“Oh, pretty good. It took me a day to think of doing it that way.”
“...That means... you have already tried it?”
“Already tried. And then... I was shocked. It had been a while since I was so surprised.”
“Wh... who was it...?”
“There was no one.”
Kuroyukihime’s answer was not within Haruyuki’s expectation.
“There was only my name on the matching list. As you know, for Umesato middle school students, when they are in school, they are not allow to disconnect from the local net even for one instant. Since attendance and classes are done through the net. If you disconnect, you will instantly be warned through the school announcement system. For that reason, I also can not block the enemy’s attacks. Even so... that person was not on the list!”
“He might be taking a break from school due to flu?”
Kuroyukihime stared at Haruyuki, then lightly snorted.
“I already checked that all the absent students were there that day. Other than that, after I was attacked, and managed to painfully escape with a draw, and right after, his name was not on the list either. That means... it’s hard to believe, that person can block his name, using some kind of method. He can challenge anyone as he likes, but other Burst Linkers cannot touch him. This blows away accelerated world’s golden rules at its roots, a terrible privilege. To be able to do that... means that there is a super hacker that succeeded in modifying the impregnable Brain Burst Program, or - someone that has contact with the program creator...”
Meeting the creator, finding out the «Meaning» of Brain Burst was her only goal for living. Kuroyukihime said that a little while ago. Then, finding out the truth of this mysterious enemy might be more important than her own protection.
For Haruyuki who deduced that, there was an unknown tingling feel in his chest, he muttered.
“...That means... the thing senpai want me to do... is help to find the truth about this enemy right?”
‘Not a knight protecting a princess from a demon.’
‘No... that is a matter of course. Don’t think about stupid things. I am a hound chasing a beast, or just a pig sniffing for mushroom in the ground.’
“Yea... well, that’s about it.”
Not showing any sign of noticing Haruyuki’s moment of conflict, Kuroyukihime lightly nodded.
“Actually, I have already acquired a lot of information. I will list the ones I understand now... First, the enemy’s name. His Duel Avatar is called «Cyan Pile». Level 4.”
“Cyan... Pile...”
Very... cool. That seems to be strong. No, Kuroyukihime said level 4 was the first wall. So that means actually strong.
“Affinity is, very pure «Close Range Blue». I have seen him punch out the stage’s thin wall many times. Does not have any lateral jump equipment. That’s why I was able to escape thus far... to be honest, I'm almost at my limit. I can not keep up the concentration.”
That must be it. From arriving at school till leaving for home, not knowing at what moment the attack come, this kind of situation, Haruyuki probably could not endure for three days. However, Kuroyukihime, without showing any sign of exhaustion, continued to send him clear thoughts.
“Also, this is just a conjecture... that not just me, that person is being haunted too, I get this feeling.”
“Eh... by what?”
“Fear of losing acceleration. That person is probably on the dangerous verge of drying up his Burst Points. For people with enough points, normal duels are more enjoyable. Like Ash Roller that you fought.”
“A, ah... that’s right, that person was enjoying it a lot...”
“However, Cyan Pile does not have a single bit of that extra. Silent, without any inhibition, and chased me with an almost crazy appearance. That is a sign only Burst Linkers fearing loss have. The cheap reward from the kings on my head was not enough, he wants all the points that I have gained. ...Well, that does not mean much of anything...”
“I... see. We can not really do a mental check on all the students. Are those the only things you found out?”
Haruyuki lightly asked to find out - but.
Suddenly, he somehow felt that Kuroyukihime’s thought became strangely tense. He thought a bit, before he could ask, she shook her head and said.
“No. There is one more important information detail. ...The Guide Cursor.”
“Oh? That water colored arrow icon?”
“Yes. That, from the start of battle, points to the enemy's position. That means... even if I can not see the moment that Cyan Pile appear, if I memorize the starting direction of the cursor, the enemy’s real body will be somewhere in a direct line in that direction... this is the theory.”
“Ah... ah! I see, that’s right. If the stage is same shape as the real one, then you can find out which corner of the school he is hiding at!”
“That’s right. I have memorized the guide cursor direction from tens of attacks up to now, and compared it to the list of students in Umesato middle school in that direction, keeping track of the overlap names. The result, I deduced the person with the highest chance of being Cyan Pile. But, there is no actual evidence. In a place that is packed with so many people, one line is not enough. Since there are usually tens of students in that line. ...Haruyuki-kun, what I want you to do is, when I am attacked next time, you will be automatic audience, then memorize Cyan Pile’s direction with the gallery use cursor.”
“Cursor... if there are two, then...”
At Haruyuki’s amazed speech, Kuroyukihime nodded with a harder than usual expression.
“Right. With two cursors, then there is only one point they cross. Then, if there is a student at that position... that will be proof without doubt. Being Cyan Pile’s real body.”
Biting her lips, Kuroyukihime’s right hand finger swiftly moving in space, manipulating the virtual desktop that only she can see. The one file that she pulled out, was going to slide toward Haruyuki - right before, however, her finger stopped.
“...? What’s going on? Who is that, this candidate?”
