Level Twenty Eight - Fear
Willow Lake Pure - Level 23
"You WHAT!?" Kirito exclaimed after slicing a big hog-like monster in half on the level 23 training plains. "No way, you got a job?"
"Oi oi, don't get so worked up…" Black Fox sighed at him as she watched, having only tagged along to watch his sword skills in action and learn via a technique called Visual Pick-Up. She'd honed the skill to its maximum even though it hadn't been long since they'd gained access to Willow Lake Pure; maybe a month or so, at most. "I only got the job because my father insisted on me getting one, and the company was looking for someone to do some paper pushing… it's not a serious job…"
"But to get into that company as anything more than a mailroom worker is unheard of…" he mumbled, turning around and slicing up another creature before turning back to her. "Seriously, you have all the luck. Item drops, jobs, even with your skill leveling you always seem to get a good completion rate…"
"I know I know." She sighed, crossing her arms. "… It's always lucky…"
"You're not happy with it?"
"It's not that I'm unhappy it's just…" she turned to stare off into the distance. "It means I don't have a lot of free time anymore, you know…?" she grumbled. "Sure, all the classes I'm taking aren't super difficult for the upcoming semester, but it's not like I can take it easy…" she shook her head. "And it's not like I'm any good at what I do anyway…"
"Meaning?" Kirito placed his blade in its sheath as the quest clear screen came up.
"Meaning I wonder if I should have chosen character design and operation as my focus… NPCs and avatar design…" she sighed. "Every detail has to be planned and the graphics need to fall into line with the programming…" she fiddled with her sleeves. She was obviously overthinking it, as she tended to do a lot. Kirito knew now that it was why she did more research on games rather than on school.
"Do you… need help?"
"No, thanks though." She pet his head, making him close his eyes since she was ruffling his locks a little. "I'm okay… promise." Her smile wasn't so sure, but he didn't want to upset her.
"… Okay." He nodded.
Willow Lake Pure - Level 25
Black Fox was walking around town with Cecile, the girl having come back to Willow Lake Pure only because she wanted to pay tribute to Mugen, her fallen friend and former love interest. But as the pair paid tribute to the plaque that was left with the names of every player that had died, they heard something. Turning to see a group making an announcement about their guild, Cecile froze. "That's him." She said, looking shocked. "That's the guy…" she was trembling when Black Fox turned to her. "Black Fox, that's the guy who shot Mugen…"
"What…?" Black Fox turned to Cecile, catching her before she charged ahead at him. "Whoa, easy, Cecile… are you sure?"
"That's the bastard who shot him, I'm sure of it!" she stated, but her voice was drowned out by the voices announcing the guild. "That's… why…?" she gripped Black Fox's arm and hid her face against her friend's shoulder. "I… I can't…"
"… Come on." Akemi glared at the man, eyes widening a little when he made eye contact with her, but she turned away and lead Cecile back to the home she and Kirito had bought so they could talk and figure out what to do.
Upon arriving back at the house, Cecile recanted every detail about the attack that had killed so many front liners in Ryuuko with horrifying detail. She broke down and cried once she got to Mugen's death. "That bastard Higaki shot him!" she sobbed. Asuna, who was there with some of the others for a study session helped comfort Cecile as Black Fox told them what he looked like.
"He looks… like Florien." She stated. "Same red eyes… same blonde hair… their guild is even named Red Rain…" she stated simply.
"… That was Florien's attack name wasn't it?" Kirito asked, leaning his head on his palm as his elbow rested on the arm of his chair.
"One of them, yes… the one he used most." Black Fox sighed. "… I'm gonna go confront him."
"No way, not by yourself."
"I don't want to spook him." She stated. "Besides, I don't want the others getting involved… my father will lay out protection for me should I need it, I'll be the one to go." She stated.
"No. I will." Makoto walked over. "I wanted to have a rematch with Mugen from before everything happened… now I'll never get it… let me do it, Nee-san."
"… It's dangerous."
"I'm aware."
