14

After spending the weekend playing off and on with [[God_of_War]] and the rest of the party. The issue from before was slowly forgotten.

Neither Aoi or [[God_of_War]] brought it up again, and the rest of the party was tactful enough to not comment on the issues that they held in their own hearts. As for [[Chaos_Boss]], he was blocked by both Aoi and the rest of the party members, and anytime he appeared to 'showcase' his change in heart for [[V1RUS]], the group would swiftly leave to do something else.

Every now and then a few comments would pop up in global about how [[V1RUS]] was actually a 'female' player. But for the most part, the whirlwind of this tidbit of information was lost as the game released an announcement of the new expansion.

The hype of this new expansion caused a flux of new players, as well as the release of the ads that Aoi and [[God_of_War]] had taken part in. Their names reached to top of the 'hot' topic and would often have to spend a great deal of time explaining the Character Skills and the draw backs to newer members that flooded their DM's.

Because of the new expansion, the group had decided to form an 'alliance' being as they were now playing together 80% of the time in game. In order to better plan for the new quests and other BOSS fights coming out, the group also traded their Weibo account names as to be able to set up meeting and even times outside of the game.

This also allowed [[God_of_War]] to freely message [[V1RUS]], outside the game to figure out a better time to 'meet' up within the game to plan on leveling and character load outs.

The majority of their messages being about In game topics and rarely would they talk about their own personal lives.

It wasn't until one night, when the party had been chatting on Weibo that someone finally offered a meet up outside of the game.

[[Ming_Ming]]: We should get together for a meet up ah? It's boring just seeing [[Clear_Wind]]'s face every day ಥ_ಥ

[[God_of_War]]: I don't mind, but are we even in the same town?

[[Bringing_Peace]]: We should be no? We play on the local server for the game after all.

[[Cool_Breeze]]: Unless you VPN, we should be.

[[Ming_Ming]]: I live in xx town, we can meet at xxx bar!

[[Clear_Wind]]: Don't you feel ashamed for giving your location so soon? I mean, what of you find a stalker!

[[Ming_Ming]]: Well, I live with you, so bite me!

[[Clear_Wind]]: I feel...depressed, Maybe I should just tell dad you are willing to meet strangers online!

[[Ming_Ming]]: Oh come on, it was your idea to begin with, I just asked first!

[[V1RUS]]:....

The conversation went on as the group slowly came to a time to meet, each person willing to travel a little distance with the thought of turning 'in game' friendships into real life ones.

[[God_of_War]]: How about you [[V1RUS]]?

[[V1RUS]]: ....I...Don't mind, but...I got class.

[[Ming_Ming]]: Oh? You aren't on leave for the holiday?

[[V1RUS]]: I'm in college...

[[Clear_Wind]]: I thought you were younger....sigh.

[[V1RUS]]: What's that suppose to mean?

[[God_of_War]]: It's fine, we'll meet after your classes then?

[[Cool_Breeze]]: Right! Besides, I have work in the morning.

[[Bringing_Peace]]: Same!

Thus the time was changed. [[God_of_War]] opted into booking the location of the meeting, before sending the time and place to each person.

After setting his phone to the side, Aoi leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes while he shook his thoughts off. He felt an odd sense of joy at the idea of finally going out to meet 'friends'. As a recluse that rarely left his own apartment, it was a new feeling. Honestly, after finish college, it would be a surprise if Aoi ever left his apartment again...

With his mind distracted, Aoi busied himself with finding something to 'wear' to the gathering before finishing up some projects that were in his pending folder. He still had a few days to go until the meet up, and he felt himself fidgeting at the idea of it.

The following days passed in a blur, as the youth began to grow nervous at the idea of meeting up with friends, finding it even harder to get the sleep his body badly needed. His own thoughts ignoring the signs of exhaustion as he went to class the morning of the meet up.

Struggling to get through the first half of his day, Aoi tried to keep his thoughts from wondering from the main objective at hand, studying, while attending his classes. Though, as the time grew closer to the meet up, the more nervous he became.

Hurrying out of the classroom after it had finished, Aoi rushed to the bathroom before slashing some water onto his face, staring up at the pale youthful face in the mirror. The Dark circles under his eyes, and dazed expression made him seem really pitiful.

Annoyed with his own reflection, Aoi adjusted his shaggy hair to try and hide his sleep deprived look, and began to make his way to the meeting location.