Level Fifteen: Tears

Country of Fallen Leaves: Lodging in First City – February 13th, 2025

Akemi opened her eyes, seeing Kirito already "awake" and staring at her. "Morning." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "How did you sleep last night?"

"I slept well." She replied simply, smiling as he kissed her forehead a second and third time. "Somehow, I feel like you're angling for more affection…" she pulled him closer, tucking his head under her chin. "… I miss waking up to you like this every morning…"

"I do too." He sighed, letting her hold him. It wasn't like it used to be in Ryuuko… he would wake up in his room alone and have to get ready for school… He had to call or message Akemi to see her, and usually she had work to do for school or for her aunt and uncle. "Is it too late to ask you to be my tutor?" he questioned, nuzzling against her neck. "And maybe sometimes… for us to sleep at your apartment together…?"

"Kazuto." She sighed, hugging him tighter. "If it were so easy, I would have asked…" she rubbed his back a little. "…" she chuckled more, making him look up at her. "When did you take off your shirt?" she asked, grinning a little. "You were hoping for something more than a good morning kiss?"

"Wh-wha-?! N-no I wasn't!" he exclaimed, panicking as she pulled him closer. He noticed a small panel open up in his line of vision, seeing the option to either accept of decline the 18+ option, despite his not being 18 years old yet. But before he could do anything, the panel vanished and he heard Akemi sigh.

"Sorry." She mumbled. "… I'm being pushy, aren't I?"

"It's not a big deal…" he replied, cheeks bright red. "…I don't want to rush, but… I won't say no if you want us to." He added, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I want us to be together as much as possible… but I know you're busy… and I also know you're already dealing with a lot of stuff so I don't want to just impose on you or anything…"

"You? Impose on me?" she chuckled. "Aww… you're still too adorable for words." She said, kissing the top of his head. "Well… it's been 2 weeks since we entered the game… and we're both done with our starter quests and our first missions…" she said, letting go enough to lay him on his back and lean over him a little. "Shall we go out on a date?"

"E-eh?" he looked up at her, face red. "I-in game?"

"Is that bad? You're busy with school, and I am too, so IRL its difficult to find the time… at least here we can spend our time together…" she whispered, squeezing his hand. "… I… kind of miss being stuck in Ryuuko… at least then we didn't have to worry about things like school…" she mumbled, looking a little bothered with the concept of leaving him to have to do things for school. "I don't like being apart…"

"… neither do I…" he smiled up at her. "But… it makes our time together mean more…" he pulled her down closer, kissing her cheek. "So… let's enjoy it… What shall we do on our date today?"

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture: February 13th, 2025 – 8pm

Akemi sat up and removed her Amusphere. Even after a whole day on Rise of the Autumn Moon with Kazuto, she was bothered. She glanced at her phone and noticed 4 missed calls. "…" she stood up and checked to see who they were from, immediately looking angry and tossing her phone onto her desk.

"Nee-san?" Makoto opened the door. "What was that noise?"

"Nothing, Makoto." She smiled, walking over and leading her brother to the kitchen. "Come on, I'll cook you some sukiyaki." Makoto nodded, glancing back into her room before she closed the door, seeing her phone on the desk.

"… did HE call again?" he asked, seeing his sister tense almost instantly.

"… Yeah." She mumbled, stopping at the fridge and grabbing a cup for water. "He keeps leaving messages… I'm sick of reading them…"

"Can't you just get a new phone?" he asked. She shook her head, sighing. "… can't I do something to help?" he questioned, causing her to look at him. "… I don't want you to deal with it alone."

"Makoto… sweetie…" she smiled weakly. "I'm not alone… you're on my side…" she tousled his hair. "Now, come on." She got out the ingredients for the meal. "Help me out."

Elsewhere, there was a man wandering the streets. He was waiting… watching… but tonight, the person he wanted to see did not walk by the place he waited. He mumbled to himself now, sounding like a jealous lover who'd been left out in the cold or something. He just kept mumbling about these things as he headed home to brew himself some tea and make his dinner. "Just you wait…" he muttered under his breath. "I'll come for you soon…"

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture: February 14th, 2025

Kazuto was walking out of the school building, having been offered chocolates and whatnot from girls who didn't know he was dating. He turned them all down, only wanting to see one girl today. He walked with Makoto, who was in his last class, over to the gate to see a familiar figure standing there. She swayed to soft electronica music in the air, coming off of her headphones. She was wearing a pair of red glasses, a white collared shirt and a black skirt, a loosened red tie around her neck and an unbuttoned black blazer over her arm. Her shoes and socks were black, and her lavender eyes locked with his once she looked up. "Akemi…?" he went over to her, Makoto hanging back to give them some space. "Akemi, what are you doing here…?" he noticed some people watching, noticing a few girls who he had turned down earlier.

