[New Aincrad, Floor 22, Kirito's/Asuna's Cabin]
[Yuuki's POV]
"I... I don't get it?" I think I'm gonna pop a blood vessel. How... does this work? I kept scratching my head, trying to figured out what I was missing. The longer I stared at the sentences in front of me, the further my head started to pound. "I-I just..."
"She's going... she's going..." I didn't even pay attention to whatever Malzeno was saying before I finally lost it, frightening the small pixie that was Asuna's and Kirito's daughter, it... was a pretty crazy story, to be honest. That didn't help my sanity though.
"Aaand she's gone," I then felt a finger poke my cheek as I whined against the hardwood table, drawing my eye to my left to see Malzeno smirking beside me, the adorable jerk was enjoying this... I pouted, looking at the several screens I had scattered with my meltdown as his hand guided them back into view. "So, still love going to school, Cupcake?"
My elbow jabbed him weakly as I whined some more, this was really complicated. "Shaddup, I love it... just really confuses me,"
"You're in the highest form like me, so we're suffering on the Princess' level of work, it's to be expected," He was far too calm about this. I felt him lean closer to me, making me all tingly as he drew my work screen down to me. "Look, it's easy, really. You have to show more effort and detail but the general understanding is covering all topics, think of it like having an argument with yourself, you want to constantly challenge each point against the one you make,"
"Mmhm, Malzeno's right, compare and contrast is really simple at any grade so long as you have that comprehension," Yui was in agreement as I raised my head a bit.
"So... I just bicker with myself?" I asked them.
"Exactly, 'course, make it more formal than that, but that's about the size of it," Malzeno nodded, pushing the digital keyboard back to me. "It's not due until the end of the week, don't push it all in one go, it's a big assignment,"
"B-but you got it done in one night?" I complained before he waved a finger knowingly.
"Ah, but I don't believe in sleep patterns," That... really isn't something to be proud of. "Here, I'll start it,"
I watched closely as he typed away so fast without even blinking, his fingers moved across the keyboard quickly, finishing a whole paragraph in seconds, then going back to correct any mistakes. "The key is to structure each section in order, the final section should be the overall conclusion, make it non-biased and summarize each section prior - there,"
"Really well structured, and it doesn't mirror your own work either, avoiding plagiarism or cheating," Yui confirmed for his modest shrug.
"Th-thank you, Kazuki, you're really good at this," I smiled again, raising my head, we were basically joined at the hip now, but it helped put my frustrations at ease a little. My hand went behind my head, scratching awkwardly. "I guess I just wanted it done and dusted so we can go back to gaming, hehe,"
"Eh, better than leaving it last minute," He replied, then shrugged to appear aloof from my compliment. "I mean, if you want, I don't mind staying up late to help, sooner the better right?"
"You should focus on your personal health," Yui flew over to his face, pointing strongly at his nose making him go cross-eyed as I giggled at the sight. "Mama says you should worry about your health too, not just Miss Yuuki's,"
"I dunno which is stranger; the fact I'm being lectured by a pixie, or the fact it's a little girl?" Cocking his head, he tapped the top of Yui's head, causing her to huff, puffing her cheeks out. "I'll be fine,"
"You better be," From the kitchen came Asuna, giving Malzeno a sharp look as Yui flew back with a playful smile. "I swear, if I find you nodding off in class one day, and with the ABCP attached too,"
"Excuse me for being helpful, yikes," He held his hands up in defence so I nudged his side.
"Thanks, but really, I'll be alright... b-but I would like the help - but only if you promise to go to bed when I say so!" I asserted, seeing him eye all of us anxiously before sighing in defeat.
"Alright, alright, I yield,"
"Good," Asuna smiled again as me and Yui smirked before laughing a bit at the flustered look on Malzeno's face. He was getting a lot more susceptible to teasing for some reason, but only if we cornered him, cruel as that sounds, it was really cute - ah, again with that thought...
"You seem chipper, Princess, any reason?" So he noticed too? I and Asuna looked to one another, with me softening my look as she nodded.
"I have Yuuki to thank for that, she... gave me some encouragement, and it really helped," Asuna was having issues speaking with her Mom. I just said the same thing I did to Malzeno when he took me back to my old home.
