DISCLAIMER: As much as I would love to, I do not, nor do I ever foresee myself, own Oreimo or Sword Art Online. They are the properties of their respective owners. I am just borrowing their works to fulfill my own desires.
A/N: Welcome to the official first chapter of my story. I hope you enjoy.
As a side note, I do not have a beta for this story, so please excuse any mistakes in grammar and/or breaches of cannon for either novel (there shouldn't be any major instances of this, since I reference the light novels if I'm not sure of something).
Title: 私はこのゲームにの中で立ち往生することができない (I Cannot Be Stuck In This Game)
Author: TrowGundam
Chapter: Chapter 1
I can't believe I let my sister talk me into this. It was a little over a week ago that my little sister showed up at my apartment and demanded that I play this new game that was coming out the next week.
"Click," I heard the apartment door open and close as I stood preparing my lunch in the kitchen. I quickly wash my hands and walk out to the living room area drying my hands with a towel to see my sister, Kousaka Kirino, placing her shoes down by the door.
"You could knock you know? It wouldn't kill you." I called out to her acting slightly annoyed. I knew it wouldn't matter though, she has never knocked when coming into my personal space. I knew giving her the spare key to my apartment was a bad idea, but its too late now.
"What? Can't a little sister just stop by to check on her perverted siscon of a brother? You should be down on the ground thanking me." She replied in her usual arrogant tone.
My eye twitched at her response. My sister hasn't changed much in the past 9 years, and I don't ever want it to change.
It has been about nine and half years since our fake wedding and subsequent break up after we graduated from our respective schools. It has been a bumpy road, but somehow we had managed.
We were never able to go back to being normal siblings. There was always that special spark there, the kind of spark that can only exist between two people who are madly in love with each other.
From time to time we would have minor relapses, especially when we lived together in that cramped apartment in Tokyo for a year while we both attended the same university. Luckily, we never took things too far. Things almost went too far once when I graduated (with honors I might add), but I was able to stop the situation and quickly found a job and my own apartment quickly before things could get too serious again.
The two of us have also remained rather close to our old friends. Ruri, Saori and Ayase all happened to attend the same university as Kirino and myself. We even convinced Ayase to try out some more otaku stuff, but she still shies away from the more perverted content that the others prefer.
We had finally settled into a normal routine after university. I worked at a prestigious electronics firm called RECTO Progress as software technician. I made a decent salary, but that was offset by the huge cost of living in Tokyo. While I could live a comfortable life, I didn't have much for the finer luxuries in life. But, I was fine with that, I have always preferred the normal simple life.
Kirino continued her modelling career and is now rather well known in the international fashion industry. She even has her own clothing and cosmetic lines. She has been incredibly successful in everything she has tried, but I would expect nothing less of my incredible little sister. Even with her busy schedule, she still makes time for her big brother and her otaku friends every week.
But, enough reminiscing back to my little sister.
"So what are you doing here, Kirino? I thought we would be meeting with the others at the Pretty Garden Cafe later." I asked a little less annoyed.
"Ahh, well Saori called and told me that she and the black one wouldn't be able to make it today. Something about having to meet an editor or anime producer or something. I wasn't paying too much attention. I told them I'd drop by and let you know." She says while smoothing down her short skirt and walks towards me.
I turn around and return to the kitchen to attend to my waiting lunch. I look back and I think I was subconsciously expecting something like this, it wouldn't be the first time it has happened all, because I had prepared way too much for a lunch by myself.
"Hey, Kirino. Want some lunch? I made more than enough for two." I called back into the living room.
"Sure, aniki. Give me just a second and I'll be right there."
I heard some thuds from the other room as I moved the meal from the counter to the table and retrieved a setting for another person. Just as I'm finishing setting the second place across from my own I can hear light footsteps approach me from behind.
We both took our seats and called out "Thanks for the meal!" before eating in relative silence. It was almost like we were back in our childhood home eating with our parents like we use to, except the atmosphere isn't nearly as heavy as it was there. That is due mostly to our father not being there and our much improved relationship with each other.
I finished my meal first as normal leaned back with my hands resting on my stomach contentedly. I watch my sister finish the meal and start to fidget nervously. I know this behavior, I've seen it countless times over the years. She has some demand, likely very unreasonable, that she is going to make of me.
"What is it, Kirino? I can tell you want something from me or want me to do something. Otherwise you could have just called me and told me about the meeting being canceled."
