Return

Army Member 3: "Y-You can't do this!"

Hikari: "Oh really now?" I started dragging their bodies close to the gate

Army Member 2: "Please stop! I-I don't want to die!"

Hikari: "Too late~" I threw their bodies through the gate and the monster around the area starts attacking them

Army Member 3: "NOOOO-"

I awoke from my bed screaming after that I was panting a lot

...

...

...

Rin: "Damnit. Why does it keep reappearing in my dreams..." I clutched my head due to the nightmare I had

I then got up from my bed and walk to take a shower

Rin: "I guess I did deserve it though... I did kill them..." I sighed and shook my head and went inside the shower room not before yawning and stretching my body

Rin: "Time to start a new day."

January 19th, 2025 - Home

After taking a shower I was wearing a dark blue zip short sleeve hoodie sweatshirt with a grey colored shirt under it and black cargo shorts that reaches to my knees

I was eating a sandwich I made and I decided to see what's up on the media

Rin: "I really got to thank the System when I have the chance."

One thing I need to point out is that I got a lot of Yen for some reason that will last for a whole two years... TWO YEARS. Sometimes I pretty much say how lucky I am to have its help and I also got a letter from it

"I will keep giving you the proper necessities to buy your needs. Do not worry as I will handle all of the complicated things so you can complete your mission easily."

~System

Rin: 'I feel like I'm cheating life right now... And I still don't have an answer on why I have to do these "Missions"."

My body was still weak although I am trying to build up my strength so that the Ordinal Scale Arc won't be much of a problem as it will involve a lot of pain if I don't build up my strength. I also picked up on cooking and baking since it's kind of weird I couldn't do it. It wasn't the same taste as the one in the game but it is getting there and well it makes sense since I don't have much strength right now

And coincidentally my two-story house was near the Kirigaya's Residence so I mostly meet up with Sugu and Kazuto and sometimes their mom who was really nice to me and I rarely meet their father but he is kind enough to let me hang out in their place

I still do keep in touch with my friends back in SAO such as Keiko (Silica), Rika (Lisbeth), Ryoutarou (Klein), and Andrew (Agil)

I then found the game ALO who's the developer is from RCT and I also saw the predecessor of the NerveGear and that is the AmuSphere

Rin: "Alfheim Online huh? I'll buy the game later for now I need to see Kazuto since we're going to Asuna's room in the hospital in about 1-2 hours." I then got off my computer went down and put on my black and white sneakers then go outside my home to go to the Kirigaya's Residence

Kirigaya's Residence

While I was entering the residence I saw Sugu looking at their pond

Suguha: "We really... don't look alike, do we?"

Rin: "What do you mean by that Sugu?" I was right behind her

The two of us got along pretty well to the point she could let me call her Sugu instead of Suguha

Suguha: "AHH!" She then swung her bamboo sword at me and I instantly backed away

Once Sugu realize it was me she instantly got embarrassed

Suguha: "Ahh! I'm sorry Rin! I didn't know you were here, It's a reflex I have."

Rin: "Ah it's alright Sugu." I didn't notice but her face was sort of flushed but instantly faded away

Suguha: "How did you dodge my attack so quickly? Most of my friends couldn't back away in time. Do you practice?"

Rin: "Well I guess you could say that."

Rin: 'I still have my experience in SAO so it wasn't much of a surprise I could back away in time.'

Rin: "Anyway. What do you mean by "We really don't look alike." Sugu?"

Sugu: "Oh it's nothing really..."

Rin: "If you say so." I then sat on their porch

Rin: "So your practicing Kendo again?"

Suguha: "Yep I have to keep on practicing so my kendo skills won't get rusty."

Rin: "Well then don't mind me I'm just waiting for your brother to come out

Suguha: "Oh... Okay." She then continues to practice while I just use my phone to check on the media

Suguha: "Seya!"

Although I could see her face was determined

Suguha: "Ey!"

