I do not own or have any affiliation with Sword Art Online. I apologize for any missing words, grammatical and/or spelling errors that were made into the official text.

Chapter 31: New Filled Night

Saturday, January 10th, 2032 | 6:30 PM

It was the beginning of a brand new year.

The abundant league of twelve people were settling nicely as the post New Year's Day get together was being hosted in Asuna and Kazuto's apartment.

Kazuto, Klein, Agil and Mikado were seated in the living room bodily mollified and without level of compulsion.

The coffee table was almost covered with mugs on top of circular coasters and scattered old photographs.

In their confabulation, a proud Klein mentioned that Yumeko's instructor had offered her the lucky chance to practice jiujitsu alongside her yet-to-be advanced aikido training.

"I can picture her right now. She's gonna be an awesome lethal weapon." He puffed his chest with parental pride.

"Mama, what does lethal mean?" Yumeko's voice was heard.

Please don't be who I think it is. Klein nervously gulped and turned himself around.

As a chibi character, the face would have be half blue while the blank white eyes had bold, black boarders. The jaw would be a tiny, pink rectangle.

"What have you been saying about her?" Rinko sharply narrowed her eyes.

In chibi form, a red Y-shaped intersection crossing popping vein would been seen coming from the right side of her forehead. Both eyebrows would be drawn in a slant, pointing downward. The eyes would have been small semi-circles with thinly drawn borders being pushed down by the eyebrows.

"Your in trouble." Kazuto, Agil and Mikado sang.

"Shut up." Klein grumbled.

Rinko tugged on his ear. "We are going to talk about this later."

She collected the lukewarm, beverage mugs and went back into the kitchen to join the rest of the women.

In the meantime, both Yui and Yumeko went into the living room as the other room was getting a more crowded feeling.

Yumeko curled up in Klein's lap while Yui sat next to Kazuto's.

"What does lethal mean?" Yumeko repeated her question from before.

She's not letting this one go... Klein sighed.

"So did you kids like the fireworks last weeks?" Agil asked.

Yui happily shook her head. "There were so pretty."

"You know my answer Uncle Andrew." Yumeko pouted.

"Don't like fireworks?" Mikado patted her head.

The first grader moved her head up and down.

"Are these all of her?" Yui asked referring to her cousin as the unorganized display of pictures caught her attention.

"Yes, they are." Rinko's voice came from behind the sofa.

Klein flinched. "How do you do that?"

Rinko smirked. "If I tell you, it wouldn't be as much fun."

"Yumeko-chan looks very small in this one." Yui handed one of them to her honorary aunt who was collecting the jumbled stash.

The particular picture displayed the micro-preemie version of Yumeko in an incubator, being covered in an expandable, white one-piece cloth wrap, wires were seen under it. The full length of the body appeared to be no longer than an adult hand.

"She used to be." Rinko thanked her for the gesture.

"I've never seen someone in that size before, it fascinating." Mikado commented.

Rinko thanked him and quickly went over the pile.

*Flashback starts*

Monday, August 18th, 2025 | Late morning

Rinko was sitting up on the bed while her beloved child was laying the in the supine position.

Yumeko's chronological age was 3 months and 13 days, leaving her corrected age to be only 8 days.

The mother moved closer to the infant, fluttering her eyelashes against her daughter's hands.

After that she pressed and rubbed the tip of her nose against her little loved one's nose, enjoying enough, the mother traced a simple heart on both cheeks using her nose, instead of her index finger as always.

She kissed the small forehead.

The spontaneous performance of devoted, warm attachment came to end when Rinko took a the pair of pudgy hands, using them to cover the woman's eyes, then rolling them down her face, bringing them on her lips, kissing them.

"I wasn't kidding when I called you my one true love." She whispered in Yumeko's ear.

The scientist kindly observed her only child with warm, smiling eyes.

Rinko takes out an emerald coloured, unadorned, musical wind instrument shaped like an elongated egg with a projecting mouthpiece an in addition several finger holes.

The woman played an enchanting and saccharine harmonic tune that sounded like a lullaby.

After it was over, the mother happily snuggled her daughter.

She gently dandled Yumeko in her arms, pulling the adjusted newborn's face closer. "I know this isn't the first time you heard me say this, but you can be whatever you can."

Both foreheads made momentary physically contact then separated. I hope when she's older, she'll appreciate both of her names and their meanings. When will I be able to use her real one? It's my favourite out of the two, for a very special reason. I still love both names very much. I wonder how that will be like...calling her by her true name... She smiled.

