“Then, I will be going.”

“I... I am leaving.”

“Okay, have a nice trip... Ah.”

To Kuroyukihime and Haruyuki’s farewells, Niko rubbed the side of her face lightly and then wrinkled her eyebrows.

“...Hey. Isn’t this a bit weird?”

“Nn, what is?”

“No... even if you ask what is...”

While Niko crossed her arms and started thinking, Kuroyukihime shrugged her shoulders lightly and said.

“Strange girl. Instead of that, I will leave the details of today’s battle plan to you. ?Chrome Disaster?’s appearing location and time specifics, you have no problem with that?”

“Y, yea. Leave it to me.”

“Umu. Then, I will be going.”

“I... I am leaving.”

“Okay, have a nice trip... Ah.”

Then she closed the door and after backing off a step, Kuroyukihime turned away.

January 23rd, Friday 7:30AM.

Up till now, the situation was similar to the many ?going to school? moments he had daily. The grey light shining in the apartment public hallway, his white breath in the cold air, were all the same as yesterday's.

However just one thing was different - right beside him, wearing a neat Umesato middle school uniform with a blue ribbon tie, right hand holding a school regulation bag, and left hand carrying a shopping bag, a female student’s shape was there.

Turning on her Neuro Linker and looking in the air, Kuroyukihime said casually.

“Today will be cloudy, I hope it doesn’t rain. Then, let’s go.”

“Y... yes.”

He nodded, took his normal position to her left and slightly behind, and while walking, Haruyuki thought in a daze.

‘- Ah... this person, is my onee-san? And the one earlier, imouto?

No no, this kind of specification should not exist in the real world. Going to school together with onee-san, like some antique novel game.

As he shook his head slightly, the empty elevator came down, and he went in after his onee-san.

‘- Even if this was a game, with the girls being only ?older sister? and ?younger sister?, that is not possible right?’

With his brain that wasn’t working too well due to slight lack of sleep, he thought up to that point while spacing out, the elevator went down just two floors, and stopped on the 21st floor. Haruyuki backed up one step by reaction, to make space for people coming in.

And then, after the door slid open, with an energetic jump inside, a similarly uniformed girl - ?childhood friend? Kurashima Chiyuri’s eyes collided with his.

‘NO - .’

As Haruyuki screamed in his mind, Chiyuri’s large cat-like eyes blinked and a big smile appeared on her face.

“Ah, Haru, morning! How come today you are so early... wh... wha...!?”

However, once she recognized the person standing to the right side behind Haruyuki, her voice and expression changed abruptly. From relaxed, passed through surprise, then approaching right before an eruption.

“...Haru? What’s this?”

With her eyeballs jerking, Chiyuri whispered.

In contrast to the totally solidified Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime greeted her lightheartedly.

“Ya, morning, Kurashima-kun.”

“Ah, g..good morning.”

After she bowed in reflex, Chiyuri grabbed hold of Haruyuki’s necktie and shouted.

“What’s going on!!”

“...It, it’s not what you think.”

While Haruyuki shook his head, he used his hand behind him to start the Mailer program, asking help from the only person who could resolve this situation. That is, “Taku, I need help badly”.

“What isn’t what I think!!”

When more of the tough interrogation was about to continue, the elevator finally reached the first floor and the door opened. Haruyuki took hold of Chiyuri’s shoulders, and turned her half way around.

“Th, there, let’s go to school! Let’s take classes, let’s return home and forget about this during the weekend.”

“Hey, don’t change the topic!”

He kept pushing the shouting Chiyuri’s shoulders from behind, passing between the wide eyed residents in the lobby and somehow exited to the front courtyard when a helpful sound came from behind.

“M... morning, Chii-chan. Morning, Haru. Mo... rn...”

“...Good morning, master.”

Then somehow, after reading his email and coming in a full dash, his comrade murmured to Haruyuki while blowing out large clouds of white breath in the cold morning air.

“...Haru. You seem like someone who likes stepping on tiger’s tails.”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.”

After replying, he turned the still yelling ‘Explain it!’ Chiyuri toward Takumu then released his hands from her shoulders.

Just like Takumu, he said to Chiyuri with a calm voice.

