Duo

Kiku stood in her aggressive stance. Her breasts pumped up and down with every deep breath she took in and let out.

The short sleeves of her maid outfit stuck out in the air because she had not pulled her wand down yet.

Both of her legs were covered under the long black skirt with white swirls she wore. Her right leg was pointed at Hitori and her left leg supported her balance.

Hitori hesitantly lifted his head, he just realized what happened and what Kiku-san had done to him. He could not digest that fact.

His vision went blurred and tears fell on the polished wooden floor.

He dropped his head, a few more drops fell. Hitori shook his head then bit his lower lip.

He did not give a single glance at Kiku and ran towards the main door.

He aggressively pulled his black jacket off the hook. The door swung open, Hitori strode and left the house in anger, pain, and disappointment.

Kiku stood there petrified by her actions. Her blank expressions changed.

The hand she held her wand in, continued to tremble in fear, 'W- what did I just… do?' her eyes were wide in shock.

She started losing control over her body's weight. Soon, Kiku found it hard to even stand on her two feet.

Thump.

Her knees banged on the floor so did her hands, "I- I am a fool…" she cursed herself, "I- I attacked Hitori-Kun,"

Her hands made their way to her head. Tears formed in her eyes too.

Crack.

She broke her wand into two and threw it on the floor, "What did I just do?!" She started hitting the floor with her fists, "I attacked Hiro-Kun!" her shout echoed throughout the empty two-story house.

When Hitori left his house and ran, he did not stop to take a look back, without knowing where to head, he just ran.

A woman who was appointed to protect him had just attacked him out of anger. It would be pretty depressing for anyone like Hitori.

'Kiku-san… She attacked me…' He was too shocked to believe the fact even when a few minutes had passed.

The night's moon shone brightly on the empty playgrounds, empty parks, empty fields. Hitori ran under the night with tears flowing from his eyes.

It was almost eight o clock. As soon as it hits eight-thirty at night, all of the citizens are told to stay inside their houses. If they went out, it would be at their own risk.

Most of the people stayed inside their houses. This area, a few hundred meters from Hitori's house, was supposed to be a monster-free area, but some sluggish monsters still could make their way to this area.

As the city was divided into two parts- The scientist prefecture and the Mage prefecture.

So as soon as the time for curfew hits, both parties send their people out for patrolling. From the Ministry of Mages and the Community of Scientists.

Anyway, Hitori did not plan on heading back home any time soon. He wondered where to spend half of the night till his eyes fell on a direction board that levitated in the air.

Hitori sobbed, he glanced up at the direction board. Hitori stopped crying as he pushed his hand into his pocket.

His cold fingers wrapped themselves around a piece of cold metal. It was still there. The hard metallic card that he had not taken out of his jacket's pocket.

'Found a place to spend the night.' He thought. Hitori raised his foot and placed it on the left path, eventually, he took the path on the left side.

Hitori dropped his head down and kept walking. On his way to the Vr-cade, he thought about various things that happened today.

'I wonder who Rotten mind & Ronin Samurai are.' That was the topic that stayed on his mind, 'Their duo is amazing…' To conquer a level twenty-five dungeon in the first attempt was something extraordinary. Especially when your level is six to seven levels below the dungeon you are facing.

And before Hitori could even realize it, he was standing in front of the city Vr-cade. An sm-smile was trying to unfold on his face but he did not let it evolve further.

"Welcome," A voice greeted Hitori. He saw a cute little night fairy flying by the side of the entrance gate. Hitori bowed to her before going further inside the Vr-cade.

"Thank you, sir," He heard the counter woman thank a customer. He moved his eyes to the customer.

"Y- y- yes, t - thanks." He saw a boy with a timid body frame, who wore a long coat bowed nervously to the receptionist.

"Thanks for waiting sir, please," She then smiled and moved her eyes to Hitori who was standing a few feet away from Kamiya.

"Ah…" Ryan and Kamiya's eyes made contact.

"...Ah…" he held his gaming card in his hands.

"Would you like to play the usual, sir?" The woman pursued Hitori to hand his card over to her.

Hitori smiled while looking at Kamiya, "Up for a game, Kamiya?"

He straightened his back, pushed back his shoulders, and held his head high. His middle finger quickly moved to the bridge of his eyeglasses.

"Anytime," The receptionist was shocked by the sudden change, Hitori noticed her fading smile, "Get your card, I will be waiting for you," He turned around.

"Uh- sure." Hitori smiled. Kamiya gave him a nod and went to his console station.

"Hitori-san… would you like to?"

"Yes, please. Thank you," Hitori presented the woman with his card, "For how much time, sir?" She forced a smile.

"Uh…" Hitori pulled down his smile. He did not reply to the receptionist, he instead turned around to point at Kamiya's back with his thumb, "The same as that gentleman,"

"Are you sure? That gentleman has paid for six hours."

"Six hours?" Hitori raised his eyebrow.

"Hardcore gamer, is not he?" She whispered, "Well, not many people have that much free time on their hands," She took Hitori's card, "of course, you are an exception."

"Ah, please make it next to that gentleman if possible," Hitori requested.

He waited for the next few seconds, "Thanks, sir." She handed him his card back. Hitori glanced at the console station that he got.

"Finally," He gripped his card in his hands, "It will… be exciting." For some reason, Hitori had a hunch that this person, known as Kamiya… was a very good gamer.

"Have you… entered the game?" Hitori leaned down to Kamiya who sat in his chair with eyes closed and a magic circle levitating on top of his head.

"Nope. Was waiting for you." He opened his red eyes, "I have sent you a party invitation,"

"You are a part of a party already?" Hitori sat down, "Uhm… I am not sure if I want to join-"

"I am a solo player." Kamiya cut him off, "We will play as a duo if you do not mind."

"Duo?" Hitori frowned, "Have you done it before?"

"No." Kamiya took his water bottle, "But I am sure it will work if we both play together."

"Hah… what makes you think so?"

"I know so."

They immersed themselves in the game.