You, Ryoutarou Tsuboi, have made many mistakes in your life.
There was the incident with your father when you were seven,
Going to that samurai exhibited with your buddies instead of taking Meiko to the movies the first year in high school,
Becoming an accountant out of school instead of going to college and becoming a war historian,
But currently your biggest mistake was convincing your best friends to join you in buying and playing the VRMMO Sword Art Online on launch day.
It had seemed like the best thing to happen to gaming, much less your life. Your true dream of being a samurai and defeating the enemies in front of you with a sword in your hand and your friends beside you. Kayaba Akihiko had changed all of that by turning it into a death game.
However, you have also made many correct choices in your life.
Helping your mother get over her depression.
Learning you have a knack for RTS games and helping your friends through many MMORPGs.
Using your job to help others even if you never received thanks or extra pay.
And of course, meeting the beta tester Kirito and having him teach you how to fight in this new world before this 'Tutorial' ended.
But many more choices still lie before you.
In fact:
The tutorial ended only seconds ago as you and Kirito stand in an alley off to the side.
"Listen", Kirito explained himself, "I'm going to head to the next village now. I want you to come with me."
Uh? You? Really? But you just learned how to play.
"If what Kayaba said is true," he continued, "then the only way to survive this world is to make yourself as strong as possible. The resources within a virtual MMORPG, the money and Exp, are limited. The field around the Town of Beginnings will soon be hunted clean."
Which means it's going to be a mad dash and those that are too slow are going to be trampled.
"To do this efficiently we should head to the next village now. I know all the paths and dangerous areas. Even at level one, I can get there safely."
Yes. If it's just the two of you. If you leave now you could. But.
"But…But you know." You reply "I spent a whole night in line to buy this with my friends from the other game."
Eishou, Harichi, Daru, Hatsuden, Meichi. Good old Fuurinkazan. You all waited so long only for this to happen. Would they be fine on their own?
No
Maybe, but that's not an option.
"They're out there, in the plaza. I can't leave them." You finish.
Kirito looks at you. He's sad, maybe feeling betrayed but as far as you can tell, he understands.
"Sorry." You continue. "I can hardly ask you for anything else, can I? So don't worry about it." You attempt to encourage him, going so far to even give him a thumbs up. "Go to the next village. I ran a guild in my last game. I can use what you taught me to get us by!"
"All right." He answers downtrodden. "Then let's say goodbye here." He turns. "If something happens, message me."
"Will do."
"Then…later Klein."
This is the right thing to do. It will hurt both of you but….Ah DAMN IT! He's just a kid. Not even older than fifteen at best. You have to…you have to-
You won't see him ever again.
"KIRITO!" You blurt not even thinking of what you want to say.
He stops, but he won't turn.
"Ah…"
[ ] No. He'll be fine. Just play it off as a joke.
Rail Riding
[ ] His sword skills were amazing. Tell him you're jealous and he should watch his back, because you'll be right behind him.
Be the Cannon
[ ] You're only twenty two. Not much of an adult but tell him if he ever needs some help to message you.
Shoot for the Moon