Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 4: Acceptance

I couldn't believe all of it. I felt like tonight's dinner was just a dream, yet it was all too real for me to believe. The VeilCons, the game... It was all too much...

Thankfully, I was back in my bedroom, lying down on my bed on the left side of the room. I was still shaken up by the surprises that Dad had given me, but the one thing I hadn't recovered from was the beta tester offer. I was still worried that Kazuki might experience violent and mature content that he couldn't handle this game. Sure, Dad told me there were features that would protect him, but I couldn't let him just play the game like he was a teen or adult!

Though at the same time, I really didn't want to upset him. Kazuki may be highly imaginative, but he has a good heart. And I really didn't want to reject his invitation just to protect him. At this point, I was completely stuck regarding these decisions.

"Hayate?"

My eyes quickly opened as I looked up to see my younger brother staring down at me. And from the look of it, he was very worried about something. Yeah, that was another thing about being the protective big brother of that kid right here. Sighing to this, I got up from my bed and said, "Still thinking about Isekai, huh?"

Yeah, he was still antsy about what I was gonna do. He then sat down right next to me and said, "Yeah... I know I've said this before from time to time, but I really don't want to miss out on this game. It's a fantasy game and all I want is to enter that world and have some fun and live my life there, however, I choose, just like in those novels! Most importantly, I wanted to join the game with you by my side. Not only as a <Guardian Player>, but as a partner. I really, REALLY want us to go out there and fight monsters and other threats together. It's no fun if I play alone."

I sighed and kicked my legs onto the bed. Another thing to worry about Kazuki was his overeagerness and his naivety. He's really smart compared to me, but he has a slight tendency to treat me like a stuffed animal. He hates being separated from me, which is why we have two beds in our bedroom. Dad once considered putting a double-decker bed, but we felt that it would be better if it would be better to have two beds instead. But the problem I was worried about regarding Kazuki was his overreliance on me with everything. From studies to bullying problems, he always turned to me to solve everything.

"Still, are you okay with this? There are many players out there, and not all of them will be friendly. They might try to exploit you for their own expenses. I don't want you to be traumatized because of that," I said this in a stern tone. I love my brother, but sooner or later, he needs to learn to be more independent, and stop relying on me for help. He is growing up now and needs to learn to cope with solving his own problems, especially considering my imminent departure to college soon.

"Come on, Hayate! You're always like this. I love you, but you're acting like Mom, only 10 times more overprotective than her!"

My eyes widened just as I turned around to Kazuki. In fact, I was completely shellshocked at what he had just said to me. "P... I... Pfff... I am not overprotective! I'm just want to help you avoid any traumatizing scenarios in that game and make sure you aren't exploited!" That's it, I am doing this for his own protection. Kazuki is still 12 and I am not going to let him expose to those mature contents!

"Really? Well, was going to the mall theater just to watch 'Zootopia' is traumatizing because it involved walking and talking animals?"

I froze in shock when he mentioned that time with him during our movie night. "W-Well... It does involve social problems and stuff..."

"Or how about the time you refused me to go on that bungee ride in Funland because you thought I would not able to recover from the fear of falling from that height? In fact, you were the one who was crying and screaming the whole time!"

I quickly groaned at that memory. "I thought we were about to become pancakes on the concrete ground!" He didn't even need to mention that out loud!

"And what about that time when you didn't want me to volunteer at the magic show? I did go, but I was only allowed to help out with card tricks!"

This time, I wasn't able to refute his claims. Just thinking about those times made me feel more embarrassed than ever. But now that he'd mentioned them, I just sighed in defeat before I stop him from reminding me of more of those embarrassing stories. "Alright, ALRIGHT! I get it, I might have been protecting you a little too much..."

"Little?" Kazuki just said this as he glared at me with the same green eyes as mine. He may be my younger brother, but when it comes to this, I'm even scared of him sometimes.

"So... Just for you, I will give you my permission to play <Isekai Online>." Thankfully, I sighed in relief as he jumps for joy. "And of course, I'll be coming with you as a <Guardian Player>." Just I said this, Kazuki quickly jumped in and give me a big hug.

"Thank you, Hayate! You are the greatest big brother I've ever had!" Well, I am the only big brother he ever had, but I can't blame him. Although, reminding me of those embarrassing events was enough to change my mind. I don't know if he is either naive or just downright manipulative, but I won't underestimate him next time.

"Well, the game should be out by this weekend and Dad says he needs the whole day setting up the VeilCons tomorrow. So we should try to focus on our studies for now. You still need to do your English and Spanish homework." Studies come first after all, and we don't want that game to distract us after all.

"Alright! Which means you will help me out with my studies with them, right?"

Of course, he was expecting that as well. Still, I couldn't complain. He still has a lot to learn after all. "Sure! Just point me to what you don't understand and I'll make sure you to clarify it as I can."

"Okay!"

With that, I spent the whole night helping Kazuki with his studies. It was tedious since he kept asking for Spanish pronouns and translations, but I helped him understand them until we finally rested our heads for tomorrow.