"I wonder where Shiro went...? Kazu let us know ahead of time she was going somewhere but it's been over a week since he logged in."

Shino was worried about her younger brother. As much as they had their problems in the past, they were living together again and they were getting along again. It wasn't a perfect relationship between siblings, especially since they had one unfortunate trait they both shared which made them clash. Love for a certain special individual to them.

"Maybe Ela-san had him take a flight over to Canada? Very unlikely but we never know since Ela-san and her children too now have been surprising us a lot. I wouldn't worry too much about Shiro, he grew up a lot while we were trapped in SAO."

Suguha's response didn't make Shino feel much better. They were talking in a call connecting them through the AR device which had managed to travel through much of Japan and the rest of the world. They were enjoying the device and its conveniences it brought them.

"Well, hopefully the two of them aren't falling behind in their studies at all. We don't need to worry about that so much on Kazu's end as much as Shiro, but she was also talking about earning her way into some really advanced stuff regarding technology."

The two of them were envious of Kazu having a life goal already. They had no idea what kind of future they should even start aiming for. They just knew they should keep working on improving themselves and learning as they went. They were catching up in their studies, and they were regaining their strength enough with their real bodies that they could aim to go into professions which required a lot of physical ability.

"We got our future plans sheets for this year the other day right? What do you think you want to do for your future?"

Suguha opened up with her question as she was thinking deeply about it.

"Humm...maybe something utilizing my ability with the bow. I like kendo, but archery resonates with me more and focusing on one over the other would work better. It feels strange going with archery when we're entering a huge technology movement to the future, but it's better than staying in a state of not knowing. Choosing something I'm currently good at and honing it and then picking something else up along the way and honing it as well would be ideal."

Shino had a very logical way of approaching her lack of ideas on what she would do for her future. Being an archer in the modern day had its merits. Between being recognized as a martial art, being useful for hunting or as a sport were also very viable ways of going about it. She could aim to become an archery teacher eventually. She understood as she thought about it that Kendo had very much the same kind of future possibility. Archery and kendo were still very well respected as sports. They could move up to being more popular if promoted properly and spread around more, which had potential to boom very easily with all of the advancements in technology. Virtual dojos and archery ranges. They would be low maintenance because they could be programmed to repair themselves if damaged or just to not be effected by environmental changes. The only things that needed to change were the targets. Everything else could be used as immortal objects if they looked at it in SAO's terms they were used to.

"I just had a lot of ideas that would make both of our greatest strengths very possible to use for planning our future."

Shino's brightened mood and her confidence made it through to Suguha and she explained her thoughts.

"Whoa...that really could be something for us. Do you think we could learn to make environments for that on our own?"

Shino smiled and hummed.

"I've been peeking in on Kazu sometimes when she's tinkering with some stuff in the shared server. I've picked up some things about altering virtual environments, so if we can start international servers with Ela-san's help, we could make our dojo and range just right. I'll go over that with you later."

The two remembered that they needed to get to school soon. There was a school for survivors of the SAO incident, but those who were able to pick up their studies quick enough were allowed to return to their normal schools. So Shino and Suguha were back at their all girls school. It was going to be lonely without Kazu while she was doing her new job, but they would be able to do something to try and surprise her.

"Well, be safe on your way to our usual meetup place. I'm going to get some things ready."

Shino disconnected from the call with Suguha and immediately went about sending messages to others around their age and a little younger, asking what kind of futures they wanted to work on considering the way the future was shaping around them. Individual messages made her take a little longer, but she worked fast.

She got everything set up so she could take in responses while she was on her way to the bus stop in her winter uniform bracing against the cold. She received a couple of responses from Rika and Sachi, but it wasn't until she was on the bus before she got more responses.

"I want to work on becoming a sculptor. Art with metals and clays. I would like to be an artist. It's going to be tough for a while, but while we're in school I could work on refining the skill so it's not something just in VR. Seeing all the amazing things Kazu made and continues to make, her deciding not to be an artist but a technologist inspired me to design work. Being able to bring the ideas in my head to be seen and interacted with by others would feel just amazing."

After she finished reading Rika's answer, Shino received a few more messages. It seemed that everyone had made decisions on what they would do in the future based on their experiences in SAO. It was as if there was no doubt in their minds what they were meant to become in the future.

As she thought about Rika's reply, she had remembered that Rika was transferring into their school starting that day. It had totally slipped her mind that Rika would also be meeting with her and Suguha where they would be walking to the school from. She arrived at the bus stop where she would be meeting with the two of them and embarrassment crept into her face as a deep blush.

"It's good to see you, Shino-chan. I guess answering something like that over text would have been easier than in person. I'm happy you did it. Please don't tell anyone else. I want to surprise everyone with results."

