Chapter 2
'Kirito we need to talk' was all that was on Kazuto mind as he left class to head to lunch. He pondered what it could be about while walking down the school hall. He finally made it to the campus outside to find three familiar faces. He walked over to the table they sat at and also took a seat. The faces were of his friends Rika, Keiko, and of course Asuna.
"Oh hey Kazuto we were just talking about you," Rika said.
"Good things i hope," Kazuto replied.
"Of course," she said defensively "We wouldn't dream of hurting your reputation."
"You do know gamers can sense sarcasm too," he replied smiling.
At this the group started to laugh. They continued to talk as they ate for about twenty minutes until Asuna spoke up.
"Rika, Keiko, could you give us a minute," Asuna asked in a less happy tone than usual. The two nodded and began to make their way away from the table. Kazuto didn't know what was gonna happen next so he just asked.
"Is something wrong," he asked worryingly. Asuna placed her hands together and took a deep breathe. She then started to shake slightly as tears began to form. Kazuto was surprised but recovered quickly as he began to hold her. "Hey, hey it's alright Asuna," he began to say but she pushed him away from her.
"N-No, no it's n-not, not this time," she said in between sobs. Kazuto was confused by her action and words but he waited for her to finish. "I-I...," Asuna managed to let out. "I can't be with you anymore," she finally exclaimed. Kazuto went blank, nothing could have prepared him for this, he was dumbfounded.
"I don't understand," Kazuto let out "Have i done something wrong?"
Asuna wiped away a few tears "No it's not you, i-it's my mother." Asuna was trying her best to calm down but she could see the pain on his face which made her hurt even worse. "She's making me change schools," she said. Kazuto was slightly relieved to hear that. I don't want her to go but that doesn't mean i can't be with her he thought.
"A-and..." she started "She's arranging me to be married." At this Kazuto's face went pale.
"Can't you change her mind," he exclaimed. He was hurt, more hurt than he's ever been in his whole life, and she knew it.
She shook her head still crying "I've tried, for the p-past week I've tried, s-she won't change her mind." She was breaking down tears rolling down her face. This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life she thought.
Kazuto smashed his hands on the table "There has to be a way!" Asuna grabbed him into a hug.
"I'm sorry Kirito, im s-so s-sorry," she cried into his chest. Kazuto was hurt so much by all of this. He desperately wanted this to be a dream or a joke but there was no sign on her face that it was.
"This isn't your fault Asuna, none of it is," he let out. Kazuto hugged her back and stroked her head. When she finally calmed down to an extent he asked "So what now?"
She looked at him sadly "Now i have to say my goodbyes, today's my last day." The bell sounded to signify lunch was over. She let go of him and stood up sluggishly grabbing her bag.
"I'll see you at the end of the day," he said in a quiet voice.
She looked at him with dread "Okay."
So the day went on, and on as Kazuto processed the news. He couldn't wrap his head around it. Why would her mother arrange her to be married doesn't she know she's dating me he thought. Then something hit him what if she hasn't, what if she hasn't told her mom about me. Is she ashamed of me or does she just not care about me he thought.
Kazuto shook his head and brushed off the thought. Thats not true and you know it, Asunas not that type of person, and besides he thought. It doesn't really matter what the reason is, the fact remains that she's leaving he continued to think. "Uggh," he said hurt but quietly "That last thought hurt like getting shot by a bullet." "A bullet...," he said "Sinon."
He pulled out his phone and went to the contacts. He scrolled through the names until he finally came to the one 'Shino Asada.' I need her advice since she's currently the only unbiased female i know he thought. He sent her a text that read 'Can i meet you somewhere after school?"
It took a while until finally it buzzed with a reply that said 'Sure, we can meet at the park if thats okay with you.' The bell rang to signify the end of school and the feeling of dread once again came over Kazuto.
He hastily typed back 'Thats fine, I'll be there in a bit, thanks.' Kazuto then grabbed his bag and made his way back down the hall. When he finally arrived at the school gate he saw Asuna, Keiko, Rika, and some other girls. Asuna was hugging the girls and saying her goodbyes. The scene was making Kazuto's chest hurt.
He began to walk towards her and when he got close enough she looked at him. "Kirito..." she said fighting back the sorrow she felt. They both took a step forward and embraced.
"I'm gonna miss you," he said softly.
"I'm going to miss you too, please...tell Yui i love her," Asuna said.
Kazuto once again felt pain because he had forgoten about Yui in all this mess. "Of course i will," he let out.
She stepped away just a little and said "One last kiss." To this they both leaned forward and pressed they're lips together softly. This kiss wasn't of passion or romance, it was of sorrow and dread. They finally stopped and backed away with Asuna in tears. "Goodbye Kazuto," she let out at last.
"Goodbye Asuna," he said.
The two stepped away knowing that this was the end of their journey together. Kazuto made his way over to his bike and hopped on speeding down the road to the park. He thought about all that happened, even though it hurts he knew he couldn't ignore it. But then something hit him hard in the heart. The last word she said to him was his real name, she had never called him that before.
That was it, he couldn't take it anymore. He pulled his bike over off the road and parked it. He took off his helmet and stared at the glare of his reflection in it. Finally he began to shake and dropped the helmet on the ground. He sat there thinking of everything him and Asuna's been through.
Now it was his turn to cry.
