Abyss of the Shrine Maiden

Back to Progressive, Onward to Unity

"I'm very much aware of that."

"It hurts that you answered that immediately, Ko. You're supposed to be kindred."

She shrugs as she sees Asuna wave to them. It must be time to eat. "I think you deserve the latter half of my title."

He sighs in defeat. "Whatever. I love you too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I accept your offer of love."

"Why, thank you very much. I accept yours too."

"Shall we go eat whatever monstrosity has Argo looking ready to barf, partner?"

"And potentially make some Col off her? Right behind you, partner."

"What does that make us?"

"...I call the explosion maniac."

"Cool...wait a minute, that makes me..." Kazuto sighs and pockets his hands in his black jacket. "Although he has a point, I wouldn't mind looking around the city, but I guess that's afterwards, huh?"

"Yes. Asuna and I have made an extensive list of sights to see in the next two days. But first..." Koharu walks forward, passing their dueling companions, knocking on the door of Room 521. "Mr. Hardin, we're here."

"Oh, come in, come in!" Joshua enters first, followed by Koharu, Kazuto, and Asuna. The man sitting up in his hospital bed greets the quartet with a large smile as the four teens shuffle inside and find a seat. "Welcome, welcome. I didn't expect to see you here, Miss Yuuki and Mister Kirigaya. This is a surprise."

Asuna bows slightly. "It's good to see you again. How are you?"

He chuckles. "Well, they're keeping me here for a while longer, making sure I'm fine and all. I guess I was really banged up so much that even my son was worried."

"Why you make it seem like I don't care about you?"

"And you must be the one who lived, Koharu Hanao." Mr. Hardin, ignoring his son, faces the nervous Koharu. "It's nice to officially meet you after all this time."

"H-Hello, sir."

"This is so exciting. Much more than I planned." While his father exuberates joy, Koharu can sense Joshua's is going to burst from embarassment, anger, or both. She does her best to calm him with a hand on his knee, which at least stops his leg from bouncing. Unfortunately, his father takes notice of it, but doesn't say anything as he leans back and exhales. "It's been, what, four years since this all began. I remember the day the beta test for SAO ended, and Joshua came down for dinner for the first time I can remember without a disgruntled look on his face. Care to guess why, Kazuto and Asuna?"

The couple on the other side of the room play along with Mr. Hardin's game. "Oh, I don't think I could. Could be anything."

"Please do tell us."

"I asked him why he looked so, well, content, and he said he had fun today playing online. I didn't see why that day was more special than the others, so I prodded just a little more just to hear he made a friend that he'll meet on the first day. Knowing my son, I knew it had to be a girl--"