With his interest roused, even after he drank the huge frappé, his throat was still dry when he moved it, he leaned far out.
Kuroyukihime still seemed to be hesitating, eventually, like she has something else to say, finally shot the file over.
“Listen... when I prepared that file, it was one week before meeting you at that game corner, after a difficult search to find the third acceleration candidate in Umesato middle school.”
Not understanding why she has to say that, Haruyuki winkled his brow as he accepted the file. He unhesitatingly tapped on the icon in his virtual desktop.
What opened, was just one picture. It was probably used in student identification cards, a bust up frontal shot was shown.
“...Eh...? This...? Wh...y.”
Vigorously cut neat short hair. Blue hairpin. Cat like large eyes.
Looks familiar... not just that. It’s a face he has seen the longest in the world other than his mother.
“Chi... Chiyuri? That person is... a Burst Linker...?”
Muttering, he relaxed for more than five seconds, then burst the bubble and faced Kuroyukihime.
“No... that is not possible! She is very bad at games. She is bad at every genre... there is no way she has the aptitude for Burst Linker. Slow-witted... everything shows up on her face... that is, she is not someone that can stubbornly hunt senpai.”
“You seem to know a lot about her.”
Hearing the slightly harder voice, Haruyuki said without looking at Kuroyukihime’s eyes.
“That is... well, we are childhood friends...”
“When I met her earlier at the school gate, I was surprised. If she is «Cyan Pile» then of course she would know that I am «Black Lotus». I suspected she had some kind of plan, but...”
“That is, because she is not deft enough for this kind of psychological like attack. Actually she is extremely inept, all her thought
s are shown on her face.”
Somehow, the more Haruyuki protested, the higher the angle Kuroyukihime’s eyebrows became, she replied with a cold voice.
“In that case it is more natural to think that she is «Cyan Pile» right? She... Kurashima-kun clearly showed hostility toward me, you saw it too.”
“No, that is, not like that, it was because senpai and I Direct Connected and things...”
“Why would she be angry about that? Kurashima-kun has a genuine boyfriend right? Then, if Haruyuki-kun and I direct connect or link arms, she has no obligation to complain.”
“...That is... it is like that but...”
How did it become like this, Haruyuki felt like holding his head as he became speechless. Chiyuri surely has a nothing to complaint about boyfriend in Takumu, other than that, that is - I am her - .
Underling? Belonging? Possessed property?
Some unspeakable words crossed his mind, he was having trouble with how to explain the nuance, when Kuroyukihime showered him without mercy.
“Maybe her attitude is like this? Kurashima-kun was a Burst Linker from before, thinking of eventually making you into her «Child». Then I suddenly snatch you from the side. So, unable to hold her anger, she came after me. How about that?”
Logical or illogical theory somehow became a speech of a somewhat spoiled brat; unable to understand Kuroyukihime’s mentality at all, when he noticed, he had already went with the flow and announced.
“I... understand! Then, I will directly check with her!”
“Oh?”
Moving one eyebrow, Kuroyukihime obstinately said.
“But, how are you planning to do it? Asking her face to face if she is a Burst Linker won’t work; you understand why, right? Saying so, when «Cyan Pile» can freely block attacks, you cannot just challenge her when you see her. The reason I am so troubled in the first place is because I cannot find out. Just saying any fancy idea can be troublesome.”
“It’s not just a fancy idea!”
Unable to hold back a sharp retort, Haruyuki did so with pointed mouth.
“Listen, I will direct connect with her. Even with attack blocking, during direct connect I should be able to check her memory to see if she has the Brain Burst program or not. Senpai should be satisfied with this right?”
Chapter 5
‘—Why? Why?’
While hunching his shoulders dejectedly and trudgingly walking home on the evening sidewalk, Haruyuki kept repeating those two words in his mind.
‘Why did things turn out this way?’
‘Even though I only desired to be Kuroyukihime-senpai’s faithful pawn, why did I reply in such a quarrelsome manner in the end and rush out of the store to return home?’
‘Please, let me go back just 30 minutes in time!!’ Haruyuki keenly prayed for that, but it was impossible, even with Brain Burst that could nearly stop actual time.
But then, even if he could reload that scene like an adventure game, he felt that it would still be difficult to obediently agree to the theory that Chiyuri = <
No—It wasn't that he didn't believe it, but that he didn't want to believe it.
Honestly speaking, there was no objective proof that substantiated this. Though it had been different when they were young, he hadn't had a long talk with Chiyuri for the past one or two years here. Even though not as much as Kuroyukihime, Chiyuri, as a girl, was also a plenty mysterious existence to Haruyuki.
Also, it could be said that there was proof that disproved that she was unable to keep something secret. Because, even though Haruyuki had begged her so much, Chiyuri had consulted about the matter of his being bullied with Takumu and hid that from him.
Come to think of it, before he could make such a dangerous request like Direct Connecting with her, he had to at least apologize for the matter of knocking down the sandwiches. And in order to apologize, he would first have to accept and swallow the fact that Chiyuri and Takumi had discussed this and that about him.
