Looking For Something Real (Sword Art Online)

34. Home

AN: I'm afraid this will be the last upload of this story for a while. This is as far as I have written and honestly I'm still not happy with this chapter either. 

I'm kind of in a rut right now where I don't really have the time to write new chapters, so instead I have been going back to revisit old chapters to give them the overhaul they need.

Since I have become quite a bit better at writing lately these updated chapters are way better IMHO with more detail and better flowing dialogue.

 I will eventually upload the updated story here once I am happy with it, but for the time being I have been uploading the revisited version of the story over on fanfiction.net.

The story over there is way behind what has been uploaded here but like I said I feel it is much better overall and will be getting regular updates and changes. If you enjoyed the story thus far it may be worth checking it out :D

Chapter 34 December 24th 2025 "Home"

Kyoto

I sat opposite my parents in the kitchen. I had asked them both to talk before I was to dive into ALO to assist Kirito and Asuna and of course see Liz again.

I was finding it hard to construct my thoughts into explaining to them about my use of full dive tech again. Sure the AmuSphere was nothing like the Nervegear in terms of its capacity to damage the brain of its user, but convincing my parents of that was going to be tough.

In the end I settled on just explaining it as I went along.

"I want to tell you both in person rather than trying to hide this from you." I started. "Have you heard about the AmuSphere?"

My father leaned back in his chair giving his usual stare whilst my mum looked at me with confusion in her eyes.

"It's a piece of tech like the Nervegear, it lets you play games in the same way."

The sign of them both realising where I was going with the conversation appeared on both of their faces. My mother looked as if she was going to cry whilst my dad's eyes went wide.

"It's nothing like the Nervegear though when it comes to safety. It doesn't have enough power to hurt people's brains and has loads of safety features like logging you out if you get hungry or dehydrated. So you can't trap people in it." I hurriedly added.

"And you want to use this thing?" My dad asked.

"Why would you want to go back there?" My mum added.

"Well the thing is... I already have one... and have been using it for months." My mum started to cry while my father looked at me confused.

"You have to understand" I went on "it's nothing like what you think. It's safe to use, I wouldn't otherwise, believe me. But it lets me meet with my friends and spend time with them regardless of where we are, that's what makes me happy."

My mum continued to sob while my father parsed the information in his head.

"Why are you telling us this now?" My mum eventually asked.

"Because he has it with him." My father said before I could reply. "He wants to use it while he is here don't you?"

I hung my head and nodded slowly. It was beginning to look like I wouldn't be able to help my friends after all.

"What do we do if we need you?" My mum asked as she wiped her eyes and I looked back up to her confused. "How do we wake you back up if we need to?" she rephrased.