A/N: In Japan, it is socially acceptable and legal to marry one's first degree cousin. I had to look that up because Suguha's crush on Kazuto – and the fact that he wasn't horrified by it – was just this side of taboo for me to be honest. Turns out it was just my cultural bias speaking. Also, I think Kazuto would have told his and Asuna's family (her father, anyway) that they were married in-game. Sugou knew Kazuto and Asuna lived together in-game, why shouldn't their own families? Lastly, I don't think Asuna is averse to PDA per se. The school they attend may just have policies that prohibit PDA between 2 people in a romantic relationship on its premises (Hence, Rika's remark in the animé about their behavior being 'inexcusable' in a school. Yes, there are schools like that. I attended one. It didn't stop us; it just made us more discreet).

Chapter 1

Shinozaki Rika carefully blowdried her damp dark brown hair in sections until she was satisfied the layers of her chin-length bob were as smooth as they could be. After flattening the stubborn strands at the crown with shine serum and clipping her long bangs away from her face, she studied her reflection critically.

"Ok, my hair is fixed but not so fixed it looks obvious or like I'm trying too hard." She then curled her lashes – cursing under her breath when she accidentally pinched her left upper eyelid – and coated them with clear mascara. After swiping a glittery mauve shade named "Radiant" on her lips and blotting them on a tissue, she carefully checked the school uniform she'd taken out of her closet for torn seams, missing buttons, and jammed zippers then put it on.

Normally, she just showered, put on the first uniform she found, haphazardly dried her hair before clipping it back, and ran out the door with her school bag… but not today.

Today was the first day of her campaign to make Kirigaya Kazuto see her as girlfriend material.

Rika took the bus to school as she usually did but kept the window closed, so the wind wouldn't muss up her hair. When she got down at the bus stop, she saw a familiar couple holding hands and talking animatedly while they walked towards the school gate.

A boulder lodged in her throat when Asuna give Kazuto a quick peck on his cheek then let go of his hand. She stood transfixed as her two friends walked side-by-side the rest of the way towards the school building, their hands brushing against each other as if by accident, until a familiar voice called out, rousing her from her trancelike state.

Rika took a deep breath then turned towards the voice… and nearly fell over when she saw that Ayano Keiko too had taken extra care with her appearance today. Not that the younger girl didn't always look cute to begin with – this was the SAO player who had received in-game marriage proposals from male characters of all ages even when she had only been 13 years old – but today new red ribbons adorned her pigtails and small hoop earrings from which dangled tiny stones that matched the color of her amber eyes winked from her earlobes.

"It looks like I'm not the only one who remembered that today is the end of the month-long truce," Keiko smirked as she looked at Rika from head to toe.

Rika quickly clapped a hand over Keiko's mouth then dragged her with her to the school building. "Don't say it so loudly," she hissed. "I don't want the whole school to know I'm going after Kirito. I'd like to have some pride left if my plans don't work out."

"And how will you let him know then? You think anything subtle can pry him away from Asuna-san?"

"Well… He already knows I have feelings for him," Rika muttered.

Keiko stopped in her tracks and stared at her in astonishment. "How? And why haven't you told me until now?"

Before Rika could stammer out a reply, the school bell rang out across the school yard, interrupting the 2 girls

"We're continuing this conversation after school," Keiko said in a tone that brooked no argument. "And for goodness' sake, smile, Rika-san," she admonished her senpai when she saw the consternation on the older girl's face. "Not everyone will notice the lip gloss, curled lashes, and blowdried hair, you know. But everyone will notice a friendly smile."

To be continued...