Disclaimer: I do not own anything. All content is based off of "Sword Art Online" and their owners.
Note: This story happens after the whole thing, therefore it means it happens when Kirito is re-defeating Aincrad with his friends.
July 28 2028 11:45 A. 22
After a really long while of rummaging through the cabinets, which Asuna would probably throw a fit about later, Kirito noted, Kicouhirou placed a kettle on the stove and a pack of teabags on the counter. "Kiouchirou, you told me to tell her that, and tell my dad what I really had planned. But to do what I have planned, I need your help,"Kirito finally sighed. He didn't want to admit he needed help, but Kiouchirou was the only one he knew that would have enough money and experience. "I want to start an Institution, and I need one partner with money to start it off. You're the only one I know who has money and power like that, since Mr. Yuuki has practically given his position as CEO to you,"Kirito explained further, "It will mostly be for research, and teaching people in Aincrad. Basically, we get money from teaching people, and we use it for research to find more to teach to them." Kiouchirou said nothing, only staring at Kirito intensely, as if gauging if he should do this or not. Kiouchirou finally ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "In the business perspective, this project is most definitely worth it. I just worry about what everyone thinks... But I'm in. I'll fund most of your stuff if I get 20% of the company. Just don't tell Asuna yet, so I can gather my wits, and enough money and support." Kirito stepped forward, raising his right hand to shake Kiouchirou's and they both declared at the same time, "Deal."
September 3rd 2028 7:00 Yuuki Mansion
Asuna grabbed the familiar silver knocker, in the shape of two crossed swords, that she had never had to use before this, because she'd always had a key. Kiouchirou opened the door. "Just in time for dinner,"Kiouchirou said, grinning. The Yuuki family, had of course been expecting them, because as one of the top VRMMO companies, they were kept in the loop with everything. Kiouchirou led them through the halls to the big double doors to the dining room, although, really it was only Kirito that needed leading. Kiouchirou pushed open one door, stepping aside to let them in. Asuna went in first, and Kirito hurried to pull a chair across from her mother for her, as it was good manners as a gentleman. Shouzou sat at the head of the table, and Kiouchirou sat down next to his mother, across from Kirito, who sat next to Asuna.
The places were already set, and there was already set with steak, dessert, and soup, and a lot of fancy utensils, which Kouchirou and Asuna tried to discreetly guide him through, and almost got away with, but of course, couldn't escape Mrs. Yuuki's sharp eye. Everyone knew Kyouko had ordered the chef to make a meal like this and had the table set for so many courses, with utensils matching each course, just to trip up Kirito, and see how well his table etiquette was. Nobody had quite finished all their meals, but once they were satisfied, meaning, once it got too awkward to eat, Shouzou called the maid to clear up the plates, and bring wine.
Kirito felt uncomfortable as everyone stared at him. "My husband tells me, you have a convincing plan, to gain my blessing for our daugter's hand?"Shouzou asked, starting bluntly. Kirito blinked, keeping his eyes closed for a second longer than needed so he could gather his thoughts, then looked at Kiouchirou, Shouzou, and then Asuna before looking back at Kyoko. "The reason why I'm hear is gain your blessing for us to live together in this world, because I promised her. I promised her knowing she would always feel bad if you never gave your blessing. So yes, more or less, I have a plan, or I wouldn't have promised Asuna,"Kirito replied, making sure it was understood he was doing this for Asuna. Then he took a breath and requested, "Can I speak to you, alone?"
Kirito and Kyoko sat in Kyoko's study, on opposite sides of the desk. Behind the grand oak desk was a balcony, will glass doors that were now open. He didn't like telling people what he was going to tell Kyoko. Really, only Asuna would truly understand what he felt. Taking a deep breath, he dug deep into his memories and emotions, trying to calm his heart and quavering voice as he relived, and retold, "Before I fought on that final day in Aincrad with Akihiko Kayaba, I married Asuna. In game. We bought a pretty little Log House in the forest, witha beautiful view. We spent our days enjoying ourselves, and it was like heaven to me. We were walking in the forest when we saw a girl, unconscious, maybe eight years old, too young to have logge din by herself, but clearly not an NPC, or quest giver. But she also didn't have a cursor. We took her in, and when she woke up, she called us her parents. We acted like a family..."His voice broke there, and he got up, walked to the balcony, and leaned on the rail. Kyoko's gaze continued to follow him, and her chair turned so she could watch him. He continued, "When we found out, that she was about to be deleted... it felt like I was really losing a daughter, a blood daughter of me and Asuna's. You know how that feels. That moment I realized we were a family, no matter what, it was just cruel. Too cruel. It made us family, but ripped a third of the family away. That moment, I promised Asuna and myself I would bring Yui back, even though it would be hard, and rebuild our family, a perfect one that she'd deserved. That's what I'm trying to do right now."
