Chapter 75: New Threats

Bell:

With a harsh thwack, Bell found himself getting tossed through the air. His vision was a field of impact-induced stars.

Grunting as he skidded across the hardpacked ground, he couldn't even find the energy to try and rise. His whole body felt beaten and broken.

"Ah, s-sorry, Bell! It's as I thought, I'm a horrible teacher. I don't know how to hold back."

"It's…" Fine? Was it really? Bell just groaned in pain instead. It was the second day of sparring against Lyu, and Bell wasn't sure if he had learned a single thing. Everything he tried got dismantled in ruthless fashion.

A cool sensation touched his forehead. "Hmm, I suppose I should heal you again. Your body is starting to heat up."

Bell's eyes cracked open to find Lyu's hand resting on his forehead. It was slightly embarrassing, but Bell didn't have the energy to swat her hand away.

Lyu left her hand there as she chanted Noah Heal. Bell had grown intimately familiar with the magic and its healing ability. What was new was the direct skin contact. As beautiful as her chanting was, Bell was intensely aware of the contact.

"Noah Heal!"

Even as it finished and Bell's body was slowly repaired, she let the contact drag on.

"Umm, Lyu?"

"Is something wrong, Mr. Cranell?"

"Well, not particularly. It's just your hand…"

"My… AHH! I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Cranell. To leave it in contact with you for so long…"

"Umm…" Bell struggled to generate a reply as she lamented her actions without changing anything. "Lyu…"

"Oh, what is it this time?" She lamented.

"Your hand still."

"…"

"…"

After a second of awkward eye contact, Lyu dashed away in a blur. The spot where her hand had been now felt strangely empty. Touching his forehead, Bell sat up and looked around the sparring yard for Lyu. The Astraea familia house was a truly beautiful place. In addition to the circular training ground they fought in, there was a whole garden of flowers around them. Hedges of white roses stared back at Bell, emitting a strong fragrance.

Past them were a line of multi-colored hydrangeas. On that side were three different maids maintaining the hedges. At least, they were supposed to be doing that. However, the women were staring wide-eyed at Bell and Lyu.

"Well, let us resume!" Lyu said frantically, raising her sword.

"W-Wait, please!" Bell held up a thwarting arm. "Can we please talk?"

"…Forgive me." Lyu lunged with her sword at blinding speed.

Huh!? Bell's body was still far from mobile. All he could do was fall backwards on his rear-end and stare slack-jawed at the imposing blow. A gust of wind washed across him but that was all.

Lyu stood frozen in front of him, her shivering blade stopped right beside his head. "That was stupid. Please take the training seriously, Mr. Cranell."

"T-That's the thing though!" Bell complained, desperate to get out the words that he wanted to ask. "I don't feel like I'm improving!"

"It's only the second day," Lyu looked confused. "Why would you improve in such a short time?"

Her words hit like a bucket of cold water. Of course that was how she would see it. That's how he should view things as well. However, the people from the other world had changed that. "I have to keep running. If I don't improve, the others will leave me behind!"

Lyu sighed, lowering her sword. "This is how I learned at least. You'd be shocked to hear how many times Kaguya and Alise have knocked me unconscious. They'd do something to me, and I would learn."

"Eh? Isn't that… really harsh?"

Lyu smiled. "You must understand, Freya familia completely changed training methods in Orario. Even Zeus and Hera adopted some of their strategy when they saw the results."

"You mean… the Einherjar?"

"Precisely…" Lyu looked wistful as she stared off in the direction of the twilight manor. "I haven't seen it myself, but of every familia, Freya familia levels up the fastest, and by a good margin. Part of it of course is due to the goddess' arcanum eyes."

"Huh?"

"You don't know? The goddess Freya can see the color and brilliance of your soul. It's why she's so good at picking adventurers with potential."

"Ah, that's right. S-Sorry, I had heard of that before. Isn't it an exaggeration though?"

"Not in the slightest," Lyu shot him down. "The goddess Freya rules over Orario now because of her innate blessings. She needs neither skill nor tact to get her way. In fact, she could conquer the entire world by herself if she wanted."

The words chilled Bell as he remembered a previous incident. Another goddess of beauty that had rampaged through the city, taking people under her thrall.

"You mean Freya is more powerful than Ishtar?"

"Her charm is said to be the strongest by a wide margin. Although, some whisper that Aphrodite is close."

