For almost a year now, I have adored… no, loved Kuroyukihime-senpai.

That person saved me from my deepest darkness and gave me a new life. I was indebted to her in a way that I could never hope to repay, not even with the additional time in the accelerated world.

But there was one other person who had a big influence on me, who I feel ashamed to have forgotten about. Her name was Yuuki Asuna-san.

If Senpai truly was a princess like her name suggested, Asuna-san was a goddess in human form. Beautiful, strong, kind, charismatic, noble… she was perfect in all ways, the sweetest flower capable of attracting almost anyone, even a lost butterfly like Senpai.

As I've heard, she launched a campaign to introduce Neurolinkers in many hospitals around Japan, in light of its astounding medical capabilities. Some of these hospitals used to house Burst Linkers, who without a doubt are grateful to her. Really, that woman's kindness knows no bounds.

As for me, I never had a good relationship with my mother, so Asuna-san filled that void for me. Her husband, Kirigaya Kazuto-san, had also given me a support AI named Yui whom I quickly grew fond of. She was kinda like a big sister to me.

At times I was wondering, why give someone like me all this compassion? Eventually the answer became clear. It was so I could give compassion to another.

I first met Senpai seven years ago in the game Cosmos Corrupt as Black Princess. She had a lonely look on her face, the same as me. We both longed for companionship, and were drawn to each other in a way we could not explain. In a way, we were the perfect fit, though our meeting may have been premeditated. As a duo, we were known far and wide as the first ones who hit the max level.

It was kind of weird, but… we both had so much fun in that game, and even promised to meet in the real world once. Unfortunately, that promise never came to fruition.

Because… the game was terminated before we could accomplish its final objective. The administrator had executed me, Senpai, several others, and… erased Yui-oneechan as well.

We were both left with no memories of our time there and no sense of direction after that. Senpai had almost found hope with her older sister who introduced her to Brain Burst, but she was ultimately betrayed. Meanwhile, I… was abandoned by my father, as he had suddenly left the house, not knowing what to do with me. The same father who brought me to the comfort of Asuna-san and Kazuto-san.

There was one thing he left behind however. Those files about FullDive tech and his related work stayed tucked away in our home server, unnoticed by my mother, along with his old account that I used, hoping I would someday get to use them again.

After that, I drowned into despair that not even my childhood friends, Chiyu and Taku could hope to remedy. But then a miracle beyond miracles occurred. She had shown up, in a dazzling butterfly avatar that she created from scratch, to a lowly pig like me.

At first, I thought it was an illusion. She who was more beautiful and high-class than any other could never possibly show herself to me in such a pathetic state, right?

Really, I was such an idiot! I was so caught up in my low self-worth that I ended up hurting her feelings. I thought that she was going to use me for something and toss me away, but I didn't take into consideration her genuine kindness – and love – for me. And to think I had to make her prove her love by protecting me from a car crash… I was really pathetic back then.

I swore to never hurt her again. I swore to protect her. I swore to become her strength.

Now I realize she had been chasing me all this time, after our tragic breakup seven years ago, hoping to bring me back to the world we once knew. Having caught wind of my ridiculous squash scores, she must have decided I was the one she really wanted as her true partner. It may have only been a thin string of events that led to this point, but still… thank you, Dad, Asuna-san. Because of you both, the person I love is standing here before me right now.

And now… I have returned. To the place that once changed my life. One of the RECT research laboratories situated at Setagaya.

"So this is the lab you were in, Haruyuki-kun?"

"Yeah, I remember my dad taking me to this place, and even playing some games with me from time to time."

"Hmm, interesting… so your father was the one who brought you to them?"

"Yes, and in turn, Asuna-san and Kazuto-san introduced me to the VR world and inculcated my love for games. I once challenged them to a few retro games I bought, and ended up losing to them completely even in moments where I had the upper hand. Honestly, are they even human…"

I got so caught up talking about my past that I almost forgot the reason I came here. I wanted Senpai to reaffirm hers.

"Oh yeah, Senpai, about that-"

"Yeah, it's gone.", She replied swiftly as though she read my mind. "It appeared to be a seal that blocks the memories I carried over from that world. Mama… no, Asuna-san removed it by overloading my Fluctlight, which in turn triggered a huge response on my Neurolinker. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I could survive something like that, but… they must've known I would."

"I see…", was all I could say. If I were to be surprised by every single thing she did, I probably wouldn't last. Just like Graph-san, she was shrouded in mystery from the moment I first met her. It wasn't worth it pondering about the how and why she could do what she could.

Clearing the distracting thoughts from my head, I continued:

"Speaking of Asuna-san… I might have found something interesting."

"Oh, really?"

"Senpai, what you said about Walnut Day back then… I think I got it. When I was being mentored by them, I distinctly recalled Asuna-san's bright chestnut-colored hair. So I went to search for her records… and look what I found."

I showed her the profile I dug out.

Name: Yuuki Asuna. Birthdate: September 30, 2007.

In other words, that day was today, which was also Senpai's birthday.

"Though I still haven't been able to figure out what Crane Day means…"

The results seemingly surprised her, though she didn't show it on her face.

"I knew it… I thought it was just a prank my mother pulled on me since she only said that without elaborating any further, but now… it makes sense."

"So… it's true then… you really were…"

"…A princess from another world", is what I wanted to say, but…

"To be honest, I'm still not sure how to feel about this.", she responded, still trying to process the fact she had just been hit hard with.

"…Huh, what are you talking about?"

"Perhaps I may not have had any memories of that world back then, but… somewhere in my heart, I had a sense of longing. A desire to return there."

"…Senpai?"

Realizing she was speaking weirdly, she attempted to clarify it for me.

"Sorry, it's just something Fuuko said to me long ago. The reason I was so invested in Brain Burst back then was because I thought I had no place in this world… but maybe that isn't true. Maybe Kazuto-san and Asuna-san did want to bring me here eventually."

Just then, a mysterious figure approached Senpai from behind and said this to her:

"You managed to make an identity for yourself in this world, didn't you, 'Kuroyuki'-san? The world you choose is your reality… is what my father used to say a long time ago."

I was shocked upon hearing this smooth voice, and turned around to see a young boy of about fifteen years of age, sporting dark brown hair, black eyes, and a slender body with a feminine face and pale skin. He also had a peculiar penchant for dressing in black just like Senpai. One would mistake them for sisters if they were seen together like this.

But Senpai was unfazed as though she knew he was there, and instead issued a threat.

"…As always with the dramatic entrances, huh? I would've cut you down if this were the accelerated world."

"Oh, come on, don't be like that.", he responded half-heartedly.

He walked in front of us and continued:

"Hi, long time no see, Lotta, Crow. Oh wait, I can't use those names here."

He extended his hand out towards us, appearing as though he forgot what he just said moments ago.

"I am Kirigaya Yuuji (桐ヶ谷 悠司). Nice to meet you."