[???'s POV]
'She' watched out of the corner of the eye as HA_MDwastaken faded in a rush of white particles.
'Midori' breathed out and set down the scalpel 'she' had been using to cut up the [Ingredient: Fallen Ink Tendril ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆] with a clack against the wooden cutting board.
'She' exhaled. Damn, pretending to be an NPC and staying in character is pretty darn difficult, huh.
After checking to see that no one was watching, 'she' reached her hand forward, pulling down her curtain of extensive UI options.
She selected the [Console] tab from her HUD, and a command line popped up with a *ping*.
If her superiors saw her using the [Console], she'd probably be scolded harshly, but she didn't really care. She had her direct manager's approval to do this, after all.
They had their reasons.
A holographic keyboard appeared, floating at her waist level as 'she' turned away from the worktable, wiping her sticky, inky hands on the rough apron.
'Midori's' feet clacked against the wooden floor, and 'she' passed by the receptionist's counter, propping back up the fake 5 minute washroom break sign.
Then, 'she' slipped toward the back of the Alchemist schoolhouse, pulling open a door that revealed a stairway to the second floor.
With a soft creak, 'she' closed it behind her before ascending into a dusty old classroom.
It had been abandoned; the chairs and desks were virtually unmoved, and 'she' could see swirls of dust rise from the floor in the sunlight peeking through the pistachio-coloured stained glass windows. The windows were huge, illuminating the entire room with the warm light.
'Midori' barely glanced at the classroom before moving on, slipping down the hall toward a row of student rooms—now almost all empty, making it easy for her to snag one for herself.
Clack, clack, clack… her dress pants flashed around her legs and the footsteps of her boots echoed the empty hallways. Her footsteps were hollow and lonely, as if 'she' were waiting for something or someone to fill this school and make it lively once more.
'She' reached back and plucked the black hair tie from her hair. 'Midori' slipped it around her wrist, her brown hair flowing free and cascading down past her shoulders.
'She' reached a room and headed inside, locking the door behind her.
She exhaled, a soft, breathy sound that probably wouldn't have been out of place in a certain category of ASMR videos.
Lying down on the bed, her fingers flew as she entered two lines of command into the console:
「 /gen inv: item: type: potion: Fallenink_Hadal_Tendrils_Vial_ID:Rare / Quality:Perfect 」
「 /gen inv: item: type: potion: Common_Healing_Vial_ID:Common / Quality:Perfect 」
There were two *pings* as the potions appeared in her inventory, one after another out of thin air. While 'she' was involved with the inner workings of Lucidia Online, there was no way 'she' had the dexterity or control to recreate those two potions by herself…
Her fingers hovered over the console once more before she hammered out another line of command.
「 /npcsettings: Midori_The_Receptionist_AssetType:ClassNPC: typeonedevcontrol: change: typetwoNPCai / linescontrol: trigger condition: uponDEVUSERlogout 」
A system window popped up with a soft chime:
———
Settings of the NPC have been updated.
———
After checking her work, 'she' stretched her hands above her head and yawned sleepily, looking down at Midori's gorgeous body—her body.
'She' had gotten quite used to being Midori, the receptionist.
'She' smiled.
[Log Out]
*Ping!*
[DEVUSERID:133242535252_Daffodil has left the game.]
The VR headset unsealed from her head with a hiss, and 'she' set it aside on the table in front of her. 'She' was in a dark room, settled in a comfortable bed chair, illuminated by the sharp and bright glow of the rows of screens. The logo of Lucidia Online hovered in an LED poster just above the door off to her left hand side.
'She' blinked, her eyes re-adjusting to her surroundings.
Well.
That had been an interesting experience.
'She' rose, stretching before catching her reflection in a darkened sidescreen. Her shoulder-length black hair brushed against her shoulders as she stretched, her arms drawing attention to her grey blazer and pencil skirt. Black tights traced the shape of her legs down into heels that clicked softly as 'she' shifted her stance. A cross earring glinted in the light. Her shapely face was hidden behind a black surgical mask.
[Daffodil] walked over to the door and slowly raised the brightness in the room, allowing her eyes to adjust. The Lucidia Online logo glowed above her head.