"Is that how she recruits familia members?"

"No," Lyu shook her head. "I'm not positive, but I've been told that she never charms anyone."

"But…" Bell sat back and frowned. While interesting, the conversation had drifted quite far from the original point. Bell wanted to get stronger and wasn't. "What is the method they use to level up?"

"Right. The Einherjar fight a bloody battle royale every day with no hold bars. The only stipulation is that no instantly deadly blows are delivered."

"Instantly!?"

Lyu shrugged. "Adventurers are hardy. You can heal them."

"Urgh…" Bell was starting to understand the elf girls lack of sympathy for him. At least she wasn't beating him to the point of death before barely saving his life with magic.

"I thought this would be the fastest method but… I suppose I'm not restraining my strength enough. If the power level difference is too vast, then it becomes impossible to improve."

"Urgh." Bell winced and pulled himself back to his feet. Bowing deeply, he thanked Lyu. "Well, it was worth a try. I'll be off to the dungeon now."

"…No."

"N-No?" Bell frowned at his ex-teacher. "What are you—"

"You can leave when you can get past me."

"Huh?" Staggering back a step, Bell brought his knife up. Confusion playing across his face, he waited. Lyu just stood there; her own wooden sword held loosely to the side.

"…"

"…"

Just watching each other, Bell figured out her plan. She was unable to hold back enough to properly train him. So, she decided that she wouldn't attack him.

"Urgh, fine!" Spitting out the words, Bell charged straight at the level six elven warrior. At the last moment while still outside of her swing range, Bell darted to the side, aiming for the surrounding hedges. Meaning to jump them, he suddenly found himself airborne. Flying headfirst through the plant matter, Bell went to stand up in confusion when a sudden force on his back threw him back into the ring.

Eating dirt, Bell growled as he stood. "You tripped me."

"I did."

"Tsk." Turning around, Bell ran in the opposite direction. He knew it was probably pointless, but so was this training. A glance behind him and Bell wished that he had taken the Escape ability.

Lyu was running around the outside and still managed to cut him off. Stopping hard, Bell was pushed back by the wall of wind that her swing generated. The tip of her blade shattering the air itself.

"Leave me alone!" Swinging his knife at her, Lyu blocked it easily. She gave no follow-up attack and Bell tried to sweep her leg.

Of course, his armoured shin hit her bare one and he was the one reeling backwards. Frustrated at his limits, Bell swiped at the beautiful woman with reckless abandon. Like a child throwing a tantrum, Bell flung his arms around, knife slashing wildly at every part of body.

Lyu dodged his strikes by barely moving. "Enough!" With her free left hand, she struck his chest protector, flinging him once more to the dirt. "Take this seriously!"

Angrily, Bell stomped to his feet. "How can I if you don't!?"

Lyu only glared, readying her blade. "Who wanted to run off to hunt goblins so that they could feel powerful?"

"Urgh, that's not—"

"You so desperately want to catch up to your leader, but you will run away from something that actually challenges you?"

"I'm not…" Bell looked away unable to meet her gaze. Through the silent courtyard, a stiff gust swept their hair to one side. Bell's white and Lyu's blond.

Well, here goes nothing.

Giving no prior indication of his intentions, Bell fired off a string of firebolts at his trainer and charged; knife raised to with intent to injure.

Leafa:

"Done here!"

"I'll only be a few more minutes!"

Leafa shot the happy girls a glare. Noticing Silica had done the same thing, the two shared a quiet bonding moment. Despite neither one of them managing to reach level four, everyone knew exactly why they were so happy.

They hadn't been the only ones who had gotten no sleep that night.

While Leafa and the other frustrated girls were left to grind their teeth and wait, the two of them were up on cloud nine prancing around the familia home. The only good thing to come of it was that they were easy targets to foist unwanted duties on.

After multiple training sessions left their house untended, duties were multiplying that needed taking care of. From simple cleaning to decorating and repairing, it was a litany of chores that the two mind-addled dolts were more than happy to do while sighing dramatically.

That left those of them that could focus to deal with the more important topic, the upcoming raid. Kirito had crafted a solid starting point and ideas that they were building on. With Lili and Hestia's help, they were making solid progress towards preparing everything without Kirito.

Three days ago, he had been pulled away by Kaguya into the dungeon. There had been no correspondence since then. With work winding down, Leafa could only stare despondently at the girls who had gotten everything she wanted.

