Disclaimer: Don't own Sword Art Online (I or II), or any of it's characters.
Rating: T
A closer look at Yui's view of things
RL
December 20th, 2030
"So, what will it be guys?"
"I'll take a Ginger Ale, Agil" her daddy said.
"Same for me, please" from her mommy.
Then Agil looked straight at her, smiling. "And you, Yui?"
She smiled back. "Do you have any milk?" she breathed, tapping her fingers under the counter.
He just chuckled, stepping backward a bit as he reached for several bottles. "There's never any big demand for it, but I keep a few stashes - everyone has different tastes after all, whether it's soda or alcohol" he continued, setting up their glasses. "Plus you guys are friends; anytime."
Curiously confused, she looked at her mommy, who smiled at her. "Soda is a drink mixed with water and certain chemicals" she said. "Very sugary, usually very tasty, but not the best way to keep your energy up, and not healthy in the long run if it's the only thing you regularly drink."
Oh, she definitely didn't want that to happen to her body! Though, if it was occasional, maybe she could enjoy it... but still: "Chemicals?" she asked, worried.
"When it comes down to it, Yui, all drinks are made of chemicals" daddy answered on mommy's other side, with a little smile of his own. "Water is made of two simple chemical elements after all, and that's perfectly healthy."
"Oh" she breathed, fascinated by this all; there's so much to learn, hehe.
Just then, Agil set down their drinks, and she eagerly took her glass - she still had to build up her bone strength. Sipping her milk (nice and cold), she made a content sound at the lovely taste, just listening to her parents as they talked to Agil.
"So, everyone all set up for our ALO Christmas party?" daddy asked.
Agil chuckled a little. "We've been planning it for the last month; only emergencies would cause us to flak."
"Still, it's gonna be strange..."
Hearing her tone, she (along with daddy and Agil) looked right at her. "Mommy?" she asked, worried.
Mommy smiled, though she was also a little sad. "For the first time in years, because you're out here now, you won't be beside us in the virtual world" she said softly, stroking her hair a little (mmh, she liked that). "It's so strange and surreal, isn't it?"
She gasped a little, only just now realizing that aspect!
Just like that, she saw an image in her thoughts: daddy and mommy laying on their bed, both Amuspheres on, while she was there in the real world. The exact opposite of her past five years! And now her only way to access virtual reality is the way everyone else does; through a full-dive rig. But that also meant experiencing a virtual body the way players did, with HUD indicators and skill sets and everything else like that! The very idea made her head spin, and worried, she clutched at her head briefly as the surreal feelings spun around.
Only a second afterward, mommy's hands found her shoulders, worried.
She looked back slowly, but managed a smile, which mommy shared after a moment.
"We're all in the same boat, Yui."
Curiously confused, she looked at Agil.
His smile was tender. "We had nearly the same reaction when we found out you had come to our world" he said gently. "We were glad that you had, but it was a big adjustment - I can imagine how you wouldn't realize certain things are different until they become important."
"...like diving into ALO" she replied, soft. "Normally, I would be there, awaiting mommy and daddy - but no longer."
She briefly felt sad, before she pushed it away; she would still wait for them, during this party, but it'd still be so strange for her.
/
Home
"You'll be okay" daddy said, on his knees before her. "After all, you have those picture books and stuff to look over, like usual."
She nodded, smiling. "I'll make do" she assured, before touching his hand. "But, I want to stay a little while; I've never seen what diving looks like from the other side before."
He tilted his head, smiling a little. "Unless you're the one diving, it looks very boring, I can tell you that" he teased, but sincere as he ruffled her hair, which she playfully squirmed at (they both chuckled). "Still, I'm sorry that we don't have an extra rig on hand - it just never came up."
"One day though" came from mommy, whom they both looked over at; she was on their bed, her Amusphere in hand, ready. "I mean, maybe we could get another, possibly used" she continued softly. "That way... she could experience it herself, and learn about diving at the same time."
She gasped a little, before she smiled brightly. "Could you!?"
"She said 'possibly'" daddy cut in, but playfully as he smiled, standing up. "Right now, it's not set in stone - but we'll be open to the idea, as opportunities present themselves."
"Get over here, Kazuto, or we'll be late."
"I'm coming" he teased, before smiling at her - she nodded, and he went to lay down with mommy.
