Kazuto looked forward from where he was sitting. How did this end up happening? Why was he here? He should be in the rehabilitation school, not in this high tech place. He blamed Kikuoka for this. Maybe Kayaba had something to do with this? Probably not. He was probably still flying on the net.

Definitely Kikuoka's fault.

He was currently sitting in class, where the teacher was currently going over introductions. Well, trying to at least. Everyone was whispering, either about him, or about that other kid in front of the class.

Their teacher was a shorter lady with green hair, and eyes of the same color. She was gifted with rather large assets. She was trying to go through the names, she really was, but even she was distracted by the two boys in the class.

"Kirigaya-san, please introduce yourself."

Kazuto gave in to his fate. It seemed like there was no getting out of this.

"Hello, my name is Kirigaya Kazuto; I enjoy computer software engineering and video games. I was supposed to go to a certain school, but ended up going here due to certain events and some guy with hexagon glasses. I hope to have an excellent year with everyone."

Everyone looked towards the boy in confusion. What school was he supposed to go to? Who was this guy with hexagon glasses? They would find out by asking him later. If that didn't work out, there was always stalking him.

"Thank you Kirigaya-san, next is..." As his teacher went on, he looked out the window. There were currently 2 people staring/glaring intently at him, he didn't know why, but it felt like there was quite the amount of pressure on him. A girl in the front of his row, and another girl on the other side of the class. The girl on the other side of the class, Kashiwazaka Hiyori, he believed, was staring at him with realization. Realization for what exactly? He didn't know.

The other girl at the front looked familiar. However, her name wasn't called yet so he had no idea who she was. She went from glaring at him to glaring at the other boy multiple times. What was with her? Maybe he-

"Orimura-san! ORIMURA-SAN!"

"Yes! Orimura Ichika present!"

Everyone laughed or giggled at his quick reply. Kazuto didn't. He could understand the guy, if you were in this situation, you would have a lot to think about. You kind of missed your name getting called.

"Sorry for calling your name so loud! You weren't listening and I tried to get your attention. Are you angry with me? I'm very sorry!" At the teacher's apology and low bow, he figured he should've apologized for not paying attention. The collective glares from the girls didn't help. They all screamed 'Hey you insensitive bastard, you just made your teacher cry. Go apologize.'

"I'm sorry Yamada-sensei. It's not your fault, I wasn't paying attention. Please, there's no need to bow."

At his sincere apology, teacher stood up straight. "Ah, then please go on with your introduction."

He visibly tensed, and then swallowed his saliva. "Hello, my name is Orimura Ichika, I look forward to working with you all." There was a long silence. "That is all."

Most of the girls in the class face-palmed or fell out of their desks. Literally. Even Kazuto showed his disappointment. 'That was his reply? Even mine's better, and I'm the unsocial guy!'

Wham!

Ichika's face met with his desk. Kazuto looked at what hit him. A textbook? When did that get there? He followed the arm to see Chifuyu Orimura, the so called Brunhilde. When did she get there?

"Chifuyu-nee?" Ichika asked.

Bam!

It looked like Ichika's head could've made a crater with that last hit.

"Ah, Orimura-sensei, is that meeting over?" Maya asked.

Chifuyu replied, "Yes it is. Sorry for making you do the introductions. It must've been hard, especially with this idiot here."

Kazuto looked at the current scene going on in front of him. This seemed like a strange way to start the day.

"Alright, listen up! My name is Orimura Chifuyu, and I'll be teaching you this year. I expect all of you to understand what I'm teaching you, no exceptions. If you understand, nod your head. If you don't understand, nod your head."

Kazuto looked forward. What the hell? Was she a teacher or a drill sergeant!? What sort of school was this!?

"KYAAA! It's Chifuyu-sama! The real Chifuyu-sama!"

"I've always been your follower!"

"I came here from the south so I could study under you!"

"I'm so happy to be taught by you, Onee-sama!"

"Scold us more!"

"I would gladly die for Chifuyu-sama!"

Kazuto and Ichika, with his head still up against the desk, both had the same thoughts.

'Our class is full of M's.'

"I always end up with the idiots." Orimura-sensei complained. "Why are they always in my class?" She then turned to the boy with his face still in the desk. "And what about his idiot? Couldn't even do an introduction properly?"

"Wait, Chifu-"

Bam!

Kazuto wondered how many brain cells he lost. From the power of those strikes, probably a lot.

