Here's Chapter 4 everybody! I'll clear some stuff before we start. Maybe some of you noticed this but I've been playing around with the real name and avatar name of Shino and Kazuto. Sometimes in the story I use Kirito sometimes I use Kazuto, the same happens for Shino and Sinon. I'll make it clear here. Kazuto's friends and Sugu are the ones who calls them by their avatar names even though they are in the real world. Kazuto and Shino however uses the appropriate names, meaning if they are in the real world they call each other by their real name and if they are online they use their avatar name. Hopefully no one gets confused about this and hopefully this sheds some light to those who were confused. If this message made you even more confused then feel free to PM me so that I can tell you in a more detailed way. So without any more interruptions here is Chapter 4!

Italicized words that are outside of "quotation marks" represents thoughts

Disclaimer: I don't own SAO or any of its characters

Shino doesn't have any idea where they are going. Kazuto refused to tell her no matter how many times she asked him. She then just tried to enjoy the ride instead of thinking about where they're going. It was almost Summer, the breeze feels just right, not too hot and not too cold, just enough to make her feel warm and sleepy. The events of the day made her quite exhausted. She let out a yawn, the season was really getting into her.

Kazuto noticed this. It would be very problematic if she fell asleep while they were on the road. Even though she's not driving, it makes Kazuto worry that she might lose her grip on him and fall off his bike. He shuddered when images of that scene flashed in his mind. He decided that they should take a little detour before they go to the initial place. It was just 3:30PM so it was still quite early. It wouldn't delay his plan to do something first.

He changed course and they stopped in front of a small park. Kazuto then stopped the engine of his bike and led Shino inside. He can already see their destination.

So he just wanted to go to a park? Shino thought. She finds it sweet for Kazuto to bring her to a park. Call it cliché or obvious but she doesn't care. She finds it better than a movie date or a dinner date because a walk in a park just makes the two people know each other better. Their attention is directed to their companion instead of something else like a movie or food. It's perfect for two people who wants to get to know each other more.

Kazuto was leading her by hand to a tree. It was a big tree so the shadow that it casts was large. He then sat beside the tree and then motioned Shino to sit beside him

She was confused first as to why he wanted to stay under a tree instead of having a walk together in the park. He seems to understand her confusion and said.

"I noticed that you were tired. You were about to fall asleep earlier so I thought that enjoying the season wouldn't be a bad idea." As if to prove his point he lied down and closed his eyes.

Shino felt embarrassed when she heard he saw her being sleepy. It was rude of her to act like that! The guy just saved her from her bullies and she even had the nerve to act sleepy around him. She then saw Kazuto crack one eye open and look at her. She got his message but is it really okay? They were in a public place after all so she was having second thoughts.

Kazuto was still eyeing her, his expression is like telling her to just join him and don't hesitate. She finally gave in to his request bit instead of lying down she rested her back on the tree and sat there peacefully. Kazuto got up and pouted at her. "You do realize that you left me hanging there." he said as he got up and sat beside her.

"We're in a public place Kazuto-kun, people would look at us if we are lying there sleeping." she replied.

"So sitting makes a difference." he countered.

"A little yeah. Oh just shut up and go with it." she replied a little embarrassed. He's got a fair point so she can't counter it.

Kazuto laughed. He decided to tease her more. "You look cute when you're embarrassed you know." he told her.

Shino blushed at his comment. She knows he enjoys teasing her but she can never tell when it's coming. Like for example, she never expected it when he grabbed her tail during the quest to get the sword Excalibur. His timing is just so unpredictable that she cannot mentally prepare herself. But at least she's bold enough to get him back for teasing her.

She then leaned her head in his shoulder and embraced his arm. "Then maybe you don't mind if I do this then seeing as how you find me cute." she said as she was trying to fight her blush.

It was then Kazuto's turn to feel embarrassed. His face got red because of her sudden actions. This is one thing he likes about her. He had always liked girls who can bite back and Shino was very good at that. She can really get him back through things that he would never expect her to do.

They maintained that position and were having a casual conversation. They chatted for a little until they just fell silent and watched the scenery before them. There were some people walking around, a playground where kids are playing, some food stands, and not too far away are the large skyscrapers. The park was in the middle of a city but they felt that they were away from all the pollution and noise that the city has. The park just had the serene and tranquil atmosphere around it. Not soon after they both fell asleep, their heads leaning against each other.

Some people saw the two and smiled at the sight. The image of the two sleeping lovers look so peaceful and cute. Some of the older couples who were also enjoying the park saw them and the girls would always giggle and tell their boyfriends how sweet the two are and how they should also do that sometime. The two however were unknowing of all this and were in a real deep slumber.

Later when they woke up (or at least one of them did)

Kazuto woke up and saw that quite a crowd has gathered around them. All of the people were couples. Some of them are just sitting and are also enjoying the shade of the tree, some of them are lying down, some of them are resting their head on their lover's lap. Basically quite a few number of people were around them. He then noticed that Shino was still fast asleep on his shoulder and she was still embracing his arm. He smiled at the sight. She's so cute he thought. He checked his phone for the time. It was 5:30PM already. They need to leave the park now so that he can still execute his plan. He poked Shino's cheek to wake her up. Her eyes slowly opened and she smiled when she saw Kazuto's face.

"Hello Shino, how was your nap." Kazuto asked.

"It felt nice. Way better than sleeping in my bed in fact." she replied as she rubbed her eyes. She then also noticed the group of people that had gathered around them. She was shocked to see that there were so many people around them right now.

"Um, Kazuto-kun. When did these people come here?" she asked Kazuto.

