hey guys i know it has been awhile since i updated anything, first i would like to thank my partner Kurohana806 for helping me with this story thus far. she has done most of the fluff here, second i forgot to add this on the first chapter but if i get 10 reviews ill update the next week.
December 15th 2020 five days before release:
THIRD PERSON VIEW
Outside the weather was chilly, small amounts of snow began sticking to everything in sight. The only vehicle moving was a motorcycle zooming through the streets trying to get to its destination before the sun set. The world a brilliant purple haze as the sun inched closer to disappearing. The vehicle stopped at a red light, the rider noticing a flash of color in the window of a small flower shop. Looking both ways, the rider turned towards the shop. Stopping outside, the rider disappeared inside. "Excuse me," He spoke kindly, "I have a special request."
SINON'S VIEW
《Sounds fun :)》 "Oh Kazuto you are my light in an otherwise dark existence." I sigh 《I'm headed that way love.》 smiling stupidly to myself, I'll never get over him calling me 'love' will I? I ignored the constant butterflies in my chest and rolled out of bed. It'll be a while before he's here... I thought to myself, Maybe I can watch a movie before he gets here... looking over my collection of movies. Hmm maybe All Shook Up. Haven't watched that in a while. Popping the movie into my dvd player, I get lost in the story. A loud knock at the door brought me from my trance. Looking up at the TV I see credits rolling up the screen. I call out, "Hello?"
"It's me, Kazuto." his voice responded
"It's open."
Walking in Kazuto, shut and locked the door. "You should keep that locked when you're alone, I get worried."
"No one ever comes by here." I smirk, "The only weirdo I see constantly is you."
"So heart-warming, what are we watching?" He asked
"Oh we can watch whatever, I was just passing time till you got here." I said as I stood up and hugged him tightly. "By the way what took you so long?" Hugging me back he walked us to the bed and sat me down. "No real reason, but I saw something that reminded me of you... I guess I just bought it on a whim." He shrugged before reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a small clear plastic box. Inside was a pale blue rose that matched my Sinon's hair to a tee, with a white orchid and blue baby's breath surrounding it... all tied with a black ribbon. Kazuto's favorite color...
"Awww, did I make you cry?" He smiled softly
"Sh-shut up..."
"I thought blue was a good color for you, but red's not bad." He smirked poking my cheek. I cocked my fist back and threw it at his arm, he dodged but grabbed me before I fell off the bed. I was now being hugged from behind. "Oh c'mon, don'y be so shy, love." He whispered the last part in my ear.
I flung myself back upright, headbutting his chin with the back of my head, "Owowowow!" I hissed
"Damn Shino... that would've killed me in a game..." He chuckled holding his chin in his hand
"You friggin' sap! Stop calling me such weird names!"
He stood up and stretched, "I don't think it's weird at all... Do you have anything you want to watch love?" He asked as he walked over to my movie shelf.
"No not really." I huffed, what do you mean it's not weird?
"So how's GGO going?' He asked while inspecting my movies.
"It was going good, but the beta test is over so now I can focus on you. Yaaay." I smirked sarcastically, "I know you were missing me."
He chuckled, "Well yeah, it's weird not having you in shot gun when I play racing simulators." Putting a random movie in, Kazuto kicked off his shoes and hung his thick jacket up on the hook of the door before jumping behind me on the bed while I placed the flower corsage on my desk.
"Well, the official game isn't out for another 5 days, so I guess I have some time for you... for now."
"I'm glad for that." he said as he pulled me closer to him. Now cuddled up to each other to keep warm, Kazuto threw a blanket over us.I turned around snuggled closer to him pressing my head into his chest slightly. "So Love, what was the avatar name you go by in GGO again?"
I ignored the sappy nickname, "Sinon. why do you ask?"
"I was thinking of something." Ignoring his vague response I simply enjoyed the contact and the little bolts of electricity shooting through my body as I leaned comfortably in his embrace.
KAZUTO'S VIEW
Looking down at Shino all I could do was smile, I thought about the world she loved so much, GGO a world of guns and bullets. I wonder what that world is like. I nodded my head in agreement with the idea I'd been tossing around in my head... I'd owe the guy a favor but I suppose it'd be worth it. "I should get it before they're all gone though, even if he does hook me up..."
