"Then I'll say goodbye to you."
Inside Tokyo Station around 7:30 p.m.
After finishing shopping and sightseeing, Kirito and others left Odaiba and returned to Tokyo Station. After lunch in Odaiba, Kirito and others left the shopping mall and started sightseeing around Odaiba. In it, I did a little shopping, but didn’t buy anything that could be used as luggage. Therefore, Kirito's luggage has not changed since Sinon bought clothes at the mall.
After experiencing various events, Kirito left Odaiba at around 5:40 pm and took the train back to Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station is located in the central area of Tokyo and is so full of facilities and shops that it’s hard to believe it’s a station. We decided to have dinner at a restaurant on the train to Tokyo Station.
When we arrived at our final destination, Tokyo Station, it was already six o'clock in the afternoon. Since it was dinner time, the four of them walked through the crowd again, expecting to line up, relying on the map to pass through the huge maze called Tokyo Station, and finally entered the station. Expensive restaurants that are not chain restaurants.
So, Kirito, Shino, and Kyouji decided to enter here and propose to Alice. The three of us nodded to Alice's question about whether such a cheap restaurant was okay, and then the four of us hurried into the restaurant.
According to previous information, the restaurant the four of them entered was a place that only provided low-priced dishes, and compared to other high-end restaurants, the menu only had much simpler dishes, but this was also one of them. People were surprised after ordering a dish and trying it. All the dishes that came out were delicious and I thought they were really worth the money.
Not sure why it's so good but so cheap - four people enjoyed a very tasty dinner for the price and were surprised at how well seasoned the food was.
After a while, the four of them left the restaurant, walked a while, and stopped temporarily in the square outside the ticket gate.
"Then I'll say goodbye to you."
\"Teacher Airi, thank you so much today. Thank you for entertaining me\"
Today, I rely on Alice for everything. Airi paid for almost all the expenses such as lunch and dinner, the usage fee for Odaiba Amusement Park, and Shino's clothes, so I was able to spend the day today. Today is indeed the day that Alice takes care of me - with this thought, Kirito bowed to Alice, and Alice shook her head.
"Hey, I'm the one who wants to thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to turn my precious vacation into a fun day. You guys helped me out today."
Airi was being humble, but Kirito had one more thing to be thankful for. That was the encounter with Kyouji. If I hadn't met Airi today, I wouldn't have met this Kyouji, I wouldn't have known who the owner of Spiegel's avatar was, and I wouldn't have established a formal friendship with him. he. Today, Alice added another friend. Just when I was about to say this, Kyouji spoke.
"I would also like to thank you, Kirito and Asada-san. I am happy and happy to see you two today."
"Ah. Nice to see you too. I don't know when we can see each other next, but well, we have ALo."
"Yeah, I don't know when we can meet in real life next time, but let's play ALo next vacation!"
\"Yes. Then let me ask you again, Spiegel Kyouji.\"
\"It's Kirito Kirito!\"
After saying that, Kirito smiled slightly and noticed Shino's gaze. Shino, who was wearing the cat-eared hoodie Alice bought for her, looked at Alice with a lonely expression. If you look out of sight, Alice has the same lonely look on her face.
\"Teacher Alice\"
\"Yes. Although it may be a long time before we meet again, now that we have ALo, we will not be separated forever. Although it is a VR world, we can still meet and chat. So, I don't feel so lonely. Poetry Yes, it's okay if you don't think so.\"
""
"I'll come see you again. Until then, I'll be at ALo."
"Yes"
Shino nodded at Alice's gentle voice. I'm sure they were discussing something when I wasn't looking, and they were probably talking about a situation. From the current conversation between Sinon and Alice, I roughly understand the content.
While Kirito was thinking about this question, Alice looked at him and stopped him.
\"It's already past seven o'clock today, Kirito-kun, please send Shino off. No matter how long the day is, it's not a good idea to let a girl go alone.\"
"I know, actually that's what I thought from the beginning."
\"I think so. Then, please take care of Shino.\"
When Kirito nodded, Alice also nodded, but then she turned to Shino and whispered: "See you later." Although the voice was much lower than the noise of the guests around her, she still heard it very well. Clearly, Shino nodded again without expression. Kirito watched the situation, Kyouji stood next to Alice, and Alice spoke again.
"Okay, the train is almost here and we're on our way. Be careful and go home. See you in ALo."
"Let's get over it together over the holidays next week."
Kirito waved the two of them around, and Airi and Kyouji walked towards the platform behind the station, eventually blending in with the people passing by and looking at them. I can not do anything. Two people who were not supposed to be on today's itinerary disappeared, and Kirito and Sinon returned to their original plans.