"That's Orimura-sensei to you."

"..Yes Orimura-sensei."

Student homeroom (SHR) came to an end.

They both stayed in their respective desks. It seems like none of the girls had the courage to talk to either of them. It seemed like they would have troubles making friends.

"Can we talk on the roof?" 2 different voices came out.

Kazuto looked towards the voice closest to him, and saw the girl that was staring at him. Her hair was long and was a light brown, and her eyes were brown.

"Uh, sure, Kashiwazaka-san."

It looked like Ichika was approached by the girl that was alternating her glares at them. Shinonono Houki, he believed her name was.

Both pairs walked onto the roof. Of course, they went to separate sides, not wanting to eavesdrop on the other's conversations.

Kazuto looked at the girl infront of him. She didn't look familiar to him, so why had she called him out? The girl opened her mouth.

"...Kirito-sama."

That put him on edge. He wasn't that well known in ALO so the odds of her knowing him from that game were low. He did win the GGO tournament a while back, so that could be it. However, he was very well known to the players in that death game. There were only 6000 survivors, so there's even less of a chance he was known that way.

"How do you know that name?" He asked. He was on guard.

"Every survivor knows the name of the person who cleared that game." She replied.

Of course the option with the lowest possibility wins. She is also, an SAO survivor.

"Man, to meet up with a survivor here. What odds. Anyways, why did you call me -sama?"

She blushed lightly and looked at his face. "I admired you for saving our lives. It should've taken most likely another year but you defeated him on the 75th floor."

Kirito looked at her and soaked in her reply. He then placed a small smile on his face. "There's no need to call me that. I'm no saviour. Anyways, let's go back to class."

He turned and walked towards the door. "Call me Kazuto too, Hiyori-san."

She caught up with him and gave him a smile. "Alright, Kazuto-kun."

That got intimate quickly.

He noticed Ichika and Houki walking back. Houki's face was red. Oho? Was there some confession that went on? She sent a glare at him however.

'Welp. I think she's mad about something. I wonder what it is.'

"...Thus, the basic operations of IS have to be guided by the country. If no permission is granted, we have to pursue criminal responsibilities..."

Class had begun, and Kazuto was paying attention, somewhat. He had read the textbook before he began school so he had already learned the first few lessons. In truth, he was only 40 pages into the book. Ichika on the other hand,

"Sensei?"

Maya stopped her lesson and looked at him. "Yes Orimura-kun?"

"I don't understand anything."

...?

"Eh? Ah, are you sure?" She looked confused. As did most of the other girls in the class.

"Yes." He replied to her with no hesitation. Normally, one would be filled with embarrassment in that situation, but Ichika seemed to have no shame.

"Is there anyone else who doesn't understand anything?

Nobody responded to her question.

"Orimura, you did read that handbook I gave you, didn't you?" It was then that he and Kazuto knew that expression. Ichika, growing up with Chifuyu knew that this was going to end painfully of he didn't answer this question right. Kazuto knew because of how scary the girls were back home.

"I mistook it for a phone book and threw it away?" He said with a hopeful smile.

"Didn't I put 'compulsory to read' on it?" She narrowed her eyes. One boy felt dread, and the other pity.

Wham!

"Oh, looks like that's another few hundred brain cells dead..." Kazuto muttered to himself.

It wasn't as quiet as he thought.

"Kirigaya! What was that?" She snapped. She was also in a position to throw the book at him. Sure, he had the fastest reaction time in all of the death game, but he didn't even think he would be able to react if she actually threw it instead of calling his name.

"Nothing ma'am!" How did she even hear him anyways!? Not even the girl in front of him heard anything!

Chifuyu narrowed her eyes, but let the matter drop. She then turned to her brother, head still on the desk. "I'll issue another one for you. I want it read within a week."

"Eh, that thickness is kind of..."

"I'm telling you to do it." There was no arguing with that tone of voice.

"..I'll do it."

Kazuto looked towards the front of the class. This was going to be a hard year.

"You... You were just thinking about how you don't want to be here didn't you?"

Ichika looked surprised. Judging from that look, he probably thought that Chifuyu read his mind.

Chifuyu then replied in a strict manner. "No matter whether you wished for it or not, people can't get away from an interactive life. If you want to abandon it, abandon your identity as a human first."

