A Wonderful Stew
Today was the day. Kirigaya Kazuto was alone.
"I am about five minutes away, Kirito-kun." His girlfriend said eagerly over the phone.
His phone was at least a few feet away on speaker so Kirito had to shout, "Really? T-That's good, Asuna."
Currently in the kitchen of the Kirigaya household, Kazuto was trying to hide the pure panic in his voice by keeping calm. But of course, Asuna heard his nervousness.
"Kirito? What's wrong?"
Everything. Everything is wrong…
"No! Nothing is wrong, Asuna…" Kazuto pretend to remain level-headed, "I'll see you when you get here, okay? Love you."
He could literally hear her suspicion coming from the other side, "Hmm… what are you up to, Kirito?"
Damn it! I am not going to have enough time!
"N…Nothing. I am going to hang up now. Bye." Kazuto said before pressing the end call button.
Having only prepared the ingredients for his surprise, Kazuto hadn't even started the process of cooking it and Asuna was already five minutes away.
Damn it! I should have gotten everything ready earlier.
Despite following an online receipt instruction, Kazuto still got his ass handed to him. No matter in SAO or in real life, cooking is still the one thing that he's terrible at. Honestly, he'd rather prefer a sword than a small kitchen knife anytime.
But this is for Asuna… I have to make it perfect!
Now the receipt was guiding him to put all the ingredients into the pot and boil for one hour and thirty minutes. As he struggled a bit with the placement of things, Kazuto finally got the pot on the stove and set it to medium heat.
"Phew…" Kazuto sighed with relief.
All he had to do now was wait for it to simmer until ready. Just then, the doorbell rang.
Ding Dong
"Asuna…" Kazuto looked up from the stove.
Discarding the mess he made in the kitchen as he could always clean it up later, Kazuto rushed away to the front door.
"Kirito?" Asuna's muffled voice outside made his heart skip a few beats.
He pulled the door back revealing his stunning girlfriend standing on his steps with a gorgeous outfit today. She wore her chestnut brown hair the same as always, but it never ceases to hold his breath away.
"Asuna…" Kazuto stood frozen.
After taking a taxi over, Asuna never expected to see Kirito in such a mess. There were stains on his black shirt, and he looked like he's been through a tornado with his appearance. He also smelled like a combination of fresh vegetables and a mix of sweet and spicy sauce.
Hmm… strange.
Asuna giggled at her boyfriend, her smile almost stop the black-swordsman heart, "Kirito-kun… you are staring."
"S-Sorry-yy…" He pulled his gaze away, "Come in."
It was the second time Asuna had been in Kirito's home. The first time she was visiting his parents and his sister Suguha, but today it was just the two of them. When he called yesterday and asked her to come over, Asuna didn't hesitate and agreed. Spending time with Kirito was always the best. Plus, he promised to surprise her with something too. Since the whole ride over to his place, Asuna hadn't been able to keep her heart from beating wildly.
"Here." Kirito approached her and close their gap.
Kazuto quickly helped Asuna out of her jacket. He could see the red fluster on her cheeks and decide to tease her about it, "You are blushing."
Asuna stared at Kirito still blushing helplessly, "Stop teasing me, Kirito-kun."
Kazuto found her cute frown to be the most beautiful sight he'd set his eyes on. She was trying desperately to stare daggers at him, but the redness and the small smile on her lips betray everything she was doing.
"I'll make it up to you." He smirked.
Getting a sudden boldness out of nowhere, Kazuto swung his arms behind Asuna and lean in. He kissed her quickly to silent any embarrassment. Her soft lips were frozen against his at first, but after a while she pressed for more.
"M-Mmm…" Asuna moaned.
Surprised, she was not expecting Kirito to be so bold. His right hand was still holding her jacket behind her back, and they were openly kissing at the front of his porch. When he pulled away, Asuna was thoroughly dazed and sent to another planet.
"I—"
Asuna stared at her boyfriend wordlessly, now blushing even more when she got lost in his onyx eyes. Kazuto smiled back and left her shivering.
"Well, come on…" Kazuto led her by her hand, "I've got a surprise for you, but promise me you won't go inside the living room just yet."
Kazuto closed the door behind him. When he turned around Asuna was already sneaking her way toward the kitchen. He quickly grabbed her back, "Asuna! Come on…"
Asuna smirked, "What's the fun in that, Kirito?"
Softening him up with her puppy eyes, Asuna pleaded, "Just a little peek?"
Her gaze sent shivers and tingles all over him too. Kazuto almost wanted to say yes, but his willpower wasn't that weak to let Asuna have her way. He stood his ground.
"No." Kazuto said firmly.
The pouting look Asuna gave him melted his entire being, "You are so mean, Kirito-kun…"
When she started giggling, Kazuto took it as a good sign that she will stay away from the living room, at least not until the stew was done cooking.
