A refreshing fragrance floated past his nose. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a white light filling the entire world. Several layers of sunlight reflected off the ice walls, illuminating the snow at the bottom of the cave.
Turning his gaze, he found a teapot on the lantern, and steam was constantly rising from it. It seemed that this was the source of the fragrance. Sitting in front of the lantern was a man in black whose profile could only be seen from this angle. When I saw that figure, my heart seemed to have lit up with a small flame.
Kirito turned around and smiled."
[Morning.]
[…Morning.]
I replied. When she was about to get up, she realized that her right hand, which was originally placed outside, had been placed back in the portable bed. After touching the warmth that seemed to still be in my palm to my lips, I jumped up forcefully.
Kirito handed me a steaming cup as I climbed out of bed. After thanking him, I sat down beside him. The tea in the cup had the fragrance of flowers and mint that he had never drunk before. He drank it slowly, and his heart warmed up.
I moved my body and happened to lean against Kirito's body. When they turned around, their eyes met for a moment, but they immediately looked away. For a long time, there was only the sound of two people sipping tea.
「欸……」
Finally, I looked at the cup and muttered.
[Hmm?]
"... If we can't leave this place, what should we do?」
[Sleeping every day.]
[Your answer is so straightforward!] Think about it more!"
I smiled and poked Kirito's arm with my elbow.
[... But this is not bad...]
After saying that, she leaned her head against Kirito's shoulder.
[Ah...?]
Kirito suddenly cried out and leaned forward, causing me to fall to the ground.
[What are you doing!]
I complained as I straightened my upper body, but Kirito stood up without looking back and ran towards the center of the circular hole.
Confused, I also stood up and chased after him.
"What's going on?"
[Ah, just a little…]
Kirito knelt on the ground and began to push away the snow with both hands. With a cracking sound, a deep hole was dug out. Then-
[Ah!]
A silver light suddenly shot into my eyes. Something reflected the morning sun in the depths of the snow.
Kirito dug out the thing, grabbed it tightly with both hands, and stood up. I also observed it from a very close distance with great interest.
It was a transparent silver rectangular object, slightly larger than Kirito's palms. It was a commodity of a shape and size I was very familiar with-metal material. But I've never seen this color before.
I moved the fingers of my right hand and lightly tapped on the surface of the metal. The automatic window immediately appeared, and the item name was " Crystal Quartz Casting Block."
[This…could it be…]
Looking up at Kirito's face, he nodded with a confused expression.
[Hmm…it should be the metal we're looking for…]
"But why would it be buried in such a place?」
[Hmm…]
Kirito carefully observed the ingot that he was holding with his right hand while thinking. Suddenly, he let out a soft " Ah…"
"... White Dragon ate the crystal... and refined it in his stomach... Haha, I see!」
He laughed as if he had figured something out and threw the metal towards me. I caught it with both hands in a panic and hugged it tightly to my chest.
"What's going on? Don't think about it yourself!"
"This cave is not a trap. It's the White Dragon's nest.」
[Eh, eh eh?]
"That casting block is actually the White Dragon's excrement, which is also feces.」
[Dung…]
My face twitched as my gaze fell on the casting block in my arms.
[Yes!]
Then, he threw it back at Kirito.
[Oh!]
Kirito nimbly flicked it back with his fingertips. We threw the ingots at each other like children. In the end, Kirito quickly opened the item bar and nimbly put away the ingots.
" Alright, no matter what, we've achieved our goal. Next up is..."
[If we can leave this place…]
The two of them looked at each other and sighed.
"In short, I can only try out the methods I think of one by one.」
[That's true. Ah, if only I had wings like the White Dragon…"
Before I could finish, I thought of something and my mouth was agape.
"... Liz, what's wrong?"
I turned around and faced Kirito, who was looking at me with his head tilted.
"Hey, you just said that this is the White Dragon's nest, right?」
[Yeah. Since there's feces, then it should be..."
