After spending about ten minutes, Asuna finally finished setting up the machines and was ready to log into the game.
Though they tried putting the AmuSphere on Yuu's head, risking the chance that he might automatically log into Sword Art Online while comatose—unfortunately, the green light indicating a successful connection never turned on. In the end, they could only remove the blindfold-like device from him, switch it to guest login mode, and hand it to someone else.
"There are three machines, so including me using the special unit, the three of us can log into the game at the same time."
Since they were all using guest accounts, they could skip the time-consuming character customization step.
After explaining various things to note for the new players who had no full-dive experience, Asuna paused for a moment, then added: "If nothing happens, please log out 30 seconds after entering. And if something does happen—like the log-out button disappears, or you pass through some kind of gate and enter Yuu-kun's dream trial and can't get out..."
Her voice was soft and polite, but the way she led was quick, firm, and orderly—like a knight commander preparing to fight monsters.
"Please wait where you are. We'll decide on the next steps after the others get new login devices—the situation is still unclear, so it's safer to stay together."
The pre-action briefing ended there. Asuna looked around and asked to confirm:
"No problems, everyone?"
"No problem." Yukino was the first to reply. She had been one of the winners in the earlier "suit debate." Holding the helmet-shaped NerveGear, her face showed unhesitating resolve. "If something goes wrong halfway, Sora-chan, I leave it to you to handle the aftermath."
Using the phrase "handle the aftermath" sounded a bit grim. But to prevent them from staying unconscious with Yuu for too long, they had just discussed a plan for how those left outside should react if they failed completely.
"Leave it to me. After all, you're all making this sacrifice for Yuu..."
Sora looked at her seriously for the first time. Though her demeanor was still distant, she unconsciously bit her lip—there was an indescribable complexity in her eyes, and she spoke with a hint of hesitation:
"But... aren't you scared that your consciousness might never be able to come back in the end...?"
"Of course I'm scared! I can't bear to leave my family and friends in this world. Moving to another world? Forget it."
Haruno replied casually, adjusting the dark blue special unit that had been set to guest mode. Then, as if remembering a precious memory, she couldn't help but smile and laugh from the bottom of her heart.
"But at the same time, when Yuu-chan traveled 131 kilometers to find me, wasn't he also not scared of a Shinkansen accident? The risk of an accident was fifty-fifty. If he could do that for me, I can do anything for him."
Her reason was that simple.
That overly casual, nonchalant look left Sora momentarily stunned. After that, she averted her gaze and muttered with a pout:
"Just like Yuu—he only knows how to say things that sound nice..."
"I'm different from Nee-san. Even though I can't find a good enough reason to sacrifice my life for him, still..."
Her voice trailed off. Yukino lowered her eyes, her fingers slowly tightening around the helmet.
Feeling the warmth from the snowflake pendant on her chest, she remembered Yuu's reckless yet loving expression when he confessed his feelings that morning.
Gradually, the last of her anxiety compressed into unshakable resolve. It gave her the courage to meet everyone's gaze and say firmly:
"No matter how big the risk is, getting that irresponsible, flirty boyfriend of mine who disappears whenever he wants to come back and take responsibility—that's what I need to do right now!"
After finishing, her face flushed slightly with embarrassment, and she let out a fake serious sigh.
"Honestly, making sure of your resolve now is just overkill... Besides, I already know full well Yuu's skill at charming girls."
Sora waved her hand in annoyance. She ignored Masuzu, who was about to speak, and urged with a pouting face: "We're not even sure if this is the 'gateway' the notebook mentioned. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if we fail? Just try it first."
"Alright, then shall we start?"
Asuna looked at Yukinoshita's sister, and after confirming both of them were ready, she put on the blindfold-shaped AmuSphere and gave the order:
"Ready?"
"Wait a second... Ready."
"Oh? This is quite comfortable to wear. I'll ask Kouichirou to send me one later."
Asuna sighed in helplessness: "Please talk about that later... Let's log in together after the countdown."
"Three, two, one—LINK START!"
Along with the loud cry that rang out, the three women simultaneously spoke the keyword to launch the program.
Then the machines emitted a nearly inaudible operating sound. As the green lights flashed frantically, those sitting on the sofa gradually relaxed their bodies. Their consciousness followed the flow of data and moved to another world—one that was fake yet real.
Sora, Masuzu, and Utaha, who remained in the real world, counted the seconds in their hearts while watching the sleeping figures nervously.
Utaha even leaned down occasionally to check the notebook, making sure if its contents had changed in that moment.
But after this heavy, solemn atmosphere lasted for thirty seconds...
First, their fingertips moved slightly. Then, all three lifted their hands and removed the machines from their heads in almost synchronized movements. They only stared at each other without saying a word.
"How was it?" Masuzu broke the frozen silence first, frowning slightly.
