CH 4 - Wheels in Motion

January 19, 2025

"So, why'd you wait so long to tell me that we're freaking loaded now?" I asked.

"We were afraid that you'd find it alienating." Dad replied.

"Well...I probably would've..." I admitted before I nodded to his hair. "And I can't imagine you wanting to talk about that since it probably caused your salt 'n pepper look."

He rubbed his hair. "Well, to be fair, we Mizushimas lose hair color when they're around my age."

"Wow. What a thing to look forward to."

"Hey, it isn't as bad as bald spots, and they'll figure something out by the time you're my age." He let out a smile. "I'm making enough money that not only can I now retire somewhere, you and Sakura can also live comfortably, as long as you two don't screw up big time."

"That'll help, especially since I've stopped studying for two years."

"Oh, don't you worry about that. The government's got something planned. You and the rest of the SAO Survivors will not be abandoned."

"Hm…" So that's what they're calling us now, eh?

It's just the two of us at home. Nee-san had already gone to school, and Mom was staying on the other end of Japan for business reasons. Just like Dad, she'd been climbing up the corporate ladder. Made sense that the two of them had to cook for themselves now.

He had some stuff left to do here so he stayed for a bit, but now, Dad was also on his way to the airport to get to where Mom was. Since I didn't have anything to do, I offered to help carry his bags and see him off. We're just hanging around in the living room, waiting for his ride.

"...so...why'd you want to keep your NerveGear?" Dad asked.

"Well, I paid for it, and they said that they're done with it, so why not? As I said, there are memories there. It's also a reminder to not buy stuff on day one."

Dad let out a chuckle. "See what happens when you don't wait for a GOTY edition, or at least a few patches?"

"Yeah, yeah…"

After a few minutes, a car stopped in front of our house. "Well, that's our ride. Come on." Dad urged, carrying a piece of luggage.

I nodded and followed him while I carried his suitcase.

When we exited our house, a man was waiting by the gate. His formal button-up shirt and black dress pants and shoes contrasted wildly with his head, where he was wearing a red bandana that was tied around his forehead, holding up his spiky hair.

Holy. Shit.

"Good morning, Mizushima-sa-." He started to talk, but he froze when he looked at me.

"...Klein?" I asked.

"...Riwet?"

I couldn't keep a grin from forming in my face as I approached him. "It's you!"

"You too!"

Dad looked at the two of us. "I'm guessing you two know each other."

"Yeah. Yeah, we do. He's helped me survive in that death game. I owe a lot to this guy."

"Oh, nonsense!" Klein interjected. "We owe much more to you!"

"Nah, let's not start comparing goodwill." I shook my head a bit. "What are we doing? We can talk about that in a bit. For now, let's start loading."

After loading Dad's bags, we had a lively drive to the airport, bantering all the way. We exchange our real-life names. Tsuboi Ryoutarou...another name that I won't forget in the foreseeable future.

Eventually, we reached the airport. We helped him carry his bags until we reached the boarding section.

Dad turned to Ryoutarou. "Use the card and the two of you go get something for lunch."

"Understood." He replied.

He then turned to me. "Mom and I will be gone for a while. Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Of course." I nodded.

With that, we shared an embrace and he went further in.

After we waved goodbye, Ryoutarou turned to me. "I knew that there was something familiar about you." He remarked.

I chuckled. "Man...what are the odds?"

"More than you think. Your family's been helping SAO Survivors constantly for a while now."

"...so I've heard…so, you know a good place for lunch?"

Ryoutarou drove me to a nearby sushi restaurant - the one with the conveyor belts. We posted up and started eating. It was good and cheap. I should take Keiko and the other to this place.

"So...is my father treating you well?" I asked.

"Yeah." Klein nodded with a smile. "You know, I was so anxious that he'll just fire me then and there because I've become rusty for two years. But he didn't. I'm very lucky to have met him."

"How long have you been working with Dad, by the way?"

"Not too long after I graduated from university."

"Wow. You sure stuck around, eh?"

"Yup. And I don't ever wanna leave."

"That's good. The two of you hardworking and kindhearted folks deserve each other."

"Aww, you're making me blush."

"Shush, you."

