( AN : Officially dropped honorifics for most characters.)

“Sato! Sato! “

Turning back, Sato saw a black haired beauty running up to him…is what you would think. It was actually a plump and slightly short man who jogged towards him.

Garbed in a green T-shirt with black colored jeans with a classic dark coloured trainer(sneakers), Iwata Fudo is the illegitimate child of a millionaire. Though his father doesn’t totally ignore him, often sending money once in awhile to his family for their upkeep, the identity of a bastard son prevents Fudo from approaching him.

Due to this sensitive and somewhat special identity of his, Fudo has very few friends enough to be counted with the fingers on a hand. The most important and closest of his happens to be Sato. With a somewhat similar history, both men ended up being extremely close friends.

Upon approaching Sato, Fudo questioned “What are you doing here by the way? Here to get a new game?”

“You could say so. With graduation in a couple of weeks, I would be able to focus more on gaming and E-sports tournament. So what better time to get ready than now.” Sato replied after which he took off with Fudo by his side.

“That’s true but I thought you would have dropped gaming after that incident. Don’t tell me you plan on joining another guild?” Walking beside Sato, Fudo asked with a hint of surprise in his tone.

” Nah. I plan on playing solo a little bit and probably start an official party. Don’t forget, before I went pro I started out as a solo player.”

“That’s true. Oh yeah, so what’s the game you plan on playing this time around ? I wanna know so that I could start playing with you. That way the name of the Party would be Sato and Fudo’s gaming club or maybe the Invincibles or even the Avengers. I could even be your deputy.” (AN : …Wasn’t my idea trust me…I think)

” …No thanks. Nobody would like a fat pig as a vice but if it were for a mascot, I might consider.” Sato chuckled.

Fudo’s lips twitched “Tch, come on. Even though going solo ain’t bad there’s no harm in having a teammate and don’t forget my skills aren’t just for show.”

“…You do have a point. Alright, you know that new game that has been advertising around?”

“Rip-off Realm?” (AN : a play on the game title, since a lot of people see it as a rip-off with the price being high)

Sato’s lips twitched “Yeah, let’s go with that. By the way, go get yours now, the sets are almost sold out and go with a Mage-type class when creating your account. Considering your physique, a rogue class-type isn’t really your type. Unless you wanna be a meat-shield, then I advice you to pick a Mage class.”

“Aye, aye boss. Either way I already got the game. All that remains is to wait for the server’s launch.” Fudo replied.

” I thought you called it a rip-off…”

” Haha, it couldn’t be helped. Even if it is, you have to admit, the stats and features are quite awesome and impressive.” Fudo smiled. He then continued, ” You’re heading to school now right? Ha, I can’t wait to see Miss Stalingrad. Her Russian accent never ceases to amaze me. It’s quite disappointing that I wouldn’t get to see her again in a few weeks time” (AN : Uhmmm…Wasn’t my idea too…?)

Sato’s eyebrows twitched as he said ” I’m pretty sure you aren’t the only one and seriously, her Russian accent amazes you? Why don’t you just say it’s her hair that amazes you, you lecherous lying pig.”

Fudo stopped walking and was about to take a fighting stance while saying, “Ok now, you wanna go huh? do you wanna g-“

“Sato.” The voice who interrupted Fudo came from the sweet lips of a beautiful young lady with pink colored hair tied in twin pigtails.

“Miyuki.” Sato stood surprised facing the pretty lady who just showed up.

“Is that all you can say to me after all this time?” The pink haired beauty, Miyuki questioned with a smile.

Anase Miyuki was a friend of Sato back when they were 15. In actuality, they were more than friends but less than lovers. Sato actually had a crush on Miyuki and so did she but neither were aware. Their relationship was more on who would confess to the other first. Sato tried to make Miyuki fall for him and Miyuki tried to be caring and compassionate towards him. However, doing that time, Sato took to gaming in order to earn a few bucks and as a result, hardly had time to spend with Miyuki. In the end, Miyuki got fed up with the lack of attention she received from Sato and opened her heart to another guy, leading to a rift forming in her relationship or rather ‘friendship’ with Sato. In the end, she applied for a separate College finally putting the dent in their relationship.

“Sorry, I just got surprised. It’s been awhile Miyuki, I hope you been doing well right?” Sato asked.

“Hm.” Miyuki nodded, “Uni’s been stressful and all but I’ve managed. How about you?”

“I’ve be-“

“Excuse fair maiden, may I get the permission of knowing your exquisite name?” Interrupting Sato while ignoring his reaction, Fudo outstretched his hand towards Miyuki.

“You say that but you just heard me calling her Miyuki.” Sato twitched his lips.

“Haha, it’s alright. I’m Anase Miyuki, but my friends call me Yuki.” Miyuki chuckled and placed her hand on Fudo’s.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.” (AN : Play on words, one of the possible meaning of Miyuki is beautiful snow.) Fudo pecked her hand.

“Oh, so you are a flirt huh? I didn’t think Sato could hang with someone like you?”

