oyfriend.”

“Oh? That means... no... Hmm, hum.”

“...What’s that hum about?”

“No, nothing, I just again realized the depth of the real world.”

“Ah, ha...”

Sighing while not knowing what’s going on, Haruyuki asked about something that tickled him earlier.

“Ah... earlier, you said you know Chiyuri’s name?”

“That’s right. It was purely incidental, I noticed her with a meaning different from noticing you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It can not be easily explained. It is connected to the reason I found and invited you to the accelerated world. Well, let’s drink some tea while we slowly talk. As a victory celebration, my treat.”

Saying so, Kuroyukihime changed direction, heading to the coffee shop chain store that seemed to be her original destination.

Maybe it was still early in the afternoon, there were not too many people in the store, but as Kuroyukihime stepped in, Haruyuki felt some gazes concentrating on them. Just that, it’s scary to follow behind her.

Just going home from school - no, doesn’t matter what time in his life, Haruyuki who had no experience drinking tea with a girl, his brain was in overload mode, so he automatically ordered a huge sweet drink and let Kuroyukihime pay for him, then sunk into the seat of a table far inside the store. Right after, he took the cable offered and plugged it into his Neuro Linker, while thinking.

‘Uwaa what is this, this is like a real date...’

‘It does not look like that, this kind of combination. Sister and brother? No, master and bag holder?’

“I can understand what you are thinking.”

At that moment, noticing that he is being stared at, he took a quick sip of his caramel favored sweet drink.

“N, no, nothing. Instead of that, earlier you mentioned the reason for inviting me to the accelerated world...”

“Don’t be in such a hurry. It’s a long... talk.”

With high class elegance, she sipped her not-too-sweet looking drink, then with a sigh rested her chin on her hands.

With the pale yellow light coming from the window, that shape looked like a uniformed middle school student in an old foreign country movie scene, Haruyuki involuntarily became speechless. It was like there was an old style shooting screen in front of him, with just a direct cable linking them - .

Since he was just looking with a blank gaze, the sudden tap on his right hand on the table almost made him jump.

“Well, you did really well earlier. Again, congratulations on your victory, Haruyuki-kun.”

“Ah... yes, thank you very much. It was because of senpai’s advice.”

“No, it’s because of your ability to adapt. At that rate, you will soon be level 2. Or you might become level 3 within this year.”

“Ha... ah... Actually, I can’t even imagine it...”

Having barely won in a dangerous situation. Later, winning tens more of such hard fights, the thought just amazes him.

Then, Kuroyukihime’s smile disappeared, and like she was reading what’s in Haruyuki’s heart, she nodded.

“Hum. Actually, it’s a long road like you thought. Of the around 1000 Burst Linkers, only a limited number reach level 4. Level 5 and 6 is almost impossible to reach with solo play. Level 7 and 8 Burst Linkers are all huge groups' commander class, without a doubt.”

“Gr, groups?”

“It is like guilds and teams in other online games. For us, ?Army Corps?... called ?Legions?. In the current accelerated world, control is divided between six huge Legions. Controlling those are the rare six level 9 Burst Linkers... Crowned with the names of Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Purple and White, the ?Six Kings of Pure Color?!”

Suddenly, a knife sharp sound echoed in his mind, Haruyuki opened his eyes wide. Noticing the stare, Kuroyukihime blinked some then with a slight bitter smile.

“...Sorry for the loud voice.”

“No... but, six people?”

It was a shock to learn that there were around 1000 Burst Linkers, but there was only awe to learn that there was so few level 9s.

“I have played many net games, but I have never heard of so few players reaching the level cap.”

Maybe with sure feeling, Haruyuki said so with a feeling of envy, Kuroyukihime who heard that, one of her eyebrows moved, and she tilted her head.

“I never said that level 9 was the cap.”

“Eh... then there is a level 10? How many...?”

The answer, was again denied with a juice sip. Kuroyukihime took another sip of her coffee, then leaned her back into the seat and stared playfully in space. The cable that was pulled, swings between them in a silver dance.

