Three year time skip
Himiko's P.O.V.
*****
Years have gone by, and I haven't really seen anyone since we all woke up. After they found my mom, I went home with her and I haven't left sense. I'm sure she didn't want me leaving anytime soon either. I couldn't control my emotions when we saw each other after who knows how long. Even though she knew about what I was getting myself into, she was still so overcome with relief after seeing me again. I was finally going home, and I've never been more excited to be in my hometown.
The only problem was, because the simulator was also a game that people watched, everyone I passed by recognized me. People who use to bully me suddenly wanted to be my friend, asking me millions of questions about what I went through in that place. I was never able to talk about it, everything was too painful. Even after a few years, I had horrible PTSD episodes to the point where I couldn't even leave my room. Talking about it made me feel sick to my stomach.
That's why, I was surprised that I was getting dressed to go out tonight. Tenko was driving me around tonight in order for us to catch up after all these years. I had a hard time figuring out what to wear. The Himiko I remember was pretty conservative and never showed that much skin. I stayed like that girl, but some of the dresses I had in my closet didn't look like my style at all. I also wasn't as flat as I use to be, so some of my clothes were a little tight around my chest. I definitely need to go shopping soon no matter how terrifying it'll be. I finally ended up throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweater, it was getting a lot colder. I tugged on a pair of boots before heading downstairs to wait.
My mom knew I was going out, so while I waited for Tenko to get here, she sat down and lectured me about being safe. Even through I was twenty years old, I payed close attention to what she was saying. I appreciated the fact that she cared, it was something that I use to roll my eyes over. I felt upset with myself that I use to be like that. She loves me to death, and that makes me beyond happy.
Tenko texted me alerting me that she was finally here and as soon as I got outside, I threw my arms around her. She was one of the few people from the simulator that I texted every day. I missed her to death and for a few minutes, we cried and obsessed about how the other looked before getting into her car. We were heading out to a small bar area that no one really goes to anymore. That means less attention for both of us. We talked the entire time to the point where everything seemed okay again. I don't remember the drive that much because it all went by so fast.
Before we walked outside, I pulled my hair out of the bun I had put it up in. My hair was passed my collar bone now, and I'm hoping it'll hide me from the people who were at the bar. Tenko and I made our way inside and I feel like we were equally relieved when there was only a few other people in here. We sat at the end of the bar, not really making eye contact towards anyone except for the bar tender. I looked through the menu trying to figure out what I wanted to drink, maybe something to eat as well. Tenko was looking over my shoulder, every now and then pointing at something and saying that it looked good.
We finally ordered our drinks. We both probably came out feeling the intense need to drink, but we both got water instead as well as a few things to snack on. I finally found the courage to start looking around. The walls were covered with really cool paintings from the community and it seemed like an overall happy place. I sighed to myself and looked at the people around us. Thank goodness none of them are freaking out over the fact that Tenko and I are here. My eyes landed on a guy, he was almost on the other side of the bar, with dark purple hair that was tied up in a bun. He looked way too pale for his own good. My stomach sank when I came to the sudden realization that I knew that boy.
