Accel World Vol 6 Chapter 5 (2/2)

That expression was calm, and tone was also light. However very faint color of pain floated in her black eyes, and when he saw that, Haruyuki had a slight prediction for how this episode would end.

His previous excitement went away, and in exchange a cold tension settled on his heart, as Haruyuki waited quietly for continuing words.

“...However, not only the «Elements», every member of the first generation Nega Nebulas, were matching blockheads, so... not only did they refuse the master’s command, they went as far as saying to use «Judgement» on them all if I want to stop them. At length, I got real angry and sat down, then they left me there and started to slowly head towards the emperor’s castle, was how that ended.”

[UI> Naturally. At the same time that we are followers, we are also Saa-chin’s protectors.]

“Hey Uiui, at that time you just entered elementary branch! Really... each and everyone....”

The ending of those words, melted into s.p.a.ce while shaking. Haruyuki could only silently watch Kuroyukihime’s white throat move, and tightly closed her eyes.

The inside of soon raised eyelids was faintly wet, however without tears falling, Kuroyukihime quietly continued her recollection.

“...Without any choice, I also headed towards the emperor’s castle with everyone. At that time, the field attribute was a rare «Aurora stage», so... on one side of the night sky, a beautiful aurora was wavering... From Suginami, that walk to emperor’s castle using s.h.i.+njuku street was... just like a midnight picnic...”

[UI> It was fun, right. For me, that time talking about everything with everyone in our legion while walking, is my most important memory even now. I got to ride on Graph-san’s shoulders... Aqua-san pushed Raker-san’s wheelchair... is just like it happened yesterday.]

“We reached the emperor’s castle so quickly, that it make us wanted to tour around Tokyo. No, someone like Graph really said that out loud... However of course that proposal was rejected, and in front of Hanzou door, we held our last council of war on top of Kojimachi hill.”

Her long eyebrows lowered, and her pupils wavered as if looking at a faraway place. From slightly open lips, quiet recollection was spun.

“—— Since the «Four G.o.ds» has four body one unit relations.h.i.+p, it is necessary to fight them at the same time, so our legion was also divided into four squads to place at east, west, south and north. Before we split up, everyone was given Utai’s support buff so they were full of courage, and with highest morale and control, we united to challenged the emperor’s castle protectors...”

“—— An, and then... what happened...?”

No able to withstand the just one second of silence, Haruyuki inquired with a raspy sound.

Kuroyukihime sat upright, placed her hands on top of her lined up knees, and quietly said.

“About 120 seconds after attack started, the final person was killed. The first generation Nega Nebulas, did not cease to exist by unusual dissolution. At that very moment, it was destroyed by G.o.d’s hands.”

To be continued tomorrow, and speak with Tak.u.mu-kun and Chiyuri-kun also.

Haruyuki who relaxed after Kuroyukihime said that, drank all of his cold red tea.

Honestly, he still wanted to ask many things. What exactly was «Destroyed»? Those members, where are they right now and what are they doing? Why are they maintaining silence, and have not contacted Kuroyukihime? And then why one of those people, s.h.i.+nomiya Utai, after two and half years appear in front of Haruyuki’s group?

However certainly, this conversation is a subject that current members Tak.u.mu and Chiyuri should also hear about. And then more than anything, the chic a.n.a.log clock hanging on the wall, would point to the seven o’clock leaving school extension limit in a few minutes.

Quickly cleaning up the tea set, Kuroyukihime who picked up her school regulation bag beside the sofa said “Then, let’s go home” to the other two people, and started walking towards the door. That profile, Haruyuki believed that it did not seem any different from usual.

Meeting Haruyuki in last Autumn, throwing away her dummy avatar cover and returning to the accelerated world, at that time she was afraid to even face her past memories. In fact, when the Yellow King thrust that video replay at her in the battlefield, she lost her fighting spirit and became unable to move due to even triggering «Zero File condition».