Kazuto stared at her. Did she know? He gave up his humanity and became the 'beater' so could take the blame away from the beta testers and avoid confrontation from everyone else. Granted, it didn't work that well, but still.

"Yamada-sensei. please take care of this idiot after school." Chifuyu told her assistant teacher.

"Ah? A-alright. Please leave it to me after school." She replied, but then she started mumbling other things. It was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Me and a student after school? Even if it's Orimura-kun, he's still a boy. I'll be weak if it turns out that way..."

"Ahem! Yamada-sensei. Continue with the lesson."

"O-of course!" She replied quickly, composing herself to the best. Her abilities.

Later on, it was the break in between classes. Kazuto was on his phone, while Ichika was sitting in the front, head in his arms.

"Could I have moment?"

"Huh?"

Ichika looked up to see a girl with curly blonde hair, and blue eyes. She had a frilly headband and was staring down at him.

"Is there something you wanted miss..."

"Wait a second! What are you saying? Just with me talking to you should be enough to make you feel greatly honored. Shouldn't you have a better attitude towards me?" She looked at him like he was an inferior life form. This monkey didn't know who she was? "Weren't you paying attention when the teacher called my name?"

"Um. No?"

Her eyebrow twitched. "I am Cecilia Alcott, the representative candidate of England and the person with the second highest score for the school's entrance exam?"

"Can I ask a question?" Not expecting that kind of reply, Cecilia almost face faulted. Almost.

"It's the job of a noble to answer a commoner's concerns."

"What's a representative candidate?"

Everyone fave faulted that. Well, almost everyone. Kazuto was in the back just looking with his eyebrow raised.

Cecilia decomposed herself. "The pilot of a country's IS is decided from the pool of representative candidates, which means the elites...you, should be able to understand what the words mean."

"Now that you mentioned it, that does ring a bell."

"You see? We're the elite of the elites."

She nodded to herself. "It's a miracle for you get into the same class with people like me... you should feel blessed. Do you realize the situation that you're currently in now?"

"Is that so? How fortunate for me."

"You...are you mocking me?"

Ichika looked at her. Wasn't she just telling him about how lucky he was to be in a class with her? Strange girl.

Kazuto just looked towards the scene. Rather strange. Hiyori came and leaned on his desk. "This class is interesting, isn't it Kazuto-kun?"

He gave her a small smile and nodded a bit. "Indeed it is."

They were brought out of their conversation by a blonde.

"In the first place, you knew nothing about IS's and yet you were able to make it into this school. When I first heard that you were the only male in the world who could pilot an IS, it had me expecting a lot more from you."

"Expecting a lot from me just leaves me in an uncomfortable position."

"Hmph. Because I'm an elite, I'll even be nice to people like you."

Kazuto looked at her. 'That arrogance, she'd fit perfectly with the DDA'

"If you don't fully understand anything regarding IS. Hm... if you cry and beg me, I might be nice enough to teach you. After all, I'm an elite amongst elites, the 'only' one who defeated an instructor during the entrance exam."

'She was a perfect match for the DDA. No doubt about it. Wait, why did she put so much emphasis on 'only'?' Kazuto thought.

It seemed like Ichika also picked up on the emphasis. "Do you mean during the entrance exams?"

"Of course! What other exams were there?"

"Well I defeated an instructor also. Though defeated may be over exaggerating. I just dodged her and she flew into a wall. Kirigaya-san also took one out from what I've heard."

She looked at him, and then at Kazuto. It was mostly a look of shock. "Then I'm not the only one? Why didn't anyone inform me?"

Kazuto gave her a simple reply. "Maybe because we're not girls? I figured that they would keep that confidential."

She turned back to Ichika. "You said that you both defeated an instructor correct? Why would you know about Kirigaya-san defeating one?"

Ichika rubbed the back of his head. "Chif- Orimura-sensei told me."

Cecilia looked content with that answer. She then turned to Kazuto. "You! What score did you get on the entrance exams?"

Kazuto was bothered by all the attention being directed at him. Why couldn't it go back to Ichika? "Ah, 98%?"

"WHAT!?" Was most of the girl's reply. Even Hiyori looked at him in shock. "You were the one to beat me!? But, but.."

Kazuto waved his hands. "Hey, uh, just calm down alrigh-"

"How can I be calm in a time like this!?"

The sound of the bell interrupted the current conversation. 'Literally saved by the bell.' Both boys thought.

