Player are you ready?

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**Y/N POV**

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**Y/N POV**

I woke up early, just as the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, filling the sky with soft hues of pink and orange. Deciding to make the most of the peaceful morning, I headed out for a stroll around the market. The fresh scent of dew clung to the air, while the sound of birds chirping harmonized with the chatter of vendors setting up their stalls. It was a lively scene, yet there was a calmness to it—a sense of purpose in everyone’s movements, each absorbed in their own world.

As I wandered past the colorful displays, my eyes drifted over stalls selling trinkets, fresh produce, and homemade goods. I mentally bookmarked a few places I’d return to later. I had also planned to buy some groceries while I was here, so I fished out my list and began checking off items one by one.

The market buzzed with energy, the clatter of goods being exchanged and casual conversations blending into a symphony of everyday life. I scanned the stalls, searching for a vendor selling vegetables and fruit. Soon enough, I found one, neatly organized with vibrant, fresh produce. I picked what I needed, thanked the vendor, and handed him the money. As he handed me the groceries, I noticed a group of children racing past me, laughing as they headed toward a store.

Curious, I squinted to see where they were going. It was a small, bustling shop filled with games and DVDs. Despite the crowd inside, something about the store’s lively atmosphere beckoned me. Without realizing it, I found myself heading toward the entrance, drawn in by the excitement.

The store owners greeted me with warm smiles as I stepped inside.

"Hello! Welcome! Feel free to browse," they said cheerfully.

I returned their smiles and made my way over to the DVD section, letting nostalgia wash over me. It had been ages since I’d even thought about DVDs; they weren’t exactly popular in my house anymore. After a brief glance, I moved on to the games. Shelves were packed with titles, ranging from classics to the latest releases. Nearby, I saw a group of kids debating animatedly about which game to pick, their enthusiasm contagious. I couldn’t help but smile at their energy.

After a while, one game caught my eye. The cover was simple, but something about it stood out. "Run 2 You," the title read. I picked it up, flipping it over to read the back. It was a romance game, where the player could pursue multiple love interests, each with unique endings depending on the choices made.

"This looks interesting," I mused, weighing the game in my hands. After a moment’s thought, I decided to buy it—if for nothing else, then just for the fun of it. I headed to the cashier, handing them the game and the money.

"This better be worth it," I muttered with a chuckle as I received my change and receipt. I left the store and continued my stroll, my mind already buzzing with anticipation for when I’d get home and play it.

       ·· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The rest of the day passed in a blur of routine chores. It was the weekend, which meant no school, and thankfully, I had already finished my homework. I prided myself on staying ahead of tasks, even if laziness occasionally crept in.

By the time I finished mopping the floor, a tired sigh escaped me. I set the mop aside and headed back to my room, eager for a little break. As I opened the door and sank onto my bed, my eyes immediately fell on the game I had bought earlier. Without thinking twice, I got up and walked over to my desk, picking up the game and starting to set it up.

Minutes later, I was seated comfortably, controller in hand, staring at the screen. The main menu appeared, displaying the title "Run 2 You" in an elegant font at the top corner. The menu options—play, settings, shop, exit—were neatly arranged at the bottom. Behind them, an animated background showed students walking toward a school, the scene setting the perfect tone for what was to come.

I hit play, and the game sprang to life. Bright, cheerful music filled the room as I was introduced to the main character, Park Yuna. She was a talented art student, known in her school for her remarkable skill and her passion for helping other artists. Yuna had long, flowing black hair that shimmered under the sunlight, and her almond-shaped brown eyes sparkled with life. Her pale skin contrasted with her soft, reddish lips, making her one of the most striking characters I had ever seen in a game.

As I guided Yuna through her day, navigating her interactions with various characters, I quickly became immersed in the story. The objective was simple: meet her potential love interests and guide her toward one of many possible endings. The depth of the dialogue and the way each character’s personality unfolded kept me glued to the screen.

Hours passed without me realizing it. By now, the sun had set, and the only light in the room came from the glow of the TV. I was already well on my way to unlocking one of Yuna’s endings when a knock at my door interrupted me. I paused the game and went to answer it.

Standing there was my mother, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. She glanced around the room, no doubt noticing how engrossed I’d become.

"Hehe, Mom… as you can see, I bought a game today. I hope you don’t mind," I said sheepishly.

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "As long as you manage your time well, I don’t mind. Just don’t spend all your money on things like that, okay?"

"YES! Just this once, I promise!" I replied, relieved.

She nodded and headed downstairs, reminding me that dinner was ready. After saving my progress, I followed her downstairs and joined her for dinner, grateful for the break.

Later, after helping with the dishes and winding down for the night, I found myself back at the game. I had promised myself I wouldn’t stay up late—but who was I kidding? By the time I finally unlocked all the endings, it was well past midnight. Every one of Yuna’s love interests had their own sweet, heartfelt conclusion, and I felt a sense of accomplishment, having finished the game in one sitting.

I yawned and stretched, the hours of sitting catching up to me. Still, I couldn’t help but smile. The game had been worth every second. Satisfied, I exited the game and shut off the console. Climbing into bed, I pulled the covers up, feeling the warmth settle over me as I closed my eyes.

Minutes later, I was deep in sleep, my breathing soft and even. But something strange was happening in the room. The screen that I had turned off earlier flickered back to life. A glitch rippled across the screen, distorting the menu. The game, seemingly of its own volition, reopened. The light from the TV bathed the room in an eerie glow, yet I remained blissfully unaware, too tired to notice anything amiss.

The glitch worsened, strange noises filling the room. A loud crackle sounded, and suddenly, the light from the screen surged, enveloping the entire space. A ringing echoed in the room, but even that didn’t stir me.

After all, I’ve always been a deep sleeper.

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