Picking Up Girls With Game Exploits! (Yuri)

Coming to terms with myself felt like swallowing gravel, and I mean the big crunchy pieces, not the fun sandy kind.

After Hailie said her piece, and after I sat there pretending I was okay with it, I finally forced myself to lean back and breathe.

I just need to… breathe, while battling inner demons of biblical porpotions, and seeing the source of the problem still sitting at the table with us.

Jealousy, insecurity, that crippling little voice telling me I'm going to lose everyone eventually like I always do, but at least… I finally admitted this much:

I hadn't been the best friend to Hailie, matter of fact, I left her hanging for way too long, and the playtime she spent with her little group probably surpassed mine. She was right, I prefer to play alone, and the fact is… She's a healer just because I coerced her to.

Though… I hadn't been the worst either. I was a good friend, at least! Not the best one, probably not even a great one, but most definitely a good one, and that was enough for Hailie to not despice me, and I'm content with myself.

Deep inside, I still think I never acted with companionship in mind, just pure personal gains incentives.

Hailie sat across from me, leaning back Mei as the mage continued braiding the third and final section of that fluffy white waterfall she called hair behind her.

Valerie, stoic and statue-still, sat to my left with her broadsword resting on the table beside Mei's comically oversized witch hat. The plates and bowls were cleaned out, leaving only a glass of drink I just ordered.

"I'll wait here for a minute more," I inhaled slowly, steeling myself as I leaned forward, elbows on the table, "If Ann gets online, I swear to god, that woman's going to regret it, because I am going to…"

"You're going to what?"

The voice came from behind me, soft but amused, and before I could even fully turn my head, two larger arms slid around my shoulders, fomeone warm and tall pulled me backward into a firm embrace.

"EEK!" I jolted so hard the chair screeched across the floor and I almost hit my head against that person's face.

I turned around, still remained seated, almost held down by her grip.

Dark brown hair, streaked with silver at the edges, brushed against my cheek. It fell in soft, loose waves over my shoulder as the woman behind me rested her chin lightly above my head.

Ann Murphray was online.

Why should I be surprise? She's almost always does despite having an actual life out there… Unless she stopped teaching art and I never asked because I am indeed a bad friend

I shot up so fast the chair almost toppled over.

"Ann!"

She didn't even flinch, Ann looked at me with that calm, gently unimpressed expression of someone watching a cat slam into a sliding glass door.

"I didn't expect to find you here," she said. "Do you need to make some money, or repay your debts, per chance?"

"You! I-!" I pointed at her like an idiot while she just smiled.

Fine, if she was here now, then I wasn't wasting the opportunity.

She was trying to intimidate me, I'd assume. When she held me with that hug underneath my arm and now cornering me when at least a dozen mercenaries could be hiding inside that kitchen/brothel… I was still trying to stand my ground.

"Alright Ann…" I declared, jabbing a thumb at my chest, "Listen up, bucko! I owed you three favors, correcto?"

She nodded.

"And I'm calling all three for you!" I yelled, "They be exchanged to as three separate times I'll spare your life when I get my blade to your throat. Meaning I'm going after your ass a total of four times. Ann, you better sleep with one eye open! Because when I spare you for the third time, you'll be too scared to even log online for the actual hit."

"Oh, wonderful, you're planning ahead." Ann blinked once, she began chuckling as she clapped.

"And I will make sure to put an end to your nonsense," I huffed.

From across the table, Hailie gasped.

"Wait… that means we're on opposite sides. We might have to fight each other?"

I thought she was having doubts, but instead, her eyes sparkled like a kid hearing the ice-cream truck.

"Oh my! That sounds fun!"

"Hailie." I said slowly. "I'm threatening to kill your entire team to get to the Headquarters and kill your employer."

"I know!" She beamed. "And it'll be so fun and action-packed!"

"…" I facepalmed, "I'm surrounded by sociopaths."

Mei giggled without looking up from the braid. Valerie merely hummed, as if already strategizing how she'd kill me if a fight broke out inside the restaurant.

I reached for my katana, only to realize something uncomfortable: that my bloodlust had fizzled out. I wasn't getting Pearl today, not Ann either inside her territory, not anyone for that matter.

I exhaled through my nose, turning around to leave.

"Fine, yeah, whatever, but Hailie…" I whispered, "I hope I don't meet you as a tank, because you'll be at the frontline blocking me, and I actually have to hurt you."

"It's my decision, Cory." She tilted her head with a smile so bright that it showed her teeth, "Maybe you won't even get through my defense!"

"Bwahaha!" Valerie laughed out loud at Hailie's answer, both of her arms crossed as she leaned back on her chair, "I'm starting to like you, kid."

"Oooh~ Now I might talk you into being a tank just to mess with Cory's head." Mei giggled.

"Yeah… With that said, I'm done here." I said, "I'll… come back later, maybe, or not. Actually, no, I definitely will, because I'm not letting certain people get away with things, but just not today."

I stepped toward the door.

"Cory." Ann's voice stopped me, and she sounded serious, and smug, "Check your forum inbox."

I froze.

"Why?"

She only smiled, folding her arms.

"Just do it after you wake up, I left a gift 30 minutes ago, but you probably were online when I did so you didn't see it."

I nodded, though skeptical.

And started walking away, to somewhere safe where I can log off.