"I'll be back! Don't run away!" She then went to her desk, which was a couple seats infront of Kazuto's. The question was, where could they go even if they did run?

"Before we start the lesson, we need to choose a class representative." Orimura-sensei replaced Yamada-sensei, as she was currently sitting to the side. "Any suggestions?"

One girl raised her hand. "I nominate Orimura-san!"

Ichika adopted an approving look. 'They nominated Chifuyu-nee? I'm actually alright with that. It's weird though, having your teacher be the class rep.'

Kazuto also had an approving look. 'Well, as long as the attention isn't on me.'

"Alright. Our first candidate is Orimura Ichika!"

'Yes, yes. Orimura Ichika would make a great candid- WAIT, I'M ORIMURA ICHIKA!' He quickly sat up in his seat. "I thought they were recommending you!"

Chifuyu just looked down at her brother. "Sit down." He complied. "I can't be nominated. I'm a teacher."

"Can I opt out?"

"No."

"This is tyranny."

"You are an idiot."

Another girl raised her hand. "I nominate Kirigaya-kun!"

"What! Why!?" Said boy spouted.

Hiyori looked at him, "Well, you're the only other boy in our class right? You need some responsibilities too, Kazuto-kun!"

He gave Hiyori the stink eye. He really didn't want any attention right now.

Chifuyu's voice rang out through the classroom. "Our candidates are Ichika Orimura and Kazuto Kirigaya."

A slapping sound could be heard from the left side of the room. It seemed Cecilia was angry. It also seemed like that slapping sound was her hands on her desk. "This kind of election outcome is totally unacceptable! Anyway, having a man as our class representative is totally disgraceful! Do you expect me, Cecilia Alcott to endure this embarrassment for an entire year?"

Yes, good. Give the class reasons to- wait. What about embarrassment?

"In terms of ability, it's obvious that I should be the class representative. It'll be troubling if some rare far-east monkeys are chosen because they're rare breeds! I came to this island country to polish up my IS skills, and I have no interest in joining a circus!"

Oho? So both of the boys were suddenly circus attractions and not human? Kazuto could somewhat understand being not human. He was a faery at one point in his life.

It seemed like Cecilia was getting riled up. She was really into her speech.

"Isn't that right!? Only the most talented can be the class representative, and I'm the most suitable one! And besides, living in such a country with an underdeveloped level of culture is excruciatingly painful for me—"

"Even if Britain's a powerful country, you're far too arrogant on your part, right? How many years has it been now that you've won the world's worst cuisine award?" It was Ichika that interrupted her speech. Standing up and a hand in his blazer's pocket, it was a stance of arrogance and provoking.

Pew pew! Shots fired! All men prepare for the counterattack!

"Are you insulting my country!?"

Enemy counterattack was weak! Prepare to attack again!

"You've just insulted over half of our school. Where are you right now? Japan, the place where the IS was originally created, the place with the IS school, and the place leading in technology. 'Underdeveloped country' you say? What's England so good for besides terrible food and arrogant nobles?" Kazuto knew he shouldn't have done this, but he did it anyways. Maybe it was to back up his fellow countryman. What's been said has been set in stone. Really, from what Hiyori was doing. Her pen was moving at an incredible speed.

Cecilia was just standing there with her mouth agape. Second attack successful! Enemy ship has sunken!

"IT'S A DUEL!"

Lifeboats on the horizon! They're still alive captain!

"That's fine with me. I'm not good at debating anyways." Ichika said. He was determined.

Kazuto was also ready. "First blood or total loss?" Everyone looked confused at his question. Everyone except for one person.

"Kirito-sama!" Hiyori shouted out. Everyone turned their attention to her. Who was this Kirito person? Why did she hold him in such high regards?

"Sorry, don't mind what I said." Kazuto said. He realized his mistake, or more like he was reminded of it.

"Whatever. One I defeat the both of you; you will both be my servants. No, you'll be my slaves!"

"I approve." Everyone looked towards Chifuyu. "This will settle this dispute and the winner will be the class representative."

"How much of a handicap so you want?" It was Ichika that asked this.

"Oh? Does the monkey want an easier challenge?"

"No, I'm asking how much of a handicap I should give you."

After that question was asked, the class erupted with laughter.

"O-Orimura-kun, are you serious?"

"Isn't a man being stronger than woman a story of the past?"

"Orimura-kun. Maybe you can pilot an IS, but that's just overdoing it."

