#eishawrites

They have done this since Nina turned 13 and only if she promised to not travel too far and if she returned at a certain time.

By the fourth year of her endeavors, Nina found herself knowing most of the layout of the woods and Irithyll in general. She taught herself many things such as how to start a fire with both wood and through the study of magic. She didn’t quite understand magical arts as much so she had mostly stuck to physical activities.

Nina also had herself a couple siblings. They were twins named Roger and Alex.

Because of this, Nina was expected to watch over her baby brother and sister. This made sneaking out a bit more limited, so she gave herself a more strict curfew of just an hour of outing.

One night, she took a break from exploring and simply sat at the lake to relax. She heard footsteps approach and a voice speak to her. It wasn’t in a language she understood and Nina turned to see who had spoke.

It was a small wood figure, perhaps the size of a young kid. They pointed at the night sky, seemingly wondering what it was.

“That?” Nina had pointed at the stars.

“Stars. That’s what I was told to call them.”

“Ss… tar. St.. ar.” the figure uttered back.

“That’s right. I learned all about them from my father, but I can teach you all the things I learned myself if you’d like.”

The wood figure titled their head.

“I won’t ask anything of you other than to sit here with me tonight” Nina continued.

She pat the grass next to her, inviting them to sit with her as they stared at the water and sky together. The figure nodded and sat next to her.

Nina was very happy. She felt like she had made her first friend. They weren’t from immediate family and yet they wanted to spend time with her. She wondered what possible reason her mother would want to keep them all from this joy.

Nina wanted to share her experience with everyone to show that it was something to embrace, but first she had to build it up before she showed her mother that it was okay.

The two bid farewell from the lake and Nina went to bed, still blushing from meeting her new friend.

Nina and the wooden figure continued to meet in the same place every night for months. She gradually taught them everything she knew about Irithyll and from her solo outings.

Eventually they spoke full sentences together and the figure even listened to Nina whenever she needed to express her concerns about her family or the town in general.

It was nearly two years since they had met each other and Nina just thought of something she found strange. They never said each other’s names, so she sought to change that. She asked the figure they’re name, but they insisted that she went first.

“My name is Nina! Nina of the Legonne family. Normally I wouldn’t tell anyone that but I trust you.”

The figure joyfully responded, “My name is Lina!”

“Oh! Quite similar to mine. That’s a miraculous coincidence, as if fate wanted us to meet. Like we were meant to befriend one another.”

This is what Nina convinced herself.

A month later, she saw that Lina grew a bit and had long black hair not unlike Nina’s own if she wore it down instead of in a ponytail.

Nina was very happy at her friend’s progression, it was as if she and her best friend had a journey of growth together.

Lina was very interested in knowing more about their friend. They were curious about what her parents were like. How close she was to her siblings Alex and Roger. Where she lived.

Lina would really pay attention to Nina’s words and would often repeat them back to her. How far Lina’s speech had improved impressed Nina. She was proud to be their friend.

Usually an individual is the one to receive gifts on their own birthday but Nina wanted to give Lina one that year because  nothing would give her more joy than seeing her friend smile.

Nina had gathered a bunch of flowers into a bouquet for Lina. She wore a white dress for the special occasion.

When they met at the usual location, Lina also wore something surprising. It looked like similar clothing to Nina’s normal attire. They had a formal dress shirt on and comfortable trousers. The blue scarf around their neck was familiar too.

Nina was flattered that her friend was inspired by her style. She hoped they can learn even more things together in the future.

“Happy Birthday Nina. Would you like to come over to my place tonight? We can put those flowers somewhere special together.” Lina said.

Nina happily agreed. They had never gone to each other’s homes so she was very excited.

But the trail was familiar to her. She recognized that it lead to a cave and nothing worthwhile was ever inside. Only danger awaited. It wasn’t a place of comfort. Nina stopped.

“Where are we going?” She asked.

“Your new home.” They responded.

It was very sudden. She didn’t know of Lina’s intentions. But if there’s anything that Nina trusted most, it was her instincts.

She started to run but the roots from the ground began to impale her ankles.

Before Nina’s screams could echo through the woods, Lina covered her mouth with a hand. Their hand of flesh.

Lina’s face turned isn’t something familiar.

They learned well from Nina. So well versed in Nina’s ways that she may as well  be Nina herself.

Nina couldn’t believe it. For years the one she thought to be her best and only friend… The only one to know everything about her with absolutely no filter and no judgment… Was only thinking about her for this.

For a moment, Lina was her everything.

Even more it rang true.

The figure Nina turned into her everything.

The girl was now nameless. To be forgotten.

There was no hope to beat Nina back to the home with those wounds.

No way to tear out without causing permanent unrecoverable damage.

The girl watched speechlessly as Nina walked back to her home.

The flowers were left beneath her. The flowers for her grave.

What felt like an eternity later, voices around her were heard.

It looked like a trio of villagers. Two women and a man.

The girl couldn’t find it in her speak.

No sounds of agony, no greeting. Simply a blank stare at the villagers as blood slowly trickled out her legs.

“We’ll get you out of here!”

“Who could’ve done this?”

It didn’t matter to her who said what. All the voices melded together to form a noise of pointlessness.

“What’s your name? Where are you from!”

They continued to ask her questions but she hardly reacted.

The villagers patched up her wounds. One of the women carried the girl into her home.

What felt like days passed and they couldn’t get a reaction from the girl at all.

“So much stupid pestering. These idiots don’t know how to leave me alone.”

The girl spoke. It was clear she didn’t think anyone could hear her.

The woman tried to use this new information to try and help the girl.

“Think about your name and I’ll fix up your favorite meal for you.” The woman said.

The girl scowled.

