By the time Aragaki Ayase returned home, the late afternoon sun had begun to cast long shadows. She paused at the genkan, taking a moment to compose herself before calling out, "I'm home."
Her voice, polite and measured, echoed in the quiet, impeccably tidy house. Moments later, footsteps approached. The woman who appeared was the image of poised severity: Aragaki Kazumi, Ayase's mother.
"You're back, Ayase.""Yes, Mother.""Good. However, you must not allow leisure activities to dilute your academic drive. To ensure your focus remains sharp, you will complete an additional set of mathematics practice problems tonight to consolidate this week's lessons."
Aragaki Ayase felt a familiar, internal groan. Mother, are you a demon? I only took a few hours to visit a friend, and now it's extra homework? Yet, years of conditioning ensured no trace of rebellion reached her face. Instead, she offered a perfectly sweet, obedient smile and nodded. "Yes, Mother. I'll do them right after dinner."
"Hmph. See that you do."
Dinner was a quiet, formal affair. Ayase picked at her food, her mind churning. She stole cautious glances at her father, Aragaki Arata, who sat at the head of the table, his expression stern as he read through a political digest. Gathering her courage, she finally broke the silence.
"Father… I have a question."
Councilor Arata looked up from his papers, a flicker of mild surprise in his eyes. "What is it, Ayase?"
"Um… it's about… Full Dive Virtual Reality technology. Do you know much about it?"
Mr. Aragaki's expression grew contemplative, then grimly serious. He set his papers aside. "Of course I am aware. It is a matter of significant national strategic interest. The technology is reportedly reaching a mature stage. The administration is deeply invested in securing its development and preventing any critical technological outflow."
He sighed, a rare note of frustration entering his voice. "Regrettably, despite my position, I have not yet been granted direct access to the core development team or its leadership. The circle controlling it is… exceedingly tight."
He fixed his daughter with a probing gaze. "Why do you ask? Has this subject arisen at school? Or are you expressing interest in the associated games?"
"N-No, not at all!" Ayase hurriedly clarified, shaking her head. "It's just… a friend mentioned it. He said this technology will soon become widespread and fundamentally change daily life. It made me curious, that's all."
She couldn't possibly admit to any personal interest in gaming; her mother would have her signed up for three new remedial courses before dessert.
Her father let out another weary sigh. "Your friend is not entirely wrong. The successful implementation of VR will indeed reshape societal structures, which is precisely why the upper echelons are so preoccupied with its stewardship. The political and economic currents surrounding it are profound and treacherous, Ayase. It is best you do not inquire too deeply on your own. Unwarranted curiosity could be misconstrued, even putting you at risk."
He paused, his brow furrowing. "Furthermore, the mainstreaming of this technology will inevitably lead to a further proliferation of… otaku culture. It will provide an ever more seductive escape from reality, encouraging more individuals to retreat into virtual worlds. While detrimental to social vigor in the long term, this trend appears inevitable."
A complex, almost bewildered expression crossed his face. "Would you believe that I, who has long advocated for stricter regulation of such media, was recently compelled to attend a symposium… organized by otaku interest groups and endorsed by the Prime Minister's office?"
With that, he stood and walked to his study, returning moments later with a sleek, futuristic-looking helmet. He placed it on the table before Ayase. "This is a development-model access helmet, distributed to certain officials for 'familiarization.' I have neither the interest nor the time for such diversions. If you wish to understand what the fuss is about, you may have it."
"Ehhh?!" Ayase's jaw went slack in sheer astonishment. "This… I can really have it? Mother, is that…"
Aragaki Kazumi pressed her lips into a thin line, then released a short sigh. "If your father has permitted it, then you may keep it. However," her tone sharpened, "its use is restricted to your verified free time, and only after all your studies and duties are completed. Is that clear?"
"Yes! Absolutely! Thank you, Mother! Thank you, Father!" Ayase's heart leaped with a mix of shock and unexpected triumph.
Back in the sanctuary of her room, she placed the helmet on her desk, staring at it with a whirlwind of emotions. She had fully expected a stern lecture and heightened restrictions. Instead, she'd been handed the key to the very world she was supposed to disdain. The irony was not lost on her.
