Choco-Rabbit Daily Log: Do We Level Up Outside the Game Too?! - A Storm's Guild Application! ~Shaken Feelings and Yamada-kun's One Word~

It was a muggy night near the end of June. Akane got home from her part-time job and, without even changing out of her sweat-damp clothes, turned on the computer. The screen glowed pale blue. Today was Wednesday—the day of Choco-Rabbit's regular raid. "...Phew." Akane took a sip from her water bottle and gripped the mouse. She logged into *Arcadia Chronicle*. Her cat-eared avatar, Akane, materialized softly in the guild house. At the edge of the screen, an unfamiliar notification was blinking. "...Huh?" Akane tilted her head. She moved the cursor over it and clicked. 【New Member Application】【Applicant: WASHIDA】【Message: Nice to meet you! I'm Washida—you took care of me at the offline meetup the other day. I'd love to play together with everyone in Choco-Rabbit. Looking forward to it!】 Akane's fingers stopped. "...No way." The scene from that farm two weeks ago surfaced behind her eyelids. *"Yamada-kun, I hear you're really good at games?"* Washida's smile from that moment. The way she'd narrowed her eyes and laughed like she'd found her prey. "Why... now, of all times?" Akane murmured softly at the screen. The guild chat stirred quietly to life. 【Rurihime】Ah—hey, everyone, did you see the board? 【Runa】Saw it. What the hell is this? I don't want some stranger in here! 【Rurihime】Now, now, Runa. Calm down. 【Runa】But! She just showed up at one meetup and now suddenly wants to join the guild? That's weird! 【Rurihime】Hmm. We can't decide right away. I want to hear everyone's opinions. 【Runa】I'm against it! Absolutely not! Akane placed her hands on the keyboard. (What do I do...) What Eita said made sense. What Runa said made sense too. (What am I supposed to do?) Akane typed characters, deleted them, typed again, deleted again. 【Akane】...Um, I'm a little surprised too. 【Runa】Akane! You had something going on with that person, didn't you! 【Akane】What!? W-why would you think that!? 【Runa】Because at that meetup, she was staring at you the whole time! Akane couldn't help crying out at the screen. "Whaaat!?" (Runa, you noticed even that!?) 【Rurihime】Anyway, we've got a raid today, so let's save this discussion for another time. Yeah? 【Runa】...Fine. But I'm absolutely against it, got it! 【Akane】...Okay. Akane closed the chat. But the unease in her chest wouldn't go away. (Washida-san, why so suddenly...) Yamada's words came back to her. *"That person was kinda weird, wasn't she."* *"You should be careful."* (I wonder if Yamada-kun knows something.) Akane let out a deep breath. Even after the raid began, the words of that join request stayed stuck in a corner of her mind. The next day. When her university lectures ended, Akane went straight home. No shift today. "...Guess I'll play some games." She opened her computer and logged in. The guild house was empty. Akane wandered the field alone, taking her time. The in-game sky was blue as always. The sound of grassland swaying in the wind flowed from the speakers. (I like this kind of time too.) Akane smiled faintly. That was when it happened. An avatar came approaching from across the screen. 【WASHIDA】Oh, Akane-san! Hello! Akane's body jolted. "...No way, why is she here?" Akane tightened her grip on the mouse. 【Akane】Oh, hello... 【WASHIDA】Thanks for the other day! Did you see my guild application? 【Akane】Uh, y-yes... I saw it. 【WASHIDA】Great! I hadn't gotten a reply yet, so I was nervous. 【Akane】Um, that's something the guild master, Eita-san, decides, so... 【WASHIDA】I see. But what do you think, Akane-san? Is it okay if I join? Akane struggled for a reply. (What do I think... I can't answer that.) 【Akane】Um, it's not really my place to say... 【WASHIDA】Ahaha, sorry, did I put you on the spot? 【Akane】No, it's not that... 【WASHIDA】Hey, Akane-san. 【WASHIDA】What kind of person is Yamada-kun? Akane's fingers stopped completely. (...What?) 