Rin: 'Well Kazuto was right she really does care for him.' I then continued to look at my phone

After a few seconds, I then noticed Kazuto who is holding a water bottle was right beside me sitting on the porch and we both looked at each other and smiled then we both just watched Sugu practice

Suguha: "Huagh!" She panted then decided to sit on the porch but she saw Kazuto sitting beside me watching her

Kazuto: "Morning, Sugu." She then freaked out a bit

Suguha: "M-Morning." Kazuto then throws her the water bottle and she barely catches it

Suguha: "Jeez. At least tell me if you're gonna watch like Rin here."

Kazuto: "Well, I didn't want to interrupt."

Suguha: "I wouldn't have minded. It's just a part of my routine now." she then sat down on the porch in between us and drank the bottle

Kazuto: "I see." He then grabs the bamboo sword then lifts it up

Rin: "Well she is stuck with it Kazuto." He then does little ups and downs with the sword

Kazuto: "It's light."

Suguha: "Huh?" She questions him

Rin: 'Really?'

Suguha: "It's made of madake bamboo, so it's pretty heavy."

Kazuto: "Oh, yeah... Umm... I expected it to be heavier; maybe it's just by comparison..."

Rin: "May I hold it?"

Kazuto: "Oh, sure." He then hands me the bamboo sword and I grabbed it

I was then surprised the moment I lift it up

Rin: "It is light..."

Suguha: "Eh? You too?"

Rin: "Sorry... I guess I was surprised it was lighter than the others..."

Rin: 'I guess I'm too used to using my regular sword.' I then lay the sword down on the porch

Kazuto then dranks the water bottle that Sugu drank and I can see a little bit of red on her face

Rin: 'Looks like she still likes him nice...'

Suguha: "What are you two comparing to exactly?"

After drinking it till it was empty he lays it down

Kazuto: "Say, why don't we both have a go?" He then stands up

Suguha: "Have a go? You mean a match?"

Kazuto: "Yeah."

Suguha: "With the guards on and everything?"

He then stretched his arms

Kazuto: "We could just do it with no contact, but I don't want to risk accidentally hurting you." She then gets a bit annoyed

Kazuto: "We still have Grandpa's gear, right? Let's do it in the dojo."

Suguha: "Oh? Well, aren't you rather confident for someone who's been comatose for two years?"

Rin: "Pft..."

Kazuto: "What's so funny?"

Rin: "Kazuto you do realize you're facing one of the top 8 national competitors right? Not to mention it's only been two months since we woke up you know?" Sugu and I chuckled then high five each other

...

Suguha: "But seriously, are you really feeling up to it? You shouldn't overexert yourself."

Rin: "Ah... It's no point once he's up for a duel he'll do it

Kazuto: "Hey I'm not like that!"

Rin: 'Seriously?'

Kazuto: "And besides, I'll show you the results of my daily rehab at the gym." He then crushes the bottle with his hand

...

Rin: "Wow... I'm so amazed..."

Dojo

Rin: 'This'll be good to watch.' I snickered knowing what happens

I was pretty watching the two siblings starting their fight Suguha who is wearing white clothing and Kazuto who was wearing black were going to start their duel

They then bowed to each other and they both stood up and readied their stance

Suguha who was doing the traditional stance while Kazuto was doing... his own stance

Suguha: "Pft... What's that supposed to be, Onii-chan?"

Kazuto: "Don't mind me. This is my personal sword style."

Rin: "Just do what you always do Sugu it doesn't really matter anyway since this isn't an official match."

Suguha: "Hmm If you're sure."

...

Suguha: "Here I come."

Kazuto: "Okay."

Rin: 'Time to see him get bonked in the head.'

...

Rin: 'I can clearly see the two being determined I can also see Sugu is inspecting Kazuto.'

Sugu then takes a step forward not lowering her guard but stops a bit

Rin: 'She's definitely thinking that he may have his head open however he always covers his openings and he always...'

Kazuto then rushes at Sugu to attack her but she dodges and she does the same to him but was blocked by his sword

Rin: 'Attack first.'

*CLASH*

Sugu then attacks Kazuto but he dodges her attacks she then backed away to rethink her strategy

...

Sugu: "Ey!"

She does a full-frontal attack but he dodges

Sugu: "Huaagh!"

She keeps attacking him but again Kazuto dodges

Rin: 'Interesting Kazuto isn't attacking or blocking I mean then again both of us are weak right now so it makes sense to take on the defensive.'