"I actually don't know. It seems that they copied our idea and enjoyed the season and shade of the tree." he replied. It was quite embarrassing for the both of them. It seems that they accidentally made that place a famous date spot.

Both of them got up and the crowd's attention suddenly went to them. Despite their best efforts to get out of the park unnoticed they seem to be getting the attention of everyone there.

Suddenly the crowd cheered for them as they made their way out of the park. Some were shouting random comments like "You two look cute together!" and "You two were se peaceful sleeping together that we decided to copy you!" The two could have died of embarrassment there but they managed to get out of the park. They learned a valuable lesson. Never sleep in a public place in a lovey dovey position. For all they knew a great number of people saw them which just added to their embarrassment. Their faces were bright red when they reached Kazuto's bike. Both were so flustered that they cannot say a thing to each other.

Kazuto can't stand the silence so he tries to break the flustered tension by speaking up. "I'm sorry about that. I should have thought about the people walking in the park. I'm really sorry." he apologized.

Shino can't believe that he is apologizing. "What are you apologizing for? So what if the people there saw us? Sure, it's embarrassing but it's also sweet and caring of you to do that. I mean it was rude of me to act sleepy even though you have saved me from those bullies. You thought of my own wellbeing when you pulled up in front of that park. For all I know, I might have fallen asleep during the motorcycle ride and would have fallen off. But you noticed that and decided to take a detour first right?"

Kazuto can't believe that she has read him that easily. Does his intentions seem that obvious?

"What you did back there was really sweet Kazuto-kun. I really appreciated it that you care so much for me even though it's just the small things. Whatever happened I have no shed of regret." and with that she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

The kiss was longer than the last time. It was more loving and felt more real. Even though it was just on the cheek Kazuto still got really flustered about it.

When she pulled back she had a blush on her face but she seemed more confident than before. Her smile was warmer than when she gave him a goodnight kiss. This side of Shino is new to him. She acts so sweet and caring, as if all of the things he has done for her meant everything in her life, which was of course true and he just doesn't know about it yet.

"Then I'm sorry for apologizing earlier. Should we get going now?" he asked her. He got on his bike and extended his hand. She accepted it and also got on his bike.

He drove them to a nearby mall. Seeing as how it was already 6:15PM, Kazuto asked if she wanted to eat an early dinner to which she gladly accepted. They then proceeded to go to a restaurant inside the mall. Kazuto ordered a meal with rice while Shino ordered pasta. While eating, Shino asked him her repetitive question.

"So Kazuto-kun , what are we doing in the mall?" she asked him.

He decided that it's already safe tell her his plans since it's about to unfold.

"Well I thought it would be nice if I take you out shopping. N-not that what you wear is not attractive!" he added quickly. "I mean, I just want to give you something but I can't decide what to give you." Everything that he had said was true… except the last one. Shopping was actually just a stepping stone of his plan. He knew for a fact that Shino wasn't like any of the ordinary girls who would go gaga over shopping. It was one of her traits that he likes. Hopefully she accepts so he can continue with his plan.

"U-um that's nice of you Kazuto-kun but it's really okay! You've already given me enough and I'm not a person who cares much about material things though." she said.

He gave her a look of devastation. He knew it would be hard to make her agree to this but he needs to convince her. He gives her his best pleading-look, hoping that she can't resist him.

Seeing Kazuto sad because of her literally made Shino flinch. He looked so sad because of her and she just can't resist the look he's giving her.

"B-but if you insist then I guess it would be okay." she finally said.

"Hah, I knew you couldn't resist me." Kazuto said with a smirk.

It took her a moment to realize that he forced his devastated expression. She can't believe that she fell for that. "Y-you tricked me!" she said.

"Oh shut up and just go with it." he countered, using the same line she said earlier and with that he finished eating and got up.

"Jerk" she muttered but she wasn't angry. She was actually surprised that Kazuto would copy her line. Again, she never expected it when he was about to tease her.

"Well since you want to take me out shopping I'll warn you beforehand. I'll make sure to pick something expensive so that I can get back at you." she teased him before going past him. "Come on Kazuto-kun hurry up! I'll make this an experience you'll never forget." Shino shouted as she ran ahead.

Kazuto found another side of her. Who knew that she can be girly too? He was discovering so many things about her and she's captivating him more and more. Some girls he knew were so self-conscious to the point that they would analyse the food before eating, and that they would spend hours just by picking what dress to wear. Shino's girly-ness wasn't like that though. Hers is more subtle and isn't to the point of overacting. Running so he can catch up to her, he just can't wait to see what would happen during the so-called shopping plan.

Things are starting to get interesting he thought.

Well it's done guys! Are you all disappointed that the so-called plan of Kazuto was just actually shopping? HAHAHAHA! Don't worry friends! His plan doesn't end there! Wait for the next chapter to see it unfold perfectly! Like Kazuto said in the story, the shopping thing is just a stepping stone (actually more of like a diversion) to his plan. Anyways hope you guys like this! And I also apologize if some characters are not the same with the ones with canon. I'm sorry about that but the way things are in my story, their personalities are just perfect for it. I think it's called being "out of character"? Anyways, if some characters are like that then I apologize but I need them to be like that in order to finish the story! So guys, please review so I can get some suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. For those who are wanting some ALO don't worry! Next chapter will have some ALO scenes. Again thank you and I'll see you guys prolly tomorrow. Don't hesitate to PM me of you guys have any questions.

P.S

Shout out to the Filipino readers out there! Whoever you guys are I just wanna say that you guys rock! It makes me happy seeing someone from my country reading my story! Hope you continue to support the story and continue to read it as well! Love y'all!