That meant, even for Kuroyukihime who has absolute fighting ability, she has to continually battle daily with her weakness.

‘—— I also, don’t have the time to be anxious.’

Standing up, as he followed after Kuroyukihime towards the door, Haruyuki renewed his resolve in his heart.

As a member of newborn Nega Nebulas, he has to become much much stronger. He had to force out the «Disaster Armor» parasitic somewhere on his duel avatar in a few days instead of a week, and join the Sat.u.r.day territory battle with his chest held high. He had not heard what kind of thing the «Purification Operation» that Kuroyukihime thought up was, but he will show them that he can endure any kind of special training or penance he was commanded to do.

Haruyuki privately held his right fist strongly, at that time ——.

Words that proved Kuroyukihime also did not have peace of mind somewhere, flowed from the chat window that was still displayed in his view.

[UI> Asking just in case, is Saa-chin planning to leave school in that outfit?]

As he wondered ‘What?’, he looked at Kuroyukihime diagonally in front of him. On the other side of long hair flowing down her back, was glossy quick dry material T-s.h.i.+rt. Lower half of her body was in tight fit half pants, and slickly extended slim legs. Haruyuki had completely forgotten, that during the long conversation, Kuroyukihime was still wearing exercise clothes that she changed into for cleaning purpose.

“U, uwa, oh no. Please wait a minute.”

Kuroyukihime released a rare panic sound and turned around. She went between the round eyed Haruyuki, and somewhat amazed Utai, reaching the front of lockers at southwest corner, then ——.

She dropped her bag on the floor, held the T-s.h.i.+rt’s hem with both hands, and undressed her top in one motion without any hesitation.

At the moment pure white back, and black lace underwear strap burned his retina.

“Furyugu!?”

Was that mysterious sound leaking out, a huge mistake, or a small correct answer? Anyway, at the moment Kuroyukihime heard that, she hurriedly turned around once more, and quickly covered her chest with both arms on seeing Haruyuki standing rigid there. While seeing her face getting redder and redder, Haruyuki earnestly thought.

‘—— I am glad this is the real world. If this is accelerated world, then my head would have gone poof from the highest cla.s.s mind power attack.’

Right after, the black T-s.h.i.+rt that came flying with a woosh scored a direct hit on Haruyuki’s face, and all of his view blacked out along with an incredibly nice scent.

Following after Kuroyukihime who quickly changed clothes after chasing Haruyuki from the student council room, and Utai who had an amazed face from the happenings, they left school gate, recording normal leaving school log at dangerously close time of 20 seconds to 7.

Without even time for a relaxing breath, a sharp sound fell from the top of his head.

“Haruyuki-kun, it’s already dark, so you escort Utai! Tomorrow depending on when caretaker committee activity ends, gather in the student council room! You can tell Tak.u.mu-kun and Chiyuri-kun about that! That’s all! Then, goodbye!”

Kuroyukihime who quickly spoke those commands and farewell, turned around, and headed away from the school gate towards Asagaya. After the ‘Clop clop’ loafer sound went away, and watching swaying black hair melt into darkness, Haruyuki finally blew out the air remaining in his chest.

“...I, it wasn’t really my fault...”

After his mumble, Utai beside him lightly moved both hand fingers.

[UI> Saa-chin is a ditz in hiding from before.]

“...Un, I somehow knew...”

After one nod, he lightly shook his head left and right, and reorganized his thought. It was a monday after school with too many things that happened, but it was still not mission complete. By Kuroyukihime’s command, he still had the task of escorting Utai home remaining.

With a quick glance to the sky, he could see that evening colors had mostly gone away, with city center street lights dimly lighting up bottom of clouds. Even with various roads covered by social camera web surveillance, an elementary fourth year student walking alone at this hour is certainly dangerous. No, before that ——.

“Ah... s.h.i.+nomiya-san. It’s already past 7, is your curfew or whatever okay?”

After his inquiry, Utai’s fingers moved with no change at all in her expression.

