2Refund Not Necessary
"Buy some ASAP. Got that, dumbass? For real. Die, dumbass."
"Oh, shut up already! And how does the item shop sell…" you begin to shout, only to realize that it's pointless.
There's no point in getting mad at this person, because what good would that do?
He's right on all accounts and you don't have much ground to argue on, since you really are as stupid and pathetic as he says you are.
This man beat Kiwame Quest with nothing but his own strength and knowledge, fair and square.
Someone managed to beat this damn game and has already moved on with their life, while you have no idea where to even begin with figuring out yours.
A virtual reality game that simulates real life to the most absurd degree, a game so harsh and unforgiving that most players decided to quit forever after failing to get out of the starter village.
And here you are, desperately watching a walkthrough that solely consists of a series of highly sarcastic quips in hopes of salvaging something out of the mess you've brought upon yourself.
The manager, Reona Kisaragi, suddenly hugs you from behind, leaning her head on your right shoulder.
"Isn't this great, Hiro?" she smiles. "Now, you can advance in Kiwame Quest."
Attempting to avoid dwelling on the sensation of physical contact, you try to think of a way out of playing that stupid game again.
"I… I haven't decided to play…"
"You know what? If someone besides Kamui clears the game… I'd like to marry them."
You shudder at the sensation of her breath in your ear.
"What?"
"And for that to happen, I suppose that I'd also have to date them as well…"
"What are you-" you mumble, pointedly not acknowledging the fact that her breasts are currently pressed into your backside.
"Hiro, I might just like you quite a…"
You quickly shrug your way out of her grasp.
Upon seeing your reaction, Reona seems disappointed.
"Oh, I see. You don't want to do it with me…" she pouts, allowing tears to well up in her eyes for effect.
"W-well, when you put it that…"
Hold on.
Wait a minute.
What the actual fuck are you doing?
Alright, let's take this from the top.
This all started when you wanted to play a virtual reality game for the sake of some good old-fashioned escapism.
And because of that, you accidently murdered your virtual childhood best friend, enraged his sister so much that she turned into a god-damn yandere, got arrested by the authorities because you were too stupid to realize that you were being set up by another player, and only managed to avoid getting your limbs chopped off by soiling yourself with a skill that no other player has ever discovered.
Joy.
On the other hand, it's not like your real life was that much better than your virtual one, given that everybody pesters you in regards to taking charge of your life, you can barely play your favorite games for five minutes at a time without having other people complain about your hobbies, you have to put up with bullies who take your money and a little sister who keeps yelling at you for being uncool and-
And…
And…
And…
You are so tired.
Suddenly, you come to a calm epiphany.
It's something you should have realized before you forgot to use the restroom before that damn track meet.
It was so obvious, in hindsight.
You play video games because they help you ignore the inevitability of failure.
When you play video games, there is always a path forward that is guaranteed to rightfully reward you for all of your hard work.
But you can't hide behind that mindset all the time, as nothing is guaranteed in the real world.
People say that you have to work hard if you want to earn your happy endings, but that's not the catch-all, end-all answer to life itself.
Life is more complicated than that.
Failure is inevitable, and you hate that.
Mistakes are inevitable, and you hate that too.
That's why you hate being mocked, laughed at, and screamed at all the time.
But they're not going to stop mocking you, laughing at you, and screaming at you... no matter what.
That's how the cookie crumbles.
But if the road won't turn no matter how much you complain…
Then it's about time you started doing the turning yourself.
Starting with the manipulative she-devil known as Reona Kisaragi.
Turning around, you notice that Reona is still sniffling with tears in her eyes.
But despite her friendly attitude, her crocodile tears and all that cheerfulness, it's all an act.
She tricked you into buying this game at full price even though it's over ten years old.
She tricked you into playing it and suffering due to the consequences of a no return policy.
And now, she's tricking you into playing the game again by promising to go on a date with you if you beat an unbeatable challenge.
She want you to suffer.
She enjoys watching you suffer.
And maybe she's perfectly within her right to derive pleasure from your suffering.
You are a pathetic, selfish person who clings to escapism, after all.
But on the other hand…
You are a pathetic, selfish person who clings to escapism.
So maybe…
Just maybe…
It wouldn't be out of character if you did something selfish out of your own volition.
"Hiro?"
You slowly pick up the game case and pop it open, revealing the small metal orb that contains the game's data.
You take out the orb, toss the case aside, and allow the orb to fall on the floor.
You raise your right foot in the air as time slows to a crawl.
You hear Reona's voice from so far away.
She's trying to stop you from doing what you are about to do.
But it's too late, you've already made up your mind.
Sure, you might be making a mistake here.
Scratch that, you are making a mistake here.
But if mistakes are inevitable no matter what, than what's the harm in picking what she claims to be greater of two evils?
If it means cutting ties with her, then it's worth the pain and humiliation of making mistakes and failing.
Because that's what it means to be human.
And for one blissful moment…
You are free again.
CRUNCH.
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It's a beautiful day outside.
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The clouds stretch across the horizon.
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And the sky is full of endless possibilities…