“Chii-chan, I was at Haru’s house yesterday too.”

“Wha...? What does that mean?”

Facing the suspicious face of a childhood friend and able to voice a clear explanation; that kind of smooth speech, Haruyuki could not imitate.

“A little problem dealing with that application occurred. We used Haru’s house as a conference room. But it got late and if a middle school student walking at that time was captured by the social camera, it would be troublesome. So without any choice, senpai had to stay over at Haru’s house. Isn’t that right?”

To Kuroyukihime who was asked that, fortunately she dutifully nodded.

“Well, that’s what happened. Don’t need to be strangely suspicious, Kurashima-kun.”

“...”

Chiyuri continued to be silent with a complex expression for a few seconds - .

Eventually, she said with a low tone.

“Again, that. Brain... Burst?”

She looked at the three who nodded together, then puffed up her cheeks.

“Somehow, I am not convinced! That’s just a game right? Then, why would you talk for so many hours about it!”

“It... it’s a game, but not just any game.”

After looking around the wide apartment courtyard to make sure no one else was around, Haruyuki continued.

“I have told you before... that accelerated thinking and creating a different world from this one. That’s why, similar to reality, many problems occur...”

“...Muu.”

Chiyuri’s lips became sharp, and she murmured while looking unsatisfied.

“I do not believe that in the first place. Even if you say accelerate or whatever, I can’t imagine it. ...Then...I got it. If you let me see it, I will accept it.”

“Huh?”

To the wide eyed Haruyuki, Chiyuri said it like it was nothing.

“That game, can be copied and installed right? Let me have it too. Then I too will become, what was that, that... ?Burst Linker?.”

“Wha... whattt -?!?”

That shout, came not only from Haruyuki but from Takumu and Kuroyukihime as well.

And then all three held their right hand in front of their face and waved it left and right.

“Im... impossible. Absolutely impossible.”

Haruyuki who leaked that truthfully, his round cheeks were pinched by Chiyuri.

“What’s that! Just hand it over!”

“No, I told you... that game needs aptitude.”

“I won’t understand that till I try!”

“But you are... ultra bad.”

At that moment, Chiyuri’s cat-like eyes shone.

“I see... you have the nerve. I get it, you will see! I will train too, and win over Haru and Taku in games!”

“Wha... whattt!?”

Haruyuki opened his mouth wide and saw a look of challenge shining in Chiyuri’s eyes. This, he often saw when he played with Chiyuri in the past, is the ?won’t turn back after saying it? face.

While pulling Haruyuki’s cheeks to the limit like a flat rice cake - .

“After that, let me copy that Burst something!!”

After saying that she let go of Haruyuki’s cheeks, stuck her tongue out for a ‘Be -’, then the similarly aged childhood friend ran away at a tremendous speed.

“...Training huh.”

Haruyuki murmured that while rubbing his cheeks, then turned toward Takumu beside him.

Then, he bowed deeply.

“Sorry, Taku. I made you lie to Chiyu.”

Earlier, Takumu’s explanation to Chiyuri was not 100% the truth. When Kuroyukihime announced that she would stay over, the meeting was already finished.

Takumu smiled and slowly shook his head.

“...It’s okay.”

His expression was calm, but Haruyuki felt that it contained some self-deprecation, so he bit his lips lightly. Then, Kuroyukihime too said in a caring voice.

“Takumu-kun. Asking might be an intrusion... you and Kurashima-kun, still... that is...”

“Being back to normal...will take a long time.”

Takumu shrugged and looked towards the street tree canopy that had lost all its leaves.

“I did a lot of things. Or more like, we might never return to being boyfriend and girlfriend again. But... if it’s part of Chii-chan’s wish for me to be at her side, I think just that is fine.”

“Taku...”

Haruyuki tried to find the words he should say, however just at important moments, his throat was stuck. On his behalf, Kuroyukihime’s quiet voice said.

“If... you feel burdened, or if it interferes with your relationship with Kurashima-kun, you can erase it... the Brain Burst.”

Takumu’s eyes opened wide instantly.

However, he soon greatly shook his head left and right.

“No. I still, to you... and to Haru too, need to make amends for.”

“Y... you don’t have to. There’s nothing like that, Taku.”