"That's fine! White Dragons are nighttime creatures, so won't they return to their nest after dawn…"
「…………」
After staring at the silent Kirito for a while, the two of them looked up at the sky at the same time, which was the entrance of the cave. Unexpectedly, at this moment-
In the high and distant round white light, a black shadow appeared. The black shadow was getting bigger and bigger. Soon, even a pair of wings, a long tail, and four limbs with claws could be seen clearly.
[Out…out…]
Let's retreat together. Of course, there was nowhere to escape.
[Appeared-!]
We shouted at the same time and drew our weapons.
The white dragon that was descending rapidly into the cave first let out a sharp roar after confirming our presence. Then, it hovered at a place where it was about to touch the floor. The red eyes with slender pupils showed clear hostility towards the intruder. However, there was no place to hide in this narrow hole. I could only suppress my nervousness and hold my warhammer tightly.
Kirito, who was also holding a single-handed sword, stood in front of me and quickly said,"
[Listen up, hide behind me. As soon as your HP drops, drink the Recovery Potion immediately.]」
[Yes, yes…]
This time, I obediently nodded.
The white dragon opened its mouth wide and roared again. The wind pressure created by its wings caused snowflakes to fly in the air. Its long tail kept slapping the ground, digging deep trenches in the snow.
In order to seize the opportunity, Kirito raised the sword in his right hand and prepared to charge forward. However, for some reason, he suddenly stopped.
[…Ah…Could it be…]
A low voice sounded.
"What, what's wrong?"
[Hmm…]
Kirito sheathed his sword without answering. Then, she suddenly turned around and hugged my body with her left hand.
[Huh?]
I, who was confused by the situation, was easily carried onto Kirito's shoulder.
"Wait, wait a minute, what exactly do you want to do-wow!」
With a bang, the surrounding scenery became blurry. Kirito dashed toward the ice wall at a high speed. Then, he jumped up high before he crashed into it. Just like how he tried to escape yesterday, he ran on the curved ice wall. However, there seemed to be no intention of climbing, and the track remained level. The White Dragon bent its neck and continued to lock onto us as its target. However, the Kirito continued to run on the ice wall at a speed that was faster than its movements.
A few seconds later, when Kirito finally landed at the bottom of the cave, I was already dizzy. The white dragon's back appeared in front of the eyes that opened after blinking several times. It was shaking its head in a panic because it had lost us.
Just as I was thinking,'I should be planning to attack from behind next.」For some reason, Kirito crept toward the White Dragon, reached out his right hand, and grabbed the tip of the White Dragon's wagging tail.
At this moment, the White Dragon let out a sharp cry. A scream of shock. It was probably a psychological effect. Just as I was getting more and more unable to understand Kirito's intentions and was about to scream…
The white dragon suddenly spread its wings and began to rise at a rapid speed.
[Wuuuu!]
The air hit his face. Just as we thought of this, our bodies flew into the air like arrows shot by a bow. Dragged by the dragon's tail, it swayed left and right as it rose into the cave, getting further and further away from the circular bottom of the cave.
[Liz, hold on tight!]
When I heard Kirito say this, I hugged his neck without caring. The sunlight shining on the surrounding ice walls became brighter and brighter, and the speed of the wind also changed subtly-white light burst out! As I was thinking about this, we had already flown out of the cave.
Opening his eyes, he saw the entire 55th checkpoint unfolding before his eyes.
Right below was a beautiful cone-shaped snow mountain. There was a small village a little further away. On the other side of the vast snowfield and the deep forest, the pointed roofs of every house in the main street area were lined up side by side. I forgot my fear and cheered as I watched all of them shine under the bright light.
[Wow…]
[Yay-!]
Kirito shouted as well, letting go of the White Dragon's tail with his right hand. He easily picked me up horizontally and flew in circles in the air.
The flying time should only be a few seconds, but it felt like ten times longer. I think I was smiling at that time. The overflowing light and wind cleansed the soul and sublimated the saltiness.
[Kirito--Me!]
I shouted.
"What?"
[I like you!]