In the next moment, the scientist snapped out of her thoughtful state of mind due to her the squirming figure nestled in her arms, close to chest.

What so was I saying before? Oh right... She cleared her throat.

"Though I do like the idea of working together side by side someday." She adjusted Yumeko's hat and mittens.

"Maybe even have a little fun and embarrass you in front of the coworkers. What do you think my lovely?" The mother snickered in amusement.

She looked down only to discover that the dearly loved offspring breathing slowly with her eyes closed.

Nicely laying Yumeko on her back, Rinko removed her body from the mattress, taking her cellphone into her hand.

At that moment. the woman was slightly off guard as soon as she had an odd feeling run down her spine.

The words 'warm chill' came to mind once in while after it happened.

There it is again... Rinko had previously experienced this kind of feeling before starting from her short term pregnancy alongside every hospital visit she made.

Shutting her eyes tight, she began thinking about the last two parts she said to her now asleep daughter.

They widen opened in sudden realization.

Those words... Those words... She slowly inhaled and exhaled.

I said those words to him. She swallowed hard.

The image of her past lover and the biological father of her child made a single note play very deep in her heart.

She shook her head fastly.

She kissed her daughter's face and walked out of the bedroom still wearing her appealing and comptemporary red satin nightgown and robe attire.

Not long after, her boyfriend came with plastic shopping plastic bags and placed them on the kitchen counter.

Klein had a smug look on his face. "Hey sexy."

Rinko blushed. "Hey scruffy."

Her arms wrapped around his neck while his were on her waist, pulling the woman adjacent to the hip area.

Their lips meets and depart.

Rinko gave him a seductive wink and a half smile. "The baby's asleep." She informed her boyfriend, tracing her finger over the center of his tie.

"We haven't had a little fun in a while." She led him to the sofa.

"Don't mind if I do." Klein sat down.

Rinko sat in a straddled position, having placed either leg on both sides of her domestic partner's right lap.

There was a brief time period when passionate admiration and predilection had bloomed between the live-in couple only to have been taken away and discontinued by the sound of high-pitched wailing, originating from the bedroom with the opened door.

Already acknowledging that her maternal mental perception was gaining control of her body, Rinko quickly left the living room to check on her young one.

Entering the bedroom and closing the door, she came close to the crying infant's aide, lovely caressing her hand over the hat covering Yumeko's hair.

She immediately noticed an odd detail.

I don't remember putting a blanket on her... She blinked.

That 'warm chill' reemerged descending downward her spine.

Rinko shrugged it off when the strongly reminiscent feeling when the evocativeness of it vanished like nothing transpired.

"I didn't expect to hear my favourite person's voice so soon." Rinko's speaking tone was as soft as the satin materail of her clothing garments were made of.

"Only my baby girl could sound and look this beautiful. Even Mama is jealous." Rinko picked her up rocking her until the crying had become less and less in volume fragmented into nonexistence.

"That's my good girl. You always make me so happy, even when you tend to get loud." She laid her daughter's ear on her heartbeat.

Yumeko nuzzled her face on her mother's bust.

Rinko tucked the infant physique on the curved body part in a forebearing and protective manner. "I'll never love anything as much as I do you. I promise."

She held Yumeko's cheek leaning warmly against her own. Didn't I say that during my pregnancy?

A benevolent grin grew on Rinko's face. "Your are my happiness and my forever love." I used to say that to...

She lovingly fondled the pudgy face with her knuckle.

Am I forgetting something...or someone... Oh right him...

She fixed the adjusted eight day old's blue hat and mittens after changing her clothes before leaving the room.

"Finally, I thought you'd end up being in her all day." Rinko heard Klein's voice.

He came from behind and wrapped his arms around her waistline and planted a kiss on the back of her short black hair.

After some reluctance from the mother, a shirtless Klein had Yumeko in his arms, laying curled up on his chest.

Man, she's feels like a ball. A ball that can move her hands and legs... Wait a minute, she's not like a ball... She's more like a...uh... Dammit, what do you call those things? Sweet...squishy and tiny... Come on... Got it! A marshmallow! Yeah, that it!

"She's like a marshmallow!" Klein unwittingly exclaimed out loud.

The unexpected disturbance made the infant stir and making low, feeble sounds in discontent.

"I'm sorry!" He panicked.

Klein gently stroked her cheek with his right index finger as his left hand protectively supporting the fragile, unclothed body.

