away too long. It will be bad if the developer team found out, and my secret will be exposed. Erica may get in trouble."

Although she suggested it, Alaina was clearly upset. Understandable, as she just had her first taste of freedom, but had to go back fast to avoid trouble.

Her dim mood made Steve sad.

"Let's go again next time," impulsively he said.

Alaina was surprised. Her eyes widened, focused solely on Steve. "Really?"

"Really. Let's go again and play your heart's content next time."

She happily bounced. "Promise?"

Steve nodded. He was content to see her smiling again.

When they returned, Erica was waiting inside the cafe. Her face was solemn.

"Where have you been?" she exploded as soon as they entered. Without giving them chance to answer, she jumped from her seat and stood right in front of Steve. "Why did you kidnap her?"

"I just…."

"He did not…."

Steve and Alaina tried to explain at the same time, but Erica was too upset. She raised her hand to stop them.

"You could have dragged me into huge trouble. Lucky it was me who found out. If it's someone else, and they report to the company… I don't want to imagine what will happen then!"

Steve swallowed hard. He realized how bad things could have turned. "Sorry, Erica."

Erica glared at him. "Where did you go?"

"The beach," he answered. "Ron mentioned about it, and I realized I haven't been there. But I can't go alone. I only know very few people here, so I don't have anyone to ask…."

"And what makes you think asking an NPC to go with you is a good idea?" Erica huffed.

Alaina quickly reached her hands. "It's my fault," she said with low voice, attempting to calm Erica. "Steve said he was going to the beach, and I really wanted to go too."

Erica sighed. Her anger seemed to have lessened a lot.

"I'll add boundary so next time you can't leave this place."

Alaina nodded repeatedly. "Okay."

Alaina's bright smile at the beach flashed in Steve's mind, and he felt really bad. He could not forget how happy she was. Too bad it was wrong and he should not take her there anymore.

After Erica left, Alaina whispered to him, "Thank you. I really enjoyed today."

Steve was flustered with the sudden expression of gratitude.

"Sorry, I caused you trouble…."

She smiled. "No, you didn't. I've always wanted to see the outside world. And it's been granted because of you. I have no regrets."

Her words were sincere, but also sad at the same time. Steve could not forget how she had one unaccomplished wish to play with the swing. He wondered… was there anything he could possibly do to fulfil it?

He promised to himself, he would find a way to bring Alaina to the beach again. To play the swing as she wished.

Right now, he still had no idea how. But he swore he would find it.