The Diversion she needs...

As Moriko stepped into her condo unit, she felt a mix of emotions swirling within her. She had decided not to stay with Mariko for the time being, needing some space to sort out her newfound feelings. The evening with Jiro had left her both elated and conflicted, and she needed solitude to make sense of it all.

Moriko headed straight to her bathroom, deciding that a quick shower might help clear her mind. The warm water cascaded over her, and as the soothing sensation enveloped her body, she began to think about what Jiro had revealed regarding Mariko's supposed participation in a festival.

As she stood there, her thoughts racing as she tried to recall any such event. It seemed odd to her that something as grand as a festival dance performance would have escaped her memory. Moriko couldn't help but feel that there was more to the story than what Jiro had shared.

With the steamy water swirling around her, she resolved not to dig deeper into this mystery. Moriko knew that her sister had her secrets, and it might be best not to uncover them. She then decided to shift her focus to Kenji and his proposal instead. She knew that researching Kenji, his company, and the game they'd be collaborating on, "Hit Me If You Can" using the latest Nexus Revo 4.0, would be a good way to distract herself from the confusing feelings she had about Jiro and her sister.

After shower, she dressed in a comfortable set of loungewear and settled down at her computer and began to search for information about Kenji Hisatomi, Parasol Affinity, and the upcoming gaming event. She wanted to be well-prepared for any potential involvement in the event and make sure it was a success for her sister's company. As she plunged into the world of gaming and technology, Moriko's analytical mind took over, pushing aside the personal matters that had been occupying her thoughts.

Determined to familiarize herself with the game "Hit Me If You Can" and the cutting-edge technology of Nexus Revo 4.0, Moriko decided to download the game onto her computer. She also retrieved the Nexus 4.0 prototype that Mariko had sent her during its early development stages. The prototype was one of the perks of being the creator's twin sister, giving her exclusive access to the technology before its official launch.

Setting up the Nexus Revo 4.0 equipment in her computer unit, Moriko started the download process for the game. While waiting, she meticulously examined the prototype's hardware, taking notes and making adjustments to ensure it worked flawlessly. She knew that mastering the game and understanding the technology would be essential for her role in the upcoming event.

As the game finished downloading, Moriko felt a surge of excitement mixed with determination. She was ready to dive into the world of "Hit Me If You Can". Moriko eagerly put on the Nexus Revo 4.0 headset and gloves, ready to immerse herself in the game." She was looking forward to testing it out. However, as she started the game, she encountered an unexpected setback.

A message appeared on the Nexus Revo 4.0 interface, indicating that there was an issue with compatibility. It seemed that the required patch to make the Nexus Revo 4.0 work seamlessly with the game had not been released yet. Moriko's excitement turned into frustration as she realized she couldn't proceed with her training.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help but be impressed by Kenji's strategic thinking. It was possible that he had intentionally held back the patch to prevent early users like herself from experiencing the game fully. This might be a way to ensure that the official launch went smoothly without any issues in the system.

With a sigh, Moriko removed the Nexus Revo 4.0 equipment and switched to the Nexus Revo instead. After making the switch, she tried again, and this time, she successfully entered the game.

As the virtual world of "Hit Me If You Can" loaded, Moriko found herself on the character selection screen. There were numerous playable characters to choose from, each with a unique set of abilities and skills. She scrolled through the options, noting the variety of character types available.

There were agile characters who excelled in mobility, healers to support their team, strategists with cunning tactics, and most importantly, marksmen who specialized in dealing explosive damage. Moriko knew that her skills in combat and marksmanship would make her a formidable force in the game.

With a determined look, she began browsing through the marksmen characters, analyzing their abilities and deciding which one would best suit her playstyle. She knew that mastering her chosen character would be crucial for the upcoming event, and she was ready to put in the hours of practice needed to excel in the virtual battleground.

After careful consideration, she settled on a character named Lullaby. Lullaby was a striking character, dressed in a red slit dress that accentuated her deadly allure. She wielded a Remington Model 870 pump-action shotgun, a weapon known for its power and precision. While Lullaby had a shorter effective range compared to some of the other marksmen characters, she more than made up for it with her agility and the ability to deal an insane amount of damage up close.

Moriko knew that this choice suited her playstyle perfectly. She preferred a high-risk, high-reward approach, and Lullaby seemed to embody that spirit. With a determined nod, she confirmed her selection, ready to step into the virtual battlefield as Lullaby under the in-game name (ign) callmeAuntie. 

As Moriko, now under the virtual name "callmeauntie," entered the game, she was greeted by a friendly NPC who guided her through the basics of navigating the game interface. The tutorial was a breeze for her, given her experience with various virtual worlds. Once she completed it, she found herself in the player's lounge, a bustling hub filled with avatars of players from all around the world.

The atmosphere in the lounge was electric, as everyone was eagerly awaiting the start of the semi-finals in the tournament. Large screens displayed the ongoing battles, and the place was abuzz with chatter and excitement. Instead of jumping right into the game proper, Moriko decided to take a moment to watch the battles unfold. She believed that observing the competition would help her get a better grasp of the game's dynamics and strategies.

As Moriko watched the battles unfold on the screens in the player's lounge, she suddenly felt a presence behind her virtual avatar, "callmeauntie." She turned her character's head to see an avatar named "divinejudgment" approaching her. This avatar was the character named Coil at level 70 and bore a title "1" on top of its head, indicating the top player in the game. Moriko was intrigued but also a bit cautious. Why would the top player approach her out of the blue?

Without hesitation, Moriko activated her voice changer software, concealing her real voice. She didn't want to reveal her identity or give away any hints about who she was. Her virtual character then responded to divinejudgment, "Hello there. What can I do for you?" She kept her tone polite and neutral, not wanting to reveal any emotions or intentions.

Divinejudgment's avatar tilted slightly as if bowing politely, "I apologize if my sudden approach inconvenienced you. I was merely curious about your choice of starting with an avatar like Lullaby, which isn't a common choice for beginners." His tone remained polite, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor.

However, as he considered the situation further, a hint of suspicion crept into his voice. "Wait a minute... are you by any chance an alt of another player?" His question carried a more serious undertone. In the gaming community, using alternate accounts or "alts" was often frowned upon, and in some cases, it was a bannable offense. Divinejudgment's initial curiosity had now turned into a potential investigation.

Moriko, using her voice changer software to maintain her disguise, replied in a calm and innocent tone, "Oh, no, I'm definitely not an alt. I'm a completely new player, and I chose Lullaby simply because I liked her appearance. I've just started playing the game, and I'm excited to learn more about it."

She tried her best to sound genuine and put any suspicions to rest. Moriko was determined to keep her true identity a secret while she explored the game and its community.

Divinejudgment, seemingly satisfied with Moriko's response, smiled behind his avatar. "Alright then, if you ever need help or have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be around," he said.

He then asked if he could sit beside her while they watched the semi-finals together. Moriko agreed, and they settled in to enjoy the intense battles on the virtual arena. Moriko couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity about this new world she had entered.