“What’s with the face? You don’t think I can do that? I’m a pretty impressive cook. So, help me out here. My name is Barbara. And yours is?”

There was a long silence. The girl looked around then stared at the woman.

Adelyn momentarily opened her eyes and saw him standing there with eyes of melancholy, whilst her eyes filled with agitation.

“Of course the one who I wanted to see the least is the one who shows up. What are you doing here?” she questioned.

“I could ask you the same thing. You looked forward to this trip more than anyone else, so I don’t get it. Why are you on the train back home?” replied Martin.

She looked away with dull eyes.

He stared for a minute then realized an eternity could pass and she still wouldn’t have responded.

So, instead, he took a seat next to her.

“I can’t go back without you. It just won’t feel right.” he said.

“…Are you trying to guilt trip me or something?”

“No, not at all. I just can’t believe the class would have fun without you around. I also don’t believe it’d be right to leave you alone now that I know you clearly wish you didn’t leave.”

“And what makes you so sure?”

“Well… If you took pleasure in ditching us, you would’ve been doing something along the lines of happily snickering or dining at a restaurant, not… Scowling.”

“You haven’t stopped to think that maybe you’re the reason of that scowl?”

“I have, actually. Not for now, though. But for before.”

Adelyn’s eyebrow twitched, and Martin knew he was spot on.

“Aren’t you just the knight in shining armor? Just assuming that people who are alone hate the isolation.” she said in attempt to change the subject.

“There’s nothing wrong with some alone time, but there’s a difference between preferring to have no company and having something preventing you from company. Something like jealousy.”

“It looks like you don’t have to wonder why I hate you anymore because now you’ll know. It’s because you think you know me.”

“Really? I think you hate me because I know you too well.”

“Enlighten me, then. What could I possibly be jealous of?”

“That I was with Winter. The fact that she and I happened to be in the same group bothered you. Before the grouping period, you were just fine.”

Adelyn felt her stomach drop.

She figured that her secret was out.

She felt betrayed.

“Then, why did you ask me why I left if you knew?” she asked.

Martin shyly looked away.

“I just can’t give myself too much credit.” he said.

“To be fair, I thought I hid it well. Giving yourself a little credit wouldn’t hurt.”

“No, I mean… I just can’t believe anyone would actually like me.”

“Like you? What are you talking about, Martin? You know I like-”

Adelyn paused.

Then her face got red with embarrassment.

He didn’t know her secret.

But she gave it away.

The two made wide eye contact for a few seconds then slowly turned away.

“Arriving at Dasdun. Dasdun Station.” the transit system said.

As the train doors opened, Martin grabbed Adelyn’s hand and began to run.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” yelled Adelyn.

“I was just thinking, you can’t think Winter’s going to wait for you forever. Besides, it’s already November!”  said Martin.

“I can’t tell if you’re talking about the person or the season!”

“Sure you can! Just read the sentence that’s right above your reply! It’s not that hard!”

“You’re an idiot!”

The two headed to the Northbound platform and barely made it onto the train back to the lodge.

“You should be there. I promise Winter will be happier with you around. She was the one that did her best to convince you to come, after all.”

She finally managed to crack a smile to him.

“I guess, in the end, I should be glad you’re a moron.”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Even though we only spoke a few times before today, you seriously thought I liked you. And… Without that, I would’ve kept believing you were some stuck up jerk. You could’ve left me, but you gave me a chance to spend time with her again. But…. You should’ve seen the look your face after you found out!”

“What?! You mean your face that was as red as Hidden in the last episode of New York Ghoul!”

“I-I’ll show you red!” she yelled as she pulled on his cheeks.

Ever since then, she knew he was her best friend.

【Chapter Two: Falling for you】

“Huh, Adelyn? Where’s Martin?” asked Estelle, not aware of Adelyn’s hour long absence.

“He was insistent in joining the group I was in. Must’ve really wanted to ski with Jaime or something.” she replied.

Of course, this was planned by Martin and herself a few minutes before their arrival. It took him a while, but Martin had finally convinced Adelyn a second time to be brave when it came to Winter.

“Oh I see… So he wants to ditch us for the beginner’s group, huh?” smiled Winter.

“Beginner..?” asked Adelyn.

“Yeah. Don’t you remember? We were split into three groups: Intermediate, Casual, and Beginner. This group being intermediate.” said Estelle.

“Dammit! That lil sackbag used me!” Adelyn thought.

Martin sneezed. After he regained his composure, he graced his eyes upon the bunny hill.

“It still looks pretty damn scary for a beginner’s course.” shivered Jaime.

“Don’t worry man. The trick to not falling is to never stand up in the first place.” said Martin.

“You mean like squatting your ass down on the skis?”

“Yeah.”

“Uhh, that’s missing out on the experience. What’s the point of that?”

“To not wipe out like the dinosaurs.”

Winter and Adelyn stood atop of the intermediate mountain.

“I’m probably not ready for this, Winter. I mean, this is the first time I’ve ever worn skis.”

“I know, Adelyn. Don’t worry. It may look kind of intimidating, but it’s actually the same as the bunny hill. The only difference is that there’s trees and multiple paths downward”

“You mean multiple ways our bones can break while falling down.”

Winter gave a warm laugh.

“That can happen, yes. Even for me. But if it’s falling for you I doubt I’d mind since with every moment of pain there’s a moment of experience to learn from.”

Adelyn’s face beamed and, without her noticing, subconsciously took a step forward and began the downhill journey.

“Oh, shit! Winter! What’s the ‘I wanna freaking stop going downhill’ maneuver?!” yelled Adelyn.

“No! You don’t want to stop too abruptly! Try slowing down first!” Winter shouted back.

“Okay, what’s the slow down maneuver?!”

Winter took a deep breath.

