So Master, it turns out that you're the student council president.
Huh?
As I recall, the student council president's father was one of the school's...
Mm-hmm, he's on the board of directors.
For real?
You're from a rich family?!
No, not really.
At best, the family only owns a handful of companies and schools.
I'm still plenty jealous.
Now I see....
If your family is that rich, I can understand how you spend so much.
Hold on.
The money I spend on the game is money I earn myself.
I did borrow the seed money from my parents, but I've paid it all back.
Ooohhh...
People who are promised a fortune in the future...
...can all just die.
T-Take it easy, Ako.
I'm sorry.
I lost my head, there.
But you know, I kind of had the same reaction.
Ohhh...
It's a pretty strict home.
They even control who I can make friend's with, but I convinced my parents to let me play net games!
And as a result, I got to know all of you, but...
...I don't have a single... real-life friend.
Master!
Let's go and fight those normalfags together!
Ako, we are comrades!
It pains my heart just watching them.
I never wanted to see that kind of handclasp.
I thought we couldn't play net games at school?
To sum up...
...the most important thing...
...is having a powerful weapon.
Spending money to buff your armor is inefficient.
Oh, no, armor is important.
The hurdles required for choosing your armor are higher than for weapons.
It's more efficient to level your firepower, and go to high-level grinding spots.
And how many times has that ended up painfully for me, "your bad self"?
Wha—?
I told you not to say that!
No, I will say it! I daresay it!
Now, hold on, you guys.
There's a simpler, more perfect way to do this.
And that's—
You stay out of this, you wallet warrior!
What an awful way to treat your Master.
Here, here!
If I were to spend money, it would be on appearance.
I can leave everything alone and the rest of you will kill everything.
Listen, seriously, screw you.
I will knock you down.
Ako is our healer, so I can agree with her opinion on defensive gear.
But then, Rusian dies before I can heal him.
Just so you know, as the main tank, I can hold my own.
Our healer sucks at her job, which is why armor is so important.
I won't deny anything about that.
Mm-hmm, there's no room for debate there.
Ah! I can't hear you!
Um, you know...
I'm sorry.
Maegasaki Train Station
Why are you apologizing?
Well... to be honest, I thought...
...all of you were guys!
Oh, is that all?
Huh?
I told you I was a high school girl in real life, and you didn't believe me in the least.
When we first met up, you made a hell of a face, you know.
That's mostly because of you.
I always figured that games and reality were separate, but I really did enjoy actually meeting you all.
It's like, wow, my pals in the game are great in real life, too.
Lame. Not to mention gross.
Isn't that a bit mean?
In both the game and in real life, my reactions are the same.
Hey, I'm in no position to point fingers.
There was part of me that wondered whether Rusian was the kind of guy who would leer at a girl.
So we're even.
However...
...if you try to act chummy with me at school, you'll get no mercy.
Okay?
Okay.
Very good.
A-Ako?
You don't have to be jealous, I'm not out to steal your husband.
I wouldn't want him.
How rude!
Well, see you later.
Yeah.
Rusian, you thought I was a guy?
Sorry. In all honesty, I thought you might be an older man.
Why is that?
I said I was a girl, remember?
Didn't you believe me?
S-Sorry.
Still, that being the case...
...why did you agree to marry me?
I thought, even if you were a guy, that's cool.
Huh?!
No, no, I don't mean like that!
The game and reality are different things, so...!
Even if you were a guy in real life... in the game, you're still Ako...
...so I thought, why not?
So um, what you're saying is...
...age, looks, gender, and all that didn't matter, and you were just nice enough...
...to start liking me, is that it?
Yes. That's right.
Me, too!
I wanted to be with you because you are Rusian!
Even if Rusian wasn't a boy the same age as me, or whoever I thought you were.
I definitely, definitely...
...loved you!
I mean it!
Y-Yeah...
Thanks, Ako.
Calm down!
The game and reality are separate! The game and reality are separate!
Rusian?
I-It's getting late!
Let's go home!
Right, Rusian!