"Hey, Leafa?"

Jolted to attention by Silica's question, she turned in surprise.

"Do you think Kirito will start dating that Kaguya girl?"

Leafa shrugged. "Who knows. Does it matter?"

"Hmm… I guess not…"

It was an odd situation. If any of her friends had ever said something similar about a boy they were dating, Leafa would have planned an immediate intervention. She would have been polishing her shinai in preparation for the beatdown she would deliver upon that boy.

"I would prefer if he wouldn't date outside the familia though," Silica did add after a moment of thought. "I think any future girls should be required to join the familia. Asuna is an exception I guess."

"Asuna, huh?" Leafa thought about the beautiful elven mage. She was a striking figure with powerful magic. Despite going on an expedition with her, Leafa felt that she did not know the girl very well. Maybe I should—

"AHHH, I'm bored! When is Kiri coming back!?"

Strea's loud exclamation completely pierced through all of Leafa's thoughts. Slamming the magical pen down on the table, she glared at their newest level four adventurer. One of two that had succeeded.

"Please control yourself Strea!"

"But I don't wanna! I wanna wrap up Kiri and pull him into a bed!"

Blushing, Leafa tsked. "So do we all."

"Ehh? You too? I don't mind if you join us when Kirito returns you know!"

"Ahh, Ahh… T-That's…" Blushing furiously, Leafa had to avert her eyes from Strea's ardent gaze. She hadn't been surprised about Philia and Rain going together. Those girls were joined at the hip.

But what if that's my only choice? Leafa thought, biting her lip. Kirito's available nights were few and far between. Especially being absent from their home now for a third day to train. There would be no chance for serious romance on the expedition either.

As if it were second nature, Leafa began running through Kirito's various girlfriends in her mind, and the ones that she would be comfortable sleeping with. There was potentially only one name on that list.

Without meaning to, Leafa took a subtle glance at the girl she had been working on finishing up an inventory list with.

"Ohh, I see," Strea smiled sneakily. There was no sadistic light in her eyes, she just looked genuinely interested. "So the two of you already have plans. I understand…"

"Huh?" Silica jerked up, catching Strea's meaning. "W-What, you think Leafa and I… Leafa and I will… Absolutely not! Kirito will ignore me with her growing chest around!"

"Ohh, so you noticed as well?" Strea chirped. "Her bust must have grown a whole hands length since I joined!"

"W-Why is this about my chest all of a sudden!?" Protesting, Leafa covered herself with an arm. It wasn't like her clothes were all that revealing. She was wearing a blue cotton top not unlike a t-shirt from their old world. It hung loose around her showing the general size of her chest, but no curves.

"We're almost the same age, and have eaten and done the same things," Silica pouted, "it isn't fair."

"N-Not fair!? What about Strea then? She's far bigger than me!"

"Ahaha, you got me there!" Strea laughed. "I guess if Kirito really does like big boobs that much, then I'll have to entertain him by myself!"

"Urgh!" Silica protested, her face showing genuine pain. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes meditatively and started chanting. "Kirito already offered. Kirito already offered…"

Before Leafa could inquire, Liz barged in, covered in soot and grime. Her blacksmithing clothes scored from the sparks of her work. "Whatch'all talking bout? Seems exciting!"

"Liz!" Philia yelled, stomping right behind her. "We put a lot of effort in to clean the hallways, please refrain from dirtying them!"

Rain entered right on her heels, clearly curious about the commotion.

"Oh, perfect timing, you two!" Strea said. "We were discussing breast size and Kirito's interest in it. Was he particularly interested in Philia's slightly larger chest when you two bedded him? Or maybe neither of you were an appropriate size?"

Both girls had their clouds ripped out from underneath them. As they crashed hard back into earth, Leafa thought that they may be sick. Despite everyone knowing what had happened, this was the first time Leafa was aware of that it was being directly brought up.

"S-Strea, that question is a little too personal, don't you think?"

Philia tried to defuse the situation, but Strea was having none of it. Kirito's final familia girlfriend choose that exact time to show up. "Ehh!? But don't you think it would be fun to have everyone present at the same time!? Like a great celebration if we all get married?"

