Here we go again with the Lynoi/Noira fluff... ^v^' I am truly shameless. 

This chapter is dedicated to and for the amazing

THASENPAIFREAK916!!!

🎉 𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑷𝒀 𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑻𝑯𝑫𝑨𝒀!!! 🎉

Hopefully this will express just how much I love you! 

 There aren't any real-life interactions between them but it's all long-distance, but we'll continue soon enough. 

This idea has actually been in my head for quite some time now, and I'm glad I wrote it out just in time to give to you for your birthday! :D

This was originally going to be a hella long chapter, but after rethinking it I decided to split it up so you guys won't tear your hair out at the hella longness. (Then again, I have a draft in another one of my books that is literally 15,000+ words, so... I'm a hypocrite) 

And since I get the feeling I won't be able to publish Ch.6 tonight, I'll publish this one instead to compensate. 

Really, truly, I am shameless.

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Thousands of years ago...

There was a legend. The legend said that you could write something down on a piece of paper, fold it into a paper airplane, then let it go-and if you were lucky, it would fly to the hands of the one you were 'destined' to be with. 

Of course, most people didn't take it too seriously, but they still sent letters anyway, for fun. 

Eventually, this legend traveled to the ears of a certain lavender-haired player traveling with his teammates. 

It was mentioned one night while they were resting and preparing for the third test. "Hey, guys, have you heard of the letter legend?" The youngest of the group, Navis, mentioned it first, and Noise looked up in interest. 

"What about it, Navis?" Vela crossed her legs and reclined back. 

"Well, it says that if you write a letter, fold it into a paper airplane, and let it fly, if you're lucky, it'll end up in the hands of the one you're destined to be with," Navis explained with sparkling eyes. 

"This sounds like another legend you got your hands on," Arbor sighed. Navis was notorious for loving to discover legends, true or not. 

"Wha-It's not!" Navis protested, pouting. "Noise! You believe me, don't you?" 

"Sure, sure," Noise replied, smiling amusedly. 

"Humph!" 

"So what?" Pavo asked, staring into the mirror as he combed out his long hair. "Do you want us to write letters?" 

"Why not?" Navis shrugged. "It'd be interesting to try it out, right?" 

"I'm actually kind of interested," Columba admitted. "Maybe we could give it a try?" 

Vela scoffed. "If you want to be ridiculed, sure, go ahead." Her eyes darted between Columba and Noise, and she scoffed quieter again. "Just don't blame me if you don't like who it ends up with."

Noise shifted uneasily. He was well aware of the fact that Columba had a crush on him, but he honestly just wasn't interested. They were in the middle of a deathmatch, where there just simply wasn't time for that kind of thing. He stood up. "I'm going to rest in my room." 

"Tired already, Noise?" Arbor teased, and Noise glared at him. "No, but I heard Test 3 is the hardest out of them all, so a little extra rest can't hurt." 

"Oh, yeah!" Navis piped up. "I heard that the NPC for Test 3-Pegasus, that's her name-is a super grouchy lady who has some kind of grudge against the players, and so that's why barely anyone get past the second stage-" 

The rest of his enthusiastic legend-telling faded away as Noise shut the door and collapsed down on his bed. Someone you're destined to be with, huh...? He glanced at the pen and papers on his desk. Maybe... He got up and sat down at the desk. All right. Worth a try. 

He thought for a moment, then started writing, ignoring the nagging voice in his head that said that it was a ridiculous idea. 

Hello, whoever receives this letter, 

I'm going to be honest. I don't know what I'm doing, writing this. One of my teammates mentioned this, and I guess it would be fun to see if this actually does get anywhere-or if it ends up destroyed, whatever. 

Obviously, I'm not going to give my name for safety reasons, but you may call me Electric. I am a player in the Tests. Currently, my team and I are preparing to take Test 3. 

I heard of the 'Letter Legend'-which is apparently what this is-through one of my teammates, who really loves to study and discover legends. If you haven't heard of it, then I suppose the basic gist of it is that I write a letter, fold it into a paper airplane, then let it go, and it's supposed to fly into the hands of the person that I'm destined to be with. 

(It all sounds kind of far-fetched to me, but here I am.)

Anyway, I guess we should start out with getting to know one another? What are you like? What do you do? Are you a player like me? To be honest, it would be kind of interesting to see how another player like me is doing. ^v^ 

I will assume you know when the tests begin and end, so please don't send me a letter while I'm in the middle of a test. Thank you. 

Take care of yourself, and don't die. 

-Electric.

Noise finished the letter and folded it into an airplane. He didn't exactly like how he'd phrased some things, and he was still ignoring the voice in his head saying it was ridiculous, but oh well. 

Leaning forward, he nudged the door open and before he could think too deeply about it, threw the airplane into the night. He watched it fly off. I wonder... will it actually reach anyone? 

XXX

Meanwhile, Lyra was busy reading peacefully in his study, finally having a break, when Aquila burst in, loud and bright. "LYRA!" 

He groaned. "What the f*ck do you want, b*tch?" 

"Don't be so mean!" Aquila pouted. "It's a nice day! Don't you want to go outside?" 

