Satisfied with their change of clothes and even bringing a few articles with them, the group moved on. Even if the clothing was in good condition, they couldn't take much with them. So they limited their looting and went on their way. The stadium was still about two days away.

Rei was glad when Kohta began to talk to Kirito about something because it finally freed Takashi up. She stood right alongside him and shot him a smile. Takashi raised a brow, but then smiled back easily. Rei felt a burst of confidence from that. Of course this was her Takashi. They had been through so much together. She didn't understand the power that this Kirito held over him, but it was nothing compared to their bond.

"Takashi", she beamed, hugging his arm to her chest.

"Wh-what?"

"What do you mean what?", she asked, not appreciating the way that he seemed put off by the touch.

"I mean, are you okay? You've been acting weird lately", Takashi said.

Part of Rei wanted to shout that he was being the weird one. The other part was just glad because that meant he was noticing her and thinking about her. So she put on her best pout, leaning into it.

"I just don't trust those two", she said, nodding her head discretely towards their new companions. "They're not from this world, right? Why are they here? What if they're trying to trick us?"

"I don't think they're bad guys." But even he had to admit he didn't know the whole reason Kirito and Asuna had come to this world. Dimensional travel couldn't be easy. Did Kirito really do it just to flirt with him? The thought that it might be true actually had him blushing. When Rei saw this, she panicked and hugged his arm again. She was really hoping he'd be able to feel the lingerie hidden under her clothes.

And yet, to her dismay, the blush disappeared. He just smiled at her. It was the same smile he'd always given her, but it wasn't what she wanted. She wanted more.

"I think they're on our side", Takashi said, patting her on the head. "If they wanted to deceive us, they've had plenty of chances. We'll be okay."

That evening, they found shelter in a parking garage, setting themselves up on one of the higher levels. They sat around a fire, eating cup ramen. Asuna was talking to Shizuka and Alice. Kirito had been talking to Kohta about some sort of gun nonsense, but now Kirito was conversing with Takashi. It obviously wasn't a private conversation, being surrounded by the group, but their body language spoke volumes.

Shoulders brushing, heads inclined, they might as well have been in their own little world and they were talking about boxers vs briefs of all things.

"Okay, okay, briefs have their advantages", Takashi conceded. "But girls look best in panties."

"Huh? Boxers can look good on girls too", Kirito grinned. Rei mumbled something under her breath, but Kirito heard her. "Sorry, I didn't get that."

"I said why would YOU care what GIRLS wear!", she shouted.

"Keep your voice down!", Saya hissed quietly.

"What's going?", Alice asked.

"I can't take it anymore!", Rei nearly wailed. "He keeps on clinging to Takashi. It's gross!"

"That's not very nice", Shizuka commented.

Kohta crossed his arms. "Yeah, not cool."

Rei shot up and looked at all the eyes on her. "What are you talking about? He's been all over Takashi! I saw them kissing! How are you all not disgusted with that?!"

"I am appalled at the infidelity", Saya began, turning her gaze to Asuna and Kirito. "As I understood it, you two were dating. But a disconnect can't be helped if the guy is gay. What I'm disgusted at is your homophobia", she said to Rei.

"I'm not-! That's not what this is about-!"

"Then what is it about?", Kirito asked. It was clear she had a problem but wasn't coming right out with it.

"It's because Takashi is supposed to be MINE!"

The moment the words left her mouth, she brought her hands to her lips. Embarrassed, she ran off, presumably to another level of the garage. There was an awkward silence before Takashi stood up.

"I should go after her", he said, grabbing a weapon before taking off.

It was clear the two of them needed to have a long talk. And of course, the noise might have attracted some unwanted company.