Ch.31

(POV:Neko)

As I woke up, I smelled pancakes. I sat up, but as I tried to get off the bed, something held my legs in. I opened my eyes fully to see a tray of food on top of my legs. And a smiling and nervous Nemu behind it.

"Nemu, what is this?" I asked. I also noticed that she was on my bed as well.

"And why are you in my bed?" I asked. She went red and practically threw herself out of my bed.

"I-I wanted to m-make breakfast for you as t-thanks for helping me." Nemu stuttered. I decided to forget about the bed part.

"Honestly, there was no need." I said. However, I ate the meal. After that I went and took a shower and got ready.

(POV:Nemu)

As Neko went to the shower, I leaned against the wall in support. My poor heart was being run into the ground. I had gotten in Neko's bed without thinking, and when Neko commented, I had just realized what I had done. However, thinking back on it, I smiled. He might not even be at step one, but I was ready to go all the way. But knowing Neko, I was looking at a wait of a decade or more. But I didn't mind. Strange, because I have always been one to rush things, even in SAO. So why was I so ok with waiting? It took a minute before I realized it. It was because I get to spend time with him. To laugh and joke, to fight and support, to eat meals, say goodnight. To be with him. And with that, I was content.

(POV:Neko)

As I stood in the shower, I thought about what had just happened. And I was confused. I had just dismissed the fact that Nemu was in my bed when she got out. I didn't panic or stutter, or even wonder about it. I had just accepted it and moved on. That wasn't like me. What was up with me?

(POV:Neko)

As I logged on, I immediately opened my Menu and made sure that I had everything I was going to need. Quick use crystals were in their pouches in my belt. I equipped my sword and made sure my back up sword was at the top of my item list. And finally, I checked my Cobalt System. The menu was activated by the menu open action, but on my right hand rather than left. I was the only one who could use it and see it, as it was a hacked client system. I hoped I wouldn't need to use it, but my suspicions were still there. I wasn't gonna back down without a fight. And if they had tipped the scales, this would tip them back. With 10 minutes until the fight, I spat towards the world tree at full speed, slipping to the side at the last second, and whipping around to skid to a stop in front of the crowd. In front of me stood 16 accounts, 15 of which were begginer accounts. The last on, I assumed, was the one I was going to fight.

"Which one of you is Raku?" I asked, as I retracted my wings. After a moment of shock at my speedy entry, the character in the middle walked forward. He was spriggan. It suited him.

"I am. I assume you are Aki?" he said.

"I am. Do I have your word, in front of all those present, that after this fight, the loser will withdraw all claims to controlling the marriage of Nemu Morino, or stay out of matters of this, whichever applies?" I said this as Nemu and Clark landed behind me.

"You have my word." said Raku.

"Then present your combatant." I said. I walked to one end of the area as another person walked to the other, and the spectators backed up a respectful distance.

"I present Yamada." said Raku. I decided to say something on account of this.

"A few days ago, three men attacked me in the real world, and said that they served Yamada. Do you know of this?" I called to him.

"They acted without permissions." Yamada responded.

"Understood." I drew my sword. He drew his. And it began.

(POV:Neko)

As Yamada launched forward, I spat to the side, pushed off a pillar, and smashed into his back with a two-hit skill. However, his health only drained a little. My suspicions had been confirmed. However, as the fight went on, I found that I had no use for my hacked client, and so I slowly but surely drained Yamada's health. Then it happened. As Yamada's health dipped into the orange, he threw himself backward. I let him recover. It was a mistake. For Yamada opened his menu and equipped a second sword. Then he drew it, and charged. I barely managed to avoid the two pronged attacks, and skidded to a halt next to Raku. However, Yamada didn't follow up. Then Raku spoke.

"Aki, I knew would fall into my trap. I had the game makers input the unique skills, and give Yamada here Dual Blades. You cannot win." he said triumphantly.

"That, and you maxed his battle heal and health, along with a few others, I should guess. However, you do realize that all my SAO data was transferred right?" I said as I opened my menu. I then presented him with the skills screen.

"There was more than one unique skill." And with that, I leaped forward, closing the menu as I went. I slipped under Yamada's attack, then unleashed a 4-hit skill-Bullet Speed Combo. Yamada lost the health he had gained during the small respite. However, even as this continued, Yamada was getting stronger and stronger. Then I noticed that one of the spectators was manipulating and administer console. Shit. He was upping Yamada's attack power. I threw myself out of the combat, and spoke.

"There are two ways to have a enhanced attack power without properly leveling. One is the high road, and the other is the low road. However, when only one person takes a road, the result is an unbalanced fight. and since you all are taking the high road, looks like I am gonna need the low one." I said as I opened my hidden menu. After about 3 seconds of manipulating, I had raised my levels up to what Yamada's were. After that, I engaged again and again. We had gone well past an hour, when Yamada's skill started to drop. This was to be expected. After all, he was not used to clearing day after day for 2 years. I was. My endurance was to be expected. However, during the fight, my foot slipped, and he jumped on top of me. My sword met his two, and for a second, we were at a standstill. When his swords began to force their way down, I began to give up. Then he spoke.

"Dammit, what are you doing! You have to win! For her!" he spoke in a forced whisper.

"What… do you mean?" I grunted.

"She loves you dammit! Everyone can tell! So do something for her every now and then!" with that, he let off, just a smidget. However, I was deep in thoughts. Everything was clicking into place. Her actions, statements, reactions. And at the same time, I understood mine. It cut through like a lightning bolt. I love her. I love her. I love her! And with that, I found one last energy reserve and forced Yamada back.

(POV:Nemu)

Yamada said something to Neko, and his face went blank. The swords came down, and it was over. But then, it wasn't. Neko, a few pixels away from death, forced Yamada back. But his face held an expression. It was one that stated one thing. I win. And nothing is gonna get in my fucking way. He smashed Yamada back with blows that had power that shouldn't have been possible. Yamada's face held an expression of fear. And thirty seconds later, Yamada was a ball of fire, and Raku was in shock.

"H-How..." said Raku.

"There was a reason why he was given a unique skill, Raku." I said, as I walked over to Neko. However, he opened his wings and bolted away from me, heading for an inn. I went after him, but he had logged out before I could talk to him. Wondering what was up with him, I got my own room and logged out. I went to his room, where he was sitting up, staring at the window.

"Hey, Neko, what's wrong?" I asked. I was worried. I haven't seen him like this in almost 6 months, but at this moment, I was fearing a relapse. However, the question surprised me.

"How long?" he asked.

"How long what?" I asked, not understanding.

"How long have you felt that way." Suddenly, I understood what Yamada had said.

"I-If you want me to stay away-" he stopped me by grabbing my wrist and pulling me down next to him.

"How long?" he repeated.

"Since before the end of SAO." I said.

"Stange huh. You felt it first, and yet I make the move." it took me a second to prosses this.

"Wait wh-" my voice was cut off by what happened next. It was to be expected. After all, you can't really talk when your in the middle of a kiss.

Author's Note: Sorry about the delay. I made this one extra long to make up for it. I hope you all liked the ending. It is the only part I am really happy with, as the rest seems a little rushed. But no matter. Thanks for reading!