“Brain Burst... actual name ?Brain Burst 2039? was released by an unknown programmer seven years ago, it has been updated many times since then. However after all that time, there isn’t a single Burst Linker who has reached level 10. There is only one reason... the set rule was just too cruel.”

“Do you have to win a lot of duels? Like a 1000 wins... or 10000?”

“No, just 5 times is enough.”

After the unexpected words left her lips, for an instant, she had an insecure smile.

“Just that the opponent can only be another level 9 Linker. Furthermore, with even one loss from a level 9 fight, at that moment all the points will be lost, and Brain Burst will forcefully uninstall...”

The speechless Haruyuki was stared straight by the dark eyes of Kuroyukihime.

“Haruyuki-kun. An amazing phenomenon like ?Thought Acceleration?’s Brain Burst being kept secret from the general public for seven years, don’t you think it’s strange?”

That sudden question confused Haruyuki, but saying so, it is a mystery. If there were 1000 Burst Linkers, the secret would have been leaked long ago, and the world should be amazed by it.

“The reason for that, is the strict requirement for a Brain Burst candidate.”

“Requirement...? Good at games... or something...?”

To Haruyuki’s question, Kuroyukihime answered with a bitter smile.

“It’s not that vague a reason. The biggest requirement is, ?After birth, usually continue to wear the Neuro Linker?. The first generation Neuro Linker was sold on the market 15 years ago... that means.”

Pausing for an instant, Kuroyukihime slowly continue.

“There are no adult Burst Linkers. The oldest is 15 years old, just a child. For a child’s play, he will do anything to defend his usage while he was a Burst Linker, and after forceful uninstall, whatever he says won’t be believed by the adults.”

The glossy lips, for one instant, showed a sarcastic smile.

“That is also like a shared child’s sweet illusion. The summer two years ago... the young kings reached level 9 at almost the same time. Right after, the system message showed the cruel rule to reach level 10. The result, did they go into a bloody war? - No. The kings chose eternal stagnation. Instead of going forward, they chose to maintain their mini gardens. That means... the accelerated world was divided between the Legions for control, and a no-invasion treaty was signed. What a farce. To reach level 9, they have hunted numerous Linkers.”

Haruyuki swallowed his saliva in a gulp. Pain ran through his dry throat, he took a big sip of his melted caramel frappé then sent out his thoughts fearfully.

“That is, senpai’s goal is to challenge this ?Six Kings of Pure Color?...?”

Hearing that, Kuroyukihime displayed a mysterious smile.

“No, I already did that.”

“Wha...!?”

“The Six Kings... were once the ?Seven Kings of Pure Color?. Even though they were rivals, they were linked by strong bonds, these seven boys and girls. They went through numerous duels, winning and losing, however they did not hold a single drop of hate. The ?Black King? betrayed everyone, and hunted them, a night two years ago.”

Black - King.

That is, the avatar name should be... black crowned...

Haruyuki opened his eyes wide, and stared with breaths held, as Kuroyukihime slowly nodded.

“Yes... that is me. The Black King, Black Lotus, was the only person of the people who reached level 9 that did not choose peace. Throwing away bonds, friendship, respect, and everything to suggest a fight with all seven’s total points on the table. When that was rejected - the meeting round table was suddenly covered with fresh blood.”

“Wh... what did... you do?”

“At the last night of the Seven Kings’ meeting... even saying so, it was not a meeting in the real world. Because Burst Linkers do their best to hide their real face and name.”

Why is that, Haruyuki was going to ask, but he soon realized the reason. If real face and name was exposed to other Burst Linkers, the worst situation, ?Attacked in reality? might happen. When someone is in a situation where he can not get points any other way, he might just do that.

Kuroyukihime made a small nod like she read Haruyuki’s mind, and continued.

“For that night’s meeting, the seven duelists were all connected to the same field with ?Battle Royal Mode?. I... when the ?Red King? was unguarded while he was preaching friendship and non-aggression...”

Behind the silky front hair, the white face lost all expression. Her empty eyes staring at one point, Kuroyukihime lonely spoke what was ahead.