"What? I can't hear you!"
[Nothing!]
I hugged his neck tightly and laughed. Soon, this miraculous time was over, and we were getting closer and closer to the ground. With the final turn, Kirito spread his legs wide and assumed a landing posture.
[Pound!] The snowflakes flew up. During the long glide, we pushed away the white crystals like a snowplow. At the same time, we slowed down and finally stopped at the edge of the mountain peak.
[... Phew.]
Kirito exhaled and placed me down on the ground. I reluctantly let go of my arms around his neck.
The two of them raised their heads at the same time and looked in the direction of the big hole. They saw the white dragon that couldn't find us slowly circling in the sky.
Kirito grabbed the sword on his back and pulled it out slightly, but he immediately put it back into the sheath with a clang. He smiled and whispered to the White Dragon,"
"... Your hunting behavior must have troubled you. As long as you spread the method of obtaining the item, no one should come to kill you. You can live a leisurely life in the future.」
- - If it was me yesterday, I would definitely think so. However, for some reason, I felt that Kirito's words were very direct and seeped into my heart. I reached out my right hand and quietly held Kirito's left hand.
Under the silent gaze of the two, the white dragon turned around and let out a clear roar before descending into the nest. The surroundings became silent.
Not long after, Kirito glanced over and said,"
[Alright, let's go home.]
[Yes.]
"Do you want to fly back with the crystal?"
"... No, let's walk back."
I answered with a smile, then held Kirito's hand and walked out. At this moment, I thought of something and looked at Kirito's face.
"Ah... I forgot all about the lantern and the bed.」
"Now that you mention it…Forget it, it doesn't make a difference. Perhaps someone would need it someday.」
We looked at each other and smiled. This time, we were really on our way home. We walked slowly on the mountain road. Looking at the sky from a very close distance, it was a cloudless day.
[I'm back ~!]
I pushed open the door of my nostalgic home.
[Welcome back.]
I waved my hand at the female NPC shop assistant, who was standing at the counter and politely replying to me. I looked around the entire shop. It's just that I've been away for a day, but I feel a strange sense of freshness.
Kirito, who had bought food from the stall yesterday, followed me into the shop with a hot dog in his mouth.
[It's almost noon. Let's go to the restaurant and have a good meal.]」
Kirito smiled as he waved his left hand and called out to me after hearing my complaint.
[Before that, quickly refine the sword.」
He quickly operated the tool bar and materialized the silver ingot. Catching the material he tossed over-while trying not to think about the source of the props-I nodded.
[That's true. Let's start construction.] Come to the studio."
As soon as he opened the door behind the counter, the sound of the water wheel became louder. Pulling down the lever on the wall, the bellows began to send air into the furnace, and the furnace immediately burned red.
I threw the ingot into the furnace and turned to face Kirito.
"Using a straight sword with one hand, right?"
[Okay, I'll leave it to you.]
Kirito nodded as he sat on the round chair for guests.
[I understand. Let me say this first. The things you make will be affected by random numbers. Don't have too much hope.]」
" If you fail, you can just go get more materials. I'll remember to bring a rope next time."
"... You want to bring a longer one, right?」
I couldn't help but laugh when I thought of that massive fall. Looking at the furnace, the ingot seemed to have burned enough. I took it out with a clamp and placed it on the anvil.
I picked up my usual smelting hammer from the wall. After setting the menu, I looked at Kirito's face again. After smiling at him who nodded silently, I raised my hammer high.
He concentrated on knocking on the metal that was emitting a red light. With a crisp clang, a bright spark flew in all directions.
In the description of the smelting skill project, it only stated the corresponding number of strikes on the casting block according to the type of weapon to be made and the level of the metal used.
In other words, there was no room for the player's skills to interfere in the act of using a hammer to hit metal. Although it could only be interpreted in this way, there was a deep-rooted opinion that whether the rhythm of the tapping was correct or not and the momentum would affect the outcome in the various rumors and special phenomena of SAO.