“Hold on!”

She sped down the hill to catch up with Adelyn, and she did it with much grace and such speed.

When the two finally met, they grabbed each other’s hands and they started to slow down.

“Not bad for your first time, Adelyn.” said Winter.

“You too, er, I mean…”

The two shared a gaze for a moment.

After a few seconds, a squat skiing Martin crashed into Winter, causing her to flip twice in the air then roll down the hill.

“What’re you doing?!” screamed Adelyn.

“Losing control! I never thought skiing like this would be so difficult! I also never thought the bunny hill was connected to the intermediate one! Like that just makes no-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Martin crashed into a tree.

In the distance, Adelyn saw Jaime also making his way from the bunny hill to the mountain.

“Ahhhh, Adelyn!” he cried.

He tried to grab onto Adelyn to stop himself from falling, but she dodged, causing him to trip. As a result, though, she slipped on his back and began sliding down the hill while dragging him on her ski.

“Oh God! This hurts a lot more than you think it does, yo!” yelled Jaime.

“You shouldn’t have tried to grab me! What would’ve that done, huh? This would’ve happened anyway, with my head on the snow and all!” replied Adelyn.

The two of them kept tumbling until eventually they flew up a few feet into the air.  

It was then that Estelle showed up and opened up her arms.

“It’s alright! I’ll catch the both of you and then we’ll-”

And before she finished her sentence, they crashed into her and the three shot down straight to the bottom.

【Chapter Three: After you win】

“I’m really sorry. I thought I’d be able to catch the both of you… I have been working on my upper body strength after all.” said Estelle.

“I think you’d require a lot more than that to catch a falling boulder, but…” replied Adelyn.

“Look at all of you so beat up and stuff. As for me? I haven’t got a scratch on me. Oh, a splinter.” Martin said as he pulled out one of the fifty pieces of wood in his forehead.

“I think most of this happened because of you, but…” Adelyn once again replied.

“Yeah, I wish I were more like you, Martin. I’m still working on my balancing. I mean I can’t even do it when it comes to chemical equations either.” sighed Jaime.

“I think those two things are completely different, BUT…!”

“Hey, we can’t be too hard on ourselves. On the bright side, Martin taught me that back flips are a lot less painful that I thought they’d be. Rolling down a hill on the other hand… Well, anyway! With every moment of pain there’s a moment of experience to learn from!” Winter said.

“Then he’s gonna get a full lecture today!” angrily said Adelyn as she pulled Martin from the splinter in his head.

His eyes teared up from the pain of getting dragged from the piece of wood. After the two of them were alone, Adelyn harshly pushed him to the side then began to scold him.

“I thought you were good at skiing! What’s the big idea?!”

“I am good at skiing! But squat skiing’s a new thing for me, so can’t expect a guy to master something that difficult so quickly. Like shuffling, you’re either really bad at it or really good at it, there’s like no in between.”

“Remember when I said I was glad you’re a moron? I think I take that back.”

“Good, because now you’ll be glad to see my genius side.”

“….I’m not sure I follow.”

“That’s also good, because you’re not gonna follow, you’re gonna lead. You see Winter all cold and stuff over there? Now’s a great time to grab her some hot chocolate. I think she’d really appreciate it. Oh and everyone else unless you wanna be all suspicious, which you already are, by the way, since we’re talking right in front of the bathrooms.”

“You trying to get a free hot chocolate off of me?”

“Yes- uhh no.”

“Ugh, I could’ve still been having skiing lessons with her if it weren’t for you.”

“A lesson on death mountain? Iiiii think you already learned that one. Look, I’m sorry about losing control on my squat ski crusade. I didn’t mean to interrupt the both of you, but with one closed door, another one opens.”

“In haunted houses, maybe.”

“And ski lodges. Look around you. It’s warm and cozy, and hey there’s even a fireplace. Wait no, that’s just a flat screen with a heater beside it. Anyways, I think it’s better to have more of a intimate environment when it comes to doing confessions.”

“Confession?! I don’t want to do that yet! I… I just want to get closer to her, that’s all.”

“You could get closer to her after the fact.”

“Why? I mean, it’s not like I have to rush into things.”

“Adelyn, if you take the time we have while we’re young for granted, you might regret it. I won’t have any time rewinding powers either, so you gotta decide for sure whether or not you want to go another day keeping her oblivious.”

“I guess. But what will I do when I get rejected?”

“You don’t have to be scared of not having hundreds of chapters to delay an inevitable confession. Readers love when all the filler’s cut out, trust me. You won’t get rejected.”

“How do you know?”

“If you’re that worried, you can practice on me. Come on, pretend I’m Winter.”

“Psh. You’re barely Autumn.”

“I-is that a compliment?”

“No it’s not a goddamn compliment!”

“I was mimicking Winter just then because I thought the ‘what if’ scenario already started. Was that seriously what you would’ve said to her?”

“I am so done.”

“Wait! You didn’t tell pretend Winter you like her yet!”

“I’m not gonna tell Winter I like her!”

As Adelyn’s sentence left her mouth, Winter walked into the hallway that led to the bathrooms.

Martin and Adelyn shared shocked expressions and huddled together.

“Quick, help me think of something to play it off!”

“Don’t play it off! Now’s your chance to be honest and just let it out in the open! You can talk to me again after you win! Not many stories continue after the main couple get together, so maybe you can make this one an exception!”

“W-wait, I can’t!”

Winter noticed the both of them and decided to let them know she was there.

“So this is where the both of you were hanging out. Come on, we ordered hot chocolate already. It’ll get cold if you don’t hurry back.” she said lovingly.

“Oh shit. The hot chocolate plan failed like me in math class.” thought Martin.

“Yeah, no kidding! What are we going to do now, order bagels?!” thought Adelyn.