We continued eating, exchanging pleasantries all the while. I'm glad that Klein integrated back into society smoothly. In the news, there have been outliers of SAO Survivors that had faced very bad fates, with some even taking their lives. Fortunately, they were very few and far between, and many people are keen on helping us.

Eventually, we finished our meal and said our prayers of thanks.

"So, I'm going back to work." Klein said. "What about you?

"I'm planning on visiting some people."

"Need a ride?"

I shook my head. "Nah. I'll take the train."

"Alright. Just let me pay for this, and I'll drop you off on the nearest train station."

"Sounds like a plan."

***
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***

"And that's how he is now. I'm really glad for him." I concluded my story on Ryoutarou.

"Heh. That's good. I gotta remember to take him on that meal." The person who I was with replied.

Beside me was a boy, about the same height, body size, and age as me. He was wearing a black jacket with a fur lining, black denim pants, and grey shoes. He had that typical Japanese pretty boy hairstyle of slightly long, but straight hair, framing his upper face.

It was Kirito, or known in the real world as Kirigaya Kazuto, a name that he told us a while ago. I'm glad that, despite everything, he was still able to smile.

However, as we got closer to our destination and boarded the elevator, the mood started to become solemn.

It was easy enough to find and reconnect with Kazuto, but when we asked about Asuna, Kikuouka was hesitant to tell because of her family's influence. She had always struck me as someone who comes from money, but being a daughter to a CEO of a big VR-centered company and a local bank based in Kyoto was a bit beyond my expectations.

After a bit of bargaining, and using my surname as additional leverage, we determined that she was at Totorozawashi General Hospital in Saitama. It was my second time visiting her, but since Kirito was at cycling distance from the hospital, he came by as frequently as he could.

The elevator made a sound, and the door opened. The floor she was in was fairly sparse of people. A nurse supported a frail-looking dude that was dragging an IV drip, but that's about it. The trademark hospital smell of disinfectant was present, but thankfully, not overwhelming.

We were almost there when my phone rang. I saw that the Caller ID

"Sorry. Gotta take this. Go on ahead."

"Alright."

I ducked to one corner and opened my phone. "Hello, Kikuouka-san?"

"Good afternoon, Rin-kun." He greeted back. This is regarding your request."

"Let's hear it."

"Ayano-kun's NerveGear indeed contains locally stored data - one that we cannot duplicate nor separate from the NerveGear itself. Do you have an explanation for this?"

"Yes. That's the data for her AI companion that she found in Sword Art Online. She and I have become attached to that AI. It's a long story - I'll elaborate it on the interview."

"That is agreeable."

As part of the bargain, Kikuoka had asked Kazuto and me to provide an interview of what we experienced in Sword Art Online. It wasn't scheduled yet since he said that there were still things to do that were higher up in priority.

"Since you mentioned that it is important to yourself and Ayano-kun, I assume that it is to be returned?"

"Yes."

"There is some more deliberation needed on our end, but just like your NerveGear, I believe that it can be arranged, as long as you hold your end of the deal."

"I promise."

"Good. Well, that is everything that I have for you now. Good day to you, Rin-kun."

"You too, as well." I said before I ended the call.

So, Pina's safe. Shame that Excello got wiped from the face of the Earth, though. They didn't find anything in my NerveGear. Well, at least they told me that it could be possible to retrieve the pictures that I have taken in SAO.

I should be getting on my way.

As I went there, I came face to face with a gentlemanly-looking middle-aged man with wrinkled and brown hair He wore a brown suit. "Mizushima-kun." He said to me.

"Yuuki-san." I replied with a deep bow. He was Yuuki Shouzou, Asuna's dad and aforementioned CEO. He was there when I visited Asuna, and Kirito had said that he also regularly visited her, despite his work schedule.

"You can stop doing that. No need to be so formal."

I raised my head. "Okay."

"Are you here to visit my daughter?"

"Yes."

"Then I shouldn't keep you occupied. Have a good day."

"You too."

I watched him leave. He seemed both stressed out and just done with things. I could only offer my sympathies as he vanished into the corner.