Kirito immediately realized what had happened and immediately turned to Shino next to him, but Sinon still had a somewhat lonely expression on his face. Although Kirito hesitated because of the atmosphere and expression, he still shouted to Shino.
\"Shino, let's go home. The train is almost here.\"
"…Yes."
Hearing Shino's soft murmur, Kirito also whispered "Let's go", and then walked towards the platform, where there was a train bound for the station where Shino lived in the apartment. Of course, Shino was walking next to me at that time, but her expression was still blank, so I wanted to hold her hand, but her hand was completely occupied by her luggage, and Shino basically couldn't do it because I There is no such thing as not wanting to happen in a place like this.
As the two of us climbed the stairs to the platform in almost silence, the train came with a loud bang. Kirito and Sinon boarded the train, blended in with the crowd of passengers heading home, and sat across from each other in the open box seats. About five seconds later, the door closed, and the train carrying many passengers shook and began to move to the next station.
After crossing the platform, I looked out the window and saw the unique night view of Tokyo created by the lights of street lights, buildings, and cars. Although the daylight hours are much longer than in April or early May, by 7:30, all of Tokyo is engulfed in dusk. However, as the city was engulfed in darkness, almost the entire city lit up with countless lights that lasted well into the night.
A city whose light never goes out. This is why Tokyo is called the city that never sleeps.
Kirito looked at the moving scene projected outside the window, but he was more interested in Sinon, so he glanced at her from the side. Shino was wearing a cat-eared hoodie, which was something young people, especially girls, would wear, but her expression showed that she was missing the people she cared about far away, and was also very sad. I felt something, something you wouldn't expect a girl wearing something like this to feel.
Although Sinon's expression had changed a bit since breaking up with Alice, his expression had not changed much. Although they were not trapped, there was no change in their expressions. Normally he could do it easily, but now Shino found it difficult to even call him. But he had to say it, and after thinking about it again and again, Kirito still had the courage to speak.
\"Shino\"
Perhaps she reacted after hearing the sound. Sinon turned to face Kirito, with a slightly surprised expression on her face. Just when Kirito was relieved that Sinon's face finally moved, Sinon opened his mouth.
\"Wha, what, Kirito?\"
\"No, Shino's expression is always the same. I'm wondering if something happened.\"
\"Ah, yes. I have to tell Kirito too.\"
Sinon turned around to face Kirito, the expression on her face returned to its previous state. Ever since he first saw Shinoko's face, he felt that something must have happened, and his hunch was not wrong. While thinking this, Kirito straightened his back, and Shinoga repeated this sentence again.
What happened between him and Airi, and the conversation he had when he left Kirito and Kyouji. Sinon told me almost everything. After the conversation progressed to a certain level, while Sinon was silent, Kirito spoke.
\"Is that so? Teacher Alice, will you never see us again?\"
\"Yes. The teacher said the next job is the one he really wants to do. So, we have no idea when it will end, and we will never see each other again except through Amusphere.\""
"is that so"
However, I can't help but feel that Kirito knew what was going to happen. First, Alice works as an artificial intelligence researcher, a career in which she rarely has time to go shopping. Therefore, Alice naturally told Shino that due to work, they would not be able to see each other for a long time, and it was a miracle that they could see each other today.
Just when I was thinking this but couldn't say anything, Shino spoke again.
\"But if you think about it carefully, it's true. Airi-sensei's job is to create artificial intelligence like Yui and Rilan. She is very busy and can't meet with us, which is natural.\"
\"Shino\"
"It's okay I don't feel lonely, but it doesn't bother me at all and I can see you in ALo if I want to, so it's not a big deal. So don't worry, Kirito. I'm fine."
Shino said with a slight smile on her face. If what Alice says is true, we will definitely see Alice in the world of ALo\/Alice, and since it is Alice, she is likely to participate in next week's strategy.
However, there is a kind of warmth that only Alice has, which cannot be felt in the VR world.
Kirito also knew through Sinon's memory that this was one of Sinon's emotional pillars. A warmth that only Alice has and no one else has - and because she is temporarily unable to access it, she may feel lonely. Kirito felt a little frustrated that he couldn't give her that kind of warmth.
However, there must be something he can do, and there must be something he must do - Kirito shouted to Sinon, thinking to himself.
\"Shino\"
"Yes?"
\"Can I go to Shino's house in the future? I won't stay there for too long.\"
"Okay, but what's wrong?"
"I want to talk to you when we get there."
After hearing Kirito's answer, Sinon tilted her head slightly. Kirito thought this was a natural reaction because someone suddenly said such a thing. However, what Kirito wanted to say was not something that could be told here like Sinon's story just now, but something he just wanted Sinon to hear, so there were other guests around. I don't want to say it here. A place with many people.
