Dahlia supermall is just one of the many malls here in Naga City. However, personally, I see not much distinct differences between them all.

All of these malls are white, wide and crowded. Unless I'm misremembering things.

There are so many people everyday especially on weekends. Today, because it's afterschool on Friday, most customers and visitors are students ranging from grade 7 to college.

Elementary students are rare. And even if there are one, they're accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Therefore, this place is dominated by highschool students— mostly in grade 7.

Well I understand. Being in grade 7 is like finally stepping up on maturity platform. It would feel like you're now in the adult world.

You're no longer that elementary student who goes straight home.

I observed that most grade 7 students are copying what the adults do: wanting to drink, messed around, going somewhere far or partying, and putting on a colorful make up.

Well it's fine actually. Besides, whatever happen is all on you. That's your desire.

And these are now more observed in the present years. Even in the last three years in fact.

It seems that the world become more open, privileged, and complacent.

One more reason for a tragedy to occur.

Whatever.

To summarize, malls are pretty much a hangout places for students.

Inside this mall, a variety of leisure and luxury could be found all over the place. Ranging from food, clothes, cinemas, games, etc.

Oh. Speaking of games, I decided to play an arcade game with Eli-chan. It's been a while since I went to one as well.

The arcade room could be found on the second floor. So we either go by stairs, escalator, or by elevator.

“Eli-chan, how do you want to go upstairs?”

“........”

She's ignoring me.

Since she came back with the canned soda she bought at the plaza several minutes earlier, Eli-chan have been ignoring me.

She isn't even looking at me. Her eyes are looking straight forward but I know she's not looking at me at all.

She doesn't speak. She walks when I walk. She stops when I stop. She's just basically following me.

This reminds me of the past where she had been stalking me. The feeling is almost the same.

“Let's go by elevator then.”

*Ding!*

The silver door opened and a plump elevator girl smiles at us.

“Good afternoon po love birds. Which floor do you want to go?”

‘Love birds’ she said. Do we really look like lovers for you?

“Hello there. Can you please send us to heaven?”

I, followed by Eli-chan, walk into the elevator.

“Hehehehe. Sorry po sir. I don't think I'll be able to fulfill your wishes.”

The door closes.

“Oh hell. That makes me sad. I really wanted to go to heaven right now. I thought you could send us there.”

She giggles and her fat cheeks and neck trembles.

“Ayy~ Please po~ Kindly don't jinx us! That sounds scary sir. Why'd you even assume that I can send you up there?”

“My bad. I mistook you for an angel.”

“Hehehe. You flatter me po sir. But I don't think it's appropriate to say that in front of your girlfriend. Or am I wrong?”

She points to Eli-chan using her lips.

Eli-chan's frowning but then immediately goes back to her expressionless face.

“Heh. Don't be jealous Eli-chan. You're my goddess.”

“........”

She turns her head away.

“Err.. sir, can you please tell me now what floor you wanted to go?”

“Fufu. 2nd floor please.”

“I got you po sir.”

She presses a button on the wall. Then a momentary dizziness hits me.

The lift is getting pulled upward.

“Let me guess po sir. You'll watch the new movie right?”

“Pupuh~! You're wrong. Minus 1000 points.”

“The arcade then.”

“Indeed. I'd like to watch the movie but there's only two more hours before 6 PM. My sister will mess with me again if I come home late.”

“You have a curfew? That's actually better. It's not safe to be out nowadays. The ‘Bloodreaper’ is still on the loose.”

“Right.. They haven't been caught yet?”

I turn to look at Eli-chan. She shakes her head very gently.

“Yes po sir. They even had another victim last night. It's scary because the victim is rich with high security... yet..”

“I don't think you should worry about that. Bloodreaper seems to only hunt wealthy but corrupt people.”

“But the 3 victims this Monday were just innocent people you know. And I don't think the child is corrupted... She's just six years old. But Bloodreaper killed her! My god. Whatever is going on in our world now...”

She looks disturbed.

*Ding!*

The elevator door opens once again.

“Well, please be careful po madam.”

We walk out of the elevator leaving the elevator girl behind.

“Ah! Sorry about that sir. A-Anyway, please have fun at our establishment.”

Then the door closes once more.

Now then... If I am not mistaken, the arcade room is in that direction.

“Let's go Eli-chan.”

“......”

She still just follows me few inches away in silence.

Fuu~

Oh. This is the place.

The indistinct noises is so nostalgic. People talking, children giggling and crying, coins clattering, and basketball thumping— these noises reminds me of my childhood days.

That's the counter for buying coins right?

Alright. There's no queue.

“Hello po madam, how much for a coin?”

“Good afternoon po sir. Welcome to the World Of Fun. It's ten pesos each po sir. How many will you take?”

“I'll have 20 pieces for now.”

“That would be two hundred po sir.”

I give her a two hundred peso bill.

“Thank you po sir. Please have fun with your girlfriend.”

I nod at her.

“Eli-chan, Eli-chan.”

“........”

She looks at me.

“That lady at the counter also noticed that you're my girlfriend. Doesn't it mean that we're really match to one another?”

“.........”

“Hey. Please stop ignoring me.”

She probably still thinks this date is another trick.

“Let's have fun Eli-chan. I'm bored you see. And I'd like to pleasure myself with you. Don't think too much about it. Will you please play a game with me?”

“..........”

She stares at me.

Is she contemplating?

“..... Alright..”

She's still skeptical isn't she?

Well whatever. I decided that's no longer for me to worry about.

“Nice! Then off we go.”

She walks beside me this time.

“Let's start with the 2-Player video game I guess.”

“..En..”

We sit at our respective seats facing our respective monitor and control panel.

I inserted a coin and the game begun.

I wonder which character I should use.

Oh. I'll take this swordsman with average base stats. This guy is balanced.

Alright.

Eli-chan chose a girl. I remember that this girl excels in speed and agility.

Sounds like Eli-chan for me.

『Round 1— Fight!』

Eli-chan immediately dashes to me.

I swings my sword at her.

She jumps vertically avoiding my attack.

And then she uses a skill sending countless dagger to me for 3 seconds.

I presses the button combination to use a skill which thrusts my sword forward.

Using the momentum of that thrusts, I am propelled forward and barely avoiding a critical damage.

My life bar drops to somewhere around 75% to 80%.

Eli-chan lands on the ground immediately rushing towards me again.

Using basic attack is meaningless although it's fun. So I'll use another skill.

I haven't read all the character's data except mine so I don't know what skills Eli-chan has.

Regardless, my another skill makes my character perform a spinning slash for 10 seconds which also prevents my opponent from jumping or ducking.

I jumps vertically.

Eli-chan stops her sprint at my previous position.

Landing to the ground, I immediately activated my skill.

Eli-chan's movement space is limited and she can't duck or jump. So she is receiving my attack head on.

This reduces her life to 40% at most.

Eli-chan rushes to me again.

Should I use my strongest skill? Nah. It's meaningless. It will just be a waste of energy.

Let me use my ‘Sword Thrust’ skill again for an attack this time.

Well that's a critical hit.

『K.O!!』

I win the first round.