I'll see you later! Wavies!
Yeah...
U-Um... Um...
Not too shabby, Rusian.
Leave some for my bad self, would you?
Ako, your game is worse than usual.
Playing like this is still the same as always...
I-I'm doing the best I can.
...except this happens.
Your healing can be a little bit slow, but I don't mind at all.
Sometimes you just end up spinning your wheels.
Don't worry about it, Ako.
Yeah, don't worry about it.
I've just been losing buttloads of EXP to death penalties, that's all.
I'm sorry, Rusian!
I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
Well, I think I'm about ready to log off.
I have something to handle in the morning.
At school?
Right.
Being the president is usually relaxed, but there are times when it gets busy.
Feel free to call me "Master" if you see me at school.
I'm not doing that!
Hey, Schew, you're slipping out of character.
Oink.
Y-Yeah.
Well, me, too.
I'm going to take a bath and go to bed.
A bath...?
What are you picturing?
Huh? No! I wasn—
Bye, then.
Yeah, go wash off that sweat in the tub!
Like she's worked up a sweat.
Huh?
She's not a pig, like you, "Schwein-san."
Don't call my bad self...
Oink!
...a pig!
You really are a pest, you know!
Like I said, you slipping out again.
Now that you've seen my face, this is a lot harder to do!
It would be, huh, being a pig?
Remember, if you start acting chummy with me at school,
I really will stick you like a pig.
I get it.
I won't tell anyone, and I won't change how I act.
You mean it?
Oink!
I'm counting in you.
The game and reality are separate.
Also, don't act too familiar with Ako, either.
I'd hate for any funny rumors to get started about her.
I get it, already.
Well, my bad self will log off now.
Oh, and could you pick one character and stick with it?
Oink...
Oh, shut up!
G-Good morning... Nishimura...
Yeah... good morning.
Huh? W-Why are you talking to me all of a sudden?!
Whoa, aren't you being a bit irrational?
I see you two are getting along fine today.
H-How do I get along fine with that disgusting guy?!
Okay, I'm sorry, Segawa.
My bad.
Wait up, Akane!
Did you crash and burn, too?
No, it's not that.
Yeah, you've got no problem.
You've got your two-dimensional, no-depth waifu, after all.
Just so you know, my wife is surprisingly cute, not to mention wholeheartedly—
There you are, Rusian!
Rusian!
What's a Rusian?
B-Beats me.
Oh, she's coming over here.
Good morning, Rusian.
Eh? Nishimura, you know her?
N-No...
Rusian, you're in Class 2, I see.
Rusian? Is that you?
No, um... that is...
Is something the matter, Rusian?
Are you not feeling well, Rusian?
Are you okay, Rusian?
Rusian?!
Rusian this, Rusian that...
Stop calling me that!
And what do you even want?!
W-Well...
...we didn't get to stay with each other very long last night!
Huh?
A-Ako, w-what are you talking about?
Oh, please don't make me say it, Rusian...
I-It's not like that!
It's embarrassing, isn't it?
She doesn't mean it that way!
Really! Really!
So, um, what is your relationship with each other?
Oh, Rusian, how embarrassing!
Wait! Don't answer that!
Rusian is...
...my dear husband.
Excuse me, Tamaki-san.
I don't know from Rusians and husbands, but take that otaku talk outside, would you?
Come on, like Segawa says, let's go outside.
Ah! Schew-chan!
Schew-chan, you're in the same class as Rusian, are you?
How nice.
Way— You—
Schew-chan?
I-I don't know what you're talking about, but let's take it outside.
Hmm? How come?
I'm saying let's step outside.
You get it?
Huh? Schew-chan, are you angry?
Ah, because I didn't use your full name, right?
Good morning, Schwein-san.
You aren't saying "my bad self" and "out with it" today, are you?
N...
"N..."?
No!!
Take it easy, Schwe— Segawa!
You keep your mouth shut, too!
What is this?
Do you three know each other?
No!
Just come with me!
Schew-chan?
Stop saying Schew-chan!