This time, he said in reaction.

“I don’t desire any amends from you. Senpai should be the same. Brain Burst does not exist for that reason... that is, that software is...”

However, just there, Haruyuki’s poor vocabulary ended.

Takumu looked at him with pain filled eyes, then patted him on the shoulder.

“It’s fine, I too still enjoy ?duels?. Instead of that, master. I want to consult with you.”

He turned toward Kuroyukihime and continued with a serious sound.

“...Chii-chan’s possibility of being a Burst Linker, do you think it is really zero?”

Compared to the wide eyed Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime almost did not change her expression, she tilted her head with ‘Fumu’.

“...The first condition has been cleared?”

“Yes, it should be.”

Takumu instantly nodded.

The first condition for being a Burst Linker is ?to wear the Neuro Linker right after birth?. Takumu’s was from his parent’s educational policy that is full of enthusiasm and Haruyuki’s was used to remotely monitor him since both of his parents worked, their condition was fulfilled.

Chiyuri was raised in a family full of love, the newborn her had worn the Neuro Linker for a different reason from them. Chiyuri’s father was treated for throat cancer, so it was difficult for him to produce a physical voice. That meant Chiyuri was raised while hearing her father’s mind talk through the network.

Takumu did not explain that far and Kuroyukihime also did not ask.

“I see.”

After consenting, she looked toward the direction Chiyuri ran off to.

“Actually, the second condition... ?Brain reaction speed? does not have a rigorous standard. There are people who were bad with VR games that have installed Brain Burst. However, making someone into a Burst Linker without confidence could be said to be a large gamble.”

“G, gamble...?”

To Haruyuki who repeated what he heard, Kuroyukihime gave him a look with meaning and nodded.

“Right now, Brain Burst’s copy and install... that is the privilege of a ?parent? making someone a ?child?, is limited to be only once. And that privilege, even if the installing failed, will be lost and never return.”

“O, once!?”

Haruyuki involuntarily shouted, then he hurriedly held his mouth. He lowered his volume, but continued in haste.

“B, but then, the number of Burst Linkers won’t increase by much. The people who retired after losing all points and the new people who joined... would at best be even...?”

“That means, Haru.”

Takumu who already knew the ?once rule?, pushed his glasses up and said.

“I think the unknown administrator who manages Brain Burst, that the current number of people... about 1000 people is set as the upper limit. A limit to keep ?accelerate? technology concealed, that is.”

“Th... that might be the case... but even as it is right now, the day that the secret will be found out will absolutely come right? Now Chiyuri almost knows about it. If... if that administrator is the developer, eventually the existence of Brain Burst will be exposed to the world and of course then the Neuro Linker would no longer be able to use accelerate function, if he operates while already factoring that in, that guy... what is his goal anyway?”

Haruyuki opened both hands and looked at Takumu and Kuroyukihime one after another.

“Since, we... don’t pay to play the game. I have never seen any advertising either.”

For many net games in the world, their profit structure is mostly of two different types. Monthly fees or item sales to users for money, and a flood like spread of contracted business advertising in the game, one of those.

Brain Burst is unmistakably a net game and also with the ?accelerate? technology, thus giving its users extraordinary privileges. With the price of zero, so no matter how you think of it, it does not fit.

Hearing Haruyuki’s fundamental questions that were way too late at this time, Kuroyukihime had a slight wry smile.

“Thinking about it is useless, Haruyuki-kun. To know that, you have to reach level 10 and hear it from the developer directly. However, I can say two things in confirmation. First, like you said earlier, the accelerated world probably cannot continue as it is forever. Eventually its secrecy will be lost, and the time when all Burst Linkers disappear will come. And the other point... the day that we will pay the proper price for the special privilege of ?accelerate? will come. Or maybe...”

What’s ahead, did not come with a clear sound, it was stuck with slight trembling lips.

However, Haruyuki while blowing white breath in the cold morning air, seem to be able to see the short words.

‘- Or maybe, we are already paying for it.’

Kuroyukihime looked at Takumu with a short laugh.

“We went off topic. About Kurashima-kun... I think her chance of becoming a Burst Linker is pretty low, however there is worth in trying.”

“Re... really, master?”

