Order Story – Roses Bloom In Cyberspace

[kozvme]

Gray: (Fufu, I bought the Game Mag... There's an article on the new game I want to play this week, so I really can't wait...)

Marion: ......

Gray: (Huh, Marion-san...?
... He looks dispirited, I wonder if something happened?)

Marion: What?

Gray: Waah!?

Marion: What's so surprising? Don't you have something to say to me?

Gray: Ah, no, well... You looked a bit down and... I was wondering if something had happened...

Marion: No need to worry, it's not a big deal.

Gray: I- Is that so... I'm sorry for asking something silly...

Marion: I don't really mind... By the way, what do you have there?

Gray: Huh...? T- This is a Game Mag... a magazine for gamers, in other words...
It contains the most up-to-date information on games and walkthroughs, so I buy it whenever there's something I'm interested in...

Marion: Walkthroughs? So if you read that, you'll be better at playing games?

Gray: That's right... Although it would be more efficient to check walkthrough sites or videos...

Marion: Remind me, you're good at games, right?

Gray: Am I... I w- wonder...?
What about you, Marion-san? Do you play games...?

Marion: ......

Gray: ...?

Marion: ... He looks like the type who can keep a secret. It's probably safe to tell him.

Gray: What's wrong...? I-I- Is it perhaps something I mustn't hear...?

Marion: I said it wasn't a big deal earlier, but video games have been on my mind lately.

Gray: Huh? Why is that...?

Marion: ... I'm not skilled at video games.
I don't hate games per se, we're just like oil and water. I can't play well for some reason, and that irks me all the time.
That's why I haven't touched a game in so long, but... I've been invited to play more frequently lately...
Gast invited me just this morning, but I had to turn him down.

Gray: I see... So you want to improve?

Marion: That's...

Gray: I think you can do it if you practice...!
Practicing is the key to winning at any game... And the opponents who constantly awaken your competitive spirit with regret will surely drive you to improve...

Marion: Heh...

Gray: Ah, I am so- sorry for acting cocky...!

Marion: No... I am also bothered by the fact that I haven't tried to fix my problem. A little practice might do me no harm.

Gray: U- Uhm... I could help you if you don't mind...? I think I could teach you about games.

Marion: You're fine with that?

Gray: O- Of course...! You gave me some training tips a while ago... think of it as me returning the favor...

Marion: You have a point: learning from someone who knows his way is more efficient.
I'll be in your care, Gray. Teach me.

Gray: Yes! It will be my pleasure...!



Gray: C- Come in...

Marion: I see, so this is your room... You sure have a lot of stuff.

Gray: Ah, I'll tidy everything up right this instant...! Sorry, I am so sorryyy...!

Marion: It's fine, I'm already used to Nova.

Gray: I'll still clean up quickly, so make yourself at home... Ah, I have to bring out the tea and sweets...!

Marion: You really don't need to be so courteous. I'm not a guest today. I'm here to learn.

Gray: S- Still...

Marion: ... Back on topic, I want to practice a game I can play with others. What do you have?

Gray: Huh...? Let's see... If you're looking for something competitive and in coop, then I have FPS and fighting games, and different puzzle games and board games...
If you want to practice, a fighting game might be right for you.

Marion: Fighting game?

Gray: It's a genre of video game where your character fights your opponent's; the player who decreases the opponent's HP bar to zero first wins...
Junior-kun has also been practicing those lately and has made remarkable progress. I wonder if those who have a knack for fighting are also skilled at fighting games...

Marion: If I'm understanding this right, it's like sparring, right? It sounds very easy to figure out.

Gray: I'll get things ready then... Please wait a moment...!
Uhm, we'll play Practice Mode first... What character would you like...?

Marion: I can't tell much about them by looking, so anyone is fine... What about that character with the whip?
It'll be easier to imagine how to fight with them, if their style is similar to mine.

Gray: Whip the Scourger, okay. They're a mid-range attacker, so I think it's easy to use...
They have fast attacks and an almost airtight defense; once you get used to them, you can...
Do something easy like this: draw the whip out mid-range, pull them towards yourself, up you go, then grab them mid-air and throw them.

Marion: ......

Gray: Ah, sorry about that! I totally forgot what we were here for, for a moment... I should start with their skills before covering the combos.

Marion: No, leave it. So in other words, if I press the same buttons you did I can do the same stuff, right?

Gray: Huh... Yes, that's right... You can do that...?

Marion: A single demonstration is more than enough. I can do that much.

Gray: A- Amazing...! As expected, Marion-san... Do you want to fight against a CPU, then?

Marion: Sure, I'll give it a go.

Gray: I'll set the game to arcade mode, then... H- Here you go, give it a try.



Game sound: 「READY! GO!」

Marion: What? My opponent is an old man? The game should be ashamed.

Gray: (I really look forward to the fight... Knowing Marion-san, he might really recreate the combo...)

Marion: Alright, I draw out the whip at this distance, then pull my opponentー
Wh- Why can't I draw the whip out!? Why... I am pretty sure I did it correctly...!

Gray: Awawah! Ma- Marion-san, defend yourself, defend...!

Marion: Darn it, why... why am I the only one getting punched!?

Game sound: 「K.O.! YOU LOSE!」

Marion: Why did their skill not work even though I pressed the buttons...! What's going on!?

Gray: U- Uhm... Combos are difficult. Don't sweat it if you can't do it at first..

