In the year 2022, a fully virtualized game world was born—SAO. One thousand players participated in the month-long closed beta, and all were completely conquered by this virtual realm.
The game's content and visuals were so sophisticated that a thick manual was compiled, one that every gamer seemed to own. Finally, the first public beta began, open to ten thousand players. Across the streets and alleys, endless lines formed.
The most fanatical gamers began queuing three days in advance to secure a spot. The one thousand advance registration codes released online sold out in just five seconds. This was a revolution in gaming—a reformation of the online world. A game that pulled the very consciousness of players into its world had given gamers a new life, a grand stage to showcase their true selves.
At exactly 13:00, SAO officially launched. Ten thousand players entered the Starting Town. But no one realized there had been a critical bug. The total number of players was not 10,000—it was 10,002. Two stowaways had slipped in.
"This world... I've finally arrived," Kurumi said with satisfaction.
...
"First, we'll register our player identities. That way, we'll have access to all player functions." Ignoring the crowd of awe-struck players around her, Kurumi calmly took out the Book of the World and began rewriting the SAO system code. Within moments, she had registered the two "blacklisted" stowaways as legitimate players.
The first entry required a name. Futayo Honda naturally used her real name. As for Kurumi—since she was currently using Kimi Aoi's body, she decided to adapt that name.
She removed the last name "Aoi" and added "Sis (Nee)" at the end. Thus, her player name became Kimi-nee.
"Hmm~ even my name sounds gorgeous. I truly am too perfect," Kurumi said proudly, folding her arms under her chest. She imagined the future—everyone calling her Kimi-nee with admiration—and burst into a delighted giggle.
...
"Why is the program loading so slowly?" Kurumi frowned, watching the progress bar visible only to her and Futayo.
Raising both hands dramatically, she declared, "Doing this will help us receive divine energy from my Divine Kingdom. The loading speed will increase!"
"My lady, if two people do it, does that mean the speed doubles?" Futayo asked earnestly, lifting her own hands as if acting as an antenna to receive divine signals.
"What are they doing?"
"No idea. I think they said it makes things load faster."
"Then let's all try it together!"
Before long, the crowd around them raised their hands as well. One circle after another of players stood with arms raised, looking like participants in some bizarre cult ritual.
"Alright! The loading's finished. That was just a joke, by the way," Kurumi said calmly, lowering her hands and tucking the Book of the World away.
"My apologies. I am not good with words," Futayo said, lowering her hands as well, her face expressionless as always.
A chilly wind swept through. The surrounding players—still frozen with their hands up—stood dumbstruck, their hearts filled with confusion and admiration. We all raised our hands like idiots... and she says it was a joke? Why is that... so cute?!
Their eyes followed her. Her flaxen hair, tied with a white ribbon, flowed down to her hips. The blue uniform skirt hugged the soft swell of her hips, while her blouse stretched slightly around the curves of her full chest. Every line of her body overflowed with healthy, feminine allure—not overly exaggerated, but perfectly balanced in a way that made her silhouette unforgettable.
Her face matched that same impression—stunningly beautiful, with a gentle, captivating smile that felt both approachable and enchanting.
Oh heavens... how can such a beautiful goddess exist in this world? Their hearts were captured in an instant. It was love at first sight.
"Raise your hands! Yes, both hands—let's raise them high!" someone shouted in a daze. Soon, the entire group was swaying side to side, hands raised like dandelions trembling in the wind, their bodies rippling like waves on a lake.
"Hmm~ is this a new dance? As a shrine dancer, I can't allow myself not to know it. I'll join in too!" Kurumi said with excitement, lifting her arms and beginning to sway with the crowd.
The dancer's grace was unmatched in all the world. Using Kimi Aoi's body, Kurumi's every movement radiated perfect poise and fluid beauty. With even the slightest motion, she outshone everyone else. The difference was as vast as that between a divine dancer and a street performer.
Her flaxen hair fluttered gently as her elegant hands moved like willow branches. Her hourglass figure swayed with mesmerizing rhythm, expressing the ultimate harmony of feminine grace and pure, radiant beauty.
The Goddess of Dance had descended. Everyone was utterly captivated. Every movement of Kimi Aoi's body was so natural, so graceful, that it touched the soul itself. Her swaying figure was like that of a spirit—heaven's most beloved daughter. It was as though the whole world existed only to set off her beauty, revolving around her as its radiant center.
