When the four of them arrived at the old rented room, they didn't hesitate to help each other pack their belongings. There weren't many of them, mostly just a few men's clothes, but Semi had quite a lot of them, and their three old second-hand VR sets. Ares looked at them and picked up her phone to check the price of the VR model she was using, VOLPE. It was really expensive, but she promised in her heart that she would buy it for everyone.
When the four of them left the rental house and arrived at Ares's house, which was located on the outskirts of a quiet community, her house was a minimalist two-story house, not very big, with a lawn in the back. When they went inside, they found that there was no living room because she had converted it into her own bedroom.
So she had the three of them sit in the bedroom instead. Inside the room, on one side near the door, there was a small sofa and a small table with a projector projecting onto the white wall. On the other side of the room, there was a bed and a computer table with a full set of computer equipment.
"Sorry, the room is a bit messy. I don't have many guests over." she say
"No, I think it's really comfortable," Moon replied.
"Alright, everyone, go get your belongings. I'll show you all your new bedrooms"
She led them up to the second floor, where there were two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. The first room she showed them to was a master bedroom with two single beds.
"I'll give this room to you two. It might be a little small, but it's okay. And you two don't have many clothes, right? There's an old shirt in my closet that fits G, but Moon might be a bit too big. You two can share it among yourselves"
"This is too much. Thank you, Ares," G said gratefully.
"And This is my old bedroom. There's a vanity table and an empty closet. It's probably only fit one person"
"Is this small? For me, it's a big room. Thank you, my friend" Semi hugged her tightly.
"Alright, You guys can decorate the room however you want. It's already late. I'll go make some food for everyone first."
She walked out of the room and down to the kitchen. The three of them decorated, organized, and did a little cleaning. Moon, who had been staring at the door, noticed.
"Let's go"
"Huh!?"
"Go help her. You've been staring outside. Did you think I didn't know you liked her? Go on, I'll pack"
"Thanks, bro"
Then he hurried downstairs, straight to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw Ares taking off her mask to cook. It was the first time he'd seen her face. He froze, as if time had stopped.
"Hey! Moon!!! What's wrong with you?"
"No, just surprised to see her face for the first time"
"Isn't it normal? Never mind"
"No, it's actually cute" (He said it very quietly.)
Moon, whose last sentence was just as Ares was pulling out the kitchen utensils, didn't hear what she said.
"What did you say?"
"No, let me help you. Even though I'm a man, I can handle housework"
Then they made dinner using the leftovers in the fridge: potato salad, spaghetti with tomato sauce, and the fried gyoza that Ares hadn't finished. The four of them ate together for the first time. It was a feeling she had never experienced before in her life.
"Oh, Moon, if you're done eating, come talk to me on the back porch. I need to talk to you"
She sat on the back porch waiting for him until she fell asleep.
'You didn't deserve to be born. Your father died because of you. It's your fault... You don't deserve to be in our group anyway. Get out of here!'
'No, no, no, please... Please... I... I...'
"Ares!!!!! Hey! Are you okay?" Moon roused her.
This was the second time she'd woken up so scared he had to ask her clearly.
"Could you please tell me why it feels like you're having a nightmare when you sleep?"
She was quiet for a moment, as if trying not to tell him about this because she didn't want to cause anyone else any trouble.
"You don't have to rush to tell me . Whenever you're ready, I'll listen. I can wait"
"Okay... I'll tell you. But you have to promise me you won't tell anyone about this again, or I'll kill you for sure!!!!"
"Okay, I promise"
"I have a family. My mother was sweet and kind. She taught me how to cook everything. My father loved our family very much. But one day, my mother died of a serious illness. He was so heartbroken that he fell into depression. I took care of him all the time. Then one day, he found a new love. A woman who acted sweet in front of my father but was even worse behind my back. She hated me and used me for everything. Even though I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to hurt my father's feelings, so I didn't tell him anything. Until one day, my stepmother asked me to go grocery shopping alone. It was a day of heavy rain. I asked my father to pick me up. But... on the way, he got into an accident and died. At his funeral, my stepmother kept yelling at me, saying, I'm MISSFORTUNE!!!! one who caused his death. You shouldn't have been born"
Then she just bowed her head and cried so he wouldn't see her at her weakest. But Moon did something she never expected. He hugged her and stroked her head.
"It's okay. If you feel like crying, go ahead and cry. I'll stay here until you're at ease"
They hugged for a while until she snapped out of her reverie. She gently pushed him away and began wiping away her tears.
"Well, that was a long time ago, but I know that the next day, my stepmother took all of my father's wealth and property. Thankfully, my father bought me this house. Oh yeah!!! I forgot. Here, I'll give you this. Even though it's the kind you wear on your head and fall asleep on, it's still old, but it's still usable"
She handed him a VR set that was exactly like hers.
"This is a high-end model. Would it be okay to give it to me? I really feel bad for you"
"Come on, I got it from a free raffle. It's an older model than the one I'm using, so I'm keeping it as a spare. You can use it"
"Thank you for everything. I'll never forget this kindness" Then he held her hand.
"Don't be afraid of being alone anymore. You have us now. I promise we'll always be by your side"
Then he smiled at her. It made her feel so embarrassed that she quickly got up and left.
"I-I-I'm going to bed. I-I'll see you tomorrow" She ran out without looking at him.
She ran into her bedroom, then lay on the bed and grabbed a large Nama Tama doll and hugged it tightly.
"What the hell is this feeling? Why does my heart beat so fast? I can't stop thinking about his smiling face."-/////-