Archive of Our Own

Applepi is Online

Kozume Kenma stared at his screen as the new game that he has been playing for the past 3 weeks loaded on his screen. It was an RPG game with lots of battles and a world filled with beautiful details when it comes to the world design of the game.

Although Kenma loves playing against everyone, he also loves exploring the map of the game and story of the game.

The game finally appeared on his screen and he entered the game.

He has been chatting with his only friend on the server, they met at the most unexpected time. His friend was a healer, not a very good character when someone attacks you especially if you don’t have a team or guild. So when he met Kenma, the two went off to a great start when he told Kenma why he chose a healer.

“It’s because my best friend here with me told me that it’s the easiest way to make friends.”

Don’t assume, Kenma doesn’t like having online friends, he doesn’t want to think that those he calls online friends are secretly a freak or a pervert or even a stalker. But there was something with this friend that made Kenma feel safe, so their journey began.

Kenma protects his friend, all while his friend gathers stuff and helps him heal faster and supports him as a role.

StrawberryDino is Online

A soft smile appeared on Kenma’s face as he saw the information on the top of his screen, since SD (StrawberryDino) was his only friend on the server, Kenma only gets notification when SD online, and vice-versa.

Kenma quickly finished his battle without SD and defeated it quickly before gathering the materials he got and walked towards SD who just appeared since he was online.

Applepi; Hey :) Did you know about the new update?

StrawberryDino; I knew you would bring that up. Yes, I heard about it, that’s why I came online, so we could check it together.

Kenma could combust then and there as he read SD’s response, and quickly he typed out yes and the two continued on their journey together. Kenma knew SD was a guy, 16, and that he lives in Japan, but that was all it was. While SD knew Kenma was a guy as well, 17, and was in the same country as him as it said in their entry. 

StrawberryDino; That was some nice details they added. But I think you could handle any mobs in this game already.

Applepi; You could too. Are you not changing your character out of a healer? I think you would play well as a mage.

StrawberryDino; Wait– You could do that?! :0 How do you change?

Kenma chuckled, started typing the instructions as he could see that SD wanted to get out of being a healer as fast as he could.

“Cute.” Kenma mumbled as he placed his hand on his chin and watched as SD logged out and restarted the game so he could fully change into a mage and the two of them could play 2 v 2 games.

What Kenma always wanted from the start.

StrawberryDino; That’s so cool! Now I get to help you for real, and not just stand on the side.

Applepi; Don’t worry, I think you're a really great healer, and it’s good to have someone who could heal you from the sidelines.

StrawberryDino; Now you’re just saying that. But really, we should fight someone right now, I feel powerful already.

Kenma laughed softly as he put his hand on his face, feeling the heat on his face surface, knowing he was blushing. “Why are you so cute?” Kenma sighed as he tried containing himself again, then started talking to SD and then their first battle as a 2 v 2 started.

Kenma was actually shocked at how good SD was as a mage, and SD chose a mage that could heal his teammate was a good choice.

Applepi; Hey, you’re a good mage. We beat them by a mile.

StrawberryDino; We did! And thank you for the compliment, coming from you, it feels so special.

Applepi; Really, huh? Doing something this weekend?

StrawberryDino; I’m going to Tokyo with my family, there’s an event they wanted to attend.

Applepi; You’re going to Tokyo?!

Kenma blinked a few times as he read SD’s response ‘yes’. Kenma started panicking, as he knew what event SD was talking about, and he knew Tetsuro’s going to attend that event and he’ll get dragged into it as well.

Then he saw SD’s last chat, it was, ‘Why? Are you also in Tokyo this weekend? Imagine bumping into each other.’ Kenma froze on his seat.

StrawberryDino; Did I say something wrong? Are you still there?

Applepi; Yeah, sorry. Don’t worry you didn’t say anything weird. Actually, do you want to meet up?

Kenma wanted to smack himself, or better yet just disappeared. “Why did I type that? How do you delete a message in this thing?” Kenma freaked out and didn’t want to look anywhere on the screen, afraid that his first friend outside of his team would think he’s either a creep or someone luring SD.

StrawberryDino; I mean sure. We could meet up somewhere with a lot of people so you won’t think I’m a creep or stalker.

