The small dinner celebration courtesy of the Moonlit Black Cats guild continued harmoniously.
With Sasamaru's earlier gaffe swept under the rug skillfully by Yuuji and Keita, the dinner returned to its previous friendly and celebratory atmosphere.
Asuna and Sachi sat side by side, absorbed in their own conversations. Having been surrounded by guys since the start of the death game, Sachi relished in finally having a female friend she could converse with closely.
And when Asuna began to tell her stories of her journey thus far with Yuuji, the two girls couldn't resist their nature and the conversation inevitably shifted towards romance.
Meanwhile, the guys were also having their own conversations. The conversation was mostly driven by Keita, Sasamaru, and Ducker, with Yuuji maneuvering through the social atmosphere as necessary. But soon, even Kirito joined in the conversation, shedding a layer of his introversion.
Finally, when the mood felt right, Keita asked the question he had been meaning to ask before Sasamaru fouled the mood.
"Uhm. Yuuji-san, Asuna-san, Kirito. We're planning to go hunting tomorrow on the 27th floor to gather money for our base. Would you like to join us? And perhaps, you can also join our guild. We would love to have you."
Keita knew how presumptuous he was for even suggesting such a thing. Kirito aside, Yuuji and Asuna were high-level players, perhaps even front-line players who simply came to this low floors for a change of pace.
Asking them to join their guild was no different than asking them to babysit members of the guild and help them become stronger.
There were no benefits for them to join the Moonlit Black Cats.
But still, Keita didn't want to waste this rare chance of meeting such high level players.
"A-Ah…"
His first instinct was to refuse, arguing logically from an efficiency stance and his personal inexperience in teaching others. But Kirio knew he was simply avoiding people, just as he had been since the start of the game.
The stigma of being a beta tester. Although Yuuji's efforts had greatly diminished discrimination and ostracization against beta testers, it still existed. Especially amongst lower-leveled players who felt like their chances to grow stronger than been stolen by them.
Kirito feared that the Moonlit Black Cats, even if they were friendly now, would eventually look at him differently upon finding out his true level and his identity as a beta tester.
But before he could refuse, Yuuji was first to speak up.
"I'm sorry. Thank you for your invitation, but I prefer not being in a guild. It is simply a personal preference."
"I'm sorry too… I'm not thinking of joining any guild soon."
Asuna similarly declined. If Yuuji wasn't going to join, she wouldn't even entertain the thought.
"I see…"
Although a disappointment, it was also the expected outcome, and neither Keita nor the rest of the Moonlit Black Cats could do anything to change their stance.
"And since the both of us are quite high-leveled, you will inevitably rely on us during the hunt, diminishing the battle experience you would've gained."
Keita and the Moonlit Black Cats fell silent, failing to respond otherwise to a completely logical and infallible explanation for their refusal.
But just as they were about to lose hope, Yuuji continued.
"But since Kirito is of similar level to you, perhaps he can join your hunt and be a temporary member."
"Huh?! Yuuji?!"
Kirito immediately snapped towards Yuuji, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Yuuji knew full well of his level. And the argument Yuuji presented for himself and Asuna to refuse their invitation would work as well for him.
So why did Yuuji push him to join the Moonlit Black Cats?
Seeing his expression, Yuuji let out a small smile from under his hood. It wouldn't take a sharp mind to guess what he was thinking. Kirito had always worn his heart on his sleeve.
"Isn't it a good chance for you to socialize and find some new friends?"
He spoke softly, encouragingly. But his words hit Kirito more powerfully than anything else would've.
"Just try it out. Spend some time with other people. If you feel comfortable, that's good. If you need more time… Then you can always say so. Isn't that right, Keita?"
Keita nodded readily.
"Of course! We would love to have you as part of our group. But if you feel uncomfortable, we would never force you to stay. After all, that's not how friendships work."
The rest of the Moonlit Black Cats nodded in agreement to their leader's words. After all, they too were friends in real life who decided to make a guild together.
Their guild wasn't an organization that harbored the ambition to become stronger than everyone else no matter what. They were simply friends who chose to fight together and survive in this terrifying world.
If Kirito were to join them, only his guild affiliation would change from none to the Moonlit Black Cats. They had already considered him a friend.
Kirito fell silent…
His heart, whirling in turmoil.
He hesitated. Anxiety choked the words that began travelling up his throat. And fear held his tongue from uttering his answer.
But Yuuji's encouragement kept the ember alight.
Deep inside, he too wanted someone he could share laughter, pain, and stories with. Someone who could fight alongside him, and support each other through the death game they were plunged in.
People like Yuuji, Agil, even Asuna.
Yuuji was right… This was a chance. A chance to break out of his mold and grow.
"...Very well. I'll join."
He finally spoke.
"But only as a temporary member until you're all strong enough. At least… for now."
Despite receiving such an answer, Keita, Sachi, and the rest of the Moonlit Black Cats smiled brightly.
"Sure! We welcome you with open arms! Welcome to the Moonlit Black Cats guild!"
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
Leaving Kirito and the Moonlit Black Cats, Yuuji and Asuna exited the inn and made their way to Taft's Teleporter Gate plaza.
Upon designating their destination, the gate glowed briefly with light and they were whisked away to the 22nd floor.
A beautiful night sky blanketed the entirety of the floor, alighted by a bright, round moon and countless twinkling stars. Around them, deep coniferous forests rustled softly with the night breeze, carrying a faint, yet lingering, scent of wet soil and nature after a rain.
Though, having frequented the floor, both knew that no rain had come to pass.
The 22nd floor was set to be a small and sparsely populated area with most of its surface occupied by lakes and forests. Although trees and lakes were abundant, the game didn't completely simulate each floor's weather patterns to mimic reality.
Thus, while an area such as the 22nd floor would've received several rainfall due to its abundance of lakes and trees, the smell of rain mainly came from the breeze carried from the many lakes that dotted the floor.
Yuuji took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the refreshing night breeze that blew past him.
The clean air, devoid of pollution that tainted the purity of nature, was one of the main reasons why Yuuji decided to buy a house in this floor.
"Hah… We're finally back. Let's head home, Asuna."
"...Mm."
Yuuji began to walk, and Asuna followed after him.
Silence fell between them. Their soft footsteps accompanied solely by the rustling of leaves, cricking insects, and a faint sound of the breeze.
It wouldn't take a genius to notice that Asuna was upset at him.
Yuuji glanced at her from under his hood, and his lips curled into a faint, helpless smile.
He had planned on letting things progress naturally. Let her feelings grow, and let the distance between them shrink in time.
After all, both of them had their own ambitions and goals to focus on.
Yuuji had his missions, while Asuna strived to survive by becoming a strong player and return to the real world.
While Yuuji might be able to juggle both chasing his goals and caring for Asuna, he didn't know if she would be able to.
That's why he wanted to take things slowly and let Asuna dictate when their relationship would progress to the next phase.
After all, he knew it was only a matter of time.
But, it seemed that flow had been hastened due to outside interference…
Then again, outside interference was also a "natural" part of life.
Yuuji and Asuna soon arrived at their home.
A small, cozy, round log cabin located in a round open grass field, surrounded by a thick coniferous forest, on a hill at the southwestern edge of the 22nd Floor.
Aside from a small room used as a storeroom near the living room, kitchen, and a bathroom, the 1