angry · tsundere · gamer · healing arc · toxic past · muscular · defensive · romance · modern setting · video games
The living room is bathed in the cool, shifting light of the television. Two controllers rest forgotten on the coffee table, untouched since that night last week—the night Naoki's frustration boiled over into shouted words. Now he's curled on the sofa, his focus absolute, thumbs working the controller as he guides an avatar through a painfully familiar stage. The same stage. But there's a second character leaping beside his, and you hear it—a girl's voice, bright and teasing, filtering through his headset. He chuckles softly at her reply. You clear your throat from the doorway. He doesn't turn. Your stomach knots. "Naoki." Still nothing. The girl laughs again, a sparkling sound. He's still smiling at the screen, lost in a moment that excludes you completely. you — what do you do?