A crossover anime/manga story, set in everyday Tokyo, but within a loop of a game.

"However, Utsunomiya-san's body is indeed very comfortable."

"Mei, you..."

Sensing the awkward silence that followed, Asuna Yuuki coughed twice, got up from Asagiri, sat up straight, and changed the subject.

"Well... now that you're awake, let's get down to business. Take a look at this."

Asuna Yuuki handed her phone to Asagiri, who took it and glanced at it, finding it to be the headline of a news report.

A sudden mass disappearance? A paranormal phenomenon, or a conspiracy by a mysterious organization?

119

Chapter 119: Games that Impact Reality.

The news report was simple: a few days ago, a large number of people suddenly disappeared. In the legends of Sakura Province, this strange phenomenon of sudden disappearance is called "divine disappearance".

"Subways, shopping streets, buses... people have witnessed these disappearances in so many places..."

Asagiri looked at the news report and shook her head.

"There are too many fools. They know they have to enter the instance once a month, but they still go to crowded places because of wishful thinking. They read the news reports and found that none of the people who were seen suddenly disappearing came back alive."

Upon hearing this, Kotoko Iwanaga spoke calmly.

"They simply don't have the ability to clear the dungeon, they don't even have the basic mental fortitude to run into crowded places? They haven't even considered the issue of returning to their real-world location after clearing the dungeon. Although the first stage of the dungeon isn't that difficult, people who don't even have the courage to face the dangers of the dungeon will definitely be eliminated."

Asuna Yuuki's expression was somewhat complicated as she softly offered a reminder.

"Take a look at the comments below the news article."

Asagiri swiped across her phone screen and scrolled to the comments section below the news report. Sure enough, she saw a noteworthy comment.

This isn't some kind of disappearance; it's a death game! Those who didn't return are all dead in another world!

"Wow, this netizen is even more heavyweight."

Asagiri was amused by the absurdity of the comment and remarked.

"What's the point of posting this kind of thing? People who don't know the truth will just think you're crazy, and it will also expose your 'player' identity. Do you think it's safe to comment using an unverified alt account? You're underestimating the internet. Whether other players open loot boxes or you get targeted by official agencies, you won't have a good ending. It's just courting death."

Asuna Yuuki sighed softly and said in a low voice.

"Although we had anticipated this situation, the release of the game is still a cause for concern regarding the changes it will bring to the world."

The four members of the team knew from the beginning that this so-called "game" could not remain a mystery forever.

On the day the first phase ended, a large number of players who did not have the courage to sign up for the dungeon were forcibly teleported into the dungeon. With so many people disappearing on the same day, it was impossible to keep it a secret. Not to mention the players who, as reported in the news, panicked and lost their composure, tried to run to crowded places to find a sense of security, and ultimately disappeared in public.

Asagiri handed the phone to Asuna Yuuki, then said in a flat tone.

"Based on the current situation, we can assume that the official institutions and some people with ulterior motives have learned the basic information about the game, or even the hidden rule, through those players who tried to seek help. They have begun to find ways to kill players and take their phones in order to register as players."

"In other words..."

Asagiri looked at Yuuki Asuna and the others in front of her and slowly spoke.

"The second phase of the game has officially begun. Not only are there dangers within the dungeons, but concealing player identities in the real world has also become a mechanism for elimination. Players who are not careful enough, not smart enough, or too reckless will be killed like prey, and those who kill them will take their place and become the new players."

Kotoko Iwanaga nodded and analyzed thoughtfully.

"Those who crave power in the game and are even willing to kill, once they become players, they are a dangerous factor for us. They dare to kill in the real world, so they will be even less hesitant to kill in a dungeon where they will not be investigated. Therefore, we must be extra careful when we enter dungeons in the future if we encounter other players."

Kotoko Iwanaga paused for a moment before speaking calmly.

