Since tomorrow was the weekend, Wen Liang suggested that Hechino go home and consider her proposal for transformation. They agreed to meet the next day to discuss it further.
After finishing their noodles and exchanging contact information, they went their separate ways.
"What? She pulled me out, we ate noodles, and then... nothing more. Well, I shouldn’t expect anything more," Hechino thought to himself, reflecting as he returned to his apartment and unlocked the door with his fingerprint lock.
His single apartment felt a bit desolate, a typical abode for a young professional. The kitchen, table, and furniture were all expensive, and the monthly rent hovered around six thousand dollars.
For a high school student like Hechino, living in such a place was extravagant, but he managed. His dad paid the rent annually, while his monthly living expenses were a modest thousand dollars.
Some might say that a thousand dollars is plenty for a high school student, especially with rent covered. However, after budgeting for meals, he was left with only four or five hundred yuan.
And since he loved playing games, the cost of a AAA game on a console could easily be three or four hundred yuan, making the end of each month financially tight.
Why didn't he live with his parents?
His parents were divorced; his mother went abroad, and his father remarried. His father didn’t plan on living with him, so he encouraged Hechino to live independently.
Entering his bedroom, Hechino booted up his computer, the RGB lighting from the chassis casting a glow across the room.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Hechino couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief. Could there really be such a thing as "rebirth" in this world? Although he indulged in fantasies, he wasn't naive!
He opened a popular Q&A website and tried searching about the possibility of "rebirth," but his queries slowly shifted to something more personal:
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"What does it mean when a girl holds my hand?"
—People in baths just got off Cadillacs, holding hands? Holding hands is just that, nothing more to stir me.
—Two scenarios: either she's a honeytrap, or she's gay. Don't overthink it; go to bed early.
"What does it mean when a girl offers me her leftover food?"
—Has the dog-licking evolved to this level? Eating leftovers? Really a dog?
—Did you eat it? Tasty? I want some...
—Hmm, sounds like this girl holds a high position. The subject should provide more details; boys aren't safe out there, remember not to be manipulated.
Hechino felt the third response was sensible and typed out another question:
"How can I quickly improve my standing in a relationship to avoid passivity with girls?"
Most responses called for practical action, like conversations and interactions, but that seemed too challenging for Hechino. Finally, one answer resonated with him:
"Are you sure she likes you? Or does she just want to be ambiguous? If it's the former and you like her too, mutual affection is the best outcome. But if it's the latter, I won't provide an answer."
"Yeah, what am I thinking? Hechino, get real! You're so ordinary; why would anyone like you?"
Hechino slapped his cheeks lightly, then retrieved a diary titled "Sword of Sword" from his drawer and recited aloud:
"Can a great man live long in this world? With no woman in mind, the sword's true essence is revealed. The path is—
The first page of the sword spectrum: Forget your sweetheart.
The second page of the sword spectrum: Awaken ecstasy.
The third page of the sword spectrum: The sword slays gods.
The fourth page of the sword spectrum: Hold the world in your palm!
...
The tenth page of the sword spectrum: Be true to yourself!"
"I didn't expect Wen Liang to be so overwhelming. I almost lost my cool... Was she really a girl? I need the comfort of a game right now!"
He headed to the living room, turned on his PS5 and TV, and during the startup, he commanded his Apple HomePod:
"Hey Siri, turn on the ambient lights in the living room."
Instantly, a warm glow filled the once dim living room, adding some life to the space.
"Play my collection of songs."
Rock music filled the air, the heavy drum beats and energetic tunes invigorating the room.
"Good morning, Night City!" The iconic line from "Cyberpunk 2077" played on the TV, and Hechino echoed it with enthusiasm:
"Good morning, Night City!!"
His demeanor changed, filled with passion and energy. It seemed that only in moments like these, within his small world, could he experience his own "rebirth."
"This captivating ritual is precisely why having games is enough. I don't know what excuse I'll find tomorrow to refuse Wen Liang's proposal. What needs to change? Am I not fine as I am?"
Hechino began to talk to himself. For him, being bullied by others was fine. The school beauty had been reborn, yet even if tomorrow were the apocalypse, with the entire city turned to zombies, as long as the internet held food, he could show you how to be a true homebody!
Many people don't understand. How can someone stay home for a whole month? Isn't it lonely?
No, no, going out only brings panic, making friends is too troublesome, and relationships require aligning views and thinking of topics. When chatting, considering others' feelings is necessary; it's said to be an EQ issue.
And being a homebody only requires pleasing oneself!
It seems lonely, but it's truly joyful!
Hechino had a crush on Cao Aiqing. After all, every teenager has someone they're infatuated with, but unlike those "now," he had no intention of confessing, not even the slightest urge!
This isn't self-deprecation; it's self-awareness!
"The unattainable is always the best, just like games—the best gameplay always exists only in the trailers!"
(End of this Chapter)