THE PROLOGUE

Shinji’s POV

"Have you ever thought of the world as a fun place? I know I haven't.. it's too boring around the neighborhood these days.. like seriously.. everyday it's the same old scenery, same old buildings, same old events, same old people and same old world." I sighed as I was walking out from school today while thinking these thoughts. "All I ever do is play games.. that seems to be the only thing interesting me right now. I chat with my fake online friends as well, I swear... I can't even tell if they even really enjoy being around me. I watch anime cause it used to make me happy and how this world could have hope, but no, i cut all my ties and secluded myself in my room. I hate it outside. Reality is shit" I then walked past the usual bridge that I have to cross to get my way home. There was no other way back besides that area after all. Then I saw the sunset and my head winced in pain, grabbing my head as it throbbed and groaned. "k-kuh.. n-no stop.. not these memories again!!" As i stood there, i remembered what a mysterious girl said to me a few days ago, it made me doubt my current lifestyle after all.. it gave me a weird feeling i couldn’t describe.

After I've calmed down, i caught my breath and stared at the sunset with hate. "kuh.. shitty reality!! D-dont you dare.." I said to the world, even though i knew i was alone and talking to myself right now. I then remembered the supposed dinner i bought from the convinience store awhile ago before i got here. I sighed and went towards my house, staring blankly at the food then at the road. "pathetic.. maybe i should learn how to cook." On my way home i saw a girl i could really recognize, it was Rika, my childhood friend. I clicked my tongue and snickered. "keh.." ever since i became like this she started becoming cold towards me, seeing how disgusted she is to what i've become, well who could blame her i guess. I entered the house, locked the doors, went to my room and changed to my usual clothing of a black sweater, red jogging pants, and black slippers, and started my PC. Felt like seeing what new anime could interest me today. If nothing.. guess I'll just do some daily stuff like always with my games, eat, then finally sleep. That's the usual and boring routine. Yawning and stretching, i looked at the screen as i pushed the power button on the CPU. "huh.. wonder why I'm so sleepy today.. meh.. strange.. by now the computer should be on.." i told myself as I sat on the chair, i pressed the button again and something weird happened. The monitor was all white. "D-Don't tell me its broken!?!?! AHHHHH!!" I hit my keyboard in frustration, got up and scratched the back of my head with annoyance clear on my sleep ridden face. "Damn it! This is just a new one too! wonder what went wrong.. tch.. This is the only thing I have slightly more interest to anymore! without this.. ugh..."

Shinji stood there, annoyed as he caught his breath to calm down. Since his computer was one of the things he cherished the most he had to calm down or else he might suddenly break it. After a few minutes of fixing and tinkering it of course, he then heard a voice, "You're so pathetic~ Is this what you've become to?" The voice teased. Obviously from the tone and pitch it was a girl's voice that seemed to want to tease Shinji, since normally this was not normal, he accidentally pulled a cord and stumbled to his to the floor, hitting his head first as he caught himself with his hands. of course too late to break his fall completely. "W-what!?!?!? W-WHO SAID THAT!?!?!" The boy shouted at the voice obviously confused, staring around his room, looking around carefully. "W-was it my imagination..? n-no.. that can't be.." He laughed nervously then the voice spoke again from behind him, whispering right at his ears. "I didn't think you would sink to this level Kurozaki~" She teased him, having a hint of mischievousness and playfulness in her voice as she suddenly moved her hands to his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Shinji instantly blushed and quickly got up as he turned around to face the girl. It was a little girl who had a blonde colored hair and a oversized red jacket reached past her hips, her smile showing her innocence and playfulness but her eyes showing her maturity and trickery in them. Maybe wearing a skirt or mini shorts, hard to tell with her sitting position, but she was definitely wearing slippers that matched her jacket. "w-what..? w-who are you!?!? a-and more importantly what are you doing in my room!?!?" The young teen shouted as he stared at the girl blushing slightly. The mysterious young girl just giggled. "I am Vermilion~ the goddess of illusions and games~ may it be video games or sports, as long as its a game~" she winked.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Of course, I was confused... As any normal guy would, a little girl at her age suddenly appearing in my room having an attitude and face like that, who wouldn't really? "W-what..!? C-cut the crap!"

Vermillion’s POV

"heheh really need that much proof eh boy~?" i teased as i fixed my hair, standing up and clearing my voice. "shinji kurozaki, 17 years old, jet black hair, someone who barely sleeps cause he's a NEET, a genius if he would try and somehwho finds that the world is boring. Someone whose saving up his first time for someone who died. ufufufu, such a loyal virgin~" Shinji of course was wide eyed shocked with the amount of info I had on him as he started glaring, showing his killing intent towards me, I simply smiled back and giggled. "S-SHUT UP!" he stuttered, bet he's currently thinking im some kind of freak or chuunibyou. "Mind your own damn business!!! A-A goddess?? D-Don't make me laugh! If the world was that interesting then I wouldn't be this way! Who are you!?!? Tell me what you want and why youre trespassing my home!!" He quickly added. "Don't believe me huh? heheh.. it's fine, I don't care about that but hmm, to prove it.." I smiled sadistically now as i continued speaking, seeing his face flinch with hesitation, not sure if he wanted to hear what I was about to say. "You failed to save her right~? The girl.. who almost changed your life, your FIRST Love!~ right~?"

3rd Person POV

"T-this isnt possible.. S-she's actually a goddess isnt she.." He thought to himself, the girl noticed my thoughts apparently due to my long silence and giggled normally again. "hehehe~ Now that I have your full attention, Let me reintroduce myself~ The name is Vermillion, Goddess of games and illusions~ i used to be way stronger of course but eh.. I guess I'll explain that for another time~ fufufuf.." Inhaling and exhaling properly, i took in what she said, not caring anymore if she was really telling the truth or not, this has gotten interestingly dangerous. "I-I see.. but.. hn.." I spoke out nervously unable to get my old confidence back from before I was a NEET. Demmit. The girl smiled as she noticed this. "Why am i here and why show myself to you right~? Well its easy. I've been watching you and I would like to challenge you boyo~ Beat me in my game that was made especially for me and I will grant you one wish in exchange if you do~" I was about to speak and reply to her but the world suddenly flashed before my eyes and what was left was only blank white, the girl disappeared too. Seems I'm not crazy unless I'm only imagining these things up.. the world flashed again slightly and i saw her.. "N-no way.. M-Mirei!?!?!" I ran towards her as she gave me a weak painful smile. "Long time no see Shinji-kun.." She said as I tried to run faster, getting no where, it seemed like the more i ran, the more the world began to seperate us. "N-no please!! D-Don't go!!!" I know it was just a figure of a girl from this distance but, i can tell.. this figure was mirei's. That soft and sweet voice that reminded me of milk and honey was also hers. "P-Please don't leave me!!" All of a sudden the world let me reach her, I quickly hugged her as i sobbed on her shoulders, the smell was also definitely hers but even I was close to her now, she was.. just a ghostly and uncolored figure of her. She hugged back sobbing slightly as well. I wish this was a dream that would never end and

it all ended, as i fell on the floor crying, seems the world reverted back to normal as i could hear the girl infront of me now know as vermillion coming closer. "Do you believe me now~?" Was what she said.

To be continued.