“Wait, I’m thinking this in my head right now! How’d you reply to me, Adelyn?”

“I took your advice and read the text above my sentences!”

“If it’s bagels you want, we ordered those too.” said Winter out loud.

“So she could read our minds toooooooo?!!!” they thought in unison.

Adelyn took a deep breath and began to speak.

“A-about that sentence I said earlier that you heard…”

“Sentence I heard?”

“…I! I meant it! I’ve been in lo- li- lo- like with you since a few days after we met!”

Adelyn was completely flustered. She wanted to turn to Martin so that he’d give a thumbs up of encouragement, but he was gone.

【Chapter Four: The coolest person 】

“That asshole ditched me!” thought Adelyn.

Winter had a calm expression but her face was as red as Rudolph. Rudolph himself, not just his nose.

“Wow…. I don’t know what to say! I mean, I always thought you were the coolest person who ever spoke to me. So, hearing you say this makes me really happy!” said Winter.

“Coolest person? Me? Noo no! W-wouldn’t that be you?”

“Ohh, I got you! Is that a joke about my name?”

“No, but it is a joke about how you tumbled down the mountain.”

Adelyn stuck her tongue out then turned away. It was the first time she felt truly comfortable with casually speaking with Winter.

“Let’s go out!” Winter said with a smile.

“Wait, what’d you say?”

“I said we should go out with each other!”

“You’re not going to say you want to know me better first? B-but the first time we like spoke spoke was when you convinced me to go on this trip.”

“No… To be honest, I didn’t expect someone as cool as you to like me. But now that I do, I don’t want to let go of that, you know? And I’d be happy to get to know you more, so let’s go out with each other!”

Adelyn tried to keep eye contact with Winter but was too flustered.

“I’d be happy to.” she managed to reply.

The two began to walk back to the lodge cafe to rejoin the others.

“So, about us… Do you think we should tell everyone or should we just-”

Before Adelyn could finish, Winter saw their friends and said:

“Hey guys! Adelyn and I are dating!”

Adelyn made an almost inaudible squeal.

Winter looked over and saw that Adelyn was caught off guard with the announcement.

“Sorry! I was excited and I wanted to let them know. I could say I was just kidding if you-”

Before Winter could finish her sentence, Adelyn held Winter’s wrist and shook her head.

“It’s okay, Winter. I want to tell them too. I just didn’t expect you to do it like that.” she said while smiling.

“I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll ask you before I do anything. Alright, let’s go tell them together!” Winter replied happily.

The two sat down with their friends and let them know of their new status together.

Everyone was excited for them and they held a toast to celebrate. After a good thirty minutes, they returned to the ski lifts and spent time together till it was time to head home.

Jaime and Winter lived near each other, so they took the same bus home. Estelle got picked up earlier at the lodge by her mom. So, that left Martin and Adelyn.

“Why did you ditch me at the most crucial moment, you jerk?” asked Adelyn.

“I didn’t need to be there. It was your special moment, right? You’re dating her, and I’m not the ‘package deal dating’ kind of bestie. I mean unless you really wanted to but I’m thinking that’s a no?” Martin replied.

Adelyn raised her eyebrow then changed the subject.

“Speaking of… How did you know she’d say yes? Are you from the future? You did mention something about rewinding time.”

“If I were from the future, don’t you think I’d change the part where I crashed into a tree?”

“I thought you didn’t have a scratch on you.”

“Yeah, I didn’t have A scratch on me, I had like a million.”

“Hm… Okay, then you’re not my imagination either, right? You seem to be too supportive to me and I didn’t even notice when you left.”

“Imagination? This isn’t Might Club. And I’d be worried if your attention was on me during your own confession.”

“Curious. But I still don’t believe you. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“What? Okay… Uh, I usually wait 2 months after a food’s expiration date before I say it’s not edible.”

“That’s a bit disgusting. Why would you say that? But yeah, that’s not really relevant trivia. Tell me something else.”

“Um… There’s a place called Eromanga located in Australia.”

“Woah, really? That’s actually kinda funny! I didn’t know that one, I guess that means you’re real.”

“Of course I’m real! How else was Winter gonna back flip like that?”

“Practice makes perfect.”

“Mm, yeah that was a pretty perfect moment, I can’t argue with that.”

The two paused then shared a laugh as their train drew closer and closer.

【Chapter Five: Self defense】

“Hey, we should take some self defense classes.” Adelyn suggested to Martin.

“Sounds like fun. Which styles were you thinking?” he replied.

“Hm. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujutsu…”

“Everyone learns those. We should try something unexpected… like Drunken Fist.”

“You mean try sitting your ass in jail.”

“No, I’m serious. I mean there’s gotta be countless assholes who recognize the usual styles so they’d know how to counter us. We gotta be the hipsters of combat in order to survive.”

“Okay… Why don’t you suggest something other than the Drunken Fist?”

“If you say so. Hmm, I know, what about Muay Thai?”

“We’re learning self defense, not how to kill someone.”

“Muay Thai wasn’t designed to kill! Nothing is.”

“Then explain guns, dude.”

“Guns could just be a device that emits a loud noise to warn people that they’re about to get shot by a gun.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure that’s the best example to help your case.”

“Trust me, the best defense is a good offense. Not a great offense though, that’d be too offensive.”

“Okay, fine. We’ll look for a place that teaches Muay Thai.”

“And if we don’t find one, we could always use ThouTube.”

Adelyn narrowed her eyes and glared at Martin.

“You better show up to every class.” she said.

“I will. Unless I have homework- Oh, who am I kidding? I never do school work anyways.” he replied.

Adelyn sighed in response.

“Hey, don’t worry. This whole thing was my idea, I wouldn’t ditch it after all this.”

