“I’m so rusty, but it’s finally good to be running again.” Emi paces herself on the track thinking of how fortunate it is to be back on the track team again. Despite missing her opportunity, she still has another chance at competition for next semester. Now that Mil-Sim Story’s tournament is on hold, this gives Emi plenty of time to focus on other manners other than gaming or so she thought.
“You’re four seconds above what you did the last time.” Ashley pauses the timer on her tablet once Emi completes the track on the finish line. “Still not bad for a freshman, but the upper class teammates won’t buy it.”
“Yeah. I know. But I was laid up for days.” Emi takes the towel from the benches and wipes her face; catching her breath. “I’ll get back to my peak if I keep this up. It’s not like I have to worry about anything else other than my classes right now.”
“Isn’t it November already?” Ashley squinted up at the glaring sun. “How can it be so hot in the morning?”
“Pfft. That’s Texas for you.” Emi snorted. “I know it’s hard to believe for someone from up north. We don’t do seasons like everyone else.” She takes her jug of water and chugs it like a savage, water pouring all over her face as she cools off and rehydrates. “I’m used to it. Besides, I’m thinking of taking the girls out to the beach for Thanksgiving break.”
“Unbelievable.” Ashley remarks; shaking her head with a smirk on her lips. “You’re taking a spring break trip right before Christmas.”
“Why not? I love the beach. Fall is the best time to go because it’s never as packed during the spring break season. I’ve been dying to try on my new bikini.”
“I wish I could wear a bikini right now. I feel like I can get a tan just from sitting out here.”
“Water….I need water…!”
“Mai!” Emi sees an exhausted Mai approaching them. She had just vaulted over the chain link fence. She looks miserable and red. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking to join the track team?” Ashley asks. “I don’t see you as the running type.”
“No way. I’m so short and out of shape.” Mai speaks while trying to catch her breath. “I….I was trying to look for you, Emi. I ran all the way from the UC to find you. Why did they have to make this campus so big...I’m dying….water….water!” She snags the jug of water from Emi’s hands.”
“Mai! That’s my jug! Why couldn’t you just text me.”
Mai takes a big sip from Emi’s jug like she just ran a marathon. “I’ll pay you back, I promise. But this is an emergency.” She lowers the jug and hands it back to Emi. “It’s not like you have cooties or anything right? Besides, I don’t like to text people. Do you know how annoying it is to hear a notification bell?”
“Oh Mai…” Emi shrugs in disbelief. “So did something happen? You say it’s an emergency.”
“Yeah. I found a cool mod on Mil-Sim Story. I think we should try it.”
“Mai…” Emi sighs and shakes her head. “We’re on hiatus in Mil-Sim Story. Why not take a break from gaming for a bit.”
“Emi you don’t understand.” Mai clears her throat and brushes her messy wet blonde hair from her eyes. “I ran into Chiara’s cousin. She is in charge of the historical armory server and wants to meet us!”
“Chiara’s cousin?” Emi tilts her head.
“Does Kayla Lorenz ring a bell?”
“No. I was never familiar with Chiara’s relatives other than her parents.”
“Well apparently she’s a relative of Chiara and has known her since they were kids. She’s living in Ireland at the moment. Same age as us, and in Uni.”
Emi’s annoyed expression shifts into one of intrigue and surprise. She looks at Ashley who is equally as baffled and then back to Mai. “Chiara had never told me about having a cousin from overseas.”
“Oh believe me, she’s absolutely a relative of Chiara. Come see for yourself.” Mai pulls out her smartphone with a cracked touch screen and opens her web browser to a social media site for the Mil-Sim Story Historical Armory Mod. She scrolls down on the About Page until she gets to the historical advisor role for the modding team: Kayla Lorenz, University Intern from Dublin.
“You got to be kidding me.” Emi analyzed the profile photo of the girl on Mai’s phone.” The resemblance was unmistakable. She had the same red hair, the same pale complexion, the same delicate bone structure around the eyes and nose. But Chiara would rarely smile. This girl was clearly a stark contrast in how she presents herself.
“See what I mean?” Mai shoves the phone closer to Emi’s face. “And she wants us to meet her on her server! Come on, Emi. Wouldn’t it be cool for Chiara to meet her relatives from overseas? It’s good for her to reconnect with her family and socialize! Come on, it’ll be fun!”
“Mai...does Chiara know about all this?” Emi pushes the phone away from being too close to her face.
“Well...no but I figured it was best I’d tell you first.” Mai slips her phone into her jeans’ pocket. “We’re still in the tournament. It wouldn’t hurt to get some experience with some pike and shot warfare? Think of it like one of those team building exercises in those corporate hell holes...except you won’t get fired for saying no.”
“So what would happen if I were to say no?”
“Then I’ll be very sad, and I’ll start texting you nonstop about how lonely I am playing Mil-Sim Story without my friends.” Mai tries to appear innocent and act cute but Emi’s not buying it.
“I’m going to be honest with you.” Ashley shakes her head. “I’m not really all that crazy for history. I think being in the squad is more than enough for me.”
