Kirigaya Kazuto was brought into this world on October 7th 2008. She was, without a doubt, a happy child. Whether it be from laughing or smiling. She always found a way to brighten up the room just by being there.
She was happy.
She wasn't alone.
Within a year Kazuto had the blood of another human stained on her hands. Her parents were dead. A car crash taking both of their lives.
The only thing Kazuto could remember of her parents was their warm smiles. Their warm smiles that are no longer of this world.
She was cold.
Kazuto was adopted by her aunt at the tender age of 1. Her aunt was a happy person. With a child of her own called Suguha.
Kirigaya Midori was a warm person with an even warmer smile. Yet to Kazuto she still felt so distant.
Kazuto didn't care.
Kazuto would come to call Kirigaya Midori "Kaa-san"
Kirigaya Suguha absolutely adored her sister Kazuto. Wherever Kazuto went, Suguha would follow.
Kazuto would indulge her sister in anything she wanted. Suguha was so radiant that sometimes looking at her would blind Kazuto.
This pattern would continue for years to come.
The first time Kazuto saw the insides of a computer was when she was at the young age of 5.
She fell in love instantly.
Her Kaa-san would teach her everything she knew about computers. From the basics to the advanced, Kazuto would absorb every bit of information like a sponge.
Kazuto would build her first computer from scratch at 7 years old. Her Kaa-san was proud and it made Kazuto feel so warm.
Suguha didn't understand what was so important but she was happy. Her sister was happy and because of that so was she.
Kazuto felt warm.
Kazuto started Kendo at the age of 9. Her grandfather was strict and harsh. Hurting her for making mistakes and never praising her when she did something right. He was so cold. Colder than anyone she's ever met and Kazuto hated it. Hated how cold he was, how he looked at her like she failed despite doing everything correctly.
She would come to hate Kendo too.
But like everything else Kazuto did, she was a natural at it. Despite her hatred of it she was good at it. But that was not enough for her grandfather. She couldn't be just good. She had to be perfect.
It was this event that stuck a wedge between Kazuto and the rest of her family.
She felt so cold.
In 2018. After Kazuto's 10th birthday she discovered that Kirigaya Midori was not her mother.
That Suguha was not her real sister.
Kazuto felt like she was dumped into a tub of ice.
She grew distant from Suguha and Midori.
Both of them noticed the change but neither of them knew why.
Suguha could only cry. She couldn't understand why her sister was acting so cold to her. Why she seemingly forgot the 9 years that they've spent together.
Under the tutelage of her grandfather, Kazuto came to learn to lock away her emotions. Lock away the pain she felt. Because emotions and pain would make you lose. And losing was unacceptable.
Kazuto stopped smiling.
Kazuto was numb to the world. She plunged herself into her only solace. Technology. It was because of this she would make a name for herself quickly online. Selling custom made PCs that worked better than others.
She spent more time with her technology than she did with her family.
All of it was to run away.
When Suguha exclaimed to their grandfather that she would take Kazuto's spot in kendo. Kazuto was surprised. She was brought back into the world and could feel again, if for just a moment. Because Suguha would bear the harshness of their grandfather for her.
For her.
Their grandfather accepted. But Kazuto did not stop kendo. She couldn't stop. Not when Suguha brought out smiles from their grandfather. Smiles that Kazuto never received despite everything.
Kazuto began to resent Suguha. For being able to bring out a smile from their grandfather. For being able to smile despite not knowing anything.
For being so warm and yet so far away.
Two years later. At the age of 12, Kazuto won the national kendo tournament despite being the first time she entered. Despite being less experienced and younger.
Kazuto's grandfather did not acknowledge her win.
Despite the congratulations from both Suguha and Midori for winning. Her grandfather did not offer a single word or smile to Kazuto. He merely looked away as if he had failed her.
Kazuto quit practicing kendo the day after winning.
She was cold.
A month after Kazuto turned 13 she was invited to dinner by someone named Kayaba Akihiko.
She accepted.
Kayaba Akihiko was interested by Kirigaya Kazuto. To build a computer so efficient at the age of 10. And according to more private sources, to build one at 7.
Kayaba was a genius. This was not an opinion but a simple fact. And a genius was able to recognize the talents of other.
Kirigaya Kazuto was undoubtedly a genius. In fact, much of Kayaba himself was reflected in Kazuto. From the desire to learn to the detached views of the world. To their mutual love for technology.
They talked about their interests. Kayaba inquired as to how Kazuto came to love technology at such a young age. And Kazuto questioned him on what his job as a developer is like.
When the discussion finally came around to the reasons Kayaba called her to dinner she spoke in her usual quiet soft voice.
"You wanted to discuss «Sword Art Online» correct?"
Kayaba was not surprised by the assumption, only slightly impressed at the leap of judgement made by the 13 year old.
"That is correct. I wanted you, Kirigaya Kazuto, to beta test it for me."
