Fragmentum Memoria:

An SAO AU FanFic

Epilogue: Time Won't Wash Us Away

Date: April 7, 2029

I sat on an empty park bench alone, the sun pouring through the cloud-filled sky that hung above me. The wind blew sakura petals in the air around the trees, bringing some to gently caress my aging face. I am growing older and am still troubled but what I've seen and done, yet I can feel the harmony from without extend to within, even if only a little. Four years of settling back does surprisingly little to wash away the demons that I've hid inside, but at least I can rest easy knowing they'll fade away eventually. Four years, four years since that hell we were thrust into came to an end. Yet, it resides in my mind like it were only yesterday, cliche yes, but it's oddly true. What's also true is that I'm not the only one. My thoughts are derailed after feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out to see who it was. A soft grin appeared on my face upon seeing who it was. It was none other than Hecate herself, Shino.

"I'm at the park entrance now. Mind meeting me there?" the text read.

I replied, "Yeah, I'll meet you there."

I get up and start to stroll to the entrance. I notice just how lovely this time of year was, with the trees in full bloom accompanied by the soft breeze and sunlight. Picturesque was an understatement, both for this weather and, as I was about to find out, it would be an understatement for her too. I eventually come up to the entrance to be greeted by quite the refreshing sight. Shino stood there in her spring attire, denim short sleeve over a yellow shirt, some black pants and white tennis shoes. Her hair still sported the tied side tails, yet today she didn't wear her bulletproof glasses. Funny how things can change but also stay the same. In the eyes of the fine young woman she grew into, I still see the brave young girl who stood at my side so long ago.

"Hey Shino~!" I call out to her as I wave.

She turns upon hearing her name, and upon seeing me, her eyes light up and she smiles, running towards me. "Seikyo!" she calls out and soon I catch her in my embrace. After a long tight hug, we withdraw for a bit, still hanging onto each other. I take a closer look at her, and I was right, I still see the same Shino in her eyes.

"It's been a couple years, kiddo," I say, still caught in wonderment just how much she grew. "You've grown into quite the breathtaking lady huh?" I say with a chuckle. "How have you been?"

"You have got to be careful with how you say such things, but thanks," she replies with a laugh. "Life's been,.. interesting to say the least," she continues as an awkward smile forms on her face. "I have been taking courses in marksmanship so I could be ready for any situation should I become an officer one day. It's been going well, but there's this one weirdo who's in my group who just eyes me all over. It's kinda weird."

"I see, well, during my time overseas I've also trained in weapons usage and tactics, so it looks like this is the perfect time to use them on someone," I say with an evil smirk on my face. We both burst out laughing. "All creepers and weirdos aside, I'm glad you're doing well."

"Thanks," she said, "but enough about me, there'll be plenty of time for me to tell you just how 'wonderful' my life has been while you were gone shall we go on vacation like you promised. Tell me about you, Mr. Shinigami." Yes that name has somewhat stuck with me, both for the better and the worse.

"Well. I met a girl who I thought I'd last with, but nope, forever doesn't exist as I have come to conclude," I said with a chuckle. "But oh hell, I don't need to go through all that anyways. So long as I have you to look after and those three other fools waiting for me, well, that's the only family I'll ever need." Shino hugs me again upon hearing this.

"Though I'm slightly disappointed that you didn't tell me, and I would rather not know what transpired between you two," she said jokingly angry, "I'm sure one day you'll end up with someone. You're too sweet to stay single, no matter what others say."

I pat her on the head and smile. "Thanks kiddo, though, it's only because of my time with you in that game that I found what it meant to love others." I place my hand over her heart. "Keep the flames in there burning strong, you'll get far because of it. Thanks to you I'm here, so keep being you," I say with a smile. "I know I've said it a million times but, thank you, Shino, thank you for everything you've taught and given me."

"Geez don't make me cry like that," she says half-laughing while wiping her tears. I hand her a handkerchief to wipe the rest of her tears. "Let's go shall we?" she says with her eyes closed and lips in a bright smile, a smile bright enough to outshine the spring morning sun.

Seeing that Shino took a taxi to meet up with me, I escort her over to my car so we can head over to the old bar me and the guild used to hangout at. The whole drive there Shino leaned her head against my shoulder, eyes closed, just happy that I'm back after so long. Yes, picturesque was an understatement for how today was. The breeze, the sun pouring through the white clouds, the sakura in the wind, and her. I may live a single man for the rest of my days, but at least I can rest easy knowing I kept my promise and brought her back to this world, that I did my best to care for her before I had to leave. I won't waste anymore time in being absent in her life. I'll watch her grow and guide her for the rest of my days no matter how long or short that maybe, and that's one more promise I'll keep no matter what. Look at me now mom, raising a child of my own, sort of? Haha... whatever she is to me, I'll look after her like you did to me.

Soon we reach the bar and parked in the small familiar parking lot. After letting the nostalgia run warm through my veins we finally headed inside.

"WELCOME BACK BOSS!" my three boys shouted as soon as they saw me. The three walked towards me and we were all caught in one big group hug.

"Now now y'all might kill me hugging me this tight so soon," I said with a laugh. "But I'm glad to see the whole gang alive and well." I stand back and look at them. Edward has gotten only more refined and toned in his appearances, having clearly hit the gym more with Arthur, who has only put on more muscle and maintained his massive stature. Those two are the best of pals, both then in the game, and now in real life.