“Emi. What about you? Come on, this is for Chiara...for us. It’ll be fun.”
“Mai…” Emi thinks it over and gives her answer without any hesitation. “Might as well. Maybe it could be interesting. You said Chiara’s cousin is interested in meeting us. I’d like to know more about her relatives if I’m going to be a good friend.”
“Alright! That’s what I’m talking about, Emi!”
“But first…” Emi hands her jug to Mai. “You owe me a refill. And let’s not tell Chiara about her cousin just yet.”
Mai takes the jug of water and salutes to Emi. “Yes! Squad Leader! Keep it secret from Chiara and fetch you some water! I won’t let you down!”
Chiara is sitting on Hikari’s chair in front of a mirror, looking at her own reflection. Behind her, Hikari is brushing her hair with a comb while holding two elastic braids on her wrist.
“Your hair has grown pretty long. My own hair used to be like this...but yours is really fluffy.”
“I should have it cut like you did.” Chiara speaks with a relaxed tone. But I have no idea where I can get my haircut done...other than from you.”
“Honestly, Chiara.” Hikari hums while inspecting Chiara’s hair in the mirror. I think you would look pretty cute if I could try something with it. How about this?” Hikari uses her comb to pull two long strands from the back sides of Chiara’s hair. Using her elastic braids, she ties them around the two strands, giving Chiara a twin pony tail look that drips from her shoulders.
Chiara blinked at her reflection. Her new hairstyle makes her look more youthful and girlish. It’s not a style Chiara would have been comfortable with, but she’s taking a liking to it. “Hikari. This hair...it makes me look and feel...so different.”
“Well different is good, and I think you look absolutely cute, Chiara.” She squeezes Chiara’s shoulders with her hands and speaks with pride. “Am I a good stylist or what?”
“You did a good job. Thank you Hikari.”
“Hey, next time. I’ll do Mai’s next. I’ll try to make it look like she didn’t come from a homeless encampment. She could seriously use some lessons in having a fashion sense.” Hikari grumbles to herself under her breath. “There. You’re finally free. Now the boys will be all over you.”
Suddenly, Hikari's door is slammed right open, causing her to scream in terror. Mai is panting, holding a bottle of water in her hand.
“Mai!!!”
“Hikari! It’s an emergency!” Mai yells back with barely any breath left in her.
“W..what happened?!” Chiara looks concernedly at Mai.”
“Nothing bad happened. Just something cool...hang on.” Mai opens her bottle of water and gulps it down in one sip
“Mai...did you have to act like somebody died? Why couldn’t you just message us on a group chat.”
“Because I don’t like texting.” Mai explains to Hikari before coming into the room. Someone from across the hall can be heard shouting:
“WILL YOU STOP YELLING! I’M TRYING TO STUDY!”
“Oh! Sorry!” Mai clears her throat and speaks at a lower volume. “So as I was saying. Emi and I are going to hop onto Mil-Sim Story and check out a cool mod I think you both will enjoy. Think of it as a little team bonding exercise so we don’t slip when the tournament kicks back next year.”
“Is it one of those stupid zombie modes?” Hikari groans. “Halloween is so over, Mai. I hate zombies.”
“Not at all. It’s a pike and shot warfare mod for Mil-Sim Story.”
“Pike and shot?” Chiara looks confused. “What is that?”
“I could give you a long history lesson or you can come join Emi and me later this afternoon and see for yourself.” Mai crosses her arms, grinning.
“Ugh. Don’t tempt her, Chiara.” Hikari groans. “Her history lessons can drag on and on and put you to sleep.”
“Rude.” Mai snarls at Hikari. “So are you two coming this afternoon? Emi’s on board.”
“I’m not doing much this Friday night.” Chiara shrugs her shoulders. “If Emi’s alright with it, then I’m alright with it.”
“Well...I guess I’m on the same boat as Chiara.” Hikari adds. “Count me in.”
“Hah. Well that was easy.” Mai nods her head. “Cool. Hop onto Mil-Sim Story tonight. Don’t be late.”
“Just go hydrate yourself and stop running all over the place, Mai.” Hikari sighs. “I wouldn’t want you fainting on me again.”
“Don’t worry, my job here is done...on and Chiara?”
“Yes, Mai?” Mai looks at Chiara, wondering if she should spill the beans or keep quiet about her cousin.
“Nice hair. Looks good on you.”
“Ah, thank you, Mai.
“Sure thing. Oh and I also met one of our adversaries from Charleston Squad too.”
“Huh? Really?” Hikari looks baffled at Mai.
“Yeah. I don’t know what the hell Asura was talking about last time. The guy from Charleston Squad was a real gentleman.”
“A real gentleman huh?” Hikari mused. “Mai, I’ll never understand how you can be so approachable.”
“Perhaps you should take some lessons in humility, Hikari.” Mai shot back with a smug grin. “See you girls later!”
“Ugh...I cannot stand her sometimes.” Hikari snarled, causing Chiara to giggle.”
“Sometimes, Hikari?”
“Yeah, Chiara. Some. Times.”