Help, I Think My In-Game Partner Is an NPC!

Short Story Contest, Double Flower

[Title]: My in-game partner is perfect in every way, except the longer we're together, the more he seems like an NPC from the game.

What should I do?! Should I just ask him directly?

1L: Start at the beginning and tell us in detail how your partner acts like a bot.

Thread starter: He's not a bot!! He's just the kind of person who's online every single time I log in, no matter when.

Whether it's PVP or PVE, whatever he plays, his micro-control is flawless, his gear is all optimized, and he's got top-tier weapons for both of his specializations. He can even get me, a total loser, onto the rankings. How is that reasonable?!

3L: Nothing to see here, just someone showing off their partner.

4L: Where do I get a partner like that? Give me one.

Thread starter: No, listen!! He also always wears the same old Wandering Flower outfit and never changes his character's face. When I ask why, he says he's used to it.

Guys!! He even refuses to claim the free face-customization vouchers and outfit prints!

6L: Has your partner ever kicked a drug habit?

7L: You don't see many players this purely focused on combat anymore.

Thread starter, if you're really as bad at the game as you say, and he's willing to be your partner, then this must be true love.

Thread starter: Well, we're not exactly partners. We talk online for over ten hours a day, but neither of us has made a move...

9L: Then make a move! If you don't, I will! Give us his ID!

10L: Won't make it official but keeps flirting? Player alert.

Thread starter: There's one more problem. We're both guys.

12L: ??

13L: ???

14L: Holy crap! Forgive me for asking, are you two on the Wild Moon Wheel server?

15L: Forget it, don't bother replying. This is obviously made up.

Thread starter: It really isn't made up!! Fine, I'm going to ask him right now.

67L: It's been five days. Are you still alive?

105L: Thread starter, are you still there? So, is he an NPC? Did you get together?

[A tiny little story, but the ending is happy! If you liked it, please add it to your reading list and send me some nutrient solution. I'd be incredibly grateful!]

Theme: To me, all others are grass and trees, but you are the mountain that stands firm.