Versatile: Alternate World

Riko is my childhood friend and once a neighbor before they moved houses due to the nature of her father's work. Still, it was a good thing her father asked her to remain in our school during that time so that she will not get behind on the lessons instead of transferring so she remained here while living with her aunt and cousins.

Before she moved in, she would always do some drop kick or the most common charged kick like she did earlier which is to run in the great distance before kicking with full force the front door. If I remember right in this timeline, this will be her 30th time kicking our front door.

"Hey! What the hell Riko! This is not your house, why are you kicking the door!?" Janus sweats as this is his first time seeing Riko's violent tendencies.

"It's not my house so it is fine~ Don't think too much about it," Riko grinned.

"The hell with "Don't think too much about it!" You smashed the front door again to pieces for the 30th time! What the hell do you think our door, some sort of dummy you can kick without problem?!"

"Shut up and take my money!" Riko pulled out her wallet and hand it to me without hesitation.

I scratch my head and take it before she changes her mind back. There is no way I am paying for this, especially since I didn't break it but this gal did. Now that I think about it, she would be perfect to be a Berserker or a Fighter since her strength will be a real good factor in this. I bet she can one-shot bosses using her dropkick alone.

"Now that you have taken my money, give me an explanation on why you blocked my messages? Is that even a good thing to do to your friend, huh?!"

I facepalmed myself. This has been also part of my past timeline but it was easily dismissed since I have too much trouble and I needed the money that time which made me a little bit serious. However, in this timeline, I am no longer troubled by money. What alibi will I be able to use this time?

"My phone is broken after my phone accidentally got wet last time so I have not been able to make any mobile operations and unblocked you."

"I smell some lying words in there, sniff," Riko looked at me with a frown on her face. She is meticulously looking at me with a gaze that seems to be ready to pierce the soul.

Just then, Sora appeared from the kitchen alongside Akira helping her walk around without bumping into walls.

"Big brother? What is going on? Why is it so noisy just now?"

When Sora started speaking, Riko who was fixated on me for lying suddenly shifted her attention to Sora. Immediately, her gears changed from angry berserk gorilla to fangirl.

"Waaahh! She is so cute! Manato! I didn't know you have a sibling! You didn't tell me all these years!"

I scratch my head and sighed. "She is not my sibling. That boy over there is her brother, not me. She is just calling me Big Brother for honorifics. Don't jump to conclusions."

"A big sister acquaintance of Big Brother? Hello, I am Sora, this is my brother Akira. Nice to meet you!"

I swear my eyes did not deceive me as I notice that Riko's eyes went to heart shape earlier.

"Kyaaaah!~ What an adorable little lady! You should have told me earlier, Manato~"

...

It took me and Janus a few tries before Riko stop herself from fangirl mode. I can only shake my head at her since she is like this ever since we are kids. Whenever she spotted one cute girl around the age of 12 or below, she quickly squeals and immediately goes to fangirl mode. The good thing is that she only activates this kind of behavior if the person in question is someone acquaintance of her friends or anyone close to her. If she does this to strangers, I don't know if she will be labeled as a molester or a pedophile. Akira took her sister back to their room to avoid Riko for now since she won't calm down if Sora is still within her line of sight.

"There, you have already unblocked me. Next time, you should ask Janus to contact me so that I know. It is different before since we are no longer neighbors so I can't check you whenever I wanted to. You might be doing things that can harm your body so I can't just relax easily," Riko said as she retrieves her phone from me who borrowed it to unblock her messages. I didn't use the HoloPhone yet since they will not believe I bought it especially since the HoloPhone is expensive.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't be such a worrywart, I am not someone who disregards my health."

"Alright then, since I am already here, I am going to ask if you still play games Manato. I know your family's situation so you might be busy right now but I will ask anyway."

"I still play games. I don't think I will be able to stop playing games at all. Why do you ask?"

"Have you heard of Alternate World?" Riko asked.

My ears perked up when I heard her say it. Just like in the past timeline, she also did this before.

"Indeed I have. The VR MMORPG was released by the company Reality Verse. I am informed about it."

"Are you currently playing the game?" Janus seems interested in our conversation. If I remember right, he will start playing after the update.

"Idiot! You already know that Manato has money problems right now so how can he afford a Reality Verse Cabin?"

"Ah, f*ck, I am sorry about that Manato, I forgot about your situation."

"No worries about it."

"If that is the case, you should play the game. I still have a spare cabin that I can give out to you. It was a spare one from my uncle since he sent one after we have bought ours which leads to this cabin not used since we already have ours," Riko explained.

"Huh? Do you have a spare Reality Verse Cabin? Why you didn't say so? I should have asked for it!" Janus said as his eyes sparkle when he heard that Riko is giving it for free. After all, Reality Verse Cabins are expensive.

"You are rich as hell, Janus, you can buy it yourself. Anyways, if you are interested in this Manato, you can have the extra cabin. This game supports game currency conversion to real money. It might help you with your problem!"

Riko also presented me with the option to play it in the past timeline. However, I declined due to the situation and I don't want to disappoint my parents before so I declined it before. If I didn't decline it before, I might have not been used by other people and managed to earn money properly. Maybe things might have taken to an interesting turn if that was the choice I have chosen. I might have not been humiliated so badly by the bullies and became cannon fodder.

"Ha, I am sorry Riko but I don't think I have the luxury to play right now. You can give it to Janus instead. He will appreciate it," I smiled.

"But..." Riko wanted to change my decision but I press on further.

"It doesn't matter much, Riko. I am too busy anyway so it would be better for Janus to play."

"..." Riko became disappointed.

"Are you sure Manato? Reality Verse Cabins are expensive so using one is a blessing indeed," Janus is also surprised by my decision.

"I appreciate the thought, however, I am still saving to buy a cabin for the game. I don't want to ask for help."

Lying is not my best forte but I have to do it. If I wanted my plans to work, I have to wait for two months before I can reveal myself to the two of you in the game.