To the wide eyed Takumu, Kuroyukihime nodded slowly.

“Her physical potential is not low. Her earlier dash had a superb speed.”

“Ah, she is in the track and field club.”

After Haruyuki’s supplement, she murmured ‘Fumu’.

“I see. ...For the brain, the circuits for moving the real physical body, is almost the same as the one for moving the virtual avatar. That means in Kurashima-kun’s case, her circuit ability might have fulfilled the required condition. The problem is her affinity with the Neuro Linker, which we can only try by force.”

“Aha... but she can’t even do mind talk.”

“For your case, you are way too specialized in the Neuro Linker side. Move your real body a bit more.”

Kuroyukihime looked away from the immediately silent Haruyuki toward Takumu.

“...Takumu-kun. If Kurashima-kun succeeds in installing Brain Burst, there will be a strong relationship between you two. As in ?Parent and child?. ...However, that does not always exist as a positive element, please remember that.”

Haruyuki could not immediately understand the quiet but strongly said words.

‘Not positive... that means minus element? Between Burst Linker ?parent? and ?child??

What does that mean? ?Parent? guide, and ?child? admire. There shouldn’t be a dark side to that, isn’t that right? Different from the parent and child relationship in the real world. The father who threw away the crying young me and left the house, and the mother that doesn’t look at my face, nor talk to me, totally different from those. The parent and child in the accelerated world - between Kuroyukihime and me, there is a strong bond.’

Haruyuki’s body momentarily trembled, and looked into the eyes of Kuroyukihime who stood right beside him.

They, like usual, were filled with a gentle shine.

‘- No. Deep inside, there’s a somewhat sad... or more like, a fear like flash, that might just be me over thinking.’

In that instant, in Haruyuki’s mind, since Kuroyukihime guided him to become a Burst Linker, a question he never thought about appeared.

‘Who was Kuroyukihime’s ?parent??’

“...Ah, that is.”

When he fearfully started to say that, Kuroyukihime said as if interrupting him.

“Oh no, we have stood still and talked for too long. It’s the time that if we don’t hurry we might be late.”

“Wha...”

He hurriedly looked in the sky, it was becoming bright past the low clouds.

“Uwa, it really is. If might be better to run a bit, Haru.”

“Arg, spare me that.”

As Takumu tapped him on the shoulder, and he shook his soft head, Haruyuki could not forget his earlier question.

While he chased after Kuroyukihime who was already walking quickly, he wanted to ask that question again, but somehow the words did not come out.

Rushing through the school gate right before the first morning chime, and determining that his Neuro Linker successfully connected to the Umesato middle school local net without a late count, Haruyuki left the other two.

However, even during morning classes, one thought kept circling around in his mind.

‘Why did Kuroyukihime say that there is a bad side to ?Parent child? relationship for Burst Linkers? And why did she look somewhat sad at that time.

I want to know. No matter what.’

After the second class was over, and confirming that the virtual blackboard had disappeared from his view, Haruyuki started his Mailer without hesitation. With short words [Can we talk right now?], he typed and sent in 2 seconds.

The reply came after 8 seconds. [Let’s meet at the local net virtual squash corner.], after reading that, Haruyuki sat deeply in his chair, closed his eyes and sang the Direct Link command.

Between the 2nd and 3rd classes there is only 15 minutes, so the fairy-tale forest that is Umesato middle school’s local net was quiet. After confirming that his avatar’s short legs touched the ground, he aimed for a large tree standing on the outer edge and dashed.

The leader of the bullies who forced Haruyuki to use the pink pig for avatar is no longer there, his underlings were now in hiding, so he could have changed to a more cool design anytime, but somehow did not have the chance, so he continued to use that. Kuroyukihime said ‘I like that also’ probably had influence on him.

With that shape he bounced up the stairs carved in the tree trunk, when he jump onto the top floor with the squash game, he saw a slender avatar standing quietly in the center of the court.

Deep black dress with silver edges. A similar colored parasol in hand, and on the back, black swallowtail butterfly wings with deep red lines running in them.

Kuroyukihime, who looked like a dark fairy princess, turned her almost colorless white face toward Haruyuki and lightly smiled.

“Hi. It’s been a while since I saw you in that shape. Lately we have just been talking in reality.”