Marion: No, I nailed it! I did exactly what you did, so why did they not react...!
One more... One more fight! And with the same old man!

Gray: O- Okay...! Let me press continue...

Game sound: 「K.O.! YOU LOSE!」

Marion: ...! I can't believe I lost to that old man again...

Gray: Eh-- w- what was that sound...?

Marion: No... This is a game. I'm here to get better...
... The controller...

Gray: U- Uhm, what do you say if we play another game, Marion-san...? Fighting games might be a little too har... No, an FPS might suit you better...!

Marion: FPS?

Gray: A first-person perspective shooting game...  You do things like shooting, they're very popular.
Also, in an FPS you don't just press buttons. Walking around is also important, so I'm sure you can pull it off as soon as you try it...

Marion: A shoot-out...? I'm pretty sure what Gast plays is similar.

Gray: Do you want to try it? I'll show you how it looks first...

To begin with, the player randomly spawns somewhere within your base... Then you enter the enemy's base to defeat the opponents.

Marion: Aren't they coming from the right?

Gray: Eh-... Y- You're right!
You could tell immediately...

Marion: Footsteps.

Gray: Huh...?

Marion: I could hear footsteps from the right speaker. That's how I figured the enemies were there.

Gray: A- Amazing...! Everyone uses special headphones to tell sounds apart, yet you...!

Marion: Your average Joe, maybe, but I'm different.
Anyway, can't you attack this part of the map?

Gray: T- That is an established spot for snipers...! How did you know there would be someone there...?

Marion: You can tell by looking. This terrain guarantees visibility and it's difficult for your opponents to notice you.

Gray: (T- That's just, wow... I can't believe he figured out an established spot you can find on the website at a glance...
With such an accurate judgment of the situation, just a little practice and he may become a pro in no time...)

That's exactly as you say... That's why I'm going to throw a grenade over there to distract them.
With this, I got one kill. Now, just keep calm and defeat the opponents who shoot at you while moving, and your team will get points.

T- That's the gist of it... It might not have been the easiest explanation, but the controls are easy, so...

Marion: No, that was simple to understand. Actually, I'm not even surprised you defeated them while explaining it to me.

Gray: N- No, it's nothing special... Anyone can do this with a little practice after all.
Well then, let me select the beginner lobby...

Marion: Match me with experienced players.

Gray: Eh-... They're quite strong, you know...?

Marion: I get that, but experienced players have polished movements and their behaviour seems also easy to predict.

Gray: T- That is true... I guess it'll be easy for you to fight that way...
I selected the experienced players' lobby. Here you go.

Marion: Alright.

Gray: (Nice, he seems to be doing well early stage. He's using the controls perfectly... and looking for the sniper while hiding in the shelter...
His flexibility and judgment are outstanding... If he hits the enemy he'll really win...)

Marion: On the left. You're mine.
Huh? I can't shoot... What's going on!?

Gray: Marion-san, dodge, dodge!!


Aah, you died...

Marion: Wh... It didn't work the way I thought it would again...!

Gray: It's not easy to hit opponents who move around at first, so... it would be better to hit those who stand still...

Marion: Kh... Right, I guess I will aim for the sniper.

Considering the geographical features, they should be around here. I'll throw a grenate to distract them and shoot them when they run away.
... Hm? I can't throw it?
W- Why is the command not working!?

Gray: Ma- Marion-san, you have to throw it nowー
Aah, you died again...

Marion: What's going on! Something is wrong with this controller!

Gray: I d- don't think so... I didn't have any problems using it...

Marion: If that's the case, then the problem lies within the game? I'm doing what you showed me, so why does it not work...!

Gray: (He's not wrong. He's using the controls correctly... so why is it not working for him...?
...! Maybe...)

Marion: At this rate, it'll be faster if /I/ fight! I'm not touching a game everー

Gray: Amazing, Marion-san...!

Marion: ...? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

Gray: Your reactions are probably so fast that the game can't keep up!

Marion: With me...?

Gray: Yes...! That's why when you press something it does not work correctly.
You're so amazing, Marion-san... I can't believe you're... even faster than the most advanced machines...

Marion: ... Makes sense. I must have been so absorbed that I pressed the controls too fast.

That's why games don't work for me. It pays to have failed.

Gray: Huh...?

Marion: Not playing well because of a game issue is beyond my control.
... But it has nothing to do with me being incompetent, so that's enough.
Thanks for everything, Gray.

Gray: U- Uhm...!

Marion: ...?

Gray: If you use the controls perceptually, it happens that it doesn't work...
But I think your sense of the game itself is outstanding. It's quite a strength to win by reading the opponent.
That's why I'm 100% sure you'll become stronger if you take your time practicing the controls...!
This is a first... but I- I guarantee it...!

Marion: ......

Gray: Ah...! Awawah, I'm so sorry...! I didn't mean to boast...

Marion: ... Pass me the controller.

Gray: Huh?

Marion: I'll play as a beginner this time...

Gray: !! Sure...!



Marion: Huff... I finally won...

Gray: That's a- amazing, Marion-san! You can shoot now, and you're also getting used to handling grenades...

Marion: I still can't pull it off when I'm rushing, though. And I get frustrated when I can't move as I want...
But... I don't dislike games.

Gray: ...!

Marion: I want to practice a bit more... Care to keep me company, Gray?

Gray: Yes! Absolutely...!