Wow... Another day, another brain-breaking exam. It had been a while since I'd had a chance to worry about my studies despite that it was nearing the weekend and the holidays, but I had managed to send in my homework beforehand. Crafting items in virtual reality was surprisingly difficult, but on the bright side, nothing was more difficult than avoiding forgetting my studies because of a highly-advanced video game.
Kaz and I were so tired right that, at the moment, we were lying down on our beds rather than logging into <Isekai> after we had entered our bedroom and removed our backpacks. When I said exams are very exhausting, I really meant it. Kazuki flopped facefirst into his pillow as I heard him groan from it before he slowly raised his head and turned towards me.
"How many more days and classes do we have to go, Hayate...? It's almost winter break, they're supposed to... you know... give us a real break from school during winter!"
I sighed before turning towards Kazuki. "Just hang in there a little longer, Kaz. If you can endure monster attacks in the game, I know you can do the same for school. For now, just focus on passing the exams and soon the most boring part of our current lives will be over with. Just ask Zac. He endured Damon's strict tutoring and still managed to log in the game with no problem after that. Although he did complain about it once after I met him again."
I knew Damon's tutoring was for Zac's own good, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for his current situation so far. I decided I should talk to Damon about his tutoring style when I had the time.
"Oooh, ooh! Speaking of games..."
Ugh... Why did I have to say that word out loud now?!
"How about we try taking on the <Tested Wild> right now? You do remember we have our new gear from Annie and Star."
I sighed again. "Ever heard of priorities? I do want to test out my new bow as much as you want to test your staff, but we still need to prepare for Mom and Dad's arrival. Plus, we need to restore a bit of our real-life energy if we want to get any dinner preparations done."
"Yeah, yeah."
As he grumbled in his pillow again, I could tell he still remembered what today was. Mom and Dad were coming home tonight and I had to prepare dinner while Kazuki had to prepare the dining table. Although, we both decided that we would need a few more minutes of rest before we could start doing anything else. So I just planted my face on my pillow and gave out a loud sigh out of exhaustion as I drifted off to sleep.
----
Eventually, after an hour, Kaz and I woke up from our short nap, and began on working on the homecoming dinner for our parents. Sure, they were just coming home from work as usual, but considering what we endured in the game, just seeing our parents after a week-long absence could perk us up for a while.
After a few hours of preparation, we heard the door open as a familiar voice echoed through the house. "We're home. Where are our favorite boys?"
I smiled. This is how Dad always greeted us when he came home after a few days at work or after a long business trip. And like before, Kazuki was the first one to rush towards the door and hug him as Mom put down her camera and her belongings on a nearby table.
"We missed you, Mom and Dad!" he declared as he flashed a big grin towards our folks. "You never believe what we did back in Isekai Online while you were away! We did such incredible stuff there and got awesome items and weapons that we made by hand!"
"Oh, you did now? I'm glad you're enjoying the game as much as I am during its development." Dad then towards me and asked, "What about you, Hayate? Did you enjoy the game's virtual world and gameplay so far as well?"
I quickly jumped when he asked me that. I did play the game so Kaz can play it immediately, but...
"O-Oh... To be honest, I was expecting to be like those VRMMOs based on those light novels and anime. But after experiencing it firsthand, it's like my expectations have been blown through the roof." I explained as I tried to explain me and Kaz's adventures during our first month of playthrough in the game very clearly to Dad. "We're just currently stationed in one town, but the buildings and the NPCs there looked so alive and lively just like the players. As for the monsters, some of them were kinda cute while the rest... Let's just say they were scarier than the animals we know."
Considering we had encountered a large [Wild Bear] and how I'd originally had trouble with other monsters due to my lack of archery expertise in the game's launch, most of my statements about them were not too far from the truth.
"Seems like you're really getting used to the fantasy world of <Isekai Online>. The setting designers and writers worked hard on the game's worldbuilding and lore. If you play your cards right, you might even take part in its main story as well."
Its main story? Now that I thought about it, that book that Kazuki got from that strange NPC might be related to what Dad had just said. I wanted to ask Dad about it, but considering that he's part of the AI development team of the game, he'd either deny it due to spoilers or just urge us to discover it ourselves. I just hope it's not going to put Kazuki in any virtual danger that might traumatize him.
But as Kazuki began to get even more excited at this revelation, Mom stepped forward and spoke up. "As much as I want you boys to tell us more about your gaming adventure, shouldn't we get ready for dinner? I have a feeling you two didn't just come to greet us."
My eyes widened at her statement, as I had almost forgot what were doing in the first place. "Oh, that's right! My bad. Don't worry, the food's all cooked and set up at the table. Just wash up and we'll meet you there."
"Yeah! We'll tell you more what we did over the past week later!"
"I hope that includes stories about your studies and chores in the house. You did do them both during my absence, correct?"
Kazuki's expression quickly turned to comical fear as he flinched and backed away from Mom. "U-Uh... Yeah..."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. He was a dedicated kid when it comes to that game. But when it came to school and chores, he was a whole different person. Regardless, I still love him and would do anything to help him grow into an independent and courageous person. With that, we left the entrance of the house and prepared ourselves for out first family dinner for a while now.