Applepi; I think that would be better. Although I’m not really good with crowded places.

StrawberryDino; You could bring a friend with you, I don’t mind. Oh, mom’s calling for me.

Applepi; Okay then, I’ll see you this weekend.

StrawberryDino; See you, I need to eat dinner and go to sleep.

StrawberryDino is Offline

Kenma let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding in as he looked at their conversation again. “Okay, now to convince Kuro to help me out.” Kenma said as he logged off the game as well, quickly sending Tetsuro a message telling him everything as fast as he could.

Tetsuro to reply, "Sure, so if they’re a pervert, I could kick them for making a move on you."

-+-

It was the day Kenma has been dreading all week, Saturday. Kenma didn’t know what to put on, or if he needed to do something with his hair, or even what conversation to start with SD once they saw each other.

“Kenma, geez, what happened to you?” Kenma looked over to the door to see Tetsuro leaning against the door frame with a concerned look on his face.

Kenma just rolled his eyes before looking around to see a bunch of his clothes either on the bed or on the ground, trying to find what to wear. “Here..” Tetsuro said as he handed Kenma a Bistre (Shade of brown) colored turtle neck that has a black stripe, simple black pants, and a jacket with wool inside. “It’ll look good on you– and it’s comfy.” Tetsuro said with a proud smile on his face.

Sighing, Kenma took the clothes and dressed himself up, looking at the mirror, he smiled to himself. “Why are you freaking out?” Kenma asked himself before fixing his hair and walking out of the bathroom to see Tetsuro waiting for him.

“See, I have good taste in clothes. Now come on, I don’t want to be late.” Tetsuro said as he stood up from the sofa and walked outside of Kenma’s house.

Following Tetsuro, Kenma started getting the overwhelming feeling of meeting someone outside of his friends, people in school, or even his teammates. “Hey, walk faster, it will crowd too fast there. You might get lost in the crowds.” Tetsuro said as Kenma catched up towards him.

It’s alright, Kuro will be there with me. Kenma tried calming his racing heartbeat as they walked towards the plaza.

When Kenma and Tetsuro got into the cab, Kenma was fidgeting with his hand, nervous about what SD would think once he saw him, and what SD looked liked. Kenma hopes that SD wasn’t a pervert, even though SD doesn’t really sound like one whenever they play.

When suddenly, Kenma’s phone chimed, it was from the discord of SD with his same name.

StrawberryDino; Hey, if you want to find me I’m somewhere near the entrance. My brother and mom wanted to come early so it wouldn’t be too crowded.

Applepi; Oh, that’s cool. I’ll be there in a few minutes, and also, I’m bringing a friend with me.

StrawberryDino; Okay, be careful on your way here and message me once you're here so we could find each other.

And that’s how Kenma ended up in front of the entrance of the plaza in Tokyo, staring at his phone while Tetsuro walked beside him, trying his best not to lose sight of Kenma. Kenma started looking around everywhere near the entrance, also telling Tetsuro he should look everywhere.

“Hey, is that Tsuki?” Tetsuro pointed at the three near the entrance.

Kenma looked over to where Tetsuro was pointing and nodded. “Let’s just wait for your friend there! Come on, I want to see Tsuki!” Tetsuro grabbed Kenma’s hand and pulled him towards Kei who was standing under the three.

“Don’t pull me, Kuro…” Kenma messaged SD that he was already by the entrance and asked him to say what he was wearing to find him.

StrawberryDino; Oh, yeah, I should look for you too. Let’s both send what we’re wearing. 

Applepi; I’m wearing a turtleneck and jacket, my hair’s bleach blond with brown on the roots.

StrawberryDino: I’m wearing an orange turtle neck with black polo, I also have glasses on.

As soon as Kenma read SD’s description, he looked up to see Kei’s eyes that were already on him. And there Kei stood wearing an orange turtle neck with black polo. “Hi…” Kei waved softly at Kenma, a small smile appeared on Kenma’s face as he waved back softly at Kei.

“Hello…” Kenma replied back as they walked towards each other, completely ignoring Tetsuro who gasped loudly when he realised what was happening.