Iris (after opening the door): Do you need something?
Staff two (pass a piece of paper): That person you saw asked me to give this to you.
Iris (taking the paper): Thank you. (taking his mask off after closing the door when the staff left) I wonder what this could be.
Souji's voice (while Iris read the paper after opening it): Call me after the event.
Iris (confused): What is he thinking? Giving me a letter with his phone number. (in her mind) That staff might have gotten the wrong idea.
(night building roof after the event)
Souji (leaning on the balcony not wearing his mask): My voice is sore. Trying to stay in character with my avatar is hard. (stretching) I know they did this once in a while but I wish we could practice beforehand instead of going with the flow. (hearing his phone ring) Who's calling me? (in his mind after looking at his phone that's royal blue with a black keyboard) Unknown number. (after answering his phone) Hello.
(private room)
Iris (leaning on the wall with her phone that's purple with a black cat face outline logo on the front and black keyboard): It's me.
Souji (from phone): Ishtar?
Iris: Don't call me that.
Souji: Sorry I couldn't help myself.
Iris (looking out the window): Why did you want me to call you?
Souji: I just wanted to chat. I was surprised to see my partner from UGO.
Iris: Well we did become famous together so we would have met up at some point. However, can we talk in UGO? I don't feel comfortable talking through the phone right now since there might be people overhearing our conversation.
(roof)
Souji: Then I'll meet you at the usual inn.
Iris (from phone): Meet you there Mazoku.
Souji: What did you... (close his phone after hearing a beep) I'll let her slide since I call her by her game name.
(private room)
Iris (in her mind walking to the door while putting her mouth mask on): That's payback.
(Universe Guardian Online safe zone inn private room)
Ishtar (after entering): You're here.
Mazoku (sitting at the table): You're late.
Ishtar (sitting down): Sorry. I wanted to grab a snack and get comfortable before jumping on.
Mazoku: I did the same. Anyway, you're so different in UGO and in person.
Ishtar: Is that a problem?
Mazoku: In UGO you're more chill and act like a normal person. However, at college, it's like you're trying to distance yourself while hiding it from people.
Ishtar (crosses one of her legs): I'm surprised you noticed. There's a reason for that but I don't want to talk about it.
Mazoku: Is there something different between meeting people in public and in a game?
Ishtar: In a game, you meet people who you will never meet in public. However if you know people in public they can easily talk behind your back, betray you or use them. (quietly) Just like him.
Mazoku: Personal question. Do you live alone?
Ishtar: To personal but I do. How about you?
Mazoku: I live alone too. Anyway, I want to ask when you say "him". Who are you talking about?
Ishtar: This will be hard to explain since I never told anyone but for all my life I've been alone because of my family. My mum works her butts off. Working ridiculous shifts, dealing with the house cleaning, and barely eating. I did help out while I was there but I ended up being used like a maid.
Mazoku: What about your father?
Ishtar: That jerk sits around drinking alcohol. Causing trouble and asking for money to waste. (grip her fists) I still remember the bruises my mum got when I was still a had.
Mazoku (shock): You know your father can go to jail for hurting a woman.
Ishtar: That's a bit hard since he has a gang. My mum tried hiding things telling me everything was okay but I knew it wasn't. So a year before college I moved out because I felt like I was going to lose myself.
Mazoku: And that's before you found this game and met me.
Ishtar: It's thanks to the sponsors that I was able to get the things I have. The headteacher knows a bit about my family situation but not the whole story.
Mazoku: So because of your life you never trust people?
Ishtar: That's right. I have always been alone. Never had a single friend.
Mazoku (standing): Then put your trust in me. You can decide if you want to be friends.
Ishtar (in her mind): What a strange person.
YOU ARE READING
A dark past to a bright future
AléatoireI too was stuck in darkness before a friend I left helped me return to the light. Now it's time for me to help someone who's even further in the darkness. I won't stop until I return her to the light.
