The School bell rang, and Yoshiki was thrilled. He couldn't wait to get out of school and get home for supper. His parents were making him his favorite dish; roasted eel. He waited in his desk, watching the clock and then, RING! The school bell rang! Yoshiki got up, and walked out of the class as his classmates were leaving. As he was about to leave, Yoshiki dropped one of his books by accident. He got it quickly and someone helped him up. It was his friend, Takeru.

"Arigato Gozaimasu Takeru san." said Yoshiki politely. Takeru nodded.

"Next time, be a little careful." said Takeru.

"Correction, I bumped into something by accident." said Yoshiki. He wasn't really that bright, but Takeru didn't mind.

"That's what I meant." said Takeru.

"Oh. Well. Thanks." said Yoshiki.

"Hey Yoshiki, I've been meaning to ask you... would you like to come to the new Enchanted Forest Theme Park with me?" asked Takeru.

"Enchanted Forest? You and me? Sure, I would be happy to go with you, but wouldn't you rather ask a girl instead?" asked Yoshiki.

Takeru shook his head. "There already is a girl. But she's going to be at the park. And I need someone to come with me." said Takeru.

"Why? Are you shy?" asked Yoshiki.

"Please?" asked Takeru.

"Okay, if you say so. When would you like to go?" asked Yoshiki.

"Today." said Takeru quickly.

"Today? Today!? But it's a school week! And a school night! Today is Wednesday. How about Saturday instead? I have nothing to do on that day." said Yoshiki.

Takeru didn't like that. But he sighed and nodded. "Okay. It's just that... I don't want to go alone. And I trust you." said Takeru.

Yoshiki had known Takeru for a quite some time now. They have been classmates since the school year started and they have become quick friends. Yoshiki was slightly chubby and rather robust, while Takeru was rather slim and muscular. They seemed like an odd pair, but they were good friends none the less. And sometimes, they would go out to watch movies, or play basket ball at the park. However, Takeru seemed to have changed lately. Two weeks ago, after the Enchanted Forest Tokyo opened up, something changed in Takeru. Yoshiki didn't know why. He was always smiling and in a good mood. But lately, he looked rather sad and a little lonely. Perhaps that was a reason why he was inviting Yoshiki and insisting he'd go with him to the theme park.

"Hey, if it's any consolation, I can walk you home. You don't live far from where I live." said Yoshiki.

"Sure. That sounds good." said Takeru as he walked with Yoshiki.

Takeru lived with his uncle in a small apartment complex, not far from where Yoshiki lived. As they headed there, Takeru was very silent. And Yoshiki didn't like it. He always heard Takeru talk and gossip about things, but tonight was a little different.

"Everything okay Takeru? Lately you have been a little down." said Yoshiki.

"I'm fine." said Takeru, rather flatly.

Just then, Takeru's uncle came out. He was a rather old man with a cane and he was holding a cup of tea. "Welcome home Takeru." he said kindly to his nephew.

"Good afternoon Uncle." said Takeru sadly as he walked inside. Yoshiki felt a little bad for watching his friend go in without even saying goodbye. He was about to leave until Takeru's uncle, Sato, stopped him.

"Young man. Please forgive my nephew. He's been a little moody as of late." said Sato.

"You noticed too?" asked Yoshiki.

"I live with him." said Sato with a smile.

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" asked Yoshiki.

"Tomorrow marks the anniversary when his mother died, my sister." said Sato.

Yoshiki felt relief and at the same time, worry for his friend.

"I didn't know. He never told me." said Yoshiki.

Sato smiled. "You seem like a nice boy Yoshiki. Promise me you'll take Takeru to the theme park tomorrow? There is something I need him to do for me." said Sato with a wink.

"Really? Takeru didn't mention he had a chore for you. Was it for today?" asked Yoshiki.

"No. It's for tomorrow. And today. Either day is fine." said Sato with a chuckle.

"Well I need to ask my folks permission first. I think tomorrow is a good day." said Yoshiki, looking over Sato's shoulder.

"That will be great. Thank you friend." said Sato as he turned around smiling.

Inside the house, Sato sat down and Takeru was eating a snack in the kitchen. He looked really depressed. Sato calmly patted him on the shoulder.

"Takeru, I know how much this world means to you. But please remember this. That world was a fantasy. None of it was real. I know you left family there, but they were not real people. Takeru, you can have a life here. You can have a real wife, and a real child." said Sato.

"Grandfather. It's not the same. And you heard what they said back there. They were real AI! That means they are real in some way!" said Takeru.

"Say that this is true, and this world truly is a world that is created, don't forget it's all a computer." said Sato.

"Grandfather... they are in danger. If I don't do this, they will all die and I will lose..." Takeru didn't dare finish the sentence.

Sato let out a sigh. "Takeru, I strongly belive there are alternate realities and worlds within worlds. The whole universal thing. But all this coming from a video game? I don't know if I can believe in that." said Sato.

"Grandfather... if they were indeed fake... then I should have just seen it all on screen." said Takeru.

Sato exhaled. "Do what you will son. But beware. There are lines we can cross and lines we can't. Remember what had happened to that death game a few years back? SAO I believed it's called." said Sato.

"This is nothing like that. This is completely different." said Takeru determingly.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this one shot chapter to a possible new book. Finishing this story may take some time, but I will finish and update it as soon as the other stories are near it's conclusions. Thank You.