Sender: Morioka Moriko Recipient: Sakurai Yuta Subject: Thank you for your consideration Dear Sakurai Yuta, I apologize for sending this reply so late. I was touched by your response to my original email. Thank you for that.
Sh-Sh-She sent a reply!
Episode 3
You and I, the Cowards
Wait a second, Koiwai-san.
That piece isn't cooked, so don't take it yet.
Wha? You're so picky. Are you blood type A?
I am.
Seriously? I'm type O.
So I go with the flow, whatever happens.
What does that even matter?
*Blood types actually have nothing to do with personality
Anyway, let's get back to the question at hand.
What's up, Sakura-chan?
Also, why do you call me "Sakura-chan"?
Man, type A people are real sticklers!
Don't worry about it. Let's just enjoy this all-you-can-eat meat!
You used to work at Matsukaze Bussan, right?
You know your stuff.
Nothing less from our soon-to-be department head,
full speed ahead on the elite path, Sakurai Yuta-kun.
Did you know Morioka Moriko-san? She worked in the distribution
systems department at Matsukaze Bussan.
Morioka Moriko?
Oh, you mean Morimori-chan!
Morimori-chan?
What's up with Morimori-chan?
Judging by this manual she wrote,
I assumed she was extremely competent and must be good at her job.
But apparently she resigned.
Morimori-chan was definitely good at her job.
Um, would you mind telling me why you keep calling her Morimori-chan?
It's the nickname I gave her!
How close were you?!
That said, it's not like we were friends or anything.
But when I called her department at the office,
she filled in for the person in charge sometimes.
Excuse me for taking the call. My name is Morioka.
Kawashima isn't available at the moment,
so if you don't mind, I'd be happy to help instead.
What, really?
Then could you look over some documents for me?
Yes, please send them over. I'll tell you when I get them.
Um, Koiwai-san,
I'm afraid it will probably take me thirty minutes or so to go through them.
Is that all right?
I'm fine with that.
Really, Morioka-san,
I'm sorry for bothering you when you're so busy.
You sound really beat.
I-I'm sorry. I was trying my best to hide it.
I know how you feel. Don't let it get to you. Thanks for working so hard.
I'm sorry.
Wait, what's wrong? You're so tired you're crying?
No. I'm sorry.
Don't worry about it.
If you're all alone there, then go ahead and cry.
I'm all alone here, too, Mori-chan.
Huh?
Oh, you don't like being called Mori-chan?
Then what's your given name?
M-Moriko.
Morioka Moriko
Mori and Mori?
Mori Mori
So Morimori-chan!
Something like that.
Whoa...
Here! This is a picture of Morimori-chan.
Huh?
Matsukaze Bussan Systems
So it really is her!
She was pretty good-looking.
Wonder what she's up to now.
Maybe I should meet up with her.
Huh?!
Look, you dropped your chopsticks, Sakura-chan.
I don't remember raising you to be such a vulgar child.
Mom, one fell on the floor. Can you pick it up for me?
Come on, it's way more on your side than mine.
Where'd the other one go?
It was on the seat.
Gimme that.
Here's a new set.
Thanks.
This is all because you didn't hold them properly.
So this is my fault?
I can't believe you talk to your elders that way!
Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan!
Which chopsticks did you drop? These clean ones? Or these dirty ones?
Koiwai, they both fell on the floor, so they're both dirty.
Our break's almost over, so please just hand me some new chopsticks.
Relax a little, Sakura-chan.
I'm gonna go pick up some coffee.
I'll see you back at the office then.
The bruise on my forehead disappeared completely after a couple days. Thank you for your concern. As for your suggestion to go out to celebrate my recovery, when I consider that it was my fault for not watching where I was going and that you already paid for my medical treatment, I'm afraid I couldn't possibly trouble you any further.
As for your suggestion to go out to celebrate my recovery,
when I consider that it was my fault for not watching where I was going,
and that you already paid for my medical treatment,
I'm afraid I couldn't possibly trouble you any further.
I feel like a lot's happened.
I never thought I'd get an email from a man
asking to take me out to dinner to apologize.
Welcome.