Only 5 people weren't laughing. Ichika, Kazuto, Hiyori, and the 2 teachers in the room.

Men were considered weaker since they couldn't pilot the IS. So during this time, women grew in power, while men grew weaker and less significant.

Ichika then closed his eyes. "...Then I won't give you a handicap."

"I didn't expect you to. More accurately, it bothers me that I don't have to give you a handicap. Saying that men are stronger than women, you're a funny monkey."

Kazuto stayed silent, contemplating on one phrase.

'A single blade will take you wherever you want to go.'

He was interrupted from his thoughts when someone called to Ichika.

"Hey, Orimura-kun, it's not too late, you know? You can still get Cecilia-san to give you a handicap?"

The girl sitting diagonally behind him sincerely advised. However, the complicated expression of hers—the laughter and smirk that she was holding back somewhat angered the 2 boys.

"A man would never go back on his word. I have no need of a handicap."

Chifuyu clapped her hands.

"The duel will take place next Monday. It will be a 3 way duel. Make sure you're prepared for it."

With that, class started, 10 minutes late.

"Guh, why is this so hard?" Ichika muttered to himself. Maya heard it, and giggled.

Currently, he was sitting in his desk, trying to figure out the gibberish that was called IS-theory.

Maya suddenly had a look of realization. "Orimura-kun, before I forget, your dorm is ready for you."

"Really? The government told me that it would take more time to get it prepared." He replied to her.

"Well, due to Kirigaya-kun coming here, the government decided that you'd be sharing a room with him. It's room 1025 by the way."

"Ah, then can I leave sensei? I need to go get my luggage and-"

"The boxes are currently in your room." This voice came from the door. It was his sister leaning on it and trying to act cool. It was kind of working. If she didn't look so scary.

"Hey, you and the author just thought of something rude didn't you?"

"Of course n- wait, me and who?"

"Never mind. Just go unpack the boxes in your room. Kirigaya already knows."

Ichika packed up his things and left, not before thanking both Maya and his sister.

Maya called after him. "Dinner is at 6 until 7! And you'll have to use the bath in your room!"

Ichika gave a thanks and turned the corner, looking for the room.

"...what?"

When Ichika turned the corner, he didn't expect to see the scene that was happening right outside of his door. There were a few girls with cups pressed against the door, and their ears on said cups. It seemed like they started early on the 'stalking' business.

He attempted to get their attention by coughing.

"Eep!"

It worked.

"Ah, what are you all doing?" He asked.

The girls attempted to hide the cups behind their backs. "N-nothing! Don't worry about it Orimura-kun!"

'Sure. I definitely won't worry about being spied on for the rest of the year. Might as well put hidden cameras in our room.'

"Well excuse me then. I need to unpack my luggage."

He pushed through the girls and opened the door and walked in, and immediately closed it right afterwards. He could see that the girls were trying to get a view of his room before they door closed. Wait, how did they even know this was his room?

"Is that you Orimura-san?" Came a masculine voice. Right, he was sharing with the only other boy in the school.

"Hello Kirigaya-san." He saw Kazuto on his bed, reading through the IS textbook. He was currently dressed in a black shirt and black shorts.

"Call me Kazuto."

"Sure. Call me Ichika then." He then went to unpack all the boxes on his bed. He decided to make small talk as he worked. "Did you see all the girls outside our room?"

"Hm? There are people outside?"

"It's better if you don't think about it. Really, trust me on this."

"Well there were cameras in the room."

Ichika paused at this. There actually were cameras in here!? "Where are they?"

Kazuto pointed to his desk. There laid the cameras, dismantled. "It seems like everyone wants to know exactly what goes on in our lives."

"I don't like anyone spying on papa!"

Ichika heard a voice. Although it couldn't have been older than 10 years old.

"Kazuto-san, what..?"

Kazuto picked up his phone and showed Ichika. There stood a tiny girl in a pink dress with wings, flying through a room. "This is Yui, she's my daughter."

"What?"

"Let me rephrase that. She's my daughter, but she's an AI. She's unlike normal AI; she has emotion and can think by herself."

"Nice to meet you, Ichika-san!" She greeted.

Ichika was still confused, but decided to go along with it. "Likewise, Yui-chan."

"Anyways," Kazuto spoke out, "what time is it?"

"It's almost 6:00, Kazuto-san."

