Half an hour later, in Chen Ze's bedroom.
"Your parents are really interesting."
Through the newly-installed CPU and camera, Renamon carefully observed Chen Ze, who was still assembling the EDEN debugging device. Curiosity filled her voice without any attempt to hide it.
"Did they really meet through 'online dating' when they were young?"
Hearing Renamon's question, Chen Ze couldn't help but glance over at the computer screen before explaining with a laugh.
"Yes, not only did they meet through online dating—they didn't even know each other's genders at first."
In fact, according to his father's stories, he'd always assumed the gaming buddy he played with online was some rich second-generation kid whose family owned mines.
It wasn't until their first face-to-face meeting that Chen Ze's father discovered, to his shock, that his supposed "bro" was actually a somewhat introverted otaku girl.
The misunderstandings and awkwardness that followed aside, it was after that first offline meeting that Chen Ze's parents gradually came together.
This was precisely why Chen Ze teased his mother about gender earlier—their romance was genuinely amusing. If someone wrote their story down, it could easily fill a novel.
"I see... So this is what family feels like?"
With her eyes curving into crescent moons, Renamon quietly listened to Chen Ze's vivid description of his parents' youth, while inwardly reflecting upon her own life in the Digital World.
Aside from the guardian of Primary Village, it seemed she'd never had anything like family.
Ever since the moment she hatched, Renamon consciously trained herself toward her future evolution, struggling to survive in that ruthless, predator-driven world.
Precisely because of such experiences, let alone family, even the existence of someone she could call a friend was rare.
Yet, after accidentally entering the network world and meeting Chen Ze, Renamon began to realize that her singular focus on growing stronger might have cost her many precious experiences.
Family, friendship—relationships that were commonplace in the human world—were things she'd never truly had.
"Then… does our relationship count as 'online romance'?"
Thinking this, Renamon suddenly asked a question that left Chen Ze staring blankly in shock.
"Since we communicate online and have established a relationship, shouldn't this count as 'online romance'?"
Seeing Renamon's serious expression, Chen Ze quickly recovered from his brief astonishment and hurried to explain.
"We definitely don't count as 'online romance.'"
"Because the prerequisite for online romance is being in a romantic relationship—not just any relationship qualifies as 'online romance.'"
"A romantic relationship?"
Renamon tilted her head slightly, showing a genuinely adorable look as she clearly failed to grasp what "romance" meant.
"Yes, so-called 'romance' is something human couples do as a kind of… trial ritual, preparing them to spend their entire lives together."
After thinking hard, Chen Ze finally settled on simplifying Renamon's understanding by calling it a "ritual."
"A 'trial ritual' to be together for life?"
Renamon looked at Chen Ze, who was still deep in thought, and nodded thoughtfully.
"I think I get it now. In other words, two people who complete this 'ritual' will stay together forever?"
Chen Ze cast a doubtful glance at Renamon. He felt there was something slightly off about her summary, but he still nodded in affirmation.
"You could put it that way. So our relationship definitely can't be called 'online romance.' At most, we're just close 'internet friends.'"
...
""That kid is definitely in an online romance.""
At the same time, in the next room, Chen Ze's parents—who were currently checking their DCEP bills—exchanged knowing glances and spoke simultaneously.
"Besides the CPU and the camera, there are two bills unaccounted for."
Although Chen Ze had very carefully concealed the payments for the EDEN goggles and debugging equipment, Father Chen—naturally sharp with electronic devices—had picked up some clues.
"The money that brat spent before was already enough to buy two CPUs and cameras."
Listening to her husband's words, Mother Chen immediately nodded and shared her own findings.
"That brat had three packages delivered today, but he only personally accepted two of them. Someone else received the third."
The couple exchanged another glance. Sharing the same intuition, meaningful smiles spread across their faces.
"Our silly little piglet has finally learned how to court a girl. I bet the other package was roses."
"No, knowing our son's personality, I think he's more likely to give his girlfriend some kind of electronic device."
"No way! It has to be roses. You think our son's like you, who gave me paid software as the first-ever gift?"
"Hah? What do you mean, 'paid software'? That was clearly a premium universal subscription to all video streaming platforms! Didn't you enjoy using it yourself?"
...
Thus, amidst the growing argument between his parents, Chen Ze next door could only sigh helplessly.
"Those two idiots—can't they at least keep their voices down? I heard everything already."
Glancing over at Renamon, whose mouth was slowly curving into a smile, Chen Ze once again felt embarrassed by having such parents.
"I actually think having family like this is quite nice."
No schemes, no struggle for survival…
Listening to the commotion from the next room, Renamon spoke quietly, envy faintly coloring her tone.
"Among Digimon, there aren't intimate relationships like family. Even the close 'internet friends' relationship we share is extremely rare."
Chen Ze was startled for a moment, then realized that besides being his "internet friend," Renamon also carried the identity of a Digimon.
Compared to humans, Digimon naturally existed within relationships built on competition and predation.
It was easy to imagine how strongly Renamon, who grew up in the Digital World, envied these unfamiliar relationships—family and friendship.
"I'm sorry, I didn't consider that earlier."
Faced with Chen Ze's sudden apology, Renamon shrugged calmly, as if nothing was unusual, maintaining her elegant composure.
"No need to apologize. Although I envy the family relationships humans have, I don't intend to involve myself in them."
Forming relationships like family and friendship with other creatures certainly freed one from a world of deceit and ruthless survival—but it also created additional vulnerabilities.
Being friends with the weak only dragged one down. Renamon understood this clearly. After all, she was already accustomed to living alone.