“You mean our idea. The killing stance was your idea, and self defense was mine, so our idea.”

“Alright. Our idea.” Martin happily agreed.

Thus marked the first activity they have committed to together.

【Chapter Six: Our bar date that’s probably not a disaster】

“So… We’ve been on a couple dates now, right?”

Adelyn took a couple sips of her mojito before she nodded and replied with a “Mhmm.”

“Well, not that I’m counting but it’s been about 2 years, 7 months, and 10 days since our last appearance together so I was wondering… Is why you brought us to a Barcade? To change it up for the reader’s lost time?” asked Winter.

The glass in Adelyn’s hands that was once a steady fellow became more akin to a person at a club, judging from the way it was shaking.

“No! W-Who would care about those two people anyways? Because I do, a lot and I appreciate them but I’ve just been busy with learning Muay Thai that I’ve wanted to become a bit more spicy. You know, pick you up in this bar because I can’t do it physically.”  

Winter stopped her laughter so fast that it sounded like a sneeze.

Though that and Adelyn’s words to made it impossible to suppress the rest of it and let out bursts one after the other.  

“You’re too adorable. You picked me up once already Adelyn. I think you can do it again.” she said while moving closer to Adelyn’s side.

Oh God. I might’ve confessed to her first but I swear I’m not a top. I’m not a top. I’m not a top! thought Adelyn.

“Oh yeah! Totally! All me…!”

Adelyn said that in a convincing voice by the way.

Winter put her hand on Adelyn’s shoulder then slowly slid it down to her hand, interlocking their fingers in the process.

“Let’s see what kind of spicy things we can do here then, shall we?”

I don’t need to be a top.

The two noticed some sort of special event happening at one of the motion sensing game cabinets.

“Come beat me and my partner at TekklStreetMortalFighter to get five rounds of shots on the house!”

It was one of the managers with his buddies. Apparently they’ve been beating customers left and right with their incredible skills of getting motion detected.

However, Winter knew she and her girlfriend also have skills of motion. Spicy skills of motion, one might say.

“Alright! We’re gonna kick the ass of the manager and get shot up because of it!” said Adelyn.

Wow that sounds really bad without context she thought.

“Oh yeah?! Just try it! My brother’s aunt’s sister’s nephew’s roommate’s online friend’s cat’s dad’s owner’s made this game and I’m not about to let some awesome paying customer take that away from me!”

“Defeating you won’t take away that fact dude but we will beat you anyway!” challenged Winter.

The four players took their stand at the cabinets and were ready to pick some brass.

A referee began to speak.

“Now the rules are simple. Each character looks different but is exactly the same. They have the same movesets, same specials, hitboxes, et cetera. It’s poetic, really. Just like in this game, we all look different on the outside but are the same in the inside. Amen.”

“Yo why’s a priest the ref?” asked a viewer.

“I don’t know.” said Chris Evans.

The players had a few seconds to check the controls, so Adelyn did what any first timer would do. She flipped the bird. It buffed her character with something called BDE.

“Oh hey, check that out! It’s really radiating with the aura and stuff!” she said.

“Very sexy hot and/or mild! Now let’s flank em!” yelled Winter.

But unbeknownst to them, the manager and his buddy already got the drop on them!

The two made punching motions at their screen which one could probably imagine what happened in the game… It made them kick Adelyn and Winter’s avatars over and over!

“Shit! They did the move where our HP bars go down a little bit!”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan!”

Winter copied the middle finger gesture with both her hands, giving the two of them massive buffs of BDE.

“Wow! She’s going even further beyond?!” asked a hyped customer.

The buff was making their HP heal faster than they were getting damage… No… It made their HP bar grow even bigger than the screen!

“Christ! I didn’t even know that was a feature! But it won’t be enough!” said the manager.

The combo stun locked Winter, making the extra health pointless.

Dammit. Is there nothing I could do…? Wait…

Adelyn noticed something about the base combo.

“Winter! Try moving after the third hit!”

“Okay!”

Winter took the first two kicks of the combo then was able to dodge the third, just like Adelyn advised!

“What the funk?!” yelled the manager’s friend.

“I know the secret of the combo. You’re done!”

Adelyn did a quick kick then stopped. After a half second, she did another one. And another one. The ultimate technique has been discovered: The first hit is a stun! Using only the first attack without triggering a combo allowed the 『True Stun Lock』 to be used!

Winter joined in, making it impossible for their opponents to move, even in real life!

“And the winner is Adelyn and Winter!” announced the priest.

The crowd chanted their names and ordered more shots of their own to celebrate the hype.

“Wow, that was quite the game. I learn new things everyday. Hey, I’d love for you guys to be regulars here. It’s been a while since we’ve got crowds this excited.” said the manager.

Winter looked at Adelyn and smiled. She nodded back.

“Sure. I think we had a lot of fun too.” said Winter.

The rounds of shots just arrived at the bar.

“And I think it’s about to get a lot more interesting.” Adelyn smirked.

【Chapter Seven: Leg muscles】

Adelyn noticed Estelle heavily panting as she struggled to make her way down the hall.

“Woah. You’re looking… Energetic.” Adelyn said.

“Adelyn! Help me!” said Estelle as she fell face down.

“The nurse’s office is right there. You can make it. I believe in you.”

Estelle instantly got up and put her hands on Adelyn’s shoulders.

“Do you remember what you said at the ski trip? I took it to heart!”

“Umm.. What’d I say again?”

“That it’d take a lot more than upper body strength to catch a boulder.”

“Oh-”

“…But now I know! It was leg muscles that I lacked! So I leg pressed 500 pounds for like 40 minutes just now!”

“Now that’s hefty.”