"Idiot, don't just come right out and ask like that. I was getting to it. Just give me some time. Tch..."
Typical Kirino, she has a hard time expressing herself honestly around me. Its what you would call your typical "tsundere." I just sigh and give her a little time.
After a minute she speaks up. "There's this game it comes out next week, and I want you to play it with me."
Not an unusual request of Kirino, she has done this from time to time. It typically lead to some kind of minor relapse, seeing as most of the games she demands I play are eroge.
"Hmm, I wasn't aware of any eroge you might play being released next week. What game is it?" I ask while trying to think of a different alternative.
"Tch, idiot, I don't just play eroge. I play all kinds of games. It is the new MMO Sword Art Online. Saori managed to get copies for her, you, the black one and myself even though all the preorders were sold out."
"That is the new VR-MMO, I heard about isn't it?" I asked my curiosity peaked. It wasn't the typical game she made me play, but it actually peaked my interest unlike most of the Little Sister eroge she made me play. There was only one problem...
"I wish I could Kirino, but I don't own a Nerve Gear. It just hasn't fit into my budget yet, and there hasn't really been any games that peaked my interest for it so I never bothered saving to buy one. Tell Saori I'm sorry, but I can't play with you all." I replied a little ashamed.
You would think with working for such a huge international corporation as a rather successful software technician that I'd have a little more money than that, but recently my rent and other bills have skyrocketed. I make enough to live a comfortable life, but I don't have a lot for the extra things I once could afford like games and anime.
"I thought you might say that. Hehehe. I came prepared. Follow me!" Kirino said as she stood up and rushed back out to the living room.
I quickly followed her and noticed a medium size box sitting on the coffee that I didn't notice her with earlier. I sat down beside her on the couch as she reached for the box, which now that I could see it without the couch in the was had the Nerve Gear logo on it.
"Kirino, you didn't have to get this for me. I could have gotten one with my next check and joined you then."
"Hehehe, just think of it as an early Christmas present. I had it customized a bit, just for you." She replied with a mischievous smirk.
Now I was scared. That smirk usually means I'm about to be either 1) hit, 2)scared shitless or 3) embarrassed beyond belief. Timidly I open the box in front of us and I pull out a Nerve Gear that has what I realize is the character Rinko from an eroge we had played together, SisXsis, half naked in an incredibly lewd pose. Ugh, I knew it was going to be something like this.
"Isn't she so cuuuuuute? I had it done especially for you. I've got a matching one with Miyabi-chan on it." Kirino squealed as soon as the Nerve Gearwas out of its box.
I knew better than to retort. It would do no good, and she did buy this expensive toy and had it customized just for me. Plus the character did bring back a lot of good memories, albeit with a bittersweet aftertaste due to what could have been.
"Yeah, its great Kirino. Thank you for the gift. I can't wait to play with you and the rest next week. Luckily the game comes out on Sunday. Otherwise I would have been busy at work most of the day." I replied trying to ease my discomfort from looking at a half naked character that reminded me strongly of my little sister.
After a short comfortable silence Kirino told me she had to leave. I placed the Nerve Gearon the table next to its box and followed her to the door.
She slipped her designer shoes back on and turned around. She looked at me for a second with a look I've seen before in her eyes. Against my better judgement I pull her into a loose hug. She puts her arms around my neck leans in trying to give me a kiss on the lips, but just like in the past, I just turn my head to the side and her lips touch my cheek instead of my lips.
I can feel her body sag a little in my arms, and I struggle to keep myself from turning back to her. I already know the depressed face she has by heart. I feel the same way to tell you the truth, but we can't cross that line. We shouldn't even approach that line again. I'm not sure I could control myself if we did.
Dejectedly my little sister pulls away from me and leaves quietly, not even saying goodbye as she slips out the door. It pains me to to hurt her so, my actions hurt myself just as much if not more than they hurt her. But, I've got to be strong and keep a level head. If only she or I could get a girlfriend/boyfriend maybe we could move on, but I suspect that she feels the same way that I do, that no one could ever replace the one person we truly loved with all our hearts.
Its one week later and my little sister had just arrived with the box for her Nerve Gearunder her arm.
"Kirino, you didn't have to come all the way here just to play the game. We would have met up in game soon enough. Geez."
