Winter had continued its freezing winds as another day rose over Tokyo. Occasional clouds walked over the skies above unaware of what happened below. People continued on with their businesses like any other day. Tourists began their tours along the busiest of roads as businessmen chattered on their phones, angrily flowing between other daily commuters. They all followed the same paths as they always trodden. Beside them, vehicles of all kinds slowly trudged through the morning rush hour. Beckoning traffic lights kept the flow moving at a steady pace. Neon advertisements flickered in the morning chill, promising so much from their colourful displays. Skyscrapers watched from above as another day began. They creaked in enjoyment. It was another day in Tokyo.
Towards the outskirts, where trees bloomed into gardens and roads were near empty of cars, one girl sat on a brick wall. Steam arose with every breath. It was Shino, simply taking in the fresh winter morning air. Behind her, evergreens bloomed in several shades of green. They remained stationary as no wind blew today. A single tree behind Shino gave some shade from the light, but it was partly hidden behind a concrete block decorated in grey signs. In front of her was several floors of white apartments decorated in matte greys and spotless glass. Stairs flowed up the side of the apartments, twisting around on top of themselves. They hummed in creaks and rattles as the occasional bird fluttered between the floors. A vending machine hid underneath the stairs, it knew what was coming.
Voices came from around the side of the building, they grew louder. Shino recognised the voices too. She adjust her black scarf to cover her mouth as three girls similar in age to Shino appeared. It was them. The ones that pulled a dirty trick on her a few days back, leaving her defenceless and unable to move. They meant trouble. Even from this distance, she could hear every word they said. They stopped.
"Next time you want to meet, turn up on time." Shino began rising to her feet.
"Seriously?" The one with brown hair began after a twitch, "Girl, you've been acting way too cocky lately."
The shorter one with black hair continued, "She's right. We should teach you a lesson."
The three took a few steps forward to be face-to-face with Shino. Neither side backed down. Shino kept to the safety of her scarf.
"It's cool, we're all friends here, right? It's good to have friends; they come real in handy, especially when you need a loan. Speaking of, I need 20K."
Shino did not answer. She remained as still as the plants behind her, clenching her fists. Suddenly, she removed her glasses very slowly and very gently. "I told you guys before, I'm not lending you any money."
Scoffing at her statement, the leader of the small group replied, "You'll change your mind, after I show you what my brother gave me."
"I doubt it." Shino taunted. In response, the girl reached into her blue bag and grabbed a gun. It had to be a model, had to be. But, was it? Shino's eyes widened. No, it was the same gun as before. Her pulse rose.
"Get this, he told me not to point this at anyone, but what does he know? I mean, you've seen one before, so it doesn't bug you right? Or does it Asada?"
She pointed the gun at Shino, she remained still and wide eyed. "Get on your knees and say you're sorry."
Still Shino refused to move. Was fear driving his? Was this standing up against what dramatised her for so long? Her pulse rose.
The other girls taunted with a fake cry. The one with the gun chuckled. Shino still did not move, she only stared endlessly at the barrel. Memories flooded back: her with the gun, the man she shot in desperation… Her pulse rose.
Then, another memory flooded back. It was a recent memory. When she first met the others from Sabot platoon, when they all faced down a minigun. One line rang out: "Go dance with the Angels!" Shino shook herself out of her episode just as the trigger was pulled, the girl still grinning.
Nothing happened. She tried again, still nothing. In fact, the trigger wouldn't even move. Something was wrong. "Crap, it's not working." She pressed the trigger again. Still nothing. What was going on?
With a deep breath, Shino approached her steadily. Then, she pounced. One hand on a wrist holding the grip. The other flipped the gun to her side. She analysed the pistol now in her hand. Black with a brown grip panel. On the top was an ejection port. A magazine could be extracted and entered from the bottom of the grip. A safety that hadn't been turned off. She knew exactly what this pistol was.
"A government issued M1911. Your brother has good taste. Not really my style though. Oh, and for future reference, it only fires when the safety's off."
Luckily, a little green can had been placed on top of a small blue bucket. Perfect. Shino turned off the safety and aimed with its sights. Then, with a deep breath, fired. The can pinged off as a pellet struck it head on. It continued to clang on the concrete floor until it came to a crushed finish. The pistol was only a BB gun. No loud echo roared around the local area if it was a proper one. No, it just made a sound like a sudden rush of air.
"Your brother was right," Shino emotionlessly continued, "You shouldn't aim it at people. Here, keep it."
