Ch. 18

As I made my way to the kitchen in the morning, I thought about what was to come next. The school would be set up by start of the next school year. Nemu seemed determined not to let me out of her sight anymore than she had to. I was planning on moving out within a month after we had that talk over the dinner table. I was going to have to go visit my family in a month. I had yet to tell Nemu about that. I decided to discuss it with her at breakfast.

"Hey Neko." Nemu said as I walked in.

"Goodmorning Nemu. How are you felling today?"

"Tired but fine. You?"

"Same. By the way, I am going to have to go visit my family in the states in a month, just so you know."

"Hmm. Cool! Get two plane tickets!" I looked at her, bewildered.

"Two? I said I had to, not you."

"Well, I'm going, so deal."

"Honestly. I'll call my parents, they have to be willing. Anyway, what is for breakfast?"

As I sat down to eat, I tuned out most of what was being said. Things were really getting complicated. Nemu seemed determined to get into my life. Almost like a girlfriend. Honestly. Talk about annoying.

As Neko ate, he zoned out. He was oblivious to my staring. I knew that my parents noticed though, because they mentioned the word "date" a ton in their conversation. I didn't care. I didn't know when I realized my feelings, but they had been a part of me since before the end of SAO. I… I didn't know hope to tell him though. What if he didn't feel the same? Not that he would have feelings for another, but that he sees me as a friend, a companion. Or maybe he does have feelings for another? Augh! Love makes your brain go in circles like no tomorrow!

As I sat down at my computer, I pulled up some old documents. I slowly went through my contacts, explaining what had happened, and what was going to happen next. For the most part, it was just glorified goodbyes. My old life, before SAO, was well and truly gone. And people didn't even know about what I had done. Tired from Nemu excessive badgering from that day, and that fact that I had been in front of my computer for hours, I went to bed.

"You… murderer." said the man. I recognized him. he was the first person I killed.

"I gave you the option of surrender. You forced me to kill you."

"And if I head surrendered I would have stuck there for a year and a half. Not an option. Besides, if it was just me, it would make sense. Not 43! YOU MURDERER!"

Suddenly, the rest of those I had killed surrounded me. They screamed, clawed at me, bit me, beat me.

Then I woke up. I was covered in sweat, and my nerves we on the edge. I was lucky I had a built in bathroom. I said goodbye to my dinner. This was the fourth time this week.

Suddenly I woke up. I wasn't sure what it was till I hear the stumbling come from Neko's room. Then I heard what I thought was puking. Alarmed, I got up and ran to his door. I nocked not-so-lightly.

"Neko!? Are you alright?!" I said in a forced whisper. I wanted nothing more than to barge in there and check with my eyes. But I couldn't.

"Ya, I'm fine. Just had to use the restroom. Go back to bed." He was lying. But, I couldn't go in there. So I had to leave. However, after I sat in bed, I couldn't sleep. Something was wrong. But just what was it?

That morning, my head hurt the moment I woke up. After taking some headache meds, I got up and went to breakfast. However, the moment I was outside my room, Nemu yanked me and forced me against the wall.

"Tell me what is wrong. Now." she said, concern and steel in her voice. My heart skipped a beat. She suspected something.

"Nothing is wrong besides being hungry. Let me go so I can get breakfast." I replied, shakier than I would have liked. A look of hurt crossed Nemu's face.

"Why won't you tell me? Do you not trust me?"

"I do trust you, problem is, there is nothing wrong to tell you. Honestly. Can I go get breakfast now?" She reluctantly let me go, a hurt look in her eyes. My heart broke seeing her with that expression, but I couldn't tell her what was wrong. It would only worry her more. Hurt her more. I was going to deal with this.

Author's Note: Sorry this one is a bit short, the next one will be nice and long. Anyway, HUGE thanks to my friend for giving my the idea for this part of the story. Thanks for reading!