I thank whitworth5274 for helping me.

February 24, 2024: Floor 47

The holiday season passed quickly for Haruza and the rest of Aincrad. As the new year came in, the Assault Team resumed its march to the top of the floating castle, breaking through the second checkpoint that was the 50th floor without much chaos. As of now, Holy Dragon Alliance, the Knights of the Blood Oath, and their associates were taking on the cold mountains of the 55th Floor.

Haruza was with them, but last night, she received a message from her friend Kirito, to meet him on the forty-seventh floor, Floria, the next day. After making preparations, she made her way to the conquered land, waiting for him in their designated meeting spot: the beautiful flower garden that is the highlight of the floor.

Well, he chose it, and Haruza was asleep when she received the message, so there was no way to ward him off from meeting her there. You ask why that might be? Just look around.

Couples. Couples everywhere.

Long ago, the land that would eventually make up the forty-seventh level used to be a desolated, polluted wasteland. Plants developed with technology in the times before Aincrad's formation were spread across the land.

The completion of this floor came down to the cultivation of one such plant, the Therapia Tree, and using it would allow the adventurers to traverse the polluted dungeons. The two guilds and their allies succeeded in cultivating the tree, but in the chaos of a sudden attack by the mysterious PK group, the Therapia Tree was poisoned. The aftermath split the unity of the two guilds, even created a rift within the HDA on whether to take the Therapia Tree grown in near a castle that the NPCs rely on. Another idea was to regrow the new tree, but that came at the risk of attracting the PKers again.

When all other options were exhausted, it came to a suggestion from a friend of Haruza: to storm the Celestial Tower, take out the boss, Leia the Legion Butterfly, and stop a civil war between players and NPCs. While Asuna and Lind remained behind to buy them time, Haruza joined the group that followed that player into the labyrinth, a repeat of the reckless attack on the fifth floor's boss over a year earlier that Kirito led, and they won just in time.

Since then, the Flower Garden served not only as the floor's Teleport Gate but as a premier dating spot, enough to make Haruza want to hurl and feel jealous at the same time.

"Couples everywhere. This place would be a great place to date, if I ever get one." As she said that, one guy popped into her head. A dark-haired swordsman that's not Kirito. It's been a while since she's seen Taicho, but being here in the garden reminded her of their time together during the previous season. They spent Christmas together with Kirito, but on New Years' Eve, it was just the two of them. And while it's been many months since their conversation the night she met him outside of her inn room, she hadn't forgotten how he waited until she returned and how he listened to her despite his weariness. Or how valiant he looked in defending Yuna and Nautilus in the dungeon on the 40th Floor the past October.

Shaking her head, she glanced around to not think of Taicho. During that, she saw Kirito with a girl in pigtails and sprung to her feet. "K-Kirito!"

Kirito waved with a smile on his face. "Hey Haruza. Thanks for coming on short notice."

"Who's your new friend?"

The girl, hidden partially behind Kirito, nervously stated, "A-Ah! My name's Silica!"

Haruza gave her best smile to show the girl she was no threat. "Nice to meet you. I'm Haruza. I'm one of Kirito's close friends."

"Close...friends? I didn't know he had close friends."

Haruza allowed a teasing smile to flash at Kirito before explaining. "Um, it's really hard to explain, but we're close like siblings. Feels like I need to watch over him so he doesn't do something stupid."

"I'm fine, Haruza. Really," he grumbled.

"But what if you get into that situation again? Or another one of those situations you really like getting into."

"I promise you, I won't get into that situation again! As for those, you had your fair share of them too!"

Haruza shrugged. Sometimes the perils of being a front liner are just as fun as they're scary. Not Haruza's fault she kept encountering them — unlike Kirito, who seemed to seek them out. Seeing no end to that line of conversation, she turned her attention back to Silica. "So, why are you here?"

Silica came out from behind Kirito and answered, "...To save Pina."

"Pina?" Something about the name was vaguely familiar.

"My dragon...Pina."

"Oh, you're a beast tamer. I've actually been thinking about getting one. Think you could give me some tips?"

"Um, sure..."

XXXXXXXX

Once they were away from the garden, Kirito materialized a blue crystal in his hand and gestured for Silica to take it. "What's that for?"

"If anything bad happens while we're in here, I'm gonna tell you to warp out, ok? When I do, use this crystal. You can jump to any town with it."

"But-"

"No buts, use it."

Seeing such a serious face on Kirito brought a smile to Haruza. He really has changed. She took the teleport crystal from him and placed it in Silica's hand, folding her fingers over it. "He's just trying to protect you. Though, with two of us here, you might not need it."

Silica relented there, nodding to the older girl. "I understand."

