Ichigo's POV

"Yo." Ichigo said, as he saw Asuna walk into the the dorm room. He realized that she just got off the phone with someone. He continued going through the fridge and wondered what she should eat for lunch.

Maybe I should head out and grab some lunch at the new shop down the street? Or maybe I should head to the grocery store and get something to make? But, then it'd be rude to make some for Asuna. Hmmmmmm?

Ichigo turned around and asked Asuna, "Hey, are you hungry?"

Asuna turned towards him and said, "No, I already had a small snack on the way back home."

"Okay, I just wondering if I should go and get some take out or should I go get some groceries and wondered if you wanted anything to eat." Ichigo told Asuna.

"I think take out would be a bit more expensive, but if you don't feel like cooking, then it'd make it easier." Asuna replied.

Ichigo sat there for a quick second, with the fridge open, and pondered to himself.

I guess I should save money. I'm not exactly made of money. And I don't even have the job yet. So, maybe I should just go get some cheap ramen? Or maybe just get some sandwich ingredients.

Ichigo shut the fridge and decided that he'd go to the grocery store.

Ichigo asked, "I'm just gonna head out to the store and get some groceries. Did you wanna go? Or did you need anything?"

"No, but thanks for asking if I wanted anything." Asuna replied.

"Okay, I'll be back in a little bit." Ichigo said, as he was exiting out the door.

As Ichigo exited the dorm building and began walking. He kept thinking to himself.

What the hell was that dream? And why does it scare me so much? I already came to terms with the fact that Ywach took my mother from me. It-it really wasn't my fault, was it? I just wanted to help. And those words, 'If you hadn't tried to play hero' played on repeat. I never tried to play hero. I just wanna keep those around me safe. I just wanna make sure that no one ends up like I do. Make sure that people don't end up alone and abandoned.

Ichigo almost missed the grocery because he was so lost in thought. Ichigo was having a hard time concentrating. His mind was all over the place. He didn't even have an idea of what he was going to get from the grocery store. He just kind of wandered around the store, until he saw something that reminded him if home. It was a pack of fettuccine noodles. It made home reminisce home with Yuzu.

Flashback...

"Ichi-nii!! Where are you! You said you'd be home in time, so I can teach you how to cook for yourself." Yuzu shouted out into the Kurosaki household.

"I'm here. I'm here. I was just getting out of the bathroom. A guy can't even poop in peace?"Ichigo asked, as he walked out in a good mood.

"Okay, what are we- or I mean you, gonna show me how to cook?" Ichigo asked.

"First, you will address me as Head Chief in the kitchen." Yuzu said, with a smirk on her face. "And second we'll be cooking something easy. Something you can make with in half an hour. Something so simple, you can't mess it up. We'll be making chicken fettuccine alfredo. It's an Italian dish too. So, you can impress a girl." Yuzu said, still with a huge smirk on her face.

"Okay. Okay, I get it miss-I mean Head Chief. Where do I begin?" Ichigo asked.

"Well, first we will need the ingredients!" Yuzu shouted.

Yuzu and Ichigo had cooked the food and had set the table for them to have dinner for the night...

Ichigo and Yuzu sat down at the table and began their dinner.

Yuzu broke the sound of them just eating and asked, "Ichi-nii, you gonnna change while you're away?"

"What do you mean change? I'll still be me. I mean, I may finally use my brain, but I'll still be me." Ichigo said, while eating.

"I mean, won't you go out and meet all kinds of people? And don't a lot of people find their significant others at college? Or something like that?" Yuzu questioned.

"I'm mean sure I'll meet a plenty of people. But that's never stopped me from staying me. And for the finding some true love there, I call a load of bull. I believe that it usually just out of happenstance that things like that happen. Why? Are you worried that your older brother is gonna never come back home and make a new family on my own?"

"No, I just don't want you to be lonely out there."

The mood shifted. It went from being light-hearted to a bit gloomy.

"I'm just worried for you Ichi-nii. It's just gonna be you out there. Inoue-san, Tatsuki-san, Ishida-san, and Chad-san are going to be around here. And us, your family, will be here too. You're gonna be all alone." Yuzu said, a bit of sadness in her voice.

Ichigo took a deep breathe and looked down at the chicken and noodles cover in the creamy alfredo sauce.

"You know, worrying about your siblings is a big brother's job." Ichigo said, while looking up at Yuzu and giving her a warm smile.

"And it's alright. I'm a big kid. I can make new friends and meet all kinds of people." Ichigo said, trying to cheer Yuzu up.

"Okay...only if you say so." Yuzu replied.

Ichigo and Yuzu finished their dinner and Ichigo did their dishes and turned towards Yuzu, before she went off to her room.

"Yuzu, thanks. Thanks for watching over me while I'm here. I appreciate it more than you know. And one more thing, thanks for the food, Head Chief." Ichigo said, with a smirk on his face.

Yuzu ran over to Ichigo and gave him a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Ichi-nii." Yuzu said.

End Flashbackk...

Ichigo grabbed his ingredients and headed home. His head a little more clear. Remembering those that he loves. And remembering that they love him back just as much as he does. And that he has a mission; to keep those close to his heart safe and happy.