Although I considered myself a rational person, this statement was the only thing that convinced me, who had many years of experience. Therefore, I have a belief that I will never think about anything else when making weapons. I will only focus my consciousness on my right hand that is swinging the hammer, and keep my mind clear as I continue to strike.
But…
Knock the casting block out! Clang!" A crisp voice rang out, but I couldn't get rid of all the thoughts in my mind.
If he successfully crafted a good sword and completed the mission, Kirito would naturally return to the frontline to guide the strategy, and they would not meet often. Even if he came here to repair his sword, it would be good enough if he came here once every ten days.
I don't want--I don't want this. I kept shouting in my heart.
I clearly yearned for the warmth of others. It should be said that it was precisely because of this that I was hesitant to further develop my relationship with certain male players. He was afraid that the loneliness in his heart would turn into love, because that was not true love, but an illusion created by the virtual world.
But last night, when I felt the warmth from Kirito's hand, I realized that the hesitation was the imaginary thorn that bound me. I am who I am, Lizbet the Smelter and Rika Shinozaki. Kirito was the same. He was not a character in the game, but a real person. In that case, this feeling of liking him was definitely real.
After refining a sword that satisfied him, he would tell him about this feeling. Just tell him that I want to stay by his side, that I want him to come home from the maze every day.
As the glow of the ingot continued to increase, the feelings in my heart also gradually stabilized. I had a feeling that the emotions in my heart were overflowing from my right hand, flowing through the hammer into the weapon that was being born.
And then, the moment finally arrived.
It was unclear how many times it had been-between two hundred and two hundred and fifty-when the sound of the strike rang out, the ingot emitted an even more dazzling white light.
The rectangular object glowed and changed its appearance bit by bit. The front and back of the blade began to thin and extend, and then the protruding part of the blade began to expand.
[Oh oh...]
Kirito sighed in a low voice. He got up from his chair and leaned over. We watched side by side. The object took a few seconds to complete its creation, and a sword was finally born.
It was a very, very beautiful sword. It was a little luxurious for a one-handed sword. The blade was very thin, but not as thin as a rapier. It was as if he had received the characteristics of the casting block, and he felt that his vision could vaguely penetrate it. The color of the blade was dazzling white, while the hilt was silver with a tinge of green.
It was as if he was echoing,"In this world, swords are the symbol of players.」This poem was average. There were too many types of weapons in SAO. It was generally believed that if the names of various types of weapons were listed from the beginning, there would be no less than thousands of them.
Unlike ordinary RPGs, the higher the level of the weapon, the more diverse the name. Low-level weapons, such as one-handed straight swords, had countless boring names like " bronze swords " and " steel knives " in this world. However, the highest-level weapon that had appeared now, such as Asuna's " Flickering Light," was probably only one in this world and could only be created once.
Of course, regardless of whether it was a player-made sword or a monster-dropped sword, there were rapier swords with the same level of performance, but the names and appearances were different. Because of this, a high-level weapon would attract its user and treat it as a soul-sharing partner.
Because the name and appearance of the weapon are determined by the system, even as the creator, we can't judge it before it's completed. When I intended to pick up the shining sword from the anvil with both hands, I was surprised by its weight, which was not apparent from its graceful appearance. Its tendon strength requirement was no less than the black sword " Illustrator " that Kirito wielded. He steadied his steps and lifted it to his chest in one go.
He extended his right hand to support the bottom of the sword and tapped it lightly, looking at the automatic window that appeared.
"Er-it's called 'Darkchaser.' This is the first time I've heard of this name, so it should be a sword that hasn't been recorded in the information store's register.」
[Yes.]
Kirito nodded and reached out his right hand to grab the hilt of the sword. He then lifted it up easily without feeling any weight. Waving his left hand, he called out the main menu and operated the equipment doll with the white sword as his target. Just like that, the sword was also equipped on Kirito's body through the system, and the ability value on the value could be confirmed.
However, Kirito immediately closed the menu and took a few steps back. He switched the sword to his left hand and swung it a few times.
"How?"
