CHAPTER 945: CHAPTER 944: EIRIRI’S LIFE CONSULTATION (PART 2)

"What are you talking about..."

Upon hearing Eiriri’s inquiry, Asuna felt her whole body stiffen, but Eiriri just stared into her eyes.

"Don’t think I can’t tell, I am a doujinshi artist, I’m very aware of what the ones I create are like. In fact, I once sold over a thousand copies at Comiket as a super popular writer, and I’ve seen all sorts of die-hard otakus and shut-ins, but none like you. Even the most disgusting NEET shut-ins wouldn’t fall this far just over some doujinshi. But I know why you’re doing this, doujinshi is made for people to fantasize because things that can’t be accomplished in reality, not even in dreams, can be depicted and temporarily satisfy one’s needs, I can understand that, but...what are you really afraid of?"

"............"

Facing Eiriri’s inquiry, Asuna lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. Then, she clenched her fists and softly spoke.

"My family... the Yuki Family is a prestigious and noble family from Kansai... Since I was little, I have been striving as a member of the Yuki Family. My mother is a very strict and serious person. She has always overseen my life and set my life goals. What I need to do is strive to get into a good university, find a good job, meet and marry an outstanding person, and make a mark to live up to my mother’s expectations and the surname ’Yuki.’

As she spoke, Asuna’s shoulders gradually drooped.

"Honestly, I never thought about playing any games. This full dive device wasn’t even bought by me. It was bought by my brother because he had to go on a business trip, and I happened to develop some interest in this strange game, so I asked him to let me play for a day... I was just thinking of experiencing it for a moment... that’s all..."

"So you’ve been desperately trying to beat it."

Upon hearing this, Eiriri finally understood why Asuna had been desperately trying to conquer and end the game. Unlike herself, Black Cat, and Gabriel, who were drawn here out of deep interest in the game.

Being trapped in a death game is frustrating and terrifying, but conversely, at least it allows them to play games openly and rightfully—such thoughts exist to some extent. For instance, Gabriel stated outright that she wants to stay in this world forever and never go back.

However, Asuna is different. She is the treasure of her family, bearing the heavy expectations of her family. For her, this game was just a relaxing diversion she chose out of momentary curiosity, akin to someone wanting to peek into a haunted house but never actually wanting to enter a world filled with ghosts.

"...When I entered the game, I was in my third year of junior high school. That year was crucial for both me and my mother. What I should have been doing was diligently reviewing, learning knowledge, and then, like my other siblings, getting into a prestigious school to comply with my mother’s will. In a perfect world, I should now have already stepped into a high school campus, starting a new life..."

At this point, Asuna’s body began to tremble slightly.

"But as it stands? I’m trapped in this death game, my body may be lying in a hospital bed, how will everyone see me? How will they see my mother? Will they think I deserved it for being obsessed with games? But in fact, I almost never played video games! In the game, over half a year has passed, yet we still have no idea how long it will take to clear Aincrad... Two years? Three years? Four years? No one can be sure, but if I can’t leave this world, if I can’t go back, my life would become a mess..."

"........."

Looking at Asuna, who was trembling constantly, Eiriri sighed silently and reached out to hold her.

Eiriri could somewhat understand Asuna’s thoughts too. Being the daughter of a diplomat herself, she understood how immense the pressure could be for someone like Asuna.

However, unlike Asuna, Eiriri was lucky to have parents who supported her interests. They didn’t mind her creating doujinshi, and they even helped buy games and doujinshi that she was too young to purchase herself.

So at school, Eiriri had to pretend to be a well-behaved girl with good manners. But at home, she could wear her green sportswear and lazily lie at the table drawing doujinshi.

Asuna didn’t have such luck.

That’s also why Asuna’s anxiety is completely different from that of Eiriri and her friends. Eiriri has a pair of parents who love her, and for her, the task is to live well until she can leave the game and return to their embrace.

As long as she can return to the real world safely, that would be the best reward for her parents. Eiriri also believes that no matter if it’s five years, ten years, or fifteen years, her parents will always love her.

Moreover, for Eiriri, the future has many paths. Maybe the name Eri Kiwagi will fade from readers’ memories over time, but once she returns to the real world, she can start anew with a new pen name and create new manga.

Even if Eiriri wakes up at twenty, she is confident in finding her future goals and path.

But Asuna is different. For her, every day spent in the game is another day "wasted" in her life, drawing her further away from the path and life goals she was meant to pursue.

If Asuna doesn’t escape from this game world until she’s twenty, she might have no idea what to do—by that time, dying in this game world could seem like a better choice of escape for her.

It’s really troubling.

Gently patting Asuna’s back to comfort her, Eiriri frowned, lost in thought. Now she understood why Asuna was so deeply ensnared, unable to extricate herself. Her anxiety grows with each day. You could say with each passing day, her anxiety heightens. No normal person could live under such pressure indefinitely. No wonder Asuna is so absorbed in doujinshi... She is trying to escape reality through it.

Although Eiriri wanted to comfort Asuna, when the words reached her lips, she didn’t know what to say.

At such times, if Mr. Fang Zheng... Ah!

Eiriri’s eyes lit up as she thought of this.

"Asuna, let’s go on a date tomorrow!"

"Huh? A date?"

Hearing Eiriri’s suggestion, Asuna was taken aback, while Eiriri nodded with a cheerful smile.

"Yes, you, Mr. Fang Zheng, and I will go on a date. Honestly, I don’t know how to comfort you, but I believe Mr. Fang Zheng will have a way, I can assure you of that."

This was based on Eiriri’s own experience since she entered the game partially to escape the intimate interactions between her childhood friend and his girlfriend in reality. But now, Eiriri was sure that if she left this world and saw her childhood friend’s intimate interactions with his girlfriend again, she wouldn’t react anymore.

That was all thanks to Fang Zheng.

Now, Eiriri believed Asuna’s problem could also only be solved by Fang Zheng.

".........."

Hearing this, Asuna was silent for a moment, then she nodded.

"Alright..."