The scenery before his eyes gradually came into focus.
Yuu sat up from the bed, looking around. Indeed, it was their house in the Land of Love, the master bedroom occupied by Asuna.
(So, the mission isn't over yet?)
Thinking this, he sensed someone watching him and turned his head.
Asuna, dressed in pajamas, propped her chin on both hands, smiling broadly at him.
Her eyes curved like beautiful crescent moons, gentle and adorable.
"Morning, darling."
When their eyes met, she spoke in a cheerful voice, as if fully prepared.
"…Why the sudden change in how you address me?" Yuu paused for a moment, patted her head, then got out of bed from the other side.
Asuna stood up too, stretching her body while subtly showing off the charming curves of a young woman.
"Hmm~ Because in this world, our husband-and-wife status hasn't been revoked yet~"
So, experiencing married life a bit early wasn't a problem—she smiled shyly but happily, raising her left hand high, gazing at the ring on her ring finger with a nostalgic and tender expression unlike her usual self.
Yuu opened the menu and quickly grasped the situation.
While they were offline, the mission had indeed failed due to the time limit. But whether due to a game patch or intentional design, a recovery mission had been added to the mission log, maintaining their temporary husband-and-wife status and the right to use their house.
"We need to obtain the True Love Flower before twelve at the Civil Office… That's much easier."
His muttering stopped when he felt a warm weight on his shoulder.
Asuna placed her hand on Yuu's shoulder, her upper body leaning close, curiously observing the mission log that should only be visible to him but was now shareable with his partner.
"So, no need to hatch eggs anymore? That's kind of a shame…"
Her soft hair brushed his ear, her warm breath tickled his nerves, and the gentle, elastic touch on his back…
A rapid heartbeat seemed to resonate for a moment.
Yuu stood still, saying without changing his expression, "Maybe it's a humane consideration from the game developers? Or perhaps your brother knew you couldn't go online, so he secretly modified your game data and changed the mission for us."
"Is that so?" Tilting her head in confusion, Asuna could almost feel the heat on the side of her face. "My brother isn't that nice. I think it's our love that moved the system, giving us a chance to make up for it!"
Hearing Asuna's serious tone, Yuu laughed, then casually stepped forward, moving out of her embrace.
"Well then, get ready. We'll complete this mission now."
"That urgent?"
Asuna sat back on the bed, her face slightly flushed for some reason, her hazel eyes watery, like a teasing gaze after a passionate kiss.
The spacious bed, the slender girl—every glance and smile was a temptation.
Yuu admitted, at that moment, his pants reacted—
After all, with the system's antics, this virtual world was no different from reality to him.
All the reactions that should happen did, and what should stiffen could stiffen. He just didn't know if his genetic factors…
Better not continue that thought.
Unfortunately, even in the virtual world, he didn't want to have a farewell kiss, leaving behind bad memories of cheating with his girlfriend and then leaving.
When entering the System Space, those memories would surely weigh him down for a long time, even making him hate himself.
Yuu couldn't be a hero, but he had his own moral boundaries.
Especially remembering the incident with Haruno, where he also held back, not finishing something before completing the mission, the once-raging blood slowly flowed back to his heart, an indescribable sadness filling his chest.
Some parts softened, but his heart hardened.
"Asuna, the virtual world is indeed a place where anything goes."
Yuu walked in front of her, his palm cupping her warm cheek, his fingertips gently stroking her soft hair, whispering, "So, don't give me that 'I wouldn't mind whatever you do' look. It'll make it hard for me to hold back."
Asuna covered the back of his hand with hers, her eyes gazing at him softly and directly, her voice as if trying to melt his heart and bones.
"We're husband and wife, and I love you—so, no need to hold back."
"But what if everything we do in the virtual world is recorded in the game's backend logs?"
"Eh?!" Asuna's eyes widened, freezing in place, as if just realizing this.
While saying this, Yuu also asked the system in his mind: (System, would that happen?)
The cold, girlish voice of the system, at this moment, sounded so pleasant and reliable:
[Please don't worry, host. Under certain special conditions, any scenes involving the host and the target will be censored, filtered, and modified by the system. You can refer to the Justice Execution status—no matter what is done, it cannot be accurately observed by others.]
