Weekend Date with Na-ri (2): "Are You a Couple?"
The employee standing by the VR machines grinned energetically. "Are you two a couple?"
Before Na-ri or I could say a word, she spotted the matching can badges we were wearing.
"What a handsome couple! I'll take you to the special seats."
She whisked us away in a flash to a spot a bit removed from the standard VR setups, where the floor looked unusual. A sign planted nearby read—
First! Booth for an Even More Realistic Experience!
Na-ri and I leaned down at the same time to read the description.
"No matter how much you move, it won't budge."
"They say it's a special patterned floor, so it's fine no matter how much you move?"
I glanced at the unique flooring as I said it. It was covered in countless hexagonal tiles, like a honeycomb.
Meanwhile, the employee returned with the VR gear.
"Put this on your head later. First, let me explain how it works."
She launched right into the instructions. Na-ri was already listening quietly, starting to get a feel for it on her body.
"L-like this?"
Na-ri stretched out her arm. The tracking device in her hand extended straight forward too. She widened her eyes in wonder at the sight.
The tutorial wrapped up quickly and simply. Soon, Na-ri and I were fully geared up. We'd gotten used to the tracking equipment and finally donned the VR goggles.
"Perfect! Let's get started!"
The employee's voice faded into the distance, followed by a sharp click.
"Good luck!"
She said it and left. Good luck. Right as an odd chill ran through me from those words—
Tzzt, my vision flickered.
... ...... .........
I opened my eyes. A bubbling landscape filled my view.
Where am I...?
I didn't say anything clichéd like that. This wasn't some isekai—it was a perfect simulation of reality.
"Whoa..."
I looked around. Amid the pitch-black darkness, certain spots glowed faintly. I approached one of the light sources step by step. Even though my real body was walking, it felt like I wasn't moving.
Is this what those hexagonal panels do?
That thought crossed my mind as I moved. There was already a guest there ahead of me.
"Ooooh...!"
Na-ri, eyes sparkling. Her avatar was the classic stick figure, but her movements were pure Na-ri. She was holding her hand up to a vent.
As I got closer, a label popped up right next to it:
I sidled up quietly and spoke.
"Find some weird creature?"
She flinched at my sudden voice but relaxed once she realized it was me, pointing right into the heart of the vent.
"There's a crab here."
She indicated a white creature. Crab... maybe? It was similar, at least. Then a description appeared beside it:
There were plenty more clinging to the hydrothermal vent.
"Shall we move on?"
"Yes! I'm curious what we'll find next!"
And so, we headed for the next light source.
...
Navigating was a breeze. It wasn't actual deep ocean, and in that inky darkness, just following the lights made it easy.
First: hydrothermal vent.
Second: hydrothermal vent.
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