April 25, 2026
It was lunchtime at the Academy. Kirito, Reno, Asuna, and Sherry were eating together at the back of the classroom.
"Have you talked to Sam?" Reno asked.
"Yes," Asuna replied. "He said he needs some more time to complete his work there".
"Who is Sam?" Sherry inquired.
"Oh! I didn't tell you," Asuna said. "He is Kirito's cousin, so we are all living together. Where are you living, Sherry?".
"I have rented a room in the Civil Line," Sherry replied.
"That's close to our apartment, too!" Asuna exclaimed.
"Guys, why is Miss Rika watching us with those cat eyes?" Kirito whispered.
"Huh? Where?" Reno asked.
"Look, near the door—she is acting creepy," Sherry pointed out.
They all looked at Rika. She was staring at them, and then...
"Kirito-kun," Rika called Kirito in a pleasant manner.
"Kirito, go! Your box is calling you," Reno teased.
"Kirito-kun," Sherry joined in, teasing Kirito.
"Shut up, you bastards!" Kirito snapped.
Kirito stood up from his desk and walked out of the class. Rika was standing next to the door.
"Yes, Ma'am, you called me?" Kirito asked.
"Yes, about the nationals in Japan," Rika replied. "So, can you help the badminton club to conduct trials in the high school? They are short of players".
"Yes, Ma'am," Kirito agreed. "Where do I have to go and when?".
"Tomorrow at 8 AM. The venue is Deepak Memorial Academy. Do you know the direction?" Rika asked.
"Yes, my sister studies there," Kirito confirmed.
"Then, be there on time. Yuki will be there too," Rika finished.
When Rika turned her back, Reno and Sherry were seen peeking at him from the gate with a clever smile.
"Going on a date, are we?" Reno teased.
"Dating a younger girl, Kirito-kun?" Sherry added.
"Sherry, you moron!" Kirito snapped.
Kirito punched Sherry's head. Reno laughed and hid in the corner of the classroom.
"You moron, come back!" Kirito shouted.
"These guys don't have any other work besides making you seem like Lucious," Asuna muttered.
"Why don't you have any other work except judging us?" Asuna shot back.
"Hey, Lucious! That car key is mine," Kirito declared.
Kirito picked up the car key from Lucious's desk. The entire class was in shock to see that the person named Lucious wasn't even close to him.
"You brought a car? What happened to the bikes?" Sherry asked.
"Let's not talk about them," Reno and Kirito said in unison.
"I'll explain it to you," Asuna offered. "The three racers were checking the suspension of their bikes, and during that, their engine clutch disk broke due to less oil. So, the bikes are currently at the service center".
"Which bikes do both of them have?" David asked.
"A Kawasaki Ninja and an H&R," Lucky replied.
Both David and Lucious got into a deep dispute.
"By the way, who won?" Ansh inquired.
"Mine was 32L and Reno's was 31R".
"That was not a big difference; Reno was close," Lucky noted.
"Next time, let's check them on the shooting range," Ansh suggested.
"Yes, he is right; there was plenty of space," Reno agreed.
"Then, tomorrow," Ansh proposed.
"No, I will be busy. Let's do it on Sunday," Kirito corrected.
"Okay, on Sunday morning, after volleyball," Lucky finalized.
"Okay," Reno confirmed.
April 26th
"Allya, are you ready? We have to leave," Kirito called out.
"Just five minutes, and I'll be ready," Allya replied.
Kirito was waiting for Allya. Reno and Asuna had already left for the Academy.
When Allya came out of her room, Kirito locked the front door and moved downstairs, got inside the car, and left for Allya's school.
"Why are you coming to my school?" Aliya asked.
"To conduct some selections for the badminton team," Kirito replied.
"You want to try out?" Kirito asked.
"No, thanks. I am a volleyball player, so don't try to misguide me, dear brother," Allya responded.
"I am not forcing you," Kirito stated.
Kirito parked the car at the parking lot. Allya went inside the school while Kirito met up with Yuki and others at the ground.
"Good morning, Allya," Riya greeted.
"Good morning, Riya," Allya replied.
"Who is with you at the ground?" Allya asked Riya.
"Oh, he is my brother," Riya replied.
They both put their bags in their locker and start exploring the school building.
On the other side, Kirito and others were preparing to conduct the trials.
"Why is Lucious here?" Kirito questioned.
"He is also a badminton player," Takoi answered.
"By the way, Takoi, how do you feel after losing nationals?" Kirito asked.
"You only had luck on your side; that's why the match ended at 30-28," Takoi retorted.
"Say whatever you want, I won that match," Kirito replied.
While they were setting up the net, Allya bumped into Lucious by mistake.
"Sorry," Allya apologized.
"Never mind. Are you okay?" Lucious asked.
After that, Lucious joined the others, and soon they all started the selection.
While the selections were ongoing, Takoi was the referee, and Kirito was writing down the names of selected players and notes during that time.
"Oh, hey David, that girl was too pretty," Lucious whispered.
"Which one?" David asked.
"The one who bumped into me this morning," Lucious clarified.
"Yes, you are right. She is totally your type. And with your looks, wealth, and power..."
"She will easily fall in love with you," David said, nudging Lucious.
Whistles and laughter rang out as Takoi joined them. Kirito was announcing the names of selected players nearby.
"Oh, you are talking about Allya," Takoi realized.
"You know her?" David asked.
"Yes, and her brother too," Takoi replied.
"Who is her brother? I know he will see us as a proper couple," Lucious insisted.
"Couple or not, but she is only thirteen," Takoi warned.
"Love does not see age," Lucious argued.
"Love might not see age, but Kirito will kill you," Takoi countered.
"Why? Is she his girlfriend?" David asked.
"He is her brother, so don't say things like that in front of him," Takoi whispered.
"What? That bastard!" David exclaimed.
Suddenly, Kirito joined them.
"What happened?" Kirito asked.
"Nothing, just preparing to leave. You are not coming with us?" Takoi asked Kirito.
"No, I will stay. I have to pick up my sister, too," Kirito replied.
Soon all of them left, and Kirito sat waiting in the waiting room.
Afternoon, 12:34
Class was going on. Allya was gossiping with her friends in the back.
A portal opened up just behind the teacher, and a devil, different from every other devil, walked out. It walked on two legs and was totally black, with red magma glowing from the cracks in its body. Its eyes were red, and it had two horns and a tail, making him look more creepy.
"Ma'am! Behind you!" the whole class shouted.
The Devil swung its forearm, and in a jerk, the teacher's head went missing. Blood splattered all over the class. The whole class was shouting in fear; they didn't have any escape route.
"B-B-Brother, save me!" Allya shouted.
"Huh, I feel Allya was calling me, and what's up with this cold mana?"
Kirito looked towards the school building from the car.