Lunch With Lily

After watching the exhilarating match between the Radiant Stars and the Storm Breakers, Ray was in awe. The skills, strategies, and sheer intensity of the professional players left him inspired. Watching these pros gave him a new perspective on what he needed to do next in Victory Online. He might not be able to replicate their powers, but he could certainly match or even surpass their combat and weapon skills. His ability had the potential to make him a weapon master, so all he needed now was top-tier gear and better weapons.

With this newfound determination, Ray began jotting down his plans and strategies. His friends often teased him about his obsessive problem-solving nature, but now, he saw the truth in it. After brainstorming for a while, he finally went to bed, feeling hopeful about the future.

The next morning, Ray felt groggy but dragged himself through his daily routine. His sister, Lily, paid him another visit, showing just how much she cared.

"Are you planning to visit me every day, or do you not have a life?" Ray teased.

"It's not like that. Since Mom and Dad banned you from coming home, I have to visit you. Unless you plan on taking me out?" Lily shot back.

With Lily's help, they cleaned up the apartment. Ray often wondered how he managed to make such a mess despite living alone. Grateful for his sister's help, he decided to take her out for lunch as a thank you.

They went to a nearby restaurant and quickly found a seat. The place was bustling with activity, the aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. When the waiter, a young man barely in his twenties, approached, Ray asked Lily what she wanted.

"I'll have an ice beverage, please," she said.

"And for you, sir?" the waiter asked Ray.

"I'll just have a bottle of water, thanks," Ray replied. But when he checked his wallet, he quickly called the waiter back. "Actually, my sister changed her mind. She'll just have water too."

"I never said that!" Lily protested.

"Oh, right, my mistake. She'll have sparkling water. Do you have that?"

"Yes, we do," the waiter confirmed.

"Great, we'll have that. Thanks."

Living on his own with no allowance from his parents, Ray was nearly broke. His wallet was almost empty, and he had to be frugal. As he thought back to his days of wealth, he remembered his ex-girlfriend who left him as soon as his parents kicked him out.

"The only thing you have going for you now is your face. Nothing else about you attracts women. I only dated you because you were rich," she had said before driving away in the car he had bought her.

Ray chuckled to himself at the memory, trying to push the sadness away. Lily, sensing his financial struggle, didn't press the issue. When the waiter returned with their drinks, they ordered food—Ray chose a chicken sandwich, and Lily went with an egg sandwich.

As they waited, they chatted about various things. Lily started telling Ray about her recent job search, the funny moments she had encountered, and some of the quirky characters she had met.

"You wouldn't believe this one guy," Lily said, laughing. "He showed up in a full clown costume. Apparently, he's a professional clown, but he thought it would make him stand out in a good way. It was... unique, to say the least."

Ray laughed. "Maybe he was hoping to bring some joy to the office. Did he get the job?"

"No, but he did get a lot of laughs. Sometimes, I wonder if people do these things just for the stories they can tell later."

"Aren't you a bit young to start looking for a job."

"Shut up, if you can live on your own why can't i."

Not pressing the matter any further their conversation continued, filled with light-hearted banter and sibling camaraderie. When the food arrived, Ray, starving, devoured his sandwich without much regard for manners. Lily ate more slowly, savoring her meal.

"Remember when we used to come to places like this with Mom and Dad?" Lily asked, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

"Yeah," Ray said, his mouth full. "They always took us to the nicest places."

"And you always ate like a caveman," Lily teased.

"Old habits die hard," Ray said, grinning.

As they finished their meals, Ray went to pay the bill. At the cashier, Ray handed over some cash, but the cashier shook his head.

"We don't accept cash due to recent incidents. We only take card payments."

Ray's heart sank. "I left my ATM card at home," he thought. He tried to transfer money via his phone but was met with an insufficient balance message.

"Can't you just take cash, or let me run home to get my card?" Ray pleaded, but the cashier was firm.

"Sorry, sir. We can't let you leave without paying."

Desperate, Ray turned to his sister. "Hey, my wonderful and beautiful sister, could you help me out? I'll pay you back, I promise."

Lily agreed and paid the bill without a second thought. As they left the restaurant, they were met with glares and whispers from other patrons.

"Why come here if you can't pay?"

"He probably planned to make his friend pay."

"With a face like that, he could be a male escort and pay his bills."

Ignoring the comments, Ray remained calm, much to Lily's surprise.

"Doesn't it bother you, what they're saying?" she asked.

"Not really. They don't control my life. One day, I'll be better off than them, and I'll be the one laughing," Ray replied with a smile.

"That was so cheesy. You watch too much anime," Lily teased.

"No, I also read manga and novels. You're not the first to tell me that," Ray laughed.

As they walked back home, they continued their conversation. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city, and Ray felt a sense of peace despite the day's challenges.

"Thanks for always being there for me, Lily," Ray said after a while. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"That's what sisters are for," Lily replied, nudging him playfully.

When they got home, Ray tried to pay Lily back, but she refused. "Consider it a gift for being a great brother."

They sat down on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV and chatting about their favorite shows. Lily's laughter was infectious, and Ray found himself relaxing more than he had in a long time.

"Remember that time we binge-watched that whole anime series in one weekend?" Lily asked.

"How could I forget? We barely slept, and I think I dreamed in subtitles for a week," Ray replied.

They reminisced about old times, each memory a small treasure they shared. It reminded Ray of how important family was, especially when things were tough.

As the afternoon turned into evening, they decided to order pizza for dinner. Ray called the pizzeria, and soon they were enjoying slices of hot, cheesy pizza.

"This is the life," Lily said, taking a big bite.

"Yep, good food and good company," Ray agreed.

After dinner, Lily helped Ray tidy up a bit more before she had to leave. They hugged at the door, and Ray felt a pang of sadness seeing her go.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Lily said, looking serious for a moment.

"I will. Thanks for everything, Lily," Ray replied.

As she walked away, Ray felt a renewed sense of determination. He was ready to tackle whatever came his way, knowing he had the support of his sister. He cleaned up the kitchen, reflecting on the day's events. Despite the financial struggles and the rude comments from strangers, Ray felt a sense of hope and motivation.

He spent the rest of the evening planning his next steps. He wrote down a detailed plan for improving his skills and acquiring better gear. It wasn't just about the game; it was about proving to himself and everyone else that he could succeed despite the odds.

Before bed, Ray took a moment to appreciate the small apartment he called home. It wasn't much, but it was his. He had made it through another day, and tomorrow was a new opportunity.

As he drifted off to sleep, Ray dreamed of the future. He saw himself rising to the top, not just in Victory Online, but in life. With Lily's support and his own unwavering determination, he knew he could achieve anything he set his mind to.

The next morning, Ray woke up with a clear sense of purpose. He was ready to face the challenges ahead, both in the virtual world and the real one. And as he logged back into Victory Online, he knew that every step he took was one step closer to his dreams.

With a smile, Ray thought to himself, "If a dagger doesn't work, then I'll use a spear. If a spear doesn't work, I'll use a sword. And if a sword doesn't work, then I'll use an even bigger sword. One way or another, I'll find a way."