Hey guys, new Sword Art Online story here. Big thanks to my beta-reader MedievalHarpy! I don't know what I'd do without you, as this story turned ten times better with your help. Anyway, enjoy. Review if you feel like it.
I glanced up at the sky, closed my eyes, and groaned. After a couple seconds, I looked around at the various other people in line. This was the second day I was in line for the first VRMMORPG: Sword Art Online.
My attention was caught by a boy behind me in the line, as he was talking loudly into a phone.
"No! Mom, tomorrow at ten, that's when you pick me up!" I turned back toward the store, that's when I'd be leaving as well, as that was when the game was released.
I was eager to play the game like everyone else, but I hadn't expected the waiting to be this bad. I shivered, and shrugged my shoulders to bring the collar of my jacket closer to my neck. It was the fifth of November, but it was already snowing. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and checked the time. It was nine forty, just a little more than twelve hours to go.
Luckily, I was the seventh person in line, so I wouldn't have to wait much after the game was officially released. I observed the other people in line again; many of them sported dark bags under their eyes, and a droop to their composure.
I had decided to come alone to the release, considering I didn't have too many friends to begin with. I had regretted that decision within the first five hours of waiting in line.
Many people attempted to befriend me, but being my introverted self, I pushed them away. I did however, become acquainted with the person in front of me. I yawned, and rubbed my eyes.
"You tired?" I heard someone ask.
I looked to my left and noticed a girl leaning against the wall.
"Yeah," I replied in a quiet tone. I had trouble maintaining eye contact, especially with girls. I looked at the concrete pavement, wondering if she was still looking my direction. I glanced from the corner of my eye and she met my gaze with smile. I immediately bobbed my stare toward the sky.
Great, she probably thinks I'm a creeper, I thought. I decided to take a chance and once again, I looked from the corner of my eye. She was leaning against the wall with her eyes closed. She was probably tired as well.
I squinted and studied her. She had a calm and relaxed look on her face, it suited her. I continued to examine her dark brown hair, and the little smile she adorned. After a couple moments, I realized what I was doing and raised a hand to my face in embarrassment.
"Hey, I'm going to sleep for a bit, mind watching my place in line?" she asked with a warm smile.
I was too embarrassed to say anything, so I just nodded.
She smiled and unrolled her sleeping bag. She laid it out on the concrete and proceeded to lie down.
It had finally stopped snowing, but it was still rather cold. I noticed an employee come out from inside the store.
"Hey guys, since the game is going to be released tomorrow and you're all patiently waiting in line, we decided we should give you all a little gift!" he exclaimed with excitement.
Suddenly, four more employees came out from inside the store and started handing out books. I eventually received one as well.
The cover read 'A Beginners Guide to Sword Art Online.' It was a rather thick book, but deciding I had nothing else to do, I sat down and started to read it.
It talked about a lot of stuff, including sword skills, houses, marriage, guilds, and everything else in-between. I pulled out my phone to check the time again; it was already midnight. I spent quite a while reading it.
I looked to my left at the girl that lay there. I hadn't even gotten her name, not that it really mattered. I shook my head and yawned. A girl as pretty as her probably had a boyfriend. I continued staring at her, until she opened her eyes.
I was pretty sure my face was a tomato now, because she gave me a weird look as soon as she saw me. I mean, it wasn't everyday you had someone watch you sleep, right?
I quickly looked away, feeling my face burn. Well, at least the coldness wasn't a problem anymore.
I could hear her put away her sleeping bag. I then remembered, "The employees handed out a guide earlier, it's right there," I said while gesturing towards her feet where the book laid.
She looked down and noticed the book, "Oh, sweet! Thanks, um, what was your name?"
"Tanner," I replied. I hated my name, mostly because of how ironic it was. I was the farthest thing from tan, as I was extremely pale. Not to mention I was an American living in Japan, making my name extremely strange too.
"You're not even close to tan though," she said laughing, as if she'd read my mind. "By the way, I'm Akari."
"Nice to meet you Akari," I said while extending my hand.
"We kind of already met don't you think? We just didn't know each-other's names," she said while she accepted my awkward handshake. Her hand was soft, and I didn't want to let go, and did so regrettably.
"Where are you from?" she asked while she sat down next to me.
I kept looking down and replied, "I'm from America."
"Well, anyone could've guessed that after looking at your blue eyes, not to mention that not a lot Japanese people are as tall as you," she said with a smile. "Where in America?"
How was I this stupid? It was obvious I wasn't Japanese. I ran my hand through my light brown hair and made a mental note to not be so idiotic.
"Seattle, Washington," I said awkwardly.
"Wow, Seattle? I heard it rains a lot there, right?" she asked. I couldn't tell if she looked interested, since I was still kind of embarrassed to look at her, but her voice actually seemed curious.
"It does actually. It's always gray too, so being in Japan is a nice change," I replied. I turned to look at her, and her dark brown eyes met mine.