"… be careful, then." Black Fox said, sighing. She had been giving Makoto much more freedom recently, and despite this being dangerous, she wasn't about to deny him the face to face with Mugen's killer… she knew he could keep himself in check, he wasn't going to lash out at someone unless it was in a battle… "Report back in 15 minutes."
"Got it." He replied, taking out a transportation crystal and heading into town where they'd seen Higaki.
Makoto watched Higaki as he talked and recruited some new people, all of which to Makoto seemed like they were delinquents… orange players… but then Higaki waked his way. "Well well, here to join kid?"
"No chance. Here checking the competition." He glared at Higaki, who smirked in response.
"Ohh? Would this "competition" perhaps be a challenge from a certain harbinger of bad luck?" he asked, Makoto's expression not changing in the slightest. But he'd heard that before… he knew this guy was probably close to Florien… at least, he acted like it. It pissed Makoto off, his eyes narrowing slightly at the man. "Well, good luck kid. Red Rain's gonna flood out your fox den." He turned on a heel and left without another word, Makoto waiting for him to be gone before he headed back to his sister and the others. Something big was coming… he just knew…
Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture – June 20, 2025
The morning after Makoto reported his findings to his sister and the others, the siblings were out wandering together. A sibling date, so Akemi had said. "Why are we going out again?" Makoto asked. "I thought you'd want to stay home and log on again."
"Nah… I want to make sure you get to the hospital for your checkup before I get to work." Akemi stated, patting her brother's head. "Besides, I have a bad feeling about something…" she crossed her arms, her black sweater sleeves slightly too big. "I know you hate it when I make a big deal out of it, but I don't want something to go down when I can't be there."
"… Worry wart." He poked her cheek, making her smile a little.
"Yeah well, big sis has to be." She muttered. "Come on, let's go."
"I'm not a kid anymore… I can walk myself to the hospital…" he grumbled as she lead him across the street as the light turned red. "Seriously…"
"I know, but still." She chuckled. "Bear with me for a bit, kiddo." She ruffled his hair when she got a call. "Hello? ... Oh, yes, this is she… Oh, good morning… Yes… Yes I am…" she replied, still walking with Makoto. "Eh? Ah, yes I can… Yes no problem… I'll be in as soon as I can…" she hung up and turned to Makoto.
"Running errands for work?"
"Yeah… apparently my new supervisor is coming in today."
"Well then go." He shooed her. "It's only another 2 blocks, I can go by myself."
"You're sure?" she asked, pouting a little at him.
"I'm sure. Go on." He pushed her towards the direction of her office. "I'll see you at Aunty's for dinner." He added as she glanced back at him over her shoulder. "Bye, Nee-san."
"Bye Makoto." She smiled. "Be safe." She waved before heading off to run errands, Makoto sighing at his sister's behavior. He turned and went towards the hospital, feeling bored. He had been feeling fine, he didn't really see the point of another checkup… but if he didn't go Akemi would get mad and panicky. He contemplated this, but not long after he was ambushed at the corner, pulled into an alley. He wasn't quite sure what went on, but he knew he was getting beat up, punched and kicked and roughed up to the point he was ready to pass out. There must have been quite a few because he couldn't seem to land a serious hit without someone else being there to hit him right after. Someone pulled the thugs off… two, no three someones… who?
"Makoto, come on, wake up!" Ayaori's voice…? Makoto turned his head to see Takuto throwing one of the guys into the wall before hurrying over and helping Ayaori get Makoto up. "Shit, what the hell happened to you?"
"… Aya-nii?"
"Hang on Makoto, we'll get you to the hospital…" Takuto stated.
"Damn it, where the hell was Ake-nee?! She said she was walking you to the appointment!" Ayaori sounded pissed, but not at Akemi. More pissed at whatever dragged her away… work… Makoto's consciousness faded as the two carried him to the hospital.
The brunette man laughed to himself behind closed doors as he got wind of the younger Ryugazaki's incident, putting his phone away as someone knocked. "Come in."
"Um… Pardon me…" Akemi opened the door. "Are you Otonishi-san?"
