Hey, Ai! How did it go yesterday? Did everyone enjoy the game?

Oh… Well, it didn't really go how I expected.

Weren't they interested in it?

Some people were. There was one girl who'd heard of the game.

But most of them hadn't.

With it being an MMORPG, I can imagine it would be difficult to understand.

I think you're right. It's very freeform, and you can do lots of things and play however you want, but…

Since it's an adventure in a fantasy world, maybe that was an obstacle for people who aren't used to those kind of worlds.

But the metaverse was supposed to help overcome that…

I don't think the metaverse idea was a mistake either.

You can do anything…I suppose that makes choosing what to do all the more important.

I wonder if there's something that everyone around the world, from young to old, are familiar with…

Let's think about it together, Ai.

Yes! After all, we're your dependable party members, Ai!

Aren't other people supposed to call you dependable?

Kasumi looks pretty dependable to me.

That's right. She's always dependable, positive, and energetic!

I know I said it myself, but when this many people call me “dependable”, I feel like I've turned into a muscle man or something…

Change it to “Nijigasaki's cute mascot Kasumin is such good luck!”

Ahaha, I'll gladly accept your help, everyone! Give me your advice again sometime!

Thanks to you too, Kasukasu!

It's not Kasukasu, it's Kasumin!

[Fade in/out.]

How are you doing, Misato?

Oh, Ai. I'm doing fine today. I haven't had any tests or anything.

I'm more worried about you, actually. You seem less energetic than usual.

Well…

Did something happen?

I guess it's not something that happened, it's something I couldn't do.

So, I want to create a place where I can have fun with everyone, no matter where they are.

It's not something I can do right now, but if I keep studying, then I know I can do it some day.

So the closest thing right now is MMORPG worlds.

You can do all sorts of things and work with everyone. I was sure it'd be fun, so the other day I took a tablet to the hospital so people there could give it a try.

But then…

[Fade in/out.]

So that's what happened, huh.

I guess it was just too much to ask.

I don't know about that. It sounds like things just shook out that way.

You know, there's not many people who have the courage to throw themselves into anything with excitement like you do, Ai.

…You think so?

Everyone is different, you know. People want to be free to do the things they like the same way you pursue the things you like. Everyone likes different things, right?

Some people are excited by adventures in a fantasy world, while some would rather quietly read a book in an empty forest.

Everyone likes different things… I guess that means I'll have to make a space where you can do anything, just like in real life.

But I can't even imagine how to make something like that a reality!

Rather than trying to do everything, what if you think of a theme that appeals to everyone?

Something that appeals to everyone… Hmm, maybe chatting? Oh, you can do that on social media, and you can kinda go shopping too…

I bet a virtual store where you can chat with friends while looking around would be fun, but that's still kind of a narrow idea…

That's true. Just shopping might not be enough.

Hmm… What could I do in the metaverse? Something that everyone will think is fun, that will make them want to come back again?

Well, what do you find fun, Ai? You like everything from exercise to studying to games, right?

What do those things have that make them fun to you? Maybe thinking about that will give you a clue?

What makes them fun to me? What makes them…fun….

…Friends, right?

Any time I spend with my friends, with everyone from Nijigasaki, is always a fun time.

Maybe that's your answer.

I see… You're right. When it comes to fun, who you're doing it with is more important than what you're doing!

A place where you can meet people you want to meet. Where you can spend time with them and have memorable moments that make you want to keep doing your best.

A place where just being with your friends makes whatever you're doing fun, and makes you want to stay there forever.

That's what it's got to be!