I continued on my way, but before I could open her hospital room door, I realized that it was slightly ajar. I could hear people talking inside, so curiosity got the better of me as I hunched down to eavesdrop.

I could see and hear two people in the room. One is Kazuto, talking to some guy in a suit.

And the things that guy said made my blood boil.

The bastard's name. The wedding. The mockery.

Sugou Noboyuki.

You fucking bag of meat.

I wanted to get in there and back Kazuto up, but I stayed on the sidelines. It'd be better for me to make my presence as masked as possible.

Though, if it came to blows, I'll swoop in and break his face.

I was so angry that I almost didn't notice him heading for the door. Fortunately, there was an unlocked and empty room nearby, so I was able to hide. I hope I got away with it.

When he was out of sight, I went back to Asuna's room and found Kirito almost catatonic. "Ka-" I started to say, but the moment I opened my mouth, he walked briskly outside the room.

I went after him. "Kazuto."

"Leave me alone, Rin." Was his strained reply.

I ran towards him and grabbed him by the arm. "Kaz!"

He snapped his body towards me. His dilated eyes were boring holes on mine.

Before he could say anything, I wrapped him in an embrace. "I heard everything, Kaz. Calm down, alright. Just take it easy. Don't let that bastard's words get to you…"

At first, he tried to break away, but he soon leaned onto me. "Rin….Rin…"

I reached out and patted his head. "It's alright…"

I led him to a nearby section of the hospital, a lounging area with a sofa and a view of the outside.

We sat down. "I miss her...I miss her so much…" Kirito rasped under his shaking breath, his head in his hands.

"Me too, Kaz...me too…"

"And now...she's so far away…"

"Yeah…" My face darkened.

It takes a special kind of meatbag to marry someone comatose and brag them to that someone's lover, but it also takes a special kind of parent to let that happen to their child.

Yuuki Shozou...I thought you were one of the good ones.

I don't know what happened to Asuna and the others who still slept. I don't even know where to start looking.

But there is one thing I do know.

"...this isn't over." I declared before I turned to Kazuto. "I'll do whatever I can to help. There must be something we can do."

"...you're right…" Kazuto muttered. "But...I just don't know where we can find that…"

I sighed and shook my head. "We're both too shaken to think of a plan…" I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down. "We should go home and rest up. We're useless right now."

"...right…"

I turned to him and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Remember, you're not alone in this. If you ever need anything, even if it's just someone to talk to, then you can give me a call. We have to be strong for her."

After a few more moments, Kazuto nodded and said goodbye, refusing my offer of accompanying him.

I sighed and went back to Asuna. Seeing as her room had an identical layout, I rummaged through her drawer and successfully found a wet wipe. I took it and gently rubbed the places that the bastard had touched.

"If you can, you should wake up right now. I'm damn sure that you don't accept any of this." I said, hoping that she would miraculously open her eyes as I cleaned her.

She didn't.

"...worth a try." I muttered.

I stood up and headed to the door. When I was almost out, I took one last glance at her sleeping face. "I hope that we can help you before it's too late." I said before I left.

I spent most of the way home in silent rage, fantasizing about having my hands around that bastard's neck, my thumbs digging through and crushing his windpipe. I fantasized his hands, the hands that dared sully Asuna, to be fully bent the wrong way back. Even if it wasn't real, I found some sensation out of it.

If I find that Nobuyuki Sugou had anything to do with Asuna and the others' situation, then I will make sure that he will pay dearly for this.

When I got home, I calmed myself down before I greeted Nee-san. She seemed preoccupied with her schoolwork, so dinner was quick and silent. After that, I started perusing the internet for something...anything. There had to be some clues. I've started searching for answers the moment I got home, but it wouldn't hurt to try some more.

A few hours of research, I gave up and laid my bed in frustration. Nothing.

Damn. Damn it all.

My phone rang, with the caller ID displaying 'Keiko'. I picked the phone up. "Hello?" I asked.

"...h-hello." A female voice replied in very accented English. "M-my name is...is...Keiko Ayano. How was your night?" She asked.

"Hello, Keiko." I replied in English. "I am doing well. What did you have for dinner?"

"For dinner...I...uh...ate chicken teriyaki…! W-with rice!"

"Was it good?"

