Bedridden Days: Turn Three

"I didn't want to do this actually… But this isn't working Kirito." Asuna stood up and revealed what had been on her mind all this time. "It's not that I don't want to give you a chance… but our relationship within Aincrad just won't work in the real world. It's just a bit too late now… " I was stupefied; she had just woken up a few days ago and we were just chatting out in the hospital's outdoor garden, I was about to leave before her devastating revelation. "It's okay," she gave me that sweet smile of hers, but it filled me with great sorrow. "You can gain experience from this… So when you meet another girl who may affect you more than I do, you'll know what to do." I couldn't believe what I was hearing from her, putting distance between us. She continued regardless, "You need to hit on what she likes, get her things she likes. No need the expensive kind though. Really takes as much time as you need to get over me. " It felt like she had been thinking about this throughout her coma. "I'm sorry… I didn't want to tell you this because I didn't want you to lose hope in your future relationship. I really hope you understand." I could feel the hint of sadness from Asuna but I couldn't care anymore, our worl- No; my world was collapsing at that moment. "Maybe take some time off from me, and we might be able to talk again less awkwardly next time!" She flashed a genuine smile; as if to blackmail me into accepting what she wanted but at that point I was too much in shock, backing even further from her like she was pure evil. I wanted to die right then and there… and at that moment I felt myself going into free-fall; awakening from my nightmare, screaming Asuna's name as I struggle to maintain control of my trembling hands.

I really love Asuna's scent. Even within Sword Art Online, I always believe that it was the game's way of demonstrating Asuna's beauty; like a secret mechanic within SAO. Whatever it is, her scent is most definitely in this world. The closest that I can describe Asuna's scent would be soap, the sweet smelling kind that is. No wondered most of her other suitors kept so close to her instead of the more conventional 'looking from a far' technique. Sleeping beside Asuna, her scent gave me hope, happiness and joy; that I found who I would like to spend of my life with. But now in the hospital, her scent fills me with fear, doubt and agony.

Once in Grandum, after joining the Knights of the Blood, I overheard two other newcomers into the guild talking about Asuna. Apparently, one of them had acquired an item that belonged to her; her scent along with it. I could hear one of them whiffing her scent in like a sicko, the other joined in by starting to talk dirty about Asuna and they started laughing. Lobbing off the sicko's head in one swing and skinning the other pervert from head to toe was VERY tempting at that point. It was so easy, challenging them both to a First Strike Duel. I could have easily made both of them enter the red zone of their health bar with just one strike each. Before I could decide on how to punish them for their sin, Asuna came in at that point and the two were clearly embarrassed, running between their legs before they shame themselves with their filthy minds in her presences even further. It still didn't stop me from thinking from coming close to claim their lives for desecrating Asuna like that.

I went to the hospital's outdoor garden, the same place as where my nightmare had occurred. I wonder what would happen once Asuna wakes up, the uncertainty of the future weighted heavily on me. I let out a desperate sighed and wondered… Is my perseverance, my sincerity, my determination enough? Asuna…

"Well, is it something you want to do from your heart, or for something you're trying to please?" I turned around in horror, never expecting that I had spoken my thoughts out loud and more surprise that Mother overheard my outburst. I quickly turned back; embarrassment must have been all over my face. "Well?" she said as she approached even closer to me until she was standing right beside me. I mustered up all of my resolve and gave her a reply, "The heart."

"Sorry if this seems rather unnecessary; feel free to just let me know if you want to keep your personal space." She began. "I couldn't help myself overhearing what you said because I myself have once asked those questions before and still occasionally do now and then." She blushed a little at the last part. "Mind sharing with me what is it about?"

"No, it's fine. It's about… a girl…" I shyly answered. An awkward silence ensued between us and I realized my mistake. "What I meant was that I don't mind sharing." I mentally face-palmed myself at such a silly mistake; I wondered if this would be reason enough for Asuna to break up with me…

She let out a silent laugh at my blunder and sat down beside me; "Now that's interesting, Love problems." she mischievously looked at me. "Hope you don't mind if I… share my two cents. If you can continue walking after the worst case scenarios, while would probably be rejection for stage 1 and she ending up with another guy for stage 2, I'd say just keep on trying. Because those three traits… seem hard to come by nowadays, and that's a good thing."

"But of course, you're the one who knows the lady in question, what she's like and all. So well, ultimately… and still undeniably… it's… your choice. " I appreciated her thoughtfulness in respecting why I hid Asuna's identity even though I believe that she knew who I was referring too. "How close are both of you?"

"I don't know, in the other world, we were inseparable but here… I don't know. Honestly, it's all up to her, but yet I still ask myself that question because I wonder if I can still do anymore to retain her heart in this world. We have known each other for two years, although we didn't hit it off at first but eventually, I dare say I fallen for her; I love her. But does she feel the same way?" I laid out my heart, unburdening what had been troubling me ever since I started visiting Asuna.

I was totally caught off guard when she patted me on the head, ruffling my hair in the process, "Love, like, feelings… are such buggers that linger on unless the heart really gives up or let go. Is this the same for you?" She let out a hearty laugh. Was she supressing her own feelings? "I hope you find your answer, especially since you wonder if you can do more. Tricky… so tricky... love that is…" She flashed me a sincere smile.

"I don't really need an answer, more like a reassurance from her really." I replied, flashing her a smile of my own. "Thanks for talking to me. I wasn't expecting this at all."

She let out another hearty laugh, "From that, I do hope that you'll be able to get the reassurance that you seek. And sure thing, same here, thanks for your patience in sharing."

The wind suddenly picked up. It was my turn to laugh; "Let the winds of fate and faith decide."

Author's note:

I don't own Sword Art Online or any of its characters. Thank you for taking your time to read. I would appreciate it if you could leave a review. I didn't expect the talk between Mother and Kirito to take so long though which stretched out this chapter but this was want I wanted since I wanted his revelation to be the focus of this part of the story.

Special thanks to DDRVV for leaving a review and KaitlynShadowheart & thelastsoldier21477 for following!

All events in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real events, past, present or future is purely coincidental.