Oh, it's almost time to play the game. I've gotta log in…

I wonder if everyone else is already on?

[Fade in/out.]

Hello.

Hello!

Hi!

Let's have fun tonight.

Thanks for the invite!

Okay, everybody's here. I'm so happy to be able to play with all of you.

Same here! Thanks so much for introducing me to such an awesome game!

It took me a while to get used to the controls, but I'm finally able to move around the way I want to.

We formed an Aqours team to go adventuring! Last time, we finally got our hands on a Justice Blade.

Whoa, that's a really rare item.

Yeah, we had to work hard to get it! There's no guarantee that it'll drop even if you slay that monster. And the monster itself doesn't show up often…

Ahhh, it was brutal. But that feeling when we got the item made it all worth it!

I did a victory pose in front of my computer.

I'm so jealous. We still haven't been able to get one.

Quests would be a whole lot easier if we did though, so I hope we can get one soon.

All right then, do you wanna grind for Justice Blades tonight?

Really? Can we?

We haven't gotten that far yet, so it would be super helpful to have more experienced players along for the journey.

Mwa ha ha… The night is my ally. Allow me, the great Yohane, to guide you.

Thank you, Yoshiko!

It's YOHANE!

[Fade in/out.]

Aww! Come on!

I really wanted all of us to get one!

*Gasp* Maybe it's because…of my bad luck…

Hey, that's why they call them rare items. If they were easy to get, they'd call them common.

But, this is an experience we can learn from! The more practice we get, the less likely we'll be to panic when it's time to throw down!

Yeah, Kasumin, that's a great point!

Thanks for showing us the way, Yoshiko.

Happy to do it anytime. You can count on me!

*Giggle* We're lucky to have such a dependable party leader.

You said it. Always willing to fight hard for our sake.

Y-Yohane wasn't really trying to carry you all…

You're the best, Yoshiko.

I told you, it's Yohane! And don't mistake my intentions. A fallen angel must take proper care of her minions, especially her little demons.

*Giggle* Well then, we'll continue to be in your care, oh great and powerful Yohane.

Is messing with me the game now?!

Of course not. We truly feel like we can depend on you. Right, everyone?

That's right. Your play style is so skillful and sharp, Yoshiko. You're the perfect role model.

…All right, that's fine then.

But one thing, Rina. It's Yohane.

[Fade in/out.]

Hey, hey, what was that thing Ai's trying to make? That whatchamacallit… A, uh…

The metaverse?

That's it!

The metaverse is a world kinda like this game, right?

Yup. But it's too complicated to build a whole world right away, so apparently she's starting with a world like a school.

A school?

Yeah. It's a place you can visit any time no matter where you are, and somebody will always be there. A world where everyone's always together, young and healthy!

Wait, if it's like a school… Then I wonder if there are like, classes and stuff…

Don't worry, Chika. Classes in the Ai-verse are all Kasumin introducing affordable cosmetics and cute accessories. You'll love it.

Oh, thank goodness!

*Chuckle* Chika, you're so silly. You're worried about the same thing Kasumi was.

Ahh! Don't tell her!

Actually, I was worried about that too. What a relief!

If Kasumin gets to be a teacher, can I be one too? I wanna teach a dance class!

Oh, I'd definitely sign up for that class!

She even wants to make it so you can put on a live show with the entire school as a stage. That's something I'm very eager to try!

It might be fun to stage a live show that doubles as a school festival.

Ooh, good idea! A festival!

Ahh! That reminds me! Sorry to change the subject, but we're gonna be hosting a really big festival.

μ's was asked to sing too. You all should come and check us out!

Singing at a festival? That's so cool! I'll definitely be there!

We wanna go too!

Okay, I'll message you the details later.

Thank you! I can't wait!