“Cut off his head. A perfect critical hit... he lost his full gauge in an instant, lost all his points according to the new rule, that is, losing his Brain Burst. The current Red King is the second generation. What was next... was like the realization of hell, Fufu. Red’s lover, Purple cried while screaming, Blue went crazy with anger, those people and I went into a killing play with no respect or honor. I knew it was the first and last chance... desperately trying to somehow take four more heads, it was truly reckless...”

Her lips with almost no color became distorted, a voiced laughter leaked out.

“Rational judgement was blown out. I fought while driven by madness, however I did not hunt a single person more, neither was I taken down, when I noticed it, 30 minute had passed and I was linked out. - For the next two years, all I did was run and hide. The current me, is accelerated world’s biggest traitor, the head with the highest reward, and the lowest coward.”

“...Why...”

The monologue was so gruesome that Haruyuki’s thoughts were half paralyzed, only a simple question was released from his mind.

“Why did you do that...?”

“Instead of friendship or honor, I picked something far beyond... becoming level 10. You can say that is my only reason for living. - The System Message also said this. The Burst Linker who reach level 10 will have a chance to meet the program creator, find out the real reason for Brain Burst’s existence, and be told about its ultimate goal. I... want to know. I want to know no matter what.”

Putting both elbows on the table, Kuroyukihime whose face was hidden by her linked hands, her tortured thought that seemed to echo from a bottomless abyss reached Haruyuki.

“Accelerating thoughts to obtain money, performance, and fame. Are those the only reason we fight, the rewards we wish for, and the limits that we can reach? More... isn’t there something more ahead...? This... shell called human... on the outside... more...”

Ah - .

A little, just a little... he understood. From the intolerable ?Ground?, looking up at the far away ?Sky?, that kind of feeling.

Maybe his momentary thought reached her, Kuroyukihime slowly raised her face, she looked at Haruyuki with eyes radiating pressure.

But that was only for an instant, the beautiful upperclassman let her arms fall to the table, and spoke with a dry smile.

“...So, are you dumbfounded... or maybe scornful, Haruyuki-kun? I, for my goal, someday I might sacrifice you too. If you say you cannot cooperate anymore, then that’s fine. I won’t hold you back, and I won’t take back your Brain Burst.”

After Haruyuki thought for about two seconds - .

He slowly extended his right hand, and stopped about one centimeter before Kuroyukihime’s fingers, saying.

“Ah, that is... For any game, giving up seeing the ending, staying in the map right in front of it forever, if there is a person like that, then he is a fool. It is of course a matter of aiming for a higher level... since, isn’t this the reason for the existence of Brain Burst?”

It was not a lie to win favor from Kuroyukihime. For a hard core gamer, Haruyuki truly thought so from the bottom of his heart.

Kuroyukihime’s eyes instantly opened wide, a few seconds later, she blew out a laugh.

“Fu, ahaha... How could it be, you are more of a Burst Linker than me. I see... it’s of course a matter to aim for, that way huh...”

“It... it’s no laughing matter.”

A little hurt, Haruyuki’s mouth became pointed, he straightened his back and continued.

“Any... anyway, I will continue to help senpai. I too, want to eventually become... level 10.”

Suddenly, Kuroyukihime’s left hand that was on the table moved, and grabbed hold of Haruyuki’s right hand.

“Thank you.”

To the flustered Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime’s thoughts that were hollow and without reverberation just before, warmly flowed into him.

“Thank you, Haruyuki-kun. For sure... my judgement was not wrong. I am glad to have chosen you, from the bottom of my heart.”

At this point, he should return the hand held, and look into each other’s eyes - these kind of thing, is something that Haruyuki could not possibly do.

Instead of that, he pulled his right hand back on reaction, shrunk his head like a turtle, and stuttered with his retreated thought voice.

“N, no, not really... I am just someone barely to be used... In- instead of that, what is the main point, that is... what am I supposed to do...?”

In the short silence, in the eyes that stared straight at him, was it compassion?

Eventually, after a short sigh, Kuroyukihime spoke into the silence.

“That’s right. That was left for a long while... let’s get to the main point. Earlier, I told you about how I lived for two years, right?”

Haruyuki too, took a huge sigh and raised his head, he nodded to Kuroyukihime whose cool expression had returned.

