Tokyo. A standard residential area.
Below the apartment building where Yusei lived, Kasumigaoka Utaha stood holding an umbrella in one hand and a get-well gift in the other.
The weather in Tokyo lately had been terrible, raining continuously without end. Although it was summer, such prolonged rainfall was still rare.
Utaha's recent mood was just as gloomy and overcast as the incessant rainy weather, equally dispirited and melancholy.
In recent days, her surroundings had become quiet. There was no longer the person who used to be by her side, chatting with her about novels and hobbies.
Normally, someone who preferred quiet should have been happy about this.
But... now... she couldn't feel happy no matter what.
How she wished now that guy could still chat with her all day long.
Looking at the ordinary apartment building before her, a trace of hesitation flashed in Utaha's eyes. But she still steeled herself and walked in.
She walked to the elevator, pressed the button, and after a moment... the elevator arrived.
The elevator doors slid open, and a girl walked out. Utaha happened to be standing right at the elevator entrance.
The two girls saw each other. Clearly, both were somewhat stunned.
"You... aren't you the girl from the Kendo Tournament that day?"
Utaha was the first to speak. Her memory was good, and she clearly remembered the girl who had spoken to her at the Kendo Tournament.
Because the girl's beauty and cuteness had left an impression on her, she recognized her immediately.
Kato Megumi's eyes flashed with a hint of panic. Then she looked down at the floor somewhat uneasily.
"Um... I'm Kazami-kun's classmate, so I'm representing everyone in the class to check on him."
"I see..." Utaha nodded skeptically.
The reason was plausible...
But also full of holes.
The perceptive Kasumigaoka felt it wasn't that simple, 'She appeared at the Kendo Tournament, and now she's here below Yusei-kun's apartment...'
Utaha's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't show anything. She smiled slightly and looked at Megumi.
The news of Yusei being trapped in SAO had already spread through the school. While everyone lamented his misfortune, there were also quite a few who took pleasure in his misfortune, but also those who were worried.
Utaha and Megumi were extremely worried about Yusei's condition.
Hearing Kasumigaoka's question, Megumi gently shook her head, a bitter smile also on her face.
"Kanako-san said Kazami-kun was transferred to his master's place."
"His master? His Kendo master?"
"Yes." Megumi nodded, "His master is the chairman of the Shinomiya Group. He's currently at a Shinomiya Group's hospital. Outsiders can't get close."
When Utaha heard this, her heart instantly sank, 'It seemed I... wouldn't be able to see Yusei-kun for a long time.'
Outside the apartment, the rain pattered down. But in front of the apartment's elevator, the two girls stood in silence, not speaking for a long time.
…
Aincrad, Second Floor.
The players who had cleared the first floor naturally hurried to enter the second floor... to seize prime leveling and resource spots to become stronger faster.
Otherwise, once the players behind caught up, their advantage would diminish.
On the wild outskirts of the second-floor town, Asuna and Kaguya, wearing their cloaks, walked through the bustling town.
They had cleared the first-floor Boss, then quickly moved to the second floor to grind monsters all afternoon. They were already physically and mentally exhausted.
Right now, they just wanted to quickly find an inn, buy some food, and rest properly for the night.
Having just defeated the first-floor Boss, they had received a fair share of Col.
So they decided to splurge today and order good food at a restaurant.
They found a small restaurant on the second floor and ordered two servings of milk pudding and two steaks.
The restaurant in the game served food very quickly. Soon, their dinner was brought out.
Having barely eaten a proper meal since entering the game, Asuna and Kaguya's eyes lit up, eagerly enjoying this dinner.
However, being young ladies who had received high-society education, even if they were eager, they still ate gracefully.
Cutting a piece of steak and putting it into her small mouth, Asuna suddenly thought of something. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she spoke.
"Kaguya, you seem to get along very well with Yusei-kun."
Hearing this, Kaguya, who was drinking juice, almost spat it out. But she managed to maintain her ladylike composure.
She forced a smile, "No, how could I possibly get along well with that guy? Didn't you see I parted ways with him and didn't join his party?"
"Really?" Asuna looked at Kaguya teasingly, "But I saw him taking very good care of you. Not only did he explain sword techniques to you, but he also asked me to look after you..."
Asuna sighed, pretending to be moved, "If there was a boy who was so wholeheartedly good to me, I would have already become his girlfriend."
Kaguya rolled her eyes at her and shrugged helplessly, "He's my grandfather's disciple. He looks after me because of my grandfather's influence."
"So that's how it is." Asuna was momentarily stunned, then nodded in understanding.
"Right... that's exactly how it is..."
Seeing that Asuna understood, Kaguya nodded, about to breathe a sigh of relief, when she heard Asuna suddenly speak again.
"So he wants to get close to your grandfather, so your grandfather will let him marry you?"
"Of course not!" Kaguya's face flushed bright red with embarrassment. She glared fiercely at her grinning friend.
"He is my grandfather's disciple. His swordsmanship was all taught by my grandfather. He's grateful to my grandfather, so he protects me, his master's granddaughter."
"Do you understand now?!"
Seeing Kaguya's flushed, angry face, Asuna couldn't help but laugh, "I'm just joking. Of course I know."
"Good that you know." Kaguya shot Asuna a look and pointed at the half-finished dinner in front of her.
"Eat. No more talking!"
"Fine." Asuna could only obediently cut her steak and silently enjoy her dinner.
But even though the dinner was delicious, her thoughts were completely elsewhere.
Her mind involuntarily returned to the morning, in the first-floor Boss Room, to the scene of Yusei instantly delivering multiple slashes in mid-air.
That's right. Besides Kaguya, she had also seen that bizarre scene at the time.
Unconsciously, Asuna felt curiosity towards Yusei growing in her heart, 'Just how strong is he actually?'
However, what Asuna didn't realize was that the moment curiosity appears is often the beginning of falling for someone.