Asuna's POV

Asuna was left in the dorm by herself. She figured she should just take it easy for the rest of the day and relax. So, she went to her room and changed into more comfortable clothes. Asuna had put on a baggy t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. She laid on her bed wondering what to do.

There's really nothing to do. I mean Kirito is probably asleep now. And I shouldn't bother him anyways. I guess I could send Liz a text, but what would we do? I mean I could tell her where my dorm is. Yeah, I guess I'll give Liz a call.

Asuna sat up on her bed and dialed Liz's number.

RING! RING! RING!

Asuna heard the call answered.

"Yello?" Came an all too familiar voice.

"Hey, what are you up to right now?" Asuna asked.

"Umm, just setting up my room right now. Why? Are you okay? Is your roommate weird?" Liz questioned.

"No. No. Well, I mean I can't say. He is kinda-"

"He? What do you mean he?" Liz interrupted.

"I was put into a co-ed dorm. Were you not?" Asuna questioned.

"Nope, actually both me and Silica are roommates!"

"No way! You're so lucky! That's no fair!" Asuna exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's great, but let's get back to the main concern. You have a guy roommate?" Liz interrogated.

"Yeah, I do. He seems like a nice person, he helped me unpack some stuff and then left abruptly. Well, now that I think about it he also did come through the window the first day I met him. He seems to be on edge, I guess?" Asuna explained.

"That doesn't sound to convincing. I think you should request a transfer. And maybe you can be our next door neighbor!"

"Uhhh, I don't think I'll do anything like that yet. He doesn't seem like a bad person. He ever offered me food when I came back ho-" Asuna stopped mid sentence and thought to herself.

Was Ichigo hitting on me? Asking if she needed help to bring her stuff in. Trying to take her out on a date to restaurant. He knew that she had a boyfriend. Unless he was one of those dudes that liked to go after taken women?

"Hello!? Asuna to Earth! Are you alive?!?" Liz shouted through the phone.

"Umm, yeah? What's up?" Asuna asked.

"What to do you mean? You're the one who stopped talking!"

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something. What were we going on about?"

"We were on the topic of your roommate? And spill the beans!"

"Spill the beans on what?" Asuna asked.

"On what you were thinking! It must've been somewhat important if you stopped mid sentence!"

"It's nothing Liz."

No! Tell me!" Liz pouted.

"Nope! My lips are sealed." Asuna replied.

Asuna then heard the front door open and close.

"Well, speak of the devil." Asuna said.

"You're roommate home?" Liz asked.

"Yeah, but I gue-"

"Where are you Asuna? What room are you in? I need to know, just in case this guy tries something on you!"

"Uhhh, I'm in dorm room number 096. And don't do anything stupid. Like trying to break in or anything."

"I'm not! It's for your own safety. Now to look at where you are." Liz rambled on.

"Also, Asuna have you told Kirito about your new roommate?" Liz asked.

"No, not yet. We've both been really busy and it's the middle of the night over in the US. I plan on telling him soon, just when we both have time to talk until one of us passes out. Or maybe when we're playing on the game together." Asuna replied.

"Yeah, I guess, but I think it's something he should know. You know how protective he gets of you."

"Yeah, trust me, I know."

Asuna started to smell saluted onions and the smell wafting into her room.

Wow, that smells delicious. Is that Ichigo cooking? Or did you just decide to get some takeout? Asuna thought to herself.

"Liz, I'm gonna let you go for now. I'm about to take care of some stuff." Asuna told Liz.

"Okay, but just know that I now know where you live. So, if you're ever in trouble or that guy is causing you problems, you let me know." Liz replied.

"Yes. Yes, you'll be the first to know. I'll talk to you later. Bye-bye." Asuna said, as she clicked her phone.

Asuna walked out into the living room and peered into the kitchen to see what was causing this delightful scent. As she peeked around the corner, she saw Ichigo plating some chicken fettuccine alfredo.

"Wow, that actually smells nice." Asuna said, not even thinking about it.

"Wow, I didn't know that I was gonna be judged on my cooking skills here at the University." Ichigo replied.

"No, I don't mean it like that, it's just it smells great." Asuna quickly said.

"Nice save." Ichigo said, sarcastically.

Are you sure you aren't hungry? I made two servings. I was gonna use the other serving for dinner later, but if you're hungry you can have some." Ichigo told Asuna.

"No, I really shouldn't. If you made it for yourself later, then you should keep it." Asuna exclaimed, while her stomach growled.

"Just think about it as payment for you making us food the other day. And your stomach seems to differ from what you're saying."

Damn stomach! You just had to go and embarrass me. Well, I guess a bit wouldn't hurt, right? I mean I had an early interview and just a small snack on the way home, so I don't really have anything to eat.

"Okay, I'll take you up on that offer." Asuna said.

Ichigo went grabbed a plate on loaded the rest of the food on the plate and set them onto the small dinner table.

Asuna sat down, as did Ichigo. Both across from each other and looking like a young newly wed couple that was having dinner together.