More explaining! Yaaay...Then will come to Ethan adamantly believing that Kuroyukihime doesn't like him, not even when she gets herself run over, it's not like in the manga nor anime. They don't plan it out. I'll make him like her...a wee bit after that event. After Kuroyukihime(boy, what a name) recovers from the hospital.


Years ago:

My dad got in my face, "Nobody wants you, nobody needs you! Understand?" I grunted and he hit me.

"I've taught you all you need to know already, that's the most I can do with a kid like you."

"I haven't done anything though, dad!" He growled.

"That's exactly why I don't want you. You're going to stay with mom while I leave. Until you can show that you've put what I've taught to good use..." I clenched my teeth and when he walked inside, I punched the boxing bag he gave me two years ago. I struck with all my force and yelled throughout the whole time. Eventually, with a spinning kick, I made the branch the bag hung on snap and it fell to the floor with a 'thud'. My dad came running out.

"Dad! I finally did it! I knocked it down!"

"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BREAK THE BRANCH?!"

"But, that's the onl-"

"DON'T TALK BACK TO ME!"

I looked at the bag lying on the floor hopelessly, and pulling it to another branch, climbed the tree and suspended the bag above the ground. For the rest of that day, I stayed at that particular branch, wondering what was the logic of the world, remembering his words, 'You just get in everyone's way.'

I swore that day not to be involved with anyone outside the family and only work on my own, as I felt I would piss off anyone. If I worked with someone, I'd like to get the job done as quick as possible, Just be quick, be blunt, if my parents think I'm a burden, I am a burden. So be the smallest burden you can, Ethan.


Present:

"A thousand-fold, huh?"

Yuroyukihime continued, "One second of reality will then become one thousand, here...Oh! I almost forgot, it's almost time before you get sent flying."

"Huh?" I turned to the fist that was noticeably closer, "Oh yeah..." I looked at it then turned I can easily dodge this, then fight back, "You know...Looking at it, I can dod-"

"No, listen, we don't have much time. There are limits to the "Brain Burst" program. The longest is thirty minutes here, one-point-eight seconds in reality," she rushed. "You can dodge the punch, but I want you to be hit."

I blinked, "Say what now?" I couldn't believe what I just heard, this girl is crazy. I could easily dodge, fight back, and win! "I am not going to be beat up by him any longer, I'm sick, I'm ti-"

"I know you are," Kuroyukihime assured me.

"THEN WHAT'S UP WI-"

"Please," her tone made me stop, "Listen?" I sighed, then nodded.

"Go ahead..."

"There are two reasons why he hasn't been dealt with. One, you used to accept his bullying, but I can see that has changed. Two, everywhere you get bullied and hit by him, he strategically chose areas not seen by the social cameras, allowing him to freely extort violence and exploitation. Usually, higher grade students have apps that allow them to have illegal apps notifying them they are in view of cameras. He knows that, and he would be on guard, but I've purposely provoked him. This is your opportunity to finally punish him."

"But, can't I just fight him? He'll leave me alone when I beat him. Besides, I also have this."

"I know, you have power greatly beating the 'unaccelerated'. But if you fight him, he'll fight back harder."

"...Fine. You gotta promise, it's going to be worth being punched in the face."

She smiled while I watched impassively, "It will be. Make sure to jump to your right with everything you got, and make sure to turn your head right."

"Okay, so I'll bump into you?"

"It's to make maximum effect, but I'll dodge."

"Before we go, how are we talking?"

"Using the cable, now say 'burst out'"

We both shouted, "BURST OUT!" Araya's fist connected with my face and I need not move my head, it naturally flew, but I leapt back and crashed into Kuroyukihime.

[I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to actually bump into you even if you dodged! SHIT! You're bleeding!]

[Don't worry about me. It went pretty well. It's a small cut too, so I'm not worried. Besides, when did you start to care?]

I blinked.

[N-never did! I didn't want to end up accidentally killing you!]

[Mhm~ Mind getting up? You're a bit...on me, a bit sexually actually]

I looked and realized I was leaning on her, one hand on the wall, one hand on her breast, her skirt slightly up and my knee on her thigh. Blushing, I got up slowly.

[Sorry again. Well, I'm hoping you are right, lady. I could have avoid doing this completely]

I finished the thought with tears in my eyes as I glared at Araya, "You. Bastard. SON. OF. A-" People started screaming and few rallied orders.

Get a teacher!

CALL AN AMBULANCE!

DON'T LET THAT GUY LEAVE THE ROOM!

[Boy! Also, never take off your neurolinker nor connect to the global connection under any circumstances]

[Sure...Whatever]


Ethan's home:

"WHY'D YOU TELL HIM?!" Chiyu looked at me worriedly and Taku showed pity. "YOU COULDN'T LEAVE THAT ALONE?!"

I turned and saw Araya swagger over to me with his cronies, "I COULD HANDLE THIS MYSELF!" Araya came over and kicked me over and then his cronies. Then they spit on me.