Sugu then attacks once again and their swords clash

*CLASH*

Both are trying to overpower the other

Kazuto: "Ngh..."

Suguha: "Grr..."

Rin: 'However it's already clear who wins this match.'

Kazuto was getting weaker and Suguha took this chance to stun Kazuto and...

Suguha: "Teeeyy!!"

*BONK*

Kazuto: "Ack! Ugh..."

Once Suguha realize he hit his head hard she got worried

Suguha: "Ah! A-Are you all right, Onii-chan?"

Kazuto tries to shake off the pain but he clutched his head shaking his head

Kazuto: "Wow, you got me good. You're strong, Sugu. Heathcliff doesn't hold a candle to you."

Rin: "That's what you get for getting into a duel within just two months of rehab Kazuto."

Suguha: "Are you really all right?"

Rin: "He's fine Sugu he can take a hit or two. He's not THAT weak."

Kirito: "Yeah I'm fine... Let's just call it a day." He then put the sword in his back

...

His back...

Suguha: "Ah..."

Rin: "Umm..."

...

Kazuto: "Hm? Oh!" He then just takes it out of his back and holds it in his hands

Suguha: "Did I hit you too hard?" He then starts waving his hand denying it

Kazuto: "Th-That's not it! It's just an old habit!"

Outside of the Dojo

The two siblings were cleaning their faces from their match while I just hand Suguha a towel and she accepted it and wipes her face with water

Kazuto: "Footwork aside, my attacks are the problem. I guess I can't recreate my sword skills without the system-assist, after all."

Rin: "Obviously just because we played it doesn't mean we can do it IRL."

Rin: 'Well not YET at least.'

Suguha: "Well, at any rate, you really surprised me. Onii-chan, have you been practicing?"

Kazuto: "More or less. But it's really fun. Maybe I'll try out kendo again and maybe you can join too Rin."

Rin: "Eh? Me? I guess so..."

Suguha: "Really? Will you two really?!"

Rin: "Well if I have spare time sure I'll guess I'll try it out."

Kazuto: "If that's so Sugu, will you teach us?"

Sugu: "O-Of course! Not only will Rin be joining us but we're going to train together again!" He then pats her head

Kazuto: "Once the both of us are in better shape, okay?"

Suguha: "You know, you two. I'm also..."

Rin: "Also what?" The both of us were confused at her

Suguha: "Actually, forget I said anything." She then goes back inside the house

Kazuto: "What is it?" I then walked toward him

Rin: "So are we going now?" I ask

Kazuto: "Ah right I forgot let me just eat breakfast then we'll go." We both went inside his house

Suguha: "Ah right I forgot to ask what's the reason your here Rin?"

Rin: "Ah I was waiting for this guy to wake up but then it turned into a duel instead."

Suguha: "So you guys have plans for today?"

Kazuto: "Yeah... Today, we're... going to the hospital." She then looks at us

...

Suguha: "I see..."

I can see her gripping her clothes

Suguha: "So you two are going to visit... her, right? Asuna-san was it?"

Rin: 'Love isn't always fair... Unrequited love huh?'

Kazuto: "Yeah. That's all we can do for her, after all." He then walks again

Kazuto: "Well then, it's my turn to make breakfast today, so you can go ahead and take a shower first." He pats her head

Kazuto: "You can come and eat with us but you'll be helping with me cooking breakfast..."

Rin: "You just want to taste my food don't you? Well, I won't decline so I'll cook"

Kazuto then opens the door and went inside

He didn't say anything but I know inside his cheering for eating a delicious food

Rin: "I'll cook your favorite Sugu you just go ahead and take a shower."

Suguha: "Okay..."

I then pat her shoulder and went into the room

Outside of Tokorozawashi General Hospital

We were pretty much biking our way to Asuna's hospital

Rin: "About two months ago, Kazuto defeated Heathcliff and cleared the death game. Soon after we woke up, he offered inside information regarding SAO to a government official but of course, he dragged me into it so not only he was giving them information but for me as well.

