Sword Art Online (10)
Sword Art Online (10)
A month had passed since the start of the semester.
Asuna and Seojun had become celebrities within the school.
First, their looks.
Asuna was a beautiful girl who made anyone walking down the street turn their heads.
On top of that, her personality and grades were excellent, giving off an aura that naturally made people admire her.
Seojun also quickly made a name for himself in school with his superior physique and looks, which even professional actors couldn't compete with.
So much so that female students from other grades would come by during every break just to get a look at him.
What was even more surprising was that the two perfect people were dating.
They were the very definition of a "power couple."
"Wow..."
Yuna let out an exclamation.
Seojun, who was on his way home from school, looked like he was straight out of a photoshoot.
Second year of middle school.
As a girl in her prime, she, too, liked handsome men.
That was why she took an interest in famous actors and idols, which in turn fueled her dreams of music.
But in her eyes, Seojun's looks were more perfect than any celebrity she had ever seen.
'Huh? Why is he coming this way...?'
Yuna was flustered.
Because Seojun was walking in the direction where she was standing.
However, she soon stopped paying attention. It wasn't like he was coming to see her, anyway.
But her assumption was way off.
"Hello, sunbae."
Seojun, who had approached close, greeted her.
Yuna stared blankly at his face for a moment. Then, she looked to her left, right, and behind her.
There was no one around her.
"Eh, me?"
"Of course. Who else would it be but you, sunbae?"
Yuna's eyes widened.
She had never once exchanged words with Seojun.
It was strange for him to speak to her first.
To that, Seojun replied.
"Sunbae, you've come to see me a few times, right?"
"Uh... You saw that?"
He was right.
Over the past month, she had visited his classroom a total of eleven times to see him.
But she had only watched from across the window, and there were many other students nearby, so he remembered that?
She was incredibly flustered.
"Haha, you just stand out a lot, sunbae."
"......Eh."
Yuna's eyes widened.
She stands out a lot? What on earth was the intention behind saying something like that?
Was he interested in her?
Reaching that thought, Yuna immediately shook her head.
'No way.'
He already has a girlfriend named Asuna.
A girlfriend who is prettier, kinder, and smarter than her—a truly perfect girlfriend.
For him to be interested in her while having a girlfriend like that? It was nonsense.
'He must be wondering why I came to find him.'
Seojun grasped her inner thoughts.
Well, he understood it perfectly.
It's only natural for anyone to think that when someone they have no connection with approaches them.
The only fortunate thing was that she didn't seem guarded.
Anyway, Seojun said to the confused Yuna.
"I wanted to get to know you, sunbae, so I tried talking to you. Was it a nuisance?"
Seojun made a sullen expression.
Seeing that, Yuna waved her hands.
"No, a nuisance? If anything, thank you for talking to me first. I wanted to talk to you once, too."
However...
Yuna added.
"Don't you usually go home with someone?"
"Ah, Asuna had something else to do today, so she left first."
"Is that so?"
Yuna nodded as if convinced.
Seojun asked her.
"Come to think of it, which way are you going, sunbae?"
"I'm going that way."
"Oh, that's great. I need to go that way, too."
And so, the two set off on their way home.
Walking with her, Seojun shared many stories.
Based on his experience talking to various girls including Asuna, he skillfully adjusted the conversation so it wouldn't cut off by bringing up topics she would like.
Perhaps because of that, unlike when she first found it difficult to deal with Seojun, Yuna was now smiling well without even being nervous.
A remarkable improvement.
"Ah, I have to go that way from here, so I think we have to part ways now."
"Really? Then this is the end here."
Yuna showed a slight look of disappointment.
And she seemed surprised by the fact that she had such a thought herself.
"Well, today isn't the only chance. We can just walk back together like this whenever we get the chance from now on."
"Ahaha, I guess so? Then see you at school tomorrow."
"Yes, sunbae."
Yuna turned and walked away.
Watching her back, Seojun also moved his feet.
After getting into the limousine waiting not far away and ordering the driver to depart, Seojun cast his gaze out the window.
'A good start.'
If he tried to approach her continuously from the beginning, it would only invite unnecessary suspicion.
It was better to proceed step by step, like building a tower of cards.
'Well, it won't take long from here.'
First, get close.
After that, by steadily building up favorability while exposing her to the Incubus trait, the game is as good as over.
'If I were a "fat nerd," the chances of me being able to do this easily even with the Incubus trait would have been low.'
The Incubus trait is fraudulent, but it comes with the effect of making it easier to gain favor from the opposite sex.
In other words, if you can't gain favor from your looks first, the effect wouldn't be that great.
'I have to build up the favorability solidly before any interference comes in.'
The interferer.
That refers to Eiji.
If he's the guy who has a crush on Yuna, he'll definitely be displeased to see him by her side.
So, the goal is to make Yuna trust Seojun no matter what that childhood friend says.
Seojun hoped that day would come as soon as possible.
One day.
Seojun faced Kayaba Akihiko.
"Nice to meet you, Kayaba-ssi."
"...Hmm. Are you my investor?"
"Yes. That's right."
"I heard about it beforehand, but seeing you in person is flustering."
"Are you offended that I'm young?"
"No. In investment, looks and age don't matter. I just need someone who will spend money for what I want to create, and that's enough."
Crazy bastard.
Seojun thought to himself.
If you heard that without knowing, you might consider it the attitude of a true developer, but considering that what that bastard is trying to make is a death game, there's no lunatic like him.
However, Seojun didn't show it.
"I read the development progress of the NerveGear you sent and the prospectus regarding Sword Art Online. I liked it very much. It is truly the future of next-generation VR."
"Thank you."
Sip.
Seojun drank tea.
It was made by Kayaba's girlfriend, Rinko.
"I have one proposal."
"......"
Kayaba looked at Seojun.
At that gaze, Seojun smiled and said.
"The proposal I'm going to make is..."
The look of surprise appeared in the eyes of Kayaba, who had been listening quietly to Seojun's words.
Then, he rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.
It had been over ten minutes when he gave his gaze back to Seojun.
"I understand. I will accept that proposal. But to realize that, the budget..."
"Ah, don't worry about the budget. I will give you enough that it won't be lacking."
"Hmm."
Kayaba nodded with an expressionless face.
A feeling of satisfaction could be felt.
Slide.
Seojun reached out his hand.
Kayaba shook it slightly after taking it.
"Thank you for the good proposal."
"Likewise."
With that, Seojun parted ways with Kayaba.
He laughed after leaving the laboratory.
'Things went easier than I expected.'
At this rate, Sword Art Online will be released with a much higher level of perfection than the original.
Now, all that's left is about the NerveGear.
'It's not finished yet, so there's no opportunity to do anything.'
He can just take action after the NerveGear is finished and before mass production begins.
Seojun, who checked his plan in his head, nodded and headed to the house where Asuna would be waiting.
His footsteps were lighter than when he arrived.
Left, Shigemura Yuna (SAO)
Right, Yuna (Resurrected as AI after SAO death)
Yuna and Eiji