"I'm sorry." He quietly shushed in a softer tone while rubbing the top of her smooth mine shaft hair with his finger.

The whimper came to a close when he let her suck on his pinkie finger.

Cradling her close he kisses her forehead. "I don't know what I did to get someone with an angel voice like yours."

He began his daily exhibit of endearment by covering her face with little doting kisses.

Yumeko let out a high-pitched wail, concerning him.

"Don't worry I didn't forget about your angel voice to." He gently caressed her shoulders and back.

However much to his dismay, the crying resumed for an unknown amount of minutes.

After some time, the noise's volume had settled down, the adult had decided it was a good chance to practice different techniques of holding the adjusted infant.

Rinko came out of the shared bedroom in a pair of old grey sweatpants and t-shirt.

The mother looked worried as soon as her eyes saw a somewhat struggling Klein trying to hold on his shoulder.

"That's not right." She cringed.

Klein rocked the discomforted young one, giving her a short break by letting her palms grasp his index finger. "Sorry pal."

"Give her to me." Rinko said in a demanding voice.

"She's only five pounds, I was trying to be careful." He looked at his girlfriend slight disencouraged.

Rinko thrusted her body forward. "Let me have her, you don't know what you're doing." She gently took her daughter from his arms, laying her the beloved figure into her own.

"I can hold her!" Klein carefully pulls the infant back.

Rinko reciprocated his action.

Klein repeated the pattern.

"This is my baby! Not the last slice of pizza." She growled like a jungle cat.

"Of course not, she's more expensive!"

"She is nothing like pizza!"

"But she's awesome, smells good and you always want her even after I come back from a full day of not seeing her!"

The volume of their voices decreased when the pair of slumber deprived adults took deep breaths and made amends with each other their previous misdeed.

Rinko agreed to the she made with him saying that Yumeko can cosleep with the mother during the night only if he has the said adjusted eight day old for the rest of the day and if the scientist bakes a batch of her 'wonderful' white chocolate brownies using walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, marshmallows, whipped cream with a strawberry milkshake from scratch as always.

Klein had his legs propped in a diagonal posture while his feet were flat on the coffee table and laid Yumeko face upward with her back pressed against his knees and her bare feet nestled against his stomach.

He brushes his knuckles on each side of her face.

Rinko handed him a warm milk bottle to feed her with.

After burping her, he laid her in the same position once more, briefly swinging his legs side to side in a slow pace as both of his thumbs were held in her miniature sized palms.

He applied pressure on her ear lobes, arms and legs giving them each a massage.

When it was over, he rested both hands steadily placed on Yumeko's chest and stomach area.

"I can't wait for your first smile, first laugh, first word." Klein said in a doting voice.

Rinko sat next to him. "First day of school." She began to taunt.

Klein put the pacifier in her mouth.

Rinko spat it out and let it drop on her hand. "First crush, first kiss, first boyfriend." She laughed.

"Okay, that enough." He forced pacifier back in her mouth.

He rocked Yumeko and kissed her hand. "You don't have to worry about that now."

Rinko took out the pacifier and placed it between Klein's lips. "You mean you don't have to worry about your first heart attack." She pinched his cheek.

Klein blushed.

*Flashback ends*

Rinko saw a hand waving in front of her face as her mind was returning to her body in the present time.

"Onee-san? Can you hear me?"

Rinko blinked and turned her head to her left.

Both the familiar voice and hand belonged to the optimistic young woman standing next to her was Ayano Keiko. She was wearing a grey wool cardigan with the first two buttons unfastened with the same coloured belt over a red tank-top, flattering her medium, perky bust. Her light brown hair was styled in a chunky textured ponytail. She was graduating from university with a bachelor's degree in veterinarian medicine.

Rinko patted her head saying that nothing was bothering her and was merely reflecting how different the former high schoolers look as they are preparing for the outside world.

"If you think we're different, your obviously forgetting about Himeko-chan." A teasing female voice spoke out out nearby, the other two women turned to the source.

This third woman that was dressed in a yellow knit dress with a black ribbon tied in the middle around the front and dark blue skinny jeans topped off with bra strap length hair was Shinozaki Rika. The diligent graduate student cleaned off her cyan coloured wide squared glasses and placed them over her dark pink eyes and round face. She was earning her masters degree in mechanical engineering.

