It took me a while to finish, but here it is.

I didn't use the real names of the other characters because they don't sound well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. It rightfully belongs to Kawahara Reki.


"For the first time since I arrived here, I was happy here.

To me, Kirito-kun is the meaning of my two years here and proof that I am alive." -Asuna

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Back in the hospital room, Asuna hunched over in pain. Her head felt like someone was pounding it. Sugou had the left the room a few hours ago and the hallway seemed quiet, so there was no one nearby to help her. Then suddenly, the pain subsided and a rush of memories entered her mind. It made her confused for a while but later she understood it. They were images of her with a certain black swordsman and a black haired girl in a white dress. She tried to recall their names but couldn't seem to remember them. The feeling lasted for a few minutes until she felt someone hugged her. Even though her senses were still dull, she felt warmth coming from this unknown source.

"Asuna, I've come to help you.", the voice whispered. And then a faint glow of light engulfed them.

Asuna saw thousands of images that were missing from her memory including the names of the people she met. When the light faded away, she was back in her room without a sign of the mysterious person.

"Kirito-kun… you were here…", she said softly. Her voice hasn't come back yet but she forced the words out with a single tear dropping from her face.

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Months have passed since her awakening and Asuna found herself going to school. Although the rehabilitation process has been successful and she could walk properly without using crutches, she isn't allowed to run though. Her mother had agreed to enroll her in the school made for SAO survivors rather than forcing her to cram in a normal school. The morning ended very quickly with easy lessons and now she is sitting alone on a bench near the school cafeteria. Liz happened to walk by and decided to talk to her.

"Good morning Asuna-san, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine, was about to eat my lunch here."

"So much has happened for you these past few months, mind telling me?"

Asuna retold everything to Risa.

She told her father about Sugou's illegal experiments and an investigation was held. Sugou almost got away when one of his workers revealed the truth. He was arrested immediately and Recto was forced to disband. Alfheim Online is now under another company's name to be maintained. Thankfully the remaining players awoke without remembering anything about the experiments being done to them. Then the remaining months were spent in her rehabilitation.

When she was done telling the story, both of them were quiet.

"I miss him so much.", Asuna suddenly said to break the silence.

"We all do miss him.", Liz glumly stated.

"It's all my fault. If only I wasn't controlled by Sugou, this wouldn't have happened."

"Shh… what's done is done. You can't change the past no matter how much you wanted it.", Liz said while patting Asuna's back.

"But things could have been different right now. He would be here eating and laughing with us… and…", Asuna said no more as she broke into tears. Liz hugged her tightly and whisper comforting words to her.

When she calmed a bit, Liz asked her. "You're still coming for the party later, right?"

"Of course I will."

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The party wasn't so lively. They were supposed to celebrate the clearing of SAO, but it also became the time to mourn for the loss of their special comrade. Asuna was asked to give a speech about Kazuto and although she didn't want to do it, she did her best for everyone. She mentioned about his good characters, valuable lessons he taught, some of her lone adventures with him, and even his funny moments to lighten up the mood.

"I will not forgive him until he treats me to meal.", Klein shouted.

"I still can't believe he would thank me for helping the mid-level swordsmen.", Agil stated.

"He was a big brother to me.", Silica said sadly.

"He still has to pay back the sword he broke in my shop.", Liz noted.

"He's such a dummy but that's why I love him.", Asuna said.

Most of the people that went to the party were Kazuto's friends in the game. Suguha was also present at the party. She became good friends with Asuna after meeting her in the hospital the day after Kazuto's death. She doesn't know the other players besides Agil and Asuna so she just kept quiet and sat in a corner drinking juice. Everyone may seem happy, but if you will look closer, they are hurt deep inside for the loss of one important person. The person who was able to influence and change their lives.

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Months have passed since that tragic event and Asuna is standing in front of a grave. It was a simple stone with two small swords crossed etched on it, then below it had written the name of the most important person in her life. She placed the bouquet of flowers on the ground and stood back.

"Kirito-kun, I still blame myself for what happened on that day. Liz keeps telling me to move on but I just can't, you are my will to live. So if you're gone, what am I still living for?"

She continued. "Your friends miss you. Yui-chan also misses you. She was transferred to my nerve gear with Agil's help. I miss you too Kirito-kun. If only I haven't met you, these things wouldn't be happening."

"No Asuna, you're wrong. If I haven't met you, then I would have given up a long time ago.", the mysterious familiar voice said.

Asuna turned around trying to find the source of the sound. "Kirito-kun, where are you?"

Kazuto responded by revealing himself in a ghastly form. Asuna was shocked for a moment but she was able to recover quickly. She didn't care if someone would see her acting weird and just hugged him. Kazuto returned the hug with unexpected warmth.

"I thought… I'd never see you again. That the last time I saw you for real was back there at the top of the World Tree.", Asuna said with tears beginning to form.

Kazuto stated. "I can't say I'm alive. This is just my last conscience before I fully disappear from this world. I came here to say- "

"- Sorry.", they both said at the same time.

"Eh?!", Kazuto was surprised.

"I'm sorry for making you go through all this trouble because of me."

"It's not your fault, I should have been stronger and be able to protect you."

"Kirito-kun…"

"Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice. But falling in love with you was beyond my control."

Kazuto suddenly started glowing and turning transparent. He turned to Asuna with a sad smile and said, "I guess my time has ran out. I just want you to know that I love you forever."

"Wait Kirito-kun, take me with you!"

"Wha- ?!", Kazuto was surprised for the second time.

"I can't live in this world without you. There would be no meaning to everything around me. At least allow me to be together with you again."

"You do know that by following me, you will leave a lot of people behind.", Kazuto implied. Asuna nodded.

"Take my hand then.", Kazuto stretched out his hand for Asuna to hold. The moment she took his hand, her body felt light and they both faded away in golden pixels leaving a slumped form of Asuna beside the grave.

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December 23, 2026

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Suguha stood in front of two graves. One with a double swords crossed together and the other with a rapier. She brought two bouquets of flowers and placed them on their respective places. The doctors never knew what really happened and assumed that Asuna died from some unknown illness. It's just sad seeing both people you know and care about pass away.

"Onii-chan, wherever you are, I know you are happy because Asuna-san is with you. Merry Christmas too."

And with that, she left the cementery. As for Yui, Agil transferred again her data into Suguha's Amusphere where she can be taken care of. All those people who knew Kazuto and Asuna were sad, but they have to move on eventually. Everyone continues to live their lives to the fullest knowing that the two are in a better place together forever.

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Kirigaya Kazuto "Kirito"

October 7, 2008 - January 22, 2025

Hero of Sword Art Online

The Black Swordsman

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Yuuki Asuna "Asuna"

September 30, 2007 - November 11, 2025

Vice Leader of Knights of the Blood

The Flash

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A/N: The upload is so delayed because I had so many versions of the ending. I chose the one that seems to parallel episode 25. Actually, there's so much reasons why this chapter was delayed, but I'm not going to elaborate them.

By the way, each of the dates in this story has a meaning.