Disclaimer: I have only played a handfull of SAO games and watched the first few arcs. Never touched the manga or original light novel. The books probably touch on the two characters I'll be writing about more then what I've seen in the games and on screen. Rika (Lisbeth) and Tsuboi (Klein) had a special effect on me that I wanted to show here. Klein is constantly fodder for perverted slapstick tension killing stuff and Lisbeth has so little depth i cant even get my shorts wet wading around in her character pool. I hope a little light romance and out of game interactions of these two will show any character can have a good story.
Kleins Story: part 1
Location: Akunotou 43rd floor
"It really does get harder as we ascend." Kirito mumbled as he sheathed his two blades.
The whole group was panting and completely fatigued. He wanted to continue going up but knew the rest would be against it.
"We can work more at it later." Asuna exclaimed as she grabbed ahold of Kiritos arm and tangling it in her own. She blushed a little. "After all we have a dance to get ready for." Kirito turned and rested his palm on her head.
"heh, got so distracted in here I almost forgot." He smirked. Asuna puffed out her cheeks for a moment and gave him a cross look.
"Only you would let a game make you forget something this important!" She started to pout and the whole group was watching making Kirito anxious. To break the tension Suguha chimed in.
"Give him a little bit of a break. Big brother and I went shopping all day yesterday finding the perfect tux to wear for the dance!" Asuna lit up at this and jumped into his arms again. Kiritos arms still open at the shock of her 180 degree mood change looked over to give his sister a look of 'I owe you one'
"Rika helped me find my dress. I-I hope you like it" Asuna blushed. Lisbeth snuck up and grabbed Asunas chest from behind lifting up her boobs like a pushup would. Asuna let out a shocked cute speeking sound.
"Found one that really shows off these babies. Better stay close to her or another guy will swoop her up!" Lisbeth had a cheshire grin showing no regret or hesitation in her actions.
"R-Rika! Stop!" pushing her hands away Asuna stood completely red like she had been hanging upside down for hours. Sinon just shook her head in pitty and Klein showed envy all over his face. Kirito looked away from the two and scratched the back of his head. At almost perfect timing Yui budded out of thin air to ask if they would continue the game or not due to a AFK timer placed on there unmoving party.
The group agreed and one by one logged off. Kirito and Asuna being among the first. Lisbeth however was still standing around looking lost in thought. Sinon catching a glimps of her stopped her logging off process to see what was going on.
"Hey." Sinon casually tossed out. No response. she closed in and finally got a view of Lisbeths face. It was full of tears and her lips clenched a bit as if she was trying really hard to swallow. Taken aback at first Sinon finally rubbed her palm across Lisbeths back.
'15 seconds till log off'
A computerized voice broke out and a counter above lisbeth and sinons head starting marking down. Sinon quickly opened her player menu and sent a message.
"This is my number. Call me and we can talk more about it." Before lisbeth could reply the countdown had finished and she was now staring at her bedroom ceiling.
You know that feeling you get when you see something, imagine something, maybe a place or person. Even a scenario you play over and over that you feel would be perfect for you but knowing it will never happen. There are always hypotheticals we have as humans that make us depressed. Rika's was love. Love has many thin lines around it. It can be close to Envy. Very close to obsession. It can even be close enough to hate. Her love was mildly in obsession and envy but now, now it was festering into a new emotion that felt to her a need for action or it would truly be too late.
'I cant love him from the shadows forever' She said to herself. Rika knew Asuna was beautiful, smart and more charismatic then herself. She has seen how he looks at her. 'I'm not even in the same league' More depressing thoughts swelled up inside her mind.
Eyes puffy and red from crying she finally sat up and glanced over at her night stand. A lone framed picture stood there showing everyone in ALO right after a big raid. It was the first time a group of players had beat it so the devs took a picture and mailed it to everyone that completed it. It was the only picture with his arm around her. Though it was only in a friends manor. Its still a moment of contact she wont forget.
"Rika!" A loud voice shot her back to sense. It was a deep and angry voice, her father's. Without knocking he barged in holding a probably almost drank beer. The messed up cloths and stubble showed his lack of employment. He used to be a engineering project leader along with mom being a consultant engineer. Both loved numbers and angles more then anyone else Rika knew. But since her moms death he hasnt taken a job in some months now.
"We cant afford to eat out! Make something! Im starving!" He continued to yell and bark out commands.