In truth, Aragaki Ayase held no inherent love for games. Her motivation was singular: Kirino. She needed to understand what secret allure these digital worlds held that could make her best friend lie to her for so long. If she wanted to bridge this new chasm between them, to win Kirino back, she felt she had no choice but to step into that world herself, however reluctantly.
… … …
As she was turning the helmet over in her hands, her phone chimed—a message notification. The screen lit up with Kirino's name.
Kosaka Kirino: Ayase… are you still angry?
Ayase's heart immediately clenched, then softened. Kirino was reaching out. She still cared. The residual anger warred with her deep affection, but the latter won easily. She could never truly ignore Kirino.
Her fingers flew over the screen.Aragaki Ayase: Yes. I am still angry.Kirino-chan kept something so important from me. Did you truly not trust me at all?
The reply came quickly.Kosaka Kirino: No! It's because I know how much you dislike otaku that I couldn't tell you! I was afraid you would start to hate me, Ayase! I didn't want to lose our friendship!I… I care about you so much. That's why I hid it.
Reading the raw, earnest words, a powerful voice surged within Ayase: Forgive her! Kirino had just said she cared. Ayase cared deeply for Kirino too; that was precisely why the deception hurt so profoundly.
Taking a steadying breath, she typed her response.Aragaki Ayase: Kirino, I still cannot fully accept that my best friend is an otaku.But I also do not wish to end our friendship.So… let's meet tomorrow. There is something important I need to discuss with you.
Kosaka Kirino: Okay.
Though anxiety still gnawed at her, Kirino knew Ayase's stubborn nature well. This meeting was a chance, and she had to take it. Refusal would mean certain rupture.
Setting her phone down, Aragaki Ayase released a long, weary sigh. A part of her itched to ask the question burning in the back of her mind: What happened after I left? How did things go with that handsome Nozomi-san? But she couldn't bring herself to type it.
A disturbing thought resurfaced. Nozomi had been eerily prescient. Virtual Reality was becoming a state-sanctioned reality. Even her own father, a critic, had been dragged to an otaku gathering. The world was shifting in ways she found deeply uncomfortable. If someone like her father was being pulled into this sphere… was there any hope of resisting the tide?
Yet, as the saying went, if you cannot change the current, you must learn to navigate it.
… … …
Meanwhile, at the Kosaka residence, evening had fully settled.
Kosaka Kyosuke returned home late, shuffling in just as dinner was being set. His parents, Kosaka Daisuke and Kosaka Kano, had returned shortly after Hozuki Nozomi's departure. As Kyosuke made his way to the table, both his father and sister pointedly ignored him. Only his mother, Kano, offered a warm, welcoming smile.
"Welcome back, Kyosuke. Just in time."
Kyosuke felt a surge of gratitude. As expected, Mom is the best.
It was then that Kosaka Daisuke, setting his chopsticks down, turned his attention to his daughter, his expression uncharacteristically eager. "So, Kirino. How did the visit go today?"
Kirino's face immediately brightened, a hint of excitement coloring her voice. "It went very well! Nozomi said he was quite pleased and that he plans to visit again! We even exchanged contact information!"
A broad, approving smile spread across Daisuke's face. "Excellent! Truly my daughter. Hozuki Nozomi is a remarkable young man with a brilliant future. Kirino, you must make every effort to maintain a good relationship with him."
From across the table, Kosaka Kano's eyebrows rose slightly, her expression growing subtly perplexed. She wouldn't contradict her husband in front of the children, but she resolved to question him about this unusual enthusiasm in private later.
It was Kosaka Kyosuke, however, who finally broke, his mouth moving before his brain could engage. He stared at his father, his voice thick with dumbfounded disbelief.
"Dad… are you… are you basically selling off your sister?"
The words hung in the air for a split second before the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
Kosaka Daisuke's genial expression vanished, replaced by a thunderous scowl. He slammed a hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. "What irresponsible nonsense are you spouting, you useless brat?!"