"Tch, idiot, I had to come to make sure you logged in right after the server go up, otherwise you have made some excuse to chicken out or some other excuse."
She sounded pissed, but I knew what she truly meant to say. I've had years of practice after all. Let me summarize it for you: I justed wanted to be with you while I played. It was just like old times, and I really didn't mind that much to be honest.
"Well lets eat lunch and then we can get ready." I replied with a gentle smile.
We ate a light lunch. I've heard it best to not have a heavy lunch or a lot of liquids before starting a game on the Nerve Gear. I've been told it can lead to some rather embarrassing incidents if you're not careful.
After we cleaned the table and done the dishes I turn to my sister, "So, where do you want to do this at?" I ask.
"Well, the instruction manual for the Nerve Gear says it is best to be lying down while you play, like in bed or something." She replies in a shy tone that clearly tells me what she wants. I mean it is kind of obvious I only have a single double bed in my apartment, and no spare futon or anything of the like. I guess one of us could use the floor or couch, but that would be very uncomfortable after a few hours.
I want to refuse her request, but I know it is useless to resist her request. Plus, it did make the most sense, and it's not like our bodies would be doing anything other than lying there while our minds explored the game.
I give out a light sigh and respond, "Sure thing, Kirino. We can use my bed. It might be a tight fit, but it will be better than the floor or the couch."
"PERVERT! Who said anything about your bed?! You dirty siscon. You just want to lure your beautiful little sister into your bed so you can molest her don't you?! Tch..."
"I think you are the pervert here. Who's the one who forced me to play little sister eroge with you, hmmm? So get your mind out of the gutter already." I retort to her outburst.
We have this kind of... arguments all the time. I hesitate to call them arguments, they are more like lover's quarrels than anything, but I'm not going down that mental route at the moment.
Kirino stands up and follows me with a faint blush on her face. We grab our Nerve Gears from the living room and proceed into my small bedroom. I let her climb into the bed first and I follow her after placing the Nerve Gearon my head.
I had completed the initial calibrations and the creation of my character the previous night when Argus had opened the character creation portion of the servers.
"Aniki, please hold me like you use to do in University. Just for today, ok?" Kirino asks as we get comfortable and ready to dive in. The servers would be starting up any minute now.
I sigh, but instead of answering verbally, I turn on my side and pull her back towards me into a spooning position. We hadn't been in this position since we lived together during university. I can hear her let out contented sigh, and I can feel her relax into my embrace. I can't smell her hair like I use to do, but just holding her like this places me into a deep calm that I've missed and longed for the past few years. If only she wasn't my little sister.
We lie like that for a couple minutes when we hear the clock in the living room chime the hour. THe servers should be opening right now.
"LINK START!" We both call out simultaneously.
My world turned into a rainbow of colors as I saw the system checks for the Nerve Gear come up on the side of my vision and I felt like was falling down a long shaft. Once the system checks finished I halted in an empty white room that had a huge countdown timer on the wall. It slowly counted down the remaining time till the servers finally opened.
When the time hit zero the login screen came up and I put in my account name I had created last night and my password. It asked me if I wanted to proceed with my character, Kitayama, that I had already created. I know it isn't the best or most original character name in the world, but it was the best could come up with on short notice (A/N; Kitayama is the name of a mountain near Kyoto. The kanji for Kousaka Kyousuke roughly translates according Google to High Slope Through Kyoto, so I thought it was appropriate).
My world turns pitch black and then an old time city like you see in the historical districts of Kyoto slowly fades into view. I don't look much different than I do in real life. I let the game's system generate a character based on my body and just lightened the skin tone and hair, almost to the same shades as my sister back in elementary school. I also lengthened the hair a bit, I knew that my sister had always wanted to see me with longer hair, so I thought this would be a way to fulfill one of her desires. According to the manual I could always change the my hair once ingame if it turned out I didn't like it. It was one of the few things that could be changed once the character had already been started. The only other thing that could be changed once ingame was the eye color.
I slowly look around, and I'm amazed at how detailed everything was. If it wasn't for the fact that I could see the slight delay between when I focused on the little details and when the game actually rendered them, I'm not sure I would have been able to tell the difference between the game and real life.
As I'm looking around a girl about the same height as my self materializes right next to me, and I'm surprised to see the spitting image of my little sister without her normal tan or hair dyed her normal tea color. Instead she had her normal, slightly pale, skin tone with her original hair color of a warm brown.
