Virtual Parents

[Anyway, I think I did pretty well yesterday and today, but I wonder what Mom would've thought. I'll keep living cool and strong from now on... so watch over me till the end. It's one of those days where I miss you so much more than usual. I love you lots.] (SHORTS) (Views: 540K)

NoName's interview blew up overnight. Fans who'd been loyally watching her streams for months couldn't help but fall silent.

* * *

[Recording Ended 9:32]

A little under 10 minutes. Sharing stories I'd kept bottled up was embarrassing to show anyone. So I grabbed the camcorder and went for a solo walk, but now I regretted it—should've stayed in if I knew it'd be this hot.

My morning shower was wasted; sweat dampened the roots of my hair. Strands clung stickily around my neck in clumps.

I cooled the lingering heat with a quick face wash, changed into thin, breathable clothes, and decided to log into VR. The capsule felt comfier than my bed now.

My house cat must be out again. And my private room felt too spacious. Like expanding your farm in Taiyō Farm or Stardew Valley, Adella's in-game earnings had ballooned it four or five times bigger.

Best part of VR? No bugs. Human limits on fusion frequency and focus correction make tracking flying insects impossible. Hard to sense their presence too. Plus, centipedes? Just looking triggers disgust—really drives home that I'm a girl now. Never wanna feel one crawling again. Ever.

Filming all morning stirred old memories. Compared to my Estasha days, things had changed a lot. For one, I talked way more. Maybe streamer job forces your mouth to move regardless of personality.

I didn't think I was lonely back then, but looking back, that emptiness was probably loneliness. Or not. Anyway, this body hates boredom or solitude. Sitting still now makes me antsy. Simply put, bored. No reason to suppress instinct, so I fired up a stream.

If I had no 'past life me' memories, what would 'current me' be doing in an ordinary upbringing? Hypotheticals hold no meaning or value, but pondering them feels the most human thing ever. Pointless thought.

"Shot a vlog this morning since the weather was nice."

"It's super hot out. You know sunscreen goes on 30 mins before heading out, reapplied every 2 hours?"

"Chat vibe feels off."

Indefinable unease bubbled up. What? The speed, tone, phrasing—all slightly off. Nice weather my ass, over 33°C outside.

"You guys hiding something from me?"

Only after asking did it click.

"What, no mom? So what."

"Thx for 30K. But y'all know my height? How do you know to say that."

"Wasn't planning stream today but time dragged so lit up. Not one to step up but idling bores me. Thinking playoffs spectator later. Oh right, messages piled up—let's read some."

Message reading began. Used to check every one with time to kill, but now they pile faster than I read.

"You were there for my first collab with Hyebam. What is death anyway. Or rather, what's the diff between death and parting."

Ding-dong—doorbell.

Camcorder in hand, opened door: no cat, but Kariri puffed cheeks, looking pissed.

"Say something when home! Why stream first! Washed hands?"

"You were gaming too. And this your house? Ours. Streaming now, wanna join?"

"What what? Curious, Kariri watch too!"

"Then comfort viewer whose mom passed last year."

"W-w-w-wait! What?? Real situation?? Waaah?"

"Think I'd joke? Still parents..."

"Not that...! Argh why this trial for Kariri!"

Kariri's tongue way too long for her own good.

* * *

Heard this story once. Protagonist's best friend boards lightspeed ship for lifelong dream: solar system exploration. Return in 100 years—won't see him ever again. Protagonist chooses blessing over sorrow.

But ship explodes in atmosphere—loses friend. Devastated, can't hide grief.

Former: eternal parting. Latter: death. What makes death force our tears?

Some say death steals all opportunity costs of life. I see it differently.

"If independent, you'll get it—but even with living parents, you don't see them daily. Some only holidays or rare visits. Total time? Not much. Same for me—I don't think Mom's gone from this world. Just long parting. As long as I remember her, we'll meet again someday. That's my belief."

Next holiday just longer. Like gravity/inertia indistinguishable in general relativity, we can't know death's end. Maybe we all reincarnate like me.

If death/parting inseparable, believing Mom just parted—not dead—isn't philosophically wrong.

"So treat 'em well while here. Got it?"

Sat on Kariri's lap, skimmed messages. Shared longer important ones on stream. As comforts/encouragements neared end, Kariri chimed in.

"Adoption what! Nami lives in mega rich house! To take her, earn more than me at least! Confident?"

"Virtual parents bullshit... *sniff* Ahem anyway! No one takes Nami! I'll keep her forever!"

"Why with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you...? Fine whatever."

Kariri's glare was fierce just now.

"Uh... kids...? Change topic? Right Nami—no NoName tomorrow finals strat—"

"Manager freeze chat now."

Three managers online obeyed swiftly. Ice age descended.

Scrolled up to first 'fr lol' chat.

"From here to bottom. Ban everyone agreeing with that donation a week. Permanent for donors."

"Um..."

"Stay quiet sis."

"Whiiiine...!"

Managers executed without question. 86 banned, interglacial warmed—natives rejoiced reclaimed land.

"Time left, check banned folks."