"I'm gonna get freshen up." Kazuto mentioned and ran his hand through his messy hair, "I won't be long."
Asuna nodded her head and smiled.
"Can I go to your room?"
Kazuto turned back and blinked in confusion.
Asuna explained, "I just wanna feel closer to you…"
At her explanation, Kazuto smiled warmly, "I'll come get you when it's ready."
Just before he disappeared behind the bathroom door, Asuna saw Kirito stared right into her hazel brown eyes and said one word each, "Don't . go . inside . the . living . room…"
Asuna giggled, "I promised."
Satisfied with her response, Kirito closed the door behind him. Now alone in the hallway, Asuna waited for a moment. When she finally heard the water running, a sly smile moved on her face.
Kirito said I can't go inside, but that doesn't mean I can't take a peek. Asuna thought.
She skipped her way toward the living room. It seemed like Kirito had slide the shoji shut so she couldn't see what kind of surprise he had in store for her, but that didn't stop her. It only made her more curious. The mischievous side of her personality took over before she gingerly slid them open.
Asuna scanned the room, noting nothing out of the ordinary from her first glance. It was the same as last time, but she felt something different because there was no denying that sweet smell inside. It was heavenly. It reminded her of—
Oh Kirito-kun…
Soon, Asuna's curiosity got the better of her. She ignored her promise to her boyfriend and slipped pass the shoji. She went straight into the kitchen. It was a total mess, but through it all there was a pot sitting on the stovetop, set to simmer at medium heat. There was also a receipt book on the computer screen. It was instruction on how to cook a tasty beef stew.
"Kirito-kun…" Asuna was literally melting with her heart and her taste-buds.
Her affection for her boyfriend was bubbling crazily under the surface now that she realized what his surprise was.
Oh no… I just ruin his surprise for me. Damn it!
Asuna decided to leave before Kirito could suspect her breaking his promise. She gave the kitchen one last look and smiled at how sweet her boyfriend was being to her. She now wanted to do something for him too.
Luckily, Kirito hadn't finished his bath yet. Asuna sighed of relief, then she stared at the stairs toward the second floor, the path to Kirito's room. She smiled as she headed upward.
-Line Break-
Kazuto got out of the bath with some new clothes before scanning around for his girlfriend, "Asuna?"
He didn't hear her call back. Assuming that she was still in his room, Kazuto went back inside the kitchen to check the stew's progress. There was only half an hour left.
"Good." He mumbled to himself.
He made his way out of the living room and climb the stairs to his room. He wondered what Asuna was doing now, but once he reached his doorway he decided to just find out.
"Asuna?"
He opened the door and spot his sweet girlfriend laying sideways on his bed. She was sleeping sound and peacefully. Kazuto couldn't help but smiled. But then he felt bad now since he called Asuna over but he spent more time in his bath than with her.
She shifted on his bed and Kazuto focused his attention on her, "Asuna…"
Since the stew wasn't going to be ready for another thirty minutes, Kazuto figured it was alright. He walked inside his room and got into his bed. The girl with chestnut brown hair; her long silky strands spread over his bed made her look like a princess, she stirred when he laid down beside her while watching her purr softly.
Sharing his bed with her, Kazuto was reminded of the first time they cuddle like this in real life. Because they had done this in SAO more times than they'd bother to count, it wasn't awkward one bit. He remembered that day so well. He went over to her mansion after meeting up at Agil's café and having a small date later on, staying last at night when she suggested for a sleepover. Her parents were not home that day, so it was okay. Ever since, he found it to be the best when Asuna was beside him sleeping together. It was always so surreal.
"You mean everything to me, Asuna." Kazuto whispered.
Giving her a tender rub on her cheeks, Asuna stirred more into his chest.
Next time, I should get everything prepared first so Asuna wouldn't have to spend her time alone like today… Kazuto thought to himself.
Granted, it was already in the last afternoon so his surprise could definitely pass for their dinner for tonight. He looked back at Asuna as he felt her pressed closer to him. He smiled and kissed her forehead, reaching around with his arms and cuddle together.
-Line Break-
"Kirito…"
"Kirito-kun…"
"Kirito... wake up."
Kazuto woke up to the slow shuffling on his shoulder. He blinked his eyes and saw Asuna beside him, her body hovering slightly above his. He smiled, "Hey Asuna."
"Kirito? Is that an alarm?" Asuna asked with concern.
Alarm?
"I think it's from downstairs…"
Downstairs? Constant beeping? The smell of smoke?
"Oh no!" Kazuto rushed out of bed in a mad dash and speed out of his room.
Left alone in his room, Asuna laughed. Of course, Kirito would fall asleep next to her and forget all about the timer on his beef stew. It was so predictable, but she loved him for it. Luckily, she woke almost at the exact time as the alarm rang downstairs, so it shouldn't have burned too badly.
