On December 25, 2022, Hachiman Hikigaya's long-awaited day arrived. The world's first VRMMORPG, Sword Art Online (SAO), officially launched. Fresh off the Christmas event's high, Hachiman lay on his bed, eagerly awaiting the moment.
Why would Hachiman, no gamer, anticipate a VRMMO—a medium practically his nemesis? It began at a workplace visit, where he encountered genius Akihiko Kayaba and Sword Art Online.
The NerveGear, the first true VR console, had launched with few titles fully utilizing its revolutionary tech. By chance or fate, Hayato Hayama chose Argus, SAO's developer, for their visit. Watching the demo, Hachiman fought a resurgence of his chuunibyou.
(Games have come this far… Predicted, sure, but this? Speechless. Tobe's yapping as usual, Miura and Yui are stunned silent. Ebina's nosebleed suggests her fujoshi radar's tingling. Even Hayama's glued to the screen.)
Hachiman could only stare. Some got to playtest, but as a pro loner, he just watched, envious.
"How's Sword Art Online?" a voice asked.
Startled, Hachiman replied, "It's not just a game—it is the game. Sounds weird, I know, but… it's a crafted world that feels real. Like… the real thing I can't grasp might be here."
A gasp behind him. Turning, he saw a white-coated man—famous, familiar—gazing with intrigued delight.
(Akihiko Kayaba. Genius designer and quantum physicist. Does someone like him have the "real" thing? Why'd I even say that?)
It felt radiant, making Hachiman's petty worries feel smaller, uncomfortable.
"Real, huh? You think so?" Kayaba said.
"S-Sorry, I just… blurted it out. Don't know why 'real' came up," Hachiman stammered.
"Curious. No need to apologize—I'm pleased," Kayaba replied, smiling shyly. "Didn't volunteer to play? I'd love for someone like you to experience SAO."
"N-No, it's not disinterest, just… y'know…" Hachiman fumbled, feeling pathetic.
(Talking smoothly with strangers? Still beyond me.)
Kayaba paused, then offered a business card. "If you're up for it, join our beta test prep this summer. Call the number; I'll arrange it."
"T-Thanks… but why me?"
"I sensed something in you. I want you to experience it, even if beta testing's out due to school."
Pro loner or not, Hachiman couldn't refuse outright. "I'll… consider it positively."
His formal tone was off, but Kayaba laughed. "You're interesting. Not thrilled, but I'll wait—without expectations. Enjoy SAO's world."
Then, as if realizing something, Kayaba added, "Your name?"
"Hachiman Hikigaya, second-year, Sobu High. Here for the visit."
"Sobu High… Know a Yukinoshita Haruno?"
Hachiman blinked. Haruno? "I know Yukinoshita Yukino, same year, club president."
"Maybe family. Sorry for the random question," Kayaba said. "I've got work. Meeting you was worthwhile, Hachiman. See you."
"See you…" Hachiman echoed, frozen, mulling it over.
(Talking to the Akihiko Kayaba? And a job offer? Gotta brag to Zaimokuza. Yukinoshita… rare name, but whatever.)
He shifted gears. (Think later. For now…)
"Hikki? Something up?" Yui asked.
"Nah, just chatted with the game's dev," Hachiman said.
"Whoa, this is unreal!" Yui gushed. "Everything's mind-blowing!"
"Yeah… unreal," Hachiman agreed.
(Compared to this world, my worries are nothing. Are they even worries?)
Soon after, Hachiman reset his bond with Yui. Right or wrong, he fled to that job offer. Their relationship later mended, but he met Haruno Yukinoshita in the process.
(Haruno or Kayaba—who's greater? Kayaba, probably, but Haruno's talent is unreal. Better avoid her—she's scary.)
He never asked Haruno about Kayaba—too intimidated. When she learned about the job, she grilled him relentlessly.
(Maybe Kayaba's her idol, but still…)
He asked about their connection, but Haruno dodged, her eyes terrifying.
(Avoid her at all costs. She seems to like me, but it's my imagination.)
That summer was Hachiman's busiest. He started calling Kayaba "Akihiko-san" and, post-autumn, was forced to call Haruno "Haruno" (no veto power). Akihiko, a fellow loner, earned his respect—fearless and relatable. Summer was grueling, especially Chiba Village's chaos.
(Work? Never again.)
As summer ended, Kayaba grew busy, and contact faded. Hachiman tackled school events—culture festival, sports day, Christmas—feeling a shift, unaware he now hoped for something "real." He bought a NerveGear and SAO with his earnings.
(Busy days, but not bad. Change, maybe? What'll I find in SAO? Kinda excited.)
For the record: Hachiman, a loner, only intended SAO as a casual escape. MMOs remain his kryptonite.