"Kirino? Is that you?" I asked quietly. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself, just in case I'm wrong.
The girl turns to me and I see look of recognition pass over her face (Argus did a really good job allowing the players to express their emotions through their avatars). She bursts into giggles and mutters, "We really do look like siblings now, don't we o-nii-cha-nnnn?"
"Yes, I suppose we do. Well c'mon Saori told me over the phone there should be a square with a large fountain nearby where we can all meet." I grab her hand and slowly pull her in the direction of the falling water that I can faintly hear a couple streets over.
We make our way through the increasingly busy streets towards what we can now see in the distance is a large open space with a huge fountain in the middle.
We reach the square and we don't see anyone that stands out immediately so we just stand near the edge of the fountain talking in hushed tones as we wait for Kuroneko and Saori to appear. They should have no problem recognizing us. We both look mostly like our real bodies.
It was only about 5 minutes when I a rather petite girl with curly black hair and what looked like black cat ears approached us.
"Senpai! There you are. I've been looking all over for you. Why did the game have to place me on the opposite side of the city I'll never know." The little girl calls out.
It takes Kirino and I second to recognize the person, but this is obviously a younger version of one of our oldest friend Gokou Ruri, otherwise known as Kuroneko. I can tell Kirino is having a tough time not squealing in delight and hugging Kuroneko to death.
Why did she have to pick such a little sister-esque avatar around this girl? She had to know how Kirino would react. She probably did it just to tease my sister. She knew how Kirino would want to react, but knew that she would hold herself back once she realized it was her. This was going to be a long day indeed.
It wasn't even another minute before Saori showed up, oddly enough looking just like she normally did back when we use to meet, dressed in a pair of jeans with a green plaid shirt tucked into her pants and her patented spiral glasses on her face.
"Wh...where in the world did you get that outfit from?" I asked dumbstruck.
"Kukuku. I got my father to pull some strings at Argus to specifically get this outfit and one other added to the game early on in its development, Kyousuke-shi. How are you and Kiririn-shi doing this fine virtual day?" She asked in the same tone of voice she use to use when we were teenagers. We haven't heard talk like that in years. It brought back some wonderful memories, and instantly put a broad smile on all our faces.
"We are doing just fine, Saori. You can cut the act though, we're all friends ready to just have a little fun." I replied easily. She only slipped back like this when she was nervous about things.
Saori gave me a brilliant smile and relaxed a bit. I guess it had been a long time since the four of us had gotten together to play a game like this, since university at least. While we still kept in constant contact with each other and all met at least once a month, it had been a while since we had met due to our busy lives. It had all of us fondly remembering our high school and university years.
"Well now that we are all together, why don't I show you three around the town and give you some tips? I was in the beta you know." Saori said breaking up all of our inner thoughts.
We all quickly agreed and walked out of the square as a group. I hardly even noticed that I had subconsciously taken my sisters hand while she wrapped herself around my arm like we were a newlywed couple. I didn't notice until I realized that Kuroneko and Saori kept glancing back at the two of us with tiny smirks. I started and pulled away from sister gently.
At first she tried to keep ahold, but with a dejected sigh she let go and we continued to follow Saori chatting the entire way to the market district of the City of Beginnings.
When we arrived Saori ushered us to the beginner weapon merchant NPC shop. All players were given a standard issue of basic armor and a voucher for one weapon of their choice at this shop. Luckily it appeared we were one of the first to arrive and had the shop mostly to ourselves as we looked at the multiple physical weapons displayed around the shop. Saori quickly found a polearm she said she was rather fond of. I could just imagine her chasing down hideous monsters like a bloodthirsty Amazon jabbing her spear swiftly.
Kirino found her weapons next. I'm honestly surprised that something like that existed, but there was this set of brass knuckles and spiked boots that were meant for martial combat. The knuckles were more of gauntlets that could be used to block attacks while spikes came out of the knuckles to allow for attacking. The spiked boots also looked like they could be deadly you were kicked with them just right.
Kuroneko took a bit longer, and was saddened to realize that unlike most MMOs there was no magic in this game, so she settled for the next best thing. She grabbed a quarterstaff that had spiked bands spaced up and down its shaft. In her hands it looked just like wizard's staff without the typical glow. It felt oddly appropriate for the once quiet girl.