“That is, it was not that I was able to continually win against the anger crazed kings or the assassins they sent. It’s not that... during these two years, I have not even once connected my Neuro Linker to the Global Net. If I am not on the matching list, then there won’t be any challenge or anything right?”

“Aa... Rea... really?”

He said without thinking. For Haruyuki, getting information from the Global Net is a must, like drinking water or breathing air. If that was cut, it would really be like the comparison of withering to death.

“Really really. I can use set terminal panels to check sites or read email, although the 2D view makes my eyes tired. It’s nothing once you get used to it... however, even if I am disconnected from the Global Net, for my social status, there is one net that I must connect to everyday.”

“S, status...? Is that rich girl... no, princess?”

“Idiot.”

The cold voice denied it, he finally thought that this person too is a middle school student like him.

“Ah, ah... I see. It is the Umesato school’s local net. ...Ah... wa, wait a minute. No way...”

“It's true.”

Kuroyukihime finished her coffee in one gulp, then continued while holding her cup.

“Two months ago, the day after summer vacation ended, I was ?Challenged? through the school local net. By someone in Umesato middle school.”

To the speechless Haruyuki, he was further surprised by the continuing speech.

“And the worst thing was... At that point my original Avatar was switched to a viewing dummy Avatar.”

“Dummy... is that kind of function available?”

“Yes. There are many who want to be in the gallery while hiding their real avatar. But of course, as a dummy it does not have any fighting ability. However the problem was not that... thinking back on it now it was most regrettable, I, for the dummy avatar, used my avatar for the school local net. I had never expected that a Burst Linker would suddenly appear in the same school...”

After a moment of doubt, Haruyuki did a slight jump that made his chair creak.

“Eh... is that the black swallowtail butterfly...!?”

The sexy avatar shown in his mind, overlapped the neatly uniformed shape in front of him.

“The enemy saw that... in the school local net...? That means... that is...”

“You are pretty sharp. Yes, that person, this me...”

“That person knew that this real me is ?Black Lotus?. The Burst Linker’s biggest taboo, ?Reality Fracture?. I became fearful of attacks in the real world by the six kings’ assassins.”

Attack... in the real world.

Haruyuki had already deduced the fearful meaning of those words. If the real person can be stopped, to put it in extremes, then kidnapping and imprisonment while using violence and threat to steal points is possible too.

Of course that is a felony. Even for ?Normal Games?, there were incidents of reality harm from troubles between players. And then, ?Brain Burst? is not just a normal game.

Haruyuki held his breath while waiting for Kuroyukihime to continue explaining. However - .

“Even so... nothing happened. No attacks, nor even sign of contact.”

“What...?”

“I too was in a huge confusion, but... if it was like that, it can only be thought of like this. The enemy... wants to keep me to themselves. Fortunate to have found out the real me, gradually chase after me who has a huge reward on her head, without letting the legion that person belongs to know, hunt all my points for their self.”

“Chase after...?”

Looking at the head tilted Haruyuki, Kuroyukihime coughed, then desperately listed.

“In the toilet. While changing. During shower. During school, moments when I am not mentally prepared are plenty. Being pin pointed and challenged during those moments, there is no way to fully fight back.”

“Sho...wer, ooh.”

To Haruyuki who unconsciously imagined the full shower scene and leaked that word, Kuroyukihime again gave him another cold stare. Fortunately, she did not go after him beyond that, she sighed and continued.

“Actually, I was attacked over ten times this past two months by that person. Recently it was not all blunt timing, so I was somehow able to escape with a draw.”

“I... see. How to say it, that is a very greedy person... But, in a certain sense, it's a blessing within misfortune, kind of...”

“Well, compared to attacks in reality, yes. But, other than that, I also can not return to my original Duel Avatar and beat him up. If the enemy thought it was no longer possible, he might give up my points, and give my head to the kings for the reward points instead...”

“A, ah... I see... yea.”

Haruyuki unconsciously muttered. The reason she was stuck was because of this.

“Then, but, what should we do? You can’t run, and can not attack back.”

“I know. There is only one way out. We have to know his real side too. His school year and class, and if he is a Burst Linker I don’t know about.”

