Chapter Text
Akito stared at the disc. There was only a loose tape that had ‘Kira Kira ★’ written on it. He narrowed his eyes to the old computer he barely uses anymore. It's covered with dust and webs. He can’t remember the last time he’s been out of bed other than eating and other stuff to keep him alive. A groan exits his mouth as he gets off his bed to wipe it off, looking at the once blue towel now turned an ugly mouldy grey.
After that he starts his computer. The fresh nostalgia of the early 2000s computers hits him and.. the horrific background image he had in middle school. Maybe he should find a new one later..
He inserts the disc after taking off the tape, the game immediately booting up.
Bright colourful colours explode in his eyes as he is greeted with a menu. Wavy rainbow text saying ‘Into the Dark Woods: Kira Kira ★ Wonder Quartet!’ and a background with 4 figures is displayed.
One is blonde with fading peach tips with an outfit like a chief’s, another is a green haired girl with an outfit of a witch’s, then another has purple and cyan streaks in his hair and has an outfit of an archaeologist.
The last girl in the middle had pink short hair and had an outfit of an adventurer. Something about her gave Akito the ick.
[> Start new game]
[> Load game]
[> Options]
[> Exit]
[> Start new game.]
Huh. Weird. No character customization?
Is that.. Me..? Akito stared at the monitor. His character looked scarily identical. Same shade of orange hair, yellow streaks, green eyes, even the same casual clothes he wears daily. No way it’s a coincidence. He looked around his room, shutting the open window.
He glanced at his bedroom door, standing up and going to Ena’s room. Knocking. Maybe she has any answers? She owns it. “I’m coming!” Was yelled behind the door as footsteps hurriedly approached the door. The door opened to reveal Ena, she looked surprisingly not sleep deprived today.
“Oh. It’s you.” Her expression faded into one with annoyance. She grumbled as she faced Akito. “What do you want? Wasn't me giving that box of games enough for you?”
“It’s not that. It’s just.. One of your games.. Kara kara.. Wonder Q-quartet..? It’s.. I don't know how to explain it just.. come here.”
“Kara kara wonder quartet? What is that?” Akito frowned. “You know.. From your game box.. The box you gave me today. That game. Do you know anything about it?” Ena looked clearly confused. Akito sighed, signalling Ena to follow to his room.
The two arrived at Akito’s room, Ena’s face morphed into one with disgust. “Clean your room alright? Smells like shit here.” She walks over to the monitor, looking at Akito’s in-game avatar.
“See? It looks exactly like me. I just started like that. No customization whatsoever. It's almost like it's aware.”
Ena stared at the screen for a bit, crossing her arms. She tilted her head slightly towards Akito.
“It’s probably just advanced technology or something. But seriously, are you sure that it was in there? Never heard or remember playing.”
Akito nodded again as Ena’s brows frowned. A sigh escaped her mouth. “I'll try to look into it. I’m leaving.” Akito watched Ena leave, purposefully leaving the door slightly open just to piss him off.
He went to go close it, turning to his screen again and sitting in his chair.
He cracked his knuckles, starting to wander the forest he was in. It was dark. The only sounds you can hear are the footsteps and the crunching of grass. He soon found himself at a dead end. Suddenly, the screen glitches as his character turns around. The camera panning to a glitched blacked out figure of what seems to be an.. adventurer?
He blinks and now he’s at a.. Town. Have I been here before? He notices some buildings stand out from the rest such as, a brightly coloured restaurant with stars decorated in the exterior and an archaeology shop of sorts beside it. Nothing stood out from the shop but it's shady exterior almost like it’s abandoned but.. He didn’t know why it stood out so clearly.
As he walked towards the restaurant, his screen flashed for a second of something pinkish-red on a plate. What.
He looked behind him to see the pink girl who gave him the icks. He nearly fell off his chair, as he catched his breath, he notices a text box appears.
“Hello Akito ! What brings you do this wonderhoy place ★!!” Have we met before..? He wasn’t even able to input his name. How did she know? He blinks, trying to brush it off looking at the responses he’s able to give.
[> I am simply here to stay for a bit before my departure.]
[> Who are you?]