Kazuto accepted without any hesitation.
Kazuto's first impression of Kayaba Akihiko was that he was neither warm nor cold.
She idly wondered if he was even alive.
Kirigaya Kazuto did not deign herself a hero. So it came as a surprise to her that she stepped in on 3 girls bullying another.
But as she held her, calming her down from a panic attack induced by the other girls, she knew she made the right decision.
Because despite how cold her skin felt. The girl was so very warm.
"My name is Kirigaya Kazuto, what's yours?"
The dark haired girl with half rimmed glasses just stared at her. Before finally saying.
"Asada Shino, thank you for helping me"
It would be the first and only time the two see each other for years to come. But neither would forget each other.
To Kazuto, she would not forget the girl that did not let herself be drowned out by the world.
To Shino, she would hold it to herself to become as strong as the black haired beauty that came to her rescue.
When Kazuto logged into «Sword Art Online» for the very first time. The very first thing she did was find a mirror.
She appeared the same as she was in real life.
She felt small pinpricks go down her back. But she ignored it. If this was a feature of the game she had no right to complain.
Kazuto was not surprised when Kayaba appeared beside her. Looking the exact same as he does in real life.
Kazuto questioned where the rest of the beta testers are.
Kayaba replied by telling her that he wanted to show her something before anyone else.
"Follow me Kirigaya-san. I would like to know your opinion on the combat system."
Kazuto followed.
A month later, when the closed beta officially rolled out, Kazuto logged into her new avatar. She played as a guy.
She mused because now her name finally fit her.
Kirito was her in game name.
When she played as Kirito. She felt alive.
As Kirito, she would explore the entire starting floor several times over, reveling in the beauty that was «Aincrad»
As Kazuto she would continue with her numb everyday life.
At the end of the beta test. Kirito would attempt to solo the ninth floor's boss. Despite being the highest leveled player at 25 and geared to the absolute highest possible at the floor. It was still a fearsome challenge.
She died 2 times before succeeding.
When the beta test ended Kazuto was invited to dinner once again by Kayaba Akihiko.
"I hope you will enjoy the official release as much as you enjoyed the beta, Kirigaya-san"
Kazuto nodded.
They both enjoyed their dinner in silence.
Kazuto's birthday came and went.
She already felt so much older than 14
Suguha never gave up on her sister. She would invite her sister out countless times. Every single time she was shot down. But she never gave up.
Suguha remembered the times when she and her sister were practically attached to the hip. And yet now her sister would rarely interact with anyone.
It hurt seeing her sister so close but so far.
She would never give up on her precious sister.
"Nee-chan! I'm going off to kendo practice, do you want to come watch?"
Suguha would keep trying. She had caught her sister on the way to her room and decided to once again try. She steeled herself for her sister's answer. It hurt to be turned down.
"Gomen Sugu. I don't…"
Kazuto let the sentence hang. She always did.
Suguha just smiled.
"It's ok nee-chan. I know you don't like kendo that much."
Suguha turned to leave. She would try again another day. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard it.
"Ne Sugu…"
Suguha stopped in her tracks. She looked back at her sister, who was halfway up the stairs. Back facing her.
"If you want to go shopping after…"
Suguha blinked. She could feel her eyes starting to water. She was so happy.
"Hai! Nee-chan!"
Suguha's smile was absolutely radiant.
"Mou Nee-chan! Why are you so big! It's not fair!"
Kazuto lightly blushed.
Suguha stared. Her sister was pretty. Very pretty. And since Kazuto admitted that she wasn't the best when it came to clothes it was up to Suguha to choose what her sister would look the best in.
That was how it was supposed to go, but her sister looked good in… everything really.
Which made it rather difficult to choose anything.
Not to mention her sister didn't really have any preferences in what she wanted to wear.
Suguha sighed. Her sister was a real handful.
But she wouldn't have it any other way.
For the first time in her life Kazuto felt self conscious.
Her sister had taken it upon herself to find Kazuto a yukata for the upcoming festival but she hadn't expected her to stare so intensely after she put it on.
Kazuto averted her eyes from Suguha and fidgeted.
This was rather embarrassing…
Suguha was astounded. Mesmerized by her sister's beauty.
When she told Kazuto to try on the yukata she had chosen out she wasn't sure what she was expecting.
She was pleasantly surprised. Though that may be an understatement.
Kazuto's half up half down hairstyle that she had worn just for this framed her face perfectly. The jet black giving a nice contrast to Kazuto's usual milky white skin. While the yukata itself was a nice deep turquoise colour with a large flower printed on it.
The light blush Kazuto was sporting just finished the picture.
Suguha thought she looked like a princess.
"Nee-chan"
Kazuto blinked.
"Marry me."
"E-Eh? Sugu?"
"Marry me and be mine! No one else can have someone as impossibly cute as you!"
Kazuto's brain short circuited.
When Kirigaya Midori came home she did not expect the house to be empty.
