41[Sun, May 12th - Few more small corrections. Nothing major, just for continuity's sake]
[Made some updates. Essentially followed some advice regarding the spacing of paragraphs and such! Thanks Flo463! I suppose I'm more used to writing essays than stories written on websites :P But I'll try to make smaller paragraphs from here on out!]
Author Note: Hey there folks. My second story for SAO is here! Like my other story, Aincrad Descended: Tales of Porosia, I have written out the first few chapters of Alicization in Perpetuity in advance as well. I will post them over the next few days as I try to proof-read them a little more and start working on the next batch of chapters. Please forgive any obvious errors, as English isn t my first language. This is a story set after the Alicization arc ends. It doesnt take the more recently started Unital Ring into account and rather chooses to explore a different avenue, more oriented towards Underworld and Alice her struggles with being recognized as a Human being. The first few chapters may be a bit heavy on the real world stories, but you will find that their adventures in ALO with a... particularly mindbuzzing questline will start to take up a lot of space as well. As always, please do let me know if you have any suggestions, advice, comments!
It was the first time he set foot in this room in over two months. His room, or so he had to keep telling himself. It felt alien and cold to him. After making over four years worth of memories in Underworld, his dreary bedroom in the real world didn't feel like his anymore. He had simply been away too long. He lovingly thought back to the apartment in the North Centoria Swordcraft Academy that he had shared with Eugeo. Even if they hadn't lived there for long, the memory of the rustic wood paneling and ever present fresh flowers, unceasingly placed in their room by Ronye and Tieze... That memory felt so much more like home. Even his apartment with Asuna in the Central Cathedral felt more like home than where he currently was.
He was glad to be back in the real world, but it was difficult to process the fact he also missed so much from his other life. The kind villagers of Rulid. The young Selka who tried so hard to live up to the memory of her big sister. Sadore, the craftsman who chiseled his Night Sky Sword, and after the war became the first mechanist of the Central Cathedral. Ronye and Tieze... The sweet and innocent valets of himself and Eugeo that were put through such a horrific trauma because of them and continued to fight their way up to becoming full-fledged Integrity Knights. Eugeo...
Almost immediately he felt a sharp stab in his chest. He had had a difficult few days. He wouldn't ever see Eugeo again. And his flaxen-haired best friend wasn't the only one. Almost all of his Underworld friends, apart from Selka who had been put in Deep Sleep (as he had apparently told Alice before his and Asuna's minds were wiped clean of most of the 200 additional years they spent in Underworld) would be long gone by now.
Immediately after Asuna her own recovery period was done, she had started paying him daily visits in his hospital room, helping him with his physical exercises - as he had done much the same for her once, after he had freed her from ALO and Sugou... But that had already been four years ago. No, that was early last year... The extra memories he had made kept confusing him. He felt... Older, wearier. It didn't help that Asuna's memory wipe removed all but the first two months she spent with him in Underworld. While he kept over a year and a half after the great war.
At first Asuna's visits had helped him fight back the anger and sadness he still so dearly felt about Eugeo's passing and missing all his friends. But as the days of his recovery passed, he became more and more irritated with her presence. He had told her about him and all she had forgotten, and he had been a little surprised to hear that she had already heard about Eugeo in great detail from Ronye, one night in Underworld.
The thought of Asuna logging in to the Underworld and spending a night curled up in bed around him with his former apprentice, as well as his former master Sortiliena and the Knight Alice discussing their experiences of him made him nervous already. He could only be genuinely relieved he had been comatose for that talk...
Still, even though he told her everything he could about Eugeo, it still didn't seem enough to help him deal with his grief. When waking up after SAO/ALO they had had each other and their shared experiences. But Eugeo had been a brother to Kirito. And that loss was just something you had to experience for yourself to understand properly.
While he would always feel regret and guilt over some of the friends he had had in SAO who didn't make it till the end of the game - such as the Black Cats - with Eugeo and to a lesser degree the others that were gone it was as if a literal part of him had been ripped out.
By the end of the fifth day, when Asuna said goodbye to him with a hug and a kiss, he caught himself feeling genuinely relieved that Asuna was leaving. He wasn't really sure why he felt so uneasy with her presence. She didn't seem to fully understand the significance Eugeo held to him, but she tried her best to comfort him and kept being supportive whenever he frustrated and inconsiderately shrugged off her concern...
While he felt a tinge of regret at seeing her slightly faltering smile at those times, he couldn't bring himself to keep up the usual joyful mask he often managed to put up for her before the Underworld...
As Kazuto had absentmindedly taken place on his bed for the first time in four yea- no. One and a half months he had to keep telling himself - he was pulled from his thoughts by the barely registering ringing sound of his cellphone. Immediately his worries seemed to melt away. He had been looking forward to this call the entire day now.
While Alice had been able to visit him at the hospital once after he and Asuna had woken up, she had been too busy working with dr. Kojirou to stop by again. Alice had been dragged from meeting, to press Q&A, to talk show... She had very little spare time and they had only been able to meet twice more since - both times in ALO. Even there, his friends hadn't given them any opportunity to be alone for a little bit. They still hadn't really had the time to properly talk about... Well, everything that happened.
As he with a wide smile on his face answered with a high-pitched "Heeyy Alice!" - he belatedly realized how nervous he sounded. But when a normally always sweet voice quietly replied "Kirito-kun..." - again adding the affectionate honorific Asuna had seemed peeved she used for him - his breath stopped for a moment.
While he hadn't actually made that many memories with Alice, he knew she had spent a long time taking care of his comatose self, secluded in a little cabin in the woods. There was a warmth in his heart that sprung up whenever he saw her or spoke with her. It didn't correspond to the memories he had, but he had immediately felt that they were close friends. Something inside him just knew they had gone through more than anyone should in a lifetime, for each other.
Now on hearing the coldness and monotony in her voice, he was immediately worried. While Alice had always been confident and almost inexplicably happy whenever they had met since waking up, dr. Koujiro had shared her concerns with him that Alice was unreasonably pushing herself.
Apparently not even willing to accept the spare few rest days she kept trying to force on the girl. Kirito had, at the time, attributed it to her Knightly dedication and work ethic. Later he couldn't help but start to doubt that. Her worldview had been shattered and now she found herself in a strange world, needing to fight for the right to even be recognized as a Human being. Not to mention the fate of her entire world hanging in the balance. It must be extremely taxing and confirming his fears, she took his silence as a sign to speak in a quiet voice "I-..I'm tired, Kirito-kun... It just.. Nothing feel like it's enough". A frustrated, long sigh followed before she added "No one in this world will ever see me as... as real. I-I'm not even Human anymore here...".
For a moment he remembered eerily familiar flashes of memories. Something buried deep in his mind beneath a layer of impenetrable fog. A log cabin. But not the one he had spent so much time in, his home with Asuna and Yui on Floor 22 of Aincrad. An unfamiliar cabin. A blonde haired, blue eyed girl in a blue summer dress. Giving him a hopeful smile betraying profound sadness, as she moved a spoon with some kind of food near his face. Alice... Was that when she took care of me? It only lasted a moment, but that little sliver of a memory was instantly burned into his mind.
Steeling himself he cleared his throat and as confidently and resolutely as possible replied "That's not true. It may take some time, but I know we will get there". The girl on the other side of the call let out an annoyed sigh and startled him a little with the sudden intensity to her voice "But Kirito-kun I've been working for weeks no-" then she suddenly paused. A few moments passed before with a confused and quiet voice she finally asked "'We?'... Do you mean you... you're going to help me...?".
He collected his thoughts and carefully considered what he was going to say for a moment, before softly continuing "Of course. We... I... Owe it to all the friends I lost. All the friends I made in... Underworld".
He paused and swallowed "They may... They may be long gone by now... But they would want their world to live on. Even if two hundred years have passed and much has changed, I... We owe it to them to protect it".
Not hearing a reply from Alice, he said with a genuinely warm smile on his face and leaking through his voice "And besides... You're important to me, Alice. If I can help you in... any way, I will". It took a little while, up to the point where Kazuto started to wonder whether he should have said that...