Schwein-san!
That's not what I meant!
Um, did I do something wrong?
See if you can tell me anything you didn't do wrong!
Sch-Schew-chan, why are you upset?
Because you're calling her "Schew" and "Schwein."
Huh? Can't I do that?
Of course not!
Listen, Ako, "Rusian" and "Schwein" are only our names in the game, right?
Consider the time and place.
B-But, to me, my friends are Rusian and Schew-chan...
We're not playing the game right now.
The game and reality are separate, right?
Huh? Why is that?
Eh?
A-Ako...
What are you saying?
Did I say something strange?
Then, Schew-chan, you and I aren't friends?
After playing together for so long, and chatting every day...
N-No, no...
L-Listen...
Rusian, are you and I strangers, having nothing to do with each other?
But I love you, and Rusian, you said you loved me...
You even married me...
What do we do?
She's your wife, right?
Do something about this.
For now, let's play along with her.
Okay.
Come on!
Ako, you're an important member of the guild, and our friend!
Yeah, yeah!
You're lying!
You’re about to say something mean about me, aren't you?!
Just like that doujin! Just like that doujin!
We won't.
Really?
Yeah. Ako, you're still Ako, after all.
In the game, y-you're my dear w-wife, after all.
What we mean is that we don't like using our game names in real life.
Being a pig and all, right?
Oh, shut up!
At school, I'm passing as someone who would never play games, let alone net games.
Then, what do I call you?
You can just call me Segawa, or Akane, like normal.
S-S-Segawa-san?
Yes, Tamaki-san.
Are we still friends?
I said we were, didn't I?
Thank goodness...
You can call me Nishimura, too.
N-Nishimura-kun...
Yeah, Ako— I mean, Tamaki-san.
You can call me Ako.
Well, actually...
I want you to call me Ako!
Maybe once we get to be more familiar...
Then I'll just keep calling you Rusian.
I beg your pardon, Ako-san!
This is why I love you, Rusian!
I-It's Nishimura, remember?
Wimp.
Shut up!
Um, Schew-ch—
Segawa-san, I can talk to you, too, right?
Sure, but no talking about net games, okay?
That's impossible!
Why not?
Well, there's nothing else to talk about.
Doesn't that sound sad?
Well, we can always talk all you want in the evening while gaming.
Have your husband pick up the slack in the meantime.
Rusian, is that okay with you?
Well, I wish you'd refrain from the "Rusian" and "husband" business,
but other than that, sure.
Rusian, you really are on my side!
Did you hear what I said?
Hey, there!
Homeroom is about to begin.
It's only morning, and I'm exhausted.
Ah, Rusian, I made us lunch, so let's have it together.
Huh? Why would you do that?
Well, Rusian, you are my husband, after all.
Yeah, but like I said, that's just in the game, right?
Yes, we got married, right?
Nishimura... I've been thinking something...
Yeah, I think I know what you mean.
Ako... can't distinguish between the game and real life.
Student Council Room
I see.
That is funny!
It is not funny!
It took years off my life!
I'm sorry.
No, it's nothing you have to apologize for.
She even made lunch for him.
Mm-hmm, for you, it's only natural to make lunch for your husband Rusian, isn't it?
Is that unusual?
Well, it's true that you and Rusian have been together a long time, fell in love, and at last, got married.
However, that all happened within the game.
I doubt you found love with someone whose name and face you never knew.
That's not true!
It's because I didn't know him!
Chatting with Rusian,
I came to like him because our hearts touched each other.
It's a much, much purer love than that of all the normalfags around us.
When you say it that way, you make a good point.
Master, stand your ground.
Still, don't you find yourself not entirely denying what she's saying?
I think Ako really does purely like you for who you are.
But in the game, that's all jumbled together with a character's appearances and stats, right?
On top of that, I was always looking after Ako, so of course she thinks more of me.
It's not that.
I sometimes played the game with people besides you, Rusian, but they all left me right away.
But Rusian, you stuck with me the whole time.