I thought really hard about how to word my reply to Sakurai-san, too.
I did my best to be polite and sincere.
Right. In my own way.
She looks like she's in a good mood for some reason today.
And now I feel completely refreshed.
Hello.
I want to hurry.
Hurry up and play.
Damn, that's good!
Now I can log in with nothing weighing on my mind!
Log in
There's nothing more refreshing than an online game!
Oh, it's Pokotarou-san.
Hello!
Oh, Hayashi-kun.
By the look of it, it seems you got through what was troubling you.
I heard about it from Li-chan. She said you were worried about something.
So the secret's out...
Well, don't think too badly of her for it.
Everyone's just worried about you.
They're afraid you'll stop logging in
because you're so preoccupied with things in real life.
Sorry for making you worry.
But I think my relationship with games works the other way around,
or maybe it just doesn't matter.
What do you mean?
When I've got something on my mind, I feel like gaming is my salvation.
Right? I get you!
But now that everything's been resolved,
I'm refreshed and ready to play!
So everything's all worked out?
Yup, thanks! Everything's great.
What a relief!
Looks like you got a present.
New message
You've received a present from Lily-san
Accept
Close
I've received a present from Lily-san?
Wha?! From Lily-san?!
This looks expensive.
Can I really accept this?
If I do, I have to give her something as thanks.
I feel like I owe her big now.
Crafting
Spell Scrolls
in inventory
Yeah, I can see how that'd make you feel as a man.
Right?
Normally it should be the guy who's on the ball with this stuff.
I come bearing a brilliant ten billion karat gem.
H-Hayashi-san!
I'd like you to have it
as a sign of my devotion.
That's how a man should treat a lady. Am I right?
What's up with your image of masculinity?
Wait, it's starting to influence me now!
What should I do?
Even if I wanted to thank her...
Lily-san can already buy something that costs this many points.
She must have quite a bit of money.
If I tried to give her something in return,
she'd probably already have it.
Yeah, that sort of thing can happen.
I know the feeling. That happened to me when I first started too.
You know our guildmate Nico?
I only give to people I want to cheer on!
Oh yeah, Nico-san.
I don't really know her, but we've done a couple of quests together.
Yeah. She gave me an amazing weapon out of nowhere once.
I can see how you'd be a bit taken aback by that.
Right? I don't like feeling indebted to other people, either.
I was actually pretty upset about it.
Yeah?
She told me it was just a prior investment, and I ended up taking it.
A prior investment?
Yeah.
No one loses here.
You can just thank me with your attitude, Pokotarou.
So, well, I guess that's where it all started.
She'd always help me out, and I'd always try to thank her in my own way.
Spell Scroll
in inventory
Crafting
And the reason that's continued
is because, when all's said and done, Nico just wants to cheer me on.
I'm sure Lily-chan's the same way.
Crafting
Spell Scroll
in inventory
There, all done.
So what are these things you've been making?
Oh, they're spell scrolls.
You normally need a staff to cast spells,
but if you put the magic into a scroll, anyone can use it.
Anyway, Hayashi-kun, I'd suggest not thinking too hard about that gift.
It's probably fine just to keep whatever ulterior motives Lily-chan might have in mind.
I see.
Huh?
U-Ulterior motives?!
What ulterior motives could she have?
Lily-san's ulterior motives?
This is bad. I keep thinking about it!
Lily-san!
I thought you'd be here.
Yup. I was just thinking through some things.
Um, thanks a lot for giving me this.
No, no. I guess maybe it didn't suit your tastes?
That's not it! Um...
How should I broach the subject?
I was just wondering if you had some kind of ulterior motive in giving me this.
U-Ulterior motive?!
I just came right out and said it!
Sorry! I mean, I was just thinking that I'd feel bad if you did because
there's nothing I can give you in return.
B-But ulterior motives? Come on!
Um, well, I just thought maybe... you know?
But it's not like that, huh...
He looks disappointed.
I can't say I have absolutely none.
So you do?
Hayashi-san, can I tell you a bit about myself?
Yeah, of course.
I'd like to hear it. I'm all ears.
Back when I first started playing this game,
Lily-san has logged in.