"Hey." She pulled off her headphones and pulled him into a hug, making him blush. He felt her put something in his hand and looked at it, seeing a small box of wrapped chocolates. "Happy Valentine's Day, Kazuto." She said softly, kissing his cheek. "I missed you…"

"I-it hasn't been that long." He mumbled. "… you came all the way here to give me these?" he questioned, looking up at her as she let up on her hug. "Akemi, you didn't have to…"

"I wanted to." She stated, petting his head. "Besides." She chuckled. "You're too vulnerable. What if some crazy stalker caught you walking home alone?" she pouted, making him laugh. "I'm just saying…" she mumbled.

"You watch too many crime-dramas." Makoto sighed at his sister, walking closer to the pair. "Besides… Kazuto can take care of himself."

"Awww, Makotoooo." She complained. "You're ruining my fun… I was hoping that would make him want to spend the night." Makoto just rolled his eyes at his sister. "Booo, Makoto's a meanie." She hugged her brother, but it was obviously very different than her hug with Kazuto. "Give me hugs, then I'll forgive you."

"No." he replied simply, slipping out of her grip.

"Makotooooo, come back." She said, taking Kazuto's hand so he could keep up before chasing after her fast-moving brother. "Makotoooooo." Kazuto just smiled, knowing by now that Akemi and Makoto were always behaving like this to one another. He thought on her words and blushed, realizing that he didn't have to head home today. He could stay with her all night, thanks to Makoto being his study partner. His parents had even given permission, having met Akemi a few days before at the market place by chance. But he's also learned something he didn't know much about before. Akemi's father travelled a lot for work, so he was never home and Akemi had become the one responsible for buying groceries and whatnot for Makoto and herself. She'd also been paying for everything that wasn't hospital related by herself, including the rent on her apartment.

"… Akemi…"

"Yes?" she asked, Makoto waiting for them on the street corner as they walked.

"… about your father…" he felt her hand tighten around his. "… Do you not like him?" he questioned, looking up at her. Her eyes were sad, and she wouldn't meet his gaze.

"I… don't really know anymore… I haven't spoken to him in a long time…" she stated softly. Something was really bothering her, but Kazuto didn't want to press too far. He just squeezed her hand back before pulling her a little faster towards her brother. "… Kazuto?"

"Don't be sad…" he said to her. "… we get to be together tonight." He said with a smile. "That's good, isn't it?" she just stared for a minute before smiling and nodding. "So, let's go."

"Quit being so lovey-dovey around me." Makoto said as they met him on the corner. "It's weird…" The three continued to the grocery store, and then back to Akemi's and Makoto's apartment after they'd bought what they needed. Akemi still seemed bothered, but Makoto told Kazuto as she put the food away that she was just in a bad mood recently; family issues. Kazuto didn't press further.

That night, after all the studying and work was complete, Makoto had gone to bed early since he was feeling sleepy. Akemi was sitting on the couch with her laptop, working on something for one of her classes as Kazuto sat next to her, leaning on her shoulder. "Thank you for dinner… it was good…" he said softly, glancing up at her. She paused in her work and turned to him with a small smile.

"I'm glad…" she pet his head before going back to her work. "It's not often I get to cook for you, so I want to make the most of it." She stated. He nodded, wondering what exactly she was typing and glanced over her shoulder to try and read it, only to have her close the laptop. "Are you spying on me?" she asked, chuckling and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I still have to show you, right? What I wanted that night in Ryuuko." Kazuto felt his face get as red as possible, feeling one of her hands move under his shirt to tug at the waist of his pants.

"A-akemi…" he managed to say, letting her push him onto his back before she got on top of him, straddling him. "D-don't… w-we're still… Wh-what if Makoto wakes up…?"

"Aww, you're so cute." She chuckled. "But you wanted to know…" she leaned over and kissed his cheek, moving back to his ear and nuzzling him. "I wanted to make you feel good, Kazuto." He felt her hand that had been on his pants slide under his shirt, pushing it up a little. "Is that so wrong?" He shook his head, gasping when he felt her kissing his neck.

