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Leviathan: Hey, MC! I just got early access to Ruri-chan: Celestial Strategy!!! You HAVE to come to my room and play it with me! It's all about Ruri-chan, and it's going to be AMAZING!
You: I’ll be there ASAP! Don’t start without me!
The text had made you chuckle, and you were sure to get ready quickly to head down the hall to Levi’s room. He must’ve gotten the digital deluxe edition or something because he hadn’t come down for the mail delivery from Akuzon like he normally would when he had a new game coming.
You had barely knocked on the door when Leviathan yanked it open, indigo hair blown all over his face and nearly blocking his eyes. "Hey, MC! I’m so glad you’re here, I can’t believe I was able to get one of the 10 preview copies of Ruri-chan’s new game! It's like a virtual chess game, and it's all about Ruri-chan and her quest for friendship on the battlefield! Isn't it awesome?"
You laughed and asked questions when you could get a word in, but Levi’s gushing over Ruri was not to be trifled with. He hurried you into a seat next to the bathtub that functioned as his bed where the controllers of his console were already set out. His custom built for Player 1, “obviously, LOLOL,” and your pastel sheep themed one for Player 2.
"Alright, let's get started. Just so you know, I've been playing chess games since forever, so don't feel bad if you can't keep up. This is going to be so much fun!" Levi’s orange eyes were practically glowing with happiness, and so you kept your smile to yourself and familiarized yourself with the game and Levi’s playstyle.
After starting the game there was borderline silence aside from the 8-bit music pinging in the background. A few minutes later you were starting to get into the strategy part of the game, and Levi leaned forward into his shrimp gamer posture. "Hmm, interesting move. But did you really think I wouldn't see that coming? Watch and learn from the master!"
You struggled at this point to hold in your laughs, but again, Levi was in competition mode and wouldn’t have noticed if you stripped bare in his room right now. He was an otaku through and through, and had the impenetrable focus that came with it. It was time to kick it up a notch, though, and start playing to win.
You fiddled with the controls, pretending to think about your move before making it. The game chimed a musical sting, with the phrase “CHECK” claiming the screen for a moment before switching back to Levi. "Wait, what? How did you do that? No way... I must have missed something. Ugh, focus, Levi, focus! You can’t let MC beat you at this. Not in a Ruri-chan game!"
It was fun playing cat and mouse with him when he didn’t realize you were leading him by the nose into a humiliating defeat. Levi wasn’t as proud as Lucifer, sure, but you being better than him was the fastest way to activate his sinful avatar of Envy. After taking his queen and both knights for good measure you landed the decisive blow, grinning wide as “CHECKMATE” danced in a field of flowers with Ruri-chan blowing you kisses.
Levi let out a small scream, raking his hands down his face. How had you beat him, a gaming legend, at a game he had only just gotten his hands on? It made no sense! You were just a normie, not even a real otaku! You didn’t know who Ruri even WAS until he showed you her when you moved into the House of Lamentation.
You decided to put him out of his misery, and with a sheepish grin you showed him the back of the box, where, lo and behold, your name was listed as the creator of the game. “Levi, I cheated, just a bit. You’ll probably win next time!”
"What? You cheated? But how—why would you even... wait, you MADE the game?! No way! That’s... that’s actually kind of amazing, but also totally unfair!" Levi’s cheeks were crimson and his eyes watered with unshed tears of an envy meltdown waiting to happen as he looked at you in bewilderment and awe.
"I can't believe it... You really had me going there. I was so sure I was just missing something obvious. But if you created the game, that’s a whole different story. Can you show me some of the tricks? Maybe I can get better and we can have a real match next time."
You promised him you’d teach him everything you knew, and that you’d show him where he could find the easter eggs, but not how, at his insistence. Once he was placated you hit the “REMATCH” option and started a new game. You looked at Levi, who was already grinning at the TV screen. He glanced over at you, turned pink again, and then looked back at the screen as he addressed you.
"Alright, teach me your ways, oh great creator of Ruri-chan: Celestial Strategy . I want to get good enough to beat even you fair and square. Let's start another game, and this time, no more cheats!"