"Himeko-chan is growing up fast." Asada Shino smiled. The calm and collected adult was dressed in a red and white striped sweater which had its neck covered by a pink scarf with a black medium length skirt, the colour matched her short black hair with the subtle curls at the end. She was on her way of receiving her bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

"Boys will be lining up one by one at your doorstep." Kirigaya Suguha winked playfully. The upbeat and evidently busty female was wearing a sky blue batwing cardigan over a v-neck white shirt with black leggings. Her hair was shoulder length with blunt bangs. In regards with her educational status, she was on her way of getting her business degree in a economics.

"Did our Himeko-chan break any hearts yet?" Rika nudged the respected older sister figure.

Rinko blushed. "Not to my knowledge but there's always a chance."

"We could ask her over dinner." Shino smiled.

"Klein-san might like that." Keiko chuckled.

"Don't forget about the others." Suguha added.

Asuna was at looking at the fridge, seemingly preoccupied looking at a printed copy of a statement with Yui's grades listed on it.

"Surreal isn't it? You feel proud but realize how fast they grow." Rinko pressed her hand on the shoulder of Asuna's pink turtleneck.

The strawberry blonde fixed her loosening high ponytail then rubbed her sweating palms on her simple black jeans.

"You don't look so good." The scientist observed.

Asuna folded her arms on her abdominal area, stating that there was nothing wrong. "I-I was just thinking, that when I start teaching... I'm going to make report cards..."

"You look out of it. Go sit down, dinner's almost ready." The older woman tried to get the somewhat stubborn hostess out of the kitchen.

However, Asuna continued to show resistance towards the generous pleas, offers and suggestions from her peers stating that she is fine and that her guest should enjoy the their ephemeral visitation as much as they possibly can, as the night is still young.

In the spacious living room, tension were rising at a sluggish pace as Yumeko was playing a game of chess against Mikado.

The young man's dark brunette hair was styled in a fohawk fashion. His clothes included a while long sleeved dress shirt with a black tie underneath a pink polo sweater vest. He was drumming his fingers from his left hand onto the knee of his black trousers. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearm. His dark blue eyes were fixated on the chessboard plotting his next move.

"Checkmate." Yumeko called out in a calm tone.

Mikado was momentarily at a loss for words. "Lucky your cute." He nervously chuckled and patted her hand. "Congrats on your winning streak."

Yumeko turned to the tall, muscular shopkeeper. "Wanna play again, Uncle Andrew?"

Agil tittered. "Nice try, Fuzzball."

"Yumemi, you played against all of us. Aren't you getting tired?" Kazuto asked.

Yumeko nodded left to right.

Kazuto sighed. She's been more quiet then usual, just like the Christmas party. Is something going on with her?

"I told you, you just can't beat this kid." Klein pulled Yumeko closer and gave the six-year-old from behind and then released her an amount of moments after a proclamation was addresses to the four adults and both elementary school children that the even meal was finished and the table was organized.

The abundant league of twelve people were in the apartment's dining room.

As the plates were filled, the adults sat down at the larger table while fourth grader Yui and first grader Yumeko were sitting in the smaller one next to it.

A chain reaction of propitious and productive news was made while they were enjoying the company of each other.

Keiko revealed that she is awaiting the confirmation of acceptance to her desired veterinary school.

Suguha announced that she was accepted into an internship at a financial firm for the position of a finance analyst.

Shino told everyone that after receiving her diploma, she will be enrolling in a policing academy.

Mikado said that his father's firm was granted another government contract.

It was now Kazuto's turn to make his own special announcement.

All eyes were on him.

Well, now is a good time to get it off my chest. He took a short, deep breath and reached for his beautiful wife's hand with confidence. "I...just paid the down payment on a house."

The room went silent.

"What did you say?" Suguha's eyes widened.

"Your moving?" Keiko's voice followed.

"Do you know when?" Shino asked.

"How far is it?" Rika questioned.

Asuna was dumbstruck and confused. "What house are you talking about, Kirito-kun?"

The couple have only been looking for a few weeks.

He showed her a snapshot taken with his phone.

Asuna remembered how much she liked the kitchen and how it was nearby Yui's school.

After a small congratulatory toast of champagne, the wave of attention focused on Asuna.

The future middle school teacher took a small sip of the clear white sparkling drink and bit her lip. She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes tight. Her face was flushed red.

"I'm having a baby!" She spoke under one sharp breath.

Everyone at the table froze and jaws dropped.

The women cover their mouths.

"Quick, cover your ears." Agil made the warning.

Within the upcoming second, nearly the entire apartment was drowned in the sound of women squealing in delight.

When the noise settled down, Asuna tried to snap out of her husband of his stunned and astonished expression as he proceeded to sit still in his chair.

