May 5, 2035 | 10:30 AM | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Under the shade of a large tree in a lush public park.
Spritz! Spritz! Spritz!
The sound of perfume being sprayed echoed around a petite girl dressed in denim shorts and a vibrant pink T-shirt. ‘Koi,’ a 17-year-old girl currently drifting in the clouds of young love, was meticulously adjusting her clothes and her long, flowing hair to look her absolute best. She then walked straight toward a young man she had grown close to—someone she was beginning to give her heart to.
“Man...” Koi reached out to nudge ‘Man,’ a tall, handsome youth sitting at a marble table.
“Just a second, Koi,” Man replied in a flat voice without looking up. His attention was entirely fixed on another boy who was presenting something to him with a secretive, shifty demeanor.
“Lean in...” ‘Pling,’ a small-framed boy, leaned in to whisper rapidly into Man’s ear. He handed over a GREM unit and hurried away as if terrified of being seen.
“What’s going on?” Koi asked with a faint frown of disapproval, though she forced a bright smile and kept her voice light.
“Oh... nothing. Pling just left some stuff with me,” Man replied hesitantly, quickly hiding the GREM unit behind his back.
“What kind of stuff? Don't tell me it’s drugs!” Koi stared him down, her face turning stern.
“No!” Man shook his head vigorously, flashing a smile to cover his tracks.
“If it’s not, then what is it? Why do you have to hide it?” Koi stood with her arms crossed, her cheeks puffing out in suspicion.
“It... it’s a magic headband! For making me look more handsome. Look!” Man scrambled for an excuse. He hadn't even finished paying the installments for this GREM unit, and he didn't want to lose an extra five hundred baht if Koi found out the truth about the device. To prove his point, he placed the GREM unit on his head like a headband.
“Hmm...” Koi stared at the strange, white object on his head. Even though it looked bizarre, her innocence led her to believe him for now. “Okay, I believe you. But don't let me find out you're doing anything bad.”
“Heh heh,” Man gave a dry laugh.
“By the way...” Koi began to fidget, blushing with shyness as she had to be the one to ask. “Today... do you want to go get something to eat together?”
“Uh... no. I have urgent business today,” Man rejected her instantly.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Koi froze for a moment, surprised. Usually, Man never turned her down. On days when she didn't want to go out, he would be the one to plead until she gave in.
“Gotta go!” Man waved goodbye and ran off into the distance, leaving Koi looking after him with hurt feelings. “He must really have urgent business... Hmph! If he asks me out next time, I’m not going!” Koi turned and walked home, pouting in annoyance.
***
11:30 AM | Inside the GREM Virtual World On a vast, heavenly meadow that looked like paradise.
“Whoa... so many people!” Man looked around in awe. The meadow was swarming with men of various nationalities, all walking around choosing whatever their hearts desired.
“Ah! Sorry.” An Indian man accidentally bumped into Man from behind before apologizing in perfect Thai.
“No problem, sir,” Man replied politely.
“Hey, Man!” Pling, the small-framed boy, shouted to his friend from the left.
“Pling! I just met an Indian guy, and his Thai was flawless!” Man turned to talk to his friend, his excitement still fresh.
“Flawless? It’s the system’s auto-translation. He hears his language, and we hear ours,” Pling explained, curing his friend’s ignorance.
“Oh...” Man nodded in understanding. “So, where are you taking me today?”
“Where do you want to go?” Pling raised an eyebrow suggestively.
“Uh...” Man hesitated.
“You want to go to war? Go on an adventure? Or do something... mushy-mushy?”
Ten minutes later...
The two of them appeared in front of a giant holographic sign. It featured an image of a stunningly beautiful girl in sheer pink clothes, with the words ‘Older Sister’s Love’ floating prominently above.
“They have this too...?” Man stared at the sign, his face turning bright red. Around him, men of similar ages were touching a thick, white pillar before vanishing into their own private worlds.
“Of course! Interested? The game is only one hundred and five baht,” Pling offered.
“Hmm...” Man pulled up his screen to check his balance, which didn't have much left. “You better not tell Koi.”
“Man, nobody in here knows! This place is a man’s secret, bro. Women can’t get in!” Pling patted his friend’s shoulder before heading off to play a game called ‘NTR T School.’ Man followed the others, stepping toward the white pillar and vanishing from the public space.
***
The Next Morning | In front of Man’s house
“Hey, Man!” Koi greeted him adorably as she walked past his house.
“Koi...” Man, who was watering plants, greeted her back in a flat, monotone voice.
“Are you going anywhere today?” Koi asked hopefully.
“Uh... nowhere,” Man replied without making eye contact.
Koi’s face dimmed instantly. Normally, Man would be the one inviting her to go cycling or for a walk. But today, he seemed strangely indifferent.
“Oh... well, see you at school then.” Despite her confusion, Koi still managed a smile and waved goodbye.
“See you at school...” Man replied shortly before turning his back and walking into the house.
