𝐌𝐘 𝐈𝐍-𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 [Kozume Kenma]

4. YOUR NUMBER

~ SHIRO ~

applep1e: Ok, this might sound weird, but can I have your number? For gaming purposes of course. I was just thinking we can call instead of text, and maybe that'd be easier. Feel free to say no, though, I don't mind. I mean, I do hope you agree, because it'll make our teamwork so much better. But I don't want you to feel obliged to give me your number, if you don't want to. I know privacy is a big thing for you, and in all honesty, me too. Still, it'd be great if we can talk, you know. So, uh, what do you say?

To say that I panicked, was an extreme understatement. What do I do?!

A guy just asked for my number. A guy I hardly even know. A guy who probably thought I was a boy. What would happen when he finds out I'm actually a girl? Would it be weird? Even more, he would realise what a complete loser I was. I knew it was inevitable, but talking directly might just speed up the process. And what would happen then? I really didn't want to lose applep1e. Players like him were hard to find.

On the other hand, if I turned him down, that might just make things worse. It would sure be awkward as hell. Would we still be able to keep playing together? Even if we could, I knew it definitely wouldn't be the same. I couldn't imagine playing with the uncomfortable tension constantly hanging over my head.

Argh! What am I supposed to do?!

This was extremely frustrating. I'd hate to admit it, but I really liked playing with applep1e. Everyday, for the past three months, I looked forward to our gaming sessions more than anything. Before playing with applep1e, CSF was just one of the games that I half-assed. Sure, I was a decent player, but I never had any real motivation to keep improving.

I first met applep1e during a ranked match, a few seasons ago. Well, by 'met', I meant played against him. I won that game, of course, but his playing style really impressed me. Instead of rushing in with his teammates, he held back, and observed the gameplay, before making his move. His judgement was almost always on point. He even clutched three rounds single-handedly, by using tactics I never would've thought of. After the match, I was surprised to find that he'd sent me a friend request.

We chatted for a while, and I guess we just clicked. From then on, we've been playing together every night. To be honest, I might have enjoyed talking to him more than gaming. I found out that he was my age, and also lived in Tokyo. For some reason, I found it easy to open up to him. There were times when I felt that applep1e was the only person who understood me. I really wanted to meet him, but there was always something holding me back.

applep1e: Hey, you still there?

I still wasn't sure what to reply. I decided should tell him that I was a girl first. I mean, he was bound to find out, sooner or later.

WhiteFire13: Hey bro, can I tell you something?

applep1e: Yeah, sure.

WhiteFire13: I'm actually a girl. I hope that doesn't make it weird or anything.

There was an unbearably long pause. Oh look, I've done it again. I've finally scared him off.

applep1e: Of course not. Sorry for assuming you were a guy.

Oh, thank god.

WhiteFire: No, it's fine. I kind of wanted it that way, to be honest.

Now that it was out in the open, I felt slightly relieved. And he didn't seem to mind at all. Perhaps I should give him my number. Would this make us friends? I've never really had a friend before, so I guess I wouldn't know. But I wanted to.

WhiteFire13: My number's 0423-xxxxx9, by the way.

applep1e: Thanks. Mines 0423-xxxxx5. I'll call you tomorrow then?

WhiteFire: Sure. Same time as usual?

applep1e: Yeah. You know, you're actually the first person I've ever asked for their number.

WhiteFire13: Really? Why?

applep1e: I've just never been good with people, I guess.

WhiteFire13: Honestly, same. You're also the first person I've given my number to.

applep1e: So does this make us friends?

I thought about it for a while. Although I usually didn't mind being alone, it would be good to finally have a friend.

WhiteFire13: Yeah, I think it does.

~~~~

Hi, thanks for reading! I'm sorry this chapter's a bit short and kind of uneventful, I just couldn't think of anything else to add.

The next one will be better though, because it's from Kenma's perspective :)

~ krypto