"Let's get going. If we take this path, it will take us right to the Hill of Memories."

Following Kirito, the girls walk side by side in silence through the field of pink flowers. Haruza didn't know what to talk about. How did Kirito and Silica meet? Why were they here? So many questions that he wasn't haring answers to. Meanwhile, the younger girl looked like she wanted to say something too.

"Uh, Kirito—" Just as quickly as Silica started to speak, her small body is whisked away from Haruza's sight. Turning around, sword hand reaching for her blade, Haruza spotted the young girl had been grabbed by vines...alive vines that originate from a monstrous pink and yellow flower plant called a Garnish Gerbera. And it looked hungry, starting with the appetizer that is Silica.

Haruza had totally forgotten the flora isn't all sweet to look at, and how could she forget? Back when she helped the floor's progression, she had gotten caught in a similar situation herself. And if memory served her right, it went something like how this moment is playing out now.

"Calm down! That thing's not that strong!"

"Help, Kirito! Save me! But don't look! Save me, but don't look!"

Hand over his face aside from one eye, Kirito responded, "That will be... difficult."

"Oh, for crying out loud..." Yep. Haruza was with her other two friends while they quested to grow the Therapia Tree. She had been caught, and between her embarrassment, the male's unwillingness to help (for many reasons) and the second girl's decisive action, this brought up repressed memories for Haruza. Thankfully, she was on the other side of the situation.

Sword in hand, she sprung to action just as Silica regained some composure. "Darn you! Put me down, NOW!" She slashed one of the vines holding her up, then began to free fall. Without any coordination, the two women simultaneously hit the Gerbera with sword skills. For Haruza, that might've been a one-hit-kill at her level alone, but it is certain death for the plant with two skills attacking it.

Back on solid ground, Silica nodded her appreciation to Haruza, then faced Kirito. "You see anything?"

"Not really."

A much different answer than what Haruza received back then. Sighing, she ranted, "This is why I chose my avatar to be male. Every girl avatar has a short skirt at the beginning. And I would never wear something like that when I'm fighting."

"You chose a male avatar?" Silica asked.

Kirito smirked and tried to hold back laughter. "Oh yeah, she did. No wonder I didn't recognize you beforehand. You must miss your muscles, you freak."

Haruza felt an artery throb in her forehead. "You really think I'd want the appearance of a muscle man? And what about your former avatar? That handsome bastard doesn't deserve to be associated with the likes of you."

"...You were a muscled freak, haha! "

XXXXXXXX

After fighting more monsters in their way, eventually leveling Silica to level-47, the trio contiued onward. As they walked, Silica asked, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's your sister like?"

Haruza raised an eyebrow. "You told her about...her?"

Kirito sighed. "Accidently, yeah. Why do you wanna know?"

"Well, you said I looked like her. I know it's not polite to ask about your real life, but what's she like?"

"I call her my little sister, but she's really my cousin."

Haruza gasped. "What?! We've been friends for years, and you never told me that?!"

Kirito, a little agitated, remarked, "I-It just...wasn't the right time! Like I said, she reminds me of her!"

"Huh?"

"We were raised like brother and sister since we were kids so I doubt she even knows. But I know and I guess that's the reason I avoided her."

"What if she's figured it out? She's not stupid. You have no idea how much she's come to me wondering what she did wrong. She's your family, don't give me your responsibility."

"Well...It's not like I meant for that to happen. Sorry about that, Haruza."

"It's fine."

"Our grandfather's really strict. When I was eight, he made us take classes at the local Kendo Dojo. But after a couple years, I stopped going. Grandpa beat the hell out of me for that."

"That's awful."

"...He sounds like my mother. She won't stop pushing me to be the best on the gymnastics team. And that's the reason I got hurt." Haruza frowned.

"Anyway, then my sister stood up for me and told him to stop. She said she'd train hard for both of us. And she did. She trained hard. She even made it to the nationals."

"She did? How awesome!" chimed Silica.

"You owe her a lot. No one stood up for me and talked things over with my mom."

Kirito glanced away and held his hand up to his chest, as if Haruza's words — unintentionally — pierced his heart: "Yeah. I've always felt guilty about putting her through that. I wouldn't doubt it if she hates me. God knows she could've been doing something else."

"Alright! That's it!" Haruza jabbed a finger Kirito's way, her face. "There's no way she hates you! She's worried about you and you made her feel lonely! Like you don't trust her... like you don't trust me. I just wish... you would do that more and let someone help you if you have problems."

Kirito gritted his teeth and, in an uncharacteristic bout of anger, slapped Haruza's finger away: "I can handle my own problems. Besides, Haruza, you aren't one to talk. If I kept my problems to myself, aren't you guilty of the same? Not one time have I asked you to help me; likewise, you're only helping me out of a strange sense of responsibility. Because of your own problem you seem set on refusing to fix. What happened with Sachi is one matter, but with my sister is another, so do me a favor and stop throwing it in my face!"