Shino replied with a smile. Suguha pouted, being kept out of a secret. The three of them began their walk to the school without taking much of a pause. At least, until the student population walking along the same path was enough that some students from the nearby boys only school blended with their school's population. The boys often didn't cause much of a fuss, but there were a few perverts in the mix who during summer try skirt flipping, while during the winter they try and throw snowballs in such a way they fall down the girls' clothing. Or just directly getting up behind them and dunking globs of snow into their hoods or scarfs or pulling back the collars of their shirts to put the snow in.

It was highly inappropriate, and apparently the boys hadn't learned their lesson on at least which girls it was safe to dunk snow on. Suguha and Shino felt the boys come up behind them and before they could throw the snow our get within arms' reach, they took a big step forward, turned around and put their hands in front of them. Their hands ended up catching the boys' wrists and the snow in their hands easily tipped back with a little twist of their wrists. The snow the boys had wielded to make the girls uncomfortable wound up falling down their own coats or in their hoods. The synchronized screeching of the boys getting a taste of their own medicine aroused a heavy laughter from surrounding commuting students.

"You're going to be late~"

Suguha's taunting words only made the boys even more angry that they had failed. Suguha and Shino jogged along toward the school so the boys wouldn't be able to reasonably attempt revenge for their counter attack.

Rika was baffled at how well the two of them worked together and wondered to herself if it was every school day for them. She jogged alongside them, enjoying the thrill of the experience either way. She would be targeted for being with them, but she just anticipated having a lot of fun with them regardless. She wasn't as nimble and reactive as them, but she had her own strong sense of preservation which let her sense a little more than she would have had before her experiences in SAO.

She was thankful every day for what SAO gave her. A sense of purpose. Ideas for the future. Creative individuality. A mentor she wanted to keep looking up to who had given her a sense that her limits were boundless.

Rika had some friends before being trapped in SAO who hadn't really been interested in gaming like her, so she was stuck on her own at the time. She had come a long way. She didn't have much if any reason to return to her previous school, and had many reasons to go to the school where her new friends went.

She had heard that there was a coed school they were going to go to, but after much talk it would be easier to return to their girls only school. Kazu was the only who had temporarily transferred, and she was back on break. She would be returning to the girls only high school after she was finished with her current job, and Rika couldn't wait to spend more time with her, learn from her.

She looked back fondly on her time as the dedicated smithy of their guild. She wasn't as dexterous as the rest of their friend group, but she had become a lot more courageous and a lot more aware of her surroundings. It had become a blessing which grew with every day. He honestly loved her friends, like they were an extension of her family. She had thought of Kazu as more at one point, and she had been more full of jokes, but she had become more bashful and nervous when she returned to her real life. After all, she had admitted it from the start that she had social anxiety. It was enough that she was fine with Suguha and Shino. She could move around with them somewhat normally. But if she ever found herself on her own surrounded by others she didn't know, she would freeze up.

"Oooh, Kirigaya-san and Asada-san. It's good to see you again. I wonder every day if you're going to be returning since you were among those who had two years taken from you. And you haven't given up on VR from what I've heard."

A bully and an honor student who had high standing even with the faculty. She was inconsequential to them however.

"It's a shame you haven't given VR a chance. It's quite useful for learning in many practical ways. And we're more than intelligent enough to understand that we don't stand to risk what we've been through again. We're not going into VR the way most people do. We go in through AR. There's very few out there right now, but the producer of the AR devices is a close friend who is quickly becoming world famous. The genius of many inventions bringing us closer to the future."

Rika was shocked by the voice she heard. She looked to the source and saw a completely familiar face which she regarded as her best of friends, Asuna. She couldn't help but feel a big smile spread across her face. The confidence drained from the bully's face.

"And who are you?"

The bully was most confident in appearances and grades, but she was likely checking in on all potential academic rivals. She couldn't hold a candle to Kazu in terms of popularity and grades, but she was afraid of another person who was in the transfer registry. Asuna was transferring over from a high end school, so her presence was expected among those with competitive academic scores. The question on who she was would be more of an affirmation so she could ready herself.

"I'm Asuna Yuuki. A pleasure. Please refrain from continuing the negative talk on VR. We've grown and returned to our normal lives very quickly considering being trapped for two years. Many of us who were trapped are similar. I chose to come to this school to be with people who are important to me. So attacking my choice to transfer from a prestigious school would also be a loss."

Asuna easily put on an air of superiority. It didn't really suit her, but she managed to convince everyone who didn't know her. Her name had already been spread through the student population as well, so her words resonated more strongly.