"Yes! It was very deli...de...li….good! It was very good!"

"Hm…"

"...did I do well?" She asked in Japanese.

"Not bad, but you kinda fell apart in the end there. It's pronounced 'delicious'. Go on, try it."

"...'delicious'?"

"There you go. Don't worry about accents. Just be sure to be understood."

"Ok…" She let out a frustrated sigh.

"Something wrong?"

"...I'm fine, but…"

"but?

I'm mad at pap...I'm mad at my dad."

"Why?"

"He keeps coddling me. I love him, but I can do stuff on my own. Mom got a bit mad at him, too. It's not nearly as severe as the things we have to worry about, but I don't like people treating me like I'm brittle glass."

"Keiko...just don't get too mad, alright? It's just his way of showing his love to you."

"But what about you? You love me, but you let me be free."

"He knew you from the day you were born. If your parents are like mine, then they probably still see you as just a wee lil' baby."

"I know, right?" She paused a bit. "How do you cope with it, your parents treating you like a kid?"

"It doesn't bother me too much. In fact, I can use it to my advantage. Things like 'buy me this or that' and stuff like that. And besides...it'll be over before you know it."

"..."

"...Hey, you still there?"

"...I guess I should apologize soon, if anything, for getting so mad…"

"That's good." I paused. "You know...I was a little tempted to do that, too - encouraging you to be strong, but not join the Clearers. Think about it. How many times have you almost died ever since you started hanging out with me?" I suppressed a shudder. "Just thinking of how close we were cutting it back then makes me squirm."

"Then...why didn't you?"

"You would've kicked my ass?"

"I wouldn't hav-...well…"

There was a moment of silence before we both chuckled. After that, she started with a gentle tone in her voice. "Rin. I'm nothing but grateful that you made me stronger, even if it put me in danger. Yes, if you would've done that, then I would be safer, but the danger would come to me sooner or later, regardless of how safe I was. The only way to guarantee my safety was if I locked myself in the Starting City, but that's not a way to live - that's why we left that place, didn't we?"

"Keiko…you're right." I let out a smile. "Hey."

"What is it?"

"Can you turn on your video? I wanna see your face. I'll turn mine on, too, if you want."

"Eh? Okay, just gimme a second…" As I waited for her, I also tapped my phone to show video.

A second later, her face appeared on my phone. It was the same beautiful face that I've come to love. "...it's good to see you…" I muttered.

"You too." She replied. Her smile shrunk a bit, and she tilted her head. "You look a bit tired…"

"Yeah. I should get some rest…but let's talk for just a bit more."

"Sure."

We continued to do so, talking about the small stuff. Though, I made sure to mention her NerveGear's condition, much to her absolute delight.

A few minutes passed before I had to stifle a yawn. "Well, I should go clean up and sleep."

"I should as well. Good night, Rin."

"Good night, Kei."

She giggled. "...I love you..."

"I love you, too." I replied with a smile before I ended the call.

I felt my head clear a bit, but I really should call it in for the night.

My research didn't yield anything. I'm gonna have to reach out to people. Maybe Kikuoka knows something.

I just hope that Kazuto was more successful in this.

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Changing Perspective: Third Person

"Onii-chan, the bath's ready!" Kirigaya Kazuto heard from behind his room's door.

"..." Not having the heart to answer, he just silently stared at the dark metropolitan vista from his window.

Failure. His research ended with nothing of note being found.

He should've just cleared his head and rested. Now, his head was ringing and he had nothing to show for it.

His door opened, revealing his younger sister, Suguha. She had short black hair, and a pair of dark, almost black eyes. She was wearing a set of red pajamas, and a small towel was draped sideways on her head.

As Suguha entered the room, she let out a shaky breath and caressed her upper arms as cold wind assaulted her. In addition to not being too comfortable in the cold in the first place, She had just taken a delightfully warm bath, so she was extra sensitive. "Onii-chan, if you're here, then say something!" She said with a pout, walking inside his room to turn on the air conditioner.

"I...I heard you...I just…" He muttered.

Suguha turned to face him. "Onii-chan?"

"..." He turned to face her. Suguha was not oblivious to the fact that he was hurting.