I asked impatiently. Kirito looked at the sword silently for a long time before finally smiling widely.
[It's so heavy…What a good sword.]
[Really?…] That's great!"
I raised my right hand in a victory pose. Then, he extended his hand and struck Kirito's right fist.
In the past, when he was still setting up a stall on the main street of the tenth floor, he felt the same way when the weapons he made with all his heart were praised by customers. At that moment, he would feel from the bottom of his heart that it was great to be a refiner. This was also a feeling that he had unknowingly forgotten during the time when he was studying skills and only doing business with high-level players.
[... It's completely... a problem of the heart...]
Kirito tilted his head in confusion because of my sudden words.
" No, it's nothing. Nothing happened at all. By the way, let's go celebrate! I'm hungry!"
To hide my shyness, I shouted as I pushed Kirito's shoulders from behind. Just as I was about to leave the studio, I suddenly had a question.
「……欸。」
[Hmm?]
The Kirito who turned around had a black one-handed sword hanging from his back.
[Right-you said at the beginning that you wanted to be on the same level as this sword, right? That white sword is indeed a good sword. It should be similar to your dropped item. Why do you need two identical swords?」
[Oh oh...]
Kirito turned around and stared at me with a hesitant expression.
"Well-I can't tell you everything. If you promise not to ask, I'll tell you.」
[Stop pretending to be mysterious!]
[Stay away from me.]
I retreated to the wall of the studio. Kirito, who was still holding the white sword in his left hand, pulled out the black sword with his right hand.
「…………?」
She had no idea what he was doing. Since he had just operated the equipment puppet, the only equipment displayed in the system was the sword in his left hand. Even if he had an extra weapon in his right hand, it would not have any effect. Not only that, but it would also be regarded as an irregular equipment state and could not be used for sword skills.
Kirito only glanced at my puzzled expression before slowly putting the swords in his hands into a stance. The sword in his right hand was in front of him, the sword in his left hand was behind his back, and his center of gravity was lowered.
The effect light that dyed the studio red exploded.
The swords in Kirito's hands were swinging forward at a speed invisible to the naked eye. [Whoosh! Pa!] The effect sound suppressed the air. It was just a wave in the air, but it made all the objects in the room tremble.
This was obviously a sword skill set by the system. However, I've never heard of a skill that can control two swords at the same time!
In front of me, who was standing there in shock, Kirito quietly stood up after releasing about ten consecutive attacks. He brandished the swords in both his hands at the same time, only putting the sword in his right hand back into the sheath on his back. Then, he looked at me and said,
"Anyway, that's what happened. This sword also needs a sheath. Can you pick one for me?」
[Ah…Yes, yes.]
I don't know how many times I've been scared out of my wits by Kirito, so I'm pretty much used to it. In short, he put his questions aside and reached out to the wall to call out the room menu.
Moving to the inventory screen, he looked at the list of scabbards purchased from the craftsmen he was familiar with. I picked out a black leather scabbard similar to the one on the Kirito's back and materialized it. After adding my small shop logo, I handed it to the Kirito.
Kirito sheathed the white sword with a clang and called out to the window to put it away. He did not seem to be planning to equip two swords on his back.
"... keep it a secret, right? Just now."
[Yes, yes. I hope you won't tell anyone."
[Understood ~~]
Skill information was the most important lifeline. Since he said not to ask, I didn't continue to ask. Besides, I'm glad he's willing to let me see some of his secrets. I smiled and nodded.
[…Then…]
Kirito placed his hand on his waist and said seriously.
"This way, the mission is completed. I want to pay for your sword. How much?」
" Ah-this..."
I bit my lip and said the answer that I had been brewing in my heart.
[I don't want money.]
[... Eh?]
"However, I want to become Kirito's exclusive blacksmith.」
Kirito's eyes widened slightly.
[…What does this mean…]
" From today onwards, come here every day after the walkthrough. I'll help you maintain your equipment..."