This was another building problem. Her home life was falling to shambles. Her mother died from a mathmatical flaw on a floor scheme. It was on the 65th floor of a new corporate building. Her dad did the math and made the error that caused its collapse.
He was on the verge of loosing his job for making multiple errors in blueprints and after the floor problem he was about to be fired. But mom stepped in and told them he made no mistake and she would prove it. If her father had just admitted his mistake and stopped her she may still be alive today. But he didn't. Just to make the man she loved look good she risked her life and died.
"I'll make some gyoza out of leftovers" Rika spewed out in a monotone. Her father sneered at this and grabbed her nerve gear head piece.
"Gyoza again huh? Dont this video games teach you how to cook? or do anything useful? You were stuck in this shit for 2 years and you still play it all the time" he tossed it back on the bed where Rika still sat motionless looking down at the floor. Her time with friends in the virtual world was less and less due to her father. She had to constantly cook and clean for him while trying to maintain her grades in school.
Her home life was terrible but that always makes for a better school life. After her moms death she has been dedicated more then ever to become a pioneer in Prosthetics. While sword building was a passion it has no real use or value in the real world so she was studying to become a robotics engineer with minors in biology to create prosthetic limbs that would one day be as real like as the real deal. Thats why after cooking her father dinner she went to the school after hours and did research in the robotics club room.
"Wow you look busy" Asadas words fell on deaf ears. Rika was completly engroengrossed in a metal forarm shaped object with wires spewing out its ends.
Asada just sat next to her and skimed a few books that lay proped open on the desk. "Human nerves, Musle tissue replication. This is high level stuff." Rika nodded and kept going at the arm as if it was a bomb that needed defused. But after a moment she twitched and lept out of her seat.
"Shino-san, im so sorry! I didnt think you would get here so fast." Rika was flustered and pulled a couple of drinks from her bag she brought. IIt wasnt uncommon for her to spend all day and night at the school so she always came prepared.
"As soon as I got your text I wanted to meet you as soon as possible. Especially after seeing you cry. Whats going on?" She took the drink and started sipping at it but noticed Rika didnt even touch hers. It was kinda nice having the interruption of the game logging her out so she didnt have to talk. But this time there was no distractions.
"Do you think Kazuto, you know." knowing exactly what you want to say and trying not to say it clear as day is a good way to form incoherent sentences. Rika saw Asada's confused expression and knew it had to be said clearly. "Do you think Kazuto likes me?" she felt defeated just by asking it before an answer could come from Asada. Thats how sure she was of it being 'No'. The silence didnt last long before Asada started to giggle.
"Thats what this is all about?" She continued laughing but saw right away Rika was in no mood. Her head was hanging and she was fiddling with a piece of metal on the table in complete silence. Asada stopped laughing at this sight and started to feel bad for her actions. "He is a great guy but him and Asuna are, you know." She scratched her cheek with one finger trying to find the right words. Last thing she wanted was another Rika water works show.
"Have you asked him?" She asked. Trying to gain as much info as possible before giving advise or an answer. Rika put the metal scrap piece down amd closed her two open books as if she was trying to do things to avoid the question.
"No." She let out a long breath and looked off to the side. "I cant ask him that."
"And why not? Its always worth a shot." she replied. Silence once again held the room but just for a moment.
"Because I know he will say no. You're right. He has Asuna and they are in love." Despite tip toeing Asada felt as if she made Her start crying again. In a fluster she tried to make her feel better with the common cheer up phrases. 'You will find someone. plenty of fish in the sea' 'It just wasnt ment to be' None of it broke the choking and tears.
"You dont just like him, do you Rika?" It was obvious at this point her feelings for Kazuto went beyond a highschool crush. "We are still all in school and a very long future is ahead of us. His life with Asuna may look set in stone, but its still very early. You still have lots of chances to show him your true feelings." This was what Rika wanted to hear. Any sign of hope for her outlet from emotional despair.
"But how am I supposed to do that exactly." Rika mumbled wiping away her tears.
Asada fiddled with her drink lid for a moment thinking of an idea. "I know! The dance." Rika was so excited to hear the idea tell the word dance came out.
"But he is going with Asuna, remember? I even helped pick her dress." This almost put her back in a sulking state.
"That may be but its an all night dance.They cant possibly stay together the whole time. I bet we could get you a dress that he cant ignore!" Now Rika was excited.
