I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Ka, Ka.

Before the two could recklessly clash again, Yukino Yukinoshita tapped the table with her knuckles. The crisp, heavy sound dispelled the dust that was about to rise, and she forcefully steered the conversation back on track:

"Alright! Even if we really have to sleep with him, we can't fall asleep right now, can we? Even if we can wait until we're sleepy at night, it's strange to use sleeping together as a 'gateway'. It doesn't make sense. There should be some other more reasonable explanation."

"...Tch, that makes sense."

Withdrawing her sharp gaze from Yukinoshita Haruno, Natsukawa Masaki nodded, pinched her chin, lowered her eyebrows, and fell into deep thought again.

Just then, Asuna Yuuki tentatively raised her hand and spoke hesitantly.

"Um...can I speak?"

"Hmm? Of course, I hope you can join the discussion, Yuuki-kun."

With her hands folded on her knees, Yukino Yukinoshita straightened her back and earnestly met her gaze.

The faint smile on his face carried a hint of helplessness.

"After all... you were one of his girlfriends, just like us. So please don't be too reserved. Just say whatever you want, like Natsukawa-san."

"I didn't plan to be that free anyway..."

With a wry smile, Asuna Yuuki's gaze swept over Utaha Kasumigaoka, Haruno Yukinoshita, Yukino Yukinoshita, Masuzu Natsukawa, Sora Kasugano, and Yuu Tenkuji in turn, finally settling on the two machines on the table, her eyes gradually showing a look of certainty.

—The silver-white and dark blue AmuSphere, as well as the NerveGear used in the previous generation, are essential machines for entering a fully immersive virtual world. They can guide human consciousness into a virtual world made of data, allowing people to experience a wonderful adventure that is indistinguishable from reality.

Asuna and Haru met each other in that world and forged a strong bond that extends into reality.

If there truly is a "gateway between reality and illusion" in the world, Asuna Yuuki has no doubt that such a miracle is right before her eyes.

This tiny machine holds infinite possibilities.

She took a slight breath, having already made up her mind, then raised her eyes and looked around, giving the others a confident smile.

"If you don't mind, everyone should give it a try!"

"Could this process of traveling from reality to the virtual game world be what the notebook refers to as 'crossing the gate'?"

……

Because Yuu Tenkuji already owned only three NerveGear virtual stealth machines, Asuna Yuuki called to ask someone to send her a few more new machines.

During the waiting period, they naturally did not intend to leisurely spend their time drinking afternoon tea.

“Let’s try logging in using the three machines we have,” Asuna Yuuki suggested.

Chapter 42 The Changes After Meeting You: Life Only Has Meaning With You By My Side

Because the key was in Kasugano Sora's hands, she didn't want to hand over the symbol of power to open her brother's room to anyone else.

So when Asuna Yuuki suggested, "Let's try using the three infiltration machines we have to get into the game first," she went upstairs and reopened the locked door. She took down the motorcycle helmet that seemed to have been unused for a long time, along with the various cables that were provided, and then watched with great interest as they began to move.

"NerveGear needs an internet connection and a power outlet. Yukino Yukino-san, do you know how to use it? The power outlet is closer to you, so I'm asking you for help."

"Let me try... Hmm, which hole should I insert this into?"

"That's the network cable, plug it into the second hole from the left. The power cord is this one... Ah, Sora-chan, could you help me put this AmuSphere on Tenkuji-kun's head? I want to see if he can get into the game in this state..."

"I'm amazed you could come up with this idea... Okay, even though it's a machine I've never used before, I roughly know how to operate it."

"Oh? Sora-chan is really trustworthy. How about we play games together next time~"

"Well, playing games is no problem... wait, stop trying to get on my good side!"

"Hehehe~ Did I get caught?"

Since there was nothing she could do for the time being, Natsukawa Masuzu crossed her arms and coldly watched as Yuuki Asuna directed the others, effortlessly taking control of the atmosphere and becoming the center of attention.

