Accel World Vol 3 Chapter 12 (1/2)

Chapter 12

Haruyuki was one hour earlier than his usual time for going to school, fortunately his mother did not seem to notice.

On the bright April 16th, Tuesday, morning at 6:30am. He said 'I am leaving' to his mother in her bedroom after he obtained the 500 yen charge for his Neuro Linker, then Haruyuki left his home.

As it was said that there are no three days of continuous clear days in spring, under the unsettled looking sky, he walked to the nearby JR Koenji station and got on the central line. He got off at the s.h.i.+njuku station after being squeezed by the crowd of unfamiliar people, and left from the west exit, the time was 6:55am.

While moving with a small jog to the fast food shop where meeting was specified at, he suddenly realized it.

——How, am I going to be able to tell who I am meeting?

If he could connect his Neuro Linker to the global net, then he could put «Karasu» or some kind of waiting tag over his head, but here was right in the middle of s.h.i.+njuku where the Blue King controlled. If he was discovered on the matching list, and that information was spread, then he would be drawn into duels one after another.

And yet, Haruyuki's appearance had no common point at all with his duel avatar. On the other hand, everything was completely opposite. Anyway, way before that, why did he so easily accept the direct meeting, in other words, letting her know that what was inside of Silver Crow was this pudgy?

The sad memory from before, where he once went to a game related offline meeting was re-awoken, making Haruyuki quickly glance around behind him and think.

...As I thought, I should leave before I am found. And for accepting the enhanced armament, there must be some way to use the shop in the accelerated world...

”Morning, Karasu-san.”

”Hihee!”

From behind, the soft sound and tap on his shoulder, made Haruyuki jump straight up.

While fighting a hard battle trying to retract his head and limbs into his body like a turtle, for 0.3 seconds he seriously thought about answering with ”Wrong person”, but at the last moment he gave that up and slowly turned around.

Standing on the walkway, an unfamiliar female wearing some kind of high school uniform—— was there, but Haruyuki instantly and intuitively felt that person was Sky Raker.

The long hair style was familiar, and similar to the avatar, the chest was very abundant however that might touch on the hara.s.sment code, but it was mainly the atmosphere around the body. Calm and kind, but also not someone with an ordinary feel to her. The feeling was somewhat similar to what he felt from Kuroyukihime and Red King Niko. She was not riding a wheelchair on this side, but Haruyuki bowed his head with confidence.

”...G-Good morning...”

After the mumbled greeting, he looked up at the opponent's j.a.panese style eyes and inquired.

”Ah, that is... How, did you know it was me...?”

”With mind power.”

”Wha...Whatt!?”

”Joking. There are not many middle school students who stand in front of a fast food shop at this time.”

With a light laugh, Sky Raker touched Haruyuki's shoulder, then headed towards the shop entrance. He went through the automatic door after being prompted.

”Karasu-san, how about breakfast?”

”Ah, al-already ate.”

”Then, just a drink should be fine?”

After that kind of conversation, he was treated to a medium size Oolong tea without being given a chance to be reserved, then they sat facing each other at a corner table.

While thinking, 'Seeing the real me, what would this person think of me?', at any rate he lowered his head.

”Ah... Tr-Truly, at that time... I was very much in your care... above that, coming all the way here, thank you very much.”

”Since my school is in s.h.i.+buya, it's not that far away.”

With a smile, Sky Raker took out a coiled up XSB cable from her bag that was on the chair beside her. Peeking out from the collar of her sailor uniform, was a Neuro Linker with a white silver color very similar to the wheelchair she used in the accelerated world, which she plugged one terminal into, and held the other end tightly in both hands.

That gesture was not hesitation, however a slight expression from the sorrow of separation appeared on her face. But, at the time a sharp pain went through Haruyuki's chest, that silver plug was already lightly held out in front of him.

In the same shop, the many concentrated stares from students and businessmen was felt by Haruyuki's neck. If it was the middle of night then maybe, but while in broad daylight, and furthermore direct-connecting while in uniform could be said to be somewhat outrageous behavior.

Normally, in this kind of place, furthermore something like direct-connect with a high school girl, would make his heart beat fast, sweat lots, and face all red, but right now was not the time to feel embarra.s.sed.

«Enhanced Armament», furthermore a beginning equipment instead of something bought from a shop, above that they fought and grew together all the way to level 8, how important and beloved that was, he painfully understood now that he had lost his wings. He also knew it was presumptuous of him to think that he could understand that.

However, Haruyuki intuitively felt that something like showing the form of being reserved here would only insult this person. Since this action, should probably be based on the belief of the Burst Linker called Sky Raker.

He bowed his head deeply once, accepted the plug with both hands, then Haruyuki plugged that into his own Neuro Linker.

From Sky Raker's plump lips, the shape of the words 'Burst Link' was slightly motioned.

The process of transferring the enhanced armament in a direct-connection duel, and the lecture on how to use it, was all completed within 1800 seconds.