His heartbeat sped up. 'Is this the power of this virtual body, or is my real heart also beating non-stop now?' I thought in the corner of my head. My cheeks are so hot. My face must be red now.
Kirito, who always had a poker face, probably understood the meaning behind my words as he lowered his head shyly. Although I still felt that he was older than me, after seeing him like this, I suddenly felt that he should be the same age as me, or even younger than me.
I mustered my courage and took a step forward, placing my hand on Kirito's arm.
[Kirito…I…]
He had clearly shouted this sentence when he escaped from the White Dragon's nest. Now that he wanted to say it, his tongue did not move at all. I stared at Kirito's black eyes and finally turned those words into words. But at this moment-
The studio door was forcefully opened. I reflexively removed my hand from Kirito's body and jumped away.
"Liz! I was so worried about you!"
The next moment, the person who rushed in shouted and hugged me tightly. Her chestnut-colored long hair fluttered in the air.
[A-Asuna...]
Asuna stared at me, who was frozen in shock, from a very close distance. Then, she suddenly floated over.
"There's no way to send messages, no way to track the map, and even the regulars don't know what happened. Where did you go last night? I even went to the Black Iron Palace to confirm it!」
" S-Sorry, I'm a little trapped in the maze..."
"Maze? Liz, are you alone?"
[No, with that person…]
I looked diagonally behind Asuna. Asuna, who had turned around, recognized the swordsman in black who was standing there leisurely. She stopped in her tracks in shock and then shouted in a high-pitched voice,
[Kiri-kun!]
[Eh?]
This time, it was my turn to be shocked. Just like Asuna, he stood there and looked at Kirito.
He cleared his throat and raised his right hand slightly."
"Oh, Asuna, it's been a long time…no, two days.」
[Yes, yes... you scared me. So you ran over so quickly?] Tell me and I'll come with you.」
Seeing Asuna's hands clasped behind her back and a shy smile on her face, the heels of her boots clattered against the floor, and her face turned slightly pink.
I noticed it all.
It was not a coincidence that Kirito would come to this shop. Asuna kept her promise and promoted the shop…to the person she liked.
What should I do…what should I do?
This sentence kept running through his mind, and he felt as if his body temperature was leaking out from his toes. His entire body was weak and he could not breathe. I don't know how to vent my emotions…
Asuna put on an innocent expression and said to me,"
"Did this man say something rude to Liz? He must have made a lot of unreasonable requests, right?」
She tilted her head slightly.
"Eh…So, you were with Kirito last night?"」
[This…this…]
I suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Asuna's right hand, and pushed open the studio door. She turned her head slightly in the direction of Kirito, but she deliberately avoided his face and quickly said,"
" Wait a moment, we'll be right back..."
I held Asuna's hand and walked to the shop. After closing the door, I shuttled between the display shelves and ran out of the shop.
"L-Liz, wait a minute. What's wrong?"」
Asuna let out a confused voice, but I continued to run towards the main street without saying anything. I couldn't stay in front of Kirito any longer. If I didn't escape, I was afraid that I would blurt out my feelings that I had nowhere to vent.
Asuna probably noticed that something was wrong with me, so she didn't say anything else and followed me silently. I gently let go of her hand.
After walking for a while in the alley to the east, they arrived at an open-air coffee shop hidden by a tall stone wall. There were no customers inside. I chose a table at the side and sat on the white chair.
Asuna, who was sitting in the opposite chair, looked at my face worriedly.
"…Liz, what's going on…?"」
I tried to squeeze out what little strength I had left and gave her a big smile. It was the same smile he had when he was chatting with Asuna.
[... It's that person, right ~~]
I crossed my arms and looked askance at Asuna's face.
"Eh, what?"
[The person Asuna likes!]
[Ah…]
Asuna shrunk her shoulders and lowered her head. Then, she nodded hard with a flushed face.
[.............]
I ignored the heart-wrenching pain and revealed an even brighter smile.
[He is indeed a very strange person.」
[…What did Kirito do…?]」
He nodded at the worried Asuna.