He heard in an almost too soft voice to register "...Thanks... Thank you, Kirito-kun.. I needed to hear that..". He chuckled, hoping to comfort her a bit and said as joyful as he could "I've been talking to dr. Koujiro and she told me you had some... saved up vacation days, why aren't you using them to take a well earned break?".
He again felt a bit worried, not hearing an immediate response, but then Alice quietly replied "Well... They won't really let me go outside anyway... So if I can just sit in... In the cafeteria there, or use the internet a bit... What's... What's really the point".
It took him a moment to reply, as he racked his brain as to how to help her. Then he carefully asked "Well... Maybe Koujiro-san will... will let you visit me here? I just got back home today and I have nothing to do really...".
As he said that he realized Asuna would come over, but almost instantly decided that Alice could really need a friend more right now. "So... why not tomorrow?". It had again stayed silent for a bit, but then she had startled him with her sudden happy exclamation. After discussing it for a bit, she had confessed to feeling a bit nervous about requesting anything at all, even if Koujiro-san had suggested her taking some time off.
He got the feeling she wanted to stay resolute in front of the only people she could really rely on to fight for her. Without realizing it, he had already insisted to call Koujiro-san himself to arrange it. That way, the request wouldn't come from her. After saying their goodbyes he happily concluded Alice had sounded a lot more like herself near the end of their call. With no trace of that cold monotony in her voice remaining.
He was genuinely surprised when, after carefully and nervously proposing his plan to help Alice relax a little bit to dr. Koujiro, she had replied enthusiastically, adding she had been silently hoping for it. Alice would be brought to his house at 10AM the next day. After Sugu goes to school... Kazuto absentmindedly noted.
She insisted on sending armed protection along with her, but eventually reluctantly agreed to 'Kazuto-san's insistence that they stay in their car outside. He had always found the choice of respectful honorific she used for him a little odd, considering he was several years younger than the acclaimed scientist, but shrugged it off.
The noble Knight in Alice wouldn't be able to drop formality and genuinely relax in front of co-workers, he just calmly explained. He had hesitated a little bit when he realized he had made plans with Asuna, but after failing to come up with a decent message eventually just texted her "Hey Asuna, sorry but I'm going to be busy tomorrow. I'll make it up to you!".
Quickly locking his phone afterwards - too guilty and confused about the fact that he couldn't tell her that he was going to spend the day with Alice, to find it in himself to wait for her reply. Not long after, he fell into a nervous but happy sleep with a smile on his face, thinking of things to do with Alice the next day. He had to come up with something fun to do cooped up at his home all day.
Crap! Sugu will be home from school early tomorrow!. He sighed as he drifted off to sleep, with a last thought shooting through his mind. Oh well... Cross that bridge when we get to it...
Kazuto had woken up unusually early, at 6AM. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous to spend the day with Alice. He thought for a few minutes about what he could do with her all day, but then recalled her saying a while ago that she really wanted to learn to understand all the pop-culture references her co-workers always used. With a wide grin he went over to his computer to sign up for one of the popular movie and television show streaming services. He had never felt the need to use one before, as he always preferred the participatory part of video games over television or movies. Making sure it contained some of the bigger movies, he happily concluded that would fill a lot of time.
After somewhat nervously having breakfast with Sugu (his aunt and adoptive mother Midori wouldn't return from a business trip for another three days) and avoiding questions about what he would be doing that day, he watched some television to calm his nerves. The moment Sugu left for school, his mind went into overdrive. He quickly showered, brushed his teeth and got dressed, before rushing out the door to get snacks and drinks for their movie marathon.
It took him his walk to the stores in his neighborhood to notice how tired he was from the relatively short jog. He somewhat shockingly realized that he still had to build up his strength and shouldn't overexert himself... And then to his further and greater shock, he realized Alice in her android body would not be able to eat or drink...
Looking around in the store for what to buy now, he decided on a few simple snacks for himself, as he did need to eat and drink. Then he noticed the wide variety of flowers they had in stock. A remark Alice had made about the dreary and dull grey offices of RATH, where the Marine Resource Assessment Survey (the group led by dr. Koujiro that was handling the situation around Alice and the Underworld) was housed - and her frustration at not yet being able to see the outside world properly for what it had to offer, he immediately decided to brighten up his own home a little bit... With a smile and full bags he made his way back home, at a slightly more careful pace.
Even after Alice realized that the six months she spent growing attached to Kirito and caring for him were only in her memory, not his... She still felt a connection to the black haired boy who had saved her and her entire world. While Koujiro was supportive, she wasn't really an equal. Alice depended on her to help her be recognized as a Human being...
She could never truly relax and be herself around her, however kind she always was to Alice. In a sense, Kirito was the only one she felt she could really be herself with. Even if that was most likely a one-sided connection... When she realized how close Kirito and Asuna were and after dr. Koujiro had explained their history in SAO, ALO and real life to her, she had felt an unmistakable dagger in her heart.
She hadn't even really realized how she had grown to feel about him... But when she got word the two were waking up she instantly decided to at least earn his friendship. He was her best chance at making an actual friend. Somehow who would at least know what she went through in Underworld and lived through some of those things himself...
In a way, he was the only person who truly knew who she was, even more than she could remember herself. After seeing Asuna and him interact herself, seeing the obvious love and connection they shared, she had grown more reserved. Realizing she would never be able to get to such a point with him.
She had focused on her work at RATH instead. Using it as an excuse not to have to face them too much. She was happily surprised when he had started reaching out to her himself. Eventually convincing her to at least talk over the long distance communication devices they called 'cellphones' every few nights.
When he happily suggested that she come over to his house... She had been too shocked to even speak for a while. But then she realized she had been an idiot, like he had told her multiple times in short concession. Hanging on the outside of the Central Cathedral. To her shame she sounded far too excited at the prospect.
She was now nervously sitting in her seat in the 'minivan', accompanied by a total of five armed guards. She had immediately objected to their presence, but was calmed a bit when dr. Koujiro had hastily added Kirito-san had already insisted they stay in the car. A slight blush had crept over her face when she realized he had gone through the trouble for her, which she hastily shook off. Sadly, dr. Koujiro seemed to have noticed her awkward moment, as she gave her a teasing grin - but thankfully refrained from any comments. For now...
She sighed to get rid of her nerves as they pulled up to the Kirigaya residence. She could tell it wasn't an overly large or small house for the residents of this city, but it seemed to give off a sense of welcoming. It wasn't as gloomy as some of the houses in the area.
She was escorted to the front door by one of the guards and almost immediately after knocking, a nervously smiling Kirito opened the door and awkwardly greeted her and bowed to the guard, after leading her inside. The guard had insisted to do a check around the house first, to which she noticed Kirito clearly reluctantly, agreed.
After the door slammed shut again, they suddenly found themselves alone. He was stunned for a moment, looking at that blue sundress... He could swear he had seen it before... Even Alice wearing it? Many times... But that was impossible, he shook his head and buried it.
An awkward silence fell for a moment when they found themselves alone in his house. He did feel a... connection to Alice. Having shared in some of the most heartbreaking moments of his time in Underworld, he couldn't help but feel he knew her better than even some of his friends from SAO. But he realized they hadn't actually spent that much time together. At least not while he was conscious. Eventually he couldn't help but sigh and chuckle when he realized how stupid they were being. She seemed to realize the same thing and soon joined him.
A little more relaxed he know led her into the living room. He immediately noticed her eyes widen at the sight of the four vases of modest flower bouquets spread around the room and adjoining kitchen. She looked at him with surprise and carefully asked "Do.. Do you always have so many flowers in your home, Kirito-kun?".
He felt his cheeks start to redden a little while he nervously said "Well.. Eh, no.. But I was in the store a-and I remembered you saying how grey and dreary the RATH offices are and so, I-I thought I could put some more colour in here.. for your vis-". He was startled when the blond haired girl cut him off by giving him a big hug and burying her face in his chest.
As she quietly whispered "Thanks.. Kirito-kun, that.. that's really nice of you" he had recovered enough from his initial shock to hug her back. He felt her ease up a bit as well, after him returning the gesture.