No matter how often I goofed up, no matter how often I forgot, no matter how often anything...
That's why...
...I love you.
Yeah, okay, okay, best wishes and all that.
I'm leaving now.
Wait, Segawa!
If you leave, it won't be pretty—
Don't talk to me, you hookup troll!
H-Hookup troll, you say?!
You're wrong!
You're wrong, you're wrong!
How am I wrong?
What's a hookup troll?
Someone on net games looking for girls naive about men—
Okay, fine!
Let's do this.
Let's do this, Ako.
D-Do what?
Change your mentality!
Change my mentality?
That's right!
The game and reality are separate!
We're going to make you understand that!
Why would you do something so terrifying?!
Rusian, that's downright heresy!
That's easy to say, but how?
Well, let's see...
We just have to get across that Rusian, in the game, and me, in real life, are two different things.
Mm-hmm, we just have to make her realize that the game is not reality.
Master, do you have an idea?
Yeah, just leave everything to me.
Modern Communication Electronic Game Club
"Modern Communication...
...Electronic Game Club"?
Sounds like a net game club, doesn't it?
Sorry.
Didn't mean to keep you waiting.
My hands were a bit full with some application forms.
Application forms...?
Look inside and you'll understand.
Welcome to the Modern Communication Electronic Game Club!
That's too long.
The Net Game Club, for short.
I am the club president...
...Goshouin Kyou!
Fellow club members, what do you say we take this club, and together, get the fun started?
Net Game Club?
Club members?
Our club activities will primarily be after-school online gaming, and offline parties on our days off.
Wait, wait, isn't this weird?
How so?
Don't give "how so" me...
How you decided on this at lunch and already have these computers, or how we already club members.
I don't know were to start!
Right, Ako?
Yes?
Although I am wonder how she did such fine work, but there's nothing weird about it, isn't it?
I was stupid to expect something from you...
How mean!
So we can just consider this us making a Net Game Club and playing net games, then?
We'll all get to play together, right?
That's right! Isn't this fantastic?!
It's amazing, all right.
Well, I'll be leaving now.
Hold on, Schwein. Why are you leaving?
Don't call me Schwein!
Listen, I'm fine with just playing net games as a regular hobby.
Aren't you the one who said you wouldn't want a boyfriend, because it would cut into your login time?
If you extended your playing time by two hours, just think of how much more you could earn in one day.
B-But I just want a normal high school girl life at school...
You'll quickly get outleveled by the rest of us,
our grinding spots will change, and Schwein won't be able to play with us.
Wouldn't that be a shame?
I don't care what you say, I...
Whoa, check out this rig!
These specs are way too high!
This computer is built only to play net games!
Come to think of it, Schwein, your PC was fairly underpowered, huh?
That's right! It was a hand-me-down!
You're free to use these, if you like, Schwein.
As appealing as that is, it's not enough...
That's dirty! Leave it to Master to play dirty!
Give it up, Schwein.
I get it already!
I'm join in, okay?! I'm join!
But in return, I get to do whatever I like with her!
Okay then, we can now safely convene the Net Game Club.
But Master, why did you go to the trouble of making this club?
What kind of question is that, Rusian?
It's for you and Ako.
For us?
Huh?
We have to show Ako the difference between the game and reality.
Isn't that what you said?
I said, but...
The characters in the game and the people in here exist simultaneously.
If we're to show Ako the difference between the game and reality, these are the best circumstances, right?
I get it.
I don't think this will change anything.
No, I'm a pathetic guy!
I will destroy that illusion of yours!
This line alone already sounds pretty pitiful to me.
No.
I'll prove to you that my love runs much deeper than that!
I couldn't ask for more!
Right!
I am so pathetic!
That just isn't true!
I guess the others aren't logged in yet.
Huh? Rusian?
Long time meow see!
I thought net games and reality were different?
Nishimura's misfortune make my food taste so much better.
Is sweet like honey.
Urgh, are you trolling me, you pig?!
Who are you calling a pig?! I'll stick you like one!
Yeah, exactly like one!