After all, it was she who came up with the idea of ​​"using game helmets as a gateway to cross the boundaries of reality," and only she could get the number of helmets that everyone could use and knew how to operate them. It was not unexpected that things would develop this way.

If this method fails, then naturally someone else with ideas should take the lead. Those without a voice—like Natsukawa Masuzu herself—simply need to obey.

She didn't feel aggrieved or resentful; after all, she had experienced even more unpleasant feelings and had prepared herself mentally... She was just curious about how someone was feeling right now.

"How does it feel? Like your limelight has been stolen."

Unable to resist the urge to tease, Natsukawa Masuzu quietly moved closer to Yukinoshita Haruno and spoke softly with a smile.

Although he used a friendly and concerned tone, his eyes looked like he was gloating, and the curve of his mouth revealed his wickedness—even though he was lying on the ground, he still wanted to laugh at the guy who had fallen from the height.

"Do you, who still consider yourself his number one girlfriend, remain complacent in this situation and completely unconcerned about the danger of losing your position as the main wife?"

Even if it's just for a moment, Natsukawa Masuzu wants to see this always composed and at ease college student show an expression of resentment and anxiety.

“You really have a lot of free time…” Yukino Yukinoshita just sighed helplessly, not even bothering to look at her, leaning back casually on the sofa, her eyes slightly lowered, as if she was thinking about other more important things.

"Do you think I'd go to such lengths to gain a position in the harem, like those historical dramas or Chinese period dramas, and stand above you 'concubines'?"

Natsukawa Masaki stared at her unchanging profile and subtly pursed her lips: "It's not that serious, I just think you might have some objections."

"You're overthinking it. If you start complaining about this, won't I eventually exhaust my brain cells on you guys?"

Rolling her eyes wide, Yukino Yukino looked disgusted: "How did someone as petty and narrow-minded as you end up being liked by Yuuko? It's really baffling... Also, I take back what I said before about Yukino being inferior to you now."

"If you keep thinking about this kind of thing, you'll only ever be a lover who gets tired of you sooner or later. Who wants to talk to you? Oh, wait a minute."

Suddenly, something occurred to her, and her cold, impatient tone abruptly changed. She turned to her with a smile and said:

"I really have a problem with the fact that I was written in that notebook just like you!"

The subtext is that you're not even worthy of having your name written on the same piece of paper as mine, and you should get lost if you can.

"whispering sound……"

—We've been outmaneuvered.

This guy is truly unpredictable.

Natsukawa Masaki clicked her tongue inwardly, but her composure remained unchanged. As if she hadn't heard those harsh words, she continued nonchalantly, "Having your new girlfriend steal the spotlight from you, don't you even have the slightest thought of trying to regain control of the situation?"

"No, are you satisfied now?"

Too lazy to waste words on her, Yukino's voice instantly cooled to zero, her face expressionless, and she said indifferently, "The most important thing right now is for Yuu to wake up. For that reason, I can forgive you for provoking me for no reason, not to mention Yuuki who doesn't seem to have thought much about it."

She glanced at Natsukawa Masaki, her deep red eyes flashing with a sharp, cold light.

“I don’t know how twisted you think I am, but please remember, my goal is to become Xiao Youyou’s favorite person, and to have him as much as possible on that premise—I’m just playing mind games with you occasionally, don’t think I’m as naive as you.”

"I see. Is this what it means to have leisure time as an adult? I was just being nosy."

Sensing that the other person was about to get seriously angry, Natsukawa Masaki wisely took a step back, creating distance and ending the conversation.

Her gaze gently fell on the ground, and the silver-haired girl pursed her lips thoughtfully.

It's a pity that the purpose of the provocation wasn't achieved, but it wasn't all for nothing—at least we know what Yukino Yukinoshita is thinking right now, which will allow us to make better decisions in the future.