Lyra looked out of the window. It was a nice day, he had to admit-he'd even opened the windows to let the breeze come in while he read. "Not with you, that's for sure." 

"Oh, come on! I still need to find a permanent assistant NPC! Delphinus is only doing it temporarily," Aquila whined. "C'mooooon, help your auntie out a little?" 

"No f*cking way," was Lyra's blunt answer. "Now get your a** out of here before I-" At that moment, a paper airplane glided in through the open window and landed right in Lyra's hands. He looked down at it in surprise. "... What the hell?" 

"A paper airplane," Aquila noted. "Recently folded, made by amateur hands, size 7 inches tall and 6 inches wide." 

"I don't need your f*cking diagnosis," Lyra said in annoyance. He prepared to destroy the paper, before Aquila stopped him. "Wait wait wait! You have to read it! What if it's from your soulmate?!" 

"Soulmate?" Lyra scoffed. "Where'd you get that bullsh*t? There ain't nothing like that in the world." 

"Well, it's just a guess! And haven't you ever heard of that legend!?" 

"I have. It's obviously fake and I'm just going to destroy it." 

"No, don't!" 

"GET THE F*CK OUT ALREADY!" 

"NOT UNTIL YOU OPEN IT!" 

This continued for quite some time until Lyra finally snapped and pushed her out the door. "Fine! Fine, I'll read it, but you have to get out! It's my f*cking private business!" 

"Okay, okay!" He heard her infuriatingly cheerful answer through the door. Sighing, he slid down and sat down at his desk, then unfolded the letter. If this turns out to be worth sh*t, she's so dead... 

The letter was written fairly neatly, although some words were wobbly, like the person wasn't good at writing or didn't do it often, and the words implied it was a girl, which was just great.

Lyra finished reading the letter fairly quickly and put it down. He was kind of stunned. If this 'legend' was true, then what were the chances of it coming to him, an NPC? Well, whatever. Even if I do reply, whoever they are, they probably won't end up liking me. So it's ridiculous.

Ridiculous... So he thought, but before he could regret it, he was writing a reply. 

So ridiculous. 

XXX

A week later, Noise was resting in his room after the completing Test 3-which was just as difficult as he thought it would be-when a paper airplane glided in and landed on his face. 

Immediately he sat up and eagerly unfolded the paper. The letter was actually kind of long, but the paper was bigger. 

Electric,

I'm going to be honest too. This entire thing sounds like absolute bullshit and I'm not a nice person. To be completely honest, I was going to destroy your letter, but an acquaintance of mine was in the room when your letter came in and forced me to read it, so here I am. 

You asked me questions. Like I said, I'm not nice. In my acquaintance's words, I am 'a dirty-mouthed, bipolar, blunt, and cold person', but it's not like I give a damn about what she thinks. 

As for what I do, I'm a player like you are. I just finished Test 2. It's unlikely that we'll meet, since from what I gather Test 3 is difficult but not entirely impossible to pass. 

In my spare time, I spend most of my time by myself. My teammates piss me off most of the time. (I don't know why I still put up with them, honestly.) You and I are probably opposites. From your letter's tone, you sound like someone who would probably annoy me constantly because of your brightness. I don't like that. For me, the best people are the ones that don't bother me, keep quiet, and are useful. 

I like to read most of the time, even though I do end up blowing the book by accident if it riles me up, ha. Sometimes I try writing, but I like to explore and travel to new places also. 

I suppose it would better if you knew this version of me, since through letters you can't exactly piss me off and I don't know what your reactions look like. You should consider yourself lucky. Most people who do that don't survive very long. 

You sound like someone who has good teammates. But also the type that I would find insufferable. And no, I will not apologize for my blunt tone, because I don't believe in the point of trying to sugarcoat my thoughts. If you want my respect, you have to earn it. 

By the way, this is probably going to be the longest letter I write you. I'm not a public type and truth to be told, the thought of having to tell a random person out there, who could possibly use this as blackmail, what's going on in my daily life, is enough to make me both pissed and rather scared, which I think is ironic. You can do all the talking. 

I am, whoever, interested in what abilities you have. 

If you ever need someone's honest opinion, I suppose you can tell me. I don't hold back any thoughts, as you probably could tell. Although if you bother me with nonsensical chatter, I will tell you off. 

Keep in mind that we are not, in any way, soulmates, even though I am male and you most likely are not. I could be wrong, but even in that case we are not 'destined'. Your personality does not match mine at all. 

If you thought that this would be a good chance to access some hot girls, then forget about it. I am not pretty. I am not nice. And I do not and will not fall for any girlish charms you may have to offer. 

You don't have to hold back with me. I frankly don't care if you yell at me for what I say, or what you think in general about me. All I care about is the potential entertainment this letter-exchanging may offer, nothing else. 

I will say it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance once I get a better grasp on your character. Perhaps you aren't as airheaded and cheerful as you present yourself in your letter. 

-Explosion. 

P.S. If you even think about trying to find out who I am, I can and I will find you instead then kill you. Even though I did hear from my acquaintance that 'soulmates can't kill one another'. That sounds like another shitty rule that I need to break. 