Then there's Six, whose real name is Akayami (quite the fitting name indeed). When he came out of SAO, he was scrawny and remained blind like he has always been. Though over the years, with the advancement of technology, most notably the work of Kazuto Kirigaya, the Black Swordsman, Akayami has regained his sight. Kirigaya has met with Shino and Akayami to personally discuss development of an enhanced Augma that had a quad-camera setup (similar to the Oculus Quest of 2019) to "see" the outside world, all while the headset converted those real life images to visual sensory info directly sent to the brain in the form of waves similar to that of current VR and AR tech. The whole process is just as quick as the typical process of how us humans see with our own eyes, so Akayami does indeed feel like he's seeing with his own eyes, instantaneous and without lag. He took this a step further and with the help of Arthur and Edward, took on a rigorous training routine to shape himself into the athlete and assassin that he was in SAO.

"You know, you three are looking like you're ready to go back to Aincrad and slay some bad guys with me one more time," I say half-jokingly, half serious.

"Of course boss, I'll dive feet first into Aincrad and slay the baddies as much as I have to so long as all five of us are together," Edward said with his confident smirking game-face.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," added Arthur, "I'll lend my sword and shield to you whenever you need it."

Akayami silently nods and says, "I'll fight by your side, with or without my eyes."

Shino then hugs my arm from the side. "And you know I'll be watching out for all of you, especially you, Seikyo," she says with her reassuring smile.

"Thanks guys, I am very grateful. It's comforting to know that no matter how much time passes that this friendship we've made won't ever be washed away. Thank you," I say as I bow my head towards them. "Now all seriousness aside, I didn't come here just to cry my eyes out with all of you, I'm here to catch up like I wasn't gone for two years, so I say, let's all have a good time!"

I had forgotten how it felt to be surrounded by the ones I held so dear to me. While in the States, I was mostly alone, surrounded by my swords and guns, a single piece of life amidst an ocean of steel and brass. Day in and day out, gathering and practicing whatever knowledge and technique I can master to give me the edge both in real and VR combat, to make sure I'm capable of protecting those I love. But here, here I'm at home, surrounded by the ones I love, and all I have to do is live my life alongside them and enjoy every minute that I could.

We spent hours chatting, eating good food, and getting wasted, well, those three "fine gentlemen" anyways. Me and Shino would ultimately sit back and laugh as the other three struggled to stay up and continued to say the most entertaining and incoherent phrases in the human lexicon. Just like old times, because if friendships can stay the same, then so too should the way we party. Did I mention just how fun it is to listen to three drunk men try to sing a karaoke song together? Life is full of unexpected surprises I guess.

At the end of it all, Arthur, Edward, and Akayami were too wasted to go home by themselves, but thankfully the barkeeper, who was a good friend of mine, had guest rooms upstairs for the three to stay the night. We exchange our farewells, and I take Shino back home to the old apartment me and her used to live together in.

As I entered, I'm glad to see how well she maintained the place by her own, and it felt like I had never left at all. Aside from some new chairs and slightly changed arrangement of the living room, everything was pretty much the same. The posters on the walls, the old couch in front of the TV, and the pictures of me and her around the house. I notice one familiar picture from when me and her had first gotten out of rehab after the SAO incident. I pick it up to see that she's routinely dusted off the picture frame hence the lack of dust. I take a long glance at the memorable image. She wore her black glasses and was just a little under the top of my shoulders in height, and I had long messy unkempt hair. Now she's grown to where her eyes are only about a centimeter or two from meeting mine, and she's definitely grown into the body of a fine young woman. And I, well, I got old. I put the picture frame down and look around to see Shino, having already changed into her sleepwear, shoot a quick glance and smile at me as she heads to the bathroom to brush her teeth. I must admit that time sort of flies when you let nostalgia take hold of you for even a little. I soon change into something more comfortable and freshen up myself too before I even think of sitting down next to her and watching a bit of TV before going to bed.

We spend an hour or two watching horror in the dark, and we laughed at how, in hindsight, that it was probably a very stupid idea and that we'd probably end up regretting it later. However, laughing together and being held close in each other's arms was enough to vanquish any fear of nightmares later that night. We soon shut off the lights and appliances and head to the bedroom so we can finally get some sleep after a fun and exhausting day. I sit down next to Shino as she lays down and I gently tuck her into bed just like old times.

"You know I'm old enough to tuck myself to sleep right?" she says with a giggle.

"Yeah, and? Don't act like you don't miss it," I say with a smug face as she giggles a little more. "Good night Shino, sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."

She gets up a little just enough to give me a quick kiss on the cheek before laying back down. "Good night Seikyo, sweet dreams," she says with a smile. I smile back at her and pat her hair gently before I get up and shut the lights. By the time I walk back to the bed she's already fast asleep. I lay down next to her and finish off the rest of my thoughts before I call it a night. Yes, tomorrow I'll get up earlier so I can make that breakfast she loves, maybe go and take her out somewhere later in the day. I guess we'll just have to wait and see now, shall we?

I close my eyes, warmth in my heart and peace within my mind, and fall asleep looking forward to a bright tomorrow.