Hachiman and Kirito were dragging that morning. The previous night, they'd logged back into ALO, caught up in the thrill of magic. With Yui's guidance, they practiced spells past midnight, mastering a few combat-ready ones. The fun came at a cost—mental exhaustion lingered, though their faces showed more satisfaction than fatigue.
"Got carried away last night," Hachiman said, munching breakfast in his room.
"Yeah," Kirito said, grinning. "But it was fun."
"We've got some spells ready for battle," Hachiman said.
"They're weak, but the disruption ones should work with our skills," Kirito added.
Despite their tired eyes, they chatted eagerly about magic.
"Yui-san said her contacts won't arrive until tomorrow," Hachiman said.
"Sending them the opposite direction was unexpected," Kirito said.
"Gotta apologize when we meet," Hachiman said.
"Definitely," Kirito agreed. "What're their names?"
Hachiman froze. "…Crap, forgot to ask."
"No big deal," Kirito said. "We'll find out tomorrow. Who's coming today?"
"Someone named Leafa," Hachiman said. "Yui-san arranged it."
"Our first player contact," Kirito said. "We'll need pointers."
"Let's ask her to guide us to Swilvane, the Sylph capital," Hachiman said. "We need weapons and armor too."
"After breakfast, some exercise, then a nap?" Kirito suggested.
"Sounds good," Hachiman said.
With plans set, they finished eating, hit the hospital courtyard for light exercise, and returned to their rooms for a nap.
Suguha Kirigaya arrived at Kirito's hospital after a ninety-minute train ride. Grumbling, she approached the reception desk.
"First time here, and it's so far…" she muttered. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Kazuto Kirigaya's room."
"One moment," the nurse said, checking records.
Suguha glanced around, noticing four striking young women entering the hospital. Friends visiting someone? All different, but gorgeous, she thought.
The nurse spoke up. "Here you go—Kazuto Kirigaya's room is…"
Suguha thanked her and headed to the elevator. The four women took one, but its doors were closing, so she boarded the next. At her floor, she stepped out, scanning the hall.
Those women are visiting someone here too, she noted, seeing them enter a room far down the corridor.
She found Kirito's room—right next to theirs. What a coincidence, she thought, knocking. No response. Maybe he's asleep. She eased the door open. Sure enough, Kirito was out cold. Suguha slipped inside, closed the door quietly, and sat by his bed, watching his peaceful face.
He looks so calm… Her cheeks warmed. Suguha and Kirito weren't blood-related, a fact her parents revealed a year after he was trapped in SAO.
A year into Kirito's SAO captivity, Suguha was visibly wasting away. Unable to bear it, her parents confronted her one day.
"Suguha, do you love Kazuto?" they asked.
The truth hit hard. Her heart raced, tears welling as she struggled to respond.
"Wait, Suguha," her father said. "We're not blaming you."
They'd discussed her condition and decided to reveal the truth: they'd always sensed her feelings for Kazuto, they weren't biologically related, and they'd leave the matter to her and Kazuto.
"Listen," her mother said. "Even if you love him, Kazuto probably doesn't see you that way. We won't interfere or deny your feelings. You can tell him or not—it's your choice. But if he saw you now, he'd blame himself. He might accept your feelings out of guilt, suppressing his own. You wouldn't want that, right? So, Suguha, be strong. Be ready to greet him with a smile when he wakes."
From that day, Suguha resolved to change. She regained her strength, and a year later, Kirito woke. Yet, even now, she hadn't confessed her feelings.
Oh, he moved, Suguha thought, seeing Kirito stir. She poked his cheek gently. Will he wake? Nope… Maybe just a little… it's fine, right?
Her heart pounded louder than ever as she leaned in, lips nearing his cheek. Then Kirito's eyes snapped open. Suguha flushed crimson, jerking back.
"Hey, Sugu," Kirito said, turning to her. "You came. Got your message, but it's such nice weather, I dozed off. Sorry."
He didn't notice, Suguha thought, relieved. "No, I'm sorry. I called, but you didn't answer, so I let myself in."
"No worries," Kirito said. "Family, right?"
Family… Our definitions of that word are a bit different, Suguha thought, heart sinking.
Seeing her silence, Kirito asked, "Something wrong?"
Flustered, Suguha scrambled for a topic, recalling the women. "No, it's just… I saw four girls go into the room next door. Wonder who they're visiting."
"Oh, that's my friend's room," Kirito said.
"Really?" Suguha said.
"Yup," Kirito said. "You curious about him, Sugu?"
"Him?" Suguha asked. "A guy?"
"Yeah, my best friend," Kirito said.
"Best friend…" Suguha thought, Since when does he have a best friend? She imagined what he might be like.
Kirito, misreading her, panicked. "No way, Sugu! He's a clueless natural playboy—dangerous to get close to!"
"What are you talking about?" Suguha said, confused.
"Sorry," Kirito said. "He's insanely popular for some reason. You saw those girls, right?"
"What? All four like him?" Suguha asked.
"One's probably his sister," Kirito said. "But he's got a ton of admirers, apparently."
"No way, that popular?" Suguha said. "Nothing like you, huh?"
"Ouch, Sugu," Kirito groaned. "You've gotten sharp."
She giggled. "Heh."
"His heart's set on one person, though," Kirito said softly. "And mine's on… Liz…"
His face shifted, a mix of sadness, loneliness, and fierce resolve.
I've never seen him like this, Suguha thought, her chest tightening. Does he already…
"Kazuto, I should go," she said abruptly.
"Already?" Kirito said. "Say hi to Mom and Dad."
"Yeah," Suguha said, fleeing the room.
"Eek!" she yelped, bumping into someone.
"Sorry!" the person said.
"Oh, you startled me," Suguha said. "Yui-san?"
Suguha knew Yui-no-neesan from her visit to their home when Kirito transferred hospitals.
"You okay?" Yui asked. "Something happen?"
"No, I'm fine," Suguha said. "Sorry for rushing out."
"Sugu, you good?" Kirito said, joining them. "Oh, Yui-san."
"It's nothing," Yui said. "Right, Suguha-chan?"
"Yeah, sorry, Yui-san," Suguha said. "Kazuto, I opened the door too fast."
"Be careful," Kirito said. "Hey, since you're here, want to say hi next door?"
"Uh, sure, I guess," Suguha said, missing her chance to leave.
"This way," Kirito said.
"Okay," Suguha followed.
"Going in!" Yui called, about to knock.
"Yui-san, knock first," Kirito said.
"Eh?" Yui said, already opening the door.
Inside, Yui was pinning Hachiman to the bed. Suguha blushed, stammered, "Sorry!" and bolted. Kirito froze, while Yui smirked mischievously. Kirito snapped out of it, chasing Suguha, but she was already gone, likely out of the hospital.
"Well, introductions can wait," Kirito muttered, turning to Hachiman for an explanation.
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