Noise blinked for a few minutes, taken aback by the brutal honesty of the person's writing. He hadn't experienced such bluntness before and to be honest, it kind of stunned him. 

The letter was written rather sloppily, like the person had been rushing, the words sharp and slightly jagged, leaning onto one another. 

At that moment the door opened and Columba's older sister, Carina, entered, yawning. "Hey, Noise, Jason sent me to-Woah!" She stopped in her tracks, seeing the letter in his hands. Her eyes lit up when she realized it wasn't one of their papers. "Is it one of those soulmate letters? You sent one? And actually got a reply? Lemme see!" 

"No!" Noise said, flushing a little at her choice of words. "It's private-hey!" 

Carina simply snapped her fingers and the letter disappeared and reappeared in her hands. Quickly she scanned the paper and by the time she finished she was raging. "WHO DOES THIS SON OF A BITCH THINK HE IS?!" 

Noise winced. Carina, unlike her shy, calm sister, was notorious for her quick temper and brashness. And her overprotectiveness. "Carina, calm down, it's just a letter..." 

"Just a letter?!" She waved it in his face. "This guy is straight up insulting you! And he didn't even have the decency to apologize! And even adding on a death threat at the end?! THAT'S JUST RIDICULOUS OKAY-" 

"Out, out," Noise quickly pushed her out. "Thanks."

Sitting down at his desk, he contemplated what he should write. On one hand, this person seemed like he would be a good person to write to about his troubles. One the other, Carina was right and he was rather blunt and cold, just like he'd said. 

I guess I should reply though... like he said, he might become nicer once we get to know one another better... Noise clicked open his pen and started writing. 

XXX

Dear Explosion, 

I'm going to be honest again, after reading your reply I kind of lost hope that this would work out, but I wrote a reply anyway. One of my teammates wants to kill you now, by the way. She's really protective.

You do sound like what your acquaintance says you are like. Your bluntness and your words totally stunned me for a moment. 

I suppose I should tell you some things about myself. First of all, I am not a girl, I am male, and I am sixteen years old. Almost seventeen. 

You asked about my ability. For some strange reason, I have two abilities. I won't go too much into detail, for safety reasons, but one is electric-based (hence my pen name) and the other is good for defense. 

I like to stargaze at night, whenever I have the time, and I like to read too. Most of the time I'm keeping my teammates from messing up or blowing each other up, though, heh. ^ ^' 

I'm sorry if I sound insufferable to you. I get along with most people, but you never know-I guess you're one of those rare people who are naturally intolerant to people like me. ^ ^ I don't mind, though. This is to me a sort of way to see how other players are doing. 

Oh, I don't mind being the one doing the talking. I understand your need for privacy. My head says that I should totally chew you out for being so pretentious, but my heart says otherwise (which sounds totally cliche but I don't really care) so I won't. Cursing wasn't really part of my nature in the first place anyways. 

An honest opinion, huh? Okay, that could be useful. Since you offered, I could tell you a problem of mine. It's about romance, though, so if you're the type disgusted by those sort of things-and I get the feeling you are-then you don't have to answer. 

Even if you think it is not a pleasure to meet me, I say it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as I hope you can become my first friend outside of my teammates. In this world, you can never trust one person fully and truly, so I also hope you aren't going to, say, publish these letters. If you do, I'll probably die from embarrassment. 

Sincerely, 

Electric. 

P.S. You can call me El for short. Do you mind if I call you Ex? 

Lyra finished reading and sighed heavily, ruffling his hair. "This is officially the weirdest player I've ever encountered. I guess this is how a player would talk to me if they weren't aware of my status of an NPC?" 

This person, 'Electric', was making his brain turn in circles. If he was being honest, this person reminded him of both Aquila and Ophiuchus-excited and cheerful, but empathetic and kind at the same-and he was male, which certainly did not help his gay heart at all. 

Calm down, Lyra! He hissed at himself. You are not going to develop a crush on someone who you haven't even met and are just talking to through letters! 

Well, in any case, he had to reply now. Even though he wrinkled his nose at the 'romantic question', he wasn't a complete jerk, despite common knowledge.

Rummaging around for a pen, he uncapped it and started writing-this time making sure his words were less messy.

XXX

His next reply floated in right while he was talking with Navis. They were about to get ready for the second stage of the fourth test, which was rumored to be a survival test, and were discussing tactics. 

"Is that a letter?" Navis asked curiously as the airplane fell into Noise's hands. His eyes started to sparkle. "So you DID try out the soulmate thing!" 

"Navis, please," Noise sighed, opening the letter. "We're both male. And Carina hates him already. And he's already said that we aren't soulmates. And no, you can't read it." He held the letter out of Navis's reach, thanking the heavens for his teammates's shortness, and ignoring his loud protests, eagerly reading what 'Explosion' had to say this time. 

Electric,

I have never. EVER. EVER in my life been called a nickname like that. But I suppose I shall allow it, just this one time. Seems like I'm giving you a chance. My friends would laugh at that. (You can tell that teammate of yours that she can try to kill me, but I can guarantee she wouldn't be able to lay a finger on me.) 