Even though they had logged out on time, their strange expressions—and Utaha's disappointed look as she checked the notebook—made it clear the situation was probably not very optimistic.
But maybe they had encountered an unexpected development, and since they couldn't decide yet, they wanted to return to the real world to plan their next steps...
"It failed."
Before Masuzu could guess more possibilities, Asuna shook her head. The obvious disappointment on her face denied any other chance.
She sighed and said, "We couldn't even get into the game. We were in a maintenance room for thirty seconds, then forced to log out."
Masuzu's voice grew a little dull: "You mean... GAME OVER?"
Haruno didn't seem too concerned. Her mind remained calm as she analyzed the current situation, and she said flatly: "This is just the beginning. If one method doesn't work, we try the next. Let's think if there are any other clues in the notebook we can dig up."
"Wait."
At that moment, Yukino suddenly spoke up: "Even though there's no basis... but I feel like something's wrong..."
She stared at the mechanical helmet in her hand, her brows furrowed in a look she couldn't shake off.
"You just said there's no basis..."
Haruno still wanted to say something to her sister, but she saw Asuna turn around in surprise—as if she had found someone who shared her thoughts. Asuna called out to Yukino: "Me too... Now that I think about it, there are a few things that are really strange!"
(Then why didn't you say it earlier?)
Twitching the corner of her mouth slightly, Haruno slumped onto the sofa and said helplessly: "We're listening. We're not as familiar with these machines and games as you are."
"Alright, first is the maintenance room."
Asuna didn't waste time and immediately began explaining the doubts in her mind.
"I don't know if this is a feature added recently, but before, no matter if it was scheduled or emergency maintenance, it usually just stopped time in the game and then forced players to log out... Back then, you couldn't even log in with an account, let alone there being something called a 'maintenance room.'"
Yukino's eyes widened as if she realized something, and she quickly continued: "The fact that we were forced to log out after thirty seconds is also very strange. There was clearly nothing in that room—why not just let us log out right away? Why wait those thirty seconds? It's useless."
A speculation suddenly popped into her mind. She swallowed instinctively. Her eyes trembled slightly, and her voice unconsciously became more cautious.
"It's like someone already knew we had agreed to log out after thirty seconds, and deliberately designed it..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone in the room understood what she meant—everything was not a coincidence, but intentionally arranged by someone.
But such a truth was too terrifying—like being in the Amazon rainforest surrounded by venomous snakes, making people shiver.
As a result, no one spoke at that moment. They only furrowed their brows, trying hard to hold back their minds from starting to suspect everything, and stabilizing their tense spirits like a drawn bowstring.
After an unknown amount of time, Asuna let out a silent sigh, suddenly stretched her body, and gave everyone a bitter smile.
"Nothing's certain yet—better not think too much about it... Well, to make sure everyone gets the same result, Kasumigaoka-senpai and Masuzu-san should try logging in too, right? If Sora-chan wants, you can use my special unit here."
"No need."
Sora shook her head. To pass the time, her fingers had already been busy braiding a small knot in Yuu's short hair.
"My name isn't in the notebook. This attempt will probably be useless. I'll stay here and watch over Yuu in the real world."
"I understand. Then the two of you..." Asuna turned her questioning gaze to the two people who hadn't logged in yet.
Masuzu didn't hesitate. She took the helmet from Yukino's hand and said casually, without any burden: "Don't give up so quickly. Maybe a miracle will happen~"
"Enough. Nothing's changed in the notebook, so it seems there's no hope."
Utaha shrugged hopelessly. She took the blindfold-like device from Haruno's hand, put it on her head a little awkwardly, then adjusted her sitting position on the sofa to get comfortable.
After all, it was just an experiment. She didn't wait for Masuzu to finish putting on the more complicated helmet. After confirming the liquid crystal screen in front of her displayed the words "Ready to Activate." she immediately imitated the others and shouted:
"LINK START!"
As soon as the command was spoken, a brilliant beam of light suddenly lit up in front of her eyes. From 2D to 3D, from 3D to full holographic virtual reality, it finally transformed into an overwhelming wave of colors that completely engulfed her consciousness.
Masuzu, who was left behind, was too lazy to complain. She put on the NerveGear a few seconds later and followed the cry to log into the game.
Thirty seconds later, she took off the helmet with a bored look and placed it on the table.
"What kind of boring game traps people for thirty seconds like this? If it were sold, it'd definitely get all one-star reviews... Wait? What's wrong with all of you?"
Before she could finish speaking, she looked up—only to find that the faces of the people around her were gradually changing, showing subtle, complex expressions that were hard to understand.
Tilting her head in confusion, Masuzu followed their gazes and looked at the sofa beside her.
And after understanding the current situation in her mind, she also unconsciously opened her small pink mouth slightly and stood frozen with a shocked expression.
"This... why..."
At the same time, Asuna's increasingly hoarse voice echoed unanswered in the completely silent living room.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai... didn't log out?"