“Don’t misunderstand miss. As they say, a man with no tea is incapable of understanding truth and beauty. Sato lacks tea.” Fudo smiled (AN : Japanese quote about tea, but here Fudo replace the meaning of tea as something else)

Sato sighed “My grandfather was right when he said that wisdom is lost in a fat man’s body. You really are a dumb ass.” (AN : Another Japanese quote.)

“Haha.” Miyuki laughed at the duo. “So what are guys doing here?”

“Just came looking for something.” Sato answered before Fudo could speak.

“Really?” Miyuki enquired. (An : Enquire is preferred over Inquire in BrE)

“Yea-“

*Honk* *Honk*

” Hey Yuki-chan, what are you doing over there? We would soon be late for class.” A guy pulled over in a Sedan styled hover car that looked quite expensive and called out to Miyuki.

Walking out of his ride, the man asked “He is ?”

“Oh, just a friend.” Miyuki hurriedly responded.

“Ok. Come on, let’s go to class. You know how the professor always acts like.” Totally ignoring the duo, the man faced Miyuki and spoke to her after which he headed back to his ride.

“…Alright. See you later Sato.” Miyuki was initially stunned at his act but quickly said her goodbye to Sato and entered the car with the obnoxious profligate.

“She’s the high school chick right?” After the vehicle drove of Fudo asked Sato.

“Yep.”

“Have you gotten over her? Cause it seems she has gotten over you.”

“…I don’t know” Sato sighed. After of moment of reminiscence, they both headed over the college.

The Shinjuku School of Engineering and Mechanics was a slightly above average college being nominated as one of the best public schools in Shinano subprefecture. Despite being a college, it offered quality education second only to top class universities, as such, it is mostly a preferred choice for the masses.

Sato, being 21, was in his last year of college and it happened to be that their graduation ceremony would be held in a few weeks time with their exams already concluded. As such, most of his set mates hardly attend classes anymore, with the very few who do ending up coming late for classes like Sato and Fudo right now.

“Hey guys have you heard of that game Infinite Realm? I hear their servers are going online at midnight.”

“Oh, you mean Rip-off Realm? My friend already bought the set but I still don’t see what’s good in it.”

“You can’t be blamed Old fox. Even if you knew, you still can’t afford it.”

“Tch. Say that straight to my face again.”

In Room 205 for the Foreign Language Class which was being delayed for an unknown reason, the students in there all chatted about various topics with the dominant topic being about the soon-to-be released VRMMORPG, Infinite Realm or as the masses call it, Rip-off Realm.

One such conversations was between a group of 3 young men.

“Forget about that. I heard today’s gonna be the last class of Miss Stalingrad.”

“Ha. It can’t be helped after all she is a foreign exchange student. Either way she will forever remain in our hearts.” A young man in the group commented.

“More like your d**k. Bunch of perverts.” said a four eyed man.

One of the guys in the group happened to notice Sato and Fudo coming so he said “Hey Fudo what do you have to say about Miss Stalingrad returning back to Russia later on?”

Fudo sighed “A beauty ought to be loved from afar and owned by no one. It is nothing more than the law of nature.”

“Keep spewing crap and you might end up god knows where.” Sato said.

“By the way Sato, what do you have to say about Infinite Realm? We all know you have a blog and you were a former pro-gamer. So do you think it’s a rip-off?” The four eyed man asked.

“I haven’t played it so I can’t be sure but I feel it has a lot of potential. There has been a lot of news on upcoming E-sport tournaments based in the game and a lot of hefty rewards. Considering it’s new and everyone’s gonna be starting at the same time and space with no premium accounts, I feel it has a whole lot of potential.” Sato stated

“I see.” The four eyed man nudged his glasses.

” If you say so, then I might as well start saving though I will have to begin late.” the young man who spoke initially, Katsuo, said.

“Haha, you dimwits actually take the advice of a fired gamer? Well I can’t blame you since you’re all dimwits.”A dude in a white T-shirt with a black windbreaker walked up to them and said.

“Oi, Hideki why don’t you mind your business.” The last guy in Sato’s group of 5, Yato, fired back at the young man.

“Oh? Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t Sato fired from his last guild? And yet here you are asking him for gaming advice when there’s a real player in your presence.” Hideki cockily spoke up.

“Oh really? Last I remembered, you were just a regular member of your guild. What makes you feel better than Sato who was a core member?” Fudo sneered.

“Hehe, you know nothing. I just got promoted recently. It’s only a matter of time before I become a core member and Infinite Realm will make it so. But you will still remain the same.” Hideki chuckled. “If you doubt me, I can prove it to you at midnight.” (AN : That sounds too spicy for the ear…)

“A dog that barks can’t bite. Let’s settle this online. I would like to see what gives you the courage to face me.” Sato chuckled though it had a chill to it.

“No problem. Just don’t regret it. I’ll be spawning at Riverdale Town by the way.” Hideki replied after which he walked away.

“Hehehe, I think I’ll also spawn there. I would like to see that smug wiped off his face. Make me proud Sato boy.” Fudo stated.

“Who’s your boy?”

After classes Sato headed back home and had his meal. After which he set up and connected the recently delivered VR Helmet and accessories to the server’s address and waited for it’s launch.

“3 more hours to go.. This time I will make things right.”