I used to get quite a few requests to go hunting with people every day.
Oh, it's Lily-san.
It's Lily-san!
Good evening.
Shi-san has invited you to a party.
Rinarina-san has invited you to a party.
Torippi-san has invited you to a party.
riden-san has invited you to a party.
Nice to meet you!
Join my party!
Hey, hey! My waifu! You're so cute, Lily-san!
Hey, hey! Lily-san!! Lily-chan!!!
Up until then, all my parties had been PUGs,
Hey, Lily-san.
A pick-up group, or PUG, is a party formed when a group of strangers get together because they have the same goal.
H-Hello.
so part of it was because I was just always grouping up with random people.
Hello ^^
That last group was fun. Let's do it again.
Thanks!
Thanks~ ^^
But once I entered a guild, I got to know quite a few people,
Lily-san!
Lily-san
Hello
Why didn't you say something?
There she is!
It's been a while
and I started getting even more whispers.
Hello!!
What are you doing out here all alone?
Popularity of a support role
And eventually...
What's your relationship with our leader?
Uh... Wh-What do you mean by that?
Don't get any closer to him.
I never knew you went through that.
It was all a misunderstanding, of course.
Even though we're all online,
it's still pretty difficult to handle social relationships.
Yeah.
I kept having that kind of trouble.
It would have been easy to just quit,
but I really wanted to keep playing.
Why is that?
I met someone really precious to me in a game I used to play.
I don't get to see them anymore,
but I kept thinking how wonderful it would be
if I could meet someone else like that.
I'm the same.
You are?
Yes.
I used to play a game with someone who always gave me courage.
So I completely understand how you feel.
Right. And that's why, even when it was hard,
I wanted to keep playing this game.
And then Kanbe-san came along and gave me some advice.
I see. Well, given how you look, it's no surprise you're so popular.
But I just want to have fun and play the game like everyone else.
Then why don't you try being so over the top that everyone doubts your gender?
"I love pink, frills, flowers, strawberries, forests,
and little squirrels frolicking!"
Or something.
If I ever act that obnoxious, I'm sure I'd lose all of my friends.
No dice? Then...
I know! Just say you're my partner.
Partner?
It'll just be on paper.
But if you say you're my partner, I don't think anyone'll give you a hard time.
But is that really okay?
Sure. Why not?
Thank you!
That's why I've always been a bit scared
to get too close with anyone in game.
I guess you could say I was on my guard.
But then I met you.
Watching you,
I felt like you really enjoyed playing this game.
It made me enjoy the game more myself.
Hayashi-san.
Y-Yes?
Would you...
What? Lily-san, what are you trying to tell me?
...become my partner?
Partner?!
Lily-san!
My main is a support class, so I end up grouping with a lot of different people,
but I've really enjoyed grouping up with you lately.
You... have?
I have all sorts of reasons,
but just to put it simply...
I feel most at peace when playing together with you.
This is bad! Really bad!
My heart won't stop racing!
I'm overjoyed!
So much so that the word "overjoyed" doesn't even do it justice!
It's been a while since I've felt this excited.
Is this what they call having a crush, or...
Come on!
How could I be thinking like this in my thirties?!
She's even a girl! I'm sure there's nothing romantic going on here!
And first and foremost, she's someone I only know online!
But...
I'm just so happy.
Lily-san.
Yes?
How do I look?
It looks great on you.
Thanks a lot.
Hayashi-san, um... Does this mean...?
Yes. I'm looking forward to being your partner from now on.
So she really did have an ulterior motive.
Look at how stupidly happy those two MMO junkies are! Damn, I'm jealous!
I'm glad you found someone you get along so well with, Lily.
Lily-san!
Lily: Hayashi-san, um... Does this mean...? Hayashi: Yes. I'm looking forward to being your partner Hayashi: from now on! Lily: I feel the same way, Hayashi-san!
Next Episode
Once you know, it's all over.
Please stop!
She said she'd go out on a date with me.
No way.
As soon as you want something, it slips out of reach.
Episode 4, "Like a Maiden in Love."
Episode 4 Like a Maiden in Love