"Hmm. He's the guy Kurusu likes, so I think he's off-limits. But I like him enough to know I definitely don't want him to dislike me. He's got amazing potential, and he's actually pretty handsome." Anzu gave a cheeky, wide grin.
"Now that you mention it, I've never actually seen Kurusu's face. She's a beauty, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she's incredibly cute. I wish I'd been born with a face and figure like hers."
"Give it time, sweetie. You're my daughter, after all. You're still growing, and trust me, women like us only get more dangerous as we get older."
"I mean, I'm definitely still growing here," Anzu said, gesturing to her chest, "but I want to be popular now, like Kurusu! Or like Yukino!"
"Yukino? Who's that?"
"A new friend I made today."
"That's wonderful."
Anzu pulled up a photo on her phone. "Look, this is Yukino. Isn't she gorgeous?"
"Oh my... she really is stunning."
"And she's the President's younger sister."
Which makes her Yukino Yukinoshita, Misaki deduced. Good heavens, that family... between them and Akano-san, how does one lineage produce so many beauties? (Akano was the Headmistress's real name.)
"And this... this is Kurusu."
When Misaki saw the second photo, her heart nearly stopped. The girl in the picture was, without a shadow of a doubt, the spitting image of Gunner X.
No, it can't be. To have the same face in the game and real life? Character generation in GGO is supposed to be randomized...
As if sensing her mother's confusion, Anzu dropped a metaphorical bombshell.
"Kurusu always said she wanted to join Soleil to support the President. Apparently, she met this Hikigaya-kun in some gun-fighting game by chance, and he introduced her to the President today. Kurusu used to avoid guys like the plague, but she was acting so spoiled and clingy with him it was actually embarrassing to watch."
"A gun-fighting game...?"
"Oh, that's right! You play one of those, don't you, Misaki-chan? Maybe you've run into her!"
"Y-Yeah... maybe I have."
There is no other 'gun-fighting game' but GGO... Misaki's mind raced. She didn't 'happen' to meet the successor. It's the other way around. Gunner X—Kurusu—found out Shana's real identity was the heir to Soleil, and she joined his cause to be near him. It's the only thing that makes sense. Which means... Hachiman Hikigaya is Shana.
Misaki quickly opened her laptop and searched for GGO gameplay clips. She found the viral video of Hachiman dismantling a trio of players to protect Gunner X.
"This is the person who brought Gunner X along that day..."
"Hm? Misaki-chan, who's Gunner X?"
"Oh, just a player. Don't you think she looks like Kurusu?"
Anzu peered at the monitor and gasped. "It's her! That's totally Kurusu! Wait, does this game actually use your real face?"
"No, it's completely random."
"Whoa. What are the odds? She looks exactly like her."
"Quite a coincidence indeed," Misaki whispered.
Gunner X wouldn't follow anyone else like that. That man is Shana. Misaki felt a thrill run down her spine. A man of mystery... why is that so attractive? And his strength in this video—it's impossible. A converted character? My interest is officially piqued. To be this excited by a boy young enough to be my son... it's almost scandalous. I feel a bit bad for Kurusu and Anzu, but I have to meet him. And if the opportunity arises, perhaps I'll create a little 'fait accompli' of our own...
The sheer excitement made Misaki shudder. Anzu watched her, a sly smirk forming.
"Misaki-chan, is there a guy on your mind? You've got that 'woman in love' look on your face."
"Oh, stop it! Don't tease your mother."
"Hey, if you're gonna remarry, do it soon. You've got my blessing!"
"Anzu, please!"
And that was how Misaki found herself standing where she was now. After a night of careful deliberation, she had decided the best path was to earn Shana's absolute trust. She would be his perfect shadow, and if the chance ever came to throw herself in harm's way to save him, she wouldn't hesitate for a second. You didn't manage a high-end snack bar in Ginza dealing with power brokers without a healthy dose of calculating ambition.
"Shana-sama, the Heike Army has finally shown its face."
"About time."
On the distant horizon, a convoy of about ten buses appeared. Since the roads were safe from ambush today, they moved in an orderly line, looking more like a school field trip than an invading force. The buses screeched to a halt before the suspension bridge. Shana's voice suddenly boomed across the water, amplified by the system.
"Xeexeeed, are you there? There's a mic in front of you. Use it."
"...I'm here. You have something to say?"
"I've drawn a line ten meters past the bridge. We won't fire while you're crossing, but the moment a single soul crosses that line, the war begins. Plasma grenades are banned per official tournament rules. Agreed, Xeexeeed?"
"Soft as ever, Shana. But I have no objections. Agreed."
"Then I'll see you soon."
"Yeah. See you soon."
With the formalities over, the Heike began to stream across the bridge. Three hundred players. Compared to the start of the war, their numbers had dwindled to a mere seventh of their original strength.
"The Heike aren't showing any signs of flanking us," one of the Genji scouts noted.
"Are they really planning a head-on breakthrough?"
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