Sinon wanted to know if Kirito was aware of his feelings, but then Sinon said as if he remembered something: "Me too. I have something I want to talk to you about." As expected, Kirito was slightly surprised on the spot, I didn't expect that even Shino thought so, but at the same time, I felt it was appropriate and nodded to Shino.
Most importantly, Kirito felt happy for some reason because he found out that Sinon had the same idea.
About ten minutes later, the train they took arrived at a station close to Shino's apartment. Kirito and Shino got off the train like other passengers, went to the station through the ticket gate, and then left.
The area around the station is relatively close to the school where Shino Kirito, Asuna, and Rika study, as well as the apartment building where SAo survivors live. Although it is not as bad as the area around Tokyo Station, the impact is still considerable. Streetlights and building lights. It was so bright I could clearly see things falling on the road.
If it were near an unmanned station in the countryside, the sky would be much darker, but not far from the center of Tokyo, this is not the case.
Still, it was dark, and if I stepped away from the light for even a moment, I knew I would immediately be plunged into darkness, and I felt like I was in a situation where only a girl could walk alone. ,It is not. Regardless, this is how he should see Shino through to the end. Kirito looked around and understood this, and while telling Shino to try not to leave, he walked towards the bus stop where he often went.
Just as I was about to check the arrival time of the bus, a bus approached the bus stop among countless cars and finally stopped. Knowing that the destination was near the apartment where the SAo survivors lived, Kirito and Shino boarded the bus together and sat in the seats next to them. Immediately afterwards, the doors closed and an announcement was made, and the bus started heading to the next bus stop.
(...)
Kirito put his luggage on his lap while listening to the familiar sound of the bus running. Looking around, there are almost no passengers in sight, and the car is completely empty.
However, while empty seats are now available to travel to your destination, trains are packed with people on weekday mornings as many passengers going to school or work board the train at the same time. The shortness of breath and pressure at that time were unusual, and Kirito was already tired before class, so Kirito made a point of walking to school.
However, walking as a means of transportation also has its problems. There is still some distance from the station to the school, and it takes a while to walk. When the weather is bad, my uniform gets wet and sometimes I feel like I'm going to be late. I think it's better to walk, because taking the bus is more troublesome, but it still takes time and is tiring.
It would be a shame not to think of something else this year. Just as he lowered his head, Kirito suddenly felt his left shoulder feel heavy and warm. I feel the same way. When I looked back and wondered what was going on, Shino's head was right there.
"Shino?"
Even if you call it, it doesn't respond. As I listened carefully, I discovered that I could hear what sounded like sleeping breathing mixed with the sound of a bus driving by. Shino seemed to have fallen asleep while sitting up, and it seemed that she had finally entrusted her weight to herself.
"No wonder." Shino walked many times throughout the day today, went to places he didn't often go to, and enjoyed various things. It wasn't like this when riding the train, but I guess I was too tired from playing and couldn't help but fall asleep.
\"Shino\"
Shino fell asleep and had no reaction to being called. I really wanted to see her sleeping face, but no matter how I turned my head, I couldn't see her side. If I moved accidentally, she would probably wake me up. Kirito reluctantly chose this, but at the same time he also moved his movable right hand and turned his attention to the silver bracelet on his wrist.
Shino has been unable to shop, dress up, or have fun like a girl. Shino sleeping next to me like this means that Shino, who enjoys nothing, is enjoying herself to the fullest, playing and playing until she gets tired, playing and playing, it's just one thing.
Although Shino is not normal, she has learned to enjoy things like a normal girl.
\"That's good, Shino.\"
Kirito smiled and looked at Shino who was lying down, and took a nap, letting her sleep for a few minutes until the bus arrived at its destination.
I had the pleasure of spending a fun day with Airi and Kyouji. Kirito and Sinon were now in a room in the apartment where Sinon lived, spending an endless amount of time together, and even the two who were used to predicting and taking action on various things could not have predicted that they would come back.
On the bus back, Shino dozed off against Kirito, who tried his best to ignore her, but I couldn't let him sleep when they arrived at their destination, so I woke him up. One minute before the bus reaches its destination.
When Sinon just woke up, she was in a daze, but when she realized that she had fallen asleep and had been leaning on Kirito for a long time, her face turned red, and Kirito couldn't help but laugh.
After the two of them couldn't communicate together, Kirito walked with Sinon with all his belongings, and soon arrived at the apartment where the SAo survivor students lived.
Finally, we arrived at Shino's room. This is a place I'm quite familiar with.