Shifting slightly to stand up, Shino protested slightly by grabbing my shirt, but released when I gently pulled her off, I would have loved to stay but I think she'd forgive me this one time. Walking into the bathroom I looked into the mirror my long black hair covering half my face. Looking at her in the reflection I saw the flower, I grabbed a cup from her kitchen and filled it with water, "This will do." I thought as I placed the flower in the glass and set it back on the table. I left a note leaning on the glass knowing that Shino would see. Locking the door behind me I started towards my bike. I headed towards downtown to pick up my "reserved" copy of GGO.
"You owe me 'Kirito'" My old classmate grinned
"Whatever, just message me whenever and I'll help you get all the items and EXP you want.
"Seriously? Deal, oh man with your help I'll be able to level up so much faster... just download this in, and on the time it's released you're good to go live." This will be great I can hang with Shino in this world and that one. "Sweet, message me whenever you want me to make good on our deal." I said as I left the game shop. Putting everything I just bought into a duffle bag on my back I threw my leg over the back of my bike. As I was about to leave I got a text from Shino, 《Hey why did you leave?》
《I had to pick up something I'm headed to my house, then I'll be back over there in no time. Don't miss me too hard love. :)》
《OK be safe...love.》 Smiling to myself I headed home. (Ten minutes later) Opening the door I looked around to see if Sugu was home, seeing nothing I stepped inside. I texted Shino 《I may be a little bit later than expected.》 Kicking off my shoes I went upstairs taking out the GGO disk and put on my Nervgear. I went through the initial calibration set up for any new game and then lay in bed. "Link start." Everything turned white. Then rods of colors shot past my face as the system configured all five senses. Blinking, I saw the character creation menu in front of me. "Ah! not that long!" I said as my characters hair was well below mid thigh, I spent about half an hour changing my character's parameters to look like a more mature version of myself. "Now for a name...Hmmmmm... Ah, I'll just keep my name Kirito."
THIRD PERSON VIEW
The next week had been slow for Shino, each class seemed to last an eternity. Being a senior with straight A's, Shino didn't bother paying attention in class today, deciding she had earned the okay to slack off... so instead of notes she found herself gazing out the window. Thinking about the world of guns and bullets, Shino sighed as the bell rang for lunch. Waiting outside her classroom Shino saw Kazuto walking towards her. "H..hey." she said as she began walking with Kazuto. She still felt a new sensations when she saw him, his flower safely in her desk, preserved so it wouldn't fade.
"Hey Shino how was class?" He asked his hand brushing Shino's as he tried to avoid someone else.
"Slow." She sighed, wishing she could bury her face in her scarf to hide the red that bloomed from their brief contact. "Be right back..." She mumbled, picking up her pace Shino ducked into a bathroom before Kazuto could catch up. Ignoring her sudden departure Kazuto continued towards the cafeteria, sitting in their normal spot Kazuto waited. "What's wrong with you?" Shino asked herself as she looked in the mirror "...we;ve been friends since freshman year." Shaking her head slightly Shino looked back into the mirror to freeze. Behind her stood Endo and her goons.
"Well Asada, it's been awhile." Endo said "Your little boyfriends not here to protect you now bitch." Yelled one of the goons, stepping forward and grabbing her arm. Shino's arms were locked as she looked straight into Endo's eyes. Large pits of darkness brimming with hate and spite.
Wanting to ask, "Why? Why now?", but keeping her pride, Shino could only grit her teeth before Endo moved her hand in the all-too-familiar gesture. Stepping forward, Endo put a finger gun to Shino's forehead. "So this must be what it felt like for you that day." She grinned wickedly, her seemingly innocent pink lip gloss seemed to glimmer with resentment"bang." Endo whispered as she drew her hand back like recoil from a pistol. Shino's eyes widened, her knees began to shake, She began to sag to the floor, but only felt the other two holding her up, their cackles faded into the background as her heart rate began to skyrocket. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Was all that echoed from the room before a resonating bang and panicked shout was heard, "SHINO!" Four sets of eyes turned to see a desperate Kazuto, the sight of his cherished person captive and in tears... was the last he saw before his vision turned red.