We were now in an elevator going to the 12th Floor since that's where her room is

Rin: 'If I remembered correctly it was the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' SAO Incident Task Force and in exchange for the information we gave them we wanted to know where was Asuna's whereabouts.'

We were then walking to her room

Rin: 'From what we learned, as a result, was that Asuna was at the Tokorozawashi General Hospital in Saitama Prefecture, and not only that but 300 other players, including Asuna, hadn't woken up yet. Of course, I know the reason why but again even if I wanted to I couldn't tell the others due to the System stopping me to do so.'

We then swipe our cards at Asuna's room and we went inside

Rin: 'And things gets worst. To the public's outrage, the conspiracy that Kayaba Akihiko that has started before disappearing still hadn't ended after two months. I know where he was and he already had "Died" the soon as he dived into the game.'

Rin: 'To recap the SAO Incident hasn't ended yet.'

Kazuto then slides the curtains to show Asuna who has still had the NerveGear on her head was sleeping

I then leaned on a wall while Kazuto stands beside her

Kazuto: "Asuna..." He grabs her hand

Rin: "Don't worry Kazuto she'll wake up soon..." I smiled at him

Kazuto: "I hope so..." He gave a small smile in return

Just then we heard the door opening and we looked to see Asuna's father Yuuki Shouzou

He was bringing flowers for Asuna

Shouzou: "Oh, so you two were here, Kirigaya-kun, Hikari-kun."

Shouzou: "Thank you two for visiting so often."

Kazuto: "Good afternoon. Pardon us the intrusion, Yuuki-san"

Rin: "I hope you don't mind it."

Shouzou: "No, not at all. Feel free to visit whenever. I'm sure my daughter would like that too." He then lays the flower beside Asuna

Just then somebody just came in

???: "President." My eye twitched

Rn: 'Why him...' I and Kazuto looked at the man

Shouzou: "Oh, this is the first time you two are meeting him, isn't it?"

Shouzou: "This is Sugou-kun, the man in charge of our research institute."

Sugou: "I'm Sugou Nobuyuki. Nice to meet you two." He then smiled at us

Rin: 'Makes me want to punch his face...'

Kazuto: "I'm Kiritgay Kazuto."

Rin: "And I'm Hikari Rin." He then makes a surprising gasp

Sugou: "Really? So you're that hero, Kirito-kun!" He then shakes his hand

Rin: 'At least he's not paying attention to me.'

Rin: "Yuuki-san how does he know that?" I ask him

Shouzou: "Oh, my apologies. The inside information regarding SAO was confidential, wasn't it?

Shouzou: "He's the son of a good friend of mine, so I always considered him as close as family."

...

Sugou: "Well, President, regarding that... I'd like it if you made an official decision now." Kazuto was kind of confused but I just narrowed my eyes on him

Shouzou: "Oh, that's right. But are you sure about this? You're still young. You have your whole life ahead of you."

Sugou: "I made up my mind long ago. While Asuna-san still remains as her beautiful self, I'd like to have her wear a dress." The moment he said dress my eyes glowed red for a second before going back to normal

And it looks like Kirito was shocked by this

Shouzou: "I guess you're right... It may be time for me to make a decision."

Shouzou: "Ah... Sorry to leave so abruptly, but I have a meeting to attend. We'll finish this discussion at another time. Kirigaya-kun, Hikari-kun. Let's meet again"

Rin: "Okay goodbye Yuuki-san."

He then walks out of the room leaving Me, Kazuto, and Sugou in the room

Kirito was still shocked by this and his eyes were widened

...

...

...

Sugou then goes to the other side of the bed

Sugou: "I heard that inside that game, you three were friends together right? More importantly, you lived together with Asuna?"

Kazuto: "Yes."

Rin: "What about it?"

Sugou: "In that, I suppose as three will have a rather complicated relationship." Sugou then grabs a hold of Asuna's hair and...

He smelled it

Kazuto: "Tch..."

Rin: "If I may ask what was that just now?"

Sugou: "Oh that? What we were discussing just now was the marriage of Asuna and me." He then licks his lips and I see Kazuto clutching his hands

Kazuto: "As if you could possibly do that." Sugou then sat on the bed

Sugou: "True, we can't file for an official marriage, so instead, I'll be adopted by the Yuuki family as their son."

