"Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Don't take it so seriously.
We've grown up together since we were kids — you think I don't know what kind of person you are?"
Seiya grinned as he looked at Suguha.
"So, Auntie made more of her famous mini cakes? Perfect timing. I stopped by the department store earlier and haven't eaten a thing since."
Because the NERvGear had only just been released, the device was almost impossible to find in stores. Seiya had gotten up early that morning to queue outside an electronics shop — all for the sake of playing this so-called "death game" with Kazuto.
When Seiya opened the dojo's main doors, Suguha naturally followed him inside and changed into her usual pair of indoor slippers at the entrance.
The Minamoto house was a two-story building. The ground floor served as the family's kendo dojo, while the upper floor was Seiya's private living space.
The dojo itself was simple — wooden racks lined the walls, holding bamboo swords neatly in place. At the center hung two massive calligraphy scrolls: one reading "Discipline," the other "Perseverance."
In the past, the dojo would've been lively at this hour, filled with the sounds of sparring. But after Seiya's grandfather passed away, training had been suspended indefinitely.
Now, the only ones who still practiced there from time to time were Seiya himself — and Suguha Kirigaya.
"Seiya-nii, haven't you ever thought about reopening the dojo? It was your grandfather's dream, wasn't it?"
Her tone softened as she looked around the silent training hall. The faint scent of polished wood still lingered in the air, carrying memories of childhood sparring and laughter.
Suguha had grown up here. She loved kendo — and she loved this place that held so many of her happiest memories.
She didn't want to see it fade away.
"Reopening the dojo would have to wait until I'm officially an adult," Seiya replied, his voice calm. "Even then, I've got my hands full right now. It's not that I don't want to… I just might not have the time or energy."
Truth be told, reopening the dojo had been part of his plan once.
After all, in Japan, where martial arts were still highly respected, running a dojo wasn't just honorable — it was profitable too.
But that was before everything changed. Before he'd realized he wasn't just some ordinary person anymore.
He had transmigrated into this world. He even had a half-activated system.
If all he did with that kind of cheat was run a dojo... wouldn't that be an insult to every transmigrant protagonist out there?
"Hmph, is this what you mean by being 'busy,' Seiya-nii?"
Suguha crossed her arms, eyeing the box Seiya was holding. She'd already noticed the words 'NERvGear' printed across the packaging.
Even though she wasn't a gamer, she'd heard of the device — a revolutionary full-dive machine that had taken Japan by storm.
"Let me guess — onii-san asked you to buy it, right? Typical! He already wastes enough time on games, and now he's pulling you into it too!
When I get home, I'm definitely giving him an earful. You're a kendo prodigy, Seiya-nii! Grandpa had such high hopes for you — you can't just throw that away for some silly video game!"
Seiya could only smile awkwardly at her words.
Even though Suguha was a year younger than both him and Kazuto, she often ended up scolding them like an older sister.
And once inside the Minamoto home, she moved around as naturally as if it were her own — plating the mini cakes she'd brought and brewing a pot of soba tea to go with them.
Honestly, Seiya suspected she knew where things were in his kitchen better than he did.
As he wolfed down the cakes, Suguha rested her chin in her hands, watching him with quiet amusement.
"So you skipped breakfast, woke up early, and lined up just to buy that thing?" she asked, pouting slightly as her eyes flicked toward the NERvGear box on the table. "You and onii-san are hopeless. Is this game really that fun?"
She wasn't truly angry — just disappointed.
Since the dojo had closed, Seiya had been spending less and less time sparring with her. If this game kept him busy too, she'd hardly see him at all.
All because of that gaming-obsessed brother of hers!
"Actually, it's not just about fun,"
Seiya said, leaning back in his chair.
"According to Kazuto, this new game — Sword Art Online — is the world's first true full-dive VRMMORPG.
That means your consciousness is completely synchronized with your avatar. Every movement, every sensation — it all feels real.
And since the game's combat system is based entirely on swords, real-life kendo skills actually translate pretty well.
So I thought… why not give it a try? I don't have many worthy opponents in real life anyway. Maybe I'll find some in the game. Plus, it's a good way to train my awareness and reflexes."
Suguha blinked, her irritation melting into admiration.
Of course! That was so like Seiya-nii. Her brother played games for fun, but Seiya saw them as a way to refine himself.
The difference couldn't have been more obvious.
"In that case," she said, brightening up, "maybe I shouldn't judge so quickly. Do you think the NERvGear is still in stock at the department store?"
Seiya nearly choked on his tea.
"Eh? Now you want one too?"
But the more Suguha thought about it, the more sense it made.
If she also joined SAO, then instead of spending less time with Seiya, she could actually spend more.
That thought alone made her cheeks flush.
"Honestly," Seiya sighed, "it's probably sold out by now. And the game's official launch is tonight, so—"
Before he could even finish, Suguha jumped to her feet.
"Seiya-nii, I just remembered I have something to do! Enjoy the cakes — I'll wash the dishes next time!"
And with that, she darted out the door before he could stop her.
Watching her disappear down the street, Seiya could only let out a long sigh.
He knew exactly what she was planning. And honestly, he didn't want her involved in SAO at all — not when he knew what was coming.
Still… with the NERvGear sold out everywhere and the servers launching that same evening, she probably wouldn't get one in time.
That thought brought him a bit of relief.
That night, Kazuto called again — worried Seiya might have backed out or didn't know how to use the device.
After hanging up, Seiya's phone rang once more. This time, it was Suguha. She sounded disappointed.
She hadn't managed to buy a NERvGear, but she promised that within two days, a friend would help her get one.
Seiya chuckled softly after the call ended. "At least she's safe for now…"
Then, taking a deep breath, he placed the sleek NERvGear helmet over his head.
"Link Start!"
A faint hum filled his ears — and in the next instant, Seiya Minamoto's consciousness was drawn into a blinding stream of light.
The world around him dissolved — and the world of Sword Art Online began.
---
(End of Chapter 3)