Bam. The feeling of wanting to hit his knee overwhelmed Haruyuki. In a situation when both sides know each other’s real identity, to protect their Brain Burst, they should absolutely be able to stop the fighting.

“I see, that is right. If we can do that, we can completely seal the enemy’s movement. Saying so... isn’t that really simple? For example during morning assembly, when all the students gather in the auditorium, accelerate and challenge him. From the place he appear, you can find his class and seat number.”

“Oh, pretty good. It took me a day to think of doing it that way.”

“...That means... you have already tried it?”

“Already tried. And then... I was shocked. It had been a while since I was so surprised.”

“Wh... who was it...?”

“There was no one.”

Kuroyukihime’s answer was not within Haruyuki’s expectation.

“There was only my name on the matching list. As you know, for Umesato middle school students, when they are in school, they are not allow to disconnect from the local net even for one instant. Since attendance and classes are done through the net. If you disconnect, you will instantly be warned through the school announcement system. For that reason, I also can not block the enemy’s attacks. Even so... that person was not on the list!”

“He might be taking a break from school due to flu?”

Kuroyukihime stared at Haruyuki, then lightly snorted.

“I already checked that all the absent students were there that day. Other than that, after I was attacked, and managed to painfully escape with a draw, and right after, his name was not on the list either. That means... it’s hard to believe, that person can block his name, using some kind of method. He can challenge anyone as he likes, but other Burst Linkers cannot touch him. This blows away accelerated world’s golden rules at its roots, a terrible privilege. To be able to do that... means that there is a super hacker that succeeded in modifying the impregnable Brain Burst Program, or - someone that has contact with the program creator...”

Meeting the creator, finding out the ?Meaning? of Brain Burst was her only goal for living. Kuroyukihime said that a little while ago. Then, finding out the truth of this mysterious enemy might be more important than her own protection.

For Haruyuki who deduced that, there was an unknown tingling feel in his chest, he muttered.

“...That means... the thing senpai want me to do... is help to find the truth about this enemy right?”

‘Not a knight protecting a princess from a demon.’

‘No... that is a matter of course. Don’t think about stupid things. I am a hound chasing a beast, or just a pig sniffing for mushroom in the ground.’

“Yea... well, that’s about it.”

Not showing any sign of noticing Haruyuki’s moment of conflict, Kuroyukihime lightly nodded.

“Actually, I have already acquired a lot of information. I will list the ones I understand now... First, the enemy’s name. His Duel Avatar is called ?Cyan Pile?. Level 4.”

“Cyan... Pile...”

Very... cool. That seems to be strong. No, Kuroyukihime said level 4 was the first wall. So that means actually strong.

“Affinity is, very pure ?Close Range Blue?. I have seen him punch out the stage’s thin wall many times. Does not have any lateral jump equipment. That’s why I was able to escape thus far... to be honest, I'm almost at my limit. I can not keep up the concentration.”

That must be it. From arriving at school till leaving for home, not knowing at what moment the attack come, this kind of situation, Haruyuki probably could not endure for three days. However, Kuroyukihime, without showing any sign of exhaustion, continued to send him clear thoughts.

“Also, this is just a conjecture... that not just me, that person is being haunted too, I get this feeling.”

“Eh... by what?”

“Fear of losing acceleration. That person is probably on the dangerous verge of drying up his Burst Points. For people with enough points, normal duels are more enjoyable. Like Ash Roller that you fought.”

“A, ah... that’s right, that person was enjoying it a lot...”

“However, Cyan Pile does not have a single bit of that extra. Silent, without any inhibition, and chased me with an almost crazy appearance. That is a sign only Burst Linkers fearing loss have. The cheap reward from the kings on my head was not enough, he wants all the points that I have gained. ...Well, that does not mean much of anything...”

“I... see. We can not really do a mental check on all the students. Are those the only things you found out?”

Haruyuki lightly asked to find out - but.

Suddenly, he somehow felt that Kuroyukihime’s thought became strangely tense. He thought a bit, before he could ask, she shook her head and said.

“No. There is one more important information detail. ...The Guide Cursor.”

“Oh? That water colored arrow icon?”