"Yes, and you must be Akemi~ It's a pleasure to meet you." He smiled. "Come in, let me show you around the office." He said, standing up. This was perfect. Akemi was working for him, and neither she nor her old man had a clue as to who he was or what he had done. No clue to his connection to Florien or his connection to the people who had been beating up Makoto. It was perfect. As soon as he was done showing her around, she got a call. "Go ahead and answer that." He said. "I'll be in a meeting." He headed out the door as Akemi answered her phone, grinning when he heard his office door slam open and the girl running out.
Makoto's hospital room door was open when Akemi arrived, panting and nearly ready to collapse. "M-makoto…" she dropped everything when she saw her baby brother in the bed, laying there… bandages everywhere… he was asleep, sedated… She walked over and dropped to her knees, gripping his hand and laying her head on the bed. "Ma-makoto…" she sobbed. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" she whimpered, Ayaori placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her down as Takuto left to make a call to his sister, having just gotten off the phone with Akemi's father. She stayed there for an hour, not moving and constantly apologizing to her brother. No one stopped her… they couldn't even if they wanted to… Akemi wouldn't move until Kazuto showed up, clinging to him and saying it was all her fault for leaving her brother to walk along. By the time she stopped, she was too tired to keep her eyes open, falling asleep in a chair next to her brother's bedside. It was clear that she was upset… Makoto was her kid brother, after all… Kazuto managed to get her to leave to go home and sleep, but the next morning she came right back. She remained in this state for a week. That was when she made a decision. "Kazuto… I'm not going to log back on until Makoto wakes up."
"… Okay." Was all he could respond with… what else was he supposed to say? Even he didn't really feel like logging on when Makoto was like this. "Do you want me to stay at your place again?"
"… No, it's okay… go home and rest… I'll go to Aunty's when Aya finishes up at the dojo…"
"… Alright." He gave her a hug and reassured her that Makoto would pull through, leaving the room quietly, stopping to hear Akemi's sobbing again. He didn't know how to help her when she was like this. He wanted to go back in and comfort her but he found that no matter what he did, she was just going to keep blaming herself. He sighed, noticing Ayaori at the end of the hall. He walked over to the boy. "She's crying again."
"I'm not surprised." Ayaori shook his head. "She gets WAY too torn up over stuff like this… not that I blame her though." He muttered. "If that happened to the twins, I'd be shaken up too." He glanced at the door to Makoto's room. "Ake-nee's already lost her mom… I don't think she could handle losing Makoto." He murmured. "I remember… at her funeral… Ake-nee kept completely silent..." he told the boy. "Once my mom got her home, she wouldn't stop crying till she passed out… she holds it in till it exhausts her…" he sighed. "It wasn't her fault though…"
"She's just going to think it is till the guys who did it get found, right?" Kazuto sighed as well. "… I can't imagine what I'd to the bastard if I was in her position…" he added.
"I'd beat them to the floor… and make sure they suffer." Ayaori stated.
"I would probably break their nose or something." Kazuto nodded his head. "But Akemi…"
"She would only just stop short of killing them." They both said.
Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture – July 5, 2025; 5pm
Kazuto had messaged Akemi to ask her if she was okay, receiving a short "Yeah, sorry to make you worry." He sighed, gripping his phone and sitting on his bed. Akemi had been really upset recently, she hadn't wanted to snap at him so she asked him not to visit for a while. He agreed, but it was driving him nuts. He wanted to see her, make sure she was okay… however she had insisted so he agreed. He needed to get his mind off of it, picking up his amusphere and placing it on, laying down and closing his eyes. He needed to dive… get away from all the stress. He sighed before kick-starting the link.
Willow Lake Pure – Level 35
"She's STILL on hiatus?" Asuna asked Kirito as Silica, Lisbeth, and Merona finished off the monster on their side of the dungeon. "I thought you said she was just taking a short break? It's been 2 weeks…"
"Yeah well…" Kirito rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well what?" Lisbeth walked over. "I haven't seen Aya … or Majin for that matter. Did something happen?" she asked. Kirito was reluctant to answer, as Aya had said not to bring it up around the girls. He'd seen Akemi nearly bite off the head of one of the girls from Makoto's school happened to notice his name on the door and stopped to say hi… "Hey!" she hit Kirito's shoulder, causing him to jump. "What's up?"
