Hina-nee and I left the house at around the sa ti, even though my school was a lot further than hers. She could've stayed behind and relaxed for a little bit before leaving, but she insisted on walking together with until we had to part ways. The weather was fine today, especially compared to yesterday's storm.
"Say, Hina-nee, do you like video gas?" I asked as we walked.
"Hm? That was pretty out of the blue," she said, before adopting a thinking gesture. "Though...I guess I can't really answer that question, since I've never played any before."
"I see," I murmured. "Then...what do you think of a new reality?"
"A new reality...? As in, a new world?"
"Yeah. A place where you could start anew. A place of swords and magic, like sothing straight out of a fantasy novel."
"Well, I think that would be pretty cool. But...if it ans having to leave behind our parents and you, then...I would never do it, no matter how tempting the offer."
"I see...I'm really selfish, huh?" I wondered aloud, the self-depreciation in my tone as clear as day.
"Hm? How so?" Hina-nee asked.
"Ah, nothing," I shook my head. I couldn't tell her what I was thinking.
I couldn't tell her I genuinely considered starting life anew in another, alternate reality, even if it ant having to leave everything in this world behind - Hina-nee included. All for my own satisfaction. My own pleasure. Without even once considering Hina-nee's feelings.
She still seed skeptical, but she didn't pry. Instead, she just said one thing that will forever hit deep within my heart.
"Hey...Kaze-kun, you should just do whatever makes you happy. That's not called being selfish. If going to a new reality is what will bring you joy, then you should do it. I won't be mad, and neither will our parents. I'm sure of it. And...if there's anything troubling you, you can always co talk to nee-san here, okay?"
I slowly nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, Hina-nee."
We reluctantly parted ways shortly after.
*****
As expected, school wasn't too bad today. Ichigo and Horiya didn't try anything, as they were still consolidating their friend circles. At the sa ti, however, I have yet to make any friends, or even try to do that. I spent the majority of the school day thinking about Ascentech and Ascension: Online.
Just like yesterday, the mont the bell rang, I packed up all my things, went to the entrance near the front office, and prepared to exit the school. However, just I thought I got through the day without any trouble...
"Now hold on a minute...where do you think you're going, Igarashi?" a voice called out from behind .
I already knew who it was. I could've just ignored it, but that would just spell trouble for later down the line. I decided to just confront them right here and now.
"Do you need sothing from ?" I asked, turning around to face the two boys that had called out to - Ichigo and Horiya. Who else could they have been?
"Yeah. You see...we're runnin' a bit low on money," Ichigo said, smirking deviously.
"Mhm. So, uh...mind lending us so? You know, since we're such good 'friends' and all..." Horiya added, and the two of them laughed.
I was scared. Scared of what would happen if I refused them. But...if I just gave in here, it would really just beco middle school all over again. They would take advantage of my weakness, and keep bullying all they want. So - I had to stand up for myself, even if it's just this once. And besides...in the corner of my eye, I spotted a certain sothing they didn't. That thing gave courage. The courage to stand up for myself here, even if it's just a one-ti thing.
"I refuse," I said in a loud, clear tone.
"H-Huh?" Ichigo and Horiya seed to not believe what they were hearing.
"I said...I refuse. It's not my problem you're low on money, and we aren't exactly 'friends' either," I said.
"Heh. Hahaha!" Ichigo burst out in laughter. "Oi, Horiya, you hear that?"
"You're kidding, Igarashi just said he refuses?! Our request?!" Horiya cackled. "Oh, this is too funny! C'mon now, Igarashi. Stop with the jokes. Now, hand over the money."
He made a beckoning gesture with his hand, signaling for to give so cash to him. I didn't let any emotion show on my face, but deep down, I smirked. These two were short-tempered bunch. All I had to do was give them one more good push, and they would start talking with their fists instead. Normally, that would be a bad thing for ...but not this ti.
"I believe I've already said this once, but...I refuse," I repeated, in the sa flat tone as before.
I saw Ichigo's eyebrow twitch. That was a sign he was angry.
"Oi oi now...you're acting up, huh?!" he rolled back his sleeves and dropped his backpack on the floor.
Horiya did the sa, and together, the two of them glared at . It was intimidating, but I wasn't afraid. Because I had sothing else on my side - sothing even these two punks could not fight back against.
"Last warning. Hand over the money," Horiya said in an angry tone.
"Last ti I'm saying this. I refuse," I replied in the sa indifferent voice.
They snapped.