“It sucks now since I could barely crawl. It’s like the opening to Metal Gear Solid V!”

“Yeah, maybe. Though unlike that game, you’re looking like a finished project so let’s get you to that office, ‘kay?”

Adelyn looked around for a second then squatted down reluctantly.

“Come on. We’re doing the anime thing where I carry you to to the infirmary then we have some deep talk.” said Adelyn.

Estelle’s eyes lit up as she hopped on her back.

The two made their way into the office and Estelle was dropped gently on one of the beds. Not even a second after, Adelyn made her way towards the door.

“Marianas Trench.” said Estelle.

“Huh?”

“You said we were gonna have deep talk so I said Marianas Trench.”

Adelyn turned around to hide her smile.

“Not that kind of deep. Though yeah some of their songs get sorta deep.”

Estelle was different though. She couldn’t hide her joy from Adelyn.

She was glad that they got a chance to talk a little more.

“I’ll catch you next time for sure, Adelyn.”

Adelyn nodded and waved as she exited the room.

“I’m counting on it.”

【Chapter Eight: Two years】

“Yo dude. Am I really the right one for Winter?” asked Adelyn.

“We had a two year gap in chapters and you’re only wondering this now?” Martin asked in reply.

“I mean… Yeah. She’s everything I’m not. She’s beautiful, athletic, outgoing…”

“Sounds just like you to me.”

“What? Knowing like some Muay Thai doesn’t count as athletic. Also I don’t really like talking to people if I could help it… And… Did you just call me beautiful?”

“Course I did friend. A Martial Art’s an art and you practice it ergo you are beautiful.”

“Oh. I thought you meant like physically or something.”

“Yeah I meant that too, friend. That’s why I’m not really seeing your point here.”

“The point is I’m just not as composed as she is. I don’t think that I have anything figured out.”

“And you think that she does?”

“Of course I do. Haven’t you seen her?”

“A couple of times I think. Yeah.”

“I don’t know… It just seems that nothing phases her. Everything we do, she’s just so knowledgeable and good at it. I just seem to screw up at everything I do. Even the simple things. Like… Did you know I didn’t even know how to tie a knot till like a couple years ago?”

“I did not know that. But everyone experiences shit at different times anyway. Look at me, I haven’t still haven’t even asked anyone out like you did. Best I can do is send them a playlist and hope Christina Perri's Distance is enough for them to get the hint ”

“Uh huh, I suppose that’s a point.”

“It’s been like a two year hiatus. You don’t think Winter would’ve moved on by now if that’s how she felt? She chose to commit to you. You might have to stop and think that maybe she’s just as flustered when it comes to you sometimes.”

It took a second, but Martin’s words really stuck with Adelyn.

Then instead of wondering why she chose me in spite of my flaws, I will focus on what she does like until it drowns out all my doubts. I’ll give to her as much as she gives me and more. Much much more. This I do swear to both myself and Winter.

“Yeah. You’re right. Even if our story isn’t written for two or three or ten more years, I’ll always be Winter’s. I’ll always… Always commit to her!”

Adelyn made her way to the gym where Winter’s volleyball club activities were held. When she got to the doors, she kicked it open and slid in.

“Winter! You go! Be better than Shoyo Hinata!”

Winter noticed her girlfriend cheering from the side and smiled.

“Sorry! What was that last part? I don’t understand French!”

Ah well we can’t all be anime. Yes.

Adelyn waltzed up to Winter after her match, with a nice red Gatorade to quench her thirst.

“Hello Mon Winter, how was your game?” asked Adelyn.

“It was great! Really inspiring to see the talent we got out here… Even better to see you around. I thought you didn’t like going here.”

“Well… Maybe going anywhere you are is a place I’d like to be. From now on. I mean only if it’s chill.”

Winter was a bit surprised and flattered. You see, truly, Winter did have the similar doubts about herself. She would often go to Martin for advice just like Adelyn did. 

Everyday she would ask him if perhaps they were too different for each other. Maybe Adelyn wasn’t attracted to someone whose interests were of going out often or speaking to people on the regular. 

Perhaps she’d find it exhausting. And yet there Adelyn was, willing to and even voluntarily spending time with Winter in an environment she would probably avoid regularly.

“The things I find myself avoiding aren’t because I don’t like them. It’s because I was scared. Scared of… Being too pathetic or being too boring. Being nothing really. But you helped reach out. I probably won’t be able to be good at everything right away so… If you’re okay with walking me through a couple things, I’m here.” continued Adelyn.

“Yeah. Always.” said Winter.

Winter took a sip from her bottle then set it down. She glanced at Adelyn as she pat the empty space beside her on the bench.

The two found that they were both scanning each other. From their legs, chest, shoulders… Then to their eyes.

Winter looked to the side then back to Adelyn’s eyes nervously.

“It’s just that I’m a bit sweaty, so…” she said softly.

What? Wait… Is this…? Could it be that this is our chance?

After our dates and confession.

After all the doubts and promises.

After our broken bones from a ski trip. And after winning free shots…

Will we finally… have a kiss described in text form?

Adelyn’s shaking hands found their way to Winter’s wrist.

She carefully slid it up to her shoulder to her neck, and finally to her cheek.

“I like you, Winter. I really like you. I’ll always…”

Before she finished her sentence, Adelyn leaned in.

The tips of their noses touched and the both of them let out a small laugh.

Adelyn then chomped Winter’s lower lips then they began making out for an undisclosed amount of time.

It was rad.

【Chapter Nine: The narrative perspective】

The reason I’m having this monologue today is to show that I, Jaime, can also have a chapter dedicated to myself. I’m here to show Winter, Adelyn, and Martin that they can’t have all the screen time to themselves! Uh, sorry… Is screen time the right thing to say? I’m not really sure. I suppose technically yes because this  sure wouldn’t be shown on actual paper unless someone printed this or if we got some sort of publishing deal.

