"The void seems a lot..bigger than I remember. It's like it expanded as soon as I hit the level to make things more difficult."
"How were you ever able to fly in here?-"
You hold Senpai's hand tightly, and the two of you keep moving.
"Chara-chan, where are we going again?"
"We're going to the real world."
"Oh- so the world we were in..wasn't real?"
"No."
Yakuwari has an existential crisis for about 5 minutes before coming to his senses.
"I don't get it- where has it moved to?"
You look through the endless glitches, and notice the world behind you slowly beginning to crumble into pieces. NPCs falling into the abyss, buildings crashing down and fading into nothing, The school you'd been going to breaking down slowly.
"I can't believe all of this is finally happening, Y/N."
"Me too, Sen..me too."
"Um..Yakuwari?.."
"Yeah?"
"You're not so bad, actually. I think I could get to know you..just don't be so clingy, got it?"
"Really?!- This is great!"
You smile at the two of them, and notice that the breaking is getting faster.
"We need to hurry- we can't get lost in the void or else the game's going to start over-"
"I will try to help guide you as much as I can."
"Ah- Spirit! You're in your physical form!"
"Naturally. I need to be in this shape in order to lead you properly."
It floats ahead, and you follow it with the others.
"Why did the void get so big?"
"It is the game's way of..tormenting you until you somehow find the exit, making you assume that all hope is lost."
"So it's trying to make us give up, huh?.."
"That bastard probably altered it."
You check your phone.
<--- Cherry, you still with us?
---> Yep! I can see you! The game world won't even load now. We're outside the TV right now- I wonder what's going on..the void's so big-
"Can you deliver a message for me to her?"
"What is it, Sen?"
"Tell her that as soon as everyone's out of the game and okay, to smash the game console."
"Sen.."
"I'm serious- we can't get put back in there."
"Right."
<---Senpai says that once we're all out he wants you to destroy the game console so we won't get sucked back into it.
---> Destroy it? Oh wow- okay, I'll do my best to.
<--- Thanks, Cherry. Also- you can't let your dad see that we're escaping- so can you shut the door to your room?
---> Sure thing! I'll do it now.
You assume since she hasn't responded yet she's going to do that, and continue exploring the void with the others, trying to find the fated glitch.
"Look, there's the library one! It can't be that far."
"Perhaps, but I would not get your hopes up so soon. We don't know what sort of optical illusions are here."
You look at Sen, who's nervous yet excited.
"You alright there, Sen?.."
"Yeah, I just..I'm so nervous- what if we just get put back in here?"
"I'm sure that's not the case. We're going to get out, I just know it."
"Thank you, Y/N.."
He smiles warmly, which makes your face heat up a bit.
"How are you guys doing back there?"
"We're alright- don't let go of my hand, Yakuwari."
"Wouldn't dream of it-"
You hear her lightly hit him on the head.
"You guys have really changed for the better. I'm proud of you all."
"Ah- ..thank you. I'm still a bit..'eh' about you, but...I guess you're alright in my book."
"Thanks, Chara."
"You look fine, Y/N-"
You see Senpai be the one to hit him on the head this time.
"What? I'm spitting facts."
"Shut up."
You smile a bit at Senpai's actions.
"Are you jealous, Sen-Sen-"
"Wha- n-no, I'm not."
"Mhmmm- you are. Now who's caught feelings?"
"Still you."
"A- No comment."
"You- you didn't deny it- that's a first-" His face flushes bright pink.
"We seem to be getting closer."
You look ahead and slightly see the outline of it.
"There!- Come on-"
You grab Senpai and float further ahead, noticing the environment crumbling even faster.
"Okay- let's test it out. You go first, Spirit."
It nods. "If you do not make it out..I'll patiently wait until you can."
It floats out of the portal without a problem.
---> Who is this?
<--- That's Spirit, did it make it in there okay?
---> Yeah, 'it's fine!
"Okay, your turn now, Yakuwari."
"Why not you, Chara?"
"I want you to go first. I'm too nervous."
"Oh, okay- I'll go then."
He places his hands on the portal and goes through, landing on the ground on his face.
---> Your other friend made it!
"Alright- Chara?"
"I...I- I can't do this, I- how could I leave my life behind?- If I had a purpose here, then what would it be there?- Let's just stay-"
"Chara. We can't stay here any more. What do you plan to do?"
"I.."
"Just go- It'll be okay."
"I- alright..if you insist."
You practically shove her in.
"God I always wanted to do that-"
He smiles.
"You go first now, Y/N."
"Are you sure you don't want to go first?"
"I'm positive."
You step in about half way, but keep your face, arms, and chest towards Senpai.
He places his hands on the portal, but for some reason, he can't get through.
"Sen?"
"I- I can't go through, I don't understand-"
"I- what's going to happen to you?"
"I don't know.. the game's code- it- I think it's trying to trap me in the game because I'm a part of it-"
Out of a moment of fear and worry, you refuse to let go of him. You then remember that you were at level 99, and wondered something.
Is there a level 100?
You smile and look at Senpai.
"Hey, Sen?.."
"Y-Yeah?.."
"At first..I wasn't really too sure about this, since you probably don't feel the same. And I know this sure as hell is not the right time, but..if it can get us out of here, it's worth it, huh?"
"What are you talking about?-"
"I love you, Senpai." You gently press your lips against his, to the point where he returns it. You're lost in the moment for a second. Your level bar shatters, along with the entire game menu that was there. You break the kiss, and manage to fully pull him through the portal.
"Well, how about that."
"I- ...I love you too, Y/N."
"EE- you guys are so cute together!"
"Uh..so what do we do now?"
You turn to Chara.
"We begin living as normal people again, I suppose. We'll teach you all you need to know- uh..Sen..wanna see the world together, just like we've planned?.."
"Sure. That sounds great, rose."
"C'mon Chara- don't cry-"
"It's just- it's all too emotional-"
"Aw- But wait, there's one thing we still need to do."
"Oh?"
Cherry uses her demon powers, completely destroying the game console.
"There..it's finally over."
You hug Senpai tightly, and Yakuwari hugs Chara, which she looks uncomfortable doing, but accepts it anyways.
Finally, we're free.
{ END OF ACT I. }
It's not over yet...