As always, I was immersed in playing "FanNex". Of course, Hiro was there with me. Today, we were working on the clan house's decor. We spent money to buy our own place. And now we can decorate the furniture any way we want. This house was purchased jointly with the money Hiro and I contributed. "I had been thinking it was about time to redecorate, but..." "Once you start, it's hard to stop. Do you think we'll finish this today?" I began the redecoration on a whim. But before I knew it, real-world time had slipped into the evening. Time flies by so quickly. When I'm with Hiro, it always seems to go this way. Time is so enjoyable when we're together that it just flies by. I'm happy, but it also leaves me feeling a little lonely... Parting ways always brings a pang of sadness. ...And that's why. Today, I had a special plan in mind. "... Hey, Hiro" "Hmm?" I say it casually, with my usual light-hearted touch. "Shall we get married?" "Hmm... Ehh, What!?" Unable to just brush it off, Hiro stopped moving the furniture and looked over at me, clearly flustered. "You know, they introduced that partner system recently, right?" "Oh, that... you mean the so-called in-game marriage?" "Yeah, yeah. Want to give it a shot?" "Give it a shot, huh..." In the game, Hiro's subtle expressions are hard to read. But I could tell he was really baffled. And I... (This is so not good, not good at all! My heart, it's like it's going to burst or something!? Don't break on me, okay!? Please don't break!?) I was incredibly nervous, frantic, nearly thrown into chaos. It was something I suggested on a whim. Something I said casually. But... I meant it. I was making a genuine proposal. It's just a game marriage. Yet, it's also a marriage in the game. Even though we're connected on the internet, I can't see the other person's face, and we're not actually sitting across from each other. It's a relationship of the heart, so to speak. That's exactly why I see marriage within the game as something incredibly significant. Because it's a bond of hearts, any relationship that forms is "real". I believe that marrying in the game is just as meaningful as marrying in reality.

That means... I'm in love with Hiro. I love him so much. I am in love. They say things like "first love never comes true". Or "a child's love is just playtime". I hear such sayings often, but I don't care. It doesn't matter. I'm in love with Hiro. I love him so much that I'd want to marry him in real life, not just in the game. I am in love. And so... I wanted proof of that. Even if it's just in a game, I wanted us to be together forever. That's how much I love him. I'm hopelessly and irrevocably in love. "How about it? Let's get married?" In reality, my cheeks are burning. My heart is racing so fast, it feels like it might explode. But I don't let any of that show, and instead I suggest it with an air of nonchalance. Because, you see... To seriously want to get married... To actually say those words... ...It's just too embarrassing. Ah. Just the thought alone is enough to drive me mad. My face is burning. My heart is racing. I... I truly am deeply in love with him. I love you. "What do you think...?" "Hmm... are you saying this because... you like me?" "I do like Hiro... yeah, I guess?" "Why phrase it like a question...?" "I'm not sure." That's a lie. I understand all too well. I love him so much it's overwhelming. "But, without a doubt, we're the best of friends. So, umm... I was wondering." "Well, I also think that Iris is the one I get along with best, but..." This is dangerous. I'm so thrilled by his words, I feel like I might pass out. "But does that mean we should get married? Or rather, are you okay with that?"

"I'm fine with it. If it's with Hiro... maybe I'd be okay with it, hehe♪" "..." What is this silence? Are you feeling shy!? If you show me such a cute reaction, I'll get embarrassed too, you know?! "Besides, umm... you know, if we use the system, we get bonus items!" "Oh, now that you mention it" "So, like... I was thinking, since we're not doing anything now, maybe it's okay to...? What do you think, Hiro?" This is seriously bad. I'm so nervous it's making my heart ache. What will Hiro's response be... "Sure." "…ah…" For a moment, my mind went completely white. "Since we're here already, why not get married right away?" "Ca, Can we really...?" "Yeah. It's not going to be a problem... And, well, it might just help us become closer to each other, right?" "..." Uuuuuh... Is Hiro trying to give me a heart attack?! That line just now was devastatingly powerful! I thought I might literally swoon! "So..." "Huh?" Hiro moved in front of me and took a kneeling position. Then, he extended his hand towards me. "Iris, will you marry me?" "..." "Iris?" "..." "Eh... You didn't just doze off, did you? Or did we get disconnected?" "Ah... Yes, I'm here! I'm listening carefully!" It made me so happy. Truly happy. For a moment, I was so overwhelmed I spaced out. "Uh, well..." "Yes." "...I'm not perfect, but please take care of me." "Please take care of me too." ...And so, Hiro and I ended up getting married in the game. But to me, it was as significant as a real marriage... An incredibly vivid memory... I couldn't see the monitor because of the tears welling up in my eyes, but that's a secret. (I love you so much, Hiro) I couldn't express my true feelings in chat. In my heart, I whispered my love for him.