"W-What degeneracy is this!?" Sachi almost fainted as Strea's declaration was her first introduction to the conversation. "E-Even the most debased harem manga would never—"

That unnatural pause drew everyone's attention. Leafa could tell that she wasn't the only one reevaluating the fact that Sachi had been in the computer club back in school. "Neh, Sachi… Are you actually a—"

"I am not a degenerate! I-I just happened to read a few of the series that the boys liked so I could talk to them easier…"

"So unconvincing…" Rain's comment matched Leafa's thoughts exactly.

"S-Stop looking at me like that!" Sachi continued to cry, hiding her face in her hands.

Strea snapped her fingers, face lighting up. "Oh right! Rain, Philia. You two never described how much interest Kirito paid to your chests and if he was disappointed in them!"

"Y-You little…"

Even as Philia growled in embarrassment, Rain seemed to earnestly consider the question. "I don't think it matters. It will be amazing for everyone. I believe that."

"Eeh?" Leafa wasn't sure if the utterance was from her mouth, but she leaned in with interest. Rain had captured the entire room's attention with those words.

Face the color of her hair, Rain averted her eyes. "I mean, I umm… wasn't super confident going in, but it was amazing. Seriously, do you trust Kirito or not?"

"That's not the question!" Strea complained. "It's a question about how much of a boob-lover Kirito is!"

"W-Well…" Stymied, Rain looked to Philia for help. However, the slightly larger chested girl was painted scarlet as she shifted uncomfortably—arms crossed suspiciously over her chest.

"Philia?"

"He… doesn't dislike them."

"Oh. If yours are fine then… Kirito you dog!" Clearly lost to her imagination, Strea started giggling as she hugged her own chest with both arms.

"Ahh, enough!" Philia exploded. "Rain is right! I have more cleaning to do… somewhere away from you horndogs!"

"Me too!" Fleeing with her friend, Rain and Philia quickly disappeared.

"Ahaha, I guess that was the end of that! What a humorous conversation!" With a forced laugh, Sachi as well tried to rise and leave.

"Hold on you," Liz said, reaching out and placing a soot-stained hand on her shoulder. "I think you had something you wanted to tell us about."

"I-I did? O-Oh yes. I've heard that there is a vendor on the east side of Orario that sells a rice grain very much like those in Japan. Isn't that fun? Now we can—"

"Sachi."

"EEP!"

"I never would have expected you to be the one with all the knowledge of how to seduce and pleasure boys!"

"I-I don't!" Sachi cried. "I'm not a degenerate! I'm normal, I swear!"

"Normal? Don't you lose that title when you enter a relationship with a boy with multiple partners?"

"M-Maybe," Sachi admitted, "but I'm not a degenerate! I only read what I had to to fit in!"

"S-Sachi, you aren't helping yourself…" Leafa tried to help. "B-Besides, I doubt anything you read would help. We don't need help."

"Speak for yourself!" Silica and Liz's voices overlapped.

"H-How did the flat girls get attention?"

"Oh, and the plain-looking looking one?"

Before Sachi could generate an answer to the questions, Strea laughed haughtily. "I mean, of course the big-breasted beauty always wins the heart of whoever she wants!"

"Actually… That archetype is usually comedic relief. …Sorry Strea."

"H-HUH!?" Strea exploded, standing up and pointing a shaking finger at Sachi. "I-Isn't that too unbelievable!? I mean, what sane guy would reject someone like me!?"

"Hmm, well look who comes crashing back down to earth."

"Ahh, it looks like the power of level four can't steal hearts."

Under the torment of Liz and Silicas teasing, tears began to form in Strea's eyes.

"Now, now, let's call it here, alright?" Leafa suggested. "You can question Sachi individually for advice if you want it."

As she was leaving, Liz snapped her fingers and turned around to face Leafa. "Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you. Do you need another weapon?"

Strea:

"Is that really all I am?" Strea bemoaned as she sat on the stairs, staring up and out a distant window. The noonday light that lit up their home beautifully could not lift her mood. After the renovations, they had truly set about turning their improved house into a home and it was shaping up wonderfully.

However, Sachi's words continued to echo through Strea's mind, even three days later. Comedic relief. In some ways, it fit perfectly. The thought made Strea shiver.

"Ahhh, I hate this! I hate it! I hate it!"

Slamming her heels against the carpeted wood, Strea could hear the material creak from the impacts. It made her feel worse as she stopped and curled up. Everyone would give her disappointed looks if she broke their new home.

Suddenly, the front door burst open. "Kirito's home!"

The call got Strea to burst to her feet. Eyes fixed on her target, her senses went into battle mode as she hurled herself to the bottom of the stairs.

