DISCLAIMER: We do not own SAO
CHAPTER 1: Where it all Started
It all started when they were five.
Miharu blames Skyrim.
It's what got both her and her cousin so addicted to gaming. The year was freshly into 2014, and both of their parents were always busy. To satisfy themselves, they played video games.
All.
The.
Time.
Years passed on with every game won, failed, and replayed. It was hardly noticeable the fact they were separating themselves from the world. Even more so, the fact that they're parents were never home.
Miharu was the first to notice.
"Hikari." The eight year old nudged her half asleep cousin, who shot up in alarm at the touch. Hikari blinked sluggishly at the T.V. screen before turning to her blonde companion.
"Did I win?"
"You fell asleep halfway through the boss battle."
"Damn it." The brunette dipped her head before lifting an eyebrow at a disapproving Miharu, "What?"
"You shouldn't curse. It's bad."
"Oh, stick a sock in it."
Ignoring the halfhearted insult, Miharu turned back to the T.V., the only light in the dark living room, watching the 'Game Over' screen, "…Hikari?"
Her cousin yawned beside her, picking up a controller, "What?"
"Where's Kaa-san? Tou-san? Oji-san? Oba-san? It's midnight and their not home…"
Hikari shrugged, becoming entranced in the game again as she maneuvered the controls.
"Does it matter? They're probably late again…"
The blonde gave her cousin a considering glance, before sighing, "Yeah…"
Meanwhile, a grunt like voice in the T.V. yelled 'You have died!'. Hikari cursed under her breath, but flinched under Miharu's accusing gaze.
"That was an accident that time. I swear."
"Uh huh. Give me the controller. I'll show you what a pro can do."
Hikari scowled, but none the less handed over the item.
They beat the game ten more times that night before going to bed.
As they continued to grow, both subtly began to realize the truth. Even if they were, they're parents just didn't exist. They tried though. They'd try to get breaks from work to spend time with their daughters, but it'd always be the same. Even if the cousins were content with the way things were, they're parents worried for their future.
And somehow, they landed under the care of their grandmother at the inn she owned, working for minimum pay wage for what others kids would refer to as 'allowance'.
"I swear…" Hikari grumbled, hanging up white sheets on a clothesline as Miharu washed them next to her, "If I can't play one game console in the next ten minutes, I'm going to regurgitate rainbows."
Unfortunately, they're grandmother disapproved of video games.
"Hikari." Miharu reprimanded, pausing in her furious scrubbing of the white cloth, "We're doing this to help out. Obaa-san is too old to do these things anymore and it's only until your parents come back from America and mine from Africa."
The blue eyed brunette pouted at her cousin, "But we've got a lot of money already. We could buy so many new games! Maybe even a computer for our room."
"Two computers," Miharu corrected, narrowing her equally blue eyes, "I'm not fighting or splitting up time."
Hikari huffed as she strung up another bed sheet, "How long do you think they'll be gone? Kaa-san said they'd be back soon."
"Your parents are going through some sports car fiasco and my parents are helping the African environmentalists. I doubt they'll be back within the month." Miharu stated, and her cousin dipped her head with a sigh.
Just as Miharu said, they're parents did not return.
They first went to their grandmothers house when they were nine, working around the inn. Miharu did the cooking and repaired loose ends, while Hikari did laundry and tended the guest's pets.
In 2019, they turned ten.
"No way." Hikari stared, wide eyed and slack jawed at the twin boxes sitting in her and her cousin's room. They both sat on opposite beds, half on the desks next to them and under a open lamp.
Miharu was first to compose herself.
"Obaa-san…" She truned to the old lady standing behind them, her face set with wrinkles and a kind smile, "are those really…?"
"Hai, Miha-chan…for your tenth birthdays, I wanted to give you something special. Even if it does rot your brains…I figured giving a card just wasn't enough to show my gratitude for you girls." She ruffled both of their hair, Hikari's being chin length and Miharu's extending to her mid back. It snapped Hikari out of her shock to give a gleeful squeal.
"Computers! Actual holographic computers with speakers! Holy smack, you're the best Obaa-san!" She gave the old lady a quick hug around the waist, before darting over to the boxes, Miharu close on her tail.
The computers were pretty average, considering the time of technology. It still had the old keyboards computers use, and the old speakers. The upgrades however, allow additional holographic screens to be displayed from the original.
It sucked every drop of free time from the cousins.
And it only got worse when 2020 hit.
"That's right everyone! The head of Argus, creator of WarriorZ, EverZone, and the popular Hyperion, has finally announced the release date for the long awaited game: Sword Art Online!" A chipper voice came out of the T.V. in the lounge, some perking up to listen to the newscast while others concentrated on their breakfast.
Only Miharu, who was cleaning the coffee table in front of the television, froze. She knew those MMO's, her and Hikari played them almost religiously.
The voice continued, followed by pictures of interviewee's and game masters.
"Sword Art Online is the first of Nerve Gear's games, a virtually active role playing game! Players will enter virtual reality! So cool~!"
Much to customer's surprise, Miharu launched herself over the table, practically gluing her face to the screen. The pictures continued on, showing a strange oval like structure floating in the sky, different animals and people with weapons, some more people whacking on an anvil, and terrifyingly large monsters.
"Look forward to the Beta tests, the date is as shown below! Now onto the environmentalist issue in Chad…"
Miharu didn't wait to listen.
She was already half way down the hall, shouting her cousin's name, the date set firmly into her brain.