So Kirito put the luggage in the room according to Sinon's instructions, but almost at the same time, he told Sinon that he had something to say after arriving at the apartment, and Sinon also said the same thing to him. You asked me to talk to you, and I decided to listen to Shino first.
\"So, Shino, what are you talking about?\"
"Um?"
"Look, you said something on the train. You said you had something to say. What was it about?"
\"Ah, that's right. But Kirito is not the first one to say it. Kirito, please tell me.\"
"No, you can get mine later. I'll ask you first."
After Sinon said "Huh?", she slowly sat down and sat flat on the floor. At the same time, Kirito also sat cross-legged, and Shino spoke.
\"Kirito, uh, I'm sorry about what happened today.\"
"Well, why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong."
\"Today is my date with you. I originally planned to spend it only with you. However, I met Teacher Airi on the road. I made an impossible request to you and decided to spend it with Teacher Airi and the others. Live the day. Damn it. Actually, today was my day to spend time with you and I ruined it."
Is something broken? Indeed, today I had planned to go on a date with Shino and spend some time alone with her, but my plans completely changed and I ended up spending the day with Airi and Kyouji. From that point on, as Shino said, their dating plans completely fell apart and it wasn't even a date anymore.
However, when Alice and Kyouji met, if Shino had not said that she wanted to be with Alice and the others, and if she had not learned that Kyouji was Spiegel, then she would not have been able to truly do this. Become friends with Kyouji. There's no way Shino can do this, he can't dress up if he doesn't hear from Alice.
It was full of unexpected events, and it was true that the date was ruined, but Kirito never thought that the date was interrupted. On the contrary, he was just glad that things turned out like this.
Kirito smiled as he summarized these thoughts in his mind.
"It's not a mess. In fact, I'm glad it turned out the way it did."
"Huh? Is that so?"
\"Ah. After you and Airi-sensei broke up, I became friends with Kyouji. The person who made it happen was Shino. Well, I can't be with you anymore. If I say that, I'm Liar. I wasn't disappointed, and I had a lot of fun today. So Shino, you don't have to feel that way.\"
"...but"
So Kirito walked forward, stopped in front of Sinon, and put his right hand on Sinon's apologetic head. Seeing Shino suddenly freeze, I continued.
\"Shinon spent precious time with Teacher Alice today, and she bought me such a cute dress. So I must be happy today.\"
\"Kirito\"
"Let's go on a date next time. I can go out with you if you want, so you can always tell me."
Sinon looked at Kirito with a relaxed smile in shock, but then a familiar smile appeared on her face and her cheeks turned pink.
\"Thank you, Kirito. This time, I will be alone with you. So, can you wait for me?\"
"I'll do the same, and I'll probably ask you out next time, so you might have to wait."
"Really? Then, let's just wait."
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness."
"I'm counting on you."
After saying that, Sinon put her forehead against Kirito's and rubbed it quietly and gently. Since SAo there has only been physical contact between the two of us, and a unique expression of emotion that only Shino can have. Kirito took the letter from his beloved Shino, listened to Shino's breathing, inhaled the soft, warm, and loving fragrance that only Shino could have, and then gently rubbed his forehead against Shino's. forehead.
A girl who once closed her heart, but seeks the warmth of the world and longs for family affection. Sinon did this until she was satisfied, and then gently released her forehead. Kirito also slowly returned to the original position in the same way, but Sinon's expression immediately seemed as if he had just remembered something.
"Ah, by the way, I have something else to ask you."
\"Well, what's the matter, Shino?\"
"Kirito, what happened to you at that time?"
Shino's face slowly changed from the cute smile of a girl to the serious expression of an adult woman who was about to say something important. At the same time, the blush on Shino's cheeks also disappeared. But even so, it was a relatively familiar expression, so it wasn't surprising to Kirito.
"That time? When was that time?"
"Yes.
"!!"
Kirito felt a flash of light in his body, and at the same time, the scene that Sinon mentioned flashed in his mind. When the colors that appear and disappear over and over in my mind of various things disappear and turn completely white, the screen appears and starts playing colorful images.
At that time, I was not trapped in this world, but in that world, the world of the death game called Sword Art Online. This is a video about Kirito\/Kirito, who fights and levels up every day as a solo player, and the people he meets one day.
You can never forget, you are not allowed to forget your own sin.
Sinon's question made Kirito remember this clearly. He sighed deeply and did not answer Sinon's question for the time being.
Maybe it was because she saw Kirito who always gave some kind of answer instead of saying anything, that Shino's expression changed, like a girl her age would see when she sees something that makes her want to worry. Variety.
"Could it be,
