By the night of September 5, Yuu was living a routine that was ordinary yet slightly different from the past. The early-semester exams had gone smoothly, with results due next week. For someone whose brain had grown sharper and who never neglected studying over the summer, the difficulty felt as simple as a high schooler tackling elementary school problems.
Class topper might not be guaranteed, but top five was highly likely. The scholarship he once wanted but never got was now within reach, though not really needed.
If his Study skill reached expert level, he was confident he could skip grades to university, even Tokyo University—though the books he'd need to read would pile up.
When you realize your brain is sharp, you fall in love with studying. Studying makes you happy, and you end up immersed in it, unable to let go. The reason you dislike studying is simple: you haven't found that love, so sooner or later, you'll cry over it and give up on important things.
As for Yuigahama, who complained to her friends after the exams, she seemed to be sorting out her feelings these past few days, not initiating conversation with Yuu. It was like reverting to their distant first-year high school relationship—when their eyes met, she'd casually look away, as if nothing happened.
Was the fact that he had a girlfriend so shocking to her? If Yuu still loved Haruno, he might understand Yuigahama's feelings by putting himself in her shoes. But right now, he had no feelings for romance, so he only cared slightly, with no intention of delving deeper or resolving it. Let it be; it's not a bother.
As for the Service Club, since he wanted to wait for Yukino—who seemed calm as ice but was actually quick to anger—to cool off, avoiding pointless arguments at their next meeting, he hadn't stepped foot in the special-purpose building for days. Luckily, he hadn't run into her at school.
Hiratsuka didn't say much either, only instructing him to find a third member before the Autumn Club Exhibition, leaving the rest to him… No, she just had firm trust in him.
Though he didn't meet Yukino, he crossed paths with the transfer student. After the initial wave of excitement died down, Masuzu was no longer surrounded by sycophants. Somehow, she was often seen strolling casually around campus. Despite Class J being far from Class F, Yuu locked eyes with her in the halls a few times, and she'd nod and greet him cheerfully first.
She was a friendly, approachable beauty, as the rumors said.
That was school. As for the cafe, helping out two or three hours daily, reminiscing about past part-time life, wasn't a big deal. Sora stayed home, a beautiful hikikomori like a flower, playing on the computer, teasing the cat, waiting for him to return and feed her. When he had time, Yuu would join her in her room to play Monster Hunter, slowly sinking into the comfort of her reliance.
Time flew, and it was now 7:50 PM on September 5.
After leaving his sister's room, Yuu locked his own door, lay on the bed, and put on the NERvGear, resembling a boxing helmet. Before diving in, he checked the system, confirming the prompts were unchanged, then closed his eyes.
"Lincoln died!" (A play on "link start," mimicking "lincoln da tao" from SAO)
As the words fell, the world crossed the gate between reality and virtuality.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
His virtual avatar slowly formed, cheerful background music drifting to his ears, the scent of bread from a bakery teasing his nose. Only after the screen lit up did Yuu clench his fist and look up at the unfamiliar city he hadn't seen in about two weeks.
"Still no other players… I really don't know when RECT will perfect this game. Even a multiplayer beta test would do."
"Don't tell me they'll claim a public release in the second half of this year, only to delay it to year-end, then next year, with DLCs not out until 2077."
After grumbling a bit, Yuu sighs and steps toward—
The night deepens, warm yellow streetlights glowing on both sides, stretching like clock hands into the distance, endless. Brick houses and tiled roofs loom faintly, sleeping soundly with the clouds.
He strolls casually on the stone path under the dark night. Human voices fade from his ears, leaving only the faint background music echoing through the city.
As for what NPCs are here or the purpose of this place, Yuu isn't interested. He's here only to find a girl… No, just to do a mission.
Reaching the plaza before the main hall, Yuu looks left and right. Let alone a rapier-wielding brunette, not even a kitten is in sight.
His right hand swipes down in the air, opening the friend list, and after confirming Asuna is online, he doesn't rush to message her.
Under the lamplight in the dark night, he casually enjoys the virtual world's scenery.
Soon, as the in-game clock hits 7:59 PM.
Sudden footsteps break the plaza's serene silence.
"You're here?"
Yuu, who was sizing up the goddess statue's chest above the hall, quickly retracts his serious gaze and looks toward a dark alley to the right.
A soft, cheerful hum grows closer.
"On this ordinary night, with my ordinary rapier, I slay a bunch of ordinary Orcs… Though I've got no friends, I'm fine just strolling around~"
With her back to the darkness, the rapier user steps into the lit street, humming casually, heading toward the main hall. Asuna proudly shows off her beautiful, soft brown hair. Her stunning figure is clad in higher-defense cloth armor from a shop, and the rapier at her waist glimmers with a pricier shine.
Her steps are light, her short skirt fluttering, her entire being, like her expression, radiating fresh, vibrant colors.
"Do ra ra ra ra~ I play this ordinary game in an ordinary way~"
Her crisp, melodic voice, like a naughty child disturbing the night, tries to tug at the quiet nightgown.
Reaching the plaza, Asuna looks up, her cheerful tune halting. She blinks in surprise at the towering, majestic hall.
"Is this based on Notre Dame Cathedral or Milan Cathedral?"
She mutters softly, crossing her hands behind her back, admiring the view curiously for a few seconds before lowering her head. Just as she's about to resume her impromptu song, she locks eyes with Yuu, who's been waiting for her.
"…"
"…"