Between Asuna, Rika, Suguha and Shino, they had a fair portion of SAO survivors. And they knew they weren't on their own either. While the government wanted to have the survivors in one school so they could monitor their recovery, having many of the student survivors in as few schools as possible was the next best option, which is how they ended up having at least a dozen survivors going to the same school. Sachi, Keiko and Yuuna were also in the student roster, but they were taking a little longer to recover. They would be joining them in school within the week, so it wasn't that far off. They all had excellent grades considering they had been two years behind on their studies. They had Ela and her children to thank for the expedited lessons and catch up and retention practice for what they learned. It took a lot of energy out of them and the biggest factor for Sachi, Keiko and Yuuna to return to school was their energy. They needed to be able to make it through a full day of classes, including physical education to be able to return to school as far as the overseeing rehabilitation would allow.

Sachi was taking more time to recover due to some underlying medical issues, Keiko was young and Yuuna also had underlying medical issues. Apparently the project Kazu was working with Ela on was going to help with Sachi and Yuuna's underlying medical issues which were making them take longer to recover.

There were many names, many people in their lives which had become increasingly important. One constant important name since meeting her though, was Kazu. She was shouldering more and more burden almost infinitely. Too much for her small shoulders, they often agreed. But she always managed. More than managed. She was frightening at times with her efficiency.

The group of four were enrolled into the same class. There had been an undersized class before their return to school, and so Sachi and Yuuna would be joining them when the time would come for them to return to school. The room they arrived in for their classes was scarcely populated, only having three other girls present and the teacher mulling over papers at their desk.

"Ah, welcome to class 3H. You must be the girls from the recovery group who were able to come in already. I recognize...two faces. Kirigaya-san and Asada-san, please make your way to your seats. Can I please get a word outside of class with you two girls?"

Rika and Asuna nodded and returned to the hall just outside of the classroom. The two of them were quickly met with the teacher and the conversation began without pause.

"Thank you for your cooperation. Sorry about taking you out of the room, but we'll be having you introduce yourselves traditionally to the class just after the first bell. According to your appearances...you are Yuuki Asuna-san, and you are Shinozaki Rika-san. I would like to go over your current states quickly to make sure your medical care wasn't lacking too much."

Asuna and Rika produced their medical papers to their teacher like they were instructed and the teacher glanced over them quickly before showing a bright smile.

"Thank you for your cooperation once again. It seems everything is in order and we'll have an uneventful day. Thankfully. Please do your best to enjoy the class and get along with your new classmates."

The teacher was a kind woman. It was difficult to discern her age since she didn't seem too much older than them, so she might be just out of high school or one of those deceptively young looking women. She had a natural beauty with long black hair and grayish eyes, a similar base appearance to Kazu, but the facial structure was different enough to remind them that people didn't so easily look too similar.

"We have about a minute before the first bell rings, so you won't need to wait long. Seating placements are on the main board of the class, so after introducing yourselves please make your way to your seats as assigned. I can be convinced to change seating assignment should you and your classmates get along and agree on swaps."

Asuna and Rika looked to each other after the teacher left them alone and smiled.

"This teacher is very kind. I look forward to continue learning together. How are you holding up, Rika-chan?"

Rika nodded.

"I'm doing okay. It took a little, but I might be able to adapt to our teacher quickly, at least."

As she finished responding, the first bell of the school day rang out and the two began walking into the classroom. The two waited for their teacher to begin their introductions.

"Please be seated, everyone. We have two transfer students in today and will be receiving more over the next few days. One at a time now~"

She let her bright personality come through as she motioned for one of them to come forward. Asuna stepped forward to give Rika a little more time to ready herself. She stepped up next to the teacher's desk and glanced at the board behind her, then faced the class and gave a light bow.

"Hello and good morning everyone. My name is Yuuki Asuna and I look forward to study together. I hope we get along very well."

The rest of the students who were already seated numbered about a dozen. They indeed did have a small class compared to what she was used to. Suguha and Shino were included among the number. She walked up through the desks and gracefully took her seat. Rika shyly made her way up and began her introduction, repeating much of the same.

"Hello and good morning every-one...My name is Shinozaki Rika and I look forward to studying together. I hope-we get along very well."

She tripped on her words a couple of times, but she managed to deliver her introduction clearly enough. She glanced to the board behind her and carefully made her way to her desk. None of their group were seated directly next to each other. It was unfortunate, but there was always the option to swap seats.

The class wasn't particularly interesting, but they were able to get used to being in a real classroom again rather quickly. When it came to physical education class time, they were allowed to really shine. Their stretching was completely fine, and then for class they were assigned to do some track and field activities. At least a lap walked, jogged and ran around the gymnasium perimeter. Long and high jumps. Some gymnastic equipment was also out to make use of. A few climbing ropes, hanging rings for balance and acrobatics, as well as balance beams and all of it supported by having cushioned flooring spread below.