Thump. His slim body suddenly fell sideways, landing on the hardwood floor after losing consciousness.

His black eyes opened slightly, he saw his spouse's worried face as she sat by his side on her knees prior to helping him up.

Kazuto softly embraced her asking if she felt sick or tired.

She assured him that she was feeling fine.

The crowd was back sitting at the table.

A still bewildered and nervous Kazuto chugged on his champagne glass and even drank from Asuna's.

"When did you find out?" Rika hugged her close friend.

"I took a test a couple of days ago, and went to the doctor yesterday."

"How far along are you?" Shino politely asked.

"Erm...a week." The strawberry blonde blushed.

"Congratulations Asuna-san, Kirito-san and Yui-chan." Keiko cheered gleefully.

"When are you due?" Suguha asked her sister-in-law.

Asuna lowered her head in a sort of farouche demeanor. "October 7th." She informed in a timid voice while running her fingers down her high ponytail.

Kazuto heartbeat started to go faster and raised his eyebrows. "Could...could...you repeat that, Asuna?"

She repeated in a clearer voice. "My due date is October 7th."

Kazuto laid back in chair bursting out laughing. "So your telling me that I have to wait nine months for my birthday present this year? Thanks for telling me when I lose the rest of my freedom."

"That's not true. You lost the rest of it the second you got married." Agil commented.

"Say goodbye to drinking." Klein snickered.

"Says the guy who comes to my shop three times a week." The cafe owner added.

"Come to think of it, didn't you get drunk a lot in ALO?" Kazuto joined in. "Hey, remember that one time he got his avatar so wasted that tried to fly when he coudn't even walk straight?"

"I can't believe your pregnant." Rinko wished the expectant mother.

"Thank you, onee-san." Asuna sniveled and wiped her eyes.

"Mama, what does pregnant mean?" Yui asked with an vehement yearning to know filling in her bright black eyes.

Kazuto rubbed her long hair and explained that a pregnancy is a type of love that a mother has for her child that becomes permanant after having it inside of her nine months before it is born.

The expectant couple have been married for less than a full year, nevertheless they were going to have an actual family and a real home that is soon to be theirs.

Later the crowd were serving themselves dessert.

Rika was standing by her romantic partner. "When are you going to tell them?" The future civil engineer whispered in her ear.

"Not sure..." Rika whispered back. "Nothing can top becoming a mother."

"I think our news is pretty good to. I love you." He pecked her cheek.

"Same to you." Rika thought about the circular that was kept hidden in her jeans pocket.

Riri-sama didn't tell us her good news yet. Yumeko secretly eavesdropped and thought to herself.

Rika cleared her throat softly. "Everyone don't freak out, but I have something really important to tell you."

"What is it?" Keiko asked.

"Why would we freak out about it?" Shino wondered.

"Tell us!" An excited Suguha begged.

"Now that I think of it, I'd better show it instead." Rika teased and hid behind the sophisticated young man she was standing next to.

Her silhouette gave the others the impression that the future mechanical engineer was pulling something out of her front pocket.

Her body froze up. Is this really happening? Am I really doing this?

She heard Mikado's voice in a whisper. "If you don't come out in five seconds, I'm telling them."

"Okay, okay, geez." She muttered.

Coming out of her ineffective hiding spot, she stretched out left hand in plain sight.

There was a ring being worn on her third finger.

It was fourteen karat white gold heart shaped ring, with an amethyst gemstone accented with ten sapphire gems.

Her friends admired the beautiful and prestine piece of jewelry. Rika explained that the design was very similar from a ring she had seen in a catalouge when she was younger and dreamed of having it ever since finding the picture.

When asked how the proposal was executed, Mikado recounted the life-changing yet romantic event occurred on the top of a mountain during New Year's Eve, then shared a kiss as the clock struck midnight, conveniently as the fireworks display made its appearance.

A toast was made in their honor, wishing them both good fortune.

Yumeko stood quiet, monitoring everything with a watchful eye on the outlook. Why am I happy but sad at the same time? She communicated with the intangible being via thought transference.

This friend of hers, apologized for not having a good enough to answer her question.

The young pack were finally moving on their personal, individual worlds making their aspirations, desires and hopes of their realities and bringing them closer to the reality of the real world.

Therefore, leaving their memories behind to be marked by the shadows of the passing whispers of time.

Taking one step forward to uncertain destinations.

Thank you for reading this chapter. Leave a review if you want!