"It's dinner time, huh? Welp, time to sneak into the cafeteria without getting caught by any of the girls." He let out a sigh; this wasn't going to be easy. "Yui, I'm ending the call now. Why don't you wait for everyone else to come over?"

The pixie looked a bit sad, but understood. She hacked into the school's database without her father knowing, and found out about his situation. "Alright papa! Have a nice evening!"

The call ended and Kazuto asked Ichika if he wanted to come.

"Well, I guess its fine. I'd rather cook, but there aren't any ingredients."

Kazuto gave him a look. "You could probably get some fresh ingredients from the mall. I'd like to try your cooking. See how it compares to Asuna's."

Ichika tilted his head. "Who's Asuna?"

"Yui's mama, and my lover back home." 'Or rather, one of them.' He didn't add that in however.

They both headed into the cafeteria, after locking their door. Having someone rummage through your things wasn't an ideal scenario. When they got there, everyone was busy eating and chatting with each other. Well, until someone decided to yell out.

"Kazuto-kun!"

He visually flinched. 'Damnit Hiyori! I was trying to be sneaky!'

Everyone stopped their chatting and looked at them. Both boys looked at each other and resigned themselves to fate. There goes their stealth attempt.

Many girls whispered among themselves. The atmosphere suddenly became extremely awkward.

The whispers weren't as quiet as they were supposed to be.

"It's Kirigaya-kun and Orimura-kun!"

"They came here together!"

"Is it BL!?"

Ichika looked blankly while Kazuto deadpanned. These girls had quite the imagination. They lined up to grab their food.

A pair of girls approached them. It was Hiyori and Houki.

"Ichika!"

"Hello Kazuto-kun."

They greeted out.

"Hello Houki."

"Hiyori, not the best time to tell out my name."

Hiyori laughed nervously. "Haha, why don't we sit together?"

Cries of 'not fair!' and 'she's already making a move!' could be heard, but nobody paid attention to it.

"Sure."

As they sat down, they started a small conversation. Everyone else was eavesdropping. They were trying their best not to look like they were, but it seemed like they needed more practice.

Houki was still sending him a glare.

"Ah, Shinonono-san, why do you look so angry at me?" Kazuto asked.

"She's got that natural scary face." Hiyori teased.

Houki flushed at being teased at in front of Ichika, but regained her composure.

"You, where were you for the last 2 years?" She asked, completely serious.

Kazuto was confused. Who was this girl again? "Huh?"

"You beat me twice in a row at provincials the past 4 years, and then won nationals twice. Yet, during the past 2 years I never saw you, in the Nationals nor provincials." Her gaze hardened.

Ah, so she was a kendo practitioner.

"...something happened."

"Are you taking me for a fool? Do you think I'll accept an answer like that? Come with me to the dojo. I want to see your skills. Ichika, you come too. You probably need IS training. I'll help you, but I want to see how much you've improved."

Everyone was dead silent. "...Fine."

It was late, so the dojo was lit by the lights installed in the ceiling.

It was honestly filled. There were students forced to stand because the bleachers were filled. At the centre, stood 2 individuals in kendo gear.

"Rules?" A masculine voice called out.

"Informal. First to yield or get knocked out of the ring."

Ichika was the judge of this match. With his hand raised up, both combatants got into a ready position.

Houki was in a standard starting position, both hands on her shinai.

Kazuto's stance was loose. His left side was too open. Houki saw this, and decided to take advantage of his mistake.

The referee brought his hand down. "Begin!"

Houki rushed forward, aiming to beat him with one strike. Her sword was over her head, beginning its speedy descent.

A loud "clack" was heard, as her shinai met his.

"Just because I haven't done kendo in the past 2 years doesn't mean I'm rusty with a sword." True, he hadn't trained in kendo for the past 2 years. He was training with a sword in a life-or-death situation.

"We'll see."

The crowd cheered, as swords were striking each other. It was a never ending push and pull, as neither combatant was giving up.

"Ha!"

"Guh!"

Kazuto's fist made contact with Houki's throat, pushing her back a couple steps. She wobbled a bit before she regained her posture.

"You can't do tha-"

"Ichika." Kazuto said out, interrupting his opponent.

"Yes?"

"Throw me another shinai."

"..Are you sure? Houki's strong, she's practiced for years. A second shinai will only make you lose your balance."

"Trust me on this."

"..As you say."

A shinai spun through the air, and Kazuto caught it with his left hand.