But I digress. While everyone else has been ranking up their Social Links and Confidant levels, I have been doing the important duty of studying academics. Yes. Unlike the rest of them, I actually pay attention in class!

I mean my grades aren’t very good at the moment but it’s still my passion. When you learn about the world and its functions, you’ve already attained the most basic foundations to becoming a great help to the rest of the planet!

And learning about curing all kinds of diseases is especially important to me, because you never know who’d need that kind of help.

“Why are you trying to change the writing style to first person, Jaime?” interrupted someone at the lecture hall entrance.

It was Estelle. She took a running start then jumped from her end to Jaime’s desk, skidding on the edges while avoiding everyone’s school supplies except for Jaime’s. His notebook was the only thing that flew off and burst into flames upon her stopping momentum.

“What the feudal are you doing?!” he asked.

“Oooh, yikes. You might need to grab a new one.” she answered, well sort of.

After the room calmed down a little bit, she took a seat on the desk.

The professor was mad yet impressed with her athleticism so they simply ignored her and continued with their lecture of the selfish gene.

“Nice. They’re still going. Come on, you can borrow my tablet.” Estelle continued.

After she handed it to a slightly fuming Jaime, she took out a small sketchbook of her own.

The hell does she have that for? This isn’t an art class…

Estelle crossed her legs and began to sketch. Every so often, she would pause to stare at the professor. After they were done with a point, she continued to work on her picture.

“And that’s all for today! Be sure to blah blah deadline blah blah homework and blah blah exam!”

Most of the students were surprised that the prof actually said blah blah but continued on with their life.

After the class was mostly empty, Jaime went to pick up his banged up notebook. It was mostly okay in that it resembled old and burnt notebooks from a world war, so he was only mildly upset.

“I’ll email you the notes you took- Oh it’s just an angry emote.” said Estelle as she took back her tablet.

“I didn’t take any. It seemed kind of like a philosophy class this session anyway. So… Why’d you come here again? Did changing up the narrative perspective make you hate me that much?” asked Jaime.

“No.”

She held up her sketchbook to show him what she was drawing.

In the picture was an elephant. It lifted a capybara with its trunk to put it on its back. On the elephant’s back was a bunch of fruit and there were plenty of other animals surrounding them in what seemed to be an oasis. There were so many trees. The lake was enormous.

“I just wanted you to know you’re not the only one. It might be a little different from what you’re used to but yeah, it is what it is. You might think you’re all alone in this, but if you look closer, you’ll notice who sees you for who you are. Really, sees you.” Estelle continued.

Jaime realized her picture really matched up with the lesson. Estelle wasn’t trying to interrupt the lecture. She was there to be by his side… To show him that even if he thought he wasn’t in anyone’s spotlight, he’ll always shine somewhere else.

Thomas is settling when he noticesNewt stretching his limbs out in one corner, away from the others. He’s bendingto his side to try and reach his back, but fails. For some reason, with everymovement he makes -especially involving his back- Newt winces as if in pain.

Watching silently, Thomas scansover Newt’s figure, trying to figure out what’s actually happening, until hespots the stack of large bottles tied up to Newt’s backpack next to him. Someare filled, some are empty, but the bottles themselves appear heavy and bulky.

Their water supplies. Newt hasbeen carrying them all this while.

Thomas’ eyes widen inapprehension. He scrambles to get to Newt, an overwhelming sense ofprotectiveness washing over him in strong tides. How could he have not noticed?It must have hurt to be carrying that load around in the Scorch, and he hadbeen so transfixed on their destination that he had not bothered to check on him.

Newt stares at Thomas in confusionas he approaches him. He’s about to ask whether Thomas needs anything when theboy suddenly grabs the back of his T-shirt, pulling on it. Realising whatThomas is up to, Newt frowns, shrugging him off abruptly. Thomas doesn’t missthe slight grimace he makes.

“Let me see,” Thomassays, reaching out to touch Newt’s back again. He attempts to lift Newt’s T-shirtup to look for any injuries, but Newt is making it difficult by squirming toomuch.

“Thomas, it’s nothing–”

“Hold still and let mesee!” Thomas insists, and in one swift motion pulls the clothing up toreveal the expanse of Newt’s skin. He hears Newt hiss at the contact. “Shit,Newt,” he whispers, trying to take the extent of the damage in. Two angrywelts run down Newt’s back in a straight line from the tips of his shoulders, nodoubt left by the bag straps, and even in the dark only illuminated by thefire, Thomas can make out the deep blue-black imprints the heavy bottles hadmade on the sides. Thomas feels his heart being ripped apart by the sight. “Youshould’ve told me.”

Newt turns to look at him, oneeyebrow raised, questioning. “And then what?” He asks, hastily fixinghis clothes. “Everyone’s shucking exhausted, and we just lost our friends.I couldn’t possibly push it onto someone else.” He avoids looking at Thomas,but once he does, he catches the worry on his face. Newt sighs, giving a weaksmile. “Tommy, I got this.”

Thomas feels his throat go dry. “Newt,I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m used to carrying things aroundlike this. That machete klunk I had on back in the Glade? Didn’t exactlyweighed a feather, mate,” Newt says, chuckling a little. Behind them, thefire crackles and sways to the gush of cold wind blowing over. “I’m fine.Besides, everybody has their roles to play, remember? Yours, Tommy,” he placesa hand on Thomas’ shoulder, “is to focus on getting us to safety.”

Thomas nods, not so much inagreement but more of understanding. It still doesn’t sit well with him. Surelythere’s something he can do to at least relieve Newt’s pain? He can’t bear tojust look at Newt struggling like this. Their journey is far from over, andknowing Newt, he’d be willing to suffer silently for the rest of it.

