Back to Reality

Justice had chosen to log out, returning to reality as Vivian once more. She sat up, rubbing her eyes then tried to stand.

"Ohp, there goes gravity."

Tumbling to the floor, Vivian laughed to herself before grabbing a late snack. She watched television while she ate, eventually drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Vivian quickly got herself ready for school. She wanted to see Yui, though the feeling wasn't fully mutual.

"Hey, Viv. Why doncha come with us?"

She hadn't even made it halfway before a few people, clearly around her age, stopped her advancement.

"You all know I stopped that stuff. I'm done doing stupid crap."

Vivian tried to leave them, her eyes locking on Yui in the distance.

'Can't let her see them. I hate when she gets that disappointed look in her eyes.'

Vivian booked it, clearing her way forward to avoid the group. She even had to avoid Yui, though it pained her.

"Made it!"

Vivian knew the group wouldn't want to step foot near the schoolyard, so she made it inside and stepped behind a pillar to wait for Yui.

'I wonder what kind of mood she's got going today...'

The day progressed at a snails pace for Vivian, all attempts to talk with Yui halted or ignored. A feeling of pain and dread began to creep into Vivian's heart, yet she still followed Yui to the Gardening Club's terrace.

"Yui? Can we-"

"What do you need?"

Yui's eyes were cold, making Vivian lose her nerve.

"Are you mad at me?"

She shook her head, then bit her thumbnail.

"I'm confused. You know I'm logical, so I tend to use my head to do everything... but here I am not quite sure what to do next. I think I like someone."

A frozen smile popped up on Vivian's face as her heart sank.

"D-do you now? Ehehe... what kind of guy is it? Do I know him?"

She clenched her fists, a few tears leaking from her eyes. Yui didn't notice, though Vivian turned away nonetheless.

'I should have known better.'

Yui never replied. She only continued to work with her plants before setting off from the terrace.

"Yui... just think a bit before you jump in. I made that mistake, so I just want to warn you."

Yui raised an eyebrow.

"So you were in love? Or did you like someone?"

Vivian sighed.

'So this got her attention. Perfect.'

"I've been in love for a while. She never noticed, though I'm almost certain I'm better off giving up on her. It was my mistake getting my hopes up in the first place."

Yui shrugged and turned her back on Vivian.

"Maybe she likes you too? Maybe she's just shy, you never know."

Vivian say down as Yui left.

"She's not shy unless I tease her. I know full well what it takes to make her open up, yet I... I know she deserves better."

Vivian looked up at the clouds before she went inside, nearly slamming into Yui. She stopped quickly, her ears perking as she heard a voice around the corner.

"Well, I wanted to see if we had a chance. Wanna try?"

Vivian frowned. The voice belonged to a classmate that used to bully Yui for being quiet, but here he was.

"No thanks. I've got someone I'm interested in, so I should probably go."

Yui was quick to escape, but Vivian heard the boys last remarks before he walked away.

"Stupid bitch. You got some nice tits, that's all I want... why do you have to be so damn antisocial?! Could've gotten a boyfriend and lost your V card."

Vivian glanced around the corner, watching his back turn around a different one. She followed where she believed Yui had gone, nearly bumping into her again.

"Someone's popular."

"Just, don't. You know why he came for me."

All Vivian could do was nod as she slung her arm over Yui's shoulders.

"I mean... those aren't your only assets."

Vivian pulled Yui's hair out of her face, revealing a pale beauty that glared back.

"Don't make fun of me."

Storming off, Yui left Vivian with another pain in her chest.

'I should just give up...'

Vivian slowly made her way home, stripped down and put on her gaming visor once more. She let out another sigh before powering it on and reentering Relian Online.

[Welcome back, Admin.]

"Thanks A.I. I'll be looking forward to your support."

--

Thank you,

JScott, croix and Tech!