You're younger than I am, then. I am eighteen years old and I am, as I said, also a male. Which is perfect, because I am fairly certain you are straight and as such, there is no way now we could possibly be soulmates. 

You can call me crazy, but for some reason I think that stargazing suits someone like you. The stars provide me relief as well whenever the day has been too damn hectic for my brain to handle. Do you have any favorites? I know we've only exchanged a few brief letters, but I guess I'm intuitive-picked that up from another teammate of mine. 

I actually wouldn't say that you are insufferable. This proves to be a very interestingly entertaining aspect of my life, as you are a mixture between two of my 'best' friends. Cheerful and bright, yet also at the same time able to be kind and empathetic. If you are really like that, then I would suggest you stay that way-people like that aren't common here. 

Very well, I shall hear out what your romance problem is. But if it's worth shit, I'm going to be pissed, and use one of the 'emotion papers' that I've heard of to send it to you. Fair warning, though, my love life is shitty as hell, MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NONEXISTANT.

You're very strange. I don't think I've ever met some quite like you. And you're right, in this shithole you probably shouldn't trust anyone, which makes me wonder why you decided to keep on writing to an asshole like me. 

And don't be so damn polite! It's stifling. 

-Explosion.

Before he could stop it a small laugh slipped out of his lips and his face colored pink. Cheerful and bright, yet also at the same time able to be kind and empathetic. He was either hallucinating, or Explosion's tone had gotten softer. 

Meanwhile, Navis stopped protested. "Woah! Noise is blushing!" He poked his cheek. "Are you sure this person isn't a soulmate?" 

"Wha-No!" Noise protested, desperately patting his face and discovering that yes, he was blushing. "I-I-I just, I mean-" He quickly put the letter out of Navis's reach and remembered- "Hey, Navis?" 

"Whaaaat?" 

"What does 'straight' mean?" 

"I'm gonna need details, buddy," Navis said, snapping his fingers. 

"Well..." Noise said slowly. "In the letter, the person said that he's a male too, and that I'm most likely straight, so there's no chance of us being soulmates...?" 

To his utter surprise Navis started laughing. "Oh-Oh-That's too funny-oh-" Once he calmed down, he started explaining. "There are things called 'sexualities' in the world, my dear innocent Noise. Straight, bisexual, asexual, pansexual... the list goes on. In this case, 'straight' means you only like the person of the opposite gender. Bisexual means you like both, asexual means you don't have any sexual attraction towards any, and pansexual basically means the same as bisexual. Does that make sense?" 

"Not. At. All," Noise said truthfully, and Navis groaned, facepalming. "I can't belive this. How can you be so damn powerful and still have absolutely no idea about... forget this. Here's a question." Navis leaned towards him. "Do you, say, feel any attraction towards... Columba?" 

"Friendly attraction," Noise replied, a bit confused still. "Why? I know she likes me. But I don't regard her as anything but a friend and a teammate." 

"Well, if you absolutely had to, would you marry her?" Navis clarified, inwardly screeching at how hard this was turning out to be. 

"..." Noise thought about it for a long moment. "... I suppose... if I have no other choice, and I had to do it to save you all... then yes." His voice still carried tones of question, though. 

"See, then that's an example of being straight," Navis said triumphantly. "Now, let's take this mysterious pen pal of yours. Would you marry him?" 

"...!" Instantly, at the idea that Navis had just put through his head, the words from the most recent letter ran though his head and his face reddened again. "Y-yes...?" 

Navis stared at him. "Wow. That was quick. Okay, so if you want to marry him, then you're bisexual-or gay, as most people place it. Gay people like people from their own gender." Under his breath he muttered, "I can't believe we're having this conversation..." 

"... I still don't-" 

"Forget it!" Navis waved a hand as he turned to exit. "You write your response to lover boy, and we'll see how things turn out, okay?" He left before Noise could get another word in edgewise. 

XXX

Dear Explosion, 

I'm very glad to see that you're warming up to me! Or maybe it's just wishful thinking. ^v^ Either way, I don't think I'm going to tell Carina you said that. I'd like for you two to get along, since it seems like you would, given your rather similar personalities. 

You're eighteen!? Lucky. You're making me feel young... Also, your statement about 'being straight' confused me for a very long time, until I looked it up, and so I feel inclined to ask if you are straight. 

Ahahaha... that's not the first time someone's said that stargazing suits me. My teammates comment on it constantly. As for what my favorite constellations are, it feels kind of weird to say it out loud since the NPCs are named after constellations, but I like all of the ones that they're named after-Ursa Major and Minor, Aquila, Pegasus, Cygnus, Lyra, and even Ophiuchus. They're all beautiful in my opinion. (The constellations, of course, don't take that the wrong way, although I hear they're all knockouts ;) )

I'm very happy to hear that! My teammate teased me for days because he saw me blush when I saw that, hee hee. What can I say, I'm not used to receiving compliments outside of my team. Then again, people always compliment me on my looks, but I don't really know if they're being genuine or just saying it to butter me up. 

