A/N:
Hey there! Thanks for taking a look at my first fic that finally made its way beyond being a draft. I don't know if you will like it, though. Sorry in advance if the prologue might seem uneventful and short. Feel free to point out any areas I need to improve or change in my writing and any mistakes you come across!
The story has OCs as some of the main characters. Still, I don't intend to make them hog the spotlight from canon ones and I'll try to stay faithful to the light novel/anime canon as much as I can.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online.
October 28th, 2022. 15:00
The bell's chime echoed throughout the old school building, signifying the end of classes. This monotonous sound, however, brought a certain fourteen-year old black-haired teen's daydream of a floating castle in the sky to an end. The sudden return to dull daily life irritated him, to say the least. Yet the boy showed no sign of anger or dissatisfaction on his face.
The teen quietly stood up from his desk and hastily left the classroom, seemingly still thinking about his dream. Only three of his classmates interrupted their conversation to watch him exit the classroom before resuming their talk.
"So, were you able to get the NerveGear, Inaba? They are pretty much impossible to get these days. You know, with that game coming out next week and stuff." One of the students asked the brown-haired boy whose name was supposed to be Inaba.
"You bet! I had to spend a few painfully long hours in a ginormous line to get mine. But I kinda understand that people can't wait for SAO's release. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited myself! Still, even indifferent people like Kirigaya would probably lose patience in a situation like this."
The boy's long speech was cut short by the sound of somebody clapping.
"Alright guys, I think you all have better things to do than to waste your time talking." Said the mysterious person who turned out to be a raven-haired girl around the same age as the others, causing Inaba's companions to groan in annoyance and leave while mumbling something.
"U-uh, what are you doing here Mizuki-san? I thought you went home already." Inaba said with a hint of surprise in his voice.
"That's what I should be asking you…whatever. Piano practice can wait. Actually, there is something I wanted to tell you. I just couldn't ignore what you said about Kirigaya-san. It feels as if he is a completely different person." The girl named Mizuki replied.
"What makes you think so? I don't see anything different about him."
"Well, he looks even more distant and unapproachable than he usually is, but at the same time he looks excited. Maybe it's just a hunch after all."
Inaba scratched his head and let out a sigh. "I think you shouldn't let that go to your head, Mizuki-san…"
The day has ended like any other, yet the daydreaming Kirigaya Kazuto, his two classmates and thousands of completely unrelated people had no idea that their paths were bound to cross very soon in a battle for survival…