As for myself, I couldn't really find anything that caught my eye. I had never really played more than eroge or galge before, so really hadn't developed a preference for any particular type of weapon or anything.
Kirino eventually lost her patient waiting for me to decide. "Just take this already, idiot." She yelled as she thrust a huge two handed sword at me point first.
I flinched a bit as the sword came at me, but at the last second the sword stopped with a his and some purple sparks appearing about an inch away from my chest. The effects of the criminal code made me jump and the three girls just roared at my reaction. I slowly took the offered sword from Kirino, grumbling the whole time about damn tsundere and their antics the whole time.
After we all had our weapons chosen we walked over to the counter and turned in our free weapon vouchers and left the story. We passed a slightly timid blond girl a white blouse, red skirt and red cloak on our way out of the shop.
Saori continued our tour of the town explaining the various landmarks like the imposing Black Iron Castle and the other various important buildings. She even suggested we form our own guild, which we all readily agreed too. Unfortunately however, they decided to use their out SNS group name, Otaku Girls Unite. I had to be forced by Kirino and Kuroneko to sign the guild charter. I'm almost surprised the criminal code didn't kick in with they way they kept trying to force me to sign, but I guess the game could tell they weren't trying to harm me.
It was on our way out of the city that a small build teenage boy with almost shoulder length black hair and pretty face rushed past us in the opposite direction followed closely by a samurai wannabe with a red bandana on his head. We probably wouldn't have taken any notice of them, as a lot of people were running up and down the streets, if the pursuing person hadn't almost run over Kuroneko in his haste. He shouted an apology as he ran off in pursuit of the teenager we had seen at first.
We made our way out of the city into the surrounding fields without any further incidents. Saori gave us a small tutorial on how to fight and use the Sword Art skill system, and it wasn't long until we were all slaughtering the docile boars that overpopulated the fields near the City of Beginnings.
The sun was starting to set when we decided to call it a night. We all wanted get a good dinner and we all had plans or work for the following morning. I was the first to open the ingame menu to go for the logout button, but the button that was there just last night when I created my character was no longer there.
"Umm, Saori, I seem to be missing the logout button in my menu." I said a little nervously.
I quickly pressed the button that allowed the others to see my otherwise private menu window and they all saw the empty button that was in the same place the logout button use to be. The others quickly opened their own windows, and I could tell by the nervous look in their eyes that they couldn't find it in theirs either.
"I seem to recall a similar bug happening in the last few days of the beta. The GM's quickly rebooted the servers to log everyone out and it never occurred again. The bug must of stuck around after all. I'm sure the GMs will have it fixed in no time." Saori rationalized.
But, as she said this a bright white light appeared around Kuroneko and she disappeared polygon by polygon starting at her feet.
"Forced teleport!" Saori gasped out frightened a little.
Then we noticed that the same light was appearing around all of us. The world slowly dissolved to white and the familiar site of the square with the large fountain slowly faded into sight. I look around and Kirino, Saori and Kuroneko are all standing in the same position relative to me as they were before the teleport. We can see other players slow appearing in a flash of white light all over the square. All the NPCs from earlier had vanished from the square. Everyone in the square currently was a real player.
I could hear the confused and even angry murmurs all around. Some of them were wondering if this was about the missing log out button, Soweweren'ttheonlyonesafterall.
The number of players slowly comes to halt, and I realize that every player currently logged in is probably packed into this square together. A few tried to leave but were met with an invisible barrier on the streets leaving the square
The sky then turns an ominous red. I along with every player lookup to the sky and I'm one of the first to realize that sky has actually been overlayed with bunch of read tiles that say "System Message." As others realize this, I can people muttering that it was about time the fixed the logout issue.
The first indication that something is wrong is a scream as a girl nearby points back up at the sky. By this point the majority of players had already stopped watching the sky, but now there was what looked like congealing blood oozing from between the System Message tiles that had formed a dome over the square. The viscous red liquid slowly falls and hovers in a glob about 5 meters off the ground. Slowly the glob of liquid shifts into the form of a GM robe with white gloves. The odd thing was that it was completely hollow, yet it filled out the entire robe.
"Players, I welcome you all to my world." The hollow robe boomed out while holding its arms out like it was presenting us with some grand prize.
"My name is Kayaba Akihiko. Right now, I am the only person who can control this world." It continued.
