February 11, 2026
I found it!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Sir, I'm buying that! I'm buying it right now! Right away!
I'm so happy. I didn't think I'd get another one.
What should I call it? P-chan II? P-chan the Second?
Well, I guess just P-chan is fine.
I can't wait to shoot with P-chan.
Every minute, every minute, 900 rounds! Empty cartridges falling down!
The lovely sound of metal!
Long time no see.
February 15, 2026
Five, four, three, two, one...
There she is!
Amazing!
Killed within seconds!
Against real pros!
This is the famous...
I still can't believe it.
The person using the avatar "LLENN"...
is Ms. Karen!
Yeah, it's embarrassing, so please stop.
I'm impressed every time I watch this.
I could do that because I was LLENN.
It's the same thing!
The player is the one who makes the avatar move.
So LLENN, the winner of Squad Jam, is you Ms. Karen!
Still, every time I see you, you're so sca...
I mean, you look so strong.
You were about to say I'm scary!
Sorry about that.
Yeah, but, you do look scary.
That's because Boss has the most impact.
What about you, Kana? Look, Ms. Karen!
Look how burly Sophie is!
You both look really tough.
Okay! I'm next!
This is my avatar, Toma!
The surprising thing about Mi here is that she can drive a car with a stick shift!
Her dad taught her in Russia.
So that's how she drove the truck.
Okay, it's my turn!
This Roza here, is me!
I see. So that was you, Shiori.
Um, this is me.
I apologize for putting on airs.
What?
Moe is ashamed that her avatar looks too cool, like a Hollywood actress.
We said it's not necessary, but...
Okay, that's me!
I'm the person inside of Tanya.
Risa's avatar looks closer to her real self than any of ours.
And that introduces the high school rhythmic gymnastics club!
Yes, thank you.
So are you really going to keep watching?
Naturally!
Of course!
- You bet! - That's why we came here!
Of course we'll watch!
Exactly, of course we'll watch.
Ms. Karen, please explain in detail how you killed us.
We'll reflect on that and learn from it so we can aim to win next time!
So...
Please tell us!
SAO Loser
You're so diligent for wanting to have a study session.
Well, that's part of our club.
What?
Around April of last year, we didn't get along at all.
Oh, really?
It was awful.
When we performed, we would be totally out of sync and mess up.
Do you know what a Full Dive Sports Simulator is?
You use avatars to practice all kinds of things.
It's getting popular these days.
Although of course in the end, your real physical strength means everything.
Your movements were incredible because you trained with that, right?
But our coach was exasperated that we didn't get along and gave up.
Boing!
Hey!
So our fed-up coach said,
"You girls need to become a team first. We'll talk after that."
So we talked about what to do and the answer was...
...a game.
That's right!
We figured that with party play, we could all work together towards one goal!
And if we became alternate world avatars,
we would forget our real-world disputes with each other.
It's kind of similar to my circumstances.
So we found out about GGO and thought,
"Why don't we try this killing game, which is totally different from our reality?"
So you tried it and became completely...
Yes. We all got hooked on it.
We did fight sometimes.
But after going through the verge of death numerous times...
...we really get along now!
That's wonderful.
So we're going to continue to do our best and aim for victory with the next possible SJ!
Not your club?
That too! But we really want to do our best with GGO!
I'd like to ask you frankly. If there's a second one, will you participate?
Not unless it's for something urgent...
Although there are still tasks at hand, I can't deny that I feel a need to "complete" it.
Also, my team with M was just for that one time.
Oh, really? I'm half-elated and half-disappointed.
The elation is from the absence of a strong enemy.
The disappointment is because I thought, "We'll beat you next time!"
Thank you for letting us come over today.
Thank you for the sweets!
We apologize for taking up your time.
It's fine. After all, I'm on spring break.
I envy you! You can dive all you want, right?
I'm going to my parents' house, so I can't do that while I'm there.
During that time, we'll be training and getting stronger.
Yeah. Knowing you guys, you'll have a good chance at winning next time.
To be honest, I want you to participate...
February 24, 2026
Yoohoo! Kohi! Welcome to Hokkaido!
I bet it's cold for a Tokyo person, huh?
Short hair suits you. Very nice!
Were your parents surprised? I bet they were! I bet they were!
Okay, from the back!
Okay, look this way!
Nice, very nice!
Now, how about taking that off?
Oh, that's right, I saw the SJ video.
Man, you fought like a demon. Killing everyone in sight! Marvelous!
So why did you split up from M during the game?
I see.
As long as your name and address aren't known, it's fine.
You're right. It's not like we'll meet in real life.
Exactly. Hardcore gamers are real weirdos.