Without hesitation, she put the safety back on and handed the M1911 back. Shino then simply grabbed her bag and left. She left her traumatised with the others comforting her. Shino had done what she needed to.
"See you around."
Another school day came and went for Shino. Classes were filled by the same people as always. To them, it was just another day like any other. They chatted about the same things they always did. Although there were some mentions about the Battle of Bullets, it was far and few between. In a way, Shino liked that. Peaceful, at long last. No worries except for homework and turning up to class on time. By the end of the day, the events of the morning might as well been a distant memory.
By now, classes were just finishing. Pupils filtered through their lockers for belongings as they still chatted. Shino did not. After a long week, she just wanted some rest. So she simply walked past. Others stood around in the courtyard, basking in the cold air. They could take their time in walking home or wherever they wanted to go. Crowds shifted without a hint of hurrying. Everything was done at their own paces. Whispers and the occasional shout dominated the courtyard, very unlike the fast paced gun fights the night before. However, something was not right. A small crowd collected just outside the school gates. They gossiped between themselves. What was there?
On closer inspection, it became obvious. A royal blue car, well barely qualified as a car that could go on the road regularly. It was a saloon, a sporty one at that, with a pair of exhausts a fist could fit in! The spoiler was just as ludicrous, stretching nearly to the maximum height of the car and wider than the car (plus its door mirrors). Black wheels completed the hoolgian look. Still, it was practical with: four doors, a decently sized boot and on the smaller size for a saloon. It could only belong to one person…
She rushed to the front entrance where the crowd collected, squeezing her way through. There he was, leaning against the car and looking the opposite direction into space. The clothing from yesterday was long gone, instead he wore a grey hoodie with symbols on the front alongside some loosely fitting jeans. He seemed oblivious to the fact a dozen students had collected nearby, including Shino.
"When I said I would meet you, I didn't think you would park right in front of my school!" She wasn't hugely impressed, even if the car was 'cool' to look at.
"Oh, hello there!" He turned around. The eye patch had been changed, now it was a matte grey. "C'mon, there's someone I want you to meet. Hop in. We're going to meet at a nice restaurant. Food's on the guy we are meeting."
Some miles away, towards the centre of Tokyo, sat the countless skyscrapers. They watched the world tick by. Birds glided from window to window. Beneath, the flow of traffic continued to chug along. Here, many restaurants and shops made this organised chaos their homes. Many came and went via these places, be it common visitors or one-off tourists. Outside one restaurant, a clock hung between posters for a local cinema. The clock looked like a giant watch face with its golden exterior and polish. It told the local street the time: nearly five past three in the afternoon. Towards the end of the working day.
Inside one particularly red restaurant, three sat at a corner with windows to the side and behind the seats. They had taken their bows and had sat down. On one side, back to the window, was Kikuoka dressed in a black suit and grey tie. On the other side, was Honda (who was constantly adjusting his zip on his jacket) and Shino (who had taken off her coat and placed it on the back of her chair). Without delay, Kikuoka began.
"Both Kyouji and his older brother, Shouichi, have been arrested. However, during their integration, they revealed there was a third accomplice. He goes by the name Kanamoto Atushi, and is currently on the run. Rest assured, he will be caught soon. Care for some food?"
Honda replied straight away, "Something sweet please. Like a cake or something. Oh and a tea, milk and two teaspoons." Shino nodded in response.
A trolley was brought over filled with many sweet slices. Kikuoka smiled as the slices were brought to each person alongside some china cups. Honda wasted no time in making his tea. He added some sugar delicately alongside a few drops of milk.
"So, where they did come up with the 'Death Gun' idea to begin with?" Finally spoke Shino, staring at her slice decorated with strawberries. Honda still mocked a little at the name.
"From what information we managed to get out of them, it started with Shouichi bought that invisibility cloak via the in-app purchases. Furthermore, Honda, your friend's idea was correct. With some binoculars, and the cloak, they could steal real world information of other players without anyone noticing. This is at about the same time Kyouji had run into issues with his avatar that went under the name 'Spiegel'. The agility build recommended to him via the player 'XeXeed', before shifting to a so-called Strength and Vitality combination. He mentioned problem to his older brother. In return, he gave Kyouji XeXeed's address. Then, the plan started to take shape. All they needed to make it work was to have access to restricted sections in their Dad's hospital and a drug no one could trace. From there, they stole the master key card and began research on their possible victims. They narrowed them down to those who lived alone and in low-security apartments. Unfortunately, that included you Shino. Soon afterwards, was the murder of Shigemura 'XeXeed'. It was all planned from start to finish. They had the correct time and knew he would be in view of many players. Thus, as 'Death Gun' announced himself, the lethal drug had been injected. The second victim, Usujio, was killed the same way."
