“Status open! Well then… Logout!”
“What are you doing?”
Ameriko asked with a puzzled expression, as Himeno yelled and pointed her finger at nothing before dropping her shoulders in disappointment.
“I was doing that in case this was some sort of VRMMORPG. It could be a virtual space in a game… But sadly, that does not seem to be the case.”
The black haired Himeno’s way of thinking was very ‘Japanese’. Then again, she was Japan itself.
In the fourth decade of the twenty-first century, quantum nerve connectors that utilized a person’s five senses, also known as contactless nerve connection interface, were developed, paving the way for full virtual experiences.
This became synonymous with immersive virtual games, but it was initially developed as military technology.
China and America were always on the cutting edge of technology, and they competed fiercely for the honor of their countries. This technology was then adapted to civilian use, and used in medicine, economics, and all sorts of entertainment.
Ameriko also hoped this was simply a virtual space, but the resolution was too good. The smell of the earth, the clouds in the sky, and the feeling of the wind were also too realistic. Even in the year 2035, VRMMORPG’s were not that realistic and detailed.
“This is definitely not VR. Our bodies, the earth and grass beneath our feet, and the air all feel too real.”
Ameriko picked a small flower from the ground, and pointed it at the sun. She could see not only petals and leaves, but also the veins of the leaves. Every flower and weed was clearly different, and that level of realism was not possible in a video game.
“That is true…”
Himeno agreed while dropping her shoulders.
The only thing that seemed like it belonged in a video game was their ability to summon guns and swords.
“The monsters that attacked us were real too. The corpses didn’t disappear, and we didn’t get experience or bonuses or anything either.”
Said Ameriko.
“Hahaha, you’re right.”
“I guess if we die, that’s it.”
“This is a real death game.”
“Well, let’s leave the tutorial at that.”
“Yes. We are not going to get anywhere by standing here thinking about it.”
Himeno’s dejected smile exposed her yaeba. It was said that Japanese people had bad dentition, but in anime and manga that was seen as a ‘kawaii’ charm point.
Ameriko thought it was genius how they turned that defect into a unique characteristic.
“I know about you, you know?”
“What a coincidence, I also happen to know a lot about you.”
Ameriko and Himeno looked at each other. They had just met, but at the same time knew each other for a long time.
They fought in the distant past, and eventually came to an understanding.
They had an unbeatable bond… So said their vague memories and all the wishes that composed their consciousness.
“Ah. So is it ok if I call you Himeno?”
“I-I don’t mind…”
Said an embarrassed Himeno, while not looking at Ameriko directly. This difficulty in looking others in the eyes seemed characteristic of Japanese people.
“Oh, thanks Himeno.”
“Then I shall call you Ameriko as well.”
Himeno said Ameriko with the same intonation and with a friendly tone. It was very typical of her.
“Yes, Ameriko! That’s okay.”
“It’s a pleasure, Ameriko.”
If they stayed quiet, they would be crushed by anxiety, so they talked as they continued walking through the meadow.
After investigating the corpses of the goblins, they found nothing but rags and clubs. They prayed that these low intelligence monsters were not the rulers of this world.
They saw a forest on the other side of the hill, and decided that would be their destination. Their first priority was to secure food and water.
They were starting to get hungry and thirsty, and also wanted to use the bathroom. If this was a game, they would not have to worry about these things.
“We haven’t seen anyone. Aren’t there villages or something?”
Said the tall Ameriko with an annoyed tone as she looked in the distance.
“We have only seen monsters so far. Worst case scenario… This world is populated with nothing but monsters. A hellish death game.”
“Let’s not be too pessimistic.”
There was not a single man-made object as far as they could see.
They walked for an hour towards the forest, simply because Ameriko’s instincts told her it was a good idea.
“…What did you call this?”
“Open world. It is the general term for games where we have the freedom to go around the world how we want.”
It was like an open world game, although a very crappy one. It went beyond being an idle clicker.
“Yes! Freedom! That doesn’t sound bad at all!”
Ameriko reacted strongly to that word, and her blue eyes started shining. Himeno smiled awkwardly.
“You sure are optimistic…”
Even in this situation, Ameriko thought freedom was a beautiful thing.
“Yes! Freedom to go anywhere you want without suffocating restrictions. No goals, just the freedom to do anything! This is the spirit that founded America. My grandfather told me about the western expansion when we advanced west while making friends with indians. My great-great-grandfather told me… Uh? Or was it my great-great-great-grandfather? Ah! We could develop this place and raise cows!”
“You are assuming there are cows…”
Ameriko talked more than one would expect.
Meanwhile, Himeno listened while worrying more about the existence of minotaurs and less about cows.
They could certainly not say this place was safe. There was no telling when they could be attacked by monsters again. Not to mention that they were leaving a meadow with good visibility, and going into a forest.
They followed an unpaved road. Whether it was monsters or people, it was clear something walked on it. However, the absence of wheel marks led them to believe no wheeled vehicles passed there.
As they got closer to the forest, they saw a small river and ran towards it. It was shallow and the water was very clear.
“Himeno! Water!”
“We still need to be concerned about poisonous minerals, bacteria, and parasites. We should at least boil… You’re already drinking it!?”
Ameriko shoved her face into the river and drank the water. After a few seconds of gulping, she raised her head and gave Himeno a thumbs up.
“Hn! Yes, it’s okay! The water’s pure.”
“A-alright… I guess that is your pioneering spirit…”
“It’s fine. I want to take a bath too.”
“I don’t think… I will be doing that now…”
A single strand of hair was glued to Himeno’s cheek with sweat. The nape of her neck changed between visible and invisible behind her evenly cut black hair. Ameriko gulped.
“…Let’s take a bath together. I mean, we’re not going to find a shower around here, that’s for sure. And we’re going to start smelling if we don’t bathe.”
“I do not like the idea of bathing in an unsafe place.”
“It’s fine. I’ll watch out for any danger.”
Ameriko’s eyes were scary, as she seemed unwilling to back down.
“Ah… It’s alright Ameriko, you don’t smell. I don’t think you need a bath.”
Himeno said as her eyes shifted to the side.
Ameriko suddenly realized this disparity between what one said and their conduct was classic Japanese behavior. She said it was alright, which meant it was not. Ameriko reached the conclusion that Himeno was telling her she smelled.
“Fah!? Me!? Where!?”
An indignant Ameriko raised her arms and smelled her armpits.
“Oh…”
It was not alright after all. Ameriko was shocked, as she realized Himeno could smell her sweat by just walking next to her.
“Let me check yours too!”
“Why!? No!”
“Come on!”
“Gyah!?”
Ameriko raised Himeno’s arms and got closer to them.
“Sniff♪. This… Oh…”
“Stop it!”
“Just a bit more.”
“No!”
Ameriko’s eyes were bloodshot, and Himeno jumped back after sensing danger.
“…It smells nice.”
“What kind of strange fetish is that!?”
“No Himeno, like… Something smells like sweet fruits.”
Ameriko sensed a sweet smell coming from the forest. It smelled like fruit.
“…You’re right. Is it some sort of fruit? Or flowers?”
“Let’s go then! We might get our hands on some fruit!”
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I can confirm Ameriko is in fact acting VERY American if a little bit overexcited