You'll hear me out? I feel kind of guilty to bother you with such a trivial matter, but here goes nothing. Please decide to keep me alive. 

Somebody on my team has a crush on me. I know that well, and I'm not interested in her in the slightest, because there just isn't any time, but from what it looks like she's not going to give up anytime soon. I don't have the heart to tell her directly, though, because before she is the romance problem in my life, she is also a dear friend of mine. 

Now that we're past the complex and rather annoying stuff, let me tell you what I'm doing! 

We just finished the first stage of Test 4. Tomorrow we're going to enter the second stage, and to be honest I'm kind of nervous. This letter will probably reach you by the time I've already gone in. They say that it's a very difficult survival test, and I hope we can all make it out alive. 

I also heard that the main NPC is mute, so I've taken it upon myself to learn sign language just in case. Wouldn't want to seem rude, after all, since we don't have a telepath. ^-^' 

My apologies if I'm too polite. It's a force of habit, better polite and dangerous and dangerous and cowardly, amirite? 

Hope to hear from you soon, (and stay alive until then) 

-Electric. 

Lyra smiled a little, reading Electric's latest words, laughing particularly at the 'knockout constellations' part. He didn't know why, but reading his letters always put his mind to ease a little-maybe because he was conversing with someone who didn't know him at all except for what he put out. There was nothing biased. 

But about his teammate problem... 

He frowned. He'd never actually experienced having a team, since he became an NPC immediately after he died, so there wasn't much he could go on. But he could, however, ask Ursa Major... 

"What? Has our little Lyra finally fallen in love?" She burbled, swiping him into a bone-crushing hug before he could deny it. "Oh, I'm so proud! I need to tell everyone about this! I can't believe that-OW!" She loosened her arms at his burn and pouted, waving a hand over it and healing it. 

"No! Just gimme the advice!" Lyra snapped, getting annoyed already. 

"Fine, fine," And Lyra thanked the stars that while Ursa could be insufferably annoying, she wasn't always like Aquila, who would push and push and push and push until she got what she wanted. "So this is what I think. That guy should just straight up tell his teammate, but he's got to ease into it. Like, if she tries to make more moves, he's got to turn her down-gently, if possible, which would be best judging her character or something-which could prepare her for the eventual rejection. How's that?" 

"This is the reason why I don't touch love," Lyra groaned, walking out the door. "Waaaay too complicated for me to handle. Thanks for the advice, Ursa." 

And also because... it's far too easy for people to take advantage of you that way. 

He paused and laughed a little. Besides, NPCs are forbidden from falling in love anyway... 

XXX

Electric,

I don't know what it is either. Let's move on before I start catching fucking feelings. 

You are young compared to me. And I will say that for now, I'm an asexual straight person-otherwise known as someone who had no romantic interest in anyone currently, but if I did it'd be a girl. 

Ahahaha, that's funny. The years must be good on them. For me, I like looking at them all. Favorites don't really apply for me. And I heard that Aquila hosts a glamorous party at the end of Test 2, that's not a rumor, right? 

You're not good with compliments? Then I should file this information away for future use. I'm sure you look fine. 

As for your teammate matter... 

Like I said before, I'm horrible at anything romance-related, so I asked one of my teammates to help. I'm relaying her answer to you. 

"That guy should just straight up tell his teammate, but he's got to ease into it. Like, if she tries to make more moves, he's got to turn her down-gently, if possible, which would be best judging her character or something-which could prepare her for the eventual rejection."

That's what she says, anyway. You should try asking more than one source, I'm a shitty one to be honest. 

The second stage of Test 4 already? Good job, we're almost done with the final stage of Test 2, which is why I asked you about that party, so I can prepare myself. We've got to catch up, don't we? You're moving quickly. 

The fact that you're going to learn sign language just to make sure you don't offend the NPC is honestly just going straight into my suitcase of 'Reasons Why This Guy Is the Weirdest' since NORMALLY PEOPLE DON'T DO THAT. Still, it's a nice act. 

I suppose so. The cowardly act can be useful in terms of going undercover, and so can the polite act. For me I don't give a damn what my enemies see when they see me. Maybe it's different for you. 

-Explosion. 

"Another letter from lover boy, eh?" Noise jumped as Navis plopped down next to him. "W-What?" 

"I knew another letter was going to fly in," Navis waved a hand. "Since we just finished the second stage, which BOY THAT WAS FREAKIN' HARD!" 

Noise smiled amusedly at his teammate as Navis fell backwards onto the couch, letting out a loud groan-sigh. "Then you'd better prepare yourself for Test 5, I heard it's even more difficult!" 

"Yeah..." Navis sighed. "But hey, I heard that the main NPC is gay, so that might be useful? But at the same time, basically no one gets back him, and if they do, the final test is extremely difficult." 

Difficult is right... If he was being honest, Noise didn't know how they were all still alive. They had met during the second stage of the first test, and had been a team ever since, miraculously surviving and sticking together through all kinds of hardships. 

"Hey, Navis," Noise said. "Columba likes me, right?" 