She watched curiously the entire time; she knew that all Nervegear-related rigs recommended the person diving be in a comfortable position, and laying down was one of the easiest. Still, her mommy and daddy fit their Amusphere 2.0's over their eyes before doing so, then glanced at her (she smiled with a little nod). Then, after one final glance at each other, they took each other's hands as their eyes closed. Their breathing slowed as they prepared themselves, if only for a second.
"Link start" they said together.
Watching from the sidelines, she saw nothing, as she expected... still, she wondered at what they saw, as the virtual data took their senses inward and configured themselves into the world of ALO. Oh, she wanted to see it now, but knew she couldn't!
Still, even as she thought so, she noticed that the closet - where they stored the Amuspheres, in addition to a few choice clothes - was open, and upon the middle shelf, she saw two older model Nervegears.
It was as if something crawled through her spine, making her shiver.
She made a sound, wondering if something was wrong with her... but it shouldn't be, because this seemed like another feeling. And as she looked at the older models again, she noticed wear-and-tear from the passage of time, but no great amounts of dust; they'd been taken care of, at least enough. Something compelled her to step closer, looking at them from two feet away, just above her head. Seconds must have passed as she looked at them, breathing faintly - they did nothing but sit there, but she couldn't look away.
"There's no doubt about it" she thought to herself, faint in mental volume. "These are the same rigs that trapped mommy and daddy in SAO."
Even after all these years, they kept them, as a reminder of those times; terrible as they had been, they had shaped them, and been important times of sorrow and happiness. And very likely, they were a reminder of the people they remembered - dead or alive - the friends (and more) they had made, and the effort they put into beating the game. Slowly, hesitant, she reached out and touched them - her fingers slid across their worn surfaces, her breathing out. In a way, she owed these machines just as much as she did Akihiko Kayaba, for the terrible event of trapping them in the game... which also led her to meet them.
She felt a full minute had gone by, but it might have been less or more; without an internal chronometer to look at, there always seemed to be a difference in her perception.
But afterward, she felt herself smiling, her thoughts on another topic - the one she'd been thinking about when mommy and daddy dived into ALO. Slowly, she closed her eyes, her fingers still on the rigs.
"Link start" she softly breathed to herself.
Nothing happened, but that wasn't a surprise; it felt good to say though, hehe.
After that, she opened her eyes, slowly removing her fingers as well... she glanced back, at the way her parents held hands, before she smiled and left the room. She wasn't sure exactly what she was gonna do the entire time, but she knew what she wanted to do now; go outside and play in the snow again before it gets dark!
Hours later
ALO
It was truly a beautiful sight; the entire city of Arun was decorated with lines of Christmas lights, holly, and everything else you could imagine. Everyone was similarly dressed for their occasion, but otherwise as normal as could be, while discussing their preparations for the upcoming Christmas and New Years. Off the main path though, a group held their own party, with some New Years-styled fireworks ready. It was nearly over now, but they were all gathered around for a final toast. A few more minutes, and their party would be over, everyone to log out soon afterward - their other friends had already done so.
"Okay" she said softly, holding up her glass.
Everyone did likewise - it started with her and Kazuto/Kirito, then went Klein, Lizbeth, Silica, Sinon, Agil, and Leafa from their left. They were gathered around the central table, upon which a menorah was placed, all seven of it's candles lit in memory of the Sleeping Knights.
"Here's to our friendship" she continued, raising her glass slightly higher.
"To celebrating an early Christmas and New Years together" Kazuto added beside her, just as soft.
"Nice, taking the easy ones" Klein teased, but raised his glass slightly higher. "To Yui, who's taking the greatest adventure ever."
"Seconded" Leafa added.
"Hey, you can't just second my-"
"Well, I just did, Klein" she teased, raising her glass; everyone but him laughed, though he did crack a smile.
"She's got you there" Liz said, like her usual self. "Anyway, uh, to our futures?"
"Cliche, Liz" Silica breathed, but giggling. "Guess I'll do it too though; to our health."
Liz had a small look, but smiled as she raised her glass with Silica.
"I'm kinda with Klein; taking the easy ones, and making it hard on the rest of us" Agil added, but also teasing.
"Yeah, well I'm not surprised" came from Sinon, giving Kirito a look (he was sheepish). "Anyway" she continued, raising her glass slightly. "Uh... to our happiness?"