"Stop, don't fight!" Silica stood between them, pushing them apart. "There's no need to fight over this. You two are friends, real-life friends, and you care for each other, so don't fight over this."

Kirito sighed, grabbing his forehead. "Yeah... yeah, Silica, you're right. I...didn't mean it like that, Haruza. It's just... I want to fix my problem with Su—with my sister myself. Maybe that's why I wanted to help you, Silica. In a weird way, it makes me feel like I'm paying her back."

Haruza, feeling her anger dissipate, glanced at Kirito. "Sorry for what I said. But... when we get home, I'm gonna drag you over to your sister and make you pay her back in person before you lose her. Whether you like it or not."

"There it is."

"If you don't mind me saying," Silica interjected, "I agree with Haruza. I don't think your sister hates you at all. She wouldn't work that hard if she didn't like you. Promise. And I bet she even loves kendo."

Kirito grumbled and turned away. "There you go again. Making me feel better. Maybe both of you are right. Man, I hope so."

"Ok then! I'm gonna do my best, too!"

Silica took a step forward, and a red circle appeared underneath her feet. Out came six thick, pink projections from a singular, tubular purple body. She screamed as the tongue-like appendages wrapped around her. "K-Kirito!"

This time, Kirito reacted quicker than Haruza, slashing the purple tube in one go.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Is that reviving flower around here?"

"Yeah. Over there."

Kirito led the girls down the end of the brick path. At the end, a monument is erected. Four twisting pillars surround a floating pedestal. Excited, Silica ran to the pedestal. A glowing light on top of the pedestal reacted to her presence, forming a small bud that quickly bloomed into a white flower.

"Go ahead. Pick it up," Kirito instructed. Silica grasped the item and registered it under her ownership. With a smile she faced the elder players.

"You sure it will bring Pina back to life?"

"Uh-huh."

"Yep."

Her smile grew. "I'm so glad."

"There's a bunch of strong monsters lurking around here. Let's revive it when we get idback to town. I'm sure Pina would want it that way."

"Ok!"

After some time of walking and fighting monsters, they returned to the bridge in the vicinity of the Flower Garden. Silica giggled as she was moments away from a revival of Pina. That's when Kirito placed his hand on Silica's shoulder and Haruza glared at the distance. There's nothing but trees ahead of them, but the two top players were no stranger to the quiet threat of danger that the path ahead presented to them.

"Is something wrong?" Silica asked.

Kirito mentioned nothing to Silica, instead he shouted to the trees, "Whoever's hiding out there, come out, now!"

"Don't even try it! We know you're there!" From one of the tree closest to the bridge to their left walked a young woman in black and red armor. On first appearance, she's definitely a few years older than Haruza. Her beautiful face was half-covered by flowing red hair. In her right hand is a spear with a thin, cross-shaped blade at the end.

Silica gasped with recognition of the woman. "Rosalia?!"

Rosalia? That name is awfully familiar... Oh, right. There's been talk of a woman with that name, an orange player who attacks and steals from her victims. "That witch?"

"If you saw through my hiding skill so easy, your detection skill must be really high, swordsman. Ooo! It looks like you were successful getting your hands on the Pneuma Flower. Congratulations! Now, hand it over before you get hurt."

"What are you talking about?!"

"Drop dead..."

Kirito stood between the girls and the woman. "No one's handing anything over, Rosalia. Not to you or the orange guild. Or should I say "Titan's Hand"? You're their leader, right?"

"Nice."

"But Rosalia's cursor is green."

"It's an easy trick. The green members find their victims, then they lure them straight to the orange players for the ambush. That was one of your pals last night, eavesdropping on us, wasn't it?"

"Then, the reason you were in that party with me and the others was to..."

Rosalia's smirk elongated. "How perspective. I was observing their strength and watching them earn all that beautiful money."

Haruza's frown lowered after Rosalia licked her lips like an anticipating predator. "I want you to know, those who lick their lips in greed of money and sex have had their tongues cut out by me."

"Unfortunately for you, I have many tongues for you to cut." Turning her attention back to Silica, Rosalia continued, "You were who I was excited about and I was so sad when you left the party. But then you told me you were getting a rare item. What I want to know is if you knew about us, why did you bring her here? Are you dumb, or does she have you wrapped around her finger?"

"You're the one who's dumb, underestimating him like that." Haruza growled

"Nope. You're wrong both times. See, I've been looking all over for you, Rosalia."

"What are you talking about?"