Just as 'she' was about to open the door, something nagged at her.
What was it?
Oh, right—that player [Daffodil] had met earlier today. Hiyomi, or something like that? The player piqued [Daffodil]'s interest.
Genuinely, that player—Hiyomi—was so pretty. Between her looks and her personality, that player was an amazing combination of both cute and sexy. For once, 'She' didn't mind the game-generated clothes—just seeing another girl like that made it all worth it.
I shouldn't be thinking like that, 'she' told herself. I'll be punished if this gets out. However, 'she' couldn't resist it when 'she' met a pretty girl—'she' had even messed with Hiyomi a bit when the player had fallen down. For just a moment, [Daffodil] regretted not being on a player account and getting Hiyomi's contact.
But then again, 'she' doubted that 'she' would have been able to protect Hiyomi from that assassin if 'she' were on a player account and not borrowing an overpowered NPC.
Ah, well.
'She' was sure that 'she' would see Hiyomi around. [Daffodil] walked down the hallways past several offices, where some people waved at her. Sometimes, 'she' waved back.
Clack, clack… her heels resounded down the hall. Eventually, 'she' stopped at a door and entered, closing it behind her.
A plaque was plastered next to the door:
[Lucidia Online Developers Team 1 Meeting Room]
- - -
[Hiyomi Asuna's POV]
The headset unsealed from around my face with a hiss, the thought connection pad releasing from the base of my head.
The visor lifted from my face and I blinked, my eyes slowly re-focusing on the ceiling and the fan spiraling slowly, humming above my head.
I tugged off the headset and gently placed it on the pillow beside me. Its charging cable could be plugged into the same outlet as my bedside light, and I left it there to recharge.
I placed the back of my hand on my forehead and just stayed there, breathing.
In, out, in, out.
God, I'm tired. My heart ached from losing relationship (affection, perhaps?) points with Midori.
Honestly, what the hell am I doing? I mean, like—it's an MMORPG. There's more to it than NPC waifus… but then again, waifus were the reason that I'd bought the game.
I pressed my knees together and gently squeezed my thighs as I pictured Midori. My legs were soft, warm, and as comforting as always, with just the right kind of give. I imagined a waifu placing her head on them… or even…
G-Going…
In between them…
To that flower…
M-Mmmmn~
///
O-Okay, you can't fault me for that one. I've had basically no time to do anything but study for the past half-decade, alright?
Like, "genius" isn't just a talent title—it means that you work twice as hard so that no one catches up. …Okay, fine, maybe it also means rubbing it in people's faces when you're better.
Meanwhile, some of you probably spend your nights… y-y'know, t-taking care of yourselves…
…
Sigh.
Back then, I didn't have the time—or the interest—for that. But now? With at least a month of freedom, I was finally going to enjoy myself.
I slowly rolled on to my side and gradually pried myself up, groaning. My joints made soft popping sounds as I stretched. My muscles were sore like I'd just awoken from a nap.
First things first.
I shuffled over to my closet and grabbed a pair of shorts. Normally, I didn't care what I wore around the house, but Lucidia Online's game-generated clothes had given me PTSD.
I slipped them on before heading over to the pantry. My naughty stomach growled and reminded me of how it did so in front of Midori. Just imagining that made me embarrassed…
Eugh. ///
I pulled open the pantry cabinet. There wasn't much inside there since I was hardly ever home, but I still had a lonely cup of curry ramen. I'd have to go out and get fresh groceries soon.
I heated up my curry ramen with fresh hot water from my kettle and stirred in the curry packet plus the seasonings with chopsticks before carrying it back to my seat.
I opened my laptop and set my noodles aside as I tapped in my password.
Haff, haff…
I blew the noodles before I sucked them into my mouth with a *slurp*. (...Shut it. I know what you're thinking about, weirdo. Freak.)
Mmmn~
The flavour was warm and comforting. I felt warm and cozy, even though I didn't have toppings. I'd have to get some beef slices or something to put on top.
That came later, though.
For now, I was happy. The curry noodles were nyummy—plus, I could finally eat out and buy things without regard to time now that I have my whole next month off.
Hehe~
A quiet smile came to my face. I was content.