Asuna got up slowly and scanned his room. After sharing a bed with him again, it reminded her of her dream ever since they got married in SAO. It had always been her desire to share every night with Kirito in the real world, to sleep soundly next to each other and waking up together.
But she knew her parents and his would never let that happen, so she learned to treasure time like this with the one she loves the most dearly.
"No No no…" Asuna heard a loud cry from downstairs.
Better get down there to make sure everything is okay, not least to prevent him burn his own house down…
When Asuna got downstairs and walk into the living room, Kirito was frantically trying to pull the pot away from the stove, waving the smoke away with his hands fruitlessly. He eventually saw her walked in, his eyes widen sheepishly.
"Nice job." Asuna teased and giggled at his attempt.
Kazuto couldn't believe it, "You took a peek, didn't you?"
Asuna shot a playful smile at his direction.
To be honest, Kazuto wasn't surprised that Asuna broke his promise, though now it didn't seem to matter anymore. His surprise for her was ruined either way.
"I am sorry… I wanted to make something that reminded us how much we were falling in love with each other during our two years in SAO, and I wanted to make it perfect for you, but—" Kazuto took a pitiful glance at the pot.
Asuna didn't let him finished and close the gap between them, hugging him tightly with the smell of his wonderful beet stew surrounding them. She felt her affection pouring out for him. His tender gesture kept a smile on her lips.
"I love you, Kirito-kun." Asuna breathed into his chest, "I love you even though you almost burn down your own house. I love you for being sweet and making this beef stew for me. I love you more than anything else in the world."
Asuna pulled away and stared into his onyx eyes, "I don't want it perfect, Kirito-kun, because you being here with me is already perfect enough."
She kissed him softly.
Despite another fail attempt at cooking, Kirigaya Kazuto realized something at that point. He loved Asuna with all his heart, and he would never stop loving her until the end of time.
"I love you too, Asuna." Kazuto said when they pulled away.
Leaving him dazed and dreamy, Kazuto watched as Asuna folded her sleeves up before going toward the kitchen counter, "Come, Kirito-kun… Let's make it together."
Never been so glad in real life or in SAO with that ragout rabbit meat, Kazuto went right beside Asuna and helped make their dinner a perfect one.
-Line Break-
"Oh man. I am stuffed."
Dinner was absolutely perfect. Given Asuna's mastery over cooking along with his help, they were able to make a meal worthy of competition. Just like back then in SAO, Kazuto was thoroughly amazed by his wonderful girlfriend.
"You are really amazing, Asuna." Kazuto complimented.
Asuna blushed lightly as she drank from her teacup, "You helped too, Kirito-kun…"
Although he did help out, only Asuna's cooking skill would be able to produce a feast of this caliber. He would be eternally grateful for her his entire life. Kazuto then tilted his eyes on Asuna only noticed her small blush didn't fade away, even after the moment passed. He stared a little more until Asuna hid her gaze away and got up.
She didn't say anything as she walked over to the light switch. She turned it off and now the whole room was basked in the glow of the silver moonlight. She stood a few feet away from him next to the sliding door to the backyard, her body now illuminating under the bright star.
She faced sideways away from him, still blushing.
Somehow, this reminded Kazuto of that night, that night where—
"E-Ehhh! W…What are you doing, Asuna?" Kazuto was dumbstruck to say the least.
Speechless, Kazuto watched as Asuna turned away from him and face the glass sliding door to the backyard outside. He couldn't believe this was happening again, that it was repeating itself… Only then Asuna laughed.
"You dummy." Kazuto could hear the happiness in Asuna's voice.
Much to his relief and disappointment, Kazuto stared at Asuna who had her back towards him.
"I just wanna sit outside and look at the star, Kirito-kun." Asuna explained.
A giant sigh was let out from behind her. Asuna laughed again before she swung the sliding glass doors sideways, making a path for her to sit outside with Kirito. She went out first, sitting down on the porch with her legs dangling free.
Even though there were no shooting stars like their camping trip last time, Asuna made a wish anyway. She then leaned backward on her hands, her head tilting up to look at all the stars above her.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you Asuna?"
Kirito came up from behind. He sat down beside her and scooched his body as close to her as possible. Asuna wanted to scooch closer to him too. She stopped leaning back and rest her head on his right shoulder. His right hand rest on her left one, their fingers locked and Kirito kept playing with her ring finger.
"It was funny, Kirito-kun." She sighed dreamily.
Keeping her eyes close, Asuna could hear their steady heartbeats as they sat quietly in the backyard, stars shining above them while they enjoyed the calmness of their surroundings. Even as the minutes passed by, it felt as if only a few seconds had passed for Asuna. Time with Kirito was never enough.
"Thank you." Kirito said suddenly.
Asuna knew exactly what he was saying, "I love you, Kirito-kun."
Truly, today had been wonderful. Kazuto smiled as he slowly eased his head on hers, planting a small kiss on the top of her forehead, "I love you too, Asuna."