"...did something happen?" She asked.

His face darkened, and he looked away and out his bedroom window again. "...yeah." He shook his head. "I'd...I'd like to be alone, now…"

"..." Suguha almost complied, but she looked down. Just like when they were growing up, she felt her slipping away.

No. She would not let that happen again. Not after he was taken from her for two years.

"Onii-chan…" She reached up and hugged him from behind. "We're family...right?" She asked. "I don't want to see you like this...please...don't push me away...I'll help you in any way that I can…"

Kazuto's eyes widened, and he spent the next two seconds mentally kicking himself. He didn't spend the last two years of his life in Aincrad, fighting tooth and nail to be free, and making a promise to his friend to reconnect with his family, only for him to ignore his little sister.

Suguha felt her brother's hands touch hers. "...thank you, Sugu…" Kazuto said. "...you know...when I woke up, I swore that I wouldn't show any weakness to you. But...that's now how families work, right?'

They stayed silent for a few more moments. "So...what happened?" Suguha asked as they broke away.

Kazuto motioned her to take a seat on his bed. When she did, he sat next to her and took a deep breath. "Asuna...her condition...it just got a lot more complicated. And I can't think of any way to bring her back..."

"Onii-chan…"

"...when I was trapped in that death game..she was one of the handful of people that prevented me from going insane. And now...even though I've woken up in the real world...I can't do anything. Asuna…" He trailed off, his voice frustrated.

Suguha reached out and held his hand. "When you were trapped in that death game, I held your hand a lot, like this...the doctors told me that you wouldn't feel it...but still, I held your hand…"

"...Sugu…" He muttered.

"Onii-chan...even when you were a kid, you always had a knack for learning something quickly when you put your mind to it. Asuna-san…she's still trapped in the virtual world…the world that you lived in for two years. If anyone has an answer, it's you, and your friends that suffered with you."

Kazuto looked down and looked at his sister's hand. She had grown quite a bit these past two years. Not just her height or figure, but her heart as well.

After a few moments, Kazuto broke the silence. "I still need to clear my head a little more. You said that the bath's ready?" He asked.

Suguha nodded. "Go and take a bath so you won't get a cold."

He nodded back and went to his door. "...thanks, Sugu."

"Take care of yourself, Onii-chan."

With that, Kazuto exited his room and bathed.

As he did that, he lightly but now physically slapped himself in the face. He had to get a hold of himself. This was no time to give up. Hell, he hadn't even started trying yet.

No matter how dire the circumstances are, he will find a way to bring her back. It was obvious that that bastard had something to with Asuna's condition. He would rest for the night, but tomorrow, he would stop at nothing to bring Asuna back to him.

Suguha let out a sigh before she laid back on the bed. She had very seldom seen her brother that vulnerable. He was always tight-lipped, even when back when their grandfather shouted at him. The only time she saw that expression on his face was when things were particularly miserable.

As her consciousness drifted, she could only hope that if he needed help, she would be there to support him.

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Andrew Gilbert Mills stirred the piping hot liquid contained in a glass mug. After a few seconds, he reached over, inside the glass display to get what was ordered.

"So, how's the real world treating you, Mr. Mills?" A voice asked. On the other side of the table was a young boy, with hair cut short and swept from left to right. His trademark coat was absent, replaced by a simple navy blue jacket with a hoodie underneath.

"Andy's fine, Rin." He replied, handing the youth a glass of hot tea and a plate with a slice of glazed banana bread. "Here's your order."

"...thanks."

"Not gonna ask about the picture?"

Rin shrugged. "Not yet. Better to wait for Kaz...uto so you don't have to repeat your explanation."

Andrew glanced at the boy before he let out a sigh. "You know...I almost didn't want to tell the two of you of this. If this turned out to be a fluke, then I would've wasted both your time."

He shook his head. "Any lead's a good lead. We probably wouldn't have found anything much on our own. Believe me, I tried quite a bit yesterday."

"RIght. So...where were we…? Oh yeah, as for my life...it could be worse." He looked around his cafe. "The wife took over during the time that I was gone. It's good that I'm back here to take the load off her shoulders."