Between slurps of curry-filled goodness, my fingers flew across my laptop keyboard and my apartment was filled with the sounds of the tippity-tap of my fingertips and nails.
I opened up Lucidia Online's official website.
It loaded for a while before popping up: the main page featured an animated wallpaper of a Witch, Warrior, and an Archer looking off into the distance of a night-time sky with the stars blinking high above them.
They stood on the ledge of a grassy cliff with flitting fireflies dancing around them like ghostly mini-lanterns.
I paused. While Lucidia Online was an incredibly well made game, my interaction with the assassin slightly diminished my appetite for it, I woooooooon't lie.
I navigated to the contact staff bar and opened it in a new tab, tapping on the trackpad twice, before tapping once more to specify that I wanted to make a player report.
I paused, my fingers hovering over the keyboard as I stared at the screen.
Oh.
———
Player Report / Evidence & Testimony Form
Suspect Player Username (Whom you wish to report / Whom is involved in the incident and significant to the evidence): [INSERTPLAYERNAMEHERE]
Page 2 … (Next)
———
Shit.
I… didn't remember the assassin's username.
…
Actually, now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing it above his head in his playertag at all.
The heck?
I checked to see if there was some way around it in the form, such as providing a description, but in the end there was nothing I could do. Frustrated, I closed the tab, slamming the table with my fist.
THUMP!
"Hmph," I pouted. Genius I might be, but even I couldn't come up with a fix for this one.
Honestly, I don't know what I expected. Lucidia Online lets you swap outfits with a single click—it'd be impossible to track someone by looks alone. Still… ugh.
While (lightly) banging my head against the table in a completely average expression of pure rage, my eyes locked on to the [Community Constructive Feedback] tab.
Oh, boy. Devs, have I got a complaint for you~
I clicked on the tab, tapping the trackpad.
The tab opened and rerouted me to my email. Fine. That just made my job easier. Fingers flying (and no, pervs, not like that), I unleashed a beautifully scathing 4000-word rant about their borderline un-TOS taste in auto-generated clothing. Overboard? Maybe. But hey—4000 words was barely even an essay.
Taptaptap… aaaaand done~
I slurped the last of my curry ramen, chucked the cup, washed my chopsticks, brushed my teeth, and logged off.
I rolled my shoulders, walking back to my bedroom.
Alright. Time to get back to LOVR~
Midori's still at the Alchemist School, just waiting for me~ (hopefully. Very, very, very hopefully. And also hopefully I'd be able to get her back.)
I laid down on my bed, placing the headset over my eyes and face. My room faded in a rush of scenery.
Login recognized… Synchronizing with account… Welcome back to Lucidia Online, HA_MDwastaken.
I spawned exactly where I left off: smack in the middle of the alchemy school. Cozy as ever. Still no Midori. Which… yeah...
After my awkward protest that ruined our closeness, did I want to see her again right away, before I figured out the game's relationship system?
Mmmmmn…Yeah. I nodded. Yeah, I did. I wanted to see her again~
I started looking around. Midori mentioned several times that the school had a couple of rooms in the back—could she be there? I didn't see any doors in the back of the lobby except for one. It had a ladder-looking plaque above it, reading '1e Étage'.
…?
I nervously peeked it open. It revealed a staircase.
Climbing up, I emerged into a dusty classroom with abandoned desks and book-lined shelves. The same, large, pistachio green windows from the lower storeys shone light into the room.
There was a hallway that led out of the classroom, with a door about halfway down the hallway slightly ajar. Was Midori there?
I arrived at the door, unsure.
I-It'd be okay to peek inside, right? I mean, I was a student here, after all. There weren't any 'students forbidden' signs anywhere, and it led straight out of the classroom.
Steeling myself, I peeked inside—
—and nearly died on the spot.
It was Midori.
Her suit vest was tossed lazily on a hastily made bed, her white dress shirt clinging to her curves as it slid off her bare shoulders.
Her fingers brushed through her hair as it fell loose around her uncovered back.
Heat rushed to my face so fast I thought I'd faint. My knees pressed together as my thighs squished unconsciously.
I swallowed hard, breath caught in my throat.
God. ////
The realization hit me.
I w-was watching another woman change…