“Well that’s wonderful! We’ve been dying to have a new friend like you, Akito!” Emu let out a chuckle, her eyes displayed sparkles and excitement but.. Something was more behind her energetic petite persona.
Akito stared at the monitor, we..? He shifted his head to the side, looking around his room again then at the computer. His hands were a bit jittery. The fact that a random game he and his sister never played knows what his name is feels weird. It’s off putting.
“Since we already know your name and you don’t know ours, I’m Emu Otori!! Emu is meaning smile~★”
“If you want any help I’ll always be there !!”
The girl skipped away happily, disappearing off the screen. He tried to observe his surroundings, trying to find something that’ll explain the [déjà vu] he’s feeling currently. His eyes instead laid on something pink peeking out from the side of one of the grey buildings.
[> It was Emu.]
Akito went into the restaurant quickly, a now calming, jazz-type music playing. There stood the chief, he looked a bit stuck. He raised his head to meet Akito. Giving him a big smile.
“Ah! It’s you Traveller, Emu told me much about you. I’m Tsukasa, the chief of this endearing restaurant! One day I'll soar in the skies with the dishes I make. But as you can see, I acquire your help!”
[> Accept]
[> Accept]
[ New quest: Ask the Archaeologist for supplies! ]
“Ah.. thank you dear Traveller! I’ll pay you back soon. Go to the Archaeologist next door and tell him I need more of his.. supplies. Would you?” Tsukasa pointed behind him. “Just next door~★”
His first quest. It should be simple helping out a chief like Tsukasa. Nothing will go
wrong
!
He arrived next door at the archaeologist's place. A soft lullaby started to play in the background.
The place was messy. It looked like someone just moved in. But many display shelves held artefacts from across the world, jars were in jars behind the archeologist’s front desk, a chisel and an ice pack were hung on hooks. What is dripping off that chisel..? Water?
It was distorted because of the blur and the bad quality. Which was mostly because of his old, un-updated computer.
Akito lets the thought drift off as he arrives in front of the archaeologist's desk. He seems occupied doing something. Carefully brushing off dust as his yellow eyes traced the delicate rock which was in front of him.
[> Say ‘Hello’]
[> Wait for him to finish]
“..ah..? Fufu~ hello dear traveller! Sorry I didn’t notice you earlier. It’s Rui by the way.”
[> Tell him about Tsukasa’s Quest.]
[> What is dripping off those things behind on you?]
[Rui goes silent.] He goes under the desk and hands you a small bag.
[Quest item obtained!]
“Be careful with it. Tsukasa will get mad if it's in any way imperfect.” He chuckled, placing a hand behind his neck.
Akito exits the building with the bag, heading to Tsukasa.
“Thank you very much Akito!”
Tsukasa grabbed the bag, putting it behind him quickly.
“Come to my shop anytime Traveller. Thanks again!”
[Unlocked Tsukasa’s shop.]
Akito glanced at the clock, 10:04 PM.
He sighs, yawning as he saves his game and exits. Heading off to bed.
In the quiet night, the computer switches from black, to static to the game booting up.
“Ah.. when was it the last time someone finally played? It feels like forever.”
“Hehe~ but that doesn’t really matter right Tsukasa-kun?” Emu giggled, squishing her face against the screen, peering right at the sleeping boy behind the computer.
“Right.”
“Hm… He noticed the chisel. He’ll find out quicker than we expect.” Rui pulled Emu off, turning towards the others with a disappointed face.
“You guys were too obvious. Do better next time.”
“Geez.. It’s been so long! I nearly forgot how to. Cut me slack.” Tsukasa walked over to Rui, glancing at the boy then back to them.
“When was this thing last cleaned? It looks horrible.”
“We’ve seen worse. Don’t complain.” Rui chuckled, flicking Tsukasa's forehead.
“Uwa.. don't be mean Tsukasa-kun!! We have a new friend to play with! Treat him nice, would you?” Emu cried.
“Anyways. Do we have any limits on how far we can go?”
“Do whatever you want. As long as you three don’t lose to him like the last one. Then I won't interfere.”
The three nodded, turning towards the computer screen.
[> The game now starts, Akito.]