The Untold Truth: SAO Fatal Bullet Prequel

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July 5th, 2024

Kyoto was definitely not like Tokyo. It was a lot less dense than Tokyo and nature was more abundant. Papers of notes from years of studying technology lined the walls of my room. Hanging in the corner were airsoft replicas of a Type 20 assault rifle and a Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol.

"Just like how I left it," I thought while placing my bags on the floor.

Ever since I was thrown back into SAO, my mind was longing for a vacation. Since summer vacation was coming up, I told Kikuoka that I wouldn't be logging into SAO as much as I did during school. Although he hated the idea of losing his eyes on the world, he conceded after I threatened to quit.

"You seem concerned," my mom asked worryingly.

I stammered, "N-no I'm fine."

"Did you have any plans today?"

"I'm meeting up with Daichi."

"Ok. Don't do anything too foolish now."

"Trust me, I won't."

I grabbed the car keys hanging near the door and exited my house. Daichi informed me that he was going to inherit whatever remained of the family business. The global pandemic from a few years ago messed up their jobs and the shop just dwindled after that. My job was to help him move out the last few things to their house. When I pulled in, I saw him standing there.

"Haven't seen you in a while," I said while getting out of the car.

His face seemed to brighten when he saw me getting out of the car.

He responded, "Yeah, sure has been a while."

"Can't believe this place is gone. Made a lot of good memories," I recollected.

"Sure was."

"Hey guys!" someone intervened.

We both looked to our left and saw Daisuke.

"Hey man, how's it going?" Daichi greeted.

"It's good. I got into Kaito's high school in Tokyo," he replied.

"That was probably his seat," I chuckled.

"Wait. You left Tokyo?"

"Yeah, because of this."

Daichi pointed at the abandoned shop.

Daisuke clicked his tongue, "That tells me, sorry about the business going out."

"Thanks," Daichi responded.

"Remember that time?" I asked.

"What, when Daichi couldn't figure out how to set up the wire rack in the storage?" Daisuke teased.

"Yeah, that was embarrassing. Also, I couldn't lift the damn box too," Daichi laughed.

We all discussed the good memories we had while we drove back to Daichi's house. I finally got home around 5 pm where I found my mom standing there glaring at me. She probably figured out what my job was.

"I can't believe you," she muttered.

"Listen, I can explain," I coaxed.

"Why would you hide this from me?"

"Because I didn't want you to worry."

"I can't believe you're going back to the world that I almost lost you in."

"Look, the SAO task force guaranteed that I won't die in real life if I died in the game."

"Even if you go, I don't want you to go back."

"If I don't go back, we lose the only pair of eyes we have in the world."

My mom paused for a a moment to contemplate what I stated.

"Then why can't someone else just do the job instead of you?" she asked.

"Unless you want press to bombard the house everyday, I have to keep the job," I reasoned.

She gave a long sigh before saying, "I trust you. I can't lose you too."

I comforted, "Don't worry, I won't leave you by yourself."