Navis spluttered. "N-N-No! No w-way! Where'd you get t-that from-" 

Noise rolled his eyes, interrupting him. "Despite what you may think, I'm not completely blind, Navis. I can see her making a move, thank you very much." 

"You know that and yet you can't even understand sexualities..." Navis sighed again and facepalmed, because Noise could be weird in so many weird ways. "Never mind. Fine, I guess there's no point in denying it now. Yes, she likes you. Yes, I know you aren't interested. So?" 

"This person is honest to the point of bluntness," Noise said, putting the letter away. "And he said I could ask his honest opinion on anything. So I asked him what to do with her, since I'm not interested, but I don't have the heart to turn her down outright." 

"Ohhhh... what'd he say?" Navis asked keenly. That must be why Carina is furious...

"That's a good idea!" Navis agreed eagerly when Noise finished telling him the idea. "You should try it." 

"Should I?" Noise asked doubtfully. "I don't want to lose our friendship..." 

Navis winked and patted him on the back. "Don't worry. We'll help you out too!" 

XXX

Dear Explosion, 

I get the feeling that if we ever meet in person, I'll keep on calling you the wrong thing. ^v^'

And I'm still learning about the whole 'sexualities' thing, but I suppose that makes sense? If we ever do meet I will demand a clear answer. Or maybe I should just look it up. 

She does! Both Aquila and Ursa Minor both love parties. The one they hosted this year was extravagent just like all the others, and it was certainly interesting to attend! She truly is gifted at that sort of thing. I'm more of an attender, I get the feeling that I'd fail as a host. ^-^'

Anyway... 

First off, I'm happy to say that I've tried out your recommended method, and I think it's working! Maybe, but I don't really know yet. Either way, thank you for the idea. 

Second, even though writing letters is fun, it's a little too slow and a bit inconvenient, so I'd like to ask you if you have a phone. That way we can text instead? 

We're preparing to enter Test 5. I heard it's very difficult, but we shall do our best! I can only hope we'll survive, or if we die, die together as a team. 

Ahahaha... yeah, I suppose you could call me that. And I suppose I should start my own suitcase of 'How This Guy is Slowly Warming Up to Me'? ;)

And hey! I did and the NPC-Cygnus-got a lot nicer and less grumpier! Although warning, boy he can CURSE in sign language. 

Maybe it is. I think I'm the type who would like things to resolve peacefully if possible, but not afraid to kick ass if I have to. 

You see like the type to just straight up kill them as a whole. Am I right? ^v^?

Best Wishes, 

-Electric. 

XXX

Electric,

Don't worry, I think that's going to happen to me too. And don't try to understand what sexualities are, it'll just confuse you. Just listen to what your heart tells you-ugh, that was such a cliche statement. 

Ah yes, I can now agree with you as I've just finished attending that party. Naturally, it drained the shit out of me, but it was quite lively, I must admit, which surprises me. Parties are not my thing AT ALL. 

... You do realize, there's no point in thanking me when it wasn't even my idea in the first place. There goes another thing for my suitcase. 

I'm pretty sure I have a phone, but technology isn't my thing. I'll work it out and tell you when I've figured it out. 

Entering Test 5 already? Good luck, then. I heard that the Test NPC is quite harsh, but based on how you're still (miraculously) alive, you're apparently the type that just keeps on pushing forwards until you achieve your goal. I don't even need to know you to know that I'm right. 

And I am not warming up to you. This is just to avoid cramping my fingers if I want to write out my frustration. You're still the weirdest person I've ever written to. Then again, you're the first, so I suppose I don't have much to go on. 

Really? Then I should try learning sign language too. So I can curse both loudly orally and with my hands. ;)

*gasp* I think that's the first time I heard you curse like that. And yes, you're correct. It's too bothersome to wait it out. 

Good luck on Test 5. 

-Explosion

Another few days passed by, and since Noise was less busy, letters started flowing in more consistently, and with each one he couldn't resist the light feeling that came over him. 

"You're seriously lovesick, aren't you?" 

Noise spluttered and almost dropped the paper. "W-What?!"

Pavo brushed his hair carefully, watching him with a twinkle in his eye. "Navis told me everything, you know, and don't think I don't see that smile you have every time you open one. It's almost worth filming, honestly." 

"Well, don't think I don't see how you're looking at that guy-" At that moment Noise's phone chimed. "Get out, I need to look at this." 

"Sure," Pavo drawled, then exited. Noise clicked open his phone. 

YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE FROM: UNKNOWN NUMBER

Unknown number? It might be Explosion... I'll look at it just in case. 

Sure enough, it was him and he quickly renamed him before typing. 

Ex: Hey. I finally figured out how to work this phone. (The letter-writer) 

El: Hi!!!! You finally did! 

Ex: ... I can literally feel your enthusiasm radiating off of the phone and hitting me right in my stony heart. It's blinding. 

Noise couldn't help the wide smile that spread across his face. Texting was, while annoying, much, much, faster. 

El: hehehehee... you should be used to it by now! ^ ^

Ex: ... I suppose I should be. 