Taku sighed and turned around, Chiyu reluctantly following, "No, you can't."

"I CAN AND I WILL!" I yelled. I slowly got up, to see that Araya ran away, a shadow flew over me, "I...will handle this. I will do it and then leave, finally fly high above the sky, away from here, away from earth."


I sat straight up, "I WILL!" I knocked over the dresser in my anger and broke the lamp. My mom ran upstairs and saw the mess.

"Ethan, can't you just control your temper? It's already hard enough to deal with you. Here, take your daily five hundred yen. Connect your linker once you are done."

"WHATEVER!"

"Don't give me that attitude, hurry up," she snapped.

After I showered, brushed my teeth, and ate my breakfast, I connected to the global connection and was given the money, I ran out when I ran onto the street, the world changed.

"What. In. Th-" To my right read a screen saying, "Here comes a new challenger!"

"WELL, WELL! A newbie! Pretty shiny too!" A voice declared, I saw a figure riding a motorcycle. The said figure looked around, "Aren't I lucky? 'The New Century!' Haven't gotten this stage in...centuries!" He laughed. I slowly stepped back and tried to walk into my house. Then my hand stopped on the door, Wait, this is the Brain Burst world. But...I didn't give the...

[Also, never take off your neurolinker nor connect to the global connection under any circumstances] 'Connected to global connection- Charge-500'

...command. Great, now I have to ask crazy lady what this is supposed to be. I turned and looked at the man in front of me "Ash Roller..."

"THAT'S ME!" shouted the guy on the motorcycle, he revved it, "Prepare to die, newbie!"

Silver Crow...that player stands no chance.

Don't underestimate him.

AHAHA! You must be crazy to say that.

He is weak now, but trust me. That Silver name isn't for nothing, he's a metallic.

Ah, you're right. We'll see.

I glared through the visor of my helmet, "Bring it on."

The motorcycle roared, "Gladly!"


Kuroyukihime giggled, as she gave me a direct cable, "Quickly."

[Already lost?]

[Not my fault, I got dumped in there for no reason!]

[It's because you broke your promise~] She stroked my cheek and I blinked.

[How was i supposed to answer my mom? Besides...I forgot]

[You could just say I was paying for your lunch. Boy, I'll need to teach you to fight]

[I can fight, it's just that I didn't expect him to kill me at...what? Five kilometers per hour. I mean, what kind of hellish motorcycle is that?]

[Regardless, I'll teach you, activate it now?]

I grunted, "Whatever."


Kuroyukihime looked out the window, "This stage! Haven't been here in a while...then again, this stage is rare..."

"So, what's so special?"

"This stage burns well, collapses quickly, and...pretty dark."

"Huh..."

"So this is your duel avatar? I like your name, "Silver Crow", and your color..." she reached for my face, "And your form." I quickly put my hand up and frowned. I wasn't here for this.

"I'm not here for this. Tell me what's up and get to the fight. You said it yourself, I need to learn."

"You had a scary dream, yesterday, no?"

"Not really, it pissed me off, but in a way. Yes."

She tilted her head, "Not scary?"

"Leaning more towards, 'If it lasts longer, I'll tear the world apart.'"

"Ah, it's supposed to be more scary. Then, I've never seen you scared."

"..." My eyes teared up and I forced myself to keep the wall up. I rolled my hand to signal her to continue. I didn't want her to be in my life. I didn't want anyone. Chiyu and Taku already grew far apart, and nobody would understand my life.

"That was due to the program accessing your fears, obsessions, desires, to create your duel avatar."

"This wimpy thing? I think I'm better off with myself," I scoffed.

"The program reads your ideal image and inferiority, you know."

"Well, it probably screwed up a bit, I can't do anything with this! Why can't I get a damned motorcycle like that Ash Roller guy?"

"You know, at least you didn't look like your school avatar," she giggled. She reached for my face and I put my hand up to block it.

"It would be as weak, but at least I'd get some barrier between myself and others. I'd prefer to be left alone."

"Even me?"

"Even you. I'm here to learn about Brain Burst and how to use it, when I'm done, I'm gone. I won't bother you again."

She blinked and protested, "You know, you aren't bothering me...B-Ethan."

"Yeah, yeah, reassure me all you want. Nobody is willing to hurt other's feelings, unless they are like Araya. Whatever! Get on, did they make your avatar too, Miss Vice-President? This is not what an inferior quality would make. Unless you are that perfect."

She stared at the floor, "This is custom made by me. My...real avatar is hideous. This is to hide myself."

I scoffed, "Well, at least nobody is perfect."

"I sealed my true duel avatar for my own reasons, when the time is perfect I'll show you what it looks like."

I rolled my eyes, "Like it'll really matter. Go on."

"...You know how there was a results screen after your defeat?"

"Yeah, I dropped from ninety-nine down to eighty-nine Burst Points."