Alice had acted instinctively as Kirito confirmed her hope that he cared about her... At least she really had a friend in this strange world. She had felt a little less alone. Then she started to realize what she was doing. He had frozen up, probably in shock, while she firmly hugged him, pressing her face into his chest...
She froze up too now, at the silence and managed to whisper a thank you. But then he hugged her back, with those warm, comforting arms, just seeming to tell her that everything was alright. When she felt her face redden considerably and they broke up their sudden bout of intimacy, she noticed in relief that he too had furiously started blushing as he awkwardly chuckled.
She had marveled at his family's house as he gave her a tour. It was so much more lively and welcoming than the generous, if bland living quarters and cafeteria at RATH. She had been outside of it to do press conferences, or go to meetings and conventions, but those had always been public places. And if she was honest, they had been very intimidating.
Bright, mechanical lights, flashes from recording devices, more people than she considered to be possible living in one city. It had been dazzling. This seemed almost as a calming haven of tranquility out in a pasture somewhere in comparison to her previous experiences of 'Tokyo'.
When he awkwardly finished his tour for Alice in his bedroom, he realized that it may be a bit forward to bring her to his bedroom. But when she seemed to be happily looking around at the various computer components and games scattered around the various shelves and cabinets without a care in the world - he realized Underworld and Japan, while similar, also had many differing views on social conventions and formalities. He sighed quietly.
He hadn't realized he spaced out for as long as he had when he blinked at Alice's calm voice asking him "So, what's next?". He suddenly saw the blond haired girl staring up at him with her impossibly beautifully crafted cybernetic eyes. For a moment he was admiring the artistic detail put into those deep blue eyes that seemed almost more real than actual eyes... When he realized he had been staring straight into them, ignoring her question, for probably as much as twenty seconds already...
Quick, think, say something! "Ehh.. Well, I remembered you wanted t-to learn about those p-pop culture references and famous movies... right?". When he saw her blink in surprise and then nod with a smile he continued a bit relieved that his idea was accepted "Well I thought we could watch a few of them?".
When he asked her whether she wanted to watch them in his room or downstairs in the living room she innocently replied that his room would be fine, seeing how they were already there. He had agreed. After taking out his laptop and opening the streaming service, he froze up. His mind was finally starting to catch up with the consequences of that decision. He had only one chair, and his desk was not built to be seated in front of with two people... She could sit on his bed.. And he would just slide up next to the bed in his desk chair. Yes. That would be appropriate, he hoped.
When she had insisted that that was idiotic, as then one of them would be at the wrong height to properly view the device, he had hesitantly taken place on the other side of his (luckily) two person bed.
Leaving a respectful distance between them, he put up the first of his cultural classics list. The first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. During the largest part of the movie he noticed Alice was very in to the plot. Of course the fantasy creatures of the Underworld had been largely inspired by the races of Tolkien's epic.
She remarked a few times how eerily similar some of the creatures were to Dark Territory creatures and inhabitants. During the fellowship's subsequent fight in the Goblin infested Mines of Moria she was looking a little scared and Kazuto was starting to worry about her... This didn't seem like she was really still enjoying the movie...
When the large fiery demon known as a Balrog appeared, her face had turned pale and she had slid up to him and buried her face into his chest. While he was shocked and carefully started trying to comfort her by calmly stroking her hair as he carefully embraced her, she asked in a shaking voice "D-Do you truly have such creatures in... in the real world? It looked more terrifying than anything from the Underworld...".
It took a few moments for Kazuto to realize what the problem was, so he hurriedly explained that this wasn't real, it wasn't an accurate history or anything, it was all fiction. It took a bit more time to explain the concept of watching such horrors for entertainment, but eventually she did recognize the thrill of facing off against intimidating creatures during her time as an Integrity Knight - when kazuto likened it to that.
As they silently watched the remainder of the movie, they eventually realized how close they were sitting to each other. Alice was still in his gentle embrace as she leaned back against his chest while they both watched the screen of his laptop placed in front of them on his bed. Both seemed to notice this at roughly the same time and froze up. Both of them equally unsure of whether to awkwardly separate and try to reclaim some respectable space, or chickening out and desperately ignore their situation.
They eventually, silently agreed to the latter by not moving and instead nervously following the remainder of the movie. Almost at the end of the movie the both of them were so focused on nervously pretending to be fully engrossed by the plot and not noticing their position, that they almost jumped up to the ceiling (but managed to freeze up entirely, with wide, startled eyes) when his door slammed open and Suguha stuck her head in and shouted "OOOONNIII-CHAAAN I'M HOOO-".
As he watched his cousin/sister's shocked face and wide eyes at seeing an unfamiliar blonde girl lying in his arms, on his bed, undoubtedly staring at her with eyes resembling those of a shocked deer staring down a car's headlights - the gears in his mind slowly caught up to him once again realizing Sugu would be home early today...
Before he could find it in himself to say something, Alice shot up and nervously got up off the bed before giving a nervous, formal bow and trying to calmly say "Eh.. Eh oh my apologies but you must be... ah, Suguha-san, nice to see you again!". Seeing Sugu's shocked expression and wary look she quickly continued "Oh! I realize that I look differently from my ALO body, but I'm Alice... from Underworld".
Suguha seemed to relax a bit and then calmly said with a smile "Welcome Alice-san, I hope Onii-chan". She said his name with a frown and a death stare directed at him as she continued "has been respectful enough around you?". Kazuto started to blush and stutter incoherent thoughts struggling to take shape.
Alice spaced out for a moment, but then quickly and nervously replied he had been a perfect gentleman. Suguha seemed a little bit relieved, but still continued shooting him death glares before she coldly asked, while still looking his way "Has onii-chan shown you our dojo?". He froze up and swallowed at what that question meant. All his embarrassment instantly made way for unadulterated fear.
As Kazuto nervously followed Sugu and Alice outside to their training dojo, he somewhat happily noted Alice seemed to cheer up considerably when he explained that the two of them performed a swordsmanship sport and showing her the wooden swords - of which they had several, considering how Suguha seemed to regularly break them somehow.
When his sister had suggested that they would spar a bit to show how the style looked, Kazuto realized his fear had come true. Dressing up in the protective gear sets they had, they took their places. Suguha was considerably calmer he noticed, almost as if fueled by a cold fury... He sighed and cracked his neck. He steeled himself. He had a name to uphold after all. The Black Swordsman. He could tell Alice saw him as an icon almost after witnessing him turn day into night and launching a barrage of essentially meteors at the dark god Vector in their final battle. It made him a little nervous, but he also didn't want her to realize he was much. Less. Significant in real life...
Sugu confidently stepped up to her position and stared menacingly at her onii-chan through their masks. She knew her eyes were not visible to him, but from his nervous posture, she also knew he got the vibe... She belatedly realized he had managed to calm himself, when he confidently asked her "One, or two sword Kendo?".
She chuckled and grinningly said "You know that dual-wielding thing is just something you do in-game, right?". But when he shrugged she just teasingly said "alright then... But it's your fault if you get hurt!". After her brother had picked up a second Shinai and confidently took a two-handed stance she had never seen him take in real life sparring before - but she knew all too well from watching him fight in ALO...
He can't be serious... She incredulously thought to herself. But while eyeing him over, she realized it was the exact same, confident stance that showed no true weak spots... She swallowed as she steeled her nerves and got ready in her own, traditional starting pose.
She was shocked when as she swung forward as fast as she could, her brother dexterously used his main hand to parry her shinai while sidestepping and finishing it off with a soft tap from his off-hand shinai on her back. "Point" he stated in a dead calm and serious voice. Kazuto was feigning his newfound confidence...
He knew he wasn't too sure of his one-handed skills against his competitive duelist kendo prodigy sister. Then he realized he might as well try... Maybe with two... When he scored his first point almost instantly, he himself was shocked by his speed and the apparent muscle memory - which honestly, he couldn't possibly have with his real world body. He somehow found it in himself to confidently declare his point. It took a few moments, but then his sister regained her composure and once again took her starting position, a different one this time, however. A clearly more aggressive stance...