El: Is this weird? It feels weird to me texting you when I'm so used to sending letters. 

Ex: Honestly, I prefer letters. Texting is annoying. The screen's way too small. 

El: I know right!!! But I like how fast it is ^w^ It makes it much easier to communicate! 

Ex: You know, you'll get finger cramps and that'll possibly affect your fighting if you type too fast and too long. You shouldn't talk to me that much. My way of talking probably isn't good for you either. I get the feeling that you're innocent. 

El: *pouts* But I like talking to you! I don't have to hold back anything. 

Ex: ...

El: Also, was that you being worried about me!?

Ex: No. It wasn't. You seem like a good enough guy who actually deserves to become an Angel, unlike SOME doofuses I've seen around here, so it would be good if you did survive, since that's the least you could achieve. 

El: Aww... stop that. You're overestimating me. 

Ex: you're right, I probably am. changed my mind. you can die in a pit, see if I care ;)

El: TvT I forgot how blunt you can be... 

Ex: relax, I'm just kidding. Maybe. 

El: Oh! Okay! ^O^

El: Oh, wait, my teammate's calling me. I have to prepare for the first stage of Test 5 now, talk to you later! 

Ex: Later. 

El: ^v^

Ex: ... Later. Don't die. 

Noise put his phone down with a smile. It's so fun to talk to him... I could do it for hours and never get bored.  

"Noise! You coming?" Arbor yelled out the door. "We're gonna leave if you don't hurry!" 

He stood up. "I'm coming!" 

XXX

El: ... and then this happened, and this, and-wow. I'm not actually telling you anything at this point, am I? 

Ex: No. 

El: Oh... sorry. But you get the basic gist of it. We BARELY survived.  

Ex: I see. 

El: *pouts* Would it kill you to be a little more expressive now and then? 

Ex: ... 

El: Fine, be like that. Anyway, do you ever think we'll be able to meet in person? 

Ex: probably not. you're ahead of me right now. and I just finished the first stage of Test 3. 

El: Congrats! Keep on going!

Ex: ... Of course. 

El: ^w^

Ex: Now that I think about it, would it kill you to be a little less enthusiastic? You're kinda ruining my stoic imagery. 

Noise was about to reply when the door opened and Columba came in. "Um, hi, Noise... did I come at a bad time?" 

"No, no!" Noise quickly wrote a reply- Sry brb a teammate's asking me something - before closing his phone. "Do you need something?" 

She looked at his phone. "Who were you texting?" She barreled on, words spilling out. "Who do you write to every night? Who is the one that makes you smile? Why don't you love me? I try and I try and I try but you're never responsive! What's in this person, who you've never ever met, that you find more appealing than me? What can I do to change that? Please, I just want you to love me!" 

Well. And how the f*ck was he supposed to respond to that confession? 

XXX

Lyra burst out laughing when he saw Electric's latest letter, specifically at one line: 

My teammate gave me a hell of a confession and do you know what I said? I just said 'I'm sorry, give me some time to think about it.' That's literally it. 

He continued skimming. 

We're going to start the second stage of Test 5 tomorrow. Just one more test to go! 

You keep on doing these tests and don't die, 'kay? 

I'll be waiting for you in Heaven ;)

-Electric

He smiled. This guy... wait. 

SH*T.

He was taking the second stage tomorrow... the one that he was going to initiate. Of course, he didn't know what Electric looked like, but if he accidentally killed him... 

Ugh!

Lyra plopped down on a couch. He could always go a little easier on them, but that's wasn't exactly written in his book of rules-and it'd be a bit suspicious and for now, he would like to hide his status as an NPC for as long as possible. But on the other hand, he actually kind of liked talking like this. 

He ran a hand through his hair. What do I do...? But first, I have to send him a text so he doesn't get suspicious when I don't answer.

Clicking open his phone, he quickly typed, 

Ex: Hey, I'm going to have to cease writing/texting for a couple of days while I defeat Test 3. Just wanted to let you know. 

A response popped up almost immediately. 

El: Oh! Okay... Good luck! ^v^

Lyra shook his head again. This guy is seriously the weirdest... 

XXX

In fact, Noise forgot all about that. He forgot everything, everything, except for the fact that his friends were dead and it was his fault. 

Dead. 

The grief hit him like a brick and stayed there-after waking up in an unfamiliar place and an unfamiliar room with a guy who apparently was the 6th NPC, he had been told about it. How he was the only one to survive. 

He forgot about the letters, about most everything, spending his days listlessly in grief (Ophiuchus, as the 6th NPC was so called, was kind enough to let him grieve for a few days) until one day, with a warm breeze in flew a paper airplane. On it was written three words. 

Are you alive?

The neatly written words were a jarring call back to reality. Before he even knew what he was doing he was sending a text. 

El: Yes. 

A response came immediately. 

Ex: ... Whew. That's good to hear. 

El: Why, is your faith that weak? 

Ex: ... No. How'd Test 5 go? 

El: . . .

El: I was the only one that survived. 

Ex: ... I'm terribly sorry for your loss... I suppose this means that I should prepare myself more. 