"Good to know. Also, you gotta hear this." Rin told him of his encounter with Wilhelm, whose real name was Oliver. He also gave him his contact info. "I'm planning on visiting him someday. The old-timer seems a bit down."

Andrew nodded. "That sounds like a plan."

Eventually, Kazuto arrived. After an exchange of pleasantries, he finally asked Andrew the question. "So, what's with the picture?"

Andrew took a deep breath, and wasted no time explaining.

Alfheim Online. Sword Art Online with magic and flight, and of course, no fatal consequences on death. He gave a copy to the two of them, elaborating on the circumstances surrounding the picture of what appeared to be Asuna, stuck in a cage atop a gigantic tower inside the game.

"So," Andrew glanced at the two boys, "Are you two going?" He concluded with a question.

Kazuto nodded. "I wanna see it for myself."

"So do I." Rin added.

"..." The man showed a doubtful expression.

The boy in black let out a smile. "A game where you can't die is too easy."

"Well, there's an argument that can be made about that, but I understand your point." Rin interjected. "But even then, we've survived Aincrad. Gonna take a whole lot to bring the two of us down."

Kirito pursed his lips. He didn't even bother discouraging Rin from joining, as he knew it would just be wasted effort.

Wasted effort…

Kazuto chuckled at the memory that he thought he had forgotten. Their first meeting - a time even before the battle for the First Floor Boss. Her scowling, taciturn countenance, that slowly changed to a warm and comforting smile.

Wait for us, Asuna...

The two exited Dicey Cafe and approached a nearby bike stand, where Kazuto's bike stood. "You should get a helmet or something. Due diligence and all that." Rin's voice cut through the silence.

"I lost it. I'll go get one as soon as we're done." Kazuto replied absently, his brain still processing what needed to be done.

"...so...this is where the cards fall, eh?"

"...Yeah."

"...all we have is a low-res picture, but it's better than starting from fuck all…so what's our plan?"

"Log in and start asking some questions. Try and keep it subtle - things like the location of the tree and how to get up top."

"Roger that. We go together?"

He shook his head. "How 'bout we go about this at our own pace? We're Solo Players after all - we'll figure it out on our own and we'll cover more ground that way."

"Sounds good to me, but there's one thing...I'll probably start a little later than you. I wanna read up a bit on ALO before diving in...and I wanna tell my family that I'm delving back into the virtual world. It won't be long, so don't worry."

Kazuto took a deep breath. I guess I should do that, too… he muttered before shook his head. He didn't know how much time he would spend there, so he'd hold off telling them for now. No need to stress them out when he wasn't in any danger.

With that, Kazuto was done unlocking his bike. He brought it forward and mounted it, but before he pedaled away, Rin called out to him. "Hey."

Kazuto turned to him. "Yeah?"

He held his left fist out. "...I'll see you in Alfheim, Kirito."

Kazuto bumped Rin's fist with his right. "...Likewise, Riwet."

Chapter End

A/N: This chapter serves as the transition from exploring the aftermath of SAO's completion on the main characters, to them being embroiled once again in conflict. I think I did alright, and now, I'm very excited about writing their return to the virtual world. The Fairy Dance Arc is on, but I'm still gonna pepper some IRL stuff here and there.

Alright, to all fans of the Kazuto/Kirito x Suguha/Leafa pairing - I'm sorry, but your ship has sunk in this fic. Suguha and Kazuto will have a completely familial relationship going forward.

Thank you for the review, CompuBob. I'm glad you like my fic. For your feedback in the Hollow Area arc, I'll consider it that you find it a bit too wordy.

Thanks for the review, MentalForge. Admittedly, at first, I didn't plan on writing Riwet as exceptionally resilient. However, as I wrote about him more and more, it made me think - what does SAO emphasize on the main characters? Well, most of them are lauded for their speed, power, and/or moral scruples.

So what do I do, then? Make Riwet sturdier than Kirito, but comparatively slower. It makes for a very nice contrast. I don't want to overdo it though - he can take a lot, but he's not immortal. In addition to that, I'm having a lot of fun comparing and contrasting his relatively gray morals to the main characters', as well as the villains'.

That's all for now. Thank you very much, and have a good one.