Chapter 15

We began walking towards Kamdet City as Rina looked at her hand holding mine, she smiled as she thought "His hand is very warm... I...I wonder if I can have someone like him... Hold my hand like this everyday..." as we kept walking. "Hey Rina.." I told her as she looked at me replying "Yeah Kirin? What is it?" as I sighed and told her "I think you should stay at Kamdet City for now, like how you were in the Town of Beginnings..." as silence filled the air.

"Alright...But can you promise me one thing..?"

Rina said as I stopped and looked at her, "What is-" as I was interrupted by Rina leaning in to kiss my cheek, My face flustered up red as she said "Visit me...every now and then... Okay?" as I put my hand on the cheek she kissed. "S-Sure..." I said in a low and flustered tone as we walked back to Kamdet City and nightfall approached.

The next day I was out at Darkwood Forest when I saw Sato walk by, "Oh hey Sato!" I said to him as he looked and waved at me. Sato and I began talking for a good while, in that conversation Sato explains about Tracers and Forest Mutants in the area. I tried asking him questions as Rina then came running to us. "Rina what's wrong?" I asked as she said "The Restaurant...something's happening in the restaurant!" as she was exhausted from running. "Thanks for telling us Rina," Sato said as Sato and I both headed back to Kamdet City. We then arrived at the Restaurant as we saw a person in white and red threatening the Tavern Owner.

"I know you have it! Give it here now!!"

The person shouted as the Tavern Owner said towards said person "Listen here, I don't have what you need alright. You're causing a scene here, now get out...". I then walked over and separated them saying "Hey cut it out you two!" as the person looked at me.

"Who in the hell are you!! How dare you touch me!!"

The person said as I caught into his voice that his voice was a bit rugged, sounding a bit scratchy but not too much. "Wait a minute, you're the person who commanded the raid on the first floor boss!" The person said as I was annoyed by it, I then let go of his cloak as he said "The Knights of Blood Oath will hear about this, You would have been a worthy member too... Think about it Commander..." as he left the scene.

The Tavern Owner sighed in relief as I asked him "Are you okay?" as he said "I'm fine, he was just causing a scene in the restaurant. I have some information you should know about too.". I looked over at him as he explained

"That man is named Kuradeel, he's a member of this guild called the Knights of Blood Oath. Apparently he's looking for this stone, I didn't have it and that's how you found us here."

I thought about it thinking "Knights of Blood Oath..." as I opened my eyes and snapped my fingers saying "oh! The guy that wore red and white right?" as they all looked at me. "Right?" I said again as if what I was saying was right. "I think so Kirin.." Sato tried to somewhat stay neutral in this situation as we were all confused at what we were talking about.

"Let's put this talk away for now, don't you guys have some things to do?"

The Tavern Owner said towards the group as we nodded a bit and all left out of the Restaurant. I walked out of the Restaurant as I heard some commotion, I turned my attention towards a small quarrel between Kirito and Asuna. "What's going on with them over there?" I thought to myself as I turned my attention away and walked towards some houses.

"This floor sells houses..?"

I thought as I then heard a whistle behind me, I looked over and saw Toru standing there as she smiled and walked over. "Oh hey Toru" I said to her as she said "hey Kirin" as she looked at the houses.

"You're buying houses?"

Toru said as I looked at the signs and tapped one of them, seeing the amount of COL needed for it. "No, I think i'm just looking around" I said to her as she suddenly grabbed my arm, saying to me in japanese "follow me Kirin!". Toru then began running towards a forest nearby Darkwood Forest as I told her "What did you say?!?" as I can't understand her japanese as well.

"Don't worry about it!"

She shouted as she seemed genuinely happy as she led me to a beautiful oasis-like spot. "Woah.. This is..." I stuttered a bit to find words, amazed at the lake and the house. "This can be our house Kirin!" she said as I looked at her saying "our?" as I was confused at what she was implying, Toru stared at me as her brain had shut down for a second as her face poofed a little red.

"Is everything alright Toru?!"

I said as I saw her face turn red as she let go of my arm and waved her hands side to side frantically, "I-I-I mean your house!! I MEANT YOUR HOUSE!!!" she shouted as I was again confused at her situation. "Toru calm down" I said as I tapped the sign and checked the price of the house, As I thought the house was pretty expensive. But with the amount of money I had gotten from the floor boss and grinding with saving most of my money, I smiled a little bit.

The sun began to set as I clicked the blue button and looked at Toru, I then told Toru "I know we haven't gotten to know each other that long.." as Toru looked at me and I had a genuine smile on my face. "But thank you for letting me stay by your side for this long.." I told her as the sun setted right behind me, Toru's hand began to shake a bit as she covered her mouth with one eye and began to break down into tears. This was the first time I saw Toru break down right in-front of me, as I ran over to her and kneeled down.

"Is there something wrong Toru?"

I asked her as she quietly said "N-No... I-It's just..." as she wrapped my arms around me and hugged me saying "It's just... that I didn't think I'd meet someone who can be such a gentle person at the core... but be so stoic on the outside..." as she smiled at him while wiping her tears. "C'mon, I'll let you stay at my house newly bought house for now" I told her as she nodded and stood up, from the forest trees nearby, Rina was eavesdropping on both of them as a tear formed and rolled down her face, eventually leaving back to Kamdet City's Inn.