El: Yeah. 

Ex: Well. I can't help but ask... what do you think of the NPCs? They've killed so many people.

El: ... I think they're good people still.

Ex: There goes another reason... but you don't hate the Test 5 NPC at all for killing all your teammates? 

El: I suppose I have some anger in me. But all in all I don't blame him. I kind of blame myself, actually. My shield wasn't strong enough to shield everyone. 

Ex: ... You're amazing, you know that? I could never do that. I'd probably rage for years. 

El: And... maybe because... um... 

Ex: Hm? Spit it out. 

El: ... I think he's kind of handsome... and the way he talks reminds me of you a little. Both of you are brash beyond belief. 

Ex: Well, thank you very much for that comparison. 

(Neither of them knew that both of them were blushing red as a tomato as that confession)

El: You're welcome ^v^ But it's the truth, right? 

Ex: Sigh... yes, it is. 

Noise was about to type back an answer when the door banged open. "You're feeling better?!" Ophiuchus had felt the waves of embarrassment and mainly light-heartedness from far away and had immediately rushed over. It was so very depressing being in the same room as someone who was grieving, being an Empath and all, and so of course it was very good news that the person in question was feeling better. 

"Oh! U-uh!" Noise flailed around for an answer. "I-I suppose so!" 

"Oh." Ophiuchus smiled gently, noting his phone and the paper. "You have a lover? Then it's lucky you survived."  

"N-N-N-N-NO!" Noise's face went red so fast it was almost funny. "I-It's just someone I like talking to, that's all..." 

"Oh..." Ophiuchus resisted the urge to facepalm. Jeezus. If Lyra were to meet him and they somehow fell in love... WE'D HAVE TWO DENSE IDIOTS IN DENIAL CONSTANTLY UGH-Being an Empath can be a royal PAIN sometimes... 

"Well!" He clapped his hands. "Since I'm here, I should tell you that I'll be going out! I need to grab some food from Aqui-her fry is the absolute best-and in a few days we'll start, okay?" 

"Okay," Noise said, waving as Ophiuchus jumped out the window and flew off into the sky. 

Ex: You still there? 

El: Yup! Sorry, my caretaker was just checking up on me. 

Ex: ... Oh, okay. Is your caretaker nice? 

El: Of course. He's surprisingly kind, but I suppose that's because he's an Empath. And he seems awfully glad that I'm feeling better. 

Ex: That's good to hear. You'll fail Test 6 if you don't have a brain, you know! You can't go into battle with a clouded mind and heart!! 

El: haha... I've sure heard that a lot... ^-^'

Ex: We're on Test 4 now-almost catching up, finally. Why are you so goddamn fast?! 

El: You're overestimating me...! 

Ex: ... Pretty sure I ain't. 

El: Well, still! I'm sure you're amazing too! ^v^ Otherwise you wouldn't have made it past Test 3. That one was a difficult one. 

Ex: Ah yes, it was hard for me too. Hence why I couldn't be distracted by you in that time. 

El: Do I distract you? 

Ex: . . .

Ex: Will I regret it if I reply? 

El: Yes and no. 

Ex: Maybe a little. 

El: fufufufu I see...

Ex: Impossible as ever. That's good to hear. ;)

Noise smiled. Of course... Ex always manages to cheer me up, brash and rude as he is... 

Just as he was about to type back an answer, the room filled with darkness. "What the-MMPH!" Arms had grabbed him midst the darkness and a gag was tied around his mouth.

"Hurry, knock him out!" A gruff voice ordered. "Before he escapes!" 

I need to escape! Noise thought frantically. But before he could, something heavy struck his head and he drooped over in pain. Ex... 

That was the last thought he had as he became unconscious and his kidnappers carried him away. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Annnd... the first part is done! DONE! 

Senpai, I hope you found this pleasing and once again, I wish you a happy birthday!! I hope your day is wonderful and that perhaps... you can share some of your... elder knowledge... ^v^

Some notes: 

- The NPCs are, in fact, forbidden from falling in love after Ophiuchus's scandal and all. However, this only applies to players, as NPCs are technically not allowed to give any 'special treatment' to any players. They are allowed to fall in love with another NPC. 

- Noise's teammates are all named after constellations. You can look them up if you want. Now normally, in the normal story, the other players are necessarily named after constellations, but I got a tad bit lazy. Don't worry! They'll make another appearance! 

- This could technically be called the 'prologue'. The next chapter is when they actually interact fully. 

- The part after the Test 5 was from the flashback I gave you guys in Ch.4, in case you didn't realize. 

- I will continue this. The next part will be released I-don't-know-when and when it does the chapter will be moved to be right after this one for the sake of order, even if there are already chapters after this one. 

Thank you once again for reading and Senpai, I wish you once again to have the best birthday ever! *bows deeply* 

I love you all! 

-awakened-angel-chan

(P.S. Ch.6, if I'm lucky, will be released on the 24th for me in late afternoon. I'm sorry for the holdup! It's mainly because I was writing this all week... But at least I hope you enjoyed the fruits of my labor! ^O^)