-I-
[Third Person POV]
November 6, 2022 – 12:35
Neo's apartment, Minato City – Tokyo
Sunlight streamed into the apartment through a window, glinting off the spoon halfway to Neo's mouth. The news anchor buzzed excitedly on the big TV opposite the small dining table.
『...Sword Art Online officially launches! In less than thirty minutes, players will dive into the adventure of the year—the world's first long-awaited true VRMMORPG!』
The announcement momentarily caught the attention of the young Westerner. He paused mid-air before scooping up another mouthful of classic Japanese curry and rice.
『Considering the well-reception from beta testers, it's no surprise the initial ten thousand copies sold out instantly through online pre-orders...』
"That game's certainly causing a stir, huh?" Across the table, a middle-aged woman sporting a blunt blonde bob and dressed in a running outfit remarked, her gaze flicking towards the screen.
"It's the first of its kind. It'll change the world," Neo retorted, eyes still fixed on his plate. His chewing unrelented by the talk.
"I guess it is," she leaned across the table. "You're going to be plugged into that thing all day, aren't you? That's why you wanted an early lunch."
"Perhaps." He shrugged.
"Ha! You always say that!" She reached over and gave his shoulder a playful shove. "'Perhaps' means 'absolutely'."
*Beep Beep Beep Beep*
Her smartwatch chimed. She silenced it with a practiced tap. "I'm off to meet the girls," a sports bag slung over her shoulder, she paused at the door, turning back. The playful energy softened slightly. "I'll be back and drag you out of that machine if I have to, got it?"
Neo offered a simple hum in return.
"…son?"
His head came up, ebony eyes meeting sapphires blue ones.
Her own gaze sharpened slightly. "Why...are you so serious about this game?" The question hung in the air, laced with a faint thread of concern she tried to hide. "You look…intense."
What could he possibly say? The truth? 'This isn't just a game, Mom. It could spell the beginning of the end. Of everyone's end.' How to explain the weight of responsibility, the potential danger lurking behind that shiny interface, without sounding completely unhinged?
Yeah, no. Not a chance. That would only earn him a couple of tickets to therapy.
"It represents groundbreaking tech," Neo said, the words feeling inadequate. His voice was carefully level, though. "I helped with the project too, remember?"
She searched his face for a beat, then seemed to accept the surface answer with a small sigh. "...Right." The brightness returned, perhaps a little forced. "I love you, sweetie. Have fun, but not too much fun."
"Love you too, Mom. See ya."
The door clicked shut, leaving him in a silence broken only by the TV's fading chatter.
You wouldn't understand, he thought.
Neo stared at the empty space where she'd stood. "How much time do I have...before we have another Matrix?" he murmured, words swallowed by the void.
He glanced at the clock. "...perhaps it's already too late."