That could easily take one week. Rather, he didn’t want to think about it. He would rather not confirm it and leave the matter alone. But then, he would have no choice but to accept the Chiyuri = <
‘What in the world do I want to do? What do I want to do with Taku, Chiyuri, and Kuroyukihime?’
While overloaded with thoughts that practically emitted burnt fumes from his head, Haruyuki passed through the entrance of his apartment building with heavy steps.
He briefly glanced at the time display in the corner of his vision. It was 5:30 PM.
Chiyuri would already be home, but Takumu should be still at school practicing in his Kendo Club. So, the two of them couldn’t be having a private chat together at one of their homes.
Inside the elevator lift, Haruyuki agonized within himself plenty until the warning alarm rang.
Then, he pressed the button for the 23rd floor where he lived.
After the lift had risen halfway, he pressed the button two floors below that.
"Oh my, Haru-chan, it’s been so long since I last saw you!!"
As Chiyuri’s mother cried out that out with a smiling face as soon as the door opened, but Haruyuki mumbled a 'long time no see' in response.
"Ah, you’ve grown taller, how old are you now, wait, that’s right, you're the same as age as Chiyu who is 13 years old, after all. Since you haven’t come over to play ever since entering middle school, oba-san* was so lonely, you can take it easy and stay here as long as you like today, okay? Please have supper here, since my daughter has been eating so little lately, all the food I’ve made has been in vain. That’s right, I thought of making Haru-chan’s favorite dish of curry today, I will be cooking a lot of helpings tonight so just help yourself, Chiyuri will also be happy, since she’s been displeased about not playing with Haru-chan recently.”
The seemingly endless chattering of Chiyuri’s mother was cut off by a sharp voice that sounded from inside the hallway.
"Mama!!"
Looking past Chiyuri’s mother, Haruyuki saw Chiyuri staring at them with an expression of raging fire as she stuck her head out from the living room.
"Please don’t talk about unnecessary stuff!!"
"Yes, yes, she’s at that rebellious age. Haru-chan, please relax and stay as long as you like."
Seeing off Chiyuri’s mama as she retired to the kitchen from a door in the middle of the hallway while waving her hand with a pleasant smile, Haruyuki once again put a stiff smile on his face.
"...H-Hey."
"......"
Giving a long stare, Chiyuri moved her small chin in a manner that signaled “Are you coming in?”, and then disappeared back into the living room. Letting out a strained breath and taking off his shoes, Haruyuki mumbled quietly.
"Sorry to intrude..."
In the past—until the time of his third or fourth year of elementary school, he would had said “I’m back” instead. Back then he would play outside with Chiyuri and Takumu until it was dark, and he would always return to the Kurashima household first after becoming sweaty. He would take a bath, be treated to dinner and even watch the television before wearily returning to his empty home two floors above. To Haruyuki, who had been bullied at school even in those days, those evenings were the only times that seemed fun.
But that also ended two years ago.
That time, when Takumu confessed to Chiyuri, and she then consulted with Haruyuki about it.
Among the slippers on the rack next to the door frame, the ones with blue bear faces that Haruyuki had always used were still there. He put his feet into the faded slippers and timidly opened the door to the living room, but Chiyuri was nowhere to be seen within.
After running his sweaty palms on the trousers of his uniform, he passed through the house that he knew like the back of his hand and softly knocked on the door to Chiyuri’s r
oom, which had been inside the most.
"......Come in."
After a brief moment of silence, he heard the short reply. After taking a big gulp, Haruyuki turned the doorknob.
Since he had last visited it two years ago, Chiyuri’s room hadn’t changed much from his memories, having the same simple interior decoration as back then. Her desk and bed had a colour tone of black and white and her curtains were also a monochrome, very similar to Haruyuki's room.
But, there were also several changes. First, it had a somewhat excessively good smell. Second, there was also the clothes of Chiyuri, who was sitting on her bed with a sullen face.
Of course she wasn’t still in her uniform. However, Chiyuri, who had had only a tomboyish appearance during elementary school, was now dressed in a pink fluttering skirt with some kind of white fluffy sweater.
Well, after all...she did go on dates with Takumu... As Haruyuki thought that while stunned, he was hit by an unexpected first strike.
"I called you so many times yesterday."
"Heh...?"
Staring at her from below, Haruyuki let out a stupid response.
‘Yesterday—oh, right, that day had ended with me running away in front of Chiyuri and Takumu. Uhii, before that, I have to apologize for the earlier sandwich incident first.’
"Y-Yeah, that…it’s because I disconnected my Neuro Linker during all of yesterday…"
"Letting me send you a message should be fine. Because of that, I didn’t go to sleep until really late last night!"
"So…Sorry…"
As Haruyuki apologized to Chiyuri who was puffing out her cheeks, he murmured in his mind ‘Just as I thought, she couldn’t be’.
No matter how he thought about it, she just couldn’t be that. To think she could be the Burst Linker «Cyan Pile», and moreover a strong warrior of Level 4. And on top of that, a super-hacker that successfully could change the Brain Burst program that no one else could as well!
Accel World: Return of Princess Snow Black Page 10