Everyone was silent as got into position. He was more balanced, much to Ichika's suprise, and his stance was loose, but ready to act at a moment's notice.

Houki tensed. So he was experienced in Nito Ryu, the art of dual wielding. He never showed this during his tournaments though. His second sword was also too long, since most people who dual wielded used one shorter sword.

Hiyori looked at him. She imagined his cloak, and his black and turquoise swords, everything that had given him the moniker of 'The Black Swordsman.'

Kazuto took a step forward, both shinai racing towards Houki. His attacks were relentless, forcing her to go on the defensive while he continued on the offensive.

She couldn't survive this onslaught. His swords were moving too fast. Every time should would attempt to go on the offensive; she would be forced to return to the defensive because of the speed of his swords. She attempted to block his strike from the left side. She was successful, but she wasn't prepared for the strike from above.

A "thunk" rang throughout the dojo.

"Men."

"I... I yield."

Cheers erupted throughout the dojo at the display at an excellent match.

Kazuto looked towards her. She looked shocked. "Are you alright Shinonono-san?"

"How are you so strong? You disappeared for 2 years, how did you get stronger?"

Hearing her tone, Kazuto said something before leaving. "Come to our room after dinner. You too Hiyori. We'll explain it to her and Ichika."

Houki looked up and saw his retreating form. He spun his swords and attempted to sheathe them. On his back. She looked at his strange gesture.

"Oh, that's right." He muttered in embarrassment. He placed both shinai back where they belonged and went to go change.

Ichika and Kazuto were in their room studying. Well, Kazuto was studying. Ichika was trying to make heads and tails of all this terminology.

A knock interrupted them. They both knew who was at the door. Kazuto opened the door and invited both of them in.

"Take a seat with Ichika, Shinonono-san." He said, while Hiyori took a seat beside him.

He looked up at the ceiling. "Where to begin..." He pondered. "Well, I guess I'll start at the beginning. My official disappearance was on November 6th, 2 years ago. The day the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online came out." Both Ichika and Houki let out a gasp of surprise. He was a survivor?

"I won't tell you everything that happened in my life, but I'll tell you things I guess would be significant." He didn't wait for them to nod, he just continued.

"On that day, Kayaba Akihiko trapped 10,000 lives in a floating castle. In that world, I survived and met many kinds of people. Some people lived, while others died. It was honestly the toughest moment of our lives."

Ichika didn't miss it. "Kazuto-san, you said 'our'. Is she..?"

"Yes, Hiyori here is also a survivor." They both had bitter looks on their faces. "During my time there, I became the beater. The person who took everyone's focus so none of the beta testers would get hated on. I became a clearer, one of the people on the front lines. In the end, on the 75th floor, I killed Kayaba, who was among us as a player, named Heathcliff. The game ended early."

Ichika and Houki looked at him. So not just any player, but the saviour of the death game himself was among them. Next question, who was Hiyori?

Said girl noticed the two looks pointed towards her. "I originally went in to have fun, but when it was announced that I was in a death game, I got scared. I eventually started to play, gaining levels at a slow rate. I didn't trust anyone however, not until I met one friend. She was the closest friend I had in there."

Kazuto looked at her. "..had?"

She got a solemn look on her face. "She died shielding me from a lethal attack. After she died, I went back to how I was. Not trusting anyone. After the game was cleared, I looked up to Kazuto-kun. All the survivors know him as KIrito-sama,The Black Swordsman, and the one who freed us from the game. I eventually got into ALO once new Aincrad was implemented. In that game, my initial look greatly resembled his. Even a few people mistook me as him."

Kazuto raised an eyebrow. "Really? Who?"

"Leafa, Scilica and Lisbeth."

Kazuto's eyebrow twitched. "You met them huh? What strange odds."

"Do you know them?" Ichika asked.

"Well, Leafa is my sister, Silica was a girl I saved, and Lisbeth was my 'personal blacksmith'. Funny how they never told me about meeting Hiyori. By the way, what was your name?"

"Lux was my SAO name, and later on Kuro was my ALO name."

"Well, you've heard our stories. Anything else you want to know?"

Houki, who was silent for the most of it, voiced a question. "How did you ah, kill Heathcliff?"

Kazuto's expression darkened slightly before he took a deep breath. "It was a duel on the 75th floor. No, calling it a duel would be wrong. It was a death match." Everyone gasped. "He was supposed to be the final boss, but I revealed him to be Kayaba and he 'rewarded' me with a chance to duel him 1 on 1, to the death."