Sugou: "To tell the truth, she's never been very fond of me." He then touches the cheek of Asuna

Rin: "I wonder why..."

Sugou: "But her parent is oblivious to that, but if the subject of marriage was ever brought up, chances are she'd reject it."

Sugou: "So from my standpoint, this situation is extremely convenient." He keeps touching the bottom lip of Asuna and Kazuto grabs his arm

Kazuto: "Stop it."

Kazuto: "Are you planning to take advantage of Asuna's comatose state?"

Sugou: ""Take advantage of"? No, it's a legitimate right." He then shakes off Kazutos hand

Sugou: "Hey, Kirigaya-kun, Hikari-kun." We looked at him

Sugou: "Do you two know what happened to Argus, the developer of SAO, afterward?"

Rin: "From what we heard it was dissolved."

Sugou: "Correct. On top of development costs, the company had to compensate the victims of the incident, and was run into the ground by debt."

Rin: "Get to the point already."

Sugou: "I'm getting there... The maintenance of the SAO servers was entrusted to the general appliance manufacturer of which Yuuki Shouzou-shi is the CEO: RCT."

Kazuto was surprised by this again

Sugou: "I'm also the director of RCT's Full-Dive research department." He then stands up and when close to Kazutos ear

Sugou: "In other words, it wouldn't be wrong to say that Asuna's life is being sustained by me. Considering that, don't I deserve a little compensation?"

Sugou: "I don't know what you promised the girl inside that game, but I'd like you two to never come back here again and stay away from the Yuuki family while you're at it."

Sugou: "The ceremony will be held in a week, on January 26th, in this hospital room. I only regret that it's not traditionally auspicious wedding date."

Sugou then walks toward me and holds my chin

Sugou: "It is a day for sharing fortune, so you two are invited."

Sugou: "And I can change my mind about you miss. If you do something for me that is..." I smack his hand away

Rin: "Buzz off."

Sugou: "Fiesty eh? Alright."

He then walks away from me

Sugou: "Make the most of your last meeting with her, Hero Boy."

He then walks out of the room leaving us two inside

Kazuto: "..."

Rin: "Are you alright?" I put my hand on his shoulder and when I saw his face he looked dead inside

Kazuto: "..."

Rin: "I'll tag along till you reach your house."

He then nodded then we both went outside the hospital

Outside of the Kirigaya Residence

It was already night when we reached his place he then hopped off his bike and he started walking inside

Rin: "Hey Kazuto... Don't give up alright?."

Kazuto stopped walking and then after a few seconds he walked again inside his house

I sighed and biked my way to my house and I took off my sneakers and went inside

As soon as I got inside I went upstairs to my computer and went online to buy Alfheim Online and the Amusphere that should be delivered in the morning

Rin: "I'm glad they have fast delivery time in this world." After I bought the game and the rig I changed my clothes to a blue shirt and black shorts I then lay on my bed thinking about what to do now

Rin: 'This is going to be troublesome... Well, at least we don't have to grind anymore.'

I then closed my eyes preparing myself for tomorrow

January 20th, 2025 - Home

I woke up about 7:00 A.M since that was the time my package should be here

I then took a shower, dressed up in a white shirt and grey shorts, and ate a full English breakfast

I then heard the doorbell for my house and when I opened the door it was a delivery for my package

I then signed the paper and took the package and brought it upstairs

I then opened to see the game Alfheim Online and the Amusphere after opening them I set up the Amusphere and put the game in its place

Rin: "There we go. Now I'm ready in about..." I then heard a notification sound on my computer and it was from Kazuto not only that my phone then started ringing and it was Kazuto as well

I answered the phone

Rin: "What's up Kazuto? You doing alright?"

Kazuto: "Yes I am but can you please look at the email."

RIn: "Hm? I was just going to open it what's it about?"

Kazuto: "It's about Asuna."

Rin: "Asuna? Okay, hold on a minute." I then opened the mail I got from Kirito and from what I see is an Image

Rin: "Oh... My... God..."

It was an image of Asuna

...

...

...

I smirked

Rin: 'Let the 2nd Arc begin.'