They went on for another full, five minutes. Kazuto had scored his second point in rapid succession, but then took two points in return, although significantly harder won. Eventually, they reached the before hand agreed five wins total... By Kazuto. His sister hadn't been able to score a point after those initial two... He was incredulously staring at his sister, after removing his mask.
She returned much the same gaze, when Alice burst out clapping. "That was incredible swordsmanship, Suguha-san, Kirito-kun!" Alice happily shouted as she gave him specifically a warm smile. He noticed from the corner of his eye as he awkwardly smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, that Suguha frowned a little and sent him a death stare over the affectionate -kun, much the same as Asuna always did. Then she quickly became a little happier, if still dazed, and thanked Alice. She took a few moments to awkwardly stare at him, but then carefully said "I've never seen you fight with two shinais before in the real world, onii-chan...".
His sister eyed his response carefully and he stumbled over what to say "E-eeh... Well, I.. I knew of course that I couldn't beat you one-handed! So I uh... I thought I'd give it a try...?". He finished with a hopeful, nervous smile. His sister looked at him incredulously and shook her head while muttering softly and giving him a judging stare "Always trying to impress the pretty girls, onii-chan... seriously".
Alice noticeably started blushing. It took a moment, but then she calmed herself and plainly stated "Alright, my turn". Upon their incredulous shocked stares she giggled and looked at him with a scarily confident stare "After all, I did say we would continue our duel once the Administrator was dealt with. Seeing how we were blown out of the Central Cathedal and you went on to make me care for you for six months, we haven't had the time".
When they both took their places, equipped in protective gear, Alice with one Shinai and he with two... He was nervous. He couldn't help himself. What if he could break a component of her body? That would surely be expensive... He barely had time to cross his swords when she came down with what resembled the Avalanche Sword Skill. A strong, two-handed strike from above. He somewhat clumsily sidestepped a little, but he was too nervous and out of it at that point he barely registered her foot tripping him.
As he looked up after his three second daze, Alice her shinai was pointing straight at his face in front of his mask. She chuckled and teasingly asked "Does this mean I scored the first point?". Suguha started laughing at this point and said "Wow, maybe I just had a bad day".
After just over another ten minutes, her brother and Alice were standing in their respective starting positions opposite each other, both heavily panting from the exertion. Suguha had been staring with wide eyes and an open mouth for the past eight of them. She had to admit, Alice was tough. She had long since given up on the idea that she could beat the girl herself.
The blonde haired Knight used a style very reminiscent of some two-handed sword skills from ALO, but far more fluently and trained than she had thought possible. She once again had to remind herself Alice had essentially been indoctrinated by years long training to be a warrior priestess... A Holy Knight. And looking over at her brother... He was fighting at what looked to be his best, giving it his all.
The scary, focused stare in his eyes and the grin of pure excitement at such a duel, as well as his razor sharp techniques and his dexterity - all reminded her of Kirito, the Black Swordsman, as he fought when his life was on the line. Not her brother Kazuto...
She had been told a little bit about who Alice was, and she knew she had cared for her brother while he was comatose... But he should have no memories of that, and they only knew each other for one day before that... Right? What happened during that day? And what weren't they telling them? Who exactly is this girl that she draws out everything he has, pushes him to his limits?.
As she was thinking about her brother and Alice, she almost missed it when they both shot forward, straight for each other and as she blinked a few times at the fast movement she saw them standing still. They were both frozen in place. With wide eyes she started muttering "A-a... A tie!?".
Kazuto wasn't sure what happened. The entire match had taken place in a haze. Seeing Alice's resolve and her obvious enjoyment at the duels, he had quickly regained his own spirit. He felt more himself now than he had ever since waking up from Underworld. In that moment, he wasn't Kirigaya Kazuto - he was Kirito, the Black Swordsman. He didn't really stop to think at all until he realized the had just finished their last duel. Their ninth duel.
It took him a few more moments before he realized his sidestep had successfully allowed him to place his shinai against Alice her neck. Right when he was about to shout out victoriously, he felt a soft prod against his chest. From how close they were standing, their masked faces less than a hand's width apart, he could just make out the surprised glimmer in those beautiful blue eyes. Her shinai was pointed straight at his heart. Then he heard his sister muttering incredulously that they had reached a tie.
After a few moments of staying frozen in their end position, them having settled themselves as equals, they slowly stood apart and took off their masks. He stared in Alice's blue eyes for a little too long, and as he felt his face redden, he noticed her unmistakable blush as well. She looked down at the ground a little nervously now and stuttered a little "T-that was a good fight... Thanks.. I think I needed that.. To know that I was still... Myself, in this new world and this constructed body".
Kazuto looked at her a bit dumbfounded, unsure of what to say after that confession. She looked up into his eyes now and he saw a resolve there he hadn't seen since they left Underworld. She calmly continued "If I can still fight with a sword, I am still a Knight".
Before Alice realized what she was doing she had walked over to Kirito and given him a big hug. She felt him freeze up and she felt Suguha-san's gaze on her back, but then to her surprise, he (if somewhat awkwardly) hugged her back. After they let go he stuttered "Wow... You're really.. warm, Alice.. I didn't know the gears would heat up like that".
Alice blushed furiously now stuttering that that must indeed be why. She wasn't sure though... Maybe it was just because she had been so nervous hugging him... She shrugged away the thought as Suguha-san cleared her throat and said "Well... That was... weird, but very cool".
After an awkward discussion of their duel, which Kirito confessed to he kind of fought in a daze, not clearly remembering every part, Alice noticed Suguha-san sigh and say "You're so weird sometimes, onii-chan". She couldn't help but interject calmly with a soft smile "Well, Suguha-san, surely you can understand the thrill of a good duel".
She glanced over at Kirito and sighed contently. "I suppose that fight at the Cloudtop Garden was in my mind more often than I realized, Kirito-kun... I had never failed to finish an actual opponent before". She didn't notice Suguha-san's curious stare at that remark. While Kirito took a shower, she absentmindedly discussed the benefits of not being able to sweat with Suguha-san.
Eventually a question Alice had feared would come up for a while now was asked by her, with a curious voice "What exactly happened in the Central Cathedral any way?". Upon seeing Alice's slight frown and deep thoughts she continued carefully "All onii-chan really said was that you fought very briefly, were blown out of the cathedral and climbed up... And that you talked and he convinced you that the Administrator was evil?".
It seemed to take the blonde girl a while to come up with what to say, before she sighed deeply and looked up at her "Very well then, I'll tell you the story". The next fifteen minutes were spent with Alice first describing how she had fully intended to kill Kirito and Eugeo in their duel after they resisted, but how they seemed to be holding back for some reason. And then about how them trying to capture her instead of killing her, led to her and Kirito being blown out the Cathedral.
She went on to describe how she had been ready to give up, not seeing a way out but falling to her death. But how Kirito had called her an idiot! The nerves the commoner had in addressing an Integrity Knight sent down from the heavens! How he had essentially pulled her up the side of the Cathedral as he went on to climb it... "I... I couldn't comprehend that a criminal would... go so far to save me, an Integrity Knight, his enemy!".
After seeing Suguha's confused stare, she realized the girl knew little of the situation in Underworld. So she gave a brief history of the Administrators and she eventually got to the point where Kirito convinced her of the truth. Which had led to her conviction in joining his fight - and subsequently her eye ball exploding... Suguha gasped at that last part and asked carefully "But... didn't t-that hurt terribly? And you still had to climb a long way, right?".
Alice could only chuckle nervously as she said "Well... To be honest I think that's when I... fainted. I only woke up hours later on the 95th floor". Suguha gave her a confused stare "But... How did you get... up there?". Alice shrugged and blushed a little, thinking about it again "Well... Kirito-kun bandaged my eye, as he wasn't skilled enough at the Sacred Arts to fully heal it... And then he... eh, he carried me over his shoulder as he... climbed the last twelve floors...". She left out how she woke up in his arms, him looking down at her with his worried expression...
When she realized how Suguha was giving her weird looks and how all that sounded... She immediately continued to their later fights. Eugeo dramatically dying... Kirito breaking, before she tried to sacrifice herself. She blushed and softly said "He just... He just got up again, and parried the Administrator's strike, which would have cut me clean in half... And he told me I should rest, tha-that he would finish it".
