Virtuality

Chapter 15: Hello, NEKO

*Flashback*

Joe and Xenon (Simon Conwell) are inside Joe's cafe.

*TV Playing*

"Meanwhile, Node 08 Administration Bureau's security office has marked the streamer NEKO (Real name: Julienne Asakura) as a suspect and has brought her in for questioning. Details will require further investigation."

[Xenon: That's outrageous! She is not someone who will do such things!]

[Joe: So you do care a lot about her?]

[ Xenon: I... feel... so powerless... So many things are happening on the internet, yet I have no way to stop it. First, the Æsir-fest, the hacking, then this now. I can't even protect you guys...]

[Joe: What's with the "guys"?]

[Xenon: The conversation that night, the one where you got completely wasted. Did you forget about it?]

[Joe: Haha! Of course I forgot! I don't even remember how I got home that day. Man didn't know that you're such a drinker. I had to accept defeat.]

[Xenon: Nah... no big deal.]

[Joe: Is there anything we can do to help her?]

[Xenon: Affected by malicious connection... by the way, recently I received a bunch of anonymous mail. I still can't find out who's the sender, but the information he provides is very clear and reliable. If I can find out who he is...]

[Joe: You can find the mastermind behind all this?]

[Xenon: Yes. Right now, the no.1 suspect on my list is Æsir.]

[Joe: The missing musician? Why?]

[Xenon: Does this count as a secret? Whatever, long story short, the victims of these recent incidents are all participants of his event, including the guests for the opening performances. PAFF, Robo-Head, and all the people in the audience.]

[Joe: Are you serious?!]

*Xenon's phone rings*

[Xenon: Let me answer the call first. Hello?... Yes... Understood... I'm on my way, then.]

[Joe: Work?]

[Xenon: Yes, gotta go back. I'll put the money here.]

[Joe: Going back to save the princess?]

[Xenon: Shut it, dumbass.]

[Joe: Hahaha! I know, good luck!]

[Xenon: I will protect her... and you as well. I won't let anyone hurt you guys.]

[Joe: Huh? What are you spewing all of a sudden? Ewww, I got goosebumps, gross.]

[Xenon: Nothing, see you.]

*Xenon walks out of the cafe*

*Door closes*

[Joe: Thanks, and sorry...]

*Present time*

[Neko: Nyaaan~ Long time no see everyonee.]

Neko is currently sitting in front of her computer. As usual, she's about to stream again. She just got out of the interrogation thanks to Xenon and Cherry.

[Neko: Teehee~ looks like I worried a lot of people? Second I opened my inbox and it exploded with messages lololol. Since there are too many of them I just marked all of them as read hee.

[Neko: No big deal, actually. Just an invitation from the admins to chat and drink some juices. Nothing scawey. People's speculations are too overblown~]