Thomas can’t let that happen.

Instantly, an idea lights up inhis head. “Stay right here,” he tells Newt before quickly gettingonto his feet, making his way to where the rest are sleeping. Finding Frypan’sbag, Thomas searches for the little vial of medicated ointment and rushes back,plopping onto the ground behind Newt.Curious, Newt cranes his neck to peek at Thomas but to no avail. His headshoots up in surprise when he feels an unexpected coolness splashing onto hisback in a wet slab. “Bloody hell, what are ya trying to do, shuckface?”

The coolness slowly spreads outall over his skin, directed by the glide of Thomas’ fingers. “I’m givingyou a massage,” Thomas says casually, like it’s the most obvious thing onearth.

“Oh Tommy, that’s sweet ofyou but–”

“Shut up and relax, Newt.”

Newt does. Once Thomas has hismind set on something, hardly anything can deter him. There’s no point inrefusing, so he stays in the spot, preparing mentally for whatever thatfollows. However, he could never have prepared for the jolt of shocking painthat sweeps over him as Thomas presses into his shoulders, right where thetight knots accumulate. "Holy shit, your shoulders are tense as hell,”Thomas points out.

"Yeah, well, constantly beingaround someone named Thomas does that to you.” Newt jokes, trying to takehis mind off the pain.

Thomas starts massaging carefully,taking his time. The droning noise of the Scorch, the refreshing scent oflemongrass from the salve, the rhythmic motions of Thomas’ hands… all are gentlyhelping Newt unwind.

There’s a point in the middle ofhis back that’s especially sore, and Thomas being the oblivious little twat heis, runs his fingers over it in a hard, long swipe, prompting Newt to let outan involuntary moan.

It feels… good. So fucking goodthat he almost whines when Thomas suddenly stops moving. “Uhh, you okay,Newt?”

Newt can no longer resist the appeal.All he knows is he wants, needs, tofeel that relief once more. "I don’t know what you just did but that wasbloody brilliant,” he says, almost breathless. “Do it again.”

With that, Thomas continues hisministrations, massaging over a small patch of Newt’s back at a time. The salvehas started to warm up, and the slickness eases the movements of his handsacross Newt’s skin. Whenever he stumbles into knotted muscles, he will give sharperjabs, slowly smoothing it out.

Gradually, Newt melts into Thomas’touch, turning into putty under his fingers. He’s letting out the cutest soundsin response to each of Thomas’ stroke, much to the latter’s delight.

As Thomas moves lower down hisback, the sounds Newt makes grow in frequency in volume, making him squirm inhis seat. This can’t be good. Touching Newt’s skin directly is one thing, butThomas isn’t so sure he can survive listening to these… sounds. He’s never been this vocal, and the newfound knowledge whatNewt’s capable of is going to land Thomas indeep trouble.

“Shit… ahhh…” At aparticularly precise, deep press, Newt groans, letting his head fall forward.“Ngh… There!”

Thomas gulps. At this rate,somebody’s going to wake up. It’ll probably be Minho, the guy’s got sharp ears.

“Umm, Newt?” Thomaswhispers.

Feeling floaty, Newt can onlyreply with a soft “Hmmm…?” that’s so endearing Thomas’s heartflutters.

“You’re getting kind of loud.”

“Oh, sorry.” Newt claspsa hand over his mouth and glances around. “Did I wake anybody up?”

“I don’t think so.” From thecorner of his eyes, Thomas thinks he sees someone move, but it’s too dark. Heshrugs, getting back to work. Newt starts moaning again, though this time muchquieter than before. Thomas doesn’t know whether to be disappointed orrelieved. He can’t help but to wonder if Newt has ever had a massage before.Maybe in the Glade? "When was the last time you had something likethis?” He asks.

“Jeff used to treat our backpains with massage, he was proper good at it,” Newt pauses, turning alittle to give a cheeky grin, “but you might be better.”“Yeah?” Thomas senses a smile creeping on his lips. “Good tohear.”

They continue like that for alittle longer, until Thomas is sure that most, if not all, knots on Newt’s backhas disappeared. The swelling has also gone down considerably, thanks to theointment. Thomas makes a mental note to check the healing progress from time totime. He can’t be ignorant now, not anymore.

He gives one last pat to Newt’sback, standing up to brush the sands off his pants. Below him, Newt peers athim with glassy eyes, looking almost completely out of it. Thomas fights the suddenurge to kiss him.“That felt bloody fantastic,” Newt sighs dreamily. He collapses ontothe sand, resting his head on a folded jacket. “Your fingers are shuckingmagical, Tommy. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Thomas laughs,lying down as well, taking his place a few steps away from where Newt’s slowlydozing off.

“Tommy?” Newt calls, eyes stillclosed. “You know we’ll all be there with you, every step of the way, right?”

Thomas steals another glance atthe boy before quietly whispering to the sky, “Yeah.”

“Good that,” Newt hums, satisfied.“Get some rest, long days ahead of us.”

That night, Thomas has a dreamlesssleep, the first in a long while.

(The next morning, as they’regetting ready, Thomas is quickly tugged to the side by Minho who’s looking bothamused and annoyed, if that’s even possible.

“Listen, I don’t wanna be toonosy but… you and Newt,” Minho says, looking at him straight in the eyes likehe means business. "Might wanna keep it down next time, yea? Some of usneed our beauty sleep to function.”

Thomas splutters, earning a weirdlook from Frypan.  "Min, weweren’t–“

"Slim it, Greenie, ain’tgonna work on me.” Minho flashes a sly grin and punches Thomas lightly in thearm. "Just, take care of him, okay?”