Chapter 12: Date Night Events-Kazuto and Asuna
The remainder of the week blew by rather uneventfully. STO was taken off the internet, due to numerous reports saying it was too difficult for the players to succeed. The creators made a public statement, promising to fix the game, and return it to the public, when it is ready.
The tension had almost completely vanished between Asuna and Kazuto, though they knew it was still there, they both agreed it would be best to not let it get the best of them, as it did before.
Now it's Friday afternoon. Kazuto, Asuna and Suguha returned from school to be greeted by Yui, "Welcome back Mommy, Daddy and Aunt Sugu!" She said excitedly, "Can we all play that other game today? Pleeeeeaaaasssee?" She asked cutely, using big puppy dog eyes.
The trio couldn't help but chuckle at how cutesy she got whenever she really wanted something, "Sorry Yui, but your mom and I are going out tonight, so it'll just be you, grandma and aunt Sugu." Kazuto told her.
Yui made a slight pout before Suguha picked her up, "But I'd be happy to play ALfheim Online with you as soon as their gone." She told the child who smiled, "Ok!"
Asuna was sitting in Sugu's room, already showered and dressed for her date with Kazuto. They decided to keep the attire at casual, so Asuna went for a simple white, long-sleeved turtleneck, a red skirt that has a white stripe going horizontally across near the end, socks that went up to her thighs and low heel shoes. As she waited, she heard her phone ring, "Hello?"
"Hello Asuna." Said Kyouko, "I know I don't have much right to ask this, after what I said and all, but I'd like to talk to you about something." Asuna clenched her fist.
She wanted to just hang up the phone right there, but she knew that wouldn't be fair to her mother, so instead, she said, "Whatever it is, just make it quick."
"I'd like to be able to see your daughter, at least just once more. I owe her, and you an apology." She said, surprising Asuna.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that word, except for when you demand one out of me." She said harshly.
Kyouko huffed, "I admit…I deserved that. Look, I know you don't trust me when it comes to Yui, but please. All I'm asking for is one last chance. That's all. After that, I'll leave you alone."
Asuna considered her mother's proposal. She knew that Yui would, most likely, want to try again. But the issue was whether or not Asuna was willing to take that risk again.
She then came to a decision, "I'll need to speak with Kirito before I make a decision. But, for what it's worth, thank you."
"For what?" Kyouko asked.
Asuna smiled, "For offering Yui a second chance. I'll call you back when Kirito and I have decided. Bye Mom."
"Goodbye dear. Take care." And with that, Asuna hung up, pondering her opinion on the new subject.
It wasn't long after that, when Kazuto knocked on the door, "Asuna? Are you ready?" He asked. She smiled and opened the door, taking in the appearance of her date.
He was wearing his standard black long sleeve T-shirt and black pants with his sneakers.
Asuna smiled, "You really have a thing for black, don't you?" She asked.
He smirked, "I could say the same to you about white." He countered lightly.
Asuna chuckled, "Touché mon chéri" Asuna replied, leaving Kazuto totally lost. Asuna giggled, "Touché means 'good point' or 'well played.'" She clarified.
Kazuto nodded, "And the other part?" He inquired.
Asuna looked away with a shy smile, "It uh…means… 'my love.'" She said with a blush.
Kazuto blushed as well before smiling, "Well, anyways. Let's get going."
They made their way to the door when Yui ran to them from the living room, where she and Suguha were watching TV. She hugged her parents, "Have fun Mommy and Daddy." She told them.
Asuna smiled, "You too. Be good for your aunt, ok?" Yui nodded happily.
Kazuto smiled, "Yeah, and be sure to watch her back in ALO." He said in a hushed tone.
"I heard that!" Sugu declared, gaining a laugh from the three.
Asuna calmed herself of her laughter, "Alright well we need to get going." She said as she kissed Yui on the top of her head, "Love you, Yui."
Yui smiled warmly, "I love you Mommy." Then she went and hugged Kazuto again, "And I love you too Daddy." Kazuto smiled and hugged her back before walking with Asuna out the door.
Not long after getting in the car, Asuna noticed a lone tear fall from Kazuto's eye, "Kirito? Are you ok?" She asked concerned.
Kazuto simply smiled, "It's just…kind of a relief. After what happened in STO, it's just so reassuring to know that Yui still looks at me the same way she always has." He explained.
Asuna smiled, "Yeah well, it's hard not to. You've been such a great father to her. Sure you had a little lapse in judgement, but nobody's perfect."
Kazuto smiled, "Thanks Asuna, now let's get to the theatre." He said as he started the engine.
They arrived at the theatre, standing a few feet away from the building, "So what do you feel like seeing tonight?" Asuna asked.
Kazuto thought hard about that. Being stuck in a video game for two years didn't exactly allow him to know what movies were out, or even if any of the one's being displayed are date appropriate.
"Um... You can pick." He said.
Asuna glanced at him curiously, "Can't decide?" She guessed.
He shook his head, "Well, actually…to be blunt, I don't know what kind of movies you like. So I don't want to just pick something that I know I would like, because I don't want you to be bored."