Kazuto awoke to see Shino's roof, "What he hell happened?" he asked raising a hand to his head touching just above his right eye. Upon doing so he immediately pulled his hand away, small jolts of pain still remaining. Looking around Kazuto saw an ice pack on the table in front of him. Grabbing and pressing it to his head he slowly walked to the bathroom. Seeing the light on, he rapped on the door... no response. Putting his ear to the door the sounds of Shino sobbing, "Shino are you ok?" still hearing no response he pushed the door in more, "Shino talk to me love..." the door fell open all the way to reveal Shino. Throat slit, eyes dull, and mouth gasping before more blood dribbled past pale lips. everything fell away except Shino's body only hearing cackling kazuto turned to see endo with a wicked smile on her face. "i did all this for you my love" she whispered
"AAAAAHHHHH!" shooting out of bed Kazuto looked around, once again seeing Shino's room. "What the fuck was that?" he muttered, he walked towards the bathroom. Knocking on the door he heard Shino yell, "I'll be out in a minute." sighing in relief as his dream disappeared into nothingness, Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair before pulling back feeling the sharp pain above his eye, Kazuto walked to the kitchen grabbing a ziplock bag he filled it with ice. Kazuto placed the bag to his head. What the hell happened? he asked himself once again. He walked into Shino's room to glance in the mirror, a large gauze square was taped to his forehead, bruising was surrounding the wrapping. He heard the bathroom door creak open and poked his head through her bedroom doorway, "Shino, what happened earl-" His breath caught as he realized what Shino was wearing, or rather, what she wasn't.
SHINO'S VIEW
Turning off the shower, I stepped out wiping the mirror to see myself, Seeing the sorry state I was in made all of today's events come crashing back, all I wanted to do was lie down. Seeing Kazuto lose it like that didn't help...
*** I had only screamed when Kazuto kicked the door to the woman's bathroom off its hinge's and came in. once he saw me his whole body shifted, his eyes seemed to glow while his stance became tense and...powerful. He almost seemed possessed... Endo just looked at him with a wicked smile before pulling a gun from her purse. An eternity seemed to pass before anything happened, I sat there helpless, as another person was going to die in front of me.
Then, almost in the blink of an eye, Kazuto crossed the distance, grabbing the gun from Endo and kicking the side of her knee. He threw the gun into one of the other girls face, her nose began bleeding, releasing me while she screamed. He friend panicking and rushed at Kazuto. She reached back to punch kazuto, but he evaded. Grabbing the girl's wrist and holding her arm straight he pulled, dislocating the girls arm. Dropping her, Kazuto crouched between me and Endo. She rushed back to grab the gun, but Kazuto had beaten her to it, but had not seen Endo lift her leg and kick his shoulder, sending his head first into the porcelain sink. He seemed to slump over. Looking back at me Endo smiled, picking up the gun once again, walking up to me she put the gun to my forehead. "How about I really find out what you felt that day." she whispered in my ear as she pulled the hammer back. Smiling wickedly she pulled the triggger (click) I opened my eyes to see Endo eyes ignite with rage and confusion. Sh-she left the safety on... throwing the gun aside she drew her hand back, a flash of black shot across my view. looking over i see Kazuto on top of Endo, "Gah! why do you protect her, shes a murderer?" She yelled at Kazuto
"It dosent matter, she's my friend and I promised to protect her forever from scum like you, who want nothing more than to see the world burn. Besides, she's a hero..." hearing this, Endo threw Kazuto off herself the jumped up to try and escape like her bloody-nosed friend. Kazuto simply kicked the side of knee, this time Endo instantly dropped, the sound of bone snapping echoed through out the bathroom. Kazuto stood up and walked over to me, blood streaming down one side of his face and dripping down his arm. "Are you ok?" he asked. still shaking from the events i didn't respond, but I felt my hand grab his and nod. He smiled, bending down; he picked me up bridal style and began walking us to my home.***
Shaking my head i looked into the mirror once again, brushing my hair. He passed out once he got into my door, I had to carry him to bed and dress the wound... I should make sure we don't have to go to the hospital. Turning around I noticed there were no clothes, my face quickly became red. "You have got to be kidding me." I grumbled, looking for any spares. Peeking out the door I saw my small linen closet and no Kazuto. I dashed to the closet door, wearing only a small towel to cover myself. I made a bee line for my dresser, bent over grabbing my underwear and pj's I stood up and was about to go back to the bathroom when goosebumps covered my entire body. Feeling the cold sensation I turned as I heard something hit the ground. The source of the sound was a small plastic bag with ice in it, at the feet of a very red faced Kazuto his hands covering his eyes.