I could hear loud murmurs spread throughout the crowd. I can only vaguely recall the name being associated with the Nerve Gear and Sword Art Online, but I don't clearly remember how they were related.
"I think that most of you have discovered the fact that the Log Out button has disappeared from the main menu. This is not a bug; it is all part of Sword Art Online's system."
The murmurs became more insistent and more disbelieving at this comment from the figure before us.
"Until you get to the top of the castle, you cannot log out of your own free will. Also, the disruption or dismantling of the Nerve Gear from the outside is strictly forbidden. If these things are attempted..." The figure took a dramatic pause before continuing, "the signal sensors in your Nerve Gear will emit a strong electromagnetic pulse, destroying your brain and stopping all of your basic functions."
I could now hear panicked whispers all around and even several people sobbing on the ground. As for me, I was in shock. Here I was stuck in a game that my kill myself, or more importantly my sister and my closest friends. I couldn't believe, how could something so messed up actually be true. I almost had myself convinced that this was just some horrible nightmare I was having, but I couldn't fool myself, this was all too real.
Before the crowd could devolve into a riot the figure of Kayaba Akihiko continued, "To be a little more specific, disconnection from an outside source of electricity for ten minutes, being cut off from the system for more than two hours, or any attempt to: unlock, dismantle, or destroy the Nerve Gear. If any of these conditions are met, the brain destruction sequence will start. These conditions have been made known to the government and the public through mass-media in the outside world. On that note, there have been several cases where the relatives or friends have ignored the warnings and tried to forcefully remove the Nerve Gear. The result...regretfully 213 players have already exited this game, and the real world, forever."
My brain came to a screeching halt. 213 players have died. This was the only thing that I could say in my mind. And if I had been aware of my surroundings it was painfully obvious I wasn't the only one.
"Players, there is no need to worry about the bodies you left on the other side. As of this moment, all TV, radio, and Internet media are repeatedly reporting this situation; including the fact that there have been numerous deaths. The danger of having your Nerve Gear taken off has already all but disappeared. In a moment, using the two hours I have provided, all of you will be transported to hospitals or similar institutes and be given the best treatment. So you can relax... and concentrate on beating the game." The figure once again fell silent.
I could now hear numerous angry grumblings coming from the crowd around us. Before long there were several angry shouts at the figure that still stood over us.
"This isn't a game anymore!" One person yelled at the imposing figure.
This prompted Kayaba to continue, "But I ask of you all to understand that Sword Art Online is no longer a simple game. It is a second reality... From now on, any form of revival in the game will no longer work. The moment your HP reaches 0, your avatar will be gone forever. And at the same time your brain will be destroyed by the Nerve Gear."
Once again my mind came to a screeching halt. Oddly enough it wasn't my own life that I was worried about the most, it was that of the beautiful young woman standing just to my side. The one that was practically crushing my hand trying to draw comfort from my touch. I don't know what I would do if I lost her. I don't think I could continue on living anymore if she wasn't there. I know it is wrong to feel this way about my blood-related sister, but I just can't stop myself.
As my mind slowly started to descend into panic, I pulled my little sister into a tight hug and took a deep breath with my head in her hair. Even though this was just virtual reality, I could have sworn I could still smell the familiar scent of her shampoo, and that thought helps to calm my racing mind. My sister just shakes violently sobbing in my arms. How could this happen to us? Why can't the world just give us a break? First, it forces us apart just because of our unlucky relation and now the world traps us in this accursed game. Why? WHY? WHY GOD DAMN IT?
Before my anger at this horrible "new world" can grow any further, Kayaba monotone voice continues droning out the now numerous angry shouts and hysterical cries. "Players, there is only one way to be freed from this game. As I have said before, you must get to the top of Aincrad, the one hundredth floor, and defeat the final boss that resides there. All players still alive at that time will be immediately logged out of the game. I give you all my word."
Total silence descended on the crowd for several long seconds. I along with many others could only stand with our mouths agape in disbelief. I had heard from Saori that even with a month of beta testing they only made it to the sixth floor, and that was with many, many deaths along the way. How in the world would we ever clear this game without it turning into a bloodbath. I could see no way forward that wouldn't end in an absolute massacre.
There were many disbelieving shouts now coming through the crowd. I caught sight of the man that had almost ran over Kuroneko earlier shouting up at Kayaba the same thing I was thinking, but Kayaba didn't respond to any of the shouts no matter how loud or frantic.