"we?" she asked in confusion to Asada's idea.
"Yes us. I will help you find a great one to wear! Asuna better look out she has some competition coming!" Asada gave the biggest smile she could and took a long drink before standing up. "Lets meet at tge shopping mall around noon tomorrow."
"But the dance is the day after that." Rika was excited and anxious now thinking of what kinda dress he would like. Asada giggled and told her to calm down.
"Everything is closed now I think. If not it will be closing soon so we best have the whole day to pick the perfect dress!" They both smiled with eyes closed and Asada gave Rika a big hug before parting.
Back at the bench working on the arm all she could think about was the dance. The dance that would give her the answer. The dance that could make or break her mental and emotional world. 'I love you Kazuto. Im going to show you just how much at the dance' She thought as the night went on.
Walking around the Senmise shopping district it was more busy then usual. maybe the other schools are having dances around this time Rika thought. It was almost overwhelming how many shops lined the walkways they both found an area that looked like it was liberally dedicated to clothing stores. She remembered taking Asuna to a couple looking for her dress. Rika started to show glum expressions as deja vu of her past shopping trip surfaced in her thoughts.
Asada noticed and tugged her sleeve.
"Hey, so last time you came here did you find a dress that caught your eye?" She asked trying to keep Rika from thinking and also to find a starting point to there aimless wandering.
"I didnt really look much for my self... I did find a cute one I wanted to try on but-" She cut herself short.
"But what? Why didnt you?" She asked.
"I felt like it would have been rude. It was her day, not mine. Plus I probably wouldn't look good in it." Rika started to the store with the dress she was talking about.
"Dont be so pessimistic. If you always act like the brides maid you'll alway be one." Asada grinned and grabbed Rika's hand. A faint smile surfaced but only for a moment. The store was small and had French written on just about everything. A lot of dresses looked like wedding ones and a few tuxedos displayed in the back. Far back in the corner was a rack of colored dresses in more youthful sizes. Rika scanned till her eyes lit up.
"wow!" Asada's eyes widened also. "Try it on! Try it on!"
Moments later Rika came out. The top was white with black stargazer decals on it. It was a corset and the bottom was a satin material bright red flowing down to the ankles with extra length in the back. The dress added years to Rika giving her a mature womanly aesthetic. Her face was beat red waiting for Asada's reaction.
"You look, wow. It's amazing on you. I dont think it needs adjustments or anything" They grabbed hands and hopped around till the whole store had there attention. The clerk walked up to Rika.
"That dress was made just for you. Its part of last years line of 'jeunesse mature'." Rika didnt even pay attention to the lady. She was in a bit of a narcissistic state looking in the mirror. Asada grabbed the price tag and gasped.
"What is it?"
"Umm, its a little pricy." Asada lifted up the tag for her to see. That earier depressed look she sported around the shopping center came back.
"I help the neighbors move and got a little cash. I can chip in a bit if that helps." She desperately wanted to see Rika smile again.
After a silent internal debate with herself, Rika put the dress back. Leaving the store defeated Asada treated her to ice cream to help sooth the pain. It was mostly silent while they ate and the atmosphere was less then enjoyable.
"We can look at the discou-" Asada was cut off. "I can buy it. But-" She finished her last bite and played with her spoon. "Im not sure how well it will go with my dad." concluding her thought they both started to walk around more.
"After my mom died my dad got fired from his job. He gets a check from the insurance company from her death every month but it barely gets us by." Rika stopped and paused in front of the store with the dress she loved. "I wish i could offer more." It showed that Asada felt really bad about it.
"You have been a great friend. Dont get pulled down by my bummer mood. Its just my dad spends a generous amount of the money on alcohol. I understand he is in pain but so am I. I have to hide some of the money just to keep groceries in the house. His check just came in so I can buy the dress and have no groceries or hide the rest so he cant buy booze." Rika looked like she did when she first saw the price tag. Another internal debate started but this time Asada would be a part of it.
"Buy it!" Her answer almost startled Rika.
She smiled and looked right into her eyes. "Buy the dress you think will impress the man you love. Your heart is more important then his buzz." That was all it took. She finally mached Asada's grin and then baught the dress.
"Hey Ryoutarou what the fuck is this?!" A fat short man stomped over and slapped a stapled group of papers in front of Tsuboi. "This client report should have been done two days ago! Its not even half finished and it needs to be upstairs by morning!" The man stared him down. Now shrunk in his chair he cleared his throat with trouble.