[UI> No problem. I am a Burst Linker also, you know?]

Understanding the meaning of those words after a few seconds, Haruyuki involuntarily pinched his mouth.

Almost all Burst Linkers, has one scar in common. It was the words of Haruyuki’s «Master», Sky Raker. That scar was, when they were babies, they were given the Neuro Linker in exchange of parent’s hands. Children who were raised that way, just coming home late would they be yelled at, was what Utai wanted to ask.

The answer to that, was even returning home after 9, there would not be any adult at home to do the yelling, which Haruyuki knew very well.

“...I see. But, well, it’s better to go home quickly. Since we worked that hard cleaning, we will be hungry.”

At the moment he said that, from Haruyuki’s own digestive system, a somewhat loud low frequency rumble was released. After Utai had a small grin, she nodded with her tied up hair swaying.

[UI> That seem to be true. I will go home by myself, so Arita-san also please return home. Well then, have a good day.]

After a bow, as Utai turned around with white skirt hem flying and walked south, Haruyuki hurriedly chased after.

“No, I will escort you! It’s already dark, and if I return home like this, tomorrow Kuroyukihime-senpai will be really mad...”

After his said that with a quick mumble, Utai tilted her head slightly while walking and answered.

[UI> That might also be true. Well then, excuse me but please go with me till Oomiya.]

And then with a slight adjustment of her course to the left, she lined up at Haruyuki’s side.

That, was indeed a indescribably strange walk.

Haruyuki was an only child so naturally he did not have a younger brother or sister, and his mother alienated her relatives, so he had almost no memory of playing with younger kids. If he really had to give an example, his cousin Saitou Tomoko-chan should be living in the neighboring Nakano ward, which he met five or six years ago at his mother’s family home.

No ——, for younger friend, then he could said to have Niko who faked being that Tomoko-chan and barged into his home. However she is the Red King that controlled big legion «Prominence». It is very hard to think of her as a small kid. On the other hand, if he really treated her like that, he would be one shot with her main cannon and become charred.

So like this, walking beside s.h.i.+nomiya Utai wearing a leather satchel and with a sports bag hanging down her right hand, like an older brother kind of experience, was something very refres.h.i.+ng for Haruyuki.

“Ah, ba, bag, I will hold it.”

After moving over 100 meters, he finally noticed that and said it, then Utai handed it to him after a bow of thanks. He accept it, and with exaggerated motions switch it to his left hand.

‘—— Is protecting someone, feel like this?’

While adjusting his strides to walk over simple and elegant residential street path lit by LED street lights, Haruyuki thought like that in a daze.

He had not even imagined it till now, but eventually in far distant future, the time to use his Brain Burst program copy and install rights would come. That meant, as a «Parent» Burst Linker, pick someone to be his «Child». That is to protect and raise a know nothing level 1 chick.

‘—— If, for example, one in a million chance, that opponent is like s.h.i.+nomiya Utai walking beside me, a younger weak girl. No, move my imagination a step forward, if Utai is my «Child». Would I be able to behave like a proper «Parent»? Sometimes strict, and yet gentle, would I be able to protect and guide Utai?’

‘—— I can do it. I should be able to do it. Since I can properly say “Hold your bag”. I am matching walking speed perfectly. Ah, it would be nice if we are really «Parent child».’

With that and many airy imaginations, no, fantasies going around his head, Haruyuki completely forgot the important fact he was told a few tens of minutes ago.

What reminded him of that carelessness, was Utai who was walking beside him silently, suddenly moved both hands, and reservedly typed few sentences.

[UI> My home is close to there. Therefore, with this chance, I have a little request for Arita-san.]

As Haruyuki blinked and read those words, he nodded while still having pseudo parental feelings.

“Su, sure, ask anything!”

[UI> On top of being escorted, to cause you trouble again and again...]

“It’s fine, okay. Don’t hold back!”

[UI> Thank you very much. Then, I will accept the kindness of your words.]

“U, Un, wh... what is it?”