So, all possibilities that could make certain people uncomfortable had been completely avoided?
Yuu nodded in satisfaction internally.
(Good. Damn system, this is the first time I genuinely want to thank you.)
"…"
The system didn't respond further.
Yuu, of course, wouldn't tell Asuna this, only watching her expression change before she puffed out her cheeks and huffed.
"You're right… But if there's a chance of player privacy violations like that, I'll ask my brother to confirm! If it's true, I won't let it slide!"
Speaking like a prosecutor, Asuna stood up from the bed, swinging her right hand downward. With a clear bell-like sound, the menu appeared in front of her.
She quickly tapped a few times, and her pajamas transformed into the light armor she wore for battle, glowing faintly.
"I was still enjoying the fun of changing clothes, but after you said that, it feels creepier…"
"Well, no need to worry too much. Even if it's a beta version, a game company, unless they're stupid, wouldn't do something that'd bankrupt the game."
Casually comforting the sour-faced Asuna, Yuu equipped his gear as well, then turned and left the warm room.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Night enveloped Aincrad, the streets silent, not even the occasional NPCs in sight.
Only the full moon cast a brilliant silver light, paving a beautiful path for the two of them, straight toward the Civil Office.
"It feels so empty. No old ladies or kids suddenly running out on the streets—so different from before."
Holding Yuu's hand, Asuna looked left and right, feeling as if it had been ages since she'd been here, unable to help exclaiming.
Yuu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
This was a virtual world—no weird black cars would suddenly appear, nor would three assassins pull out guns… Good, the flag was set, no problem!
"Maybe it's designed this way to make the mission easier for us." Yuu said, unconsciously quickening his pace. "Let's hurry then."
But after a few steps, he felt a tug on his hand.
"What's wrong?" He turned to her.
Asuna frowned slightly, her expression a mix of worry and a hint of loss. "Yuu-kun, why do you seem in such a rush? Got something to do in the real world?"
"…No."
"Then, don't you want to be with me?"
"…Not that either."
"Well then, can we take a stroll for a bit?" Asuna asked cautiously, gazing deeply into his eyes, her look trembling slightly.
Having composed his emotions and maintained his act, Yuu naturally wouldn't let her see anything.
"Of course, I just didn't expect you to be so relaxed." He squinted with a smile, tightly gripping her small, warm hand, speaking in a teasing tone.
Asuna tilted her head in confusion, leaning against his shoulder. "Is being relaxed not allowed?"
Yuu explained, "Well, look, even though the mission can still be salvaged, it doesn't say how Sister Martha is doing now…"
"AAAAH—"
Before he could finish, Asuna screamed, anxiously pulling him along as she ran.
"Oh no, I forgot Sister Martha's still waiting for us! Yuu-kun, hurry, hurry, hurry, no time to dawdle here!"
"You're the one who said that, then suspected I didn't want to be with you…"
Yuu rolled his eyes, his body feeling boneless as he let Asuna drag him along.
Asuna glared at him, both annoyed and amused, saying playfully, "I misspoke, okay? I promise I won't doubt you again! Come on, let's hurry, finish the mission as fast as possible, and deliver the flower!"
"Want me to carry you?"
"Sure!"
Thus, Yuu's super-fast rickshaw service was back in action, carrying the chestnut-haired girl laughing joyfully in the strong wind, speeding toward the Civil Office.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"The True Love Flower?" The NPC looked up at the two of them, pulling a box from under the desk and saying curtly, "Qualifications met. Here."
[Ding!]
[Obtained Mission Item: True Love Flower. Next Mission: Deliver this box to Sister Martha.]
Seeing the notification appear in the item and mission logs, Yuu and Yuuki Asuna exchanged glances.
"…That's it?"
"Then all our efforts before this were for what…"
Seeing their complex, hard-to-accept expressions, the NPC explained flatly, "Indeed, temporary couples from outside must pass trials to obtain the True Love Flower. But if, in the process, they truly fall in love, no further trials are needed… In our country, every couple who sincerely loves each other can take the True Love Flower without conditions."