"He suddenly broke the best sword in my shop.」
" Wow... I'm... I'm sorry..."
[Asuna doesn't need to apologize ~~]
Looking at Asuna, who was apologizing with her hands clasped together, the pain in her heart intensified.
Just a little more…just a little more, Lizbet, come on.
I muttered to myself while maintaining a smile on my face.
"Then, in order to make a sword with the ability value specified by that person, we need rare metals no matter what. We went to the upper level to get the metal and fell into the trap cave. Because of the difficulty in escaping, she couldn't come back last night.」
" I see... Just inform me to help. Ah, I can't send a message…"
"If only I had asked Asuna to go with me. I'm sorry.」
"It won't happen. There was a guild strategy event yesterday... Then, is the sword ready?"」
[Ah, yes. I can't stand it. I don't want to take on such a troublesome job again.」
[You have to make a good deal out of him ~~]
At the same time, she burst out laughing.
I maintained my smile and said the last sentence.
"In short, although he is strange, he is not a bad person. I'll support you. All the best, Asuna.」
The end of the sentence trembled slightly. I can't hold on any longer.
[Yes, yes, thank you…]
Asuna nodded and looked at my face in confusion. Taking advantage of the fact that I couldn't see through him, I suddenly stood up and said,
[Ah, no! I have an appointment with someone to make a deal. I'll go to the lower level!"
"Eh? The shop…what about Kirito?"
[Leave it to Asuna! Sorry to trouble you!"
Then, he turned around and rushed out. Unable to turn back, I waved goodbye to Asuna behind me.
He first ran towards the direction of the transfer gate until he reached a place where he could not see from the open-air coffee shop. He turned south at the first corner and then rushed towards the border of the town where there were no players. Whenever tears seeped out of the corners of my eyes, I would raise my right hand to wipe them away. I kept wiping them away while running.
When I came back to my senses, I was already in front of the city wall surrounding the town. In front of the slightly curved city wall, tall trees were planted at equal distances. I walked to one of the trees and supported myself with my hands.
[Wuu…Wuu…]
Unable to suppress her sobs any longer, she cried out from the depths of her throat. The tears that she desperately tried to hold back flowed out and disappeared after flowing across her cheeks.
This was the second time she had shed tears since she came to this world. After I cried because of the chaos on the day of my first login, I decided not to cry anymore. I thought to myself that the system would really reject such an emotional display that made me cry. However, the tears that slid down my cheeks now were hotter and more uncomfortable than the tears that I shed in the real world.
When he was talking to Asuna, there was always a sentence stuck in his throat. More than once, I wanted to say," I like that person too," but I couldn't.
When I saw Kirito and Asuna talking face to face in the studio, I realized that the seat next to Kirito did not belong to me. The reason was that when I was in the snow mountain, I, Kirito, was in danger. The person who should stay by his side must be someone as strong as him. That's right…just like Asuna…
There was a strong magnetic force between the two of them, as if they were tailor-made swords and sheaths. Most importantly, Asuna had been in love with Kirito for a few months now, and she had been working hard every day to slowly close the distance between them.
That's right…I've only known Kirito for a short day. This was just a drawbridge effect caused by taking risks with unfamiliar people. It wasn't real. This feeling wasn't real. You can't rush into love. You should slow down and think about it-I've always, always thought so.
In that case, why am I crying like this now?
Kirito's voice, actions, and all the expressions he had seen in the past 24 hours appeared before his eyes. His hand caressed my hair, grabbed my arm, and held my hand tightly. His warmth, the warmth of his heart--
She would forget. This was just a dream, so he would wash away this dream with tears.
I clenched my fists as I leaned against the tree. I kept crying in a low voice. In the real world, there would always be a time when my tears would dry up, but I didn't think that the warm liquid flowing out of my eyes would ever dry up.
And then-the voice came from behind me.
[Lizbet.]
Suddenly, I was called by that gentle, calm voice that still had the taste of a young man. It made my entire body tremble.