Everyone had their own activity they ended up preferring, but everyone tried everything available at least once. As for the group from SAO, they had a certain amount of confidence and ability with their movements which made them feel like maybe Kazu wasn't the only one who took abilities from SAO out of the game. Rika felt she fell behind because she hadn't been very athletic within Aincrad, but she was working on her athleticism a little when she had the chance recently during her rehabilitation, so she was able to do at least the bare minimum of the incredible acrobatic feats the rest of their group were able to achieve. Asuna was a little more impressive, adding elegant flourishes and extra everywhere she was physically able to. The rest of their class had eventually gathered around them, thoroughly impressed and cheering them on as they continued to make impressive acrobatic achievements. Rika was tired and took a break first while the rest of them continued almost right to the end of the class.

Asuna was particularly impressive as she still seemed bursting with energy at the end of the class. Their class had been watched for a fair portion by outside students.

The class was dismissed and they were quickly done with cleaning up the equipment and they left, only to be stopped by those who were looking on during their class.

"Greetings, SAO survivors. I'm the student council president. I witnessed your abilities during this class and feel compelled to encourage you choosing a club to join as soon as possible. Clubs are compulsory at this school, so I won't push you to any specific club, but your physical abilities give the impression you would be very valuable to this school in the athletics and sports clubs."

Rika shied back from the conversation a little. If she needed to join a club, she would prefer an art club over an athletic or sports club. Asuna, Suguha and Shino nodded.

"I'm not sure what kinds of clubs this school has. Could you give us a little enlightenment?"

Asuna's reply gained a wide smile from the president.

"Of course! We have four types of art clubs, from drawn, painted, animation and sculpting. We have eight types of unarmed sports clubs, including baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, badminton, hockey and football. We have three types of armed sports clubs including kendo, archery, and fencing. We also have more cultural and literature based clubs than worth mention at the moment. It would take far too much time when I should be ushering you along to your next classes at this point. Please, do a check around of our clubs before heading home tonight. And please, take care and enjoy your time at our school."

She smiled and left as soon as she finished her explanation and farewell. Suguha smiled.

"The middle school of this ladder school system didn't have armed sports clubs. I'm decided on my club already. I have the impression you're all decided on yours as well?"

Rika felt sad, under the immediate impression they were going to be split up by their club choices.

"Hmm~ not quite. I would like to check if there's a technologies club for VR. If there isn't one, we could start an AR club and make our activity augmenting environments for the school, that we would release for the school population to experience during festivals or events and we could do our preferred club activities as fill-ins if we really want to join those clubs in some sense. I get the feeling everyone would rather stay together."

Asuna's response was all Rika could hope for. She could continue practicing her creativity within the augmented or virtual spaces, and then do limited participation in the sculpting club. It was very possible to do a new club and have frequent participation with other clubs.

"That...is actually a perfect idea. I'd rather not be separated if we can help it, and a club like that might be the most accomplishing we could be. We could work toward our futures too through a club like that."

Suguha's change of mind was very quick but very excited. Shino was reserved from showing as much emotional investment, but was also happy from the suggestion. It seemed they had their answer, so they made their way to the classroom and kept it in their minds for after school throughout their studies for the rest of the school day.

After school, they swiftly made their way to the student council office to ask if there was a technology club already.

"Ah, I'm surprised you didn't choose clubs based on your recorded history of clubs and activities in your student record. There isn't currently such a club. Would you like to found this club you suggest? As for suggesting standing in at sports clubs which could use your skills, you will need to clear that with the leadership of the sports clubs."

Asuna nodded.

"I would like to found this club for us and for other students who transferred in who were involved with SAO if they choose to be part of our club."

"What will the name of your club be?"

Asuna smiled and looked at the rest of the group before saying it.

"We'll call it the Augmented Reality Tech Club. We'll probably have events fairly often outside of seasonal and school celebrated occasions. We hope to bring a few surprises, so I'll stop myself here from explaining our planned activities. We will prove our club worth its existence."

The student council president wrote down the rest of the information she could fill out of the formation form for the club and passed it to Asuna.

"Print your names into the club application. It's quite convenient that there's four of you here, because four students are required to form a club."

After the exchange, the president assigned someone from the student council to take them to an empty classroom, which they were given as their club room. Brief exchanges later, they put up a sign for their club room and headed out to the clubs they would be substituting into, and proved their worth to join club activities frequently. Their skill and ability in their sub clubs was recognized enough that the clubs wanted them to forsake the AR club and be full members. However, the girls were intent on having a home club together instead of being split up. Rika was the exception on her sub club wanting her to forsake the AR club. She proved her ability with clay and shaped a small version of a lizardman monster from Aincrad, but the club leader took it as an insult that she was choosing the club to be a sub club instead of main club, that she was just showing off and it wasn't like the sports clubs. She was depressed and went home early instead of meeting once again with her friends before going home.