“Yes. That, from the start of battle, points to the enemy's position. That means... even if I can not see the moment that Cyan Pile appear, if I memorize the starting direction of the cursor, the enemy’s real body will be somewhere in a direct line in that direction... this is the theory.”

“Ah... ah! I see, that’s right. If the stage is same shape as the real one, then you can find out which corner of the school he is hiding at!”

“That’s right. I have memorized the guide cursor direction from tens of attacks up to now, and compared it to the list of students in Umesato middle school in that direction, keeping track of the overlap names. The result, I deduced the person with the highest chance of being Cyan Pile. But, there is no actual evidence. In a place that is packed with so many people, one line is not enough. Since there are usually tens of students in that line. ...Haruyuki-kun, what I want you to do is, when I am attacked next time, you will be automatic audience, then memorize Cyan Pile’s direction with the gallery use cursor.”

“Cursor... if there are two, then...”

At Haruyuki’s amazed speech, Kuroyukihime nodded with a harder than usual expression.

“Right. With two cursors, then there is only one point they cross. Then, if there is a student at that position... that will be proof without doubt. Being Cyan Pile’s real body.”

Biting her lips, Kuroyukihime’s right hand finger swiftly moving in space, manipulating the virtual desktop that only she can see. The one file that she pulled out, was going to slide toward Haruyuki - right before, however, her finger stopped.

“...? What’s going on? Who is that, this candidate?”

With his interest roused, even after he drank the huge frappé, his throat was still dry when he moved it, he leaned far out.

Kuroyukihime still seemed to be hesitating, eventually, like she has something else to say, finally shot the file over.

“Listen... when I prepared that file, it was one week before meeting you at that game corner, after a difficult search to find the third acceleration candidate in Umesato middle school.”

Not understanding why she has to say that, Haruyuki winkled his brow as he accepted the file. He unhesitatingly tapped on the icon in his virtual desktop.

What opened, was just one picture. It was probably used in student identification cards, a bust up frontal shot was shown.

“...Eh...? This...? Wh...y.”

Vigorously cut neat short hair. Blue hairpin. Cat like large eyes.

Looks familiar... not just that. It’s a face he has seen the longest in the world other than his mother.

“Chi... Chiyuri? That person is... a Burst Linker...?”

Muttering, he relaxed for more than five seconds, then burst the bubble and faced Kuroyukihime.

“No... that is not possible! She is very bad at games. She is bad at every genre... there is no way she has the aptitude for Burst Linker. Slow-witted... everything shows up on her face... that is, she is not someone that can stubbornly hunt senpai.”

“You seem to know a lot about her.”

Hearing the slightly harder voice, Haruyuki said without looking at Kuroyukihime’s eyes.

“That is... well, we are childhood friends...”

“When I met her earlier at the school gate, I was surprised. If she is ?Cyan Pile? then of course she would know that I am ?Black Lotus?. I suspected she had some kind of plan, but...”

“That is, because she is not deft enough for this kind of psychological like attack. Actually she is extremely inept, all her thoughts are shown on her face.”

Somehow, the more Haruyuki protested, the higher the angle Kuroyukihime’s eyebrows became, she replied with a cold voice.

“In that case it is more natural to think that she is ?Cyan Pile? right? She... Kurashima-kun clearly showed hostility toward me, you saw it too.”

“No, that is, not like that, it was because senpai and I Direct Connected and things...”

“Why would she be angry about that? Kurashima-kun has a genuine boyfriend right? Then, if Haruyuki-kun and I direct connect or link arms, she has no obligation to complain.”

“...That is... it is like that but...”

How did it become like this, Haruyuki felt like holding his head as he became speechless. Chiyuri surely has a nothing to complaint about boyfriend in Takumu, other than that, that is - I am her - .

Underling? Belonging? Possessed property?

Some unspeakable words crossed his mind, he was having trouble with how to explain the nuance, when Kuroyukihime showered him without mercy.

“Maybe her attitude is like this? Kurashima-kun was a Burst Linker from before, thinking of eventually making you into her ?Child?. Then I suddenly snatch you from the side. So, unable to hold her anger, she came after me. How about that?”

Logical or illogical theory someho-->>

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