"What brings you to Japan, if you don't mind me asking?" she asked curiously.
"I'm here studying abroad, I've been here for about three years." I replied, "I'm actually in my last year of high school," I was surprised that I didn't feel as nervous anymore. Maybe it was her warm smile, or the welcoming look of her eyes, I wasn't sure.
"You ditched school to come to the release, right?" she asked with a grin.
"No, I'm 'sick' and can't go," I replied sarcastically while making air quotes.
After that, we hit it off. We talked throughout most of the night; even the cold wasn't a problem. After a couple hours, I checked the time. It was half past five, and I could see a slight hue of red and orange over the horizon.
I yawned and felt something on my shoulder. I looked to my left and noticed Akari was leaning against me, not to mention she was asleep. I screamed inside my head, and would've been jumping for joy except for two things: I was too tired and I didn't want to wake her up.
I leaned my head back against the cold wall and relaxed. I fell asleep instantly. Maybe waiting wasn't so bad.
After what seemed to be seconds, I woke up to Akari staring at me. Wow, was this what she had to woken up to when I was staring at her?
"Wake up, the game is going to be released in five minutes!" she exclaimed while nudging my shoulder.
I pulled my phone out, and sure enough, it was five minutes before ten. I got up to stretch, and rubbed my eyes. I noticed strains of hair on my jacket, and I smiled.
"Hey, what's your username going to be?" Akari asked me with excitement.
"I'm not sure actually, I'll probably think of something later," I replied tiredly.
"How about Tan-Tan?" she suggested.
"Sounds good, I'll use that," I said. I was still half-asleep to fully pay attention.
"I'll make sure to look for you!" she said eagerly.
I nodded, my eyelids drooping. How she could be full of energy amazed me. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. Just one more minute, and the game would be released.
After a moment, I heard the doors to the game store open. The line moved rather fast since we had to pre-pay the six thousand yen before we got in line, so all we had to do was show our receipt to receive a copy. Eventually, Akari and I got our respective copies.
"See you in a bit?" Akari asked me as we left the store.
I nodded, and gave her another awkward handshake. I then went to my bike, and undid the lock. I stood there for a moment wondering if I really had feelings for her. I had barely even met her, so I doubted it. I eventually just got on my bike and made my way back to my apartment.
The ride back was relatively boring, just extremely cold. It was the only reason I didn't fall asleep while riding my bike.
Once outside the high-rise complex, I put my bike outside and put the lock on it. I walked in the main lobby slouched over; obviously tired from the three days I spent waiting.
"Long day?" asked the front desk attendant who had her usual brown ponytail and red blazer, as was the norm for the front office attendants.
"Oh, long three days actually. You work mornings now Momo?" I asked half-heartedly.
"I'm covering for someone actually," she replied while writing something down.
I was about to go up the elevator until she called me, "Hey Tanner, your mom called. She said to tell you to ask when the graduation ceremony will be taking place."
"Will do," I replied while glancing back.
I pushed the button to take me to the twelfth floor. I glanced down at my black shoes. They were dirty from being out so long. I remembered I hadn't even showered during those three days. Wait, I also talked to Akari like this? I started hitting my head against the elevator wall. How could I be so gross? I groaned until the elevator door opened.
There was an elderly man staring at me, like I was a sociopath of sorts. I smiled weakly and walked quickly out of the elevator. I went up to my room, punched in my PIN number, and entered my apartment.
I put the copy of Sword Art Online on my dresser. I pulled my NerveGear out from a cabinet. I had bought it a couple weeks ago, when I pre-ordered Sword Art Online. I got it set up and laid the helmet on the bed.
I checked the time; it was eleven thirty. The servers wouldn't be up for another two hours so I still had time to relax.
After taking a shower and eating noodles, -since I was too lazy to make anything more labor inducing- I decided to keep reading the book that was handed out in order to familiarize myself better with the game. After a while, I got bored and glanced out my windows. I had a beautiful view to say the least, especially since I lived in downtown Osaka.
I wondered what Akari was doing right now. I leaned back and felt the smooth wooden back of my chair.
It was nice having my own place in Japan. My family was rather well off, so I had more opportunities than most. I was still a little sad that this would be my final year here, and that then I would have to move back with my mom.
I did miss home though, especially since I didn't have to buy my own groceries back then. I sighed and continued to look out towards the city. It wasn't as gray here, but I could see the pollution obscuring the sky. I guess you could say I was homesick.
I snapped out of my thoughts and checked the time once more. It was twelve thirty. I put the book down on my dresser and walked over to my bed.
I got the NerveGear and put it on. It was somewhat cold, but that didn't bother me. I proceeded to lie down on my bed, closed my eyes, and with a smile said, "Link start!"
I might turn this story into a 'Submit Your Own OC' story, but I'm not fully sure. Anyway, thanks for reading! New chapter will be out soon.