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There was a reason Largo often retreated within himself. There was a reason his "other self" came out all the time. There was a reason he could not tell reality from fantasy.
The pain. Always to avoid the pain.
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Largo walked into the courtyard. There weren't very many people there, for as Piro had said, not a lot of people he knew could afford to fly to Japan. And Piro, having not earned enough money yet, couldn't afford to have his body flown back to the United States.
He wandered around for a couple of minutes, not noticing as Kimiko passed him and walked up to the casket. She attempted to speak, but failed, and just cried softly.
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"If I died today, who do you think would cry at my funeral?"
"Why would you have a funeral? Why wouldn't you just respawn?"
"Largo, in real life you can't respawn."
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Erika approached the box, taking note of the people who were and weren't there.
^His weird American friends aren't here. Figures. Why would anybody go to the funeral of such a 'loser' if there was something they could be doing?^
She walked up to the death box.
"I can't believe you. Sure, you screwed up with the junior high-schooler, but things like that can be fixed. You were going great! You would have had everything! You could be on your way home with just a little bit of work. But you chickened out. I can't respect you for quitting. Why did you do it? What is wrong with you?"
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"What do you mean?"
"Largo, dammit, we're not in a game! We're in the real world! There is no 'respawning' here!"
"Oh..."
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Yuki entered the room, shaken deeply.
^How are you going to teach me to draw now, sensei? What did you do this for? Did you really want to be rid of me that much? Why didn't you tell me?^
She began sobbing, and then realized why.
^All this time, I have been admiring your work and thinking, 'This man must be a professional!' But when I met you, and I saw how little pride you had in your work, I couldn't believe it. So I set out to try to teach you otherwise. But you wouldn't listen! Nothing I could do would make you listen! So I decided to get you to teach me to draw so I could show you how wrong you were.^
And then she completely broke down. She began talking about a concept she wouldn't fully understand for many years to come, sobbing throughout.
^I didn't do it... for me... I... I loved... love you... I just wanted... for you... to be happy... But your drawings were all so sad... Why were you so sad, Piro? Why? Tell me this! Why?^
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"Anyways... What do you think? Who do you think would cry?"
"Nobody. I don't think anybody would cry."
"Oh? Why not?"
"What have you done? Nothing. Who are you important to? Nobody. When have you ever done something to help save someone else? Never."
"Wha-???"
"You are worthless. You have done nothing useful to anyone. You are... like me."
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Ping knew not what to say. She hadn't been programmed for this sort of thing. Could this be rejection she was sensing?
No, it couldn't be. But what was it, then?
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"Like you?"
"Yes. Like me. Why do you think I live inside games? Because I'm an active gamer?"
"Uh... yeah."
"That might be part of it, but you want to know the real reason? I can't stand who I am. I can't live with myself. So I retreat into my mind and let my 'other self' take over. I let the gamer within myself become me."
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Miho Tohya felt it was her turn to say something. She went to the proper place and spoke up.
^And I thought it would be worth seeing who you were... I never got to test you, you know. I never could. Were you the one I was looking for? Were you the one who could truly understand me? Doesn't matter now, I guess...^
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"I see."
"No, you don't. Nobody ever does. That's another part of it."
"Okay... See you Largo."
"Alright. Bye Piro... Wait, where are you going?"
"Away."
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Largo decided it was only fair for him to say something. He entered the room and spoke.
"Do you realize how much pain you have brought upon others? Can you even comprehend what you have done? No, you can't. You have no clue as to what you just did. Why, though? Did I cause it? Was it what I told you? Or was it something else? Dammit, what happened that night?!?"
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"No, Piro! What are you doing? Get away from there!"
"I hope you have a good life, Largo. I hope you do well."
"No, don't do it! Don't..."
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Piro watched everything, perched on top of the casket.
"I have to do something, Sepharim."
"You can't Piro! There's nothing you can do!"
"I still have to do something."
"Piro, dammit, you chose this. I didn't want any part of it. So accept it. Accept what you have done. There is no going back! Do you understand me?!?"
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After the service, Largo went home. He would have to move on. No matter how hard it was.
He never would be able to look at the rope without crying. But he never would be able to take it down, either
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