I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters.
Overdue
Michael opened the door to Agil's cafe and walked in, Shino following. Michael sat down at a table where Lisbeth and Asuna were waiting with Kirito and Shino sat beside him, looking between him and the other two females.
"Shino, allow me to introduce Asuna Yuuki and...well, Lisbeth," Michael said, suddenly realizing he had never found out Lisbeth's real name.
"Rika Shinozaki," Lisbeth smiled. "Which Michael would know if he ever bothered to ask."
"I was busy," Michael shrugged.
"Obviously," Rika snorted.
"Anyway," Michael sighed. "Asuna and Rika are both SAO survivors like me and Kir..uh, Kazuto."
Shino nodded as Agil walked in with their drinks and took Michael and Shino's orders.
"Oh, this is Agil," Michael said. "He's also an SAO survivor."
Shino greeted him kindly and he left to get their drinks. Michael sighed and Kirito began.
"Shino, there's a reason we brought you here today," Kirito said. "But first, I owe you a huge apology."
"For what?" Shino asked.
"I told Asuna and Rika about the incident," Kirito stated.
"You what!?" Shino demanded. "Why would you do that?"
She tried to stand but Michael caught her hand.
"Because I asked him to," Michael said. "Because there's someone you need to meet. And it's long overdue."
He nodded to Rika and Rike stood, walking to a door and opening it. A moment later, a woman with wavy brown hair walked out with a young girl no older than four. The woman sat across from Shino and smiled at her as the girl stared in amazement. After a moment, the mother bowed, her daughter copying her for a moment before looking up at her mother again.
"Um, who are you?" Shino asked, not wanting to sound rude but wanting to know why it was important she speak to the woman.
"It's wonderful to meet you," the mother said sitting up. "Ms. Shino Asada, was it? My name is Sachie Oosawa. This is Mizue. She's four. Before my little girl was born, I used to work at the post office."
Shino stared at her in recognition and shock.
"I'm sorry," Sachie apologized. "I'm so sorry Shino. I...I should have met with you so long ago. I never apologized...or even thanked you." Sachie wiped her tears and rested her hand on top of her daughter's head. "At the time of the incident, I was pregnant with this child. So, you saved not only me, but also the life of this young girl. Really...really thank you so much. Thank you so much."
She began to cry again while Shino stared at her and the child.
"Saved your...life?" Shino blinked.
"You suffer because you can't forgive yourself for the life you took," Michael said. "But you never stopped to think about the lives you saved back then. I thought that maybe meeting someone you saved would help."
Shino looked back as Mizue walked around the table, pulling a piece of paper out of her bag and held it out to Shino. Shino accepted it, seeing that it was a picture of Shino standing with Mizue and her mother.
"Big sister Shino," Mizue said. "Thank you for saving Mommy and me!"
Shino lowered the paper, tears running out of her face and dripping onto the picture. Mizue reached up, wrapping her small hands around one of Shino's. Shino set the picture aside and toom Mizue's hands in her other and smiled. Michael did as well and Mizue beamed at Shino.
After a while, Mizue and Sachie said their goodbyes and left. Shino wiped her eyes, leaning against Michael and smiling.
"Thank you," Shino sniffed. "I needed that. Thank you for caring."
"Of course," Michael smiled. "I told you I would be there for you. And besides, you helped me with mine by being there. I figured I should do something for you too."
Shino smiled and kissed him, then leaned on his shoulder. Rika grinned at Michael and he rolled his eyes. After a few minutes, he decided to ask the question he had been wanting to since the incident with Death Gun.
"So, when's the next hunt?" Michael asked.
"There isn't one," Sinon stated. "I've decided I'm going to take a break from GGO for a while. I think I need a break from guns."
"Thank God," Michael groaned. "I swear if I had to look at one more rifle I might hack the game and turn it into Alfheim...uh...I mean..."
"I knew it!" Shino grinned sitting up. "I knew you were a fairy boy."
"Oh shut up," Michael grumbled. "It's a lot more fun than you think."
"I know," Shino snorted. "I think I'm going to try it."
Michael smiled and Shino grinned.
"It'll be fun to be stronger than you in two games," Shino grinned.
Michael groaned then laughed.
"We'll see," Michael smirked. "I bet I win though."
Shino grinned and lay on his shoulder again. He wrapped an arm around her and she yawned.
"Someone's tired," Asuna laughed.
"Yeah," Michael nodded. "I better get you home. You have school in the morning. Wouldn't want to miss math."
"Okay Mom," Shino laughed standing and walking to the door. "See you guys in ALfheim after school tomorrow."
And with that, she left. Michael said his own goodbyes and followed.
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