"Remember ten days ago? You attacked a guild called 'The Silver Flags'. The leader survived. Four didn't."

"Oh, the losers with no money." Rosalia said, unimpressed.

"Their leader went back and forth from the war-point to the front lines morning till night and with tears in his eyes, he begged everyone he met to avenge his dead friends. But he didn't want you killed. No. He wanted you to go to prison. Do you have any idea how he felt?"

"Can't say I do. Only idiots take this seriously. So what if we kill someone here? There's no proof dying here means you're dead IRL. Anyway, it's time you started worrying about yourselves." Snapping her fingers, Rosalia summoned another green player and six orange players.

Haruza unsheathed her sword, joining Kirito in front of Silica. "Now I see why you called me, Kirito."

Scared, Silica frantically said, "Kirito, Haruza, there's too many of them! We should get out of here."

"No, it's ok," Kirito comforted. "You'll be safe if you stay here. Keep the crystal handy til I say so."

"Ok." She materialized the crystal Haruza handed her earlier, then faced the other girl in the party.

Haruza gave her best smile. "We can handle these losers." Nodding to Kirito, the two left Silica behind to engage the PKers before them. Hearing Silica call their names again, however, had an unintended effect.

One of the players gasped as the two top players drew their blades and walked towards them. "Kirito?! Haruza?!"

"Dressed in black, one-handed, no shield. Hair like a firestorm, one-handed katana, with an extra one on the side. Holy crap, it's the Black Swordsman and the Twinblade. Rosalia, those two! They're the Beaters who played solo on the frontlines! They're with the Assault Team!"

"No way, they are?!" Silica gasped.

Haruza smirked while they kept walking toward Titan's Hand. "Seems we got a reputation."

"Mhm. Follow my lead." Kirito nodded.

"Why would some kids from the Assault Team be all the way down here? Go on, take them out, and take everything they own!"

"Die!" The seven men charged at the duo with flashing swords. Following Kirito's lead, the pair allowed the men to attack. Slash after slash struck their forms. Haruza just stood there with her arms crossed while Rosalia chuckled in front of them.

"Yeah, laugh it up, Rosalia. Very soon the joke will be on you."

After the attack flurry ended, the seven men were panting while Kirito and Haruza remained in place. Haruza cheekily gazed at her status bar and Kirito's, then glanced at the guys with an unimpressed sigh. "Is that all you can do?"

"WHAT THE HELL?" Rosalia shouted. "YOU IDIOTS! KILL THEM ALREADY!"

"410 seconds, give or take. That's about the total damage the seven of you can inflict on me. I'm level-78. I've got 14,500 HP. My battle healing skill auto generates 600 points every 10 seconds. We could stand here all day, and you wouldn't get anywhere."

"And I'm level-76, with an HP of 14,000. And as long as I'm out here on this wonderful sunny day and surrounded by nature, my sword's grants me a HP buff as well as an auto heal at a rate of 1000 every 15 seconds."

"That's not possible!"

"Wanna bet?" Kirito directed at one of the orange players. "If your numbers are high enough, you're invincible. MMOs that use leveling systems are unfair that way." From his pocket Kirito drew out a large blue warp crystal. "My client spent his entire fortune on this warp crystal and he'll get his money's worth! It's been set to the coordinates of the prison and I'm sending all of you bastards there!"

"And to make sure you don't get away..." With blinding speed, Haruza tapped each man with the tip of her blade, making all seven men all down in place. They're struck with a paralytic poison effect, a buff on her sword that she applied when fighting the monsters on route to the pedestal earlier."That's my gift from Kirito."

Rosalia, frustrated with the change of events, entered an attacking stance with her spear: "Well I'm green and if you hurt me, you'll both go orange and-!"

With just as incredible speed, Kirito blitzed Rosalia, holding his sword at her neck. "I'm a solo player, got it? I don't care if I've got to play as orange for a couple of days."

Haruza crossed her arms. "You better be glad it was Kirito and I who found you. If it was someone else we know, that sword wouldn't have ended in that place. All of you, give up."

Rosalia surrendered after that, followed by her cronies. As they were sending the orange guild through the portal, Haruza stopped Rosalia. "And one more thing..." Haruza pointed her finger at Rosalia's mouth, forcing it open and drawing her tongue out. She pulled out a small hunting knife and cut it out.

While Rosalia wailed, Haruza darkly stated, "I warned you earlier, didn't I? Be grateful I won't kill you, you whore!" She kicked Rosalia through the portal, then it closes moments later.

Haruza waggled the severed tongue in her hand, then saw Silica's disgusted face. Discarding the organ, she said, "Sorry you had to see that, Silica. I try to avoid that as much as I can, but some just can't control their tongues. Besides, it will grow back once the HP's full again."