Author's Note

Hey there, this is ChristmasForJuan.

A few days ago "Delta Marauder" messaged me regarding the ending of this story, prompting me to tell him that the original ending actually included a scene between Kirito and Yuuki which was later scraped in favor of the current ending because I didn't feel it fit the mood of the story as well. Nevertheless, since he wished to see how the story would have originally ended, I re-wrote this scene from my notes and turned it into a publishable version since I believed that I might as well publish it if I already wrote it.

Anyway, even though this was supposed to be the original ending, it is now the alternate ending, so I don't really know where to place it myself. In other words, you are free to choose whichever ending you prefer to be your "true" ending. The choice is up to you.


March 6, 2026

"Kirito, are you thirsty?", Yuuki quietly asked as she stepped onto the porch.

After the fight had ended, Asuna rushed in before anyone else to revive Yuuki and scold them both for acting recklessly without telling her. With no appropriate excuse to offer in turn, the two fierce combatants had no choice but to meekly sit through her scolding lecture, though it soon became obvious to everybody that Asuna was only mad at them for leaving her behind.

Wrapping things up in her own cheerful way of doing things, Yuuki (with Asuna's permission of course) invited every player present to join them for a celebratory barbecue. Naturally, the participants would have to contribute to the food and wine if they wanted to enjoy the festivities to lessen the burden on the hosts.

Sneaking off a good while after the party, Kirito was silently gazing at the setting sun when Yuuki joined him on he porch with two glasses of spiced wine in her hands.

"Right, thanks…"

Grateful for the drink, Kirito welcomed the little imp's company as they both watched the sun's igneous descent. Enveloped in a comforting silence, the two swordsmen simply stood there for several minutes.

"Kirito."

Breaking the silence first, Yuuki did not take her eyes off the beautiful landscape as she inquired in a composed voice. With no need for a response, she simply continued.

"Thank you for fighting me today."

"There is nothing to thank me for."

"No, there is. For the past few years I traveled to and saw many different worlds. Each and everyone of them were unique and different, one more exciting than the next, but… I didn't realize it until the end of our fight but…"

Noticing that she stopped talking, Kirito turned his head towards Yuuki, only find himself gazing straight into her ruby eyes; a single glimmering tear framed her face like a diamond gem.

"I missed being alive."

Kirito was at a loss for words.

Not by Yuuki's confession, but by the unspoiled beauty of her desponded smile; the purest expression of the hopeful wish she carried in her heart.

"I…", Kirito could not find the right words to fit the moment and remained speechless.

Turning away from him to face the dying sun, Yuuki continued to wear her melancholic smile.

"You don't need to say anything. I just wanted to tell you how I feel right now. I wanted to thank you, because during that final moment … it was is if I was alive again. I had almost forgotten what it was like … to live … but you reminded me of that."

A ruby crystal reflected the flames of the smoldering horizon as it delicately hugged her cheek in it's steady descent. It's damp trail shimmered in the burning colors of the setting sun.

"So thank you … for reminding me."

The sorrowful words lingered heavily in the following silence. It was only when the fading sun shot out it's final spark that the dismal tranquility was broken.

"A.R."

Unable to comprehend the two initials Kirito had silently muttered, Yuuki curiously gazed at his calm visage.

"It stands for 'Altered Reality'. It takes the concept of 'Virtual Reality' one step further and brings the virtual world into the real world, blending both worlds together. I don't know much about it yet, but a few colleges and universities in America started researching this topic a few years ago, though they haven't made any real progress since then…"

Still puzzled by Kirito's seemingly irrelevant explanation, Yuuki was about to ask him what he meant to say, but Kirito continued before should could.

"I … I want to make it a reality. I want you and Yui to see the real world again. Not observing it through a stationary camera lens, but experiencing it on your own. Walking anywhere you want to, listening to whatever you choose to, talking to whomever you want to. If I can make 'Altered Reality' possible, you will be able to go to school again. Together with me and Asuna", giving off a light-hearted chuckle Kirito corrected himself, "though we won't be in school anymore by then."

Yuuki's vision became hazy. Kirito's outline became blurred, and all the colors merged together into an incomprehensible mosaic. However, this time it wasn't sorrow or sadness that produced her unbearably hot tears, but a mysterious and sudden throbbing joy. With a cracking voice, Yuuki responded while wiping away the flowing stream of tears.

"You idiot, I will be cured by then. There is no need for that…"

While Kirito retained his comforting smirk, Yuuki continued to brush away her tears with her back turned towards him in order to prevent him from seeing her disheveled state.

In an inaudible whisper that was nearly swallowed by the evening's mellow sounds, Yuuki's confession was meant solely for the person next to her.

"Thank you"