Chapter 1: Prologue

Beep Beep Beep Beep~! Clank~!

A dim light entered my tiny room though the shutters of my old window. I woke up; cold, numb, and a little bit still sleepy. I turned my head to my right as I opened my left eye, and glanced at my LED Alarm Clock.

It was 7:30 AM, November 6th 2022.

I now opened both of my eyelids, and began to sit up. The sheets and covers on my bed were as messy as always. I never cared about them. I'd only made my bed if my mom or dad screamed at me. I looked around my room, posters of the popular VRMMORPG "Sword Art Online" were hanged everywhere on the blue walls of my room.

That was when I realized that today was Sword Art Online's release date.

I quickly got onto my feet at the moment, and grabbed my jacket, phone, keys and wallet as soon as possible; and raced down the wooden stairs as quick as possible.

As I was making my way down the stairs, I could smell and hear my mom's cooking. Omelet was probably what she was cooking, because of the smell of it.

"Mom, dad, I'm heading downtown!" said me

"Okay, son!" replied my mom. "Be back soon, I'm heading to work today"

"What? I thought you're free today..." said me.

"I'll be back in 2 days, and by the way, your grandparents are coming"

"Okay..."

I walked slowly pass the living room of the house. I can smell nothing but the sweet scent of orchids there, since my mom had put some orchids in the vases that day. Sunlight enlightened the room through the old white shutters. Everything was spotless, even the glass table, the TV stand, the bookshelves, and even the flat screen TV.

I placed my palm on the garages door knob, and twisted it open. Dad was in the garage all morning probably fixing the car for mom, when she's on the business trip or something.

The garage was really messy. Tools and stuff were scattered everywhere. Drops of oil were on the floor and on the walls as well.

"Good morning, son" said my dad.

"Morning" replied me with a smile.

"Why are you up this early?"

"Well, I'm going to a convention"

"Oh, you better come back soon!" replied dad. "I'm heading out with my friends for a day"

"Oh, okay" replied me with a smirk this time.

"Here, buy something to eat when I'm gone" said him as he handed me 4000 Yen.

I grabbed the money and then placing it into my wallet, with a smile on my face. I jumped onto the seat of my bike and kicked the pedals out of the garage since the gate of the garage is already opened.

Sunlight shone onto my face, as I left the garage. The leaves on the trees were amber, yellow, and light green. Cherry blossoms were falling to the ground. The scent of the air was wet, and cool.

The neighborhood was really peaceful. It's a mix of modern and old buildings, which is really great. There are few shops and restaurants, but the local market and high school is really near to my house.

Many people were raking the leaves as I cycled through the neighborhood. Others were jogging or exercising on the sidewalks.

As I cycled into the downtown district, I glanced at the stores, and shops of the district. They were filled with people as always. But, it seems like more people were here, and most of them were heading for the convention.

I began to cycle faster, and faster.

When I reached the convention, I parked my bike in the bike parking lot and locking it with my lock as quick as possible.

I was amazed when I entered the convention building. About 2000 people were already in the line. I thought I came early but...

"Sword Art Online will start selling in 10 minutes. Thank you for your patience~!" announced a girl.

Beep~! Beep~! Beep~!

I reached for my phone in my pocket, and quickly gripped it firmly, then pulled it out with speed.

Incoming Call: Natsume Kanata

As I tried to slid to answer...

"Hi, Aki-kun!" screamed a girl behind me.

I dropped my phone with shock at that moment.

"What the...?" shouted me, as I reached for my phone.

"I'm sorry, Aki-kun" said her with her irresistibly cute face.

"Fine. I'll forgive you" replied me. "And by the way, why are you here?"

"To get a copy of Sword Art Online of course!" said her cutely.

I took a glance at Kana-chan. She was wearing a pink t-shirt, with a chibi character on it, with a bright red mini skirt. Her chestnut colored long hair was swaying from side to side as she moved.

"What?" asked Kana-chan.

"Nothing." said me.

"Sword Art Online has started selling, thank you for your patience" announced a girl.

We've been waiting in the line for a really long time by now. My feet are numb. My stomach is growling like hell.

"Next!" said the seller.

I stepped forward to the booth.

"Do you need a nerve gear with the copy?" asked the seller.

"Yeah" replied me.

The seller packed the nerve gear and the copy into a plastic bag and then handing it to me.

I grabbed my wallet and get the money and then handing it to the seller. I then grabbed the plastic bag.

"Thank you very much!" said the seller.

I smirked at the seller, stepping out of the line.

Before I knew it, Kana-chan grabbed my hand with speed,

"Wait for me..." said Kana-chan blushing cutely.

"O-Okay" said me blushing.

After we got our copies of Sword Art Online, we made our way to the exit of the convention building feeling lucky that I got one of the ten thousand copies that released.

"Thanks" said Kana-chan, dragging me out of the line. I can feel my face going red, and my body was trembling like hell.

"Erm..." said me

"What, Aki-kun?" asked her with a cute expression.

"Nothing"

As we left the building, I quickly went to my bike.

"Aki-kun...?"

"Yes?"

"Call me when you start playing, I want to play with you" said her.

"O-Okay..." said me blushing.

I quickly unlocked my bike, and hopped onto the seat of the bike. Kana-chan waved at me. So I waved back at her.

"See you in the game" said her smiling.

"You, too"

I started to cycle to the direction I came here from my house.

I walked into the living room of my house through my garage door. Bright light illuminated the living room. Scent of the orchids filled my nose.

"Everyone, I'm home!"

No one answered. No one is home.

I went straight to the kitchen, since my stomach is growling like...

"Growl..." said my stomach.

I looked over at the kitchen's counter. Omelet and rice, my favorite. I quickly grabbed the spoon and fork, and dug in. Before I knew it, the plate was spotless.

I dumped my plate into the sink, then head right up to my room.

I unboxed the nerve gear, and the copy of Sword Art Online. I connected the disc reader, and the charger and internet cable to the nerve gear.

I quickly grabbed my phone, and dialed Kanata.

Beep~! Beep~! Beep~!

"Hello?"

"Hey, let's play SAO!"

"Yeah!" said Kana-chan, excited.

I hung up the phone.

I then grabbed my nerve gear, and placing it on my head. I could see that my nerve gear is charging, and the time was 11:30.

"Link start" said me, smirking.

A white screen appeared at first.

Sight OK. Touch OK. Hearing OK. Smell OK. Taste OK.

Language: English

A login screen appeared.

USERNAME: Akito

PASSWORD: *********

Character Creation screen appeared.

I quickly chose a swordman with a dark blue shirt with an iron chestplate and a sword holder. He was wearing black camo pants, and brown leather and boots. He has blue eyes and spiky black hair.

Another screen appeared at the end.

Welcome to Sword Art Online!

Bright light illuminated my field of vision.