Kirito gathered himself before turning around, so that his back was leaning against the rail, before drawing a tablet out of his coat pocket, then tapping a few times, and typing rapidly, then turned the tablet's screen to face Kyouko. The screen was one of Yui's room, light off, sleeping with her back towards the wall, facing away from them. "It's just a little girl, that you are technically stalking, without her parent's consent,"Kyouko said icily, not understanding the point. "Shh..."Kirito put a finger to his lips and told her. Then he walked next to Kyouko, kneeled down next to Kyouko's chair, so they would both be looking at the tablet. Yui rolled over with a stretch, and you could see most of her face. Kyouko's eyes widened. Yui was a perfect blend between Kazuto and Asuna's traits, even though they weren't her birth parents. Kirito reached out to the screen, touching the place where Yui's face would be, before pulling his hand away. Whispering, he introduced, "Mrs. Yuuki, this is a former mental health counseling program. Yui. Our daughter. Your granddaughter." Without looking at Kyouko for a reaction, Kirito said in a borderline yell, "Yui, wake up." Yui woke up, pushing herself up, then rubbing her eyes like Asuna did. She really did look like Asuna waking up that time under the tree. Yui saw the camera open, and bounded over, pressing some button on the other side, so she could see them. "Yui, meet your Grandma, Grandma Yuuki,"Kirito introduced. "Really Daddy? I've wanted to meet my Grandma Yuuki ever since Grandma Kirigaya said she's really nice, and Mama told me those stories! I love you, Grandma Yuuki!"Yui babbled. Kirito turned to see Kyouko's lips about to form an O. Knowing he was overwhelming her, Kirito quickly told Yui, "Alright know, my princess. You have to sleep, or Mommy and Grandma Kirigaya will be mad!" Yui nodded, pressed a button to disconnect the call.
Kirito carefully nestled the tablet back into his pocket, before getting up from his kneeling position and sitting back in the chair and explaining the rest, how Yui had reappeared, Asuna's condition, and his future plan. All through it, Kyoko Yuuki never said a word. Not even a fraction of an inch on her face moved. Kirito looked straight into her eyes, as he stared at him, at a twenty year old, barely older than a boy, telling him he had gone through similar, if not worse experiences than she had, in worse times than she had experienced.
September 3rd 2028 9:00 Yuuki Mansion
It was about two hours later when they walked into the second floor living room, where Kiouchirou, Shouzou, and Asuna were playing cards. "I was starting to get worried you'd go way past 12:00,"whispered to Kirito as he walked in, teasing him, since everyone had to report back to the airfield where the helicopters were to either take a helicopter back to Aincrad, or report that they had decided to stay in this world, and make new passports for those people. Mostly, the government had to declare them un-dead. Literally.
Everyone looked at Kyouko expectantly. "The boy has got a half decent plan. I just hope it works out. Although, I might have to talk to Kiouchirou sometime later about that,"Kyoko said, then turned and left. "Well done my boy,"Shouzou laughed, ruffled his already unruly hair, and walked out after his wife. Asuna frowned and asked, "What was that, about Kiouchirou, Kirito?" Kiochirou got up, and fist bumped with Kirito, and then winked at Asuna. Kirito said, "You'll know soon enough." "Yeah. Even if lover boy can keep his mouth shut,"Kiouchirou agreed. "Hey!"Kirito complained. Asuna laughed and shook her head. She knew she could get him to talk. If worse came to worse, all she had to do was threaten his food. "Come on, Kirito, we need to go. As officers we need to arrive early to help,"Asuna said, pulling on her serious face. Kiouchirou gave each of them a hug, and followed them to the door. Kiouchirou waved as his little sister he'd always wanted to protect, walked away with somebody she protected, and somebody that would protect her more than Kiouchirou did.
Meanwhile, Kyoko walked quickly up to her study, Shouzou at her heels, and closing the doors behind him. Kyoko closed her eyes, rubbed her temples, and took off her shoes, sighing. Shouzou walked over and massaged her head. He didn't expect her to say anything. She never told him anything, including what was going on in the company even though she usually ran most of the company. It worked that way. Shouzou wasn't good at business management.
However, this time as Shouzou finished the massage, lifted his hands and turned to go, Kyouko said, "Asuna's eyes used to sparkle that way." Shouzou turned around, to see Kyouko looking right at him, with a pained expression. "What?"he asked, not really catching on. Kyouko asked again, adding in the pained details, "Didn't Asuna's eyes used to sparkle the way Yui's did, before I sent her the all girls private school?" Shouzou's eyes widened in understanding, and quickly walked over, and kneelt down next to his wife as tears slowly fell from her eyes. "I took away that sparkle, by sending her to the private school that I thought would be good for her, didn't I?"Kyouko asked him through tears. Shouzou pushed strands of hair behind her ear, but he only looked at her hair and ear, because he knew the answer would hurt, "The sparkle hid for a long while after you did that, yeah. But I've seen it come out. When she looks at Yui, and Kazuto Kirigaya, it appears again. So you didn't chase it away for good." "She looks so much like Asuna in Kazuto's colors. I loved that beautiful sparkle,"Kyouko whispered.