Yuu initially thought being an online boyfriend was like being a hired boyfriend—a predetermined role set by the system. Unexpectedly, it differed from his assumptions, seeming to come with an extra challenge.
Did he have to actively become Yuuki Asuna's online boyfriend, making her accept him from the bottom of her heart?
Looking at Asuna's vehemently rejecting expression now, Yuu rubbed his chin, feeling something was off. If that was the case, why was he already receiving rewards?
"Just teammates? I understand… My apologies, I misunderstood."
Nun Martha nodded, hiding a hint of disappointment in her eyes, coughing weakly while covering her mouth. Asuna quickly set aside her discomfort, stood, and patted her back, asking worriedly, "Are you okay? It's late—do you want to rest?"
"Thank you, Miss Asuna." Nun Martha looked at her in surprise, then squinted, showing a warm, wrinkled smile. "If I had a granddaughter, she'd surely be as gentle as you."
"Oh, you're too kind." Asuna blushed slightly, her hand still on the hunched nun's back. She lowered her head, as if recalling something, her face showing a nostalgic expression. "Doing this reminds me of when my grandmother was still around… She was the family member who loved me most, always sneaking me biscuits when my mom wasn't looking and patting my head to praise me when I showed her perfect exam results. Those were such happy times, I didn't want to grow up."
But now, recalling those fragments of the past, it wasn't just happiness left—there was also painful, reluctant sadness. She shook her head, not wanting to seem too fragile, so she didn't say it, only giving a faint smile, reminiscing.
"I see…" The nun looked at her kindly, slowly raising her old, wrinkled hand. "Then, may I pat your head, Miss Asuna?"
"…"
Asuna froze in place. After a long pause, she pursed her lips, lowered her head to wipe the corner of her eye, then said with a bright smile, "Alright! Please do!"
The girl knelt before the old nun. Her soft brown hair was gently stroked by the dry palm, shimmering like lake water. Asuna closed her eyes, hands pressing her chest, letting the nun pat her head repeatedly. Her fair face trembled slightly, as if holding something back.
"It's strange… This is a virtual world, so why does her hand feel so familiar and real…"
Hearing her murmur, Yuu couldn't help but feel curious. Even if she was a high-intelligence NPC, such reactions, expressions, and overflowing affection… Could those really come from cold data calculations?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The warm moment didn't last long. To preserve the NPC's health, the two prepared to leave the cathedral.
"Human encounters are a miracle—cherish each other."
At the door, Nun Martha patted Asuna's hand, offering kind advice.
Asuna didn't look at Yuu, only responding sweetly to Nun Martha as if speaking to family. "You too, Grandma Martha, rest well! I'll come chat again when I have time."
"Hehe, of course… cough!" Nun Martha coughed heavily again, but before Asuna could worry, she waved, smiling. "I'm fine, go on, head to the nighttime date spot I recommended!"
"Gosh, I told you we don't have that kind of relationship…" Sighing resignedly, Asuna let go of Nun Martha's hand and turned to Yuu, who was leaning against the door, looking at the scenery. With one hand on her hip, as if scolding an oblivious boyfriend, she said, "Let's go, what are you staring at?"
"Nothing."
(Since when did her tone with me get so casual? The virtual world is truly magical…)
Yuu sighed, stepping away from the door he was leaning on and walking beside her. Then he raised his brows in surprise. "Wow, you're blushing?"
"Huh?! No way!" Asuna hurriedly touched her cheeks, inexplicably avoiding his gaze. Without a mirror or similar tool and too embarrassed to ask Nun Martha, she could only mutter, "You must've seen wrong, no need to be shy," and walked off as if escaping.
Yuu lied but wasn't caught, looking at Nun Martha and nodding politely. "We'll head out then."
The question mark above her head remained gray, not yet turning golden to indicate an obtainable mission.
"Safe travels, adventurers."
Nun Martha spoke a line typical of NPCs, but her frail, sickly tone felt like it could be swallowed by the night at any moment.
After bidding farewell, Yuu turned without looking back, quickly catching up to Asuna. But before they could discuss where to go next or log off, they heard a heavy thud behind them.
"Cough, cough-cough!"
Asuna froze, turning back in disbelief.
"Grandma Martha!?"
Her heart ached as if squeezed. She was about to step forward, but Yuu had already rushed back to the cathedral door with ghostly speed, helping Grandma Martha up from the ground.
His handsome brows furrowed, Yuu asked seriously, but Nun Martha shook her head, gesturing for him to return the healing potion at her waist.
Asuna's steps halted, watching the scene with surprise, her feelings inexplicably complex.
(Is this still the indifferent Yuu-kun… Even though he sees Grandma Martha as just a game character, he noticed something was wrong with her faster than I did.)
"…Now's not the time to think about this! Grandma Martha, are you okay?!"
Snapping out of her tangled thoughts, Asuna hurried to help lift Nun Martha, frowning with worry and unease. Lying in their arms, Nun Martha looked up at the sky, chuckling weakly.
"No, no… Cough, haha, such an obvious lie can't be said anymore. Sorry for worrying you."
Asuna shook her head vigorously, her brown hair brushing Yuu's face, though she seemed oblivious.
"Don't say that. You're our savior who gave us skills and recipes! So, has your old illness flared up? I remember there's a potion shop selling…"
Like that night before her grandmother passed, when she could only cry helplessly by the bedside, Asuna's lips trembled as she spoke, her eyes reddening, emotions surging unconsciously.
"Asuna, calm down." Yuu couldn't help but interrupt.
Even if this wasn't a game, they'd known Nun Martha for less than an hour. Why was Asuna showing such deep feelings for a stranger? Were all girls this sentimental? If so, Haruno might not count as a girl.
"Nun Martha said earlier that healing potions won't work on her. It's a special illness that needs a special cure."
Stunned, Asuna looked up at him. His voice and expression steadied the shaking world before her, the anxiety in her chest slowly easing.
"A… special illness?"
Repeating softly, Asuna's eyes suddenly widened, urging him hastily. "So there's a way to cure it? What way!"
"Don't panic. Listen carefully to what Nun Martha says. This isn't the real world."
His palm patted her slender, slightly trembling shoulder. Yuu gave a faint smile, whispering, "Our mission is about to start."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, you received a reward: Vocal (Mastery Level).]
"Mission?"
Confused, Asuna looked at Nun Martha. Only then did she notice the black question mark, barely visible in the church, suddenly glowing with a faint golden light.
"Cough, cough… Asuna, Mr. Yuu."
Nun Martha coughed twice, her weary eyes looking at them, her dry lips letting out a distant, weathered voice.
"Though it's a bit sudden… Would you listen to my story, a tale not too long?"
After both nodded in agreement, the old nun squinted contentedly and, under the calm, gentle night light, began telling a love story that ended in tragedy.