Asuna blinked, then suddenly understood, huffing proudly and giving Yuu a teasing glance.
"How about that? They said we're truly in love, huh?"
"Trying to embarrass me?" Yuu gave her a strange look, then poked her soft, thin cheek. "Before that… your cheeks are red."
"Ahem, ahem! What…" Asuna's small, flushed face stiffened as she feigned seriousness, raising her head and puffing out her chest, hands on hips. "Haven't I confessed my love to you multiple times? But I've never heard a serious confession from you… Be honest, Yuu-kun, are you shy?!"
Yuu waved his hand. "No, not at all."
"So calm?!" Asuna stepped back, looking deeply hurt.
"By the way, haven't I already said I like you? You haven't confessed multiple times either, have you?" Yuu sighed, saying resignedly, "Besides, we've kissed so many times. Now you're asking for a serious confession… It feels a bit off."
"I didn't say now… Whatever!" Her face puffed up like a steamed bun, Asuna suddenly flicked her long hair and quickly walked out of the Civil Office. "Yuu-kun, you're such a blockhead! Tomorrow when we meet in the real world, you'll see!"
"You'll make me see? What are you gonna do…"
Yuu followed her, outwardly calm but inwardly torn between laughter and tears.
Such a typically male response—it's no wonder she got mad. Maybe Asuna also realized he was playing dumb?
It wasn't that Yuu didn't want to confess or say sweet things to make her happy—that would be easy. But he thought those words should be saved for the end.
Until he could no longer lie, no longer needed to hide himself with acting, he would tell her everything he wanted to say, to end this relationship properly.
The final confession always needed a touch of ceremony!
Though a bit selfish, this was what Yuu wanted to do.
"By the way, how do we leave this country? Isn't the portal outside the city closed?"
"Check your bag. They gave us a return crystal too. Just use it to get to the Starting City."
"Same return point?"
"I remember there's a portal-like structure near the Main Street. We should come out there."
"Alright then, three, two, one, use it together. Three, two, one!"
*BUZZ!*
A white light flashed before his eyes. As a weightless sensation hit, Yuu quickly controlled his body, standing firmly on the ground.
Asuna panicked a bit, and coincidentally, she emerged from the portal right in front of Yuu.
"Whoa! Careful!"
After shouting, to avoid crashing into her, Asuna spread both arms and leaped forward as if to tackle him.
Turning half his body, Yuu easily caught her, her warm body crashing into his chest, her softness and slenderness fully enveloped in his embrace.
"It's rare to see you so flustered."
"Ugh, if the distance wasn't so close, I could've reacted." Asuna slipped out of his arms, tidying her messy hair and clothes, muttering with slightly flushed cheeks.
Then, seeing the medieval city before her, her expression turned bright and joyful again. Brushing her hair behind her ear with one hand, she smiled and exclaimed, "It feels like it's been ages since I was here…"
"The place where it all began—really nostalgic."
Less sentimental than Asuna, Yuu stepped toward the Great Cathedral first.
"Come on. I'm more curious now about what reward Sister Martha will give us after we complete this mission."
"Wait for me—your thinking's too practical!" Her chestnut hair fluttered behind her as Asuna hurried to catch up.
"We took this mission to save that grandma, didn't we? She already gave us cooking skills and recipes, right?"
"That's not what I meant…"
"I think this time it'll be equipment or a combat skill. Maybe something related to the church? A cross sword or something."
"…Asuna, you've become quite the gamer."
"You're praising me?!"
Amid their aimless chatter, they finally arrived at the Central Cathedral.
As if impatient, Asuna quickly pushed open the dark brown wooden door, shouting loudly inside, "Grandma Martha, we're back with the True Love Flower! Are you okay?"
The echo of her voice floated among the high arches, the sacred and solemn atmosphere undisturbed.
Soon after, under Asuna's anxious gaze, the white-haired old nun slowly emerged from the rest room behind the chapel, her face pale and weary.
"Cough, cough… Of course, I wouldn't give up until I heard good news from you two."
Saying this, she walked toward the ornate, ancient altar, forcing a kind smile and waving at them.
"Come here, children. Let me hear your story."
"The fruits of this journey must be more than just that flower."