"A-akemi wait-" The girl stopped and removed her hand as there was a sound at the door. She got off of Kazuto, who sat up, still red in the face as the front door opened. A man in a suit walked in, seeing Akemi and staring at her before turning to see Kazuto.

"Who's this?" his voice was deep and he seemed very stoic, his expression almost reaching a point of annoyance. "He looks too young for you. Is he a tutoring student?"

"You shouldn't be home." She stated, glaring at the man in a way that almost frightened Kazuto. He'd almost never seen her so angry. "You had business, didn't you? Or did one of those annoying kiss-ups at Makoto's school tell you some outrageous made up story?"

"That is no way to talk to your father, Akemi." He replied. "Especially not in front of a guest. And besides, I called you plenty of times."

"Oh, so NOW you want to play the fatherly role?" she hissed at him. Makoto came out of his room, looking shocked as he emerged from the hall. "Makoto, go back to your room."

"B-but Akemi-nee-"

"Go." She turned to him, looking like she was holding back a lot of anger towards the man who had walked in, as well as concern for her little brother. "And take Kazuto with you."

"R-right…" he mumbled, helping Kazuto to get his things and head into his room. As soon as the door closed, Makoto turned up the music, barely drowning out the argument going on in the main room. Kazuto looked to Makoto for an answer. "… Otou-san and Akemi-nee haven't been on good terms for a long time…" he stated to his classmate, sitting down on his bed. "When I was admitted to the hospital the first time, Otou-san came home and stayed for a week… but…" he sighed. "He kept spending less and less time whenever it happened… I was pretty sickly as a kid…" he looked over at Kazuto. "Once he stopped coming all together, Akemi-nee had lost her patience with him… that was the first time she yelled at him… He called to tell Akemi-nee to make sure to get my school work from the teachers… and she just started screaming at him. "How can you call yourself his father?" and "Unless you're going to be a good parent, then just stay away!"… Stuff like that." He recounted.

"He… never came to visit you after that?"

"Nope… and when Akemi-nee was put in the hospital, he said he was too busy to come back… I never told her, but I guess a nurse or someone told her no one came to visit while she was unconscious." Makoto replied, hearing them still arguing. "… Akemi-nee doesn't want him to keep coming back if he won't stay… but she doesn't hate him. She just… wants a family that will be stable, is all… that's why we go to Aunty's all the time."

"Because they're always taking care of you guys." He looked to the door and sighed. He wanted to go out there and calm Akemi down, but… her father was kind of scary. "Why doesn't he visit, though…?"

"… I dunno… Guess its cause Okaa-sama died." He mumbled. "He doesn't want to be reminded of her… He loved her a lot, but…" he shook his head. "When she died, he was in a bad way… he took down all the pictures of her and he drowned himself in work… Akemi-nee didn't know what to do or how to help…" he heard the front door close and he turned the music down, going quickly with Kazuto back to the main room. Akemi was sitting against the door, looking like she was crying as she hid her face in her hand. "A-akemi-nee…"

"Akemi." Both boys sat down next to her, but Akemi just shook her head, mumbling that she "couldn't stand" her father and that he should just stay away forever as her tears fell to the floor. Kazuto hugged her and tried to comfort her as Makoto rubbed her back. Neither boy really knew what to do to help her calm down.

Ryugazaki Apartment – February 15, 2025

Kazuto awoke the next morning, looking up to see Akemi sitting next to him. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, realizing he was in her bed. "Akemi…?"

"Sorry… I didn't mean to ruin last night." She turned to him with a small smile, but her eyes were all puffy. She'd kept crying even after he'd passed out last night. She leaned over and nuzzled his cheek, giving him a quick hug before getting up. "I'll go make breakfast."

"Wait." He pulled her back and into a hug, making her eyes go wide in surprise. "… I… I love you, Akemi…" he mumbled, nuzzling against her back as he wrapped his arms around her tighter. "S-so… W-we can pick up what we started later…" She chuckled and turned to him, hugging him in return. She was holding him really close and really tight… he leaned his head against her shoulder and breathed in deeply. "Are you okay?"

"I will be…" she responded, rubbing his back before she let go. "Now, come on. You have school."

The pair walked into the kitchen seeing Makoto standing at the fridge and looking shocked. "What's up?" Kazuto asked him, making the boy turn to them.

"Akemi-nee did you even sleep last night?" he asked her with concern. Kazuto peeked into the fridge to see a ridiculous amount of food for bentou, eyes widening.