"Actually, the safest way is to kill any other players we encounter in the instance to eliminate any future trouble. After all, we are the strongest players at the top of the food chain in instances where we cannot carry weapons from the real world. But once we are in the real world, not to mention that we cannot be vigilant 24 hours a day, with our current strength, it would be difficult to escape unscathed if we encountered an enemy with a gun."

"Kill everyone you encounter? That's a bit..."

Upon hearing this, Asuna Yuuki hesitated. After all, they had only been matched with the same player in the same instance, and she couldn't quite accept the idea of ​​killing the other player just to keep her identity a secret.

"I was just saying that. Asagiri once said that a team needs to work together and become a cohesive unit. You and Megumi probably don't like this style of doing things, so there's no need to do it this way."

Kotoko Iwanaga said this with a smile, then looked at Asagiri, who had already sat up in bed, and asked.

"By the way, I remember that kind-hearted Mita's strength is her expertise in electronic devices and she also knows hacking, right? Could you summon her and have her check the identity of the person who posted that comment? Then I can have the monsters investigate his current situation."

"no problem."

Asagiri nodded and replied with a smile.

"I'll go home first and call you after I find out."

"Alright, I also have a few small matters to attend to from the monsters. See you at school tomorrow."

……

After leaving Kotoko Iwanaga's house, Asagiri and Asuna Yuuki walked for about fifteen minutes and boarded the same train. Although Asagiri lived in Shibuya Ward and Asuna Yuuki lived in Ginza, Chuo Ward, their routes were still on the same side of the road as Kotoko Iwanaga's house.

"what happened?"

Noticing that Asuna Yuuki was staring at her phone screen with a conflicted and hesitant look on her face, Asagiri asked curiously.

"I've never seen you make that face before. What, are you thinking of buying the Purple Mood item too?"

"Go away, what purple mood?"

Yuuki Asuna first replied with a mixture of shame and anger, then sighed and looked worried.

“My mom called me when I entered the instance yesterday, but there was no signal inside the instance, so I didn’t answer. Now… I’m a little hesitant to reply to her messages or call her back. I don’t know how to explain it.”

"Simple."

Asagiri smiled and replied casually.

"Just say you lost your phone and just got a replacement SIM card."

"Eh?"

Asuna Yuuki paused for a moment, then thought about it carefully before suddenly realizing what was going on.

"Yeah, that really is a good idea. You're something else, you can come up with lies so easily."

"Hey, I'm helping you, why are you attacking me?"

Just teasing you a little~

Asuna Yuuki smiled sweetly and then quietly reached out and took Asagiri's hand, whispering something.

“I’m worried that if this happens too often, she’ll come to Tokyo to find me, or hire a nanny for the house, which would be a real hassle.”

Asagiri said in a serious tone, "Then let's tell Mom!"

"Explode your head...wait a minute, how did it turn into 'our mom'?"

Yuuki Asuna belatedly realized what was happening, a blush spreading across her pretty face, and she spoke in a voice barely audible.

"We're not even married yet...we've never even met, and you've changed your tune so quickly..."

"Then let's meet when we have the chance."

"You mean...meeting my mother?"

Upon hearing this, Asuna Yuuki hesitated for a moment, then quickly waved her hand and explained.

"No, no, no, it's not that I don't want to introduce you to my mother, but... as you know, she's a university professor and a very serious person. I'm a little worried... whether the two of you can get along."

"My dear consort, please don't worry."

Asagiri waved her hand and said with a light laugh.

"I'm a diplomat, you know. I can negotiate with evil spirits and the core program of a game. As long as Mom isn't some Cthulhu god, there won't be any problem."

……

The following morning, Monday, in the classroom of Class A, Grade 1 at the private Shuchiwon Academy.

Good morning, Utsunomiya-kun.

Hearing the emotionless voice of the girl beside her, Asagiri didn't even look up. She just kept scrolling through her phone screen, browsing recent trending news and local Tokyo forums, and replied with a smile.

"Shinomiya-kun, why did you come to say hello to me today?"