She tapped her umbrella onto the floor, "Yes, Burst Points are the very thing that brings us into the fights! Each time we accelerate, we lose one point. Put simply, Burst Points arr how many times we can accelerate. this is to keep people from going overboard."

"So...how do we charge it? Pay money? I'm out if this is another stupid pay to play game. Those that pay to win ruin the game."

"Luckily for you, no. The only way to gain the points is to win matches. If two same leveled players fight, the loser loses ten points and the winner gains ten."

"What happens if we get zero?"

"You lose Brain Burst and acceleration, forever."

"Huh, that's not so bad! Unlike the SAO incident." I put my hands on my hips and looked out the window, "So many people died then..."

"But...you'll lose many advantages, like in fights, tests, sports, even gambling," she looked at me sadly, "We'll also losr our only link together."

"Uh-huh, and that's a bad thing because...?"

"Because I haven't beaten you fairly yet."

"Okay...say what now?"

"In every way of life, you have beaten me, I may be more popular and all, but...I haven't suffered as much as you, I haven't been as brave as you...I couldn't even beat your score in Squash without acceleration."

"I KNEW THAT WAS TOTAL B-"

"That's why, Ethan...I don't want you to lose acceleration."

"..." I watched her through the visor, then I brought my arm to my face, wiping the tears that fell. She widened her eyes. "I-I will do my very best to keep myself alive in Brain Burst. I will meet and exceed your expectations. Also...I kinda owe you one for pulling me up. You know, if you didn't help me, I'd probably kill myself once I fought Araya."

I heard running and I turned to face her, and saw her tackle me in a hug, "I-I'm glad I interfered." I felt wetness on my chest, and startled, I patted her back.

"Yeah, yeah. But don't get your hopes up, I don't count you as a friend. When I'm done with the...I guess 'tutorial', I'll be gone."

"Where?"

"Out of your life, what else? I don't want any more pity, mercy, I want to be on my own. So...I'll fight as a Burst Linker for you."

"Mercy? Pity? You know you are creating the wall between everyone, I wa-"

"No. That's it. You brought me back to the living...for now. I'll see how long I'll last. So until I die, I owe you something."

"Okay then...I'll teach you how to fight first."


"Shall we eat, boy?"

"I me-" I blinked. I felt people's eyes on my back, my face, then saw a girl sit in front of of Kuroyukihime.

"Say, Hime, all of us are curious. It's killing us, so I thought it'd be time you told us." Kuroyukihime and I looked at each other and I asked her.

"Tell you what?"

She glanced at me, then Kuroyukihime, and back at me then asked, "What is your relationship with this young man?"

Kuroyukihime hummed then said, "To be blunt, I told him I liked him, but he blew me off."

Mouth full, I blinked and my mouth opened, "E-urrg-huhat?" Food fell from my mouth and people gaped at me. Composing myself, I took a bite, "What? Can't I make her wait? Are you idiots? Am I supposed to immediately answer the most popular girl in this school right away? Jeez."

The girl stared at me, "You..yo-you really...?" Yelling I stormed out of the cafeteria.


"You had to make me the center of attention, lady..."

"It was a proud declaration."

I scoffed, "Yeah, proud FOR YOU! WHAT ABOUT ME?!"

Kuroyukihime looked sad, and somewhat hurt, "It would have been easier than telling the truth."

I walked with her out onto the schoolyard, "But...that? Come on! You could have just said we were friends. I don't want to be in a fake relationship. I have no intention to." I realized people were looking at us. I turned around and shouted, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

Kuroyuki held my shoulder, "Be proud, you're the only one who blew me over so far."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, since when did I do that?"

"Well," she giggled, "The way you act around me."

"Oh, right. Hold on a seco-" I turned, "You're not really serious about liking me?"

"I am serious."

"No, I refuse to believe it."

She hugged my arm and I tried to pull away, she wiped a fake tear off her face, "Don't hurt my feelings."

"I'm going to sooner or later..." I say an email and opened it, to see a picture of me smiling serenely. I stuttered, "W-when DID YOU GET THIS?! I LOOK HIDEOUS!"

"I took it back when you hugged me when I introduced you to Brain Burst, after I told you to smile and hug more. I thought you'd like it."

"GET RID OF IT!"

"Ah," she let go of my arm, "We're almost out of here. When we do, we'll connect to the global connection. Then, any Burst Linkers in Suginami Area Three can challenge you. You want to challenge Ash Roller before anyone can do that. Accelerate then challenge him."

"Uh-huh," my mind still on the picture.

"This, will be your first debut battle," her eyes shined, "Silver Crow."

"Uh-huh..."

"I'll be rooting for you!" She happily said, "Good l-"

"Don't say that. That has never turned something in my favor," I glared.

"Oh, then...have fun?" she tilted her head questionably and I grunted.

"Remember, don't count us as anything beyond friends. In fact, don't even count us as friends. Once I have the basics handled, it's going to be goodbye. My debt to you is owed. You helped me, and I fight in the Brain Burst. Done deal."


A/N: Well, once again, hope it was a good chapter!