PNG Man

It hasn't been a long since ENA and I first met. Not even hours, I think. I'm not sure, it's really hard to tell time. But I do need to explain to ENA about my, uh, situation.

I am going to do it, actually. Right now. I'm going to ask right now- What is that?

I stop in my tracks and turn to marvel at this weirdness. I could hear ENA turn around and walk beside me.

"Hey, ENA? I don't really understand what I'm looking at." I said without turning to her.

Well, it looks like a low quality gif of a man dancing. You know, those guys who would dance awkwardly yet passionately. That. And he's doing it in the middle of nowhere too...

ENA, on the other hand, is exasperated.

"What's there to be confused about? It's clearly a person dancing."

"Yeah, but..." I gestured at the grainy, dancing man.

"He looks like an NPC. Or a PNG. Both, actually.”

"NPC?" ENA echoed, glancing at me.

"You know. 'Non-Playable Character.' You know what a game is, right?"

"Of course I do.” She crossed her arms over her chest, sounding a bit defensive. Hmm, “Though I do admit I don't have the time to play them much. I have sold games on numerous occasions."

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Why do you look so surprised?”

I chuckled nervously and turned my attention back to the PNG man. Somehow, the mental image of ENA doing anything with games felt wrong.

“How often do you play?” I asked.

ENA mulled over my question for a bit.

“I have not played a game for quite a while now.”

“Define ‘quite a while.’”

“Well aren't you curious!” She said, “But if you must know, it has been about five years.”

Five years, huh? That made sense. Sadly. Maybe one of these days I could somehow convince ENA to play a game? I'm not so sure… I haven't seen her sit down once.

Even when I asked for a short break, ENA only found something to keep herself busy. Is this what they call a workaholic?

"You know, I am a pretty good gamer. Why don't we play sometime?”

“No.” ENA said almost immediately.

"Why not?" I couldn't disguise the bafflement in my voice. ENA gave me a dry smile.

"It's a waste of time. Time is better spent working and contributing to society."

"What are you, a workaholic?" I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm.

"I'm very career oriented." She replied.

Well then.

On that note, we turn back to the PNG man. He's currently breakdancing now and you can tell he's putting his soul into every move. I have the very strong urge to go up to him and see if he could speak. Ask him some questions. But, I won't

Unless ENA does, of course.

After a while, ENA broke the silence. "Are you going to keep staring at this man or are we finally going to get started on your training?"

"Er- Sorry. Uh, does everyone just... do that?" I pointed at the guy.

"Not out in the open like this. I'm sure this loser just wants an audience." She snorted, "Come on, Olivia. Let's get going."

"Olive." I said.

"Hm?"

"Call me Olive, please."

"I'd prefer not to. Nicknames are too interpersonal."

"What do you mean?"

"Nevermind." ENA said impatiently, "Let's just go already!"

ENA turned and started walking away. I guess this is the end of that. I glanced at PNG Man one last time before sprinting after her.

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