I play a lot too, though.
The other day I lost to a player called Zekken. I mean, how fast is this person?
He'd been logged in for thousands of hours.
You could tell he's putting in way too many hours by how incredibly strong he is!
I-I see.
Reservation Screen Light Artist: Elsa Kanzaki
They've got more Elsa Kanzaki songs.
Reservation List
That reminds me, I wonder when her next concert is.
Reservation Screen Light - Elsa Kanzaki Reserving
I heard Elsa is taking time off right now. Word is she went abroad.
Oh well, it can't be helped, so let's just sing anyway.
Light Elsa Kanzaki
From ZASKAR. The announcement for the second Squad Jam?
It'll be held on Saturday, April 4th, starting at 13:00.
This is also sponsored by an individual, but the sponsor is different from last time.
The rules have been fine-tuned. Refer to the rule book for details.
Registration deadline is noon, April 1st.
If there are 30 or more teams participating, a qualifier will be held the day before at 20:00.
However, teams with a team leader from the top four teams of the previous SJ
would be seeded and therefore exempt from the qualifier.
Saki?
Did you see the mail? They're holding SJ 2!
Of course, we're participating, all of us are!
Oh no, an anastrophe! But we've been training for it!
We're even done with our tests, too! It's almost spring break for us!
Ms. Karen, if you change your mind and decide to participate, we'll be thrilled!
I want to see LLENN again, bursting with fighting spirit!
I want to fight her! I want to shoot her! I want to have a duel to the death with her!
P.S. I want to eat sweets, too. Please invite us over again.
I don't think I need to participate.
You're Karen Kohiruimaki, right?
Yes. That's me.
Please don't scream, LLENN!
It's me! M!
M? I don't believe it, really?
Yes. I'm M.
U-Um, even assuming you are M, how did you know I'm LLENN?
I'll explain later.
I came to see you because of something important.
This isn't a good place, so we should go somewhere we can just relax and talk.
And if I refuse?
On the night of the second Squad Jam,
someone will die.
Please.
Thank you.
You're really M?
Yes.
Do you have proof?
No.
So how am I supposed to believe you?
I just don't have proof. I can't lie to you.
At least tell me something that M and I said to each other.
Even if I told you,
you might think I only heard it from the true M player.
Karen, you'll just have to trust what I say.
That's not fair!
You're right.
Okay, let's just say you are M, but how did you know LLENN is Karen Kohiruimaki?
Before that, please listen to what I have to say.
It's very important.
I'm all ears, so go ahead.
But first, what's your name?
Oh, sorry. I should have said earlier.
My name is Goushi Asougi.
Okay, I'll call you Goushi.
Karen!
Please help me!
Of all the people in the world, there's something only you can do!
What is that, a pick-up line?
If you don't help, two people will die.
Two people?
One is me. The other is the real person behind Pitohui.
What?
During SJ, you mentioned the real person behind Pitohui would kill you.
Is this related?
That's right. I did say that, didn't I? That Pito is insane.
You make an awful sight when you cry.
Pito is going to participate in SJ 2.
With me and other members I'm gathering.
If you and Pito team up, you'll have a good chance at winning.
Of course, Pito is aiming for victory.
And her real self said this to me.
"If we don't win or I'm killed in the game,
I'm going to commit suicide."
And I'll die, too.
If I don't kill myself, she'll kill me.
And when that woman says she'll do something, she really will do it.
Like when she threatened to kill you before?
Yes.
Goushi, why does Pito impose such weird things to you?
If you die in the game, she'll kill you and herself in real life.
She's obsessed with death.
She continuously yearns for a challenge in which she can put her life on the line.
Why?
Do you know Sword Art Online?
There was the SAO Incident, where player characters
couldn't log out of the game, and if they died, they'd die in real life, too.
Wait, don't tell me Pito participated in SAO and...
No. Pito was obsessed with SAO and survived.
She isn't what people call a "Survivor."
Just the opposite.
The opposite?
You could say Pito was an SAO failure, or a loser.
SAO loser...
The real person behind Pito was playing SAO since its beta test.
She kept playing it, obsessively.
Of course she intended to play the official version too, as soon as it went public.
But she couldn't.
That day she had to do something she couldn't get out of.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,
and something so important that it would affect the rest of her life.
After crying her eyes out, Pito made a decision that would change her life.
It was a wise choice, but...
But thanks to that, she wasn't held captive inside SAO.
She was lucky, right?
Normally that's what you would think.
But Pito is different.
The moment she learned that SAO had become a true "death game,"
Pito became enraged.
She cursed her fate for being unable to participate,
and screamed, wailed, sobbed, and became violent.
