Howdy y'all! It's only me again! Sorry for the delay on this one, just been in a weird place the past few days.

Anywho! This is it! The final chapter for you all for this challenge, and I truly thank everyone for the reviews and the feedback! It's been fun to do, and definitely might try something like this again in the future!

So, this chapter: since all the prompts are already used up, I've decided to write something where everyone is freed from SAO and back in the real world! It feels like a fitting end to it all, honestly.

So here ya go; day (technically) eight of seven! The final chapter of the KArgo Express Delivery! :D

~Chapter 7~
~Family Matters~

'How time flies,' Kazuto thought to himself, taking a spot on the bench while he waited. It was still so surreal that he, and thousands of others, had managed to survive the dreaded nightmare that was Sword Art Online; having cleared the game early, thanks to Kayaba having made an avatar to play in-game alongside them.

Heathcliff. Guild Master of the Knights of the Blood, with Asuna as the Second In Command.

He only noticed something was off during his duel with the man, a week before everything came to a head on the seventy-fifth floor; how, not once, did his health drop below yellow. All of the truth was then revealed to the remainder of the fighting force taking on the boss of the floor; only for Kirito to be given an offer. A fair duel against him. No exploits, no cheating. Should he win, then they continue the game as usual. If Kirito won? Then they would be let free earlier than intended. So Kirito took the offer, despite the many protests from everyone else who knew him.

All except two. Namely, the Yuuki sisters. They knew he would have this fight won in no-time.

As such, Kirito had bested Kayaba. So all of the trapped players were released from the game, back into the real world. It had been a jarring experience since he had been transferred to a local hospital for all those who needed to be medically monitored for the two years they had been trapped inside. Sans the initial panic of waking up in a place unfamiliar to him, and just how weak his body had gotten.

The government swiftly stepped in, having arrested Kayaba for his actions now that everyone was free from the game. It proved to be a huge black-stain on Virtual Reality games from here-on out but Kirito was given a little something from Kayaba…

Something he didn't quite feel ready to open yet, despite knowing what it contained.

The government also made mandatory remedial classes for the younger adults, to catch up on everything they had missed from the two years within the game, and for those who would have small quirks from spending too long inside SAO. He still couldn't quite stop the habit of swiping the air in front of him, despite knowing a menu wouldn't show up anymore.

So, here he was. End of the school day and the start of a week-off from classes. The others had wanted to visit Agil's cafe at some point, to celebrate their freedom and return to reality. Plus it gave them the chance to meet up in real life so they could swap contact numbers and such to keep in touch.

"Yo! Kii-bou~"

Kazuto turned his head, watching both Hosaka and Asuna walking over to him. He allowed a smile to show on his face seeing the two of them together, his eyes darting to the side as he took note of Asuna's more guarded stance. He tilted his head slightly to her, earning a soft smile and nod in appreciation for noticing.

Asuna didn't have the best of returns back into reality; she had been placed in a ward sectioned off from everybody else, and was promptly brought back to a furious mother who did nothing but degrade her the moment she awoke. Her father soon put an end to that tirade before it could fully start, making a drastic decision to divorce her and claim legal custody of both herself and Hosaka.

Given how quick the court session had gone, with him having been asked to attend for some semblance of comfort to the two siblings, he soon won the court-case and that… was the end of that. They hadn't heard from their mother since the case, three months ago, nor did they particularly care.

Despite that, there were some lingering insecurities that seemed to scar themselves in Asuna's psyche, and now reflected into her developing both social anxiety and depression. Her father is getting her to go through therapy and counselling but they've noticed she did a lot better with him around her as an anchoring point. So with that said, they made sure to have him keep constant contact with the family since it helped with her taking each step to combat the demons that have formed thanks to her mother.

Hosaka could only do so much in that regard, despite having a faint idea of how there might be a way to help the recovery faster.

However, that was a serious discussion with the three of them to have at a later date.

He was so far away in his trail of thoughts that he didn't expect the sudden searingly hot kiss that took over his senses, courtesy of Hosaka. His body reacted, melting into the display of affection before a polite cough interrupted them. They both turned to Asuna, who couldn't quite look at the two and noted a myriad of expressions on her face.