Liz, who had given the announcement, was already back outside. Her new forge giving her a view of the road had turned her into a sort of sentry for the familia.

Strea wasn't the only one around who had heard. In moments the entryway of their familia home was flooded with everyone present. Only Bell and Lili were absent.

The gate opened on well-oiled hinges to reveal two people walking far too close. Even Strea pursed her lips for a moment. As the sun illuminated them properly, Strea gasped. Kirito was leaning heavily on Kaguya. He appeared barely conscious and was panting heavily as she dragged him closer to the door.

It wasn't just him though. The first-class adventurer was doing better, but her kimono was splattered with blood and rips. A section of her bangs were cut away revealing a line of white skin that had been recently sealed by a potion.

"What the hell were those two up to?" Hestia growled as she stormed past Strea to the approaching boy. "Hey, Astraea girl! Is this what you call training!?"

"Ahh," Kaguya muttered. "Get this one to a bed, he's earned it."

"That's all you have to say?" Hestia gasped as Rain and Philia darted forward to support Kirito's body weight.

"No." Kaguya stared the goddess dead in the eyes before delivering an unsettling smile. "Our training session was really something. You should be proud of your captain."

"Of course we are!" Strea broke in, unable to hold back her emotions. "But what happened to you?"

Kaguya sent Strea a strained smile. "That's between me and your little captain."

"H-Hey!" Protest as she would, Kaguya walked away from them without a final goodbye. "How rude!"

Stamping her feet, Strea heard the others chuckle at her antics. Comedic relief. Shivering in the bright sunlight, Strea rushed back inside.

She was just in time to see the torn cloak of Kirito disappear into the bath chamber. "Urk! I-I can do that!"

Darting after them, Strea threw open the bath door as they were removing his shirt. As expected, Kirito was dirtied, but no open wounds still bruised his torso. Like Kaguya's forehead, he was riddled with small white patches where weak potions had failed to completely restore an unblemished look.

"Strea." Rain stood in front of her, leaving Philia to work at undressing him. "I understand the appeal, but you don't really want your first time with Kirito to be like this, do you?"

"T-That's, I wasn't—" But Strea found herself brought up cold. Rain was right. "I'll go grab some sleepwear for him."

"Thank you."

Closing the door, Strea went to fulfill her promise as the others milled around talking and whispering. Perhaps having overheard what Rain said, none of them tried to enter.

After finishing her assigned job, Strea found a place on the stairs. Sitting there sideways, she would be a nuisance to anyone trying to go up or down. It also just happened to be the path that Kirito would take to his room.

"Why does my younger sister look so distraught?"

"Oh, Yui." Glancing up at her older sister, Strea quickly averted her eyes back to the far wall. "What brings you here."

"You."

"What about me?"

"Stop being an idiot. You know Kirito cares for you."

"Can an AI be an idiot if they aren't a person?"

Yui froze, her back straightening. "W-What are you talking about?"

"You know, don't you? It's why you've stopped talking to me as often."

"…Sorry."

"Me too." Sighing, Strea closed her eyes. "I think Hestia knows that we are not normal as well."

"Hmm… If the others honestly thought about it, they would realize as well." Yui said, sounding mature beyond her looks. It was a large change from how she used to act.

"Hmm… I was actually thinking about telling Kirito. Are you okay with that, Onee-chan?"

"…No."

"Huh?"

"I mean… he'll think I'm creepy. You have your body but I'm just a daughter figure. He'll look for every—"

"You know he won't." Strea interrupted Yui, throwing her own words back at her.

"Haha, I guess I deserved that. Anyway, umm… g-good luck."

"With what?"

"Y-You know," Yui blushed again. "Becoming one of my mothers."

"A-Ah, right." Strea matched her blush. But it lasted only a moment before her cheeks calmed down. "I'm going to talk to him tonight, Yui. Wish me luck."

"Talk to who?" A sleepy voice asked.

"Eep!" Jumping, this time Strea's blush was not a temporary thing. Giving Kirito a suspicious glance, she was sure that he had overheard them. Even whispering in a room that didn't have sound buffering was likely to end up with someone overhearing them.

Ahh, why do I always do stupid things!?

Lamenting her own reckless nature, Strea waited for Kirito. He looked way better bathed and ready for sleep despite the early afternoon hour.