"… Nothing. She's probably busy with her job." He stated. "Aya said he was doing something for Akemi… and Majin probably got pulled in too." He stated. "Come on, let's move forward." He walked ahead. Sinon looked at him and then turned to Lisbeth when the pinkette's hand landed on her shoulder.
"You know what's up?" she asked.
"No… I haven't seen Aya at school at all recently." She shook her head. "I don't know what's going on."
"Damn… what could it be?"
"Maybe we should just leave it?" Silica asked. "It might just be a family thing…"
"But-!"
"Lis, leave it." Asuna said, watching Kirito walk off. She followed him, the others staying back a while. "Hey." She caught up to Kirito, the boy glancing over his shoulder. "… Is everything okay?"
"… Not really." He mumbled, sighing and crossing his arms. He didn't want to say anything, especially not since Akemi had shared her thoughts about Asuna possibly liking Makoto. "… Akemi's dealing with some stuff right now…" he said, keeping it vague. "She's staying away to keep herself from snapping at any of us I guess." He added. "I think she's gonna be okay…"
"You think?" Asuna asked.
"… I've never seen her this upset about something, is all… I mean, sure she's gotten mad or upset before but never like this… She was crying, Asuna…" he muttered. "I didn't know what to do for her…" Sure he'd seen her upset about arguing with her father, he'd seen her cry then… but seeing her crying because Makoto was hurt was… it was different. She seemed so fragile… he shook his head and turned to Asuna. "Anyway, don't worry too much."
"… Okay…" she sighed. "I'll try not to." She smiled a little. "Now, let's go get the others back on track for the quest!"
"Right." He nodded a little. Asuna could tell he needed to get his mind off of Akemi… she must have been really torn up about something, to be making Kirito this lonely… she was worried, but she kept that to herself as she went back to the others and told them to get it together so they could finish the quest. Kirito watched, glad that Asuna hadn't pried too much.
Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture – Makoto's Hospital Room, 6pm
Akemi woke up from her nap, seeing that she was still in Makoto's room. The nurses left her a note telling her to go home and get some real sleep after she ate something. The sun was setting and she sat up straight, stretching. "… Makoto…" she looked at her brother, who was sleeping. "… Wake up soon, okay kiddo?" she pet his head gently before getting up. She headed to the cafeteria and got some food, taking about an hour and a half to finish before she checked with the nurses one last time. She then headed out, leaving the hospital behind for the day. As she thought about things, she felt a little uneasy, continuing to walk but changing course to go towards her father's office building. But as she glanced over her shoulder, someone grabbed her and pulled her into an alley, thick gloves covering her mouth. She struggled, but they didn't let go. She was thrown up against a wall and pinned with a knife against her shoulder. "Scream and you die, kid." The person grinned, and they were wearing a scarf with a symbol that made Akemi freeze up. It was that symbol… this guy was one of Florien's former followers. She didn't know what to do, expecting to get cut up when she heard something get thrown to the ground.
"Akemi, grab the knife!" she opened her eyes and saw Takuto struggling with the person who'd attacked her. She looked to her feet and saw the knife laying there, picking it up hastily as Takuto punched the man in the face to knock him out. He turned to her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her along and out of the alley, stopping at his office building which was a block away. "God, what is wrong with people?" he asked. "Ake?" he turned to the girl, seeing her still holding the knife. "Here, let go." He took it from her, turning to see one of his co-workers. "Hey, Yuma."
"Oh, Takuto? I thought you left." He stated. Yuma had pale blonde hair and brown eyes. "And who's this?" he asked, walking over to them.
"I'll explain later, keep an eye on her." He took out his phone and went to call Akemi's father, Yuma watching his friend walk down the hall and sighing, turning to Akemi.
"What's your name?"
"… Ryugazaki, Akemi…"
"Oh, you're Akemi?" he smiled. "Takuto talks about you like he does Hiwa, you know." He pat her head. "You must mean a lot to him." He added. She just stood there silently until Takuto came back. "Dude, is she okay?"