She also didn't expect her daughters to walk in 30 minutes later with bags of clothes.
Suguha had a permanent smile on her face.
Kazuto's cheeks were stained in a rosy blush.
Kirigaya Midori was happy to see the gap between her daughters close.
With a smile on her face she called out.
"Sugu! Kazu! Dinner's almost ready so just hold tight!"
Kazuto could safely say that today was perhaps the happiest day of her life.
Before she succumbed to the depths of sleep she wished that these days with her sister would last forever.
A week later «Sword Art Online» began.
"Link start!"
When Kirito appeared at the «Town of beginnings» she took no time to revel in sights like so many others were doing. She maneuvered through the crowd in a practiced fashion, not bumping into a single person and every movement graceful with no wasted actions.
Quickly buying the gear in the shops, Kirito was about to take a shortcut down a back alley when someone caught her hand.
Kirito reflexively pivoted and landed a knee in her assailants gut.
They went down in a flash.
Kirito continued on walking.
"H-Hey wait!"
Kirito stopped, sighed and turned around. The owner of the voice was presumably the person she had just knee'd in the stomach.
Kirito just raised an eyebrow.
The man with a bandana, Kirito taking note of it as being the most identifiable item on his person, took that as a prompt to continue.
"Look I know that grabbing your hand probably wasn't the best way to get your attention but hear me out man! I saw the way you moved through the city and you know your way around here. You were in the beta test right?"
Kirito just nodded.
"I was right! Look man it's my first day and I just wanted some tips for the lower floors."
Kirito first reflex was to decline. But she stopped herself, after all she did just knew him in the gut.
She sighed. Teaching him the basics was probably the least she could do.
"Alright."
A smile spread upon the bandana wearing man.
"Thanks! I'm Klein."
"Kirito"
Kirito sighed for what must have been the hundredth time.
"Klein-san, you know you can't feel pain right?"
"Ne Kirito-san?"
"Hai?"
"How far did you get in the beta?"
"Floor 10 in two months, though I believe that we'll make it there in one."
"Wow, sounds like you're really into this."
"...Indeed."
"Ah, Kirito-san, I'm pretty hungry so I'll probably log off soon. I have a pizza ordered for 5:30."
"I see."
"Eto… I was going to meet up with people from another game after this so I was just wondering… Ah… If you wanted to hang with us you could."
"...Gomenasai Klein-san, I will have to decline. Thank you for the offer."
"Nah! I should be the one doing after all the thanking! After all you did it's only right that I find some way to pay you back."
"...I look forward to the day Klein-san. If you have any other questions feel free to message me."
"Yeah! Anyways I'm off!"
"See you Klein-san."
"Kirito-san? Where's the log out button?"
"Last but not least, I've placed a little present in your inventories. Please take a look"
Opening her menu and opening her inventory Kirito was met with an item called «Hand Mirror»
She did not take it out.
She knew what was about to happen.
Kirito felt pinpricks run down her back.
"K-Kirito? You're a girl…?"
"My gender doesn't matter Klein-san. Please come with me."
"E-Eh? Kirito? Wait a minute!"
Kirito did not listen.
She would survive.
"Klein-san, I want you to come with to the next town."
"What…?"
"Listen, «Sword Art Online» is a game, one where you die if you hit zero hp but a game nonetheless. Levels and stats are everything here, if we can get a head start we'll have an increased chance of survival."
Klein stared.
"What is it Klein-san? Did I say something wrong?"
Klein smiled.
"Nah, nothing like that Kirito-san. It's just that, this is the most I've heard you say all afternoon."
"Gomen Kirito-san, just trying to lighten the mood. About the offer… Well you know about those friends I told you about? I waited all night to buy this game with them and they're still back in the plaza, I can't just leave 'em."
"...I see"
"Can't really ask someone I just met to risk their lives for people they don't even know. It'll be fine though! I used to be a guild master in other games and with the things you taught me we'll survive for sure!"
"...Very well then, this is where we part ways."
"Yeah… And Kirito-san? You look way better as a girl! Super cute, totally gives off that 'cool beauty' vibe."
"...That scruffy face suits you more, Klein-san."
Kirito ran.
She was alone, despite being trapped in a death game she was still alone, nothing changed.
She wondered if she would ever see Suguha again.
Started: Jan 12th, 2017
Finished: Jan 14th, 2017
Published: Jan 15th, 2017
Words: 2,898.
AN: Since I don't like reading or writing author's notes this will probably be the only one I do besides writing out the words/start/finish.
There will be no pairings.
This will story will follow canon in terms of plot and will place a lot of emphasis on temperature. The reason I chose to write it like this is because I wanted a detached sense of being. A sort of dreamlike state with snapshots of someone's life. Hopefully I achieved that.
I'll try to have chapters up every week, don't hold me to that though since real life stuff may come up.
Writing dialogue is hard.
I don't really know what else to say.
Review! Or don't. It's up to you.