Looking down my face became bright red as i realized i was still only covered. in the front. by a small towel. kazuto. eyes still covered began to turn around only to hit the door way with his head. "ka..kazuto hold still." i said as i quickly got dressed "owwwwww." he said as he held still. after getting dressed i walked slowly to kazuto putting my hand to his back he jumped slightly. "Are... are you descent?" he asked trying not to embarrass himself and me any further.
"l... like you really care you perv." i said as i pushed him slightly to make him move
becoming off balance kazuto stumbled backwards into a wall. laughing he only replied with "i..i really do." standing back up he wrapped me in a tight hug. being surprised at first i didn't return the hug, but slowly i wrapped my arms around him. "you know you mean a lot to me don't you Shino?"
squeezing him even tighter i nodded into his chest.
"so i hope you understand what i mean when i say i don't want you to be alone anymore."
i pulled away to look at kazuto he only sighed before saying "god i'm making a mess of this."
"no kazuto just tell me what you're trying to say." i said pulling him closer to myself.
"its just... ach nevermind." he replied. saddened slightly i just put my head on his chest.
listening to kazuto's heart beat i found myself drifting towards a dark spot in my mind. the day i had to save my mother. the day i became a murderer.
there i was sitting on a bench reading while my mom sent some mail to my grandfather a pleasant day really. then a man walked inside the post office the room seemed to become chilly at that moment. stumbling forward the man almost fell down. pushing my mother aside he slammed a bag on the counter "PUT ALL THE MONEY IN THE BAG!" he yelled pulling out a pistol. everyone behind the counter put their hands up "I SAID PUT THE MONEY IN THE BAG!" he yelled. the man behind the counter hesitated before pulling some money out of the register and placing it in the bag. a defining bang was heard the man behind the counter dropped his arms and looked at his midsection. a small hole was present falling to the ground the man tryed to ask for help only to be shot again in the head. the man with the gun looked at the other employees of the small office. grabbing my mother he yelled "I SAID PUT ALL THE MONEY IN THE BAG... OR ILL KILL THIS ON NEXT!" As one of the clerks filled the bag with money i ran at the man. biting his hand he dropped the gun and my mother swinging me back and forth like a ragdoll he slammed my head into the counter as i landed i felt something cold and heavy drop into my lap looking down i see the gun the man had pulled out of the bag. searching frantically the man foamed at the mouth seeing me holding his gun "GIVE IT BACK YOU LITTLE BRAT THATS MINE!" he screamed before lunging at me. screaming i picked the gun up and pulled the trigger .BANG. the man froze looking down as blood began to drip out of his stomach. the man made an inhuman shriek before jumping at me again. i raised the gun and .BANG. he was launched backwards onto the ground. the man began to convulse. he then began to get up once again, but before he could even raise his head .BANG. another shot was fired right in between his eyes looking down at the gun i determined it had jammed. while looking down i began to see the blood of this sick, deranged, psycho pool at my feet. still looking down i began to cry... i then looked to my mother for reinsurance that i had done the right thing. only to see a look of pure disgust. closing my eyes i cried.
i don't remember getting up that day after looking at my mom. when i opened my eyes i saw the roof of my room the fan spinning gently. "Shino dinner is ready." was said as i sat up in bed.
"thank you kazuto." i said
walking into the kitchen i could smell fumes from paradise as i gazed at the meal in front of me "rib eye steaks, green beans, and mac 'n cheese." kazuto said without turning around.
"so are you cooking from now on?" i asked teasingly as i sat down. laughing at my own antics kazuto just shrugged off my question.
bringing me a plate kazuto sat down beside me. "Shino what would you think if i got GGO?"
"Hmm?" i asked as i dug into my meal "what would you think if got GGO and joined you in it?"
"Aww it would be awsome we could drive around and shoot at stuff." i said taking another delicious bite
"cool cool." he said as he ate his meal. wanting to ask more i decided to wait till we were done eating.
rinsing the last dish off kazuto and i retreated to my room "so kazuto why did you ask about GGO earlier?"
"oh ive just been rolling around a thought it my head is all." he said as he tried to stand up
pulling kazuto back onto the bed i hugged him tightly from behind "be safe kazuto."
leaning his head against mine he smiled "i will be shino."
as kazuto left i sat back on my bed "ahh five days... its only five days and i can get back to that reality."