At least… until one realized that his eyes were completely closed. "Umm, are you asleep Kirito."

"Yes," he answered with a yawn.

"…A new skill?"

"Zzz…"

"What do you think, Yui?"

"Umm, I can only infer that Kirito's incredible endurance is being balanced against his body's excruciating need for rest rendering him in a half-conscious state like sleepwalking."

"I-I see…" Strea said while doing nothing of the kind. "Umm, are you heading to bed Kirito?"

"Zzz…"

"Ahaha, I think you should take him, Strea. He probably wandered away from his caretakers."

This is perfect! Strea agreed with a smile. "Yupp! Come on, little Kiri!" Pulling on his hand resulted in instant failure as the boy just toppled prone on the stairs.

"Ahh, Papa! Carefully, Strea!"

"S-Sorry!" Apologizing frantically, Strea scooped up the thin boy from the ground. Flipping him in her arms, she carried him princess style to his room.

Resting him in his own bed, Strea stroked his forehead, brushing back some of the black hair that had grown long and now obstructed his eyes.

"Hehe, looks like you'll need a haircut before the expedition."

"Ahh, I do."

"Eep!" Squeaking again, Strea backed away. "You're awake again?"

"Awake? I haven't fallen asleep."

Liar… Strea smiled uncertainly. "Umm, well, do you want to tell me about your training if you're awake?"

"Sure. But it feels awkward with you standing over me. Come here."

"Y-Yes!?" Taken by surprise, it took only a moment for her to start drooling. Do you really want your first time to be like this? With Rain's sobering words flooding her mind, Strea's impure lusts quickly died down.

Laying down next to him, Strea pulled Kirito's head onto her chest and began stroking his hair. "Ahh, take your time and tell me all about it until you fall asleep."

"Hmm, sleep huh? I don't remember the last time I did that… That blasted Kaguya dragged me down all the way to the thirty-seventh at a blistering pace. It turned into less of a training session and more of full-on survival test when a chain of monster parties forced us off the main path. It happened as we were looking for a spot to rest for the first time after running there. I guess then… I haven't slept more than an hour or so since I left?"

W-What!? "K-Kirito, that was over a week ago."

"Hmm, was it? Then I think I'll—" Kirito fell asleep without being able to finish his sentence.

"How horrible. That blasted Kaguya indeed…" Sighing, Strea continued to stroke his hair as Kirito slumbered. In a few moments her hand began to slow as her eyelids drooped.

Hmm? I'm a level four. I barely need to sleep as well. Plus, I'm not a real human. I don't do the same 'sleep' as them.

Is this… a curse?

After a few moments of analysis, Strea identified its source. "If you wanted me to sleep with you… You should have just said so…"

Fading off to sleep, Strea enjoyed a peaceful 'night' at Kirito's side.

Blinking to proper wakefulness, Strea was wondering if she hadn't been cursed after all. The morning sun was rising in the eastern sky. Something inside her let her know that it had been precisely 17 hours and 35 minutes since she had closed her eyes.

"I-Impossible!" But the information was right there in her processing center. The more she became familiar with these functions, the more Strea realized how different she was. None of the others could do this.

"Hmm?" Kirito stirred on her chest, eyes blinking awake. "Umm… Is that… the rising sun?"

"Indeed." Strea confirmed with a smile. "We slept together for over seventeen hours. I must say, it was as long as I hoped for our first time, but the contents were not quite what I expected."

"Ahaha, I'm sorry to disappoint," Kirito responded. His voice was quiet with a drowsy lull tamping down emotions.

"Hmm, is that so?" As Strea also allowed her words to lull, she felt pressure against her thigh that changed everything. Snapping wide awake, she turned to look at Kirito. "Are you… requiring help with that?"

"Oh, ahh, sorry." Kirito apologized and tried to shift away.

"Don't be so stingy," Strea whispered, pulling him tighter against her. "I was just surprised you had so much energy back already."

"Haha, how can I not with you here, Strea?"

"Ara ara, are you calling me sexy?"

"That's one way of putting it…" Suddenly Kirito's mouth was on hers. There was no lack of vitality in his movements as he mercilessly claimed her mouth, restricting her movements.

Ahh, finally. Now I can—No! With a swift motion, Strea interspersed her hand against Kirito's mouth, pushing his face away. "H-Hold on!"

Seeing his building confusion, Strea quickly made to explain. "I-I want to but… there's something you need to know first!"

