Night had already fallen by the time Aoi returned home.
The streets were quiet, lit only by the soft glow of yellow streetlights and the gentle light spilling from house windows. A light breeze moved the leaves slowly, as if the world itself was finally calming down after a day that had been far too full.
When she opened the door, the familiar scent of home welcomed her.
The TV was on in the living room.
Yukiko sat on the sofa, absentmindedly watching some random program. As soon as she heard the door, she turned her head.
— How was the event?
Aoi slipped off her shoes by the entrance.
— It was really good…
She set her bag down on the table.
— But there was a fight at the end… so we left.
Yukiko frowned and quickly stood up.
— A fight?
She walked over and gently held Aoi's arms, looking her over carefully.
— Are you okay?
Aoi waved her hands quickly.
— I-it wasn't me, Mom. I'm fine.
Yukiko let out a small sigh of relief.
— Ah… that's good.
Aoi scratched the back of her neck, a little awkward.
— I'm going to take a shower.
— Alright.
Yukiko sat back down, but added:
— I want to ask you something later, Aoi-chan.
Aoi blinked.
— Okay…
Warm water ran down Aoi's hair.
Steam slowly filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror and wrapping everything in a quiet, distant calm.
She closed her eyes.
And little by little… the entire day came back to her.
Hina and Yamada.
Their flushed faces.
The confession.
The hug.
Mio complaining.
The arguments.
Misaki… injured.
And then—
Souma.
His hand holding hers.
His smile.
Aoi's eyes opened suddenly.
Her face grew warm.
— S-so embarrassing…
She let out a small laugh, alone.
— Why am I even thinking about that…?
Even so…
A faint smile lingered on her lips.
When Aoi stepped out of the bath and passed through the living room, Yukiko turned off the TV.
— Aoi…
She stopped.
— Sorry for bringing this up so suddenly…
Yukiko hesitated for a moment.
— The other day, you were playing… and I came to call you, but you didn't respond.
Aoi froze.
— So I opened the door…
Yukiko frowned slightly.
— And there was a character… that looked just like your father.
Aoi's eyes widened.
For a second, she didn't know what to say.
— Ah…
She looked away.
— About that… I just wanted him to be there… like… playing with me.
Yukiko fell silent.
Then she took a few steps closer.
— I've been thinking…
Her voice softened.
— Maybe it's time we got a butsudan.
— What do you think?
Aoi lowered her head.
— Mom…
Yukiko quickly raised her hands.
— It's okay! Forget it!
She laughed awkwardly.
— What a silly idea, hehe…
She turned toward the kitchen.
— What do you want for dinner?
Aoi answered quietly:
— I'm not that hungry… thanks.
Yukiko thought for a moment.
Then smiled gently.
— I know what I'll make.
— I'll call you when it's ready.
Aoi went upstairs.
Her room was silent.
The only light came from the lamp beside her bed.
Her console sat there.
Waiting.
She picked up her phone.
15 messages in the Eternal Aegis Online group.
— What?!
She opened it quickly.
"We already started.""Soumakey and Hiro, where are you?"
Aoi turned on the console without hesitation.
The game logo appeared.
She logged in.
At the exact moment she started typing—
Souma typed too.
— Just logged in.
On the other side of the city, Souma looked at his screen.
— Aoi…
Prince John wrote:
— We have a new member. Hanae-san.
Takejiru replied:
— Who?
Hiro typed:
— The class rep?
— Yeah.
A new name appeared:
hanae
— Hello, everyone. It's nice to be in an active group.
Soumakey replied:
— Didn't expect you to use your real name.
— It's easier for me.
— Shall we head to the castle?
Takejiru:
— You're already there too? Our chances just got better!
— Let's go.
They moved through dark corridors.
Zombies.
Skeletons.
Lesser vampires.
Magic exploded around them.
Blades cut through the air.
They pushed deeper and deeper.
Until—
A boss vampire appeared.
Overflowing with mana.
Prince John analyzed:
— Long-range combat.
Hanae responded immediately:
— I'm a dark mage.
— This will be easy.
— Let's go together.
— Yes.
Hanae raised her staff.
— Black Hole.
A portal opened above the enemy.
Its fire attack was partially swallowed.
— Now!
Spells flew.
Soumakey charged with his shield.
Takejiru appeared behind—
STAB
The vampire dropped to its knees.
Hiro leapt.
And tore off its head.
Silence.
+10,000 XP
— Wow…
— We've gotten a lot stronger…
— Only the Demon King left.
— He's right behind that door!
— Do we have enough potions?
— I do, but they're on cooldown.
— It should be enough.
The door opened.
Darkness.
A sinister laugh echoed.
Suddenly—
Everyone lost their defense.
And regeneration.
The lights came on.
The Demon King sat on his throne.
— Status buff.
ERROR
— What?!
A powerful bolt of lightning struck—
Straight into Soumakey, disabling him.
— SOUMA!
Hiro tried to use a healing potion.
But—
— We're not going to make it!
— We made it this far.
— It won't be for nothing.
Hanae activated a special skill:
Sacrifice.
She charged forward.
Drained all her own life.
Her character died.
But—
The boss's buffs disappeared.
Its HP dropped to half.
— Now!
Soumakey rushed in.
Three strikes.
Then he fell too.
Takejiru vanished.
Used Bloody Dagger.
The boss began to bleed continuously.
Takejiru fell soon after.
Hiro kept fighting.
Misaki healed.
Prince John attacked with magic.
The boss dropped to 5%.
It cast a draining curse.
Misaki used:
— Recovery + Freeze
She healed Hiro.
And froze his HP for four seconds.
Prince John and Misaki fell.
Only Hiro remained.
The boss had 1% left.
Hiro raised his sword.
— Piercing Strike.
The blade pierced the Demon King's heart.
Silence.
Then—
On Aoi's screen:
Final Boss Defeated — Demon King+100,000 XP
Aoi gasped.
Her hands trembled.
The screen was red.
HP: 7%
— Is it… over?
She stared at the screen.
— Ah…
— The credits…
Names began to scroll.
Slowly.
Until—
She froze.
Her eyes widened completely.
Among the names:
Lead Programmer & Story CreatorHiroshi Sakamoto
Aoi's hands started shaking.
She typed:
— I'm going to sleep.
Replies came instantly:
"You were amazing, Aoi!""We finally cleared it!""That was intense!"
Aoi turned off the console.
Turned off the light.
Lay down on her bed.
Holding her pillow tightly.
Her eyes stayed open in the dark.
Her heart raced.
— My father's name…
she whispered.
— What is this…?
— What's going on…?