She had yearned for death since long before then.
And now the perfect chance had eluded her.
For some time Pito screamed and was in a wild rage, but then settled down.
After that she focused on her work.
She's currently very successful.
Is Pito like the president of a company or something?
Yes, something like that.
And after VR games made a resurgence,
she sunk every spare moment outside of work into playing them.
But these games that don't actually kill you haven't been enough to get her blood racing.
Her blood doesn't need to be racing!
Isn't a normal game okay? You shouldn't have to die!
And then, two years after her work began, the SAO Incident was solved.
When the survivors spoke about their experiences inside the game, it set Pito off once again.
She heard about "player killers" who would intentionally murder other characters.
And about their guild...
Then they were real murderers!
That's right.
Apparently there were players who lived for killing other characters.
Between players they murdered and their deaths from being killed in self-defense,
a great number of players have died.
It's unbelievable...
I also doubted the sanity of these "murdering players," but not Pito.
She lamented, "If I'd played SAO, I could've become one of those murderous players!"
But she also said, "I could've slaughtered those bastards in the name of justice!"
Those two frustrations held sway over her.
That's crazy.
How many times have I told you that?
Even now, she's so crazed over that insane SAO game!
That said, it hasn't been as bad these past few months.
GGO has probably become a good way for her to let off steam.
But not being able to participate in SJ has caused a relapse!
Your expression says, "How did you know?" but it was easy to tell.
After all, I'm the same way.
There are too many things in real life I resent or I can't do anything about, so I let loose here.
Here I can blast away to my heart's content, murdering monsters and humans.
In other words, Pito is planning to make SJ 2 into a death game
by gambling with her life, while you want to stop her.
That's correct.
Then instead of consulting me, shouldn't you go to the police or see a psychiatrist?
I can't. If Pito doesn't desire it, I don't want to do it.
Is it because you respect her decisions?
Yes.
Even if they're crazy?
At worst, involving suicide?
Yes!
I'm sorry. I can't comprehend it.
This is ridiculous. I know Pito is weird, but this guy is off his rocker, too.
This is that "wall-slamming" move!
But why?
Have you ever seriously been in love with someone before?
Have you ever loved someone so much that you would sacrifice your life for them?
N-No, I haven't.
Then you would never understand how I feel right now!
S-So you're saying you have a crush on Pito?
I love her!
My first "wall-slamming"
and it's to hear someone confessing their love for another person.
Life sure is unpredictable.
You Look So Coffee
It's My Du-Tea Gyokuro Tea
Roasted Green Tea
F-For now, have a seat.
Want something to drink? My treat.
No sugar, right?
Thank you.
I don't like coffee.
Especially black coffee. It makes my stomach churn.
What?
But Pito loves coffee.
Especially black coffee. So I drink it, too.
Love is scary.
You were terrified of dying in real life while we were doing SJ,
so isn't it strange that you're not afraid of participating this time?
It isn't strange.
I'm not afraid of dying after Pito dies.
The only thing I'm afraid of is dying first and leaving Pito behind.
Oh wow, they're both really strange.
You said earlier that I'm able to help Pito.
Yes. That's the real issue. It's the reason I'm here right now.
And I can do it?
Please go head-to-head with Pito in SJ 2 and defeat her!
Defeat Pito?
Yes. Please kill her without mercy.
If you do that, I guarantee she won't commit suicide and won't kill me either.
Wh-Why? Are you a lunatic?
I know I'm not right in the head.
But this is the only way to solve it.
So please participate in SJ 2 and beat Pito!
Naturally, Pito and I will both fight with everything we've got.
M, you won't help me out or set Pito up so I can defeat her?
Then it wouldn't be a true head-to-head contest!
It would be cowardly! Cheating! That wouldn't cut it! The promise...
Promise...
One of these days, you and I will fight, and if you win, we'll meet in real life.
Train hard and then try to defeat me with P-chan one day.
It's a promise between women!
Goushi...
All right. I'll enter SJ 2.
And I'll defeat Pito!
If anything comes up, feel free to contact me here.
Entering is easy enough, but who should I enter with?
They should understand the situation and hopefully be a strong player.
But there isn't such a convenient person. No, I don't know anyone like that.
LLENN has very few friends.
Ugh, what should I do?
There is!
Miyu Shinohara
Someone like that!
So to save a deranged female company president, I want you to help me kill her!
There isn't anyone else I can count on.
Miyu, please help me!
So Fukaziroh gets to go berserk in GGO this spring, huh?
I should go easy on them, though.
So I don't get overenthusiastic and kill this Pitohui myself.
Next time: Second Squad Jam.