Offline for the First Time

Hina lifted her glass and took a long sip of the dark soda, ice clinking softly.

“Okay but seriously, the last boss on that cathedral run was so cheap. Who designs a mechanic that one-shots the tank if the healer blinks?”

Sona smiled weakly and stirred her iced tea with the straw.

“I-I was watching the timer… I just panicked for a second when the adds spawned.”

Sarah leaned back in her chair, arms loosely crossed, silver hair still neat in its bun.

“You recovered fine. We’ve wiped to worse.”

Kanna kept her eyes on the table, both hands wrapped around her glass. She hadn’t drunk much yet.

“I still hate that fight… the cast times are so tight…”

Amaya sat with one elbow resting lightly on the table, the other hand turning her glass slowly. The floral pattern on her top caught the warm light.

“The coordination was better than last week. We’re getting cleaner.”

Hina grinned and nudged Sona’s arm with her elbow.

“See? Even Amaya says we’re improving. We should celebrate properly. Next round’s on me if he ever shows up.”

Sona’s cheeks colored faintly. She glanced toward the door, then quickly back down at her drink.

“D-do you think he’ll recognize any of us from… you know… the way we type?”

Sarah gave a short, quiet huff that might have been a laugh.

“Unlikely. We never used voice. Never shared pictures. He’s walking in completely blind.”

Kanna’s shoulders tensed a little. She spoke almost under her breath.

“That’s what scares me…”

Amaya looked at her gently, then around the table.

“We’ll handle it. One step at a time. For now we’re just five people having drinks. That’s all.”

Hina raised her glass again, the movement casual.

“I’ll drink to that. To finally sitting at the same table.”

The others lifted their glasses in a loose, slightly awkward toast. Ice shifted. Condensation left faint rings on the wood. Outside, the evening continued as if nothing unusual was about to happen.