"Mmmm, not really." She chuckled at him. "Bring it out, I've gotta pack it." She stated, having already heated up some foods and packed them into the boxes on the table. Both boys stared as Akemi was packing their boxes, turning to each other, then back to her again. "Don't just stand there you two." She chuckled. "Eat your breakfast." She motioned to the plates that were on the table next to the boxes.

"A-akemi-" Kazuto began, only to be cut off with a kiss from his girlfriend, making his cheeks burn bright red.

"No complaints. Now eat." She chuckled, going to finish her handiwork. Makoto sat down first, looking concerned, but knowing better than to question her when she'd seen her father the night before. Kazuto soon followed and sat down to eat with his classmate as Akemi cleaned up and tied up the lunches.

Kawagoe High School – February 15, 2025

Kazuto and Makoto sat down to eat their lunches, joined by Asuna and a few others. They opened their lunches as their friends stared at them. "Wh-what?"

"Did Akemi-san make those?" Asuna asked, looking impressed. "I can't lose to her! My cooking skills will be superior!" she exclaimed, making the others laugh. As they were about to begin eating, Makoto stopped and stared across the way making the others look as well. "Is that…?"

"Makoto! Kazuto! Asuna!" There was Akemi with some other people as well as Ayaori.

"A-akemi-nee?!"

"Aww that's no way to greet your sister who's bringing you desserts." She pouted at Makoto and poked at his cheek as she sat next to him. "Don't make that face."

"Wh-why are you here anyway?"

"Our teacher cancelled class." One of two twins stated.

"And we decided to come visit, since Akemi was coming too." The other twin grinned. Kazuto stared for a moment.

"Cecile-san…?"

"That's me." The girl chuckled. "This is my brother. He isn't much of a gamer as he is an artist." He pat him on the back. "Cecil-nii, say hi."

"Nice to meet you, Kazuto-kun." He smiled. "Take good care of Akemi, kay? She's a real sweetheart, she is." Akemi pouted and went to pull on Cecil's cheek, making him laugh at her. "Awww, get off I'm sorry, don't pull- agh!"

"No. Making. Fun. Of. Me." She stated, pulling his cheeks, making Cecile laugh.

"I'm sowwy I'm sowwy!" he managed as she pulled harder.

"Hey you two, cool it. No sibling love needed here." An energetic girl laughed. "Or you'll make Kazuto-kun jealous." Akemi immediately let go and pouted at the girl.

"Suzukaaaa." She complained, making the girl grin wider. Akemi just went to sit with Kazuto and pouted at her friends, Kazuto looking across the group, then to Akemi. "…?"

"I'm glad to see you, but… when did you get here?" he asked her. "And why…?"

"I wanted to see you…" she smiled at him. "That's all…" she took his hand, which caused him to blush bright red again. The group settled in and everyone went back to their food as Akemi opened up a box of sandwiches. "There's plenty if anyone wants some."

"Alright, Akemi's sandwiches are great~!" Suzuka cheered; Cecil and Cecile both taking one with a bow of thanks to Akemi. Kazuto looked at Akemi before taking one, eating a small bite.

"… this is amazing…" he scarfed down the rest of his bit in an instant. "Akemi, its so good!"

"I-I'm glad…" Akemi blinked, having never received such praise from him. "I-I can make you more…" Asuna laughed at their cutesy moment along with Cecile and Suzuka, Cecil just grinning at them as Ayaori took a sandwich. It was… nice… being around such good friends…

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture – February 16, 2025

The man wandered the streets, stopping at the door to a bar and slipping inside. He walked over to a man at the counter and ordered a drink. "You called?" he asked.

"My daughter is dating a younger man, Ishimura…" the man at the bar sighed, his stoic features illuminated by the light. "What do I do? I wasn't around for years… she hates me…" he muttered. "I can't be a good father if I don't know what's going on…"

"Sir, don't worry." Ishimura stated. "I'm sure things will work out… After all, your daughter is a smart one… and this boy is surely just a phase."

"… I don't know… she defended him so strongly when we argued." He sighed. "… I wish there was more I could do."

"Don't worry." Ishimura took the drink and pat the other man's back. "Everything will be fine, Ryugazaki." He sipped his alcohol. "Just give it a little time."

"… I guess…"

((Finally I got another chapter up. Sorry for taking so long, I came down with a case of the dreaded Writer's Block. ; u ;

I hope you all like it! ; u ; We discover something new about the baddie and delve into Akemi's family troubles!

Look forward to the next chapter please!

-Winter Cheshire))