It was the afternoon at school, most of the students were gone, leaving me and Asuna alone until Kazuto showed up to take the ABCP device home. Asuna and I talked about all sorts of things, but now, after telling her everything I had told Kazuki, there was a silence shortly after I mentioned understanding what my Mom prayed for all this time.
~I'm the same, I haven't understood my Mom for the longest time. Even if we speak face to face, I can't hear what's in her heart~ I saw her gaze downcast, it was really eating away at her too. ~And my words never each her, either. Yuuki, you said to Kazuki one time that 'sometimes, you have to fight to get your point across', how can I be strong like you?~
That question again? Guess on the outside, given what I'm fighting it seems that way. This time, I didn't feel pensive about answering, staring up at her face on the screen. "Well, the thing is, I'm not - or I used to think that, really, my strength in the virtual world is just my spirit, I guess? As for real strength, I just say what's on my mind, you know? If I... do end up dying, what was the point in holding back? I'll speak with confidence, and if they don't agree with me, that's fine, then at least I can get close to their hearts,"
~Yuuki... you're right. I guess it's why we were able to grow close despite only meeting a few times, and why you can trust Kazuki and me with the truth too, something I'm thankful for~ Asuna had it right... mostly.
Humming in thought, heat grew in my chest.I wrapped my arms around my legs again, tapping my feet in tandem with my heartbeat. "In a way... but that wasn't because of me,"
~Huh?~
"Even after I ran away, he didn't stop once to find me;Kazuki... he says he wants to find me a reason to live, even if for a bit longer, he doesn't care if it hurts him, even though it's scary, he won't give up on me, or on anyone. That's real strength," I really admired that. "So, why not try talking to your mother the way he spoke to me? I'm certain if you put your all into wanting your feelings to be heard, she'll listen,"
"I feel like I'm missing some context... but hey, glad to have you back to full Princess," He held a thumbs up to her with a small smile, the bluette giggling as she set our drinks down.
"Happy to be back," Despite the happy atmosphere, I raised my hand, waving it.
"Hey-hey, so I wanna know, what's with the the 'Princess' thing?" It had bothered me since I heard Malzeno say it. I know Mal loves nicknames but I never got the reason behind Asuna's.
Asuna then shot Malzeno a glare that he ultimately ignored with a toothy grin. "Well, I feel it is my duty to impart this age-long tale to my boss-"
"Don't you dare-"
"I'm darin'!" He challenged back, looking to me with big teal eyes as I sat up straight with excitement, grabbing the pillow I threw from before. "Alright, so it was all the way the back on Floor One, just after the meeting to tackle the floor boss, I never took part in the boss fight myself, but me and my friends overheard everything,"
"Kirito was her temporary partner, reluctantly on Asuna's part," He gave her a side gesture as Asuna's face was scarlet, hiding it behind her hands.
"Nooo... don't remind me~" She whined, begging him to stop, but I was in no rush to stop him.
"Oooh, so they were 'enemies to lovers'? So cute~" Now Asuna was crying into her hands while Malzeno continued.
"Well, in true nerd fashion, she was the only girl among the future assault team at the time, so a few gave Kirito the honour of 'defending the Princess', ever since, Asuna kept standing out among the players, so the title stuck for a long time, and once I partnered up with Argo, I made it stick for two years - yah!"
"I hate you so much~" Asuna groaned, grabbing Malzeno's shoulders to shake him back and forth, her expression etched with a mortified face. "That was a stupid title I never asked for! Those idiots wouldn't shut up about it!"
"Not~really~my~fault~Princess~!" He shook out from her thrashing as I doubled over on the sofa in a fit of laughter, I couldn't breathe!
"Hahahahaha! It's s-s-so cute t-though! It s-suits!" I wheezed as Asuna threw Malzeno back as me and him laughed hysterically at her reaction, even Yui was stifling her giggles.
The Undine placed a hand on her forehead, sighing in dismay with a flustered face. "I wish that remained in SAO..."
"Ain't no way Mal was gonna let that be the case, A-ChaN," Suddenly, two people had walked through the door, it was Argo and Kirito! Her whiskers twitched as she smirked at us in particular. "Ya look comfortable together, did we miss somethiN'?"