“...Senpai hasn’t been to the local net much, the fans of that avatar are feeling sad.”

With about three times smoother voice than reality he replied, and Kuroyukihime’s smile changed to a wry smile as she shrugged her shoulders lightly.

“Really, I was thinking of how eventually it would be nice to use a black pig avatar to match with you. ...Instead of that, what is it, that you want to meet and talk.”

“Ah... about that... that is.”

This time he faltered like usual, and Haruyuki tried to find the words.

Thinking about it, so far he had asked almost nothing about Kuroyukihime’s private matters. And now suddenly, he is doing something like stepping his foot inside.

To Haruyuki who hesitated after calling her out, Kuroyukihime showed a wry smile for a while, eventually the wings on her back waved as she moved. The bells on her parasol made a clear ringing chime.

“...Haruyuki-kun. What you want to ask about, is my ?parent? right?”

Kuroyukihime murmured with a somewhat more mysterious silky voice than her actual voice.

Without waiting for Haruyuki’s reply after he took a breath, she continued with lowered long eyebrows.

“Sorry, but... right now, I cannot say that name. I don’t want there to be a chance of you contacting that person. For a legion master... and also as a girl. That might just be ugly jealousy.”

While his avatar stood frozen, and his eyes wide, in Haruyuki’s brain a few thoughts flashed in his consciousness.

With that speech, he understood some things. First, Kuroyukihime’s ?parent? is still a Burst Linker existing in the accelerated world. And the other thing, is probably a female.

While moving around soundlessly on the squash court, Kuroyukihime’s voice continued like a harp’s low tones being played with fingers.

“...That person, was... to me, the closest human being. Continuing to forever shine brightly in the center of my world, or in other words driving darkness and cold far away, I believed.”

‘- That is just like what you are to me’, Haruyuki thought in reaction.

“However, one day... at that time, that instant, I learned that it was a fleeting illusion. Right now that person could be said to be an existence as my arch enemy. Just like, this bottomless hate, was born the moment I met that person, I can only think of it like that.”

The voice was controlled to be calm, but the fierceness of those words, it was unbelievable that they came from Kuroyukihime. The lowered eyes took a quick glance at Haruyuki who stood still, and a somewhat hollow smile appeared on the deep black fairy princess.

“If possible, I want to fight with that person right now. I want to cut away her limbs with my sword, throw her on the ground, and while I enjoy her unsightly plead for life, cut off her head mercilessly. However that wish won’t be granted. ...Haruyuki-kun. Do you understand the conclusive difference between Burst Linker’s ?Parent child? relationship, and the other for example ?Comrade? or ?Lover? kind of relationship?”

“...”

After a moment of confusion, Haruyuki remembered that fateful day three months ago, the shining thing that Kuroyukihime held out. That is, the silver colored direct connect cable.

“That is... ?Parent child?, without exception, know each other’s ?reality?.”

“Yes, that is exactly it.”

Nodding, Kuroyukihime stuck the tip of her parasol into the court.

“To copy and install Brain Burst, two Neuro Linkers must be directly connected. At that time, the ?parent? and ?child? must face each other in reality, and also have a relationship that allows direct connection. That means, Burst Linker ?parent child? relationship is strongest bond in accelerated world... at the same time, the strongest curse is created.”

“Cu... curse...?”

“That’s right. For example when ?parent? and ?child?’s path differ, and they have a fighting relation, that hate will definitely expand to the real world. I... right now, even with this much hate could not fight my ?parent?. Because that person, in the real world, can use overwhelming influence on me. - The proof of existence for a Burst Linker is ?duel?. To fight each other, we put our mind inside a Duel Avatar. Even so, only a ?parent? and ?child? cannot fight. What would you say that is, other than a curse?”

“...Senpai.”

Haruyuki whispered that, and tried to find words to continue. However, he did not think he can put the feeling swirling in his heart all into sounds that will express them.

That’s why, he took a step, then another forward, and held Kuroyukihime’s left hand that was hanging down without any strength with his two round hands. For an avatar that is not supposed to have a temperature difference, that hand was freezing cold.

“Haruyuki-kun...”

The quiet voice was similarly cold.