[UI> Please let me see your true strength. Before following Saa-chin’s plan, I want to see for myself if the «Silver Crow» is truly someone worthy of being Nega Nebulas’ spearhead.]

“...Yes?”

Creak.

In front of Haruyuki who froze with that unnatural position and expression, Utai took off the satchel from her shoulders, opened the flap and place her hand in, then soon withdrew it.

What the small hand held, was similar small scale, as if having an unglazed texture, a matted off white —— Neuro Linker.

As he watched her left hand lift up her ponytail, and put the quantum device on her delicate neck, Haruyuki finally remembered the fact that he had completely forgotten.

s.h.i.+nomiya Utai, was a first generation Nega Nebulas member, furthermore a core member being labeled as «Elements», which would be a corner of four heavenly kings, so was same rank as that Sky Raker, that was, far from being a level 1 chick, was probably a far far stronger high ranker than Haruyuki ——.

Pulling the still frozen Haruyuki’s s.h.i.+rt around his waist area, Utai guided him to a bench placed at regular intervals along the path. After Haruyuki sat down half on automatic, she again searched her satchel, then took out something.

That, was a white vinyl covered, direct connect use XSB cable.

While handing one plug to Haruyuki, Utai skillfully typed with just her left hand.

[UI> One on one fight with me? Or make a tag group, for two on two against other teams?]

Tag please.

That, was Haruyuki’s instant reply in 0.5 seconds.

The walking path bench that Haruyuki and Utai sat on, is the real world residence area at Suginami ward, Oomiya Itchome, and then it existed as «Suginami second battle area» kind of area in the accelerated world.

With east being s.h.i.+njuku area, and southeast being s.h.i.+buya area kind of «Duel places» as neighbors, both could be said to be tending towards low population places. However since afternoon 6 to 8 is the most popular duel time period in a day, and there were many large dive cafes along Seven Ring road nearby, there should be at least 20 people registered in the matching list.

Haruyuki who direct connected to Utai with a 1.5 meter long XSB cable, after Wired Connection warning showed up and disappeared, straighten his back and held his hands on his knees as he stared. The five years younger little girl, as if with no change in expression, was manipulating her virtual desktop with relaxed movements. She probably started up her BB console, and set Haruyuki —— «Silver Crow» as tag partner.

[UI> Well then, I will pick a suitable duel opponent tag team. I will just be on support for the opening part, so Arita-san please fight as you see fit. If you finished preparation, I will start.]

“Ye, yes, go ahead!”

After he replied with his dried mouth, Haruyuki gazed at Utai’s glossy lips. Of course that was not an act of hara.s.sment, it was so that he could match Utai’s acceleration command timing.

However, right after. Haruyuki arrived at a question that he had not thought about till now.

s.h.i.+nomiya Utai, had the mobility type aphasia illness. She could not speak with flesh voice. In that situation, how is she going to convey her command to the Brain Burst program?

The answer, was something very simple.

Utai suddenly closed her eyes, and craved a narrow valley between her eyebrows. Her slightly opened lips, shook as if in convulsions. Inside that, clenched together teeth squeaked. One and two drops of sweat floated up on her forehead.

It was brute force. The sound that would not come out, is forced out by whipping the body.

‘Stop it’, kind of shout words were desperately swallowed by Haruyuki. Since Utai was a high enough ranker to be part of what is called four heavenly kings of old Nega Nebulas, she should have experienced uncountable number of duels to reach that point. All of those could not be just «Wait to be challenged». That meant this little girl, had repeated so many times that could not be counted this tremendously painful looking act.

It probably took less than five seconds, but the result of this struggle that felt many times longer, was that Utai’s lips opened about 2 cm. Continuing, it narrowed, and opened sidewise again. Finally another small sharp point.

Bu, rst, Lin, k.

It was almost soundless, but for sure those syllables were carved by Utai’s real mouth. At the same time Haruyuki also, with unusually awkward movements, whispered those same words.

<script>