Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Seiko's eyes had to readjust to the real world after spending so much time in the Ether. Dust particles danced in front of him, reflecting the light of dusk cutting between his blinds. His party had talked for another 4 hours about the news of the tournament and what it meant for them. They agreed that it was too big of an opportunity to pass up. Additionally, they worked out that if one of them won, they would all get a share of the prize. The news was welcome to Seiko, being able to win a contest like that would take a lot of stress out of his life. The inheritance his father had left behind had since dwindled with rising expenses. His mother's treatment wasn't cheap and of course he had to survive as well. He had recently started to feel the pressure of the exorbitant bills. If they could manage to win the tournament, Seiko might actually get a chance to relax for once instead of working non-stop.

He got up from his chair to do his post-game stretches. Staying limber and maintaining blood flow was important, at least that's what Oaklee told him. His phone buzzed as he went down to touch his toes. He didn't check it. He knew already that it was from the caretaker. She had been texting and calling for weeks. He had recently learned that his mother's condition had gotten more extreme. Based on what Seiko had read, she would likely continue to get worse.

A bead of light sprouted from his holohome projector. Oaklee appeared in the room with a look of disapproval on her face.

"So, we're just pretending we don't hear the phone now?" She crossed her arms. Seiko didn't respond.

"I know it's a lot to handle but you cant just ignore them." She asked.

Seiko calmly responded. "I'm not pretending. I'm just not going to stress over it."

"I'm not stupid, you know."

"Yeah, you've made that clear." Seiko shook his head. "I don't want to get into it ok?"

"Every time something with your mom comes up, you try to just brush it off, but I can see it eating you up."

"Why should I worry about it? She's a grown woman!" Seiko's anger made his face hot. "I didn't see anyone rush to my rescue when I was in trouble. When I got left with one of her 'boyfriends'-" Oaklee felt the words hit her like daggers. Though he tried to stifle it, she had never heard him so upset. Seiko exhaled from a place deep within himself. A tired and hurtful place. "She'll be fine."

The Ai paused, unsure what to say. She was worried about what would happen if her friend's feelings weren't addressed though.

"You're only hurting yourself. I get that it feels good to hold on to that anger, but it'll just mess you up in the long run."

Seiko looked at her troubled face. Oaklee was just trying to help him, and he'd been taking out his frustration on her.

He spoke softly. "You're probably right. Sorry." His anger fell away to guilt.

"She's sick Seiko. And she's your mother."

"I know. I'll consider visiting, ok?" He offered with a shy smile.

Oaklee nodded. "That's all I'm asking."

Seiko gathered himself, shooing away the dark emotions that clouded his mind. Finishing his stretches, they discussed how they planned to deal with their next targets. The twins. More importantly than that, they needed to start preparing for the tournament. Seiko had to win the grand prize. That was all there was to it. Everything else was just a distraction. His alarm went off. Well... Maybe some distractions could be permitted.

Seeing the time, Seiko rushed through Oaklee's holo body into his bedroom. The pile of clean clothes in the corner beckoned to him.

"Shower First!" Oaklee shouted after him. The response she received from the young man was a mix between an annoyed groan and a frustrated scream.

Seiko trudged back through and into the bathroom. After a few minutes, he emerged fresh as a daisy and got ready to leave. His friend Thomas and his mom had invited him over for dinner. After some deliberation between a red collared shirt and a blue one, Oaklee picked for him, claiming the blue made his eyes pop.

"Does this really matter?" He asked. Clothes were clothes and he was pretty sure Thomas didn't care how he dressed.

"The point is you should look your best. Besides, how do you think it reflects on me as your Ai if I let you go out dressed like a homeless person?"

Seiko gave her a look of exasperation but complied.

They arrived on time as Thomas only lived on the next floor up. His mom answered the door wearing an apron. She smiled warmly, not letting Seiko pass through the door without a very strong hug. He awkwardly accepted the gesture as always with light pats on her back. As he crossed the threshold, a mouth-watering scent overtook him. He was always blown away by her talent with food.

"Tommy's in the living room. Make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready in ten."

Thomas' mother, Ms. Reeder, was a very kind woman. She looked after him alone after her husband passed away some years ago. Her son was clearly the world to her and despite his paralysis, Seiko never saw her show him any kind of pity or special treatment because of it. She was tough, but fair. Thomas waved him to the seat next to him. Seiko sat on the old suede couch, slapping his friend some skin. He sank so far into it that he knew getting up again was going to be a challenge. He was comfortable though, not just in the sofa but there. It was a home. A place you could find respite from your worries. He got to be himself, his real self.

"Is it ok if I holo Oaklee? She'll get annoyed if I." Seiko asked.

Thomas laughed and nodded in permission. "Go for it. Wouldn't want to upset the missus. Aramais, come say hi." Thomas continued his running joke that Seiko and Oaklee were just like an old married couple. This time, like all the others earned a scowl from Seiko.

"Dude, you know she's more like an occupying Dictator, right?" He shook his head at Thomas.

"I'm sorry?" Oaklee blinked into the space in front of Seiko. "Is my subject bad mouthing me? To the Stocks with you!"

Thomas chuckled at the two bickered lightly.

Aramais, Thomas' Ai, appeared next to his user.

"Apologies for the Tardiness." He said. "Mining went longer than expected. We should have ample gold aetherium to craft your gauntlets now though."

The two Ai looked fairly similar but with some key differences. Oaklee was relatively short, with black hair and honey gold eyes, whereas Aramais was tall, lanky, had long blondish white hair and eyes that were tinged a little darker. He also spoke very formally.

"Seiko, Oaklee. A pleasure as always to see you. I hope you have maintained good health since our last rendezvous?"

Oaklee gave Seiko a very subtle look, but he knew it well. She had never liked Aramais. She had said she felt like he was always looking down on her or into her. Either way, it creeped her out. Seiko had joked this was because of their difference in height. Still, he had to agree, Thomas' Ai did seem a little... off in a way he couldn't necessarily put a finger on. Even Marquis didn't act so formally all the time and he was the definition of a wet blanket. The four of them chatted about a multitude of things but mainly on the Ether. Thomas had watched the stream of Gearhardt's assassination too and was more than impressed.

"It's so cool. You guys are like elite hitmen or something!" He beamed.

Seiko enjoyed the praise. He'd extended an invitation to Thomas before to join their guild but to his surprise, the boy said he preferred to go through the game with just him and Aramais. It didn't seem like a pride thing. More so, that he just genuinely enjoyed the game more solo. Plus, he'd never been a big fan of pvp.

Ms. Reeder called the boys for dinner. They all sat together at a small table to enjoy the meal. Seiko's mouth watered as she set down a large bowl in the center of them. The enticing smell wafted through the apartment. Cajun spices, garlic, stewed tomato. Ms. Reeder ladled large steaming spoonful's of gumbo on top of rice. Seiko couldn't wait. He burned his mouth with the first bite but persevered. He shoveled it down quickly and went in for seconds before Thomas or his mom had gotten through half their portion.

"Eat as much as you like, I'm gonna send some home with you as well." She beamed.

Seiko could cry. He had never tasted anything so flavorful.