VRMMO | Terris Story: Someone "Them"

01:A.Eccentric One, Their Life

A glass of coffee in his hand was still puffing steam.

Supposedly, such a high temperature was enough to make one's tongue burn. But worse, a girl who was sitting in front of the monitor screen was gulping down everything in just one drink.

"Milk. . ." Linnea took a deep breath, and now it was her mouth's turn to let out hot steam.

But in the middle of her leisure time, Alice said in a high tone. 'Enough! Coffee addiction is not healthy at all!'

Indeed, addiction is not a good thing. However, Linnea who heard Alice's words immediately made an excuse. "But, Alice—"

'—No 'but'! That's the sixth glass, Linnea! Half dozen!' cut Alice, not wanting to hear an excuse.

"Huh?"

And as the quantity statement sounded, five medium-sized glasses had lined up neatly beside his table. Linnea soon realized that her condition was too much, even for the size of a coffee connoisseur.

. . . A Coffee Addict.

And even if it's just instant coffee with low levels of caffeine, coffee is still coffee. Drinks with caffeine that are unconsciously addictive. However, Linnea is very dependent on this one drink.

Because of a unique state of Self Alternative Parallel Mind Syndrome —abbreviated Slaveminds, Linnea always experiences mental fatigue earlier than most people in general. For this reason, it requires a caffeine effect that keeps it conscious despite being pushy.

Without it, Linnea actually has a need for sleep that can compete closely with a cat.

Meanwhile, Linnea who was starting to feel tired finally glanced at the digital clock on the monitor screen. Just to make himself open his eyes wider.

04.52

". . ." Linnea was silent with a bitter face, as she realized it was too late to sleep.

His mind was too focused to work on the heap of tasks that had been mounting all night —a mystical phenomenon of slackers called a one-day marathon.

Although Linnea was in fact more than capable of doing everything very quickly and efficiently, her biggest obstacle was like the inhuman Last Boss of a game.

One that is said to be part of the seven great sins, laziness.

And even though Alice always reminded him whenever there was free time, Linnea practically let him in the right ear, out the left ear.

"Uuh, caffeine tablets, caffeine tablets. . ."

Linnea who was starting to mess up finally looked for what he needed, while his hand tore through the pile of things around him became increasingly messy.

'. . . Tas.' Alice replied in a reluctant tone.

"Ah, thanks."

'Haaah. . . equally.'

Linnea grabbed a plain white bag beside her monitor and took out a bottle that still had a seal.

Something she had to carry with her wherever and whenever. Without caffeine tablets, Linnea would really be difficult to move like a normal person. Either his mind slowly loses concentration, or falls asleep suddenly. Clearly, he should avoid that.

Two caffeine tablets went straight into his mouth without a second thought, followed by a bottle of mineral water that happened to be nearby.

'All right, let's hurry.' said Alice.

Linnea itself does not take much time to get ready. Turn off the computer, take a shower, wear a uniform and finally snatch the packaged bread on the floor for breakfast.

. . . There's nothing wrong with that.

Linnea actually took out a wrapped bun lying on the floor just like that and ate it.

The room belonged to the girl was actually quite simple, literally. There was only a bed, a wardrobe, a computer set and an indoor bathroom. However, do not ever expect his room was in a neat condition —even though it can be called 'room'.

Because in reality, the state of the entire room was the best definition of the words 'broken ship', unless the location this time was on land.

Stuff was scattered everywhere; dirty and clean clothes, piles of books of various types, smartphones that were never used, empty wrappers of snacks, and breakfast bread.

As a second child, Linnea was the most disheveled of all Amaryllis family members in terms of self-care.

Of course Linnea would have been subject to the wrath of the gods had her parents known this, but since her own parents were so busy with their work, she had survived until now.

On the other hand, Alice could only give up seeing the girl's behavior; hoping that her pent-up desire to hit the girl's head would be granted one day.

Well, Linnea herself had to be careful with the eyes, ears and mouth of others. Those three things were more than capable of submerging him to the bottom.