【WASHIDA】I've known Yamada-kun for a while now. But we haven't talked much in-game. I was wondering what he's like. Known her for a while. Those words pricked at Akane's chest. (Known her for a while...) 【Akane】Um, well, he's nothing special... just a normal high schooler. 【WASHIDA】Fufu, I see. But he's really good at games, right? 【Akane】Yes, he's good. 【WASHIDA】I see. Now I'm even more curious. Akane felt a strange unease deep in her chest. (Why am I feeling like this?) 【WASHIDA】Next time you get a chance to see Yamada-kun, tell me all about him, okay? 【Akane】...Okay. That was all she could manage. 【WASHIDA】Well then, see you! Washida's avatar departed lightly. Akane sat frozen before the screen for a while. "...Known her for a while." Her murmur dissolved into the room. (What is this feeling?) Akane pressed a hand to her chest. (Yamada-kun and that person—what are they really to each other?) The unanswerable question spun round and round in her head. That night. The guild chat stirred again. 【Runa】Akane! Got a sec? 【Akane】Runa? What's up? 【Runa】You had something going on with that person, didn't you. Akane's heart skipped. 【Akane】N-nothing at all! 【Runa】Liar. Your face looks weird. 【Akane】You can't even see my face!? 【Runa】I can tell from your typing! You're flustered, aren't you. Akane was at a loss for a reply. (Runa, you're way too sharp...) 【Akane】Really, there's nothing going on. 【Runa】Hmm. Whatever, I guess. But I don't like that person. 【Akane】...Why? 【Runa】Because she feels sneaky, somehow. She's smiling, but her eyes aren't, you know? Akane's eyes widened at Runa's words. (Is that... true?) 【Runa】You should be careful too, Akane. That person's after Yamada-kun, I'm pretty sure. 【Akane】What!? 【Runa】At that meetup, she kept asking about Yamada-kun, didn't she. I'm positive. Akane's chest tightened. (After him...) 【Akane】Runa, what are you even saying... 【Runa】Boo. I'm rooting for you, you know! 【Akane】Rooting for me... 【Runa】Akane, you're way too dense! Ugh, I give up! Runa said only that and left the chat. Akane sat alone, frozen before the screen. (Rooting for me... what does that mean?) Her heart was beating strangely. (Runa, don't tell me—about me and Yamada-kun...) Akane shook her head vigorously. "I-it's not like that! It's really not like that!" She denied it out loud. But her face was hot enough that even she could tell. Later that same night. Just as Akane was thinking about logging out, Yamada appeared in the guild chat. 【Yamada】That person says she knows me, but I don't know her. Akane's fingers stopped. (Yamada-kun...) 【Rurihime】Yamada, you saw the board too? 【Yamada】Yeah, figured I should. 【Rurihime】What do you think? 【Yamada】Not interested. 【Rurihime】Right. 【Runa】Yamada-kun! That person is definitely suspicious! 【Yamada】Is that so. 【Runa】It is! You be careful too, Yamada-kun! 【Yamada】It's not like there's anything I can do about it. Akane reread Yamada's messages over and over. *"I don't know her."* (Yamada-kun doesn't know Washida-san.) (But Washida-san said they've known each other for a while.) (...What does that mean?) Akane's head was full of confusion. 【Yamada】Akane-san. Suddenly, a private message arrived. Akane felt her heart leap. 【Akane】Y-yes! 【Yamada】Did you talk to that person? 【Akane】Uh, well, a little, in-game today... 【Yamada】What'd she say? 【Akane】Um... that she's known you for a while... 【Yamada】...I don't know her. 【Akane】Yeah, I know. I saw it in the chat earlier. 【Yamada】That person says she knows me, but I don't know her. That's all. 【Akane】I see... 【Yamada】You should be careful. 【Akane】Huh? 【Yamada】That person is... weird. 【Akane】...You think so too, Yamada-kun? 【Yamada】Just a hunch. 【Akane】A hunch... 【Yamada】Anyway. Just don't get too involved with her. 【Akane】...Yeah, got it. 