The real me

A boy with short black hair sat slouched in a VR MMO chair, his face illuminated only by the faint glow of the now-fading game screen. His round face was dotted with pimples, and his heavyset body sagged into the chair as the immersive world of Mythos Reborn disappeared, replaced by the dim and cluttered reality of his small room.

Nasuke (narrating in thoughts):

Well... this is me. The real me. Not the hero in the game.

He sighed heavily, the weight of his real-world self settling on him as he stood. His movements were sluggish as he dragged himself into the bathroom, flicking on the light with a wince. The harsh glare reflected his figure in the mirror—a round face, dull eyes, and skin marred by acne.

Nasuke (narrating flatly):

See? I’m one of those guys who run away from reality. Oh, and if you’re wondering—yes, I’m 16, despite how I look. I’m Nasuke... (pausing) Nasuke Yamada.

Turning the faucet, he splashed cold water on his face, scrubbing at the pimples in frustration before grabbing a towel. Leaving the bathroom, he made his way to the kitchen, only to be greeted by the hum of an empty fridge. A single carton of milk sat on the shelf, mocking him.

He closed the door with a sigh.

Minutes later, he stepped outside into the cool night air. The streets were eerily quiet, the faint glow of moonlight casting long shadows. With his hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets and his head hung low, Nasuke walked aimlessly, his thoughts swirling in the silence.

Nasuke (narrating in thoughts):

Next week, I start high school. Yay, right? (his tone sarcastic) To be honest, I don’t want to go. I doubt anyone would care if I didn’t show up.

He turned down a shadowy alley between two tall buildings, the darkness pressing in around him. Two men leaned casually against the brick walls—one with spiked red hair and a cocky grin, the other with shaggy yellow hair and a cruel smirk.

Yellow-Haired Guy (mocking):

"Hey, kid. What are you doing walking around so late at night?"

Nasuke froze, his heart hammering in his chest.

Nasuke (stammering):

"Uhh... I’m going to the store."

The red-haired guy stepped forward, his grin widening into something menacing.

"The store, huh? Speak up, kid. Don’t mumble."

Nasuke shifted uncomfortably, his voice barely a whisper.

"...to buy a game."

The two men exchanged amused glances.

Red-Haired Guy:

"Ohhh, I see. Taking a shortcut to the gaming store, huh?"

Yellow-Haired Guy (grinning wickedly):

"Well then... cough up all the cash you’ve got."

Nasuke instinctively stepped back, his hands trembling.

Nasuke (pleading):

"But I only have enough for the game disc..."

The red-haired guy cracked his knuckles, his expression darkening.

"Then we’ll take it by force."

Before Nasuke could react, a fist slammed into his stomach, driving the air from his lungs. He doubled over, gasping.

Nasuke (choking):

"Stop..."

The yellow-haired guy shoved him to the ground with a laugh. They didn’t stop there. Kicks rained down on him, each one sending sharp jolts of pain through his body. Nasuke curled into a ball, shielding his head as best he could.

Yellow-Haired Guy (scoffing as he rifled through Nasuke’s pockets):

"That’s more like it, kid. Thanks for the cash."

Satisfied, the two men sauntered off, their laughter echoing in the empty alley.

Nasuke lay there for a moment, wincing as he tried to move. His ribs ached, his legs throbbed, and his pride was in tatters.

Nasuke (narrating in thoughts):

I knew those thugs were in this area. That’s why I hid some extra money... in my socks.

With a shaky breath, he forced himself to his feet, holding his bruised side as he limped forward. Every step was painful, but he kept moving, the faint glow of his destination urging him onward.

Nasuke (narrating in thoughts while limping):

I know it’s dumb—walking in the middle of the night just to buy a game. But this isn’t just any game. It’s the new Mythos Rebirth Limited Edition! The graphics, the gameplay, the new quests—it’s all updated. And going late means...

Turning the final corner, Nasuke froze. His thoughts screeched to a halt as he stared at the scene before him.

A line of people stretched endlessly in front of the gaming store, some chatting excitedly, others scrolling on their phones. A few had even brought foldable chairs, settling in for the long wait.

Nasuke stared blankly, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Line...?" he muttered weakly.

The realization hit him harder than any of the punches from earlier.

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