Finally as a true riot was about to break out I could hear Kayaba's voice start up again. "Then I will show you evidence that this is the only reality. In your inventories, there will be a gift from me. Please confirm this."
I slowly opened my menu behind my sisters back. I could feel my sister and see countless others doing the same thing all around me. Sure enough there was an item that wasn't there before. Its label had it listed as "Hand Mirror." I quickly selected it and had it materialize in my hand like the majority of people around me. I looked in the mirror and it appeared to be just an ordinary mirror, but something seemed off. Instead of the avatar that I had created the previous night, I was now looking at my actual face from the world world. I also noticed that the appearance of many others around me had also changed, so much so that numerous former girls were now boys standing around in loose or tight fitting girls clothes. I also noticed that Kirino, Saori and Kuroneko had all reverted to what they were in the real world. For Kirino and myself it wasn't a huge change, but Kuroneko and Saori both gained several inches, Saori in more places than Kuroneko.
Many astonishing cries rang out around the square. Everyone was just as surprised as myself. I could see the horror dawning on many of their faces as the latest revelation caused the severity of our new "reality" set in.
"You will all most probably be wondering, 'Why.' Why am I - the creator of the both the Nerve Gear and SAO, Kayaba Akihiko- doing something like this? Is this a sort of terrorist attack? Is he doing this to ransom us? These are not the reasons why I am doing this. Not only that, but for me, there is no longer a reason or a purpose in doing this. The reason is because... this situation itself was my purpose in doing this. To create and watch this world is the only reason I have created the Nerve Gear and SAO. And now, everything has been realized. now, I have finished the official tutorial for Sword Art Online. Players-I wish you luck."
The entire time Kayaba was speaking I could hear the fanaticism slowly leak into his former monotonous tone. But, with his parting remarks the robe slowly collapsed once again into a glob and ascending back into the sky and is absorbed into the slowly fading done of "System Message" tiles.
I can hear the angry and panicked shouts all around, but in my mind there is only one thing I care about. Kirino and I slowly slid to the ground holding onto each other.
I just hold her and stroke her now once again tea colored hair as she sobs violently into my chest. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Kuroneko clasping her hands to her chest and I can see the slackjawed stare of Saori, but it doesn't really register in my mind as it is too busy trying to comprehend the situation we are in and comforting my clearly distraught sister.
There was only one thing I could do. Just like the amazing Kyou-chan of my elementary and junior high days, I could only do the best I could to protect and rescue my friends around me. With that conviction I was determined to be one of the ones that would free all these players that were now prisoners of this accursed game.
But, I wouldn't do it for them, heck I wouldn't do it just for myself, but for the distraught woman I was holding in my arms I would go to heaven and hell and back again if it would save her. I had determined long ago when I was still in high school that I would do everything in my power to never see my strong willed, tough-as-nails little sister from ever crying again. While I know I can't take away her tears now, I know damn well I would do everything in my meager power to remedy this fucked up situation.
So with conviction I muttered so that only she could hear, "Just leave it to me, omae(1)."
(1) A form of endearment from husband to wife.
A/N: So quite a bit longer than a normal chapter for any of my stories, but I figured I needed to make up for such a short prologue. I hope you have enjoyed my story thus far. Your reviews are what help inspire me to continue these things. So the more reviews I receive the more likely I am to continue this story. As you can probably tell, this story will for the most part follow the gang from Oreimo. They will interact periodically with Kirito and Asuna. For the most part this will follow the cannon for both Sword Art Online and Oreimo. All light novels for Oreimo will stand, even the ending (which I was saddened greatly why, but publishers have their rules for a reason I guess, meh). I place the ending of Oreimo in 2013 when the final light novel was released. As their many references to to this time (PS Vita use in the show immediately jumps to mind), I feel this is an appropriate time frame for the story. That would put Kirino at 24, Saori/Kuroneko at 25 and Kyousuke at 27. I guess that is all look forward to Chapter 2 which should be coming with any luck this weekend. Also for those interested, you can find the translations for both light novels at Baka-Tsuki (Google it). These are the versions that I am using for reference. I will also be drawing from each of their respective animes. Both animes are available for free (legally too I might add!) on Crunchyroll, plus Sword Art Online starts airing on Toonami this weekend! Well until next time!
As always, please read and review!
読んでをありがとうございます