【Yamada】Later. And with that, Yamada logged out. Akane reread her conversation with him over and over. (Yamada-kun talked to me for that long.) (And he told me to be careful...) A warmth spread slowly through Akane's chest. But at the same time, the unease wouldn't fade. (Why did Yamada-kun say that to me?) (Is he worried about me?) (...Or does he just dislike Washida-san?) There was no answer anywhere. The next day. Akane had made plans to meet Runa in-game. "...All right." Akane steeled herself and logged in. Runa's avatar was waiting in front of the guild house. 【Runa】You're late! 【Akane】Sorry, sorry! I got a little held up getting ready. 【Runa】Honestly, get it together. 【Akane】Yeah, yeah. So, what are we doing today? 【Runa】Hmm, I want to try a new dungeon! 【Akane】Huh, but my level's still low, you know? 【Runa】It's fine, I'll protect you! 【Akane】...Runa, weren't you a healer, not a tank? 【Runa】Shut up! Even healers can fight! Akane laughed out loud at the screen. (Runa, same as always.) 【Akane】Okay. Let's go, then. 【Runa】Yeah! The two of them set off across the field. That was when it happened. 【WASHIDA】Oh, Akane-san and Runa-san! Akane's and Runa's avatars stopped at the same time. 【WASHIDA】Hello! Are you two heading somewhere? 【Runa】...Why are you here? 【WASHIDA】My, how scary. I just happened to be passing by. 【Runa】Hmph. We're going to a dungeon, just the two of us. Don't get in the way. 【WASHIDA】Oh, is that so. Looks like fun. 【Runa】Of course it is. 【WASHIDA】Hey, Akane-san. Akane flinched. 【Akane】Y-yes... 【WASHIDA】I want you to tell me more about Yamada-kun. 【Akane】Huh... 【WASHIDA】Please. I want to know about him. Akane's hands froze on the keyboard. (Why is she asking me that?) 【Akane】Why do you want to know? 【WASHIDA】Because I think I've fallen for Yamada-kun. Akane's mind went completely blank. (...What?) 【WASHIDA】So I want to know all about him. Please, Akane-san. Akane sat utterly frozen before the screen. Her fingers wouldn't move. No words would come. 【Runa】Hey, what are you saying!? Runa shouted on Akane's behalf. 【WASHIDA】Oh my, Runa-san, what's wrong? Getting so angry. 【Runa】You—you said you've fallen for Yamada-kun...! 【WASHIDA】Yes, that's right. Is that not allowed? 【Runa】Of course it's not allowed! 【WASHIDA】Oh? And why is that? 【Runa】Just because! 【WASHIDA】Fufu, Runa-san, you're funny. 【Runa】I'm not funny! Akane could do nothing but watch the two of them. (Fallen for Yamada-kun.) (Washida-san, about Yamada-kun...) Her heart was pounding loudly. (Why am I so shaken up?) 【WASHIDA】Akane-san, let's have a nice long talk sometime soon. 【Akane】...Uh, um... 【WASHIDA】Well then, see you! Washida's avatar left those words behind and departed. Akane couldn't move for a while. 【Runa】Akane! Snap out of it! 【Akane】...Runa... 【Runa】Just ignore her! That person is definitely not right! 【Akane】...Yeah... 【Runa】Akane, your face is completely pale, you know? 【Akane】You can't even see my face... 【Runa】I can tell from your typing! Runa's words saved Akane, just a little. But the churning in her chest showed no sign of settling. (Fallen for Yamada-kun.) Washida's words repeated over and over in her head. (What am I supposed to do?) Akane clenched her hand around the mouse. That night. Akane lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "...Fallen for Yamada-kun." She repeated Washida's words aloud. "...Why her, of all people." Akane buried her face in her pillow. (Yamada-kun said he doesn't know her.) (And yet she says she's fallen for him.) (...I don't understand.) Akane rolled over. (But why am I so uneasy?) (Who likes Yamada-kun shouldn't have anything to do with me.) (...It shouldn't, and yet.) Akane couldn't make sense of her own feelings. Then her phone buzzed. Akane reached out sluggishly and looked at the screen. 【Yamada】Can you meet me at the station tomorrow for a bit? Akane shot upright. "What!?" Her heart pounded violently. (A message from Yamada-kun!?) With trembling fingers, she typed a reply. 【Akane】Yeah, sure! Around what time? 【Yamada】After school, around 5. 【Akane】Got it! 【Yamada】Later. Akan

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Episode 3

Name: Choco-Rabbit Daily Log: Do We Level Up Outside the Game Too?!
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