Honda nodded several times and took a sip of his tea, "Delicious. Now, let me guess: no one took them seriously and merely joked about it. So, they decided to go for targets during the Battle of Bullets finals. They would be in front of all eyes to see. Am I getting warm?"
Kikuoka laughed a little, "You're correct. We managed to confirm their targets as well, that went under their criteria. They went by: Pale Rider, Garret and (of course you) Sinon. With three targets, they had to hire a third guy in, to make sure someone was there on time. Kanamoto worked alongside Souichi back when they were both trapped in Sword Art Online as a part of Laughing Coffin. He lived close to Pale Rider and Garret, so he was chosen for the job for those two. However, for you Shino, Kyouji wanted to do the deed."
"H-he said that? For real?"
"Not him, but his brother. He gave all of the information we needed. Speaking of information..." Kikuoka reached into his bag and grabbed a large tablet before scrolling through some documents on it, "Kyouji was the one to be handed down the hospital rather than his brother. Souichi had been sickly ever since childhood. But, saying that, they were close growing up. Then Souichi became more obsessed by MMORPGs and decided to take part in Sword Art Online in 2022. He bragged to his younger brother with the power he had in the game, the fear he drove into people and so forth. Kyouji looked up to him as a hero. However, Souichi is committed in saying everything that happened was just a game."
"Which is why I said the system is flawed." Honda lowered his cup onto the dish, "It failed people like them. They needed to be taught out of their ways that was solidified within that game. With the current system, they couldn't get that help as much as they should have. Now look what has happened. A lot of people, good and bad, lost something when they left that game. They had built up society and lives during the time they were trapped in there. The education plan to reintroduce them back into society did not fully take that into account. The issue is that it all felt real. So, give someone the option of being a murderer in the game where you do everything a proper one does, there's a good chance some of that persona will stick with them."
"I do feel sorry for them..." Shino began after some hesitation from Honda's little rant, "it was their reality for a while. I mean, being in a VRMMO for a while can make the different between that and the real world much closer than you'd think. But, what I can say for certain, is that the real world is my reality, no matter what happens."
Kikuoka cleared his throat, raising his hands to lean his head on them. Light reflected off his glasses. "Wonderful… That is all the information I can give you for now. Any questions before I go?"
"I do," Shino sternly launched into the conversation, "What will happen to Kyouji?"
"Based on his brother's and his behaviour: it is a one-way trip to a medical detention centre. I doubt that either of them know what reality is anymore."
"I disagree. I don't know much about his brother, but I have known Kyouji for a long time and, well, I think his reality was Gun Gale Online. He'd given up on the real world. There was nothing left for him except for endless stress. So, he swapped his realities for a reason I cannot come up with. Which I hope I could… Sabre-I mean Honda, what do you think?"
By now, he had finished his tea and the food on his plate, nothing remained not even a single crumb. "It was an escapist fantasy. That's what many games are. Now, with virtual reality becoming common place it is far easier to be absorbed than ever before into these fantasies. For someone struggling as much as him in his reality, he could just forget it all and escape where they would never reach him. Except, they did in the end."
"Quite true… Oh and Mr. Kikuoka, do you mind if I visit him if that is alright? There is so much I want to talk to him about, like what we've been talking about. If it is OK…"
Kikuoka grew a smile once more, he fitted a gentle caring smile like a glove, "Of course. You are a strong person to want to and I think it is a great idea. While he cannot have any visitors yet, I'll be in touch when you can. Well, I have to get back to the office. Thank you for coming by."
"No, thank you for talking to us." Shino politely bowed, somewhat relieved.
"Anytime Kikuoka. Although, before you go, is that position still available?"
Outside, Kikuoka gave a wave goodbye as he climbed into a taxi. Shino and Honda waved back until the taxi was no longer in view. It had joined the miles of arteries that made Tokyo tick. That left the two standing beside the extremely busy road while rows of people walked behind them, going about their days. Shino turned to face Honda, clenching at her scarf and pulling it up over her mouth.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Shino asked, her voice slightly muffled over the roar of the traffic beside them.