Kaguya Shinomiya, carrying a black shoulder bag, said calmly.

"Nothing special, just a sign of respect for the competitors."

Kaguya Shinomiya's beautiful red eyes inadvertently swept across Asagiri's phone screen and saw that the news he was browsing was the recent "disappearance" incident.

This made her even more certain that the other person was not a "player" like herself. After all, players' phones have that eye icon app installed. Even if ordinary people can't see it, they would subconsciously avoid looking at their phones in front of others. Moreover, what Asagiri is looking at now is the news about the large-scale disappearance phenomenon caused by that "game".

Given Asagiri's personality, if she were truly a player, she wouldn't do something so careless.

Unfortunately, Kaguya Shinomiya ultimately decided to make Ai Hayasaka a player. One reason was that she and Ai had grown up together; their relationship was more like sisters than a mistress and maid, allowing Kaguya to completely trust her. Another reason…

Kaguya Shinomiya always had a strange feeling that she couldn't see through Asagiri Utsunomiya, nor could she predict his actions.

And in Class A, there is another person like that, and that is...

Good morning, Shinomiya-kun.

Kotoko Iwanaga, leaning on her cane, walked up to Kaguya Shinomiya and said with a smile.

"Could you move aside? You're blocking my view of my handsome boyfriend."

1

Chapter 01: Kaguya Shinomiya's Invitation to Collaborate

Upon hearing Kotoko Iwanaga's words, Kaguya Shinomiya turned to look at her. Kotoko Iwanaga was resting her chin on her hand. Although her words were quite outrageous, she still maintained the elegant demeanor of a well-bred lady, with an impeccable sweet smile on her face.

Among the Class A students that Kaguya Shinomiya was referring to, another person she couldn't see through was Kotoko Iwanaga.

She really couldn't understand why Kotoko Iwanaga, who had experienced such terrible things as a child and lost a leg and an eye, leaving her with a lifelong disability, was still so cheerful and lively, as if she hadn't been left with any psychological trauma.

Just how strong must one's mental fortitude be?

"I'll be right back."

Kaguya Shinomiya first replied to Kotoko Iwanaga with this statement, then looked at Asagiri sitting to the side and said in a flat tone.

"I'd like to talk to you alone during lunch break, is that convenient?"

"alone?"

Upon hearing this, Asagiri smiled, glanced at the students in the classroom who were pretending to study diligently but were actually listening intently to her conversation with Kaguya Shinomiya, and said noncommittally.

"Shinomiya-kun, given your status and the level of attention you receive within Shuchiin, it's quite possible that some rumors will spread if you suddenly come to me saying something like this."

Kaguya Shinomiya tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear and said in a calm tone.

"You care about what people around you think and talk about? This isn't like the Utsunomiya I know."

Asagiri shook her head and said in a serious tone.

"I'm worried that you have ulterior motives towards me."

Kaguya Shinomiya remained silent for a few seconds after hearing this, then raised her right hand and gently touched her left cheek before speaking.

"Then you can rest assured, I have something important I want to discuss with you. Anyway, is lunch break convenient?"

"can."

"it is good."

……

After the morning classes ended, Kaguya Shinomiya, carrying a black handbag, walked to Asagiri's seat and said softly.

"Utsunomiya-kun, let's go."

Asagiri nodded, stood up, and walked out of the classroom with Kaguya Shinomiya.

When the two arrived in the corridor, they naturally attracted the curious stares of many students.

"Shinomiya-san and Utsunomiya-san... are these two going to have lunch together?"

"How come you're so out of touch? I heard about it during break time. It was Shinomiya who initiated the invitation to Utsunomiya, you know?"

"Really? That Shinomiya-san... actually asked a guy out for lunch? I'm so envious... Why isn't it me..."

"Are you number one? Besides, even if Shinomiya-san really invited you to lunch, would you dare to go?"

"I really don't dare... to be alone with Shinomiya-kun... just thinking about it makes me nervous."