Hey everyone. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. After being heart broken, nearly losing my job, and almost dying in a propane related accident, I'm trying to make 2021 a recovery year. Time to hit it off right. 

We got someone Miku can relate to for a bit and help her with her growing confidence. 

Enjoy.

~~~~~

Merry Christmas. This is on Christmas Eve instead of my New Year's Day drop. Enjoy people.

The beauty of MMOs is a number of reasons. It goes more than just gaming. The story that someone invested hundreds or maybe even thousands of hours into. The weaponry whether it is any firearm to a slingshot to a various amount of melee or range weapons old or modern. Maybe even magic. Creativity is one of the best features of the human brain. 

What also is the magic part of it, is the fact that you don't know who around you is a player. Someone that plays a popular MMO is right around someone's school or office. Then some of different tastes such as your Dungeons and Dragons or Middle Ages types can be around too. Only difference is you may or may not know it.

There are some that don't make it out in the open as it may seem. There are kids that love it, teenagers that skip school on release day, and some that dream of competing for earnings. Then others are casuals, in spare time, and others where you wouldn't call them an otaku at all. Or in fact a gamer. Someone in a suit can enjoy a Saturday to a glass of wine until 3 AM and sleep Sunday to recover for a full week Monday.

It does happen. And more than what people may think. Though when MMOs have guilds, conversation can go freely at times. There is always the stay online versus IRL, but too a point there is that barrier for some of not caring.

Though for everyone, encounters are different. Not all gamers are outgoing or shy. There is plenty of different blends. Although, sometimes you just don't know it until that moment arrives.

This was right at the final bell. School was out, clubs were starting, and teams gathering together. A teenage boy at school was getting a matcha tea from a vending machine. A girl with pink hair was waiting behind him. He put in a coin and got himself a cold can of matcha.

Remember, the sisters all have the same color hair in canon. The series has it different to help tell them apart.

"Excuse me." He said stepping aside so she can have her turn. Doing his best to be polite.

She put in a coin and pushed what she wanted. "Dang. Out of stock."

"Wasn't matcha was it?" He asked.

"Unfortunately."

"Here." He offered over the can of matcha. "Don't worry. I don't need the 200 HP."

"You sure?" She asked hesitantly. Blushing and all. It was rather adorable.

"Do I look poisoned, burned, or in armor? Yours. I'm not sweating a few yen. Go for it."

"Thank you." She took the can. "What game?"

"Horagai." (It's the conch shell that is used for battle calls)

"Really?" She smiled. "What guild?"

"Mettle Matter."

"Me too. Wow. I didn't think there was a player at school. I kinda," She held her head down. "Don't tell people I game. It's kind of embarrassing."

"Trust me I get it. Valor99. But IRL you can call me (FN). Senior. Want to meet me in the guildhall whenever you get on?"

"Sure thing. I'm Miku. Senior... I'm Raikiri5 on there."

"Wow. I heard of you. Didn't think someone from the guild would be at school though." He chuckled. "When you free?"

"I'm about to work for a few hours and then I got tutoring. So maybe nine tonight? That good by you?"

"If you need help passed that I can give you a hand. I don't have all A's, but I pass with flying colors."

Miku turned away. "What do you mean?"

"My father told me this. There are some people that can open a book on most subjects and have it made or easy. Some must spend hours. On most subjects I'm just good at it. I noticed it after a while as others were taking more time. But I also noticed that I can spend time helping others. You take your time tonight and you let me know how it goes. Good by that?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Miku just looked at him. Seeing his smile and eyes that read good intentions. "Thanks."

"Sure thing Miku. I'll see ya." He walked off and on his way home. I'll just head to the convenience store on the way home. What's the rush? Take myself a detour, hit the books for a bit, and then hopefully by then I can wash up before dinner. 

Miku stood there admiring that a guy she just met was really nice to her. She herself had confidence issues. Especially compared to her other sisters. He eldest sister was confident and knew what she wanted. The others were good about themselves. Only one wasn't and the only subject was her body. Even that was only to an extent. He was really nice. It seems that there are other good guys out there. We have the same interests. I just don't know. He didn't come off of anything. It was more of a friend thing. But, I want to see him online. Maybe we can PM. 

Before she can take a moment to process everything, she got a ping from her phone. It was a group chat of her sisters. 

Ichika

You alright Miku? We're about to be in the limo.

Nino

You going to be long?

Miku

Just a minute. Sorry about that.

Miku opened up the can and started walking to the limo. The one that dropped her off and picked her up from school everyday with her four sisters. All them together, quintuplets. She was the last one to get in the limo and as soon as she was seated, the driver signaled and drove off. 

"So, ladies room?" Asked Itsuki.

"Well..." Miku blushed.

"Were you with Fuutaro?" Asked Nino.

"A guy, but not him."

"Oh my, who?" Pondered Ichika with a smirk.

"His name is (FN). We just happened to meet at the vending machine." She replied hesitant of where this would go.

"Wow. That's nice. You never met him before?" Wondered Yotsuba.

"He bought the last matcha and when I tried the machine and I found out it was out he gave it to me. He didn't open the can or anything. He offered with some gaming references and we talked for a minute or two."

"You play the same game online? He's an otaku?" Asked Nino.

"You wouldn't think actually. He speaks well too. But tonight we're meeting at the guildhall. We're actually in the same guild." The girls seemed happy about it. But one wanted to go further of course.

"Got his number?" Asked Ichika.

"No..."

"What a missed opportunity. You didn't ask?"

"He asked to meet there. I think he was just wanting to do a boss raid maybe. I don't know. But he offered to tutor too."

"Wait a minute." Itsuki thought something was up. "How does he know?"

"I told him I got to work and then I have tutoring after. I said I would meet him at nine. What's up?

"Uhhh, nothing. Just thought it came up weird. Who is he anyway?" Itsuki pouted.

"(FN)."

"Did you get a last name?" Asked Yotsuba. 

"I didn't."

"Smart boy, gamer, good speaker. Hmmm, how many (FN)'s are in our school. Even our grade. Hmmm... we can find out. Shall we?" Ichika seemed to be very interested.

"Can we not..."

~~~~~

I've been excited to start this. Plot thought of with help from adge14.

See ya next chapter. Hope you like.

-Rel