MHG-V3-4 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 11 - Teruko's melancholy

Ken lay on his matress, staring at the ceiling. A holopane was projected in front of his view, and he was manipulating it with his hand, but his mind wasn't really focused on the content. Teruko had been busy since he got back here, and although she had said it was nothing, he still wondered if she was upset because of how intimate Samantha had got to him in the elevator.

She should know he only loves her, right? But he had to admit, having his senses bombarded by the presence of a real girl was serious competition. Perhaps she also felt inadequate, which made Ken want to clear the matter up all the more.

Suddenly Ken heard a melodic beeing noise coming from his left. Turning to look, he saw the holopad on the floor was flashing to indicate an incoming call.

"Activate." Ken said, a little surprised that Teruko would bother to call before appearing on the holopad.

But it wasn't Teruko who appeared beside him but Ayaka.

"Ayaka?" Ken said, sitting up when he sae her.

She smiled and nodded her head.

"Its been a long time since we could talk like this." She said, looking at the ground.

"Oh i suppose.."

"Since Teruko's busy I guess she won't mind, right?"

"No, I don't think so." Ken said, shaking his head.

"Afterall I already promised her to give up on pursuing you, so its only natural she should trust us alone together, right?"

"Ahh.." Ken wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"Ah, its so annoying." Ayaka lay down on the floor, resting her head on her arms. "Its not like you're especially handsome or anything, its more like.. you know.. because you already know everything about us, I don't have to pretend or anything, you know?"

"Um.. is this what you came to talk about?" Ken asked, feeling more and more awkward as she talked.

Ayaka blinked at him blankly.

"Not particularly." She said. "I just wanted to hang out, thats all."

"Oh..."

"Say, did Teruko show you the simulation program i installed?"

"Simulation? No?"

"She was pretty pissed at the beginning," Ayaka laughed, "Because it opened up a hole in her security, but i've now sandboxed it so it should be safe for use. Do you want to try?"

"What is it?" Ken asked.

"The easiest way to understand that is to plug yourself in. Say, i've had a room made in the west wing of the compound. If you go take a look in there you can join me in the simulation room."

Ken didn't really have any idea what Ayaka was talking about, but he was bored anyway, and he didn't want to keep mulling over his problem with Teruko.

"I guess." He shrugged. "Which room?"

"Follow my directions!" She said, smiling cutely. Then she stood up and disappeared. The next minute her voice was talking in Ken's ear. He stood up and folowed her direction out of the door and left toward the compound west wing.

***

Teruko sat curled up in a ball, the pure white of the virtual environment her only backdrop. A single panel lay open before her, her drooping eyes fixed on the video playing before her.