Chapter 1: College AU

Asuna rushed to the platform of the train station, shoes clicking against the concrete. Tightening the grip on her shoulderbag, she flicked her gaze around the crowded area, searching for her friend who had promised to go to university with her. It was the first day of college, and having similar interests, they had applied for the same school. Luckily, their outstanding test scores already secured them a place in most schools that they had considered applying for.

Seeing a head of slightly unkempt black hair, Asuna brightened, already starting in that direction. As she neared, however, the brunette realized that it was not the figure of Kirito that she knew well, but a stranger. After another quick sweep of the area, in which she still was not able to find him, she pulled her phone from her pocket. It was way past the time that they had planned on meeting up. What was taking Kirito so long? Furiously, Asuna typed out a message. No immediate response.

Suddenly, the crowd of people around her began moving and the train pulled into view. Someone nearby jostled her, and the brown eyed college freshman lost her grip on her smartphone. Midway between her floundering hands and the floor, its fall was halted by a pair of small hands.

"Woah, that was close," sounded a voice close to her left ear.

Asuna's miraculously saved phone was handed back to her as she stuttered out a thanks. The brunette's gaze fell upon a shorter girl with bright, crimson eyes and violet hair that was tied back by a red bandana. The girl's hair was shockingly vibrant, contrasting with Asuna's own long, chestnut hair, combed and tied neatly into two side braids that met at the back of her head.

Her first thought was that the girl was cute. Aside from the colorful hair and doe-like eyes, the girl's features were more or less symmetrical, and her naturally joyful demeanor suggested that she was someone who smiled often. Though she had a petite figure, her voice was mature enough to distinguish that she was about Asuna's age.

The purple haired girl offered a grin before speaking again, her tone light, "You should be more careful, Miss. Wouldn't want to break your phone like that. Not to mention that there are plenty of thieves around who would've just taken it and ran off."

"Ah, right. I'll be more cautious," Asuna replied, following the movement of the crowd as it pushed forward toward the opening train doors.

She made her way onto the train, and seeing no empty seats, quickly grabbed a handrail. The crimson-eyed girl followed shortly after. Looking down at her, the brunette noticed that the girl carried a school bag, too. Asuna waited for the train doors to close and the commotion to die down a bit before leaning down and asking the girl, "Are you going to the University?"

"Yup! I take it you are, too. First day, huh? You excited?" The shorter girl chirped.

"Y-Yeah," Asuna started, slightly put off by the other girl's bubbly attitude, "I'm a bit scared, too. I still have no idea what college is supposed to be like, in all honesty."

"Don't worry about it, I think you're the type of person who'll fit right in wherever you are."

The brunette nodded, making a soft noise of affirmation. "I hope you're right."

Smiling widely, the purpette stated confidently, "I always am."

Asuna laughed, a small, short noise. She changed her mind from before. The girl wasn't just cute, she was utterly adorable.

"Oh, that's right! You don't even know my name yet. I'm Yuuki. Yuuki Konno. Nice to meetcha." Yuuki held out a hand in greeting, and the brunette shook it, answering the other girl's unspoken question, "Likewise. My name's Asuna Yuuki."

"Haha, then if we were to get married, you'd have to be the wife so I wouldn't be named Yuuki Yuuki," The violet haired girl blurted, clearly not having realized the meaning of her words.

Asuna froze, slowly raising an eyebrow. After a few seconds in which Yuuki's face changed from one of happiness to mortification, the brunette had already drawn many conclusions.

"Shoot, sorry! I don't know why I said that; You're just really attractive and I'm kinda gay and have no filter so I…" The girl quickly slapped her hands over her mouth, flushing in embarrassment.

Asuna smiled gently, "You don't need to apologize. I'll admit that your comment surprised me, but I don't mind. It was kind of amusing, actually."

Yuuki visibly relaxed, the hand covering her mouth falling back to her side.

"Thank god you don't think I'm a creep or weirdo or anything," She said, sighing deeply.

The two lapsed into a comfortable silence, and the taller girl took the chance to pull out her phone again. Still no text back from Kirito. Well, whatever. She was sure that he'd find his own way to school.

With a quiet ding, the train (which had stopped earlier) closed its doors and started up again, reminding the brunette of her purpose. They would both be getting off at the next station. Until then, she still had plenty of time to chat. Asuna turned back to Yuuki, overwhelmed by the sudden urge to tease her. "So," She smirked, "Yuuki Yuuki. I actually think that name fits you pretty well."


Extra:

Kirito finally replied to her numerous texts once Asuna was already at the front of the school. He offered some vague excuse as to why he hadn't responded earlier, and asked for her to wait for him. A few minutes later, the obsidian haired boy rushed up, just as Yuuki was dragged away by students recruiting for clubs.

"You're pretty late," the brunette said, shooting daggers at him.

"Sorry, sorry. More importantly, who was that girl?"

Asuna responded simply, "Someone I met on the train. She's nice."

"And cute. I could see you two hooking up in the future," Kirito commented bluntly, earning him a death glare. "What? She's your type, isn't she?"

"Unless you want to be kicked, I advise you keep your mouth shut."

Though the taller girl turned away, the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth was undeniable.