"Okay…" Kirito agreed, sitting back.

Strea was still laying on her back. Her loose flowy dress from yesterday clumped around her. Averting her eyes so she wouldn't have to see the moment of disgust cross his face, she spoke. "I'm not human. Yui and I have slowly been regaining memories and well… I'm an AI. I don't know my origin but…"

"I see." Kirito said, rubbing his chin contemplatively. "I'm a bit of an idiot, Strea, so please answer a question."

"Y-Yes?"

"Do you love me?"

Gasping, Strea looked back at Kirito, not understanding.

Kirito leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "Maybe other humans would care or be turned off but I'm not. They can sneer at me and call me a degenerate or a pervert. But! You laugh, you talk, you protect your familia and express your own will. As far as I'm concerned, you're as human as anyone else."

"Kirito…" Strea loved the sound of his name leaving her mouth. "Yes, Yes I do love you but… it means I can't go back to your world with you. I don't have a—"

Kirito silenced her with a finger. "We will deal with that at a later point, okay? For now, let's enjoy our time together."

Strea could find no more room to protest further as Kirito's body pressed down against hers. Conscious thoughts and worries did not vanish so much as they were swept away in the flood of desire that consumed her.

"Kirito…" Once more Strea moaned her lover's name. It was the last full word to pass through her lips over the course of the next few hours.

Silica:

"Grrr…"

"Oh, calm down, Silica. We all knew that it would happen."

"W-Well, that doesn't mean I have to listen to it! We even soundproofed that room!"

"Y-Yes, they are a little too strong for the reduction," Leafa chuckled. "It would be nice to have a pair of noise cancelling headphones."

Silica snorted. "Yeah, that it would be… Hey, is that Rosalia?" Walking down one of the main shopping streets, Silica and Leafa had fled from the house to maintain sanity. Or maybe so that they didn't try to join. Both of them were remembering Strea's free invites to join her from days prior.

Seeing her unexpected friend, Silica jogged over, waving. "Hey, Rosalia!"

"Hmm? Oh, Silica!"

Despite the hearty greeting, Silica's joy cooled as she beheld her friend's face. One of her eyes was sealed closed from bruising.

Leafa whistled. "That's a hell of a black eye. Are you alright?"

"Ahh, yes. But I must say that I'm happy to see you, Silica. Do you think you would be willing to help me out?"

"Of course!" Silica replied immediately. "What is it? A place to stay or do you want me to—"

"The thirtieth floor. There's a monster there that drops an item I need."

"…Excuse me?" Silica replied. "R-Rosalia. Do you understand that—"

"I know how hard it is to get down there! B-But… I'm running out of time. I'm sorry Silica."

Ears wilting, Silica looked around awkwardly. She had talked a big game but floor thirty… that was a large commitment for a favor. She'd need aid from the level fours in the familia.

"What were you planning on doing if you hadn't encountered Silica?" Leafa asked.

"Umm, well… hiring a party to accompany me?"

"Accompany you?" Silica moaned. "You have no idea, do you? Urgh… What… What do you need?"

"Y-You'll get it!? D-Don't worry! I'll help prepare you for the journey and I'll be there every step of the way!"

"Why are you talking like you're coming!?" Silica growled, sticking a finger in Rosalia's face. "Stop underestimating the dungeon!"

Rosalia lowered her eyes. "You don't understand, if I'm not there, the ingredients can't be used."

"W-What?" Silica asked.

"Why do you think I can't purchase it? Or request it from the guild through a quest? I need to be there on the thirtieth floor to use the flower as it is picked to create the solution."

"Solution?" Silica asked. "You are a synthesizer? I'm so confused Rosalia."

The red-haired woman flicked her hair. "There's a turtle on the thirtieth floor that grows a flower on its back. I need it. Will you help me get it or not, Silica?"

"I…" Taking a look back at Leafa, Silica got a promising nod from her friend. "I will try to organize something. Can you come back to our familia home with me?"

"…Thank you, Silica."

Rosalia embraced her from behind as Silica went to walk back. Roaslia was tall enough that her chin rested comfortably on Silica's head. With her mouth right between Silica's cat ears, she whispered two words.

"Save me."

It was gone so quickly that Silica thought she may have imagined it. Even with her advanced hearing, the words had been a faint echo on the wind.

Giving no indication that she had heard anything, Silica smiled back at her. "Come on. Let's figure something out."