Asuna smiled sheepishly, "Well…I have been interested in seeing 'Botanical Books.'" She says, "I've heard it's a really romantic movie. I know it's not exactly the action packed kind of thing, but…"
Kazuto stopped her, "Let's do it." He said, making Asuna blink.
"Really?"
He nodded, "Yeah. I mean, you tried Star Trek for me. And seeing as how that turned out terribly, I kinda owe ya a better experience than that." He told her.
Asuna smiled, "Ok, let's go."
Kazuto paid for their tickets and they entered the theatre. Since they were going to go to dinner afterwards, they opted out of getting snacks. Not long after Sayaka and Itsuki met, Asuna began to lay her head on Kazuto's shoulder, who rested his head atop hers. Kazuto honestly wasn't sure if he'd like this movie, but he was surprised by how he found himself enjoying it, "Maybe it's just because Asuna is here. She does have this way of making everything seem better." He thought to himself.
Asuna was enjoying the movie, almost as much as she was enjoying cuddling with Kazuto, "He's so comfortable. I can't believe I ever yelled at him. Sugu was right, this is exactly what we needed."
Almost two hours later, the movie was over and the couple exited the theatre. Asuna sighed, "That was a great movie." She commented as they made their way back to the car, hand in hand.
Kazuto nodded, "Yeah, I was surprised. I didn't think it'd be as good as it was."
The two got into the car, "Alright, I chose the movie, so you choose the restaurant." Asuna told him.
He thought hard, "Well…uh…"
Asuna smiled. She knew that look. He was stumped.
"It doesn't matter to me where we eat. I'd rather it not be a fancy restaurant." She told him, surprising Kazuto.
"Really? I'm far from an expert, but isn't that like the norm for dates?" He asked.
Asuna smiled, "Yeah, but I've been going to places like that all my life. So please, some place a bit more…casual, I guess." She told him, "Plus, I know there's no way you can afford to pay for a place like that." She added mentally.
Kazuto smiled as he remembered the fast food place that Midori always took him and Sugu to when they were younger, "In that case, I think I know just where to go." He said as he started the engine.
The arrived at Wac Donald's. Asuna couldn't help but chuckle, "When I said casual, you really delivered." She said.
Kazuto began to look worried, "D-do you want to go somewhere else?" He asked.
Asuna giggled, "No, no. It's fine. Really. C'mon let's go, I'm hungry." She said as she pulled him by his arm to the door.
They were sitting at the table, having just received their burgers and drinks when Asuna reached for her purse.
This went noticed by Kazuto, "What you doing?" He inquired.
Asuna smiled, "Did you notice I left my purse in the car when we were at the theatre?" She asked. Kazuto nodded. "Well, it's because," She then handed him some bottles that were labeled "Ketchup," "Mustard," and "Mayo." "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to bring condiments into the theatre." She told him with a smile.
Kazuto looked like he had just reached heaven, making Asuna giggle, "I thought it might be nice to have a little nostalgia. Remember back in SAO?"
The remainder of their meal was slow paced as they talked about all of the things they had gone through.
Once they had finished that, Asuna looked down, "So…I got a call from my mother before we left." She told him.
Kazuto took a serious expression, "Really? What did she say?" He asked.
Asuna took a deep breath, "She wants to have another chance with Yui. I told her I wouldn't give her an answer until I talked to you about it. Personally, I don't know if it's the best idea, after what happened last time. What about you?"
Kazuto hummed, "Did she say anything else?"
Asuna shrugged, "She said she owed Yui and I an apology. But other than that, she didn't really say anything." She told him.
Kazuto closed his eyes as he thought. He didn't want to put Yui through anything that might upset her again, especially since, in his eyes, he's still on thin ice due to what happened in STO. But he did want Yui to have a normal relationship with them, since they are her family.
Finally, he had reached a decision, "I know there's a chance she'll be hurt, but at the same time, your mom might be willing to accept her now. So I think it's a good idea." He told her.
Asuna looked away for a moment, "How do you do it?" She asked, "How do you manage to make these difficult choices so quickly, and with no hint of second guessing yourself?"
Kazuto grinned, "Well…I just follow my instincts. But I got to admit, this is a really hard decision. I mean, after what I did to her in STO, the last thing I wanna do is put Yui in a position where she might get hurt again." He said.
Asuna noticed the look on his face, "You've been beating yourself up about that haven't you?" She asked.
Kirito nodded, "I failed her Asuna… My own daughter…and I abandoned her." He told her, his breath starting to get shaky.
Asuna put her hand on his, "Then I guess I should tell you that I've been doing kind of the same thing about when I yelled at you." She informed him, "It makes me feel like I'm not being the girlfriend that I should be. I almost ended our relationship over an argument about what happened in a dumb video game…I'm sorry Kirito." She said, looking away from him.
There was a brief silence between the two before Kazuto spoke up, "Feels nice to finally let that out."
Asuna nodded, "Yeah. Like a weight off my chest." She added.
Kazuto looks over to Asuna, "Well…I'm ready to bury the past if you are."
Asuna smiled at him, "Yes. Tonight, we forget about the incident. And tomorrow…we go back to my parents' house." Kazuto smiled as the two embraced in a warm hug.