Honda replied with a warm smile, "Well, I've got some things I need to do. I really didn't think I would stay in Japan after moving to England, but here we are. So some housing needs to be sorted out. Oh, and I need to head to Osaka. There's someone I wanted to meet again. It has been too long. I suppose you will be staying in Tokyo?"
"Yeah… I've got some work to do on my end. Will I see you again?"
"Of course! I plan on finding a house on the outskirts of Tokyo so I should never be too far away. Oh yes, before I forget." He reached into a pocket in his jacket and pulled out a phone. "I got invited to a little cafe tomorrow at about six pm. I didn't want to deny the offer, but I don't want to go alone. So… would you come with me? I'll bring the other two as well, they should fit in perfectly. Actually, speaking of the devils!"
From behind Shino, Akiyama and Yamamoto rushed over. They darted between groups of people while holding hands (Akiyama led the way). Akiyama wore some very casual blue jeans and white shirt that were smeared with oil droplets. While Yamamoto was sightly tanned and wore the latest fashion in red. Shino saw them and quickly identified them. They were Subaru and Starbug respectively. Although she had met Akiyama before, she had never met Yamamoto before. Yet, she was identified reasonably easily due to their similar body structure.
"What are you two doing here?" Akiyama asked, panting a little with having to carry around three large bags of clothes, "Don't tell me you two are on a date? Like me and Ahmya?"
"N-no! It wasn't a date!" Honda went red in the face to some laughs from the other couple, "Wait, you two are on a date?"
Yamamoto cut in, "I'd call it more window shopping. Although, Kujo has been useful in helping me in buying some new clothes. Why are you two here then?"
"We met up with Mr Kikuoka to talk over everything that happened to draw the case to a close." Shino began, lowering her scarf, "It has all been dealt with. They are just finalising it. Oh, I know, why don't we make tomorrow's meet up in that cafe a special one? To celebrate it all being dealt with?"
This received a cheer from Yamamoto and Akiyama. Then, Akiyama continued, "It will be interesting to meet up with that group. They managed to through two major instances and still cling on to hope. Although, when Kikuoka brought up the case to me I wasn't surprised they sat this one out. It might had lead to something far worse, like repercussions a few months down the line."
Honda checked his watch and suddenly began to rush off, "Train leaves in a few minutes, I need to get going! I'll meet you all tomorrow, that's a promise! Stay safe everyone!"
Just like that, he was gone. Gone to the crowds. The three weren't even surprised, almost as if they had expected something like this to occur.
"He wanted to head back to Osaka," began Shino with a relaxed sigh, "to visit someone. But, he promised he will be back in time. I have no doubt that he will. As he is Sabretooth. No matter the situation, he will come to help. It may seem unhelpful or chaotic, but in the end it will all come together. Just like this one. Anyway, can someone give me a lift home please? He kind of brought me here without much warning."
"That's fine," replied Akiyama, grasping at a set of car keys, "you can hop in mine, we were just about finishing up. We will pick you up tomorrow as well, I know where the cafe is."
Thus, as the three slowly walked down the pavement towards a carpark, Honda rushed through the crowds and roads as fast as the crowds drifted forwards. Luckily, the station wasn't too far away. Honda bolted for his car and drove as fast as the traffic would allow. The carpark came into view. In rapid succession, he leapt out of the vehicle and purchased a ticket, leaving it on the car. Then, a sprint into the station. He got through security quickly and leaped into the train just before the doors closed. Everything had flown by so quickly: the roads, the crowds, the advertisements lining the buildings. They faded from memory as fast as they came into view. The train began to move out of the station. He collapsed into a seat. Finally, no need for a rush. Honda could now just relax and stare out of the window. Oh what a lovely view. As the train left the station, the city came into view. Row upon row of cars lined the roads as hoards of people continued their endless march for goods. That was all behind him, well for today at least. For now, he simply waited for the journey to be over. The many sights visible from his carriage would be his entertainment and his phone would spend the next few hours humming songs away to him. It was just him and the ever changing views from his window. He closed his eyes…
Then a baby started crying.
Writer's Notes:
Panzer_Bros:
Just a single chapter to go! It should wrap up as much as possible and hopefully give a good conclusion to this little story. I decided to alter the section where Kikuoka explained the whole story. Thought it would have been more appropriate to be laid out like that as Sabretooth (Honda) does not have a connection to Sword Art Online like Kirito had. Furthermore, to alter the scene so it felt (hopefully) less like a lore dump and combined with other elements, such as offering food rather it being simply shown in the background.