And even more terrifying than that are those who are called journalists. Because of their existence every member of the Amaryllis family has at least been highlighted by the mass media. For people with influence will always be a concern, and Linnea who is bound by the name of Amaryllis does not escape the troublesome spotlight of it.

He can actually ignore all that with the indifference he builds to face the reactions of others. But he also did not want to ruin his family's good name for some reason. So at least, hiding her true nature in public is a must.

Before exiting the room, Linnea finally put on a mask on herself. Like pressing a switch from 'her true self' to 'her public self', the girl put on the face of a normal student as if to be a completely different person.

And as a final security measure, Linnea tightly locked the door of her room; she could not let even an ant in and know the contents of her room. Because if that happens, everything can be bad.

But if you think about it, the existence of the spare key must be no one who holds it. It is likely to be in the hands of the Amaryllis family aides.

But that was not a problem, as he had already anticipated it by replacing the door of his room discreetly. Except for Linnea herself, no one was able to enter her room. Of course, without the use of violence.

But let's forget that possibility because the door is made of metal Nano Carbon. Even if it was hit by a High-Explosive bullet from a Tank, the door would not budge. In fact, its walls were about to fall apart.

Well, after all who would use a weapon of mass destruction, just to barge into the room of an innocent girl?

Turning out, the Amaryllis family home was arguably grand and spacious. A representation of how strong the girl's family was. But precisely because of its breadth, Linnea grumbled about how troublesome it was; she hated foot sports.

The sky was still a bit dark while the air was quite cold. Reaching the front yard, Linnea was greeted by someone in a complete Butler uniform along with a car. And just as the girl was facing each other, the Butler called out to his master in a slightly harsh tone that was unexpected altogether.

"Miss Linnea."

"Yes, what's wrong?" asked Linnea with a flat face, looking eye to eye without showing any meaningful expression.

"Please don't push yourself, your health is more important."

"Umk. . ." Linnea let out a low voice as soon as she was caught off guard.

Butler in front of him was Haris, the person who used to take him anywhere. Because he had known the character of his master long enough, he could know the state of Linnea just by looking at it.

". . . Come on, be-depart." take Linnea, try to divert the conversation.

Without being able to do anything, Haris sighed softly and immediately opened the car door behind him without saying any more.

. . .

Streets full of vehicles passing by. The girl's hometown never rested from her busyness. Linnea looked out with a deep gaze. The street lights were still on, merging with the aged trees. He likes this city.

However, Haris words immediately disturbed that momentary moment. "Miss, the schedule for her regular check-ups is today."

"I. . know." replied Linnea nodding excitedly. It could be seen clearly if the girl did not like him at all.

Linnea is routinely visited by medical personnel at home. It was none other than his parents' efforts to heal him from the Slaveminds.

. . . Said.

But the truth was, Linnea strongly rejected that and said she was fine. Merely, the words of the psychologists were not something that could be ignored by them. Circumstances that are like a madman claiming to be sane, anyone would trust the words of a psychiatrist more than the person himself.

"Alice. . ." said Linnea shrillly.

'I'm fine, no problem.' Alice answered softly.

Linnea did not care about the words of others. Not with anything they call a disorder that he suffered.

. . . Why do they insist on this?

Haris looked at the look on the girl's face. He understood the sadness a little, although he was a little hesitant with 'Alice' whose existence is often referred to as a mental problem.

But Haris is just a Butler, he can't do anything about it. And because of that, at least he felt he had to be the one to listen to the girl's complaints, simply because his feelings said so.

"Miss, we've arrived" said Haris, resuscitating Linnea from her gloomy daydream.

"A. . ? Brother Haris, please pick me up later in the afternoon" he said, getting out of the car.

Haris could only smile a little and shook his head slowly. Ever since knowing the age of those who were only five years apart, Linnea started to add her sister's words to her. It's kind of weird, considering he's still tied up as a butler.

In front of the school gate, Linnea finally appeared as an exemplary 'passing' student. Still quiet, the digital clock at his school gate showed at 05:37. It's too early because the school starts at 07:45.