All of the other occupants in the room listened intently.

"I accepted. Even when Asuna told me not to go, even when all my friends tried to stop me. I didn't listen. I guess it was a spur of the moment."

Houki voiced another question she had. "Who's Asuna?"

Ichika answered her. "His lover."

"During the death match, it was hard. I knew I couldn't use any sword skills since he developed them. He knew every counter, so I had to reply on my own skills. Somehow, I accidentally used my strongest skill, a 27-hit combo. On the last hit, the sword that Lisbeth forged for me broke. It was there that I knew that I lost. After my skill had ended, he raised his sword, and swung it towards me. It didn't hit me. It hit Asuna instead." There was a louder gasp coming from both girls. "She died for me. She then broke into particles before my eyes, and I tried to grab onto them. It was a futile attempt. I picked up her sword and slowly began to walk towards Kayaba. He batted my sword away. He then stabbed me. I lost all of my HP."

Ichika then asked in a soft tone. "But if that happens, you die right?"

"There's a 10 second delay before you really die. During that time, I just thought, 'Is this how it ends? Is everyone else going to have to keep fighting?' I decided that I won't go down alone. I had already lost so much, and I didn't want anyone else to die, so I would take him down with me. I stabbed him with Asuna's rapier, much to his surprise. Everyone else in the room was surprised too. After his HP hit 0, I looked at Asuna's rapier and asked, 'Is this enough?' It even gave me a glint in approval, like she was happy. It was then when I bursted into polygons, like she did before me."

Everyone had a solemn look on their face. Even Hiyori, since she didn't know exactly what happened. "So..what happened after?"

"I ended up in the sky with Asuna. We were on a flat plain, watching as the floating castle crumbled. Kayaba was there too. We had a conversation on why he did it. He just replied 'I forgot.' It was a stupid reason, but there was no pondering on it as he congratulated me on beating the game, and then vanished. Later on, I woke up. Not in the game, but in real life."

"What happened to Asuna?" Ichika asked.

"Well, that's a story for another time." Kazuto replied.

Everyone understood. It probably took a lot out of him to tell them about his times in SAO, and after that, something forced him to take action and save his lover.

"Well, I think it's about time you girls left. It's getting late anyways and I don't want Orimura-sensei misunderstanding anything." He said.

Both girls complied and got ready to leave the room. They both told the boys that they would help with any IS related issues before they headed towards their own rooms.

"Welp, we've got a duel with a representative candidate in a week, so let's get prepared, starting tomorrow."

"R-right."

Both boys got into their beds, and prepared to go to sleep.

"Good night, Kazuto-san."

"Good night, Ichika."

This was most definitely going to be an interesting year.

In a lab far, far away, sat a girl in a blue dress. She had purple hair, eyes, and a pair of bunny ears on her head.. She was currently watching the conversation going on in a certain Orimura's room.

"It looks Ikkun's found a friend~! And he's the one who beat Kay-chan! I think I'll call him Ka-kun~! It's time that I, super-genius Tabane Shinonono, give Ik-kun and Ka-kun their own personal IS's!

I already have Ik-Kun's IS ready, but what should I do for Ka-kun's?

Aha! Time to hack the government and get all the information about Kay-chan's game~! I'm sure he won't mind. It's not like he can trace it back to me anyways, he's busy flying over the net~!"

One would not expect this sort of personality from the genius that created the IS. Then again, not all geniuses are normal people. With her playing around, the world was truly in trouble.

A/N

First chapter is done. At roughly 6.7k words before the author's note, I'm tired.

For any of you wondering, I'm not abandoning The Swordsman and The Archer. I just had an idea like this and wrote it down, to see how much people enjoy it. Well, I sort of enjoyed writing it. I'm still thinking of pairings, so if anyone wants this to continue, please review and give your suggestions.

Hiyori or Lux, is not an OC. She's a canon character that appeared during a manga adaption called Girl's Op. In that adaption, she [INSERT SPOILER HERE], and that's how it happened. I actually had this idea in my head for a good few months, but didn't really attempt anything until the start of last week. Oh well, I at least did something, right? That has to count for something.

Anyways, thank you for reading this author's rambles. Please leave a review on your way out.

Edit 21/10/14: Fixed minor spelling/grammar mistakes.