She continued on to describe how he subsequently defeated the great Administrator..., losing an arm in the process. "But then... Something went w-wrong.. Very wrong. There was a bright white light over Kirito-kun and then... then he collapsed". She explained to her briefly what she had later been told was Kirito's soul destroying itself. At that point Suguha had been watching her with wide eyes and a look of shock and horror on her face.
That turned to sadness when she told her the story of those long six months. Caring for a comatose, nearly completely unresponsive Kirito. How they had been alone in the woods for mostly all that time as she wasn't welcome in her father's village. Her having to help him with everything. And confessing how that... How that had given her a new sense of purpose after Alice Zuberg's memories had been lost for good...
Suguha had been stunned by the heart wrenching tale. By the end she realized Alice had good reason to feel a strong connection to her brother... Even... love him? She asked herself. And while that was very unfair towards Asuna, who had been through her own share of traumatic experiences with her brother, he wasn't really at fault either.
Being comatose seems to do that to things... She sighed and softly smiling said "Well I'm just glad the three of you all made it out alive". Alice seemed to perk up a little at that and smiled back at her, nodding. When her brother came back, she shot him a few death glares, but decided to keep him in suspense about it for now.
After Suguha and Kirito had their dinner, she quietly sat there, really hating the limitations of her mechanical body. She missed eating... The siblings seemed to have noticed as they each gave her sorry looks. She quickly said it was alright. Not getting hungry was a bonus too after all... But then Kirito suddenly had an idea and said "I could... take you out for dinner in ALO instead?". He blushed immediately after, realizing what he had said. But Alice quickly replied, before he could change his mind "Oh.. Eh, a-alright, that could be nice?".
While Suguha said that she couldn't come as she still had schoolwork to complete, she gave Kirito a strange glare and walked off to her room. She wondered for a moment what she meant by it, but shrugged it off when Kirito awkwardly waved her over to follow him to his room. As they entered, he seemed to realize something and began grinning from ear to ear. He asked her with an expectant glare in his eyes "Say Alice... You haven't logged into ALO this last week, right?".
She blinked in confusion a few moments, but then realized she had indeed been avoiding them... Him... But as she nodded he just became more excited? "Whyyy...?" She warily asked. But he just chuckled and said "Oh I just have a surprise for you, is all". As he put on his head device and sat back in his chair, he told her that she could use the bed.
As Kirito said "Link start!", in a far too excited volume, Alice just sighed and uploaded her mind to the ALO server, as she had been taught to do by Higa-san at RATH. As she opened her eyes a few moments later, she was standing outside the Log Cabin that Kirito and Asuna owned. Oh right, I was here last time, wasn't I...". As she thought about her last visit two weeks ago, she let out an involuntary yelp as the door suddenly opened and a wide grinned Kirito came walking up to her in the clearing in front of the cabin "Well? What do you think?".
He asked her teasingly. She muttered a moment in confusion "About wh- what... WHAT?". As her eyes passed to her armour, she noticed not the starter equipment she had been given when first joining ALO. To her sadness, all her equipment from Underworld had been removed, although Kirito soon pointed out that her 'stats', or her abilities, had been taken over from Underworld as closely as possible.
She noticed she had a 1000/1000 in one-handed Swords and a 750/1000 in two-handed Swords. As well as points in several other, to her non-descript 'Skills'. Kirito had even teasingly pointed out she had points in the Woodcutting skill, to which she had blushed profusely, remembering their time together.
This time, however, she was wearing something all too familiar. She was in her full, golden Integrity Knight outfit. Complete with her masterwork blue cape, billowing white skirt, boots... and... a very familiar, ornate sheath hanging from her side. Incredulously she slowly pulled out her... her Fragrant Olive Sword... As she was still in shock, she let Kirito guide her into her menu and equipment screen. There he showed her:
'[Armour of Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty] - [Unique]
[Sacred Treasure: Fragrant Olive Longsword] - [Unique]'
She was a little irritated that, even though it had very good points according to Kirito, it couldn't split up into deadly flower leaves. But when he guided her to her item list she gasped and brought her hand up to cover her mouth. Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes as she read two item names below each other: [UNDAC001-Amayori] [UNDAC002-Takiguri].
She remembered now how Kirito had changed her dying dragons into eggs, to save their lives and allowing her the chance to bring them back if she ever - when she returns to the Underworld... She jumped through her screen, not being able to contain herself and wrapped him in a tight hug.
When he started groaning she quickly let go, afraid what happened and he started coughing as he said "You're... You're Strength stat is also brought over it seems...". They both laughed for a bit and marveled about how she had all her equipment and how powerful they were. Then he showed her how to do what she had been dying to ask about.
With shaking hands she slowly materialized the two familiar items... She shielded her eyes at the suddenly appearing bright lights above her. But as she started peeking through her fingers, she noticed two small shapes forming... After half a minute, but what felt like an eternity as she gazed in amazement, two small dragons, cat sized came flying down. One blue... Amayori.. and one red, her brother Takiguri... They looked around confused but then settled on her, standing below them.
They immediately dove down towards her, full of enthusiasm. At that point, Alice was just glad they were small and not at their full sizes... Ouch! She looked up at Kirito with teary eyes and a grateful smile while she said "Thank you... Thank you really, so much..". He just smiled and nervously rubbed the back of his neck, saying it was nothing and that he "..just asked Koujiro-san and Higa-san to negotiate for it with the company that runs ALO. They apparently were quite happy about the promotional value of the first true AI to play their game...".
She thought for a split second about how that might cause problems down the line, but almost immediately returned to being happy as her Dragons licked her face.
As they discussed her equipment and abilities for a bit they were both startled when a young girl's voice rung out "DAADDDYYYY!" as his adopted AI daughter Yui slammed into him in her Human form. He was a little dazed, but soon picked her up and swung her around "YUUUUIIIII!".
She giggled and beamed at him and then stopped and curiously stared at Alice with a tilted head. "Alice-san? You're here with daddy?" she asked in her trademark, puppy eyed, innocent girl voice.
Right when Kirito was about ready to steel himself and reply... something. He froze when two very familiar voices shouted "Kirito?". He turned around slowly and smiled awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck. Staring at the pink haired Lisbeth and his Undine girlfriend, Asuna, looking at him with raised eyebrows upon seeing Alice standing there.
It was silent for a moment, but then Liz shot towards Alice. Alice had to visibly steel herself at the speed of the flying blacksmith but was stunned by the following barrage of compliments at her armour and a series of questions and who in the hell had forged it.
While Kirito saw Liz relief some of the tension and barraging a helpless Alice with gear-related questions, he chuckled as she did her best to echo back at Liz what he just told her. Not fully understanding what it all meant. Then Asuna cleared her throat quietly, so only he could hear it and asked with an annoyed voice "So... Kazuto".
He immediately swallowed, noticing she used his real name instead of the affectionate Kirito-kun... Before she started barraging him in a whispered voice "How come you just tell me you have plans and then ignore me all night and day and then I find you here in ALO with Alice of all people?!".
He needed a few moments, but then cleared his throat a bit and told her the first thing that came to mind "Uhm.. Well, Koujiro-san said she was concerned about A-Alice... That she was pushing herself too hard and.. eh.. well she asked if I could convince her to take a day off and relax.. So yeah I... I'm just being there for a friend".
He followed it up with his best confident smile. She stared at him for a few moments, but then had seemed to deem it believable enough, before now too with a smile greeting Alice. After explaining Alice had felt left out at dinner they agreed they should go eat something.
Alice felt a slight tinge in her chest when she realized Asuna, Yui and Lisbeth, or Liz would probably join on her date... eh Dinner! Dinner with Kirito-kun... She sighed quietly but kept smiling her best, friendly smile. She had been a bit relieved when the girls admitted they had already just eaten and insisted they go without them, but did her best not to show it. As the entire time Asuna was shooting warning glances towards Kirito... Eventually they said their awkward goodbyes and the two of them silently made their way to a restaurant in the nearby town of Corral.