"Eh?" Me and Malzeno looked to one another leaning against one another in our fit of hysterics before Asuna, and in the blink of an eye, separated as my face slowly crawled with heat. Gah, why am I acting like this now!?
Malzeno coughed into his hand, distracting himself. "A-anyway... shuffling that aside, what's the news, boss? Has my bounty gone up?" He rubbed his hands together giddily. "Is it worth cashing in yet?"
"Nah, still only 350,000," Argo shrugged as she took a seat on the arm chair while Kirito moved to Asuna to pat her shoulder with a chuckle at her distraught pout.
"'350,000'!?" I gawked, eyeing the raven-haired merc in my guild as he rolled his eyes, tisking. He was 'tisking' at this!? "T-that's not j-just from helping us with t-the floor boss, right?"
"Nah, could've gotten more... knew I should've gone to the floor raid but Asuna really wanted to join you guys," He sighed. Oh, right, I remember now. Asuna took Malzeno's place for the 29th floor boss, our names again imprinted on the Monument as Malzeno was caught up helping his family, but it was a really fun experience nevertheless. "That disappointed also put on the shelf, anything else?"
"Nyahaha, really takin' advantage of yer employer todaY?" Argo wiggled her brow but leaned back as she flicked through her menu. "Here's somethin' me and Kii-bou found, bet it'll draw ya iN,"
With a flash, a screen expanded for us to all lean in to see, I pushed my homework pages aside to stare at... a poster? It was an advert with an arena on a blue backdrop, the Roman numerals for '4' above it and two swords either side, the in big bold letters near the bottom was... "'United Duelling Tournament'?"
"Never heard of iT?" Argo asked as I shook my head. "Well, yer in luck, Zekken, it's the fourth year runnin', and it's back for the weekend tomorroW,"
"It's already that time... my sister showed me clips from the prior games, and thanks to Argo here, I plan to participate if you guys are in?" Kirito suggested.
"I dunno..." Asuna hummed, crossing her arms. "Is it competitive?"
"Biggest tournament in ALO, live-streamed toO," Argo elaborated.
That sounds like so much fun. I could fight the best of the best in one place! I can even fight Mal again, even Asuna. Cupping his hands together, I turned to them both with eager eyes. "Let's do it! Please, I'd really want to fight you guys, and we'll have a big audience and everything! It'll be so cool!"
"Yeah... ahem, you forget the part that a large majority of people hate me, right?" Malzeno winced, then grinned, clapping his hands. "Which is why I am completely on board, sign me up, Argo-!" Then his finger prodded to my nose with a challenging look that made my heart beat a little faster. "-I've got a score to settle with you,"
"Heh, bring it," I dared, tomorrow's gonna be awesome! "But don't be mad if you get your butt kicked before we fight,"
"Nyehehe, knew you'd like iT," She clicked her fingers. "Whaddabout you, A-Chan? Up for some ol' fashioned brawliN'?"
"Please, Asuna? It'll be fun," Kirito tried to persuade, even Yui gave an enthusiastic nod.
The bluette sighed, shaking her head with a nervous smile. "Alright... if everyone really wants me to join, then okay, let's do our best!"
"YEAH!"We cheered and Argo nodded, sending us all a message.
"Attached it yer form, send it before midnight, and you're signed for tomorrow, better go put yer bets down toO," Argo hopped to her feet, giving a wave as she pointed her cat tail to Kirito. "I'll be waitin' for paymenT,"
"Yeah-yeah, Rat, I got it," He sighed, whatever they were betting on, I wanted it.
"This is gonna be the best day of my life," Malzeno chuckled darkly. I know people are out for his head, but why is he laughing about it? Probably find out sooner or later. "Hehehehahaha,"
"Should we be worried?" Kirito asked at Mal's sinister scheming.
"Nah, it'll be fine," I assured, it had been a month since we all met, and I've known Malzeno long enough now to know he had some stupid plan in the works when he did this.
But right now, I needed help with how I was feeling lately around him...
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
And so it begins, the arc I'm making up as I go along. Lots of fights ahead, and some romance in-between for these two. But before we make it to the combat-focused segment of the arc, we've got some drama with Yuuki once more with her as the focus. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support; seeya in the next chapter, Players!