With both the situation and the ability at a disadvantage, Natsukawa Masuzu could only resort to these superfluous schemes to ensure she wouldn't lose her place in the future.

She's such a troublesome person, insecure and suspicious.

...But when did I become so accustomed to foolishly sacrificing so much for ridiculous things like "love" and "a place to stay"?

When did I start to become this villainous and repulsive person?

Natsukawa Masaki was momentarily distracted, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the sleeping Tenkuji Yu. A chaotic feeling welled up inside her, like a boy accidentally pinching his skin while zipping up his jacket—annoying and slightly painful sensation.

'It's all because of you, Ayu…'

'Because of you, I've become unlike myself... The me who loves you is completely different from the real me.'

So, wake up soon.

She prayed this from the bottom of her heart.

'If you're not by my side, what's the point of all my changes?'

Chapter 43 Who was left behind?

It took about ten minutes for Asuna Yuuki to finally set up the machine and get ready to enter the game.

Although they tried to get Yuu Tenkuji to wear the AmuSphere, hoping he could automatically log into the 'Sword World' while unconscious, unfortunately, the green light indicating a successful connection never lit up. In the end, they could only remove the blindfold-type device from him, switch it to guest login mode, and hand it over to someone else.

"There are three machines, so we—including me using the dedicated machine—can enter the game at a time."

Because they were using guest accounts, they could skip the time-consuming character creation step.

After explaining the various points to note to this group of "new players" who had no experience with virtual infiltration, Asuna Yuuki pondered for a moment and added, "If nothing happens, exit the game 30 seconds after entering. But if something does happen, such as the logout button disappearing, or you crossing a certain door and entering Yuuki's trial dream and being unable to get out..."

Her tone was gentle and polite, yet her commands were swift and decisive, displaying the dashing demeanor of a knight commander preparing to go into battle against monsters.

"Then please wait here for a while and make plans after the others have received their new login devices—given the current situation, it's safer to stick together."

That concludes the pre-trip explanation. Asuna Yuuki looked around, as if to confirm, and said:

"Is everything alright, everyone?"

“No problem.” Yukino Yukinoshita was the first to answer. She was one of the winners of the rock-paper-scissors game. Holding the helmet-shaped NerveGear in her hand, she had an unwavering determination on her face. “If anything goes wrong along the way, Kyō, I’ll have to trouble you to clean up the mess for us.”

Using the term "handling the aftermath" is rather harsh, but to avoid everyone sleeping with Yuu for too long, they just discussed how to deal with those left outside if they were truly "annihilated".

"Don't worry about it, leave it to me. After all, you made this sacrifice for Yu..."

Kasugano Sora looked at her seriously for once, though she still maintained that aloof attitude. She unconsciously bit her lip, her eyes filled with an indescribable complexity, and she hesitated to speak.

"But aren't you afraid that you might not be able to regain consciousness in the end...?"

"Of course I'm scared! I can't bear to leave my family and friends in this world. I'd rather not travel to another world."

Fiddled with the dark blue dedicated machine set to visitor login mode, Yukino Yukinoshita answered casually, then seemed to recall some fond memories, and couldn't help but purse her lips and smile genuinely.

"But similarly, when Xiaoyou traveled 131 kilometers to find me, wasn't I worried about something happening on the Shinkansen? The chance of something going wrong was 50% or 50%. As long as he was willing to do anything for me, I would do anything for him."

It's that simple of a reason.

Kasugano Sora was stunned for a while because of her overly relaxed and casual demeanor, before she turned her gaze away and muttered somewhat awkwardly:

"Just like Yu, she only knows how to say nice-sounding things..."

“My sister and I are different. Although I can’t find a reason to be willing to die for him, but…”

She paused, then lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening as she gripped the helmet.

Feeling the warmth emanating from the snowflake necklace on her chest, she recalled how he had impulsively yet passionately confessed his love to her that morning.