"I-it will be done by tomorrow, Promise! I had to leave early yesterday because of an emerg-" The man cut him off.
"I dont give a shit! You dont leave that desk tell its done." He stormed back to the manager office. Tsuboi looked around the silent office as everyones gaze was fixed on him. Giving a nervous grin he grabbed the paper work and mostly at first tried to look busy with it to loose the office attention then to work on it. 'This wont be done till midnight' he mumbled to himself. After everyone had gone home and his desk was the only one lit up by the lamp he looked around to see if anyone was left in the office. "Finally, at least now i can call her and get the next yelling session out of the way." He grabbed his phone and dialed. A cheery voice greeted him with loud music in the background.
"Hey you." She was giggling a lot.
"Hey babe, I cant make it tonight. Boss is making me finish this crappy report by tonight." She didnt reply at first but not because she was mad it almost sounded like she was holding another conversation and didnt hear a thing he said. "Babe?" He asked waiting fir a reply.
"Oh, ok. Its ok. We can just do something another time." She had no sign of disappointment in her tone.
"ok, umm yeah. I should be done around midnight. If you want I can pick up some take out and we can watch a movie or something." Even though it didnt sound like she needed cheering up he put the offer out there anyways. She didn't answer. Probably because the blaring music and voices kept pervading the phone call. "Hey babe, whats that sound?"
"No its ok we can just do something tomorrow. How about shopping?" She ignored or maybe didnt hear his question.
"Yeah, thats fine. So what time? And do you want me to grab some food after work?" He asked again.
"yes, tomorrow I'll call you. Night babe. kiss, kiss." Then she hung up.
He went back to work but was still hung up on the phone call. 'Maybe it was just the car stereo or something' but curiosity got the best of him and he called her back.
"Yo." a deep voice answered. Behind him he heard a frantic womans voice telling him to hang up. Before he could ask who it was the phone call was cut off. That was a long, long night of work for Tsuboi.
After midnight when he finally finished it was a quiet walk home. the streets were empty and just about everything was closed. He had called up Andrew to keep the bar open late so he could stop by.
"Refill." Drew poured another glass.
"You should slow down. What happened anyways?" He asked while cleaning the counter.
"I had a feeling but didnt want to believe it. She is seeing some other guy." He swigged the whole glass in one go.
"Never did like her. When you brought her in here last week she was flirting up every guy here." Tsuboi reached for the bottle but Andrew swiped it. "No more, man. I'll give you a ride home." Putting arm over shoulder he dragged him to the car and they took off.
"How do you do it? You and your wife seem happy. How did you get that kinda love?"
Andrew smiled. "Let me put it this way. If she ain't yelling at you once in awhile, she doesn't care. I've noticed the girls you wrap up with are far too easy going."
"So what, I find a really bitchy one and cling to her? I get enough opposite sex verbal beatings from the girls online."
"The thing is, you come on strong. That only gets two kinds of attention.One is a girl who knows you're not serious. She will just want a no strings attached thing. Or you will get a mouth full like the girls online give."
The car was silent for a moment but probably because Tsuboi was only half lucid from intoxication. Tears started to line his eyes and he started swallowing looking at Andrew then at the floor.
"I dont get it. Im a nice guy. I work hard and I always treat a girl right. Yeah, I come on strong but thats just me. Do i really have to change myself to find happiness?" The tears built up to the point that they fell down his cheek.
"Your heart is in the right place. You are still in your 20's don't act like your some 50 year old thats still single. Don't overhaul change yourself just reel back a bit and be more reserved. Trust me, man. You work hard and you're good looking. No homo. So keep your spirits up." They pulled up to the apartment complex.
Tsuboi smirked and whiped his tears. Andrew was truly a good friend. He was always a mature and good sorce for advice. Not to mention one of his very few friends in about the same age zone. He stumbled out of the car but managed to get his balance.
turning around he leaned his head down to the rolled down car window.
"Thanks man. You're a solid guy. I'm glad to have you as a friend."
Andrew shook his head. "You're drunk." They both laughed. As He walked to the appartnent door Andrew leaned his head to the passanger window. "And real friend honest time. Loose the damn headband. Edo period ended awhile ago." Tsuboi spun around staggering and just flipped him off with a grin and they both laughed.
After he got inside his place the couch was the only destination. After a thud on it he passed out immediately.