This is Just a Game...Right?

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Beginning the Game

I couldn't concentrate at school. I kept fidgeting around, eager to head home. I got constant reminders from the teachers to just stay still and stop moving around, but I couldn't help it. I needed to play the game. It's my only hope.

Then finally, finally, school ends. When I hear the bell ring, I leap out of my seat, only to be told to sit down. I reluctantly do so, until the teacher finally calls out, "Dismissed!"

"Rei! Come on, we need to start." I shout to my friend, and he stands up slowly, making his way over through the crowd of students. After he reaches me, I see his uncertain look.

"Are you sure about this...? I feel like there's a catch for bringing someone back. And that email...it's hella suspicious. I mean, how would they know our names?" Rei mutters, and I think about it. I've been thinking during all of my classes. But I would always come up with the same answer. I would do it. I want my brother back.

"I'm sorry Rei. You don't have to do this. I just want to bring my brother back. But you don't have to do this. Just...forget about the game, and I'll do it myself. But...if I don't come back. Promise me. Promise me that you won't come to look for me. And promise me that you'll stay safe." I turn to him, and speak earnestly. Only for him to flick my forehead. I move back, startled.

"Ha, idiot. Who said I wouldn't come? I just wanted to know if you were sure." He grins, and I laugh.

"It totally sounded like you were going to back out, you know?" I tell him as we start walking to our house.

"Really? I thought I just sounded like someone who was concerned for my best friend/sister." He says, and I laugh again.

"Nope."

After we reach the house, I race into my room, and I open both of the computers, throwing my bag onto my bed. Rei follows suit, and sits down next to me.

I open the game, which I downloaded yesterday. The intro starts. I learn that this game is a hero RPG, and then it asks me for information to create a character. I decide on a girl with a similar figure to me, but I then add a pair of golden brown fox ears and a tail to match, and give the girl beautiful, elegant, silver wings. Her hair color is the same as mine, but there are a few purple streaks here and there. And to top it off, I give her shimmering sapphire blue eyes. I smile proudly at my character, satisfied with what I've done. I glance over at Rei, and his character is...to say the least, interesting.

It has the same messy hairstyle, but his hair is silver, not the same auburn as the real Rei. He gives it hazel eyes, and I smile. It's so similar to his actual appearance, but then I realize that his character has small cat ears on the top of his head. Then we start playing the game. I click on character information, and find out that they gave out randomized skills. For in-game Lyrica, she has fire control, making her a fire mage. In-game Rei has the power to talk to animals.

"Oh my god, Rei. Your character...his skill is like, completely useless. It's cute...but not very helpful." I laugh, and he groans.

"Damn that randomizer. But you got a great skill! What's up with that?" He mutters, and I smirk. Testing out my fire control, I accidentally burn up a few trees along the side of the road.

"Oops...my bad." And with that, we head off. Of course, I'm assuming that if we want to bring Keiji back, we'd have to clear the boss of the game. And to do that, we'd have to be strong. So we have to level up by defeating monsters.

"Hey, Rica. Maybe we could find more people and form a party. It'll be easier to beat the higher level monsters." Rei tells me, and I nod. That's a good idea.