Celestia Re:Code (CRC)—the most famous MMORPG in Japan.
In this brutal virtual world, players gather resources, slay monsters, and fight other players to climb the ranks.
And when I say brutal—I mean it. Player-killing is allowed, loot can be stolen, and dying resets you to level one… unless you've paid real money to keep your stuff. But unlike the real world, this game has magic, runes, and limitless possibilities.
I'm Ren Kisaragi, better known as Renzu in-game. I'm one of Japan's top-ranked players. Alongside my in-game partner Lyra, we conquered territories, defeated entire guilds, and crushed any player who got in our way. Together, we made it to the top 10 on the leaderboard.
But even the strongest duos can fall apart.
For us, it started with Lyra's... possessiveness.
"Renzu-kun, let's play more... pleaaaase."
"Uh… Lyra-san, it's already past midnight. Don't you have work tomorrow? I've got school, too…"
"Ehhh? Or are you cheating on me with another girl while I'm asleep?"
What the hell. Even through chat, her yandere vibes are suffocating.
"Then… hand me your account," she typed. With a smiling emoji.
"The f—?! Why would I do that?"
Oh no. I accidentally pressed Enter.
"Uh, no, sorry, Lyra-san. I didn't mean to type that…"
"It's okay," she replied. "Then will you hand me your account?"
(pleading emoji)
Damn it. This woman. She's exhausting… but I can't deny she's acting cute.
"Lyra-san, we've only been playing together. We don't even know each other in real life. You won't even show your face on LINE."
"B-but selfies are embarrassing! Besides, I'm already 22... You might hate me because I'm older."
If only you knew how much I like older women...
As if I could say that.
"Look, Lyra-san. Sharing accounts is against the rules. Besides, we're not even dating. We only married in-game for the stat buffs, remember?"
"You're just making excuses! You're cheating on me, aren't you?!"
"I DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE!"
What's more? We're not even dating. But if I said that, she will be mad for sure.
I snapped. She responded with a stream of crying emojis.
"Lyra-san," I typed, pausing to gather my thoughts.
"I know we've played together for six months, but honestly, playing with you isn't fun anymore."
"E-eh? Why?"
"Because you're way too possessive. You won't let me party with my friends. You even threw a fit when I played with my little sister."
"B-but what if they're just another girls pretending to be your friends and little sister?!
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Let's end this partnership. You can keep all your inventory loot."
"I knew it! You're dumping me for another girl! Just admit it!"
"It's because you're paranoid, Lyra-san."
Before she could reply, I unfollowed her in-game. She couldn't contact me anymore.
It stung a little to cut her off. But her behavior had become unbearable.
Maybe I'd feel better after some sleep…
---
The Next Morning
"Onii-chan..."
"Ren onii-chan, wake up! You're going to be late for school!"
Ah, what a blessing. Woken up by my adorable little sister.
"Did you stay up late again, onii-chan? You've been playing Celestia Re:Code too much."
I patted her head. "Don't worry. Starting today, onii-chan won't stay up late anymore."
"Really?"
The reason I stayed up late is out of my life now…
"Then, will you play the game with me after school?"
"Yeah, sure. After school."
"Yatta!"
Finally, I could play freely—without worrying about Lyra-san.
While showering, my thoughts drifted back to her.
No, I wasn't thinking anything weird.
Sigh. Maybe unfollowing her was too harsh. I hadn't blocked her on LINE, though.
I checked my phone—tons of missed calls from her.
But I didn't have time for that. I had to get to school.
---
On the Way to School
I ran into Airi Kamisaka, my childhood friend.
"Hey, Ren! Stayed up late again? I saw you online last night," she said.
"Yeah…"
"Why the long face? Did you finally realize you can't bang your in-game wife?"
She's way to vulgar even for a girl.
"Well, I unfollowed her," I muttered.
Her eyes widened. "EHHH?! DID HE CUCKED YOU MY BRO?!"
"Oi, are you even a girl?"
"Yeah, why? Are my C-cups looks fake to you?"
C cups? They look padded for me.
"Nothing like cucking happened."
"Oh? Then what did happen?"
I told her everything—about Lyra, her obsessive behavior, and how I couldn't even play with my own friends anymore.
"Ren… why'd you dump her? I thought you were into yandere onee-sans?"
"Who told you that?!"
"Your doujin tag search history?"
---
Yokohama Public High School — Class B
We arrived at our school. Both Airi and I go here since it's close to where we live. We're in the same class—Class B, a.k.a. "The unfortunate class."
As for why it's called that…
"Ren, Reika-sensei wants to see you," said Shiki from the student council. "She's in a bad mood. Don't make it worse."
Airi laughed. "You're screwed, dude."
She wasn't wrong. Reika-sensei, our homeroom teacher, was terrifying. Her mood swings were insane, and her homework assignments were borderline torture.
If you pissed her off, she will make you clean the room alone.
The worst? If you bring up the game CRC on her class, she will be pissed off. For real.
Despite being gorgeous, most boys stayed far away.
But I can't lie—she is a total hottie.
Anyways, even I'm afraid, I still went to the faculty room.
"Uhmm, Reika-sensei… You called me?"
Eh? She was… crying?
"Sensei? Are you okay?"
She quickly wiped her eyes and glared at me. "Huh? You dare intrude on my personal affairs?! How about the assignment you forgot to pass yesterday? I'm gonna collect it. Now."
"Uh, well… sorry, Sensei. I forgo—"
"Oh, you forgot? Were you too busy playing games last night? Hand me your phone, Ren. I'm confiscating it."
"Eh? But—"
"No buts! Or should I call your mother?"
Reluctantly, I handed it over.
But then it hit me.
My phone wallpaper is an in-game photo of my character and Lyre-san. She will know I'm playing that CRC!
"Uh, Sensei, can I delete something first—?"
"What? Your dirty stuff? Already watching that kind of thing? Want me to punish you harder?"
"No! Wait—don't open my—!"
Too late.
She stared at the screen. Her face flushed crimson.
She stammered like she'd seen a ghost.
Did she really hate online games like that?
"U-uh… Ren… Do you also play Celestia Re:Code?"
Her furious tone had vanished. Her voice turned soft. Almost... shy.
Her mood swings were unreal. It's no use telling lies now.
"Uh, yeah… why?"
"…Is your in-game name... Renzu?"
"Eh?"