After maybe fifteen minutes of sitting at their table with a large variety of local delicacies - all picked out by Kirito who told her pretty much everything was amazing - they were happily laughing like old friends and sharing all their various dishes. Kirito had cautiously watched her try a few of his less spicy dishes, but after being happily surprised that she really liked the heat, they eventually ordered a string of dishes with increasing spiciness...
Fifteen minutes later, they had each eaten five spicy dishes. When they started Kirito had, despite her enthusiasm, felt pretty confident in his ability to win. By the fourth dish, however, he was starting to get nervous - seeing how they both only coughed up a little bit of smoke... He had expected his newcomer friend to cop out after the third, but now they were both staring at each other. Keeping in their inevitable explosions after that final pepper...
Alice was the first to literally spew fire, being only a second later followed up by Kirito's own spout of flames. A few moments passed, as they stared at each other, gasping for air. But then Kirito raised his arms and while coughing loudly he managed to shout "VICTORYYYYY!". Alice then joined him through her coughs with an annoyed "GAAAH I WAS SO CLOSE".
Then the two of them froze and looked around. Staring at them, like deer looking up into a car's headlight, were around a dozen other pairs of players. The NPC innkeep meanwhile just shouted a pre-programmed "Keep it down or take it outside!".
As they left not long after that awkward moment, they were now silently making their way back to the cabin. Eventually, Kirito stopped. He shared a knowing glance with Alice and the two of them unsheathed their weapons. Kirito had decided to wield his most precious possession: the holy sword Excalibur.
Alice gasped and stared for a bit at the regal Longsword that was even bigger than her own ornate sword. After a moment of admiration she steeled herself and shouted loudly, but in a confident voice "Only cowards lie in hiding!".
The two of them had grinned when a group of twelve Player Killers had come out of the nearby treeline. Their leader had started spouting "Well then... Good on you for spotting us. Now, if you would be so kind as to hand over your glittery swords?". After his men started laughing, Kirito and Alice had shared a glance, smiled, and nodded.
It took them an all of two minutes, with their maxed out skills and high levels, to dispatch of the two horrified parties of players. When they arrived back at the Log Cabin, where they could log out safely, the gave each other a last smile before both pressing the log out button.
When the both of them looked at each other back in Kazuto's room, they were a little embarrassed. They had both forgotten they were actually together in real life as well. And to his shock, Kazuto realized it was already 1AM! Carefully saying this to Alice, her eyes opened wide in shock and she immediately got up. "I... I eh I should go... Oh by Solus, the guards outside must have been waiting all this time...".
Kazuto agreed and they quickly made their way down. To his relief he noted that Sugu must have already gone to bed. As she put her shoes and coat back on and they stared at each other awkwardly for a moment, Kazuto stuttered "I... I'll walk you to your car". She nodded at him with a blush and a smile and led him outside. As they approached the awaiting car, a window rolled down and an unfamiliar face stared at them.
He was clearly wearing the same uniform, but it was a different guard... "Is there a problem, Alice-san, Kirigaya-san?" he asked with a nervous look. The both of them were a bit stunned but then Alice stuttered "Eh.. No, not at all we just thought that it was getting late.. A-and I should probably get back to RATH".
The middle-aged man gave them a confused expression and then went on to carefully ask "We... We were informed by Koujiro-san that you would be spending the night at the Kirigaya-residence? That's why we relieved our colleagues for the night shift...". He strengthened his words by carefully waving at the different car and men around him. Alice almost immediately asked "I.. I am?".
First directed at the guard, who then sheepishly shrugged and said "Well... I suppose that is up to you and Kirigaya-san". At the embarrassed, but somehow hopeful look he got from the blonde girl, he too had started blushing as he eventually stuttered "Ehh.. Eh, if-if you like? I suppose we have a g-guest bedroom?".
As Alice had no sleepwear with her and neither of them really felt like waking Sugu to ask her for a spare set of pajamas... Kazuto nervously gave her one of his oversized shirts, which she gratefully, if a bit shamefully accepted before they said their awkward goodbyes and each retreated to their respective rooms.
As Kazuto fell back on his bed he smiled as he absentmindedly stared at the ceiling. Reliving his day with Alice in his mind. He felt a bit odd, realizing he hadn't truly felt this happy since waking up from the Underworld... Then his smile faltered as his mind went to Asuna. He immediately felt guilty. He had been pushing her away since after the first week...
She had clearly been trying her best to stay supportive of him, but he could see her frustration shine through more and more often. And he realized it wasn't undeserved. He just... didn't know what to do anymore. He was still happy when he saw her, but it just felt like... Like that was so long ago. He had lived an extra four years. Growing up, forging friendships, fighting battles...
Asuna had always been the more mature and serious of the two. Now she was lying in her bed. Eyes red from the tears she had shed after having logged out from ALO... He ignored her all day and night, and then she had found him with Alice... And apparently they had been spending the whole day together. She had checked her friend list every so often with Liz and Yui, checking to see if he had come online yet.
So she knew they only logged in shortly before they arrived back home. So then... Had she been at his house all day...? She had realized Kirito-kun had been distant lately... And he seemed a lot less carefree. While he still smiled widely and made jokes, he was less... Cheerful. And yet it didn't seem like he was really sad or distracted... He just seemed more... mature? Older. She had to often remind herself that he had spent far longer in that game than she had... In what for her had been several days... Maybe they had.. grown apart, without her even getting a chance to realize it?
The next morning her onii-chan and Alice-san both carefully stuck their heads out of their respective doors as Sugu loudly screamed at his door to wake up for breakfast. Sugu froze as she saw Alice come out of the guest room wearing what looked like one of her brothers large shirts. For a moment she was stunned, not just by her presence but by her undeniable beauty. It was almost unfair that she had received a body designed by artists... She had even felt more jealous when her brother had casually remarked the other day that she looked exactly as she had in Underworld. Just unfair... Still, eventually she recovered from the shock and feigned a calm voice as she said good morning to Alice and invited her to breakfast as well.
Moments after Sugu had left for school, Kazuto's cellphone rang. Without looking, glad to have a distraction from once again awkwardly being alone with Alice, he answered and quickly said his name. "Aaaah, Kazuto-san, I was glad to hear that Alice-san extended her vacation!". He could hear a clearly teasing tone to her voice and Alice eyed him cautiously as he blushed and stuttered for a bit, before calming himself and carefully asking "Ah yes.. Koujiro-san. In any case, why are you calling...? Especially this early?".
She chuckled a bit at his tone, but then calmly stated "Well, I thought since this is the first time in nearly three months that Alice has actually agreed to take a break... I could offer the both of you something". Kazuto's interested was piqued, but he was cautious too as he slowly said "What did you have in mind...?".
It took a few moments for the idea to be processed after Koujiro explained it. A three day trip at a hotel in the mountains outside of Kyoto where Alice could walk outside and see what the world had to offer without needing to be surrounded by a cordon of bodyguards... But he would need to be by her side to keep an eye on her as well.
After Alice had turned impatient and asked him "Kirito-kun, hello? What is it?". He hesitantly repeated the offer. Her eyes widened, but then seemed to glimmer a little as a small smile formed on the blonde girl's face. He could clearly see her blushing as she looked a little to the side and nervously asked "I... I would.. I would like being outside the city..." but then she quickly added "Only if.. if that works for you, of course.. I mean you have your own life".
He could see that Alice genuinely had hoped to be allowed outside a bit more freely and the thought of being in the mountains away from the city seemed to light a spark in her eyes. Still, he could see how it seemed to be pretty difficult for her to openly admit she needed his help to do it...
He sighed and without replying to Alice chuckled as he said into the phone with a resigned smile "Alright, we'll do it". He was surprised when Alice suddenly lept forward and with her face stuffed up to his chest said "Thanks Kirito-kun... really!". He chuckled a bit awkwardly as he hugged her back with one arm.
As Koujiro made arrangements for them to leave the next day, she stated Alice may as well stay over at his house another night, which the two of them blushingly and hesitantly agreed to after some discussion with Koujiro - who persisted that it would be easier as they wouldn't need to cross the busy city center the next morning to pick him up.
Suddenly finding themselves with a whole new day to fill in the Kirigaya-residence, they stared awkwardly at each other for a while, until Kazuto realized that he should really tell Asuna about this... He excused himself for a moment, explaining that and Alice seemed to give him a concerned look, as if she now too realized his girlfriend would probably not like this.
Seeing her look turn from excitement to sadness, he immediately stuttered "Don't worry, I'll just explain and... I'm sure she'll be fine with it, really". It seemed to calm her down, a little, as she shot him an appreciative smile and gesturing for him to get going.
Asuna was already online and waiting for him in their Log Cabin in LAO, so he put on his trusty NerveGear, and logged in. He found her sitting, with her arms crossed, glaring at him intently. "So, how was your date with Alice?" she asked sarcastically. He looked down a little as he eventually sighed and said "It wasn't a date, Asuna. I just... She's a good friend and I.. We have just been through a lot, that's all, really".
He had meant what he said, but afterwards he started to doubt his own conviction a little. Did he really only see her as a friend? Asuna seemed to notice his hesitation near the end and scoffed, before continuing in a raised voice "You've been distant ever since you came back, and even more since yesterday... You're just so different. Is it Alice? Really? I mean... I mean you only had a few days of memories with her at most!". She was almost incoherently shouting all of this at him and he flinched a bit. It took him a few seconds to figure out how to tell her that he had a lot more than that...
He eventually sighed and in a soft voice began telling her "When... When the Blue Rose Sword with the remains of Eugeo helped me defeat Vector... Erh, Miller I suppose, he... He showed me the memories of my first trip to the Underworld...". She blinked at him a few times "You mean that first test dive? That was only a few days too right?" she asked impatiently.
He slowly shook his head "no... I.. He gave me back... ten years worth of memories... Growing up with Eugeo and Alice as my best friends, being born on the same die". Glancing up and down again upon seeing her shocked and hurt expression he quietly kept speaking. "I... And, since yesterday, I... I've been getting flashes of memories while I was comatose, and of her... Looking after me".
It stayed silent for minutes, until Asuna, with a raspy voice but clear intent in it said "Look at me". Almost immediately, due to the shock, he shot his eyes up to meet hers. Tears were streaming out of them, but he only saw a cold... determination as he glanced in those normally warm eyes. He felt a tinge of sadness as he realized he caused that. But it was nothing to the pain he felt when she followed up by asking him "Do... Do you still love me, kirito-kun?" in the most fragile voice he had ever heard her use.
He stared into her eyes for a few seconds before quietly, but calmly saying "I... I do.. But for me it's been almost four years, Asuna. I lived a life there... I... I changed, I guess. And it's been getting more and more difficult returning to... the version of myself I was before all that... The version you fell in love with". She stared at his eyes intently, as if measuring what he said and then with a soft voice asked "And Alice...?".
He honestly didn't know what to say. He just stared back at her and stopped. No answer could pass his lips. Eventually she turned around and said calmly "I... I don't think this is still working, Kazuto... I...". Near the end her calm demeanor faltered and she started sobbing as she fell to her knees.
His heart broke, seeing Asuna like that. But as he made his way over to... To just say anything to try and calm her down. He couldn't stand being the cause for her being like this. But before he reached her, she had quickly opened her player menu and said in a broken, but sincere voice "I... I hope you'll be happy... Kirito-kun, truly". After which she logged out in the familiar flash of light.
Kirito needed a few moments and shakingly took place on the couch in their cabin. Did he just... Break up with Asuna? At that point he heard a soft voice coming from his side, Yui standing there with tears streaming from her face as she sobbed "Daddy... Are you... Are you and mommy breaking up?". His heart broke again, but he forced himself to at least say something, for her sake "I... I don't know, honey... I.. I think so".
Having received that confirmation. Yui seemed to stiffen a little, but then slowly started to calm down. She was still upset, but she carefully nodded at him and softly said "I... I already noticed a change... In your emotional output.. You.. You didn't enjoy spending as much time with mommy anymore.. And yesterday with Alice you were suddenly really happy again!".
As Yui pointed it out so plainly for him, with the full knowledge of her advanced AI and the innocence of a ten year old girl, he couldn't help but feel ashamed as he looked to the ground. After a few moments, however, his daughter hugged him and whispered "It's alright daddy, I understand... You changed. You're older after Underworld. And it's been a long time for you since you saw us...".
Yui being an Emotional Support AI originally, still seemed to always know what to say to him. As he almost chuckled to himself over that realization, he suddenly noticed Yui was shaking a little bit and he realized what that statement included. since you saw us... He quickly pulled her up on his knee and gave her a firm hug, stroking her back and brushing her hair with his hands.
"I still love the both of you, Yui... But with Asuna it just feels... different? I'm still not really sure myself what it is, but it just all feels like a distant memory... But you, Yui, you I loved more than ever when I saw you again... You can feel that, right?". He added that last part with a hopeful look.
She looked at his face for a moment, tears covering her cheeks, but after what seemed like three seconds, she immediately brightened up and beamed her innocent smile at him "You're right daddy, it doesn't even fit on the scale of love!". She followed it up by cheekily giggling. He couldn't help but smile at how fast Yui accepted information due to her processing speed being significantly higher than that of the Human brain...
They talked for a little bit over some quickly prepared tea, until he realized Alice was waiting for him... Then he told Yui that he would probably be playing with Alice for a bit later in ALO "Would you want to come with us Yui?" he really did ask to cheer his daughter up, but she just smiled and said she was going on a quest for a rare ingot with Liz and Sinon.
Noticing he seemed worried that they would be online as well, Yui just said comfortingly "Don't worry daddy, I'll just tell them it wouldn't be a good time". He smiled at her and teasingly said "Thanks Yui, although it sometimes feels more like you're my parent, instead of the other way around". She just giggled at him . They gave each other another long hug, before Kirito logged out again.
As he rubbed his fuzzy eyes and opened them after taking off the helmet, he was a bit startled to find Alice looking at him with a worried stare from his desk chair. "It's been forty-five minutes Kirito-kun..." she said a bit annoyed, but clearly reading from his expression that something happened.
He sighed and looked down at the floor as he quietly said "I think... I think I just broke up with Asuna... Or she with me.. Or both.. I don't know..". The impact of his chat with Asuna started returning, Yui's comforting peptalk starting to wear off. To his surprise, a few moments after he started to feel tears well up in the corners of his eyes...
Alice had taken a seat next to him on the bed and wrapped him in a warm hug. As she pulled his head in to rest on her shoulder and calmly rubbed circles on his back, she said "It's going to be alright...". He started sobbing at this point, completely unable to keep up his struggle to hold on to some scrap of formality, and just seeking comfort with his friend.
After a five minutes of quiet hugging and comforting, Alice softly asked him if there's anything specific he had in mind for the day? He took a few moments to sort through his thoughts... But then he realized what the next undefeated boss was in New Aincrad... He steeled himself and with a confident voice that seemed to surprise himself more than it did Alice, he said "How about we take down a boss?".
Alice was a little surprised at the sudden determination Kirito-kun showed... But then she realized something, he had told her what the next boss would be. And the tragic story behind it... The 74th floor... Carefully she asked "Isn't the next bos... Gleam Eyes?". To her further surprise he just solemnly nodded and muttered quietly "Seems only right... Ending it where it really started...". She chose not to ask any further, as he really did seem to need this...
And she had to admit, she was itching to test out her equipment for what its worth against a strong opponent... And from the stories he had told her, this was certainly a strong beast. The previous day they had discovered, to Kirito-kun's great shock, that the company behind ALO had even created a Unique Skill for her, which gave some of her Integrity Knight techniques Sword Skill effects, to replace the lost ability of her sword to turn into a storm of razor-sharp petals...
As such, they found themselves in front of the 74th Floor Boss Doors only an hour later, having cleared their way through the labyrinth with trained speed and precision. They had slipped into a fully synchronous switching style. Alice with her Fragrant Olive Longsword releasing heavy, stunning strikes, and even wide Skills designed to immobilize or stagger multiple opponents at once, and Kirito-kun dodging in dexterously to deal Sword Skill after Sword Skill at the distracted monsters.
There turned out to be more people sharing their idea to clear out the labyrinth in preparation of a planned Boss Raid the next day, but while the pair shot past everyone, moving further and further up the Labyrinth... The first few parties happily tagged along, joining in the experience gain by finishing off the monsters on the fringes of the main fight. But by the time they had reached the Boss Doors, they were now followed by an audience of spectators who had been marveling at their teamwork and ease with the tough monsters. As well as both of their gleaming swords...
He was almost immediately recognized as Kirito, the Black Swordsman, the hero who cleared SAO... While Alice wasn't directly recognized as the wonder AI because of her blue hair and Caith Sith cat ears... Her Unique Sword and Skills, however, quickly started to wow them. As well as her incredible, equally Unique armour - paired with her apparent skill in using them. She was an unknown, at a skill level that was clearly showed to be equal to the most famous player of the game...
They shared a last glance and a resolute nod as they, to the shock of the crowd, walked into the boss room together. Just under an hour later, the last of Gleam Eye's health bars shattered. The second time of ending the virtual life of the monster that slaughtered dozens of players... Kirito felt himself being unable to move. He was just standing in the position he pulled himself up to. Heaving from the exhaustion. He heard Alice's clinking footsteps approaching and felt her stop to next to him. As he looked over at her worried eyes, he now for the first time noticed he had been crying. She pulled him into a silent hug and he immediately returned it.
After they had stood there for a while, they broke apart again, Kirito happily smiling at the girl as he wiped away his tears, which she returned with her own intoxicatingly, beautiful smile. He couldn't help but look at her happily swinging tail for a moment and chuckle, before he looked past her for the first time now and noticed around... sixty or so players, wide eyed and with gaping mouths standing at the boss door.
Most of them holding up recording crystals... Oh crap... Everyone is going to see this entire fight... And he thought to himself nervously... His long hug with Alice. As Alice too turned around to face the audience she had forgotten, they seemed to be pulled from their shock and came rushing towards them. Congratulating them and shouting praises. Some asking them questions. They were flustered for a while, until Kirito suddenly noticed a familiar face.
As he walked up from the back of the audience with a confident stride and a warm smile on his face, the gathered crowd actually parted for him and silenced, before he calmly turned to Kirito and said "My old friend, Kirito-san! might I ask you a few questions for MMO Today?". Kirito was flustered, but had expected it from his friend, Thinker. The former leader of the Aincrad Liberation Army in SAO and editor of MMO Today, the popular news website about Multiplayer gaming, and the virtual worlds specifically.
Sighing and realizing it would be better for this to spread through a friend anyway... He turned to discuss what they were going to say with Alice a few paces away. Thinker patiently waited, with a confident smile, as if he already knew he had won this exclusive.
"So Kirito-san, as almost all former SAO players know, and most of the non-SAO players as well due to the Full Record of SAO book that was published several months ago, you initially battled and defeated the original Gleam Eyes nearly single-handed using your then discovered Unique Ability... Dual-Wielding. Now we find you here, once more, in New Aincrad this time. Only you're not fighting it alone anymore, nor dual-wielding, only wielding what appears to be... the holy sword of Excalibur".
He chuckled for a moment as Kirito answered stutteringly "Y-You... eh, you have done your research, huh Thinker..? Although i-it wasn't exactly soloing the first time. But yes..." he started his last sentence a little louder so everyone gathered could clearly hear him "I am Kirito and this is my good friend, Alice".
The man gave him another chuckle and a smile before he, a bit more seriously added "Then would you perhaps fill in the gaps for me here... Who is your new... Partner? Her armour, her mysterious weapon... And she fights with such ease that she has to be a veteran player... And yet nobody here seems to know her?".
Kirito gestured for Alice to say what they agreed and she stepped up confidently, the many press conferences having steeled her to the point where a few players with recording crystals meant nothing to her "Greetings players of Alfheim Online! I am in fact... Alice, as my good friend Kirito-kun said, but you may recognize me by my full name... Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty. It is nice to meet you!".
After a bow, the entire audience was stunned for a moment, before Thinker, smelling the exclusive of a lifetime, hastily asked "So, Alice-san, and I don't mean this to offend you in any way, but I'm just trying to get some facts clear" he started carefully.
Upon seeing Alice give him an encouraging nod, he asked "So you are the... 'AI' visitor from Underworld that we have been seeing on the news... You have decided to become a player of ALO... And you appear to be good friends with the famous Black Swordsman... Is that correct?".
Both Kirito and Alice happily nodded and confirmed his questions, but then Thinker asked Alice with a confident smile "Alice-san, could you tell the readers of MMO Today if you... will be partnering up with Kirito-san in ALO and perhaps other games, from now on?". Kirito froze and noticed that Alice turned around to him with a nervous and somewhat embarrassed look.
He could tell what she was trying to say 'we... didn't really discuss that yet, right?'. They exchanged a wordless exchange, but eventually both of their faces softened into warm smiles. Before Kirito confidently said with a smile "Yes Thinker-san, I think we will".
The man smiled at him and then calmly asked "Then let me ask you this Kirito, the Black Swordsman, one of the most famous names in the MMO community...". He gave him an encouraging smile and nod, as if saying 'this will help' "are you taking an official position on whether you believe Alice should be recognized as a Human being, instead of a program as some claim her to be?".
Alice had been relieved that the interview had gone according to their quick plan, but when Thinker-san asked Kirito-kun to make a formal statement... She couldn't help but get a little restless. She knew from having seen most of his press conferences since SAO, that he wasn't really much of a talker in front of them.
He was always nervous and declined making any definitive statements, to try and keep as low a profile as his celebrity status permitted. She was pleasantly shocked when Kirito didn't even blink, but fiercely confident replied "That goes without saying, Thinker-san. Alice has quickly grown to be one of my closest friends... Not to mention that she has saved my life on occasion... While I have often avoided taking stances in heated topics, I can firmly say I am in full support of Alice being recognized for what she is...".
He paused there for a moment, enjoying the shocked look on Thinker's face, who although having expected his support, didn't expect such a strong one from his usually evasive self. He chuckled and finished "Human". After which the two of them left, happily smiling at each other as they confidently strode up the stairs the the 75th floor.
After they had walked up the stairs to the next floor, Alice checked to make sure they weren't followed and gave her new partner a big hug. She was happy to find he returned it without freezing up this time. As she smiled into his chest, more to hide her blush than anything else, he calmly stroked her back and said with a teasing voice "So... You up to keep going a bit longer? They... They changed this entire floor...". Alice, who realized she could keep going for a while, calmly turned around, but was immediately shocked by the sight in front of her.
See - artstation com / artwork / 1g3oL - for a beautiful piece of artwork that I envision while writing for this floor.
The architecture reminded her a lot of what she had seen of South Centoria, back in Underworld, but she had since learned that that was based on a traditional Japanese building style. Those pagoda temples and simple houses she could see weren't the most stunning of their view, however.
Steep, towering cliff sides, deep canyons and lakes. Thick fir and pine forests dotted the tops of the eroded mountains. Even several floating islands up high in the sky. Next to her Kirito muttered, amazed but dazed all the same "This.. This is beautiful.. But it will be a pain to get around...". Alice was pulled out of her own wonder by his comment and chuckled when she realized something "But imagine flying around here on Amayori and Takiguri...When they're... bigger".
She felt herself frown a little, thinking how they were still so small... But then Kirito tapped her on the shoulder. As she looked at him he had a wide smile on his face and said "Well... In ALO, Dragons reach their full size at level 30.. And judging by... that.. they already leveled up a lot by that Boss Fight". She followed his pointing finger and her mouth fell wide open. She was looking at the two Dragons, but instead of the cat-sized hatchlings she had seen before, they had grown to the size of large wolves...
"But.. How... It took them three years to grow that large!". Kirito just chuckled and sheepishly said "That's the benefit of a game, I suppose? Helping fight high level boss monsters...". She couldn't help but hug him again, as they started to make their way along a cliff path to a village they could see in the distance... She was going to explore a strange new world, with her new partner!