Ichigo was the first to move. He quickly threw a right hook aid straight for my face, which I, having no combat experience whatsoever, was unable to dodge. His fists connected with my cheek, and the sheer impact made stagger backwards a few steps. Discretely, I snuck a glance at that 'thing' hanging from the corner of the hallway, and quickly averted my gaze after confirming it had recorded that punch.
The 'thing' I was talking about was, naturally, a security cara. Middle schools in Japan didn't have them, but high schools did. Ichigo and Horiya clearly didn't seem to notice that, however, as they turned violent easily with a little provocation on my end.
Ichigo stepped closer to , clearly not finished yet. He unleashed a front kick aid for my stomach that I barely managed to block with my arms. Still, the impact of the force sent flying backwards, crashing into the door. But despite the pain I was feeling, I wasn't feeling bad at all. Instead, I was still smirking, deep down.
"That'll teach you!" Ichigo sneered as he crackled his knuckles.
Heh. They're not showing any rcy, huh? Works fine for .
Horiya hauled up from the floor, easily lifting my light body. Ichigo then unleashed a furry of fast blows on my stomach, which I tried my best to protect using my hands. Still - when this is all over, the last laugh will be mine.
The beating continued for quite a bit. I almost couldn't take it anymore, until at last, the event I had been waiting for occurred.
"What is going on in here?!" a booming male voice yelled. I recognized it.
Ichigo and Horiya did too, naturally.
It was our principal - Fujimura-sensei himself. The school had been nad after the founding father of it, naly Fujimura-sensei's ancestors. Since then, the position of principal had been passed down generation to generation.
"Uh..." Ichigo and Horiya hurriedly stopped attacking , and turned to face the principal. "Er. You see, this kid was trying to pick a fig-"
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Fujimura-sensei cut him off, anger burning within his eyes. "Do you think I would believe that this frail-looking child would pick a fight with you? The TWO of you, no less?"
"F-Fujimura-sensei, I know it's hard to believe, but-"
"Shut it," he said, not even giving them a chance to lie. Then, walking closer to while sending the two of them glares, he bent down and helped get up.
"Are you okay? Your na was...Igarashi-kun, if I recall?"
I nodded. "Igarashi Kaze. And I'm fine, Fujimura-sensei. There's no need to go to the infirmary or anything. Just so light bruises. They'll heal on their own."
"I see...I understand. You may go," he said, dismissing .
I thanked him and left the scene. Sure, I was a bit hurt, but...Ichigo and Horiya would be getting sothing far worse.
All in all? My plan had been a complete success.
*****
After that, I decided to go do what I was planning on doing anyway - buy Ascension: Online. On the way to the DigiGas store, I received a text on my phone. It was from Hina-nee.
[Heya Kaze-kun! I'm joining a club after school today, so I won't be able to pick you up at your school! Sorry...I'll definitely be there tomorrow though!]
I smiled, then texted back a quick ssage to prevent her from worrying.
[Alright. You worry too much, Hina-nee.]
With that, I put away my phone and headed for DigiGas. The walk there didn't take long. The clerk there was the sa guy as yesterday, and he recognized imdiately. I bought a copy of Ascension: Online, and returned ho. Instead of a disc or anything of the sort, what I bought was a redemption code for the ga. According to the clerk, after booting up the AR set, I could redeem gas through these codes.
I gave my thanks and left the store.
*****
When I returned ho, no one else was there yet. Auntie and uncle usually worked late, so most of the ti, it was just Hina-nee and I in the house.
Since I was ho alone right now though, I decided to take advantage of this ti to try out the AR set. After going up to my room. I opened up the box, and pulled out everything. There was an instructions manual and what looked to be a helt with a wire attached to it.
I flipped through the instructions first. My guess had been on the mark - the helt-looking object was indeed a helt. Apparently, I was supposed to plug the wire into a socket and place the helt over my head, secure its position with a velcro belt, then lie down comfortably. I did as instructed, and pressed the power button on the side of the helt.
Imdiately, everything went black. My vision, my touch, my very consciousness - everything went to black.
And then, a white light surrounded . Gradually, my senses ca back, and I found that I wasn't lying down anymore. There also was no helt over my head, and no velcro belt beneath my neck. I tried making movents of all sorts, and felt no restriction whatsoever. It was just like I was in real life. As for the setting, I was inside so kind of white room, it seed like.
Then, suddenly, a gentle AI-like voice began talking, seemingly from all around .
[Welco to Alternate Reality, player.]
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