"Oh my~ I seem to have accidentally become the idol of the masses," Kurumi thought with delight. Once, she had nearly lost her confidence under the overwhelming charm of Kimi Aoi. Now, she was free to revel in displaying that same irresistible allure before the crowd.
By using Kimi's body as her vessel, Kurumi could do much more than rebuild her self-esteem. She could act without restraint in ways her own form never allowed. When she was herself, she always considered Kurumi-chan's image—never daring to be too wild. But Kimi was different: free-spirited, passionate as flame, yet gentle as the breeze; proud yet never off-putting. Taking Kimi's form meant she could be as bold, imperious, or domineering as she pleased—no one would despise her. Kimi's charm could conquer anyone.
Kurumi thought Kimi's ravishing body was nothing short of divine artistry—a living sculpture molded by the gods. With every step, every sway, it drew stares like gravity itself. A flawless vessel for seduction and spectacle alike.
"My lady, when shall we begin saving the world?" came Futayo's calm voice from behind.
Crack! Kurumi's confidence fractured. There really was someone her charm couldn't reach—someone utterly untouched by emotion. Futayo Honda, the woman so stoic she might as well have been carved from stone!
Once again, Kurumi felt defeated. She needed to regain her pride—perhaps through the adoration of others. Smiling sweetly, she said, "Everyone! Let's add each other as friends. How about holding a dance festival here in the Starting Town to celebrate our first day in the game?"
Her confident, melodic voice spread like music, captivating every ear. Friend requests immediately flooded in from all directions.
"Kimi-nee! Wow, that name's unfairly good!" exclaimed several players. Others groaned regretfully. If I'd known names like that worked, I'd have gone with something like 'KissMyLittleHubby'!
"Hmph!" Kurumi lifted her chin proudly and smiled with dazzling charm. "My dear brothers and sisters, shall we all befriend your gracious big sister?"
"Yes! Of course we will!" the crowd shouted in unison, accepting her requests. And thus began the great dance festival.
Dong... dong... dong... Time passed swiftly. At five o'clock, the bells of the Starting Town rang out, and the sky turned crimson. A red notification screen descended from above, and a barrier rose around the plaza, sealing everyone inside. Players who had been outside grinding were forcibly teleported back.
"Welcome, players... to my world." A deep voice echoed as the blood-red sky began to pulse, forming into a towering cloaked figure—the blood giant. The scene unfolded exactly as in the anime: the infamous declaration, the terrifying revelation.
Meanwhile, Kurumi sat casually at the base of the clock tower, legs crossed, ignoring Kayaba Akihiko entirely.
"Little Honda," she said, patting the step beside her, motioning for Futayo to sit. Futayo nodded—and continued to stand.
Kurumi: "..." Little Honda, you're as hopelessly dense as ever. Why even nod if you won't sit? I can't believe I got my hopes up for nothing...
"Little Honda, since entering this world, you must have received the data I transmitted to you."
Nod. Nod. Futayo nodded firmly.
"Our world's history has vast empty voids. I need to take control of this world to fill them." Nod. Nod.
"But this game's creator, Kayaba Akihiko, is effectively the god of this world. While I could take independent action, I cannot seize the entire world without his permission." Nod. Nod.
"There are two possible methods. First—find Kayaba Akihiko and negotiate. But that's impossible. He's in hiding. We'll never locate him."
Forgive me, Little Honda, but that's a lie. I can find him easily—and make him bow before me. But what's the point? Saving the world is dull. Capturing hearts—that's true purpose.
And besides, winning over a stone-hearted woman like you... and maybe Asuna too... that's an acceptable challenge. Saving girls is my sacred mission. Saving the world? Just an afterthought.
"So, that leaves the second method—conquer this world. When Kayaba Akihiko destroys it, we'll seize it in that instant." Kurumi twirled a strand of flaxen hair around her finger, smiling with playful ease. To her, this was nothing more than a delightful game. Saving the world? What nonsense...
But then, realization struck. The Temple Knight selection will take place in a year... and this game lasts slightly longer than that. If I don't return in time, my people will lose faith in their goddess!
Her smile froze. The corner of her lips twitched. What is this?! Did I just trap myself?! Am I really forcing myself to clear the game? Uuuh... poor Kurumi-chan...
"I swear to serve my lady with my life!" Futayo declared, kneeling firmly on the ground.
"..." Kurumi sighed. Little Honda, you really are my nemesis. Ever since we met, everything's gone sideways...