Fatal Bullet (Various x Female Reader)

Chapter Thirty (Eiji)

        When I got home, I had missed calls from both my mother and my father. I sighed, not wanting to deal with it right now. I'm more concerned about what could be going on in GGO. Hurriedly, I throw my bag down somewhere to be found later and turn my computer on, booting up my Amusphere along with it. Laying down in my bed, I log into GGO.

When I log on, it's empty in my home. However, the silence doesn't last for long, as I receive a message from Kureha.

"You're finally online! I saw you log on, so I guess you're done with the stuff with your parents. I'm with Hikaru outside the shop. I'll explain more on what's going on when you get over here." I read. I rush out of my home. A short walk/jog over to the shop and I see Hikaru and Kureha talking to a familiar person. My eyes widened when I realized who it was.

"Eiji? What are you doing here?" I asked. The three look over in my direction. Eiji shrugged.

"You invited me, so I wouldn't know." I chuckled.

"I just wasn't expecting you to actually accept my offer. Last time we spoke, you took off before you could tell me something. Do you know how badly that's been driving me crazy?" I ask him. Eiji chuckles, but it doesn't really reach his expression. His gaze turned serious after I mentioned the talk we had after the Ordinal Scale incident.

"I don't think it's a good idea to let you know yet." Kureha looks between the two of us, seemingly confused.

"So, are you going to explain how he knows you, (Y/N)? Because, I'd love to know. He just showed up and started questioning poor Hikaru about you before I intervened." I rub the back of my neck sheepishly.

"Well, he's a friend from SAO." Kureha's eyes widen in surprise.

"Oh..." She turns back to Eiji.

"Why didn't you just say that?!" She exclaims and Eiji sighs.

"Aincrad is a touchy subject for some. You don't just go around shouting out to the world that you survived that death game." Kureha simmered down, nodding in understanding.

"Yeah... I know. (Y/N) explained to me what happened back then. I still can't believe that she had to go through all that." She stated. I smile at Kureha, shrugging.

"It wasn't like I was alone. I had Asuna and Kirito, along with Lisbeth and the others with me. Even you, Eiji, helped me get through everything back then. If I didn't have any of you... Then I don't know if I'd be here today. But... I'm done thinking about the past. I spent way too long on it and it brought me down. I want to get past my past and focus on my present and future. We have to keep going anyways, right? The SBC Flugel quest will be starting anytime one of these days." I stated. Kureha's expression is slackened in awe.

"I can't believe it." She mutters, her expression turning into something I couldn't detail. Was it, sadness? Regret?... Jealousy? I shook my head slightly. It couldn't be any of that. Kureha has no reason to feel jealous over me. Hikaru then notifies me of a message.

"Master, you have a message from Kirito. It looks important. Shall I read it out for you?" He asks me. I raised a concerned brow and nod.

"(Y/N), I saw that you logged on today. Please come to my place. It's really important and has to do with the stolen Nerve Gears. There's been more deaths due to them. We really need to see you." Hikaru's expression turned dim.

"That doesn't sound good." Kureha looked at me in confusion.

"What did he mean by that? Someone's been killing people using Nerve Gears? But weren't they all recalled?" She asked me. Eiji's expression was no different and he nodded in agreement.