----
After a while, we were all now sitting together at the dinner table, enjoying our meals and sharing stories over what we had done over the past week. For our parents, they talked about some humorous anecdotes during their work, while the both of us shared our lives in school and our friends, but also our time in the game.
"I see. So in other words, this Annie lady got his eyes on little Kazu, right?" Mom muttered while flashing a sly smile towards Kazuki, something that creeped me out even more than her monthly rage towards our antics. "Judging by what you've told us, she seems to be a nice person. I wish I could meet her in real life. Her guardian too. Who knows, maybe Hayate also has a thing for this Star lady as well."
My eyes widened and my smile turned into a frown as she said this. "Uh, yeah... She's a keeper..." I sheepishly let out an awkward chuckle as I pretend to agree with Mom. Sure, Star was a cool girl, but her aggressive personality kind of turned me off her. But on the other hand, she was very friendly and reliable at any situation, so I knew we could get along as friends. "Can you excuse me for a bit? I need to relieve myself."
I quickly got up from my seat and headed towards the bathroom before Mom could stop me. But then, I stopped when I felt like my left hand was being pulled back. When I turned around, I saw my Dad tugging on my hand as gestured me to come closer. I was a bit confused, but I relented as I leaned my ear towards him.
"When you get back, can you meet me at the kitchen? I need to speak with you about what's to come in a few weeks."
'What's to come in a few weeks'? I was a bit confused at what he was planning, but I just shrugged and continue my way to the bathroom.
After I finished my business, I headed towards the kitchen as instructed, where I found Dad leaning against a marble counter. "Okay, I'm here. What's with this sudden secret meeting we're having here during our normal family dinner?"
I was expecting that he might discuss something game-related or regarding my recent grades lately. But Dad just sighed before he looked at Mom and Kazu, who were sitting at the dinner table and oblivious at what was going on. "Well, our time is limited, so I should cut right to the chase. It's about your brother. You remember what will happen before Christmas, right?"
Before Christmas?
Oh, right! That day! It occurred several days before Thanksgiving, namely on December 19.
"You mean Kazuki's birthday? Yeah, I'd never forget that. Why do you ask?"
"Well, since I'm free from work on that week, I want to give him something special that could put his <Isekai Online> productivity to good use. I can tell he loves playing that game so much, but I have a feeling that your mother might see it as detrimental to his studies if he continues playing for the next few weeks."
Dad had a point. While playing that game really makes Kazuki happy, his previous remarks about his school and his growing dislikes on his studies and PE class might cause him to retreat into that virtual world more and more and honestly, I myself was a bit worried about his wellbeing. But this made me wonder about what Dad was planning.
"Okay... And what does it have to do with his upcoming birthday?" I asked with a tone of suspicion in my voice.
"To tell you the truth, I'm planning to buy him another game."
My eyes widen when I hear this. "Another game? I thought <Isekai> was enough to satisfy his fantasy dreams."
"That's true. But I can't really call it a real "video game". It's actually something that will help him create his fantasy stories in a whole new medium."
I raised my eyebrow as he explained more about his "present". "And how will your gift achieve all of that?"
Instead of answering it immediately, Dad gestures me again to come closer. What was up with these secret conversations? I was a bit annoyed at how Dad was trying too hard to keep this a secret. But once I heard his answer, I gasped and looked at him as my eyes widen in shock.
"Wait, you're seriously going to buy that?! Sure, it is easy to use and it doesn't need any VR stuff, but I don't know if Kaz will able to use it without any kind of guide. Are you sure you want to give him that as his birthday present?"
"It's a bit unorthodox, but considering that he'll do anything to make his very own fantasy adventure, I think this is a great present for a fantasy novel fanatic like Kazuki. Plus, it's a great tool for him to start learning some new skills."
That was true. I heard that despite it's easy-to-use reputation, the game Dad wanted for Kazu could be a bit difficult without any help. Still, it could be a great first step for him to find his goal for his future outside <Isekai>. Not only that, it could also be a good excuse for him to take a break as well preventing him from being addicted to playing that game.
"Good point. I don't want him to get coop up in that game for so long and forget his studies and the real world. I'm in. But on one condition: you give me enough money to buy him a birthday present as well. Don't worry, I don't want him to use it blindly and I really need to give him something great, along with my planned Christmas gift this year."
"Understandable. Just don't tell either your mom or your brother about it. I want it to stay a surprise until then. Can you do that?"
I nodded yes to Dad as I give him a small smile. "Deal. I'll make sure neither of them know of our plans until then."
And just like a couple of businessmen striking any kind of deal, we both of us shake hands to finalize the deal before we headed back to the dinner table, acting like nothing had happened between us. Despite that, we got a few suspicious stares from Mom and Kazuki, which made me a bit unnerved at first. Then again, I expected this to happen considering how long Dad and I were discussing about Kaz's birthday gifts. Thankfully, the rest of the family dinner went off without a hitch.