As expected, our talk of the past eventually drifted back to the MMO. We had played it for a significant amount of time, and even though my daily login hours weren't always high, I had plenty of memories from that world.
"Speaking of which, that collection event was a nightmare, wasn't it? My login time was so limited back then that I had to scramble just to get enough items for the rewards I wanted."
"They were tradeable, so I offered you mine, but you were stubborn about refusing help."
"I didn't want to be a burden. But after we went farming together once, I saw the gap between us. While I was struggling to gather ten items, you had already farmed a thousand."
"I was a real power gamer back then, and I had the best gear available. Plus, I had far too much free time. I usually finished gathering everything I needed for the major rewards in just a couple of days."
"But did you know? I'm actually stronger than you are now."
"I suppose that makes sense. A few years have passed, so my knowledge is probably ancient history by now."
Power creep in MMOs and online games happens fast. There is no point in players hunting for new gear if it isn't better than the old stuff, so developers are constantly bumping up the stats. Even if the inflation doesn't seem significant over a few months, the numbers are on a completely different scale when compared to two years prior.
"I really haven't kept up with the latest updates."
"You can solo the old raid bosses now. Compared to when you were active, Kaito-san, the damage numbers have jumped by one or even two orders of magnitude, depending on the class."
"Hearing that makes me want to dive back in... Wait, I wonder if that black box can run an MMO?"
"I’d usually say that’s impossible, but considering who made those items, common sense doesn't really apply. There's a real chance. We should try it next time!"
"W-Wow, you're certainly enthusiastic."
If Shiro-san was telling the truth about it playing every game, an MMO shouldn't be out of the question. I had no idea how it would connect from a different world, but as Aoi said, the creators were capable of doing just about anything. Still, Aoi's excitement was palpable; her eyes were practically shining.
"Actually... I still have all the equipment you gave me back then. Every piece of Shell-san's gear."
"What? You still have all of that? There was so much of it—did you even have enough room in your warehouse?"
"I was prepared to make a second account just to store it, but luckily, they added an expansion to the warehouse system shortly after you retired."
"You really should have sold it."
It was top-of-the-line gear back in its day, but after all these years, it was probably worth next to nothing. Since I had been a front-liner and Aoi was a magic-user, she couldn't even use most of it. I had always assumed she would sell it to help pay for her own upgrades... I never dreamed she’d kept it all.
As I thought this, Aoi averted her eyes, looking slightly bashful as she muttered.
"I just... I felt like if I sold it, I’d be admitting you were never coming back. I couldn't stand that thought."
"Were you... waiting for me to return?"
To be honest, once I had passed my entrance exams and settled into university life, the urge to play again had hit me. I had even considered it for a while. However, I had made such a clean break—saying my farewells and giving away all my gear so I wouldn't have any lingering attachments—that coming back felt like it would be embarrassing. In the end, I never logged back in.
"I was waiting. Honestly, I hated that you were leaving. I wanted to beg you to stay."
"Is that right? I got the impression you were okay with it at the time, but I guess I was wrong."
"I didn't want to be selfish and make things difficult for you... but in reality, I cried my eyes out."
"Ouch. I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"Heh. It seems even the great Kaito-san isn't quite so sensitive to the nuances of emotion when it's through a screen."
I hadn't realized she cared so much. If I had known, I probably would have come back during college. I felt a pang of guilt, which explained why she had been so eager when I mentioned playing the MMO again.
Despite the heavy topic, Aoi actually seemed happy. Even as she admitted to crying, she had a cheerful smile on her face. Perhaps she had finally reached a point where she could look back on those days as a fond memory.
"Anyway, let's change the subject. Kaito-san, do you remember what Hina-chan said earlier? About how I have a first love I haven't been able to forget?"
"Yeah, I recall her saying something like that."
"Well, here's a question for you: who do you think my first love is?"
"Huh? Where is this coming from?"
"Just try to guess. Don't worry, I'll give you plenty of hints."
Aoi laughed, her expression mischievous yet filled with genuine joy.
Serious-senpai: Wait, calm down... Stay! Stay! Think about her age, she's a minor...
???: Does that even matter in another world?
Serious-senpai: Don't even go there... Seriously.