This must be an illusion. He couldn't be here. I thought to myself, and without even wiping my tears, I raised my head and turned around.
Kirito stood there. His eyes under his black bangs were looking at me with a pained expression. I stared at the pair of eyes for a long time before saying in a trembling voice,
[…How can you come here now?] Just a little more and I would have returned to my usual energetic Lizbet.」
「…………」
Kirito silently took a step forward and extended his right hand. I gently shook my head and rejected him.
"How did you know I was here?」
When I asked, Kirito turned around and pointed at the center of the town.
[From there…]
He pointed to a church steeple that was peeking out from the waves of buildings in the distance, facing the transfer gate square.
"I only found you after looking at the entire town.」
[Heh, heh.]
Tears continued to flow out of my eyes, but after hearing Kirito's reply, a smile appeared on my face.
[You're still as reckless as ever.]
Even this part of him…I can't help but like him.
The urge to whimper surged again, but I desperately suppressed it.
"I'm sorry, I... It's okay, you should go back to Asuna.」
Just as I was about to turn around and say this after much difficulty, Kirito continued,"
"I-I wanted to thank Liz.」
[Eh...?]
I was at a loss because of these unexpected words. I looked at his face again.
"…I once caused the annihilation of all the guild members…After that, I decided not to interact with anyone else.」
Kirito frowned and bit his lip.
"... That's why I usually avoid teaming up with anyone. But yesterday, when Liz asked me to go on a quest with her, I immediately agreed for some reason. I've been feeling incredible all day. Why am I walking with this person..."
I instantly forgot about the pain in my chest and just stared straight at Kirito.
So-so, I...
[In the past, no matter who invited me, I would always reject them. Someone I knew…no, even if I didn't know, just seeing others fighting made my legs tremble. That's why I've been locked in the depths of the maze at the front line where not many people go. When I fell into that cave, didn't I say that it's better to die together than to live alone? That's not a lie."
A faint smile appeared on his face, but the bottomless self-blame hidden behind it made me hold my breath.
" But we survived. Although it was a surprise, I was really happy that I survived with Liz. And then, at night... when Liz reached out her hand to me, I understood. It was because Liz was still alive that my hands were so warm…This made me understand that whether it was me or anyone else, they didn't exist for death, but for survival. So…Liz, thank you."
「…………」
This time, he finally revealed a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart. Immersed in my incredulous emotions, I said,
"Me too…I've also been searching for what's real in this world. To me, that is the warmth from your hands.」
I suddenly felt that the icicle that pierced my heart seemed to slowly melt, and my tears stopped unknowingly. For a long time we just looked at each other in silence, and the feeling of that miraculous time when we visited in flight brushed briefly through my heart again and then disappeared.
I think…he responded to me.
Kirito's words just now wrapped around my broken love fragments and sank into the depths of my heart.
I blinked hard and shook off the small water droplets. With a smile, I said,
[Tell Asuna what you said just now. That girl was also having a hard time. She longs for the warmth of Kirito."
[Liz…]
[I'll be fine!]
He nodded lightly and placed his hands in front of his chest.
" This warmth will remain for a while. So…Kirito, please, end this world. I will work hard until then. However, when we return to the real world…"
I revealed a mischievous smile.
[I'm going to start the second round.]」
「……」
Kirito also laughed and nodded vigorously. Then, he waved his left hand and called out to the window. Just as I was thinking about what he was going to do, he took off the " Illustrator " on his back and put it in his prop column. Then, he continued to operate the equipment doll and materialized the new sword in the same place. It was the " Dark Chaser ", a white sword that was filled with my feelings.
[From today onwards, this sword will be my partner. The reward…would be paid in the real world.」
"Oh! You said it yourself! It'll be very expensive!"
The two of us smiled and punched each other with our right fists.
[Then, let's go back to the shop. Asuna is tired from waiting, and I'm hungry.」
After that, I stood in front of Kirito and started walking. I wiped my eyes hard for the last time. The tears at the corner of my eyes scattered and turned into particles of light.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]