"She got attacked in an alley outside, I was going home and I looked into the alley cause I heard someone talking… saw some creep on her and I reacted, is all." Takuto said. "I called her father so she'll get a ride home soon-" he stopped, feeling arms wrap around his waist and looking back over his shoulder to see Akemi burying her face against his back and feeling her shaking. "… Hey, Ake, it's okay now." He moved to hug her, Yuma shaking his head at his coworker.
"She's probably scared. Here, I'll go get her some tea." He stated, heading back to the kitchenette in the building to retrieve some tea for the girl. Akemi didn't let go, feeling like she might cry.
"Ake?"
"Takuto…" she muttered, sobbing a little once Yuma was out of the room. "I can't handle this, Takuto…" she shook her head, feeling her tears falling down her cheeks. "Florien's dead, but… but it feels like he's still after me…."
"… He's gone, sweetie, it's okay." He said softly, petting her head. "Don't cry…"
"I don't know what to do… I-I don't want anyone else to get hurt…" she gripped his shirt. "I can't even see Kazuto because I'm scared Florien's flunkies will find him and hurt him!" she looked up, her tears blurring her vision. "I… don't know what to do…" she closed her eyes as her tears fell. Takuto hugged her again and comforted her, hoping she'd calm down.
"… You'll be okay, Ake… I know you will… you're strong." He smiled. "You're brave…" he tousled her hair. "And you don't give up. You're gonna beat this guy. And if you can't, then Kazuto and the rest of us will be around to back you up, okay?" he smiled, letting her cry as much as she needed to, Yuma walking back into the room. "Here, Ake, Yuma brought you some tea. Drink it before your father comes to pick you up."
"…" Akemi looked up at Yuma after wiping her tears and letting go of Takuto. "Thank you…"
"No problem, kid." He pet her head, smiling. "So, you're a gamer?"
Akemi's Apartment – 9:15pm
Akemi wandered into her room and flopped on the bed, her father setting security outside before he headed back to his own place. Akemi pulled out her phone, reading over a new message from Asuna before reading over the last few messages she and Kazuto had exchanged. She waited, stared at her phone for a few minutes, then began a new message. "If you have time… can we talk?" His response was almost immediate.
"Video call?"
"Yes please." Almost as soon as her response was sent, her phone rang with a call from Kazuto. She answered, laying on her bed. "Hey…"
"Hey." He smiled at her. "You look tired…" he paused, noting her eyes being red. "Were you… crying again?"
"… Kazuto, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"… Someone attacked me when I was leaving the hospital…" she stated. "It was one of Florien's flunkies." She added.
"What?!"
"Easy… I'm okay…" she reassured him. "Takuto saved me." She added. "I'm home now, my father set up protection duty… I just… wanted to see you." She added. "… I'm sorry… for being so distant…" she smiled weakly.
"… Tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"Tomorrow, I want to see you. In person." He stated firmly.
"… Okay. After classes?"
"Yeah… You can come with me to my place."
"… Is that really okay?"
"I don't want you being alone so…" he mumbled, cheeks tinting a little pink as he averted his gaze. "… besides, Sugu will be with the others at Rika's place…"
"Oh?" she smiled a little. "Asking me over when your house is empty? I hope you're not angling for something more than companionship~" she chuckled, Kazuto smiling a little. "Alright, I'll make some lunch, then."
"Great. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yep, tomorrow~" she smiled back. "Goodnight, Kazuto… I love you."
"… Same to you, Akemi." He waved goodbye and let her hang up first before sighing, flopping back on his bed. "At least she smiled…"
"Ehehe… Kazuto's always able to make me feel better." She rolled onto her side and hugged onto her stuffed bear. "Time to make some delicious sandwiches for a Saturday house-date~"
((Finally another chapter-
Sorry for the long wait- ; n ;
For those of you who follow this story, I'll be ending it in about 5 or 6 more chapters. Thanks for reading and thanks for all the reviews ; v ; I'd still like more though~
Anyway, thanks again for reading (and possibly reviewing)~
Look forward to what happens as my story draws to a close o v o
-Winter Cheshire))