Probably, Kuroyukihime now is still suffering from her hunt of Red King Red Rider, forcing him to forever retire. And then to conform to that action, she must continue to make herself turn her sword against many Burst Linkers. Even if the opponent is her own ?parent?, or - ?child?.

Her white hand touched his mouth, more like his big nose like pushing against it, as Haruyuki desperately tried to speak. ‘This is all I can convey to her right now’, while thinking that.

“I said it yesterday too. I will absolutely not fight with senpai. Never become senpai’s enemy. If, for some uncontrollable reason that became the case... before we fight, I will un-install Brain Burst.”

While the virtual sunlight came down the tree canopy with diagonal drawn lines, there was a long silence.

Eventually, Kuroyukihime’s voice with a bit of returned temperature echoed, at the same time she hit Haruyuki’s round head with her parasol.

“Fool, I should be the one to leave. You keep fighting. Compared to me, you who enjoy Brain Burst... ?duel? way more, should stay in the accelerated world.”

“No, absolutely no way!”

Then, with a light sound the parasol fell down to the blue carpet of fallen leaves.

On Haruyuki’s face while he was screaming like a spoiled brat - .

Her right hand smoothly caressed.

When he lifted his head up, he was eye to eye with Kuroyukihime who knelt down at an unknown moment. At very closer range, her faint red lips moved.

“No matter what kind of future awaits us, I will never regret choosing you.”

At the same time as her speech, her two hands extended and hugged Haruyuki’s head to her.

That was supposed to be a heavenly moment, but from his almost burnt out sensory signals, Haruyuki felt that an indescribable loneliness floated through.

After school.

Kuroyukihime and Takumu said they would drop off their things at their house first, so Haruyuki returned home by himself.

He opened the front door while somewhat prepared for the worst, but today there were not any loud game sounds or any screams, so he said ‘I am home’ in a low voice and peeked in the living room, and saw the back of Niko sitting on the sofa.

She was so quiet that he thought she was asleep, but soon she waved her small right hand. Haruyuki who came around to the front, saw the girl looking at space with her wide open big eyes - that means she is busy with her virtual desktop, he determined.

“...I am home.”

After saying it once more, Niko replied shortly with ‘Ou’, and instantly looked at Haruyuki.

“What about the other two?”

“They went home before coming here. It won’t be more than 20 minutes I think.”

“Okay, we should be able to make it in time... Chrome Disaster has not started to move yet.”

Haruyuki blinked to that speech. Somehow Niko with whatever method, can monitor the movement of ?Disaster Armor? that is ?Chrome Disaster? - the Red legion member ?Cherry Rook? who was given that enhanced armament, for that purpose of course her Neuro Linker will have to be connected to the outside net.

“Y...you, are fine with connecting to the Global Net? Since this is not Red legion territory.”

To his involuntarily question, Niko showed a fearless smile.

“Earlier I was ?challenged? by a daredevil once. I blew him away in 10 seconds, and told him to tell other guys not to bother me, so it should be fine.”

“Is... is that so...”

Inside a ?territory?, for the controlling legion’s members, while they are not set to accept fights, is given the right to reject ?challenge? from other Burst Linkers.

That means, for Haruyuki’s group, at home and around their school is safe to connect their Neuro Linker to the Global Net, but of course that right is not given to Niko. However, thinking about it, only other Kings can win against the King Niko in a one on one fight, but they have a no invasion treaty with each other so they would not be suddenly challenged. Right now, the King who must always disconnect from Global Net when leaving their territory, is the one and only rebel Kuroyukihime.

Thinking up to that point, Haruyuki realized suddenly, that the red haired girl in front of him is a potential person who might subjugate Kuroyukihime.

While they are alone, he should confirm that, so Haruyuki coughed and opened his mouth.

“Ah... that is, Niko-cha... Niko. Can I ask you one thing?”

“No. ...When you know I have no room for that reply, don’t have to be so polite. What is it.”

While he was being glared at, Haruyuki stood by the sofa, and asked in the most simple and straight way.

“Y, you, don’t hate Kuroyukihime senpai?”

“Huh? Why?”

Looking at the true blank stare, Haruyuki was also undauntedly amazed.

“Why, you said... that person-->>

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