"Even more cliche" Agil noted, but smiling, raising his glass. "Just leaves me. And- ah, to our luck."
Somehow, they just made them all laugh, but not just at his toast; at all their toasts, their teases, and their usual antics. It was almost exactly like old times, and they were enjoying every moment of it.
"Anyway, to us" she said gently. "Everyone, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
/
RL
A few minutes later
He stirred a bit, his vision blurry as he settled back into his body - slowly, he moved his hand along the Amusphere, feeling the bed stir beside him. Seconds later, he got up, though he disliked having to let go of Asuna's hand.
"It was great seeing everyone again, and not just in real life; I've kinda missed our ALO looks" Asuna noted, stretching herself. "Plus we drank a lot."
He chuckled a bit. "Well, least none of it was alcoholic" he said mildly, standing up, also stretching. "The companies are prohibited from recreating those effects nowadays-"
"That's not what I meant, Kazuto."
"I know, hehe."
She sighed, very mild, before glancing at the time. "Nearly ten... around when Yui goes to bed" she noted softly, looking back at him. "She must be tired waiting for us."
He nodded, humming a bit, even as the two of them went to stand by the door. "Yeah, but she'll be wide awake the moment she sees us" he said, she nodding with a small smile. So they looked around the house, calling out to her, but nothing initially - it wasn't till they noticed the lights in the family room did they know, finding her moments later.
"Or not" he noted softly.
Yui was seated on the couch, a book on her lap with the lamp on, but she was dozing. Literally, her head was nodding off before going back up, before she slowly started leaning sideways. Even as they watched, her head slowly touched the side cushion, and she made a sleepy sound as she settled in, spread across her seat now. There was also a moment where she hugged the side cushion, as if it were her pillow, or maybe them instead.
It was too cute for words-
-but he still smiled warmly. "Awwww."
Asuna touched her hands to her mouth, looking at him, eyes shining.
He gently held her shoulder, pressed close to him - she leaned against his head for a little, and he appreciated it. "You want to?" he asked gently, after a few seconds went by. "Or should I?"
"I'll do it" she said softly, kissing his cheek, lingering for a little. "I want to savor this memory, Kazuto."
"Just like we've been doing the past month" he thought, but he merely nodded; let her enjoy this cute moment, like he was doing internally. He watched her go on, leaning against the wall, feeling entirely content.
Asuna bent down, gently stroking their daughter's hair, the little girl stirring sleepily at the touch... he could see his wife's smile even from here. Then Asuna turned off the lamp, before gently + slowly picking her up. Yui stirred again, her arms moving up and around her mother's neck, smiling as she sleepily snuggled closer. Asuna 'shining' look got even softer, if that was possible, and she gently rubbed her cheek against Yui's head.
It's like they were trying to make him explode from cuteness overload - he just smiled more; these were his girls.
Asuna came near him after a few seconds, Yui still dozing peacefully. "Jealous, much?" she teased softly, with a little look.
He chuckled a bit, making a 'Nah' gesture, following her as she carried the sleepy Yui.
...
Not a minute later, they were upstairs and had gone into Yui's room. Going ahead of Asuna a little, he moved the covers aside, allowing his wife to gently put Yui down - the little girl didn't wanna let go. Bending down, he picked up the whale plushie - he just managed to slip the it into her arms, and Yui soon hugged it close to her. Seconds after that, she stirred with a little smile, resting her head against the pillows. He and Asuna shared a look, then she pulled the covers back to normal, making sure they were snug.
Been a month, and still hadn't lost it's charm; Yui looked so adorable when she was sleeping. He still remembered a moment in ALO where, while dozing himself, Yui had been sleeping on Pina, on his lap.
For a moment, he glanced at Yui's nightstand, where the likeness of Pina sat.
Asuna drew back then, her fingers having lingered with Yui - he only saw her back, but he was fairly sure what she was feeling, as he was the same. He stepped forward, before gently slipping his arms around her waist.
"Mmm" she breathed happily, leaning against him.
Not just cuteness; warmth overload too, in Asuna's case.
"But that's our family" he thought contently, closing his eyes and just enjoying this time. "My family, Asuna's, and Yui's."
With the date pattern between chapters, this leaves Christmas as the next one, even though it's nowhere near it in real life yet XD