Breathing Techniques in SAO

Tomioka Akimi, slumped in his chair, remained silent for a long time, staring at the computer screen, lost in thought.

Just then, a voice came from downstairs — it was Tomioka Yoshiko: "Akimi! What about the groceries you were supposed to buy?"

Akimi's face stiffened with embarrassment. "Ah… sorry, Mom, I forgot."

Yoshiko, who had just come upstairs and opened Akimi's door, looked at his face and muttered, "Ara ara, Akimi, you really are careless. You remembered to buy sweets for Mom but forgot the groceries."

"Well, no choice then — we'll have Dad pick them up on his way back~" As she spoke, Yoshiko pulled out her phone and sent a message to Tomioka Kazuya.

Glancing up at the webpage on Akimi's computer, Yoshiko smiled and said, "Oh? Interested in this game? I think our company has invested in the developer — ARGUS, wasn't it? If you want to play, I'll ask your dad to bring one home for you when the time comes!"

"Ah… okay," Akimi replied absentmindedly.

"Alright then, Mama's going to try the strawberry daifuku Akimi bought!"

With that, Yoshiko skipped downstairs like a child, hopping with joy.

Listening to her footsteps fade away, Akimi fell silent again.

After a while, he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Why does it have to be Sword Art Online?!" the boy muttered irritably, before falling quiet once more.

Over an hour later, the doorbell rang at the Tomioka household.

A handsome middle-aged man in a black suit — looking a bit odd with a large bag of groceries in his arms — had arrived.

Upon hearing the chime, Yoshiko immediately ran over to open the door.

"I'm home," said Kazuya as he stepped inside.

"Welcome home, dear," Yoshiko replied with a warm smile.

She took the groceries from him and headed toward the kitchen.

Kazuya hung his suit on the coat rack, changed into slippers, and followed her into the kitchen.

"By the way, didn't you ask Akimi to do the grocery shopping today?" Kazuya asked as he gently wrapped his arms around Yoshiko's waist from behind.

Yoshiko paused for a moment as she washed the vegetables.

"Ah, yes… Akimi said he forgot," Yoshiko replied, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"He seemed really distracted today—remembered to buy sweets, but forgot the groceries."

"Haha," Kazuya chuckled softly, then added,

"Looks like even if Akimi forgets the groceries, he still remembers that his mom will throw a fit if she doesn't get her desserts."

Just then, Akimi, who was coming down the stairs, chimed in, "Exactly. I really couldn't stand it last time when Mom acted all upset because I didn't buy her sakuramochi. The crying, the whining… looking all pitiful."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "She's been a mom for sixteen years, but still throws tantrums like a kid who didn't get the toy she wanted—rolling on the floor and all."

Hearing that, Yoshiko protested with a pout, "Wah! Akimi! How can you say that about your mom? Now I'm mad! It's going to take at least two big boxes of sweets to calm me down!"

"Sigh, here we go again," Akimi said helplessly.

Yoshiko turned to Kazuya and whined, "Wuu wuu! Darling, do something about your son! He's bullying your wife again!"

"Alright, alright," Kazuya said gently as he reached out and patted her head.

"I understand. I'll have a proper talk with Akimi, so don't be upset."

Only then did Yoshiko huff softly and return to preparing dinner.

Kazuya walked into the living room, sat down on the sofa, and said to Akimi, "Come here, Akimi. Sit."

Akimi walked over and sat down on the sofa beside him.

Kazuya asked, "Akimi, your mom said you seemed distracted today. Did something happen? Or… are you in love and racking your brain to plan a surprise for your girlfriend? Hmm, who is it? Suguha?"

Hearing his father's string of questions, Akimi replied helplessly, "No, nothing like that. I'm not planning to date anyone right now. Besides, I've always seen Suguha as a little sister."

"Haha, as long as everything's okay. But if something ever does come up, you have to tell Mom and Dad, alright?" Kazuya said with a smile.

"I got it."

Not long after, Yoshiko called out, "Akimi! Come eat with your dad! I made a new Chinese dish I just learned—sweet and sour pork!"

Kazuya, who had been sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, folded it neatly, placed it on the coffee table, adjusted his glasses, and got up to head to the dining room.

Akimi glanced at the Rubik's Cube he had just scrambled in his hands, casually stuffed it into a storage box on the coffee table, and followed behind Kazuya into the dining room.

Just as they sat down at the dining table, Yoshiko picked up a piece of pork rib and held it up to Kazuya's mouth, looking at him with eager anticipation.

Kazuya gave a helpless smile and took the bite.

"Well? How is it? Tasty?" Yoshiko asked impatiently.

"Ah, the flavor's great! As expected of you, Yoshiko," Kazuya replied with a smile.

"Hehe." Yoshiko giggled, then leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Mua! Then eat lots more!" She picked up a few more ribs and placed them in his bowl.

Sitting nearby, Akimi — long since immune to his parents' public displays of affection — remained expressionless as he calmly took a sip of miso soup.

He felt no particular emotion; after all, he'd been witnessing this exact scene for sixteen years and was thoroughly used to it.

Halfway through the meal, Yoshiko suddenly said, "Ah, right—Akimi, weren't you interested in that SAO thing? Why don't we have your dad bring home the device for you tomorrow?"

Kazuya chuckled at that and teased, "Oh? So our aloof, ascetic genius handsome boy is finally showing interest in games?"

Hearing his father's words, Akimi curled his lips slightly and replied flatly:

"As a high school student, I'm not interested in games. What I'm interested in is what's being hailed as the most advanced technology of this century—the all-in-one full-dive device, NERvGear."

"Ah, I see," Kazuya said, glancing at his son who was clearly being stubborn, and decided not to joke any further.

"Our company did indeed invest in ARGUS. Right now, whether it's the game SAO or the device NERvGear, the Tomioka Group holds about 10% of their shares."

He paused, took a sip of soup, and continued, "In terms of pure technology, the NERvGear, which uses a next-generation diamond semiconductor core processor, is indeed one of the most advanced scientific achievements of this century."

"Then… Dad, can you get me one of the devices?" Akimi asked.

"Haha," Kazuya laughed and said, "Of course. In fact, the NERvGear was already released around May. And in November, there'll even be a limited-edition SAO-themed version."

"As one of the investors, the company currently has a few finished units in stock. These were originally going to be bundled with other devices and included in a limited allocation for the official release."

"But as the company's boss, I can naturally secure one of those slots ahead of time."

Akimi sighed and said, "Ah… the evils of capitalism."

"You little punk," Kazuya said as he ruffled Akimi's hair, "You're benefiting from capitalism and still complaining about it?"

Akimi grinned and replied, "I'm just wondering if one day you'll end up hanging from a lamppost."

"You brat…" Kazuya said helplessly.

The next afternoon, Akimi carried the box containing the NERvGear into his room.

He opened it and stared in silence at the deep blue, helmet-like device.

After a moment, he murmured to himself, "Though peaceful everyday life is nice… wasn't it precisely because I didn't want a repetitive life that I came here in the first place?"

---------------

Exclusive access : 10+ch on paetron

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz