Late at night, Shino showed a very uneasy expression. When I asked him why, he said he dreamed that I was dead, but I couldn't believe it was Yuiichi's reason. There must be other reasons.
\"Hey Shino\"
"?"
"What did you dream about last night?"
When I turned to look at Shino's expression, she had a worried look on her face. I wonder if I didn't hear well.
"sorry.
"When night falls"
Shino interrupted and turned around, surprising me.
Shino blushed slightly and continued.
"Can I ask you again when night falls?"
\"Please say it again\"
When I understood what Shino wanted to say, I felt a little warm inside. By the way, let me tell you what Shino wants to ask.
"It's okay but okay?"
"Don't ask me to say it again. It's you who asked me to do this."
"Understood"
\"I will talk to you then, so please listen carefully?\"
"...I will listen."
I held Shino's hand tightly and continued walking among the falling cherry blossoms.
Aincrad Floor 61
\"This is Asuna.\" Asuna's home has become more lively than ever, and Jupiter is very happy to take care of Lilan and Yui. However, when it comes to the reasons why Jupiter is so happy, it is understood that the first reason is the appearance of the little animal Lilan, and the second reason is Yui. In this sense, Jupiter's response is unambiguous.
“Fluffy, fluffy and warm”
"Yes, Mr. Liran's fur is indeed very fluffy. It has evolved recently and has become more rugged."
Asuna and Yuuki sat on the dining chairs, drinking tea while watching Jupiter and Yui admiring Lilan in the living room.
"It's a little complicated."
Yuuki tilted her head and replied.
\"Is there anything complicated, Asuna?\"
According to Alice and Kirito, Jupiter is an mhhp, an AI created to heal the player's mind, and has higher performance and advanced evolutionary abilities than Yui. Also, Yui was created after Jupiter, and Jupiter was mhhp, so in other words, Yui is Jupiter's sister, but the current Jupiter looks too young, it's safe to say She is Yui's younger brother. For Asuna, this seems a bit complicated.
"Jupiter is an AI born earlier than Xiaoyu.
Yuuki nodded as if she understood what Asuna said, and then smiled bitterly.
\"Indeed, Jupiter now feels more like Yui's younger brother than Yui's older brother. But according to Teacher Alice, Jupiter was born.\"
"But that child"
Asuna smiled happily, but was surprised to feel something suddenly attack her. Just when I thought something was wrong, Jupiter, who was supposed to be in the living room, suddenly hugged me to my chest.
"Wait a minute, Jupiter?"
When I said this impatiently, Jupiter murmured while touching his cheek.
"Mom is the warmest and most comfortable."
Hearing these words, Asuna felt love surge in her heart and gently stroked Jupiter's silver hair. In this way, although Jupiter was not even a biological mother, he called himself mother, was very kind to him, hugged him, and slept with him, which was very warm. In my opinion, it is a mistake to say that artificial intelligence exists in games.
"No, it's AI, but it doesn't matter if it's AI or a game." Jupiter is definitely my son. Asuna thought so and hugged Jupiter's small body.
"That's right. I'm as passionate as Lelan. Jupiter knows."
"Hey hey hey"
Jupiter rubbed her cheek against his chest again, looking comfortable. However, immediately after, Asuna felt a weight that was not Jupiter's. She was startled for a moment, and then turned her face to Jupiter's. Next to Jupiter was a black-haired girl Yui, who also hugged him like Jupiter.
\"Yu, Xiaoyu!?\"
\"Indeed, Miss Asuna is also very enthusiastic.\"
Asuna smiled bitterly and stroked Yui's head. It was as soft as silk and had a distinctly different texture to Jupiter's hair.
"Come on, you two, stop treating me like a heater."
Asuna smiled awkwardly, and Yuuki said to Asuna with a confident look on her face.
\"Oh, after all, she is a child like Asuna. I think I understand why Teacher Alice wants to recruit childcare teachers.\"
\"Wait, Yuki\"
Indeed, when I walked on the first floor, children often came up to me, and for some reason, when I first went to Alice's church, I was welcomed by the children. And until now, I have not been rejected by Yui, and Jupiter has become like my son. Recently, Asuna felt that there was something about herself that children liked.
"I wonder if the kids like me that much."
Lilan, whose mane and fur were messy due to Yui and Jupiter's play, made a "sound".
"You have a kind heart. Your kindness will guide the children.
“I even lead the kids.
"That's it. Everyone is working hard to move forward under your leadership. Because of your guidance, everyone can move forward with peace of mind. You should be proud of this."
"I thought I was not suitable to lead others"
""not real. You have the qualities of a leader, as well as kindness and warmth. This is why everyone will try to follow you and Jupiter will become attached to you. If you are arrogant, even if people follow you, Jupiter will not fall in love with you.
Asuna closed her eyes and recalled what she once was. When I was shackled by my parents' chains and only wanted to return to the real world, I was called a strategy demon. If I were like I was then, people might follow me, but Jupiter would not consider me his mother, nor would I approach him in the first place.
"But Lelan changed me."
"I'm not alone. The most important thing is that you try to stop it yourself. If you reject me outright, there's nothing I can do.
"Maybe so, even so, your words are still very convincing, and you have become my strength. Now I want to help you, but"
Lilan tilted her head.
"What's wrong"
"Run again, do you remember anything?
To this day, Lilan continues to move forward without losing her memory. According to Kirito, when he first met Lilan, he was hit in the head with a sword multiple times, causing his memory to go blank, but at the same time, if he continued to climb the castle, maybe one day he would regain his memory.
However, despite crawling so far, Lilane seems to have not regained her memory, and Kirito has never said such a thing.
"Unfortunately, my memory will never come back. Although I feel like I will get it back one day.
"By the way, how can we restore Lilan's memory?"
At this time, Yuuki said something as if a flash of inspiration occurred.
“I wonder if everyone should hit Lelan over the head.
Lilan answered Yuuki with a surprised look on her face.
"Don't stop! If you hit me on the head, my memory of you will disappear!\"
"Hey, are you kidding me? I didn't want to hit Lilan on the head!"
When Yuuki waved her palms impatiently, Lilan sighed helplessly.
However, what I can’t help but worry about is the content of Lilan’s memories of spending time together and fighting together, rather than the content of the hundred-story Golden Jade Palace. Who is Lilan and what has Lilan done? paddy.
"Mother"
"Hey, Jupiter."
"I'm hungry"
Asuna looked at the clock in surprise. The time already shows 18:30. This is my usual time for dinner.
"No, it's time to have dinner. I'll go prepare it."
After Asuna stood up, Yui said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how it differs from my mom’s cooking.”
Asuna turned around and replied with a smile.
"I'm the one who taught Xiao Yue's mother how to cook, so I'm sure she'll be surprised!"
After answering, Asuna's eyes reflected Yui's expectant smile, and she walked towards the kitchen.
70th Floor East Area: 12 midnight.
There was almost silence around the village. There were no players except us, and even the NPCs were sleeping. There were no villagers outside, only the sound of trees and grass blowing in the wind.
However, in the inn room, the only sounds were made by the unnatural things like us. It only sounded in this one room, and often made sounds that spread and disappeared in this one room.
"Ahhhhhhh"
A high, sweet, glossy sound that you wouldn't normally make at all. The sound she made was only heard by me. I was Yui, the only one without any clothes among the six thousand people.
I couldn't help but feel the radiance and charm in her expression that only I could see.
\"Shino\"
Calling her name, sliding his hand so as not to hurt her soft white skin, she jumped in surprise when it touched a spot she responded to. I thought my skin was damaged, but I found out that wasn't the case with her voice.
\"Hello, Kirito, hello\"
"She has accepted me." But even so, when I let go and touch her like this, I still feel uneasy because I'm giving her a level of extreme discomfort and pain that shouldn't exist.
Even hearing her voice, I couldn't shake the uneasiness, so I stopped and called out to her who was struggling to breathe.
"Shino, are you okay?"
She opened her eyes gently, and I was reflected in her black eyes.
\"I'm sorry because Kirito is very kind\"
"She put her hand to my cheek and just smiled. "You can feel the softness and warmth on your cheek.
"But I'm a little scared that my easily injured shoulder won't be relaxed a bit"
I nodded to her, relaxing my shoulders a little and touching her skin again. She twitched and moved, but eventually she put on a calm, composed face and held out her hand to me.
\"Kirito, give me a hug.\"
“Already got it”
I gently placed my hands on her body and hugged her. At this time, she shouted with her mouth closed and put her hands on my back. She called to me, breathing a little heavier as I touched her soft skin with my whole hand and felt its warmth.
\"Kirito, tell me what you saw in your dream.\"
"Yesterday's dream?"
\"Yes. That's when I returned to the real world. What I found when I woke up was not my home in Aincrad, but the real world, my home in Tokyo. That's where I looked for Kirito. Where ,Where?"
"Her voice weakened."
"But no matter where I look, into town, into back alleys, into buildings, I can't find you." When I realized this, I couldn't stop screaming. I woke up when I screamed in my sleep. "
Her embracing hands grew stronger.
"When I woke up, you weren't there. I couldn't help myself. I found you there, but I couldn't shake my discomfort with you. I asked you to do this."
Instinctively I turned my face towards her. She turned her face to me too, but her eyes were filled with tears.
\"In this case, you will feel that Kirito is still alive and feel his warmth\"
There were tears in her eyes and she smiled bitterly.
"I can't. I thought I wanted to become stronger, but I couldn't become stronger at all. Instead, I was spoiled by you. I was thinking that when you left, if I went, I would be scared and unbearable."
When I looked into her eyes, my heart burned and my whole body ached.
"She's usually very mature and calm." So much so that they don't need my help or to be protected by me.
But the truth is, she relies on me so much that she even dreams about me. When I think of this, my heart beats harder and my whole body aches.
"She lives with me, but she depends on me." It should have been terrible, but now it feels good.
"But that's all I can say." Even I was too fragile to rely on her safely.
\"Me too, Shino. The thought of you being disconnected or disappearing from my sight due to medicuboid's malfunction makes me scared and out of control. I'm the same as you. Everyone says I'm strong, I'm strong , I also want to be strong, but I also rely on you in many ways...I have created a wall that I have to overcome myself. I am not good either."
"She couldn't hide her surprise at my unexpected words."
"But I don't think it's a good idea to continue to spoil you. If you feel the same way"
“Right now, I might just want to stay the way I am.”
"Well"
"I turned around to face her," she continued.
\"Even if we return to the real world, we have promised to be together, but I don't know where Kirito lives or when we can meet again. Besides, we broke up in SAo, but this is the end. Once, I may never see you again, so I want to pamper you.
"No way, I thought"
"She put her mouth to my ear and whispered."
"So, unless something special happens, I will consider no longer relying on you. Even if I jump out of my dream and hug you, I may not be convincing. But"
"Indeed, unless something special happens, she will not be spoiled by me. If nothing happens, she is mature and will not let me worry about her. She is a down-to-earth girl."
(...)
"Maybe I'm the one who gets spoiled." Because she's strong and emotionally supportive, I can't help but spoil her.
"Even so, it's not that I don't want to be spoiled by you. Now, if I do this, I can forget everything I ever killed someone with a gun and then be trapped in the game. But I can forget everything you might lose. "
"She met me."
"I try not to be spoiled by you too often. I try not to be spoiled by you too much. I think I want you to forget everything, just this once."
"When I was told this, I immediately wanted to do the same thing. "I realized that I was already spoiled by her, so I had to be careful not to spoil her anymore.
"If I rely on her too much, I will definitely put an extra burden on her." The burden of this world is close to death - I must protect her so that she can survive and not become a burden before she escapes this castle. I swore it when I confessed my love to her.
However.
\"It's okay. It's just an exception this time. Shino, please try to take care of me. Although it's not a good thing to say, please reassure me. I want to forget this matter.\"
"It doesn't matter. Because it's you"
She gasped slightly and whispered to me again.
\"Kirito does it again, really, until I'm exhausted\"
"As you wish, my princess Yuiichi"
I got a little carried away and covered her cherry-colored lips with my own, continuing to warm her.
I can only give her warmth when she has been living in the world of ice and snow, let her be pampered, and be pampered by her at the same time. Because I also get warmth from her. While thinking this way, I gave her warmth and continued to receive warmth. Until you're really tired.
◇◇◇
The strong sunlight hit my eyelids and I woke up, but I immediately closed my eyes. I had the illusion that my eyes would literally turn into fried eggs from too much sunlight.
As my eyes adjusted to the brightness, when I finally opened them, I noticed the presence in front of me.
\"Shino\"
\"Good morning, Kirito. You woke up very late.\"
"Oh, good morning"
She, Shino, had woken up, but she still stood motionless in front of me.
\"Does that mean Shino got up very early???\"
"Yeah, about fifteen minutes faster than you."
"What was that? I think I woke up nearly an hour early."
"I wouldn't get up that early. Today is not my normal day."
When I moved my right hand to open the window, it was already 8:30 in the morning.
Shino usually wakes up about an hour earlier than me, but according to the story, Shino got up 15 minutes earlier than me, that is, at 8:15. Compared to usual Shino, she overslept a lot.
\"Indeed, usually Shino would get up around seven-thirty.
"Yes"
Then I turned my attention to Shino's body, and then I understood. Although he was covered with a quilt, he looked like he was wearing nothing. This may not have abolished the moral code either.
\"Or Shino. Haven't you changed your clothes yet?\"
"Yeah, I want to feel your warmth until you leave. And I don't want the sound of changing clothes to wake you up."
"I understand, let's change clothes now, shall we?"
"I can."
With that said, we got up from the futon, re-equipped our equipment, and returned the moral code to Sinon, and me - Kirito as always, and Sinon in a hoodie and shorts. I'm back.
\"So, Shino. What are we going to do today? Do we still enjoy this level?\"
Shino crossed her arms.
"So, I want to know what's going on. Springfield has taken a hard turn, and it's time for Yui and Lelan to start complaining, so let's go home, shall we?"
\"Of course, Shino and I are enjoying this kind of trip now.\" Yui and Lilan, who couldn't come, began to complain at Asuna's house.
I pictured Yui's puffy face saying it was cheating to just enjoy the trip with mom and dad, and I couldn't help but laugh.
\"Yeah. Yui and Lilan will start complaining to us soon, plus Jupiter, Asuna who is in charge of Yui and Lilan will probably be exhausted, so let's go pick them up.\ "
Shino nodded.
Leaving the hotel meant that the time when I was spoiled by Shino was over, and the time when Shino was spoiled by me was over. In order not to increase the burden on her, I must do my best.
\"Okay, let's go back to Yui and Lilan.\"
"Well"
I took Shino out of the room, went downstairs, finished breakfast, and continued walking along the cherry blossom forest path in Springfield where the season had stopped, to the city on the 70th floor, and then to the portal. Go through the 56th floor where Asuna's house is.
So we put on the gear we received from Heathcliff and made our way through the crowds that Springfield didn't have. A 56-story city is like an aristocratic district, with luxurious houses lined up in rows like palaces. Maybe it's because I've been to Springfield, a place with almost no people or artifacts, that I feel like I'm in a completely different world.
"It feels like I'm in another world."
\"Shino, do you think so too?\"
"Yeah. I mean, do you think so?"
"Ah, coming from a place like this to a noble town like this, it seems like the world has changed. We should be in the same world."
"Even so, we still live in this world, it's just that the fact hasn't changed."
"must"
While walking and chatting about these trivial matters, we came to the lake and finally arrived at Asuna's house nearby.
In the real world, some sounds can be heard inside the house, but the buildings in the game have special soundproofing effects, so the voices of the children inside cannot be heard.
\"Asuna is there, Asuna?\"
As I was looking forward to seeing my daughter and partner for the first time of the day, I knocked on the front door and seconds later it opened. I thought Asuna would come to greet me, but it turned out to be a kid with silver hair and blue eyes who was much shorter than Asuna - Jupiter.
\"Kirito Shin, Shino-sister\"
He bent slightly and stroked Jupiter's head. Jupiter looked very happy.
"Oh, Jupiter, how are you?"
As Jupiter nodded, something plopped behind him and ran towards us. Before I could see it, it jumped into Shino's chest next to me. That was the first time I saw it and I felt immediate relief.
"Mom, go home."
The one who jumped into Shino's chest was Yui, who was being taken care of by Asuna and had just come to pick her up.
\"I'm back, Yui. Have you caused any trouble for Asuna?\"
\"It's okay. Asuna-san, Yuuki-san, Jupiter-san, and Lilan all passed away safely.\"
If Yui was like this, nothing would happen - or so I thought. When I looked inside the house, I saw Lilan, who was going to pick her up like Yui. But Lilan was not alone, he was on Asuna's shoulders. Next to Asuna is Yuuki.
\"Replay it, Asuna, Yuuki, we are back.\"
Asuna said with a smile.
"That's a nice place, isn't it?"
"It's not mediocre, it's really good. It's a great place to hide."
Yuuki said with a smile.
“Cities with a lot of people are good, but remote villages with no people are also more attractive.
“The border village is a strange metaphor.
Asuna turned to face Yui.
\"Yui-chan is also a good girl.
If it's Yui and Jupiter, it's true that Yui's mental age is relatively high and she knows a lot. According to Alice, Yui was born later, and Jupiter can be said to be Yui's older brother, but looking at the two of them now, Yui is the older sister and Jupiter is the younger brother.
\"So, the two of us can touch my hair as we please. Thanks to you, everything is a mess.\"
At this time, I noticed that Lilan's fur was worse than usual and became like a bedbug. Of course, if such a young Jupiter hit it, it would be natural for something like this to happen. Do I need to brush it after I get home?
"Lilan, thank you for protecting Yupiter and Yui."
"Haha, thank you even more. One day, I was forced to experience something more serious than a battle.
"All right"
Imagining the moment when Lilan was turned into Yui and Jupiter's toy, he inadvertently smiled bitterly, with a calm expression on his face.
\"Speaking of which, Kirito. The expression on your face is quite refreshing, but now, has something good happened?\"
\"Yes. The place Asuna told me is better than I imagined. I will take you and Yui there next time.\"
"Oh, that's interesting."
Shino shouted to Yui.
“I think both Yui and Lilan will love it there.
Yui said "yes" and then rubbed her cheek against Shino's chest.
\"Speaking of which, we can't keep talking in front of Asuna's house.\"It's been a day, but I have to go home.
\"So Asuna, thank you Yui and Lilan.
\"Thank you very much Kirito-kun for having a great time here. Please bring Yui with you next time.\"
"Oh. See you later."
With that said, I put Lilan on my shoulders, waved to Asuna and Yuuki, and was about to leave, when a message suddenly appeared. It seemed that it was also sent to Asuna, and the two of them came face to face unintentionally.
"What is this, sending two messages at the same time?"
I paused, unfolded the email, and read its contents. The sender of the letter was Heathcliff, and it read: "I am going to hold a boss strategy meeting, so please go to the Blood Knights conference room as soon as possible." Apparently, in the past day, the capture team advanced to the boss room and met the boss.
"A summons from the boss battle meeting?"
\"Did you receive the same thing from Kirito-kun?\"
\"I turned to face Asuna.\"
\"Sent from Heathcliff. Does Asuna also have the same name?\"
"Yes, the leader also asked me to participate in the boss battle strategy meeting."
"I put my hand on my chin and thought." After thinking about it many times, as I have told others, the current number of floors is 75, and 100 floors are divided into 4 floors. This number has become a milestone. In this milestone, there is a boss that is extremely powerful compared to other floors and you are literally forced to fight to the death.
\"The fact that Asuna and I were summoned this time means that the boss we found is very powerful. Unless we are good at it, there is nothing we can do, so we have to ask you.\" Come. "
"Let's go, I must have found a ridiculously powerful boss."
"Yes. That must be the case."
Yuuki, who was listening to me, shouted to me with a slightly serious expression.
\"I'll go too. The fact that Kirito and Asuna were summoned means something unusual happened.\"
Next, Shino also made the same expression as Yuuki.
"Of course I will follow you, I don't feel good at all."
"Me too. Quickly ask what happened. Yui, can I ask you about Jupiter?"
Yui moved her body away from Shino's chest and nodded to me.
"Let me handle this"
Asuna immediately turned around, sat down, and looked at Jupiter who looked worried.
"Jupiter, mommy is going out for a while, can Xiao Yui stay at home with you?"
Jupiter nodded weakly.
"It doesn't matter."
Asuna smiled and hugged Jupiter's body.
"Wait for me, obediently. I will be back as soon as possible."
After confirming that Jupiter nodded in his chest, Asuna let go of Jupiter's body and stood up.
"Let's go, let's go. Bloodsworn Knights Headquarters."
As soon as Asuna's words came out, everyone except Yui and Jupiter ran towards the city portal.