"Sorry, Nacchan. Didn't mean ta make ya uncomfortable," Hosaka apologized, moving away to hug her sister fiercely. "I'll try an' tone it down for ya while yer around, okay?" she offered, earning a small smile and nod in response. Sensing her sister doing a little better, she turned back to Kazuto.

"So! Both Nacchan an' I wanted ta," Hosaka started before coughing slightly to clear her throat, speaking posh in a joking manner. "Cordially invite you to partake in both food and company with the Yuuki sisters, this fine day~" she winked, earning a set of giggles and laughter from the others.

"Who would I be, to turn down such a generous offer made by these two beautiful young women I see before me? I humbly accept your offer, and am assured that it shall be a wonderful time of companionship for all involved!" Kazuto theatrically responded, making a show of bowing while still sitting down.

"Good! We have a suit ready for you back at our place, Kirito-kun," Asuna smirked, a special gleam in her eye that he couldn't quite pick out. He turned to Hosaka, watching her smile as she mouthed something to him without Asuna knowing. "Plus, our father would want to have a word with you as well. Something about blessings?" Asuna hinted.

"Yaaaaay. Family bonding time…" Kazuto quipped, earning a smack on the arm for his response along with some more laughter. "Nah, I'd be delighted to come along. Thank you for inviting me!"

Asuna saw the cue for herself to exit the group and make a phone call to her father, confirming everything's a go for tonight. Her eyes lingered a little longer on him before jogging away. Hosaka and Kazuto paused for a moment, watching her go.

"How bad is it, Saka-chan?" Kazuto asked once she was out of hearing range. He felt her sit next to him, leaning against him for comfort.

"Less bad, more complicated," she started, sighing and nuzzling him as she felt his arm wrap around her. "Nacchan now has a lot of underlining issues regarding our bitch of a mother ripping her a new one. Thankfully, dad stepped in with the whole thing but the damage was already done. It…" she paused, wrapping her arms around him and buried her head into his chest.

Kazuto lifted her seamlessly into his lap, comforting Hosaka as her tears fell freely from the sudden decline of her sister's state. They stayed that way for a little while, Hosaka relaxing from the scent that was unique to him. She nuzzled his chest, feeling him softly playing with her messy blonde hair.

"Sorry. Both dad and I have a sneaking suspicion that she's developed something akin to Nightingale Syndrome for you, despite the feelings being genuine," Hosaka commented further, earning a hum from him from the news.

"What have you both talked about regarding that? I know she's in counselling right now," Kazuto inquired back. She shook her head softly, pulling back to stare up into his face with a soft smile.

"That'll be talked about later, Kii-bou. Partially why it's just gonna be us four this time around, then we can bring Su-chan with us once things are a little more settled," she grinned, a little life coming back into her eyes. Kazuto nodded in response, the two spending a moment together alone.

"Hey, Saka-chan?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

Hosaka snorted, giggling madly at the three special words that she knew were reserved for her alone. She leaned down once more, pressing her lips to his as the two kissed again.

"I love you too, Kazuto-kun," she whispered into his mouth, breathing harder from the wanton need of him right now. "I believe we need to reenact a little memory of ours back on Floor Twenty-Two, don't you think~?"

"If you're a good girl for me tonight, then we can go back to your place and have another session by the fireplace~"

Hosaka grinned madly, her eyes shimmering in restrained lust. She grinded against him hard, teasing him and wanting to make that offer happen sooner than he offered. He had learned a lot from her during the game but she still needed to remind him who was the mistress of them both~

"You think you can last that long, Kii-bou~? I mean…" Hosaka trailed off, leaning to his ear to whisper words of unrestrained lust and promises thereafter. He had the decency to blush from her words, his libido springing to life against her as she continued to talk dirty to him. She yelped, feeling herself pulled tighter against him as he returned the favour from a moment ago. A half-lidded look in her eyes as she smirked coyly at him.

"I'll grab us a taxi~"

~Chapter End~
~FIN~

And there we have it! Wanted to give a little something in regards to Asuna since I... could, honestly! But that is me done for this KArgo week challenge placed down!

A special thank you to everyone who made this event a reality, and to my fellow authors and friends who have taken part alongside me! You have been nothing short of amazing! Here is to KArgo 2022!

For now, this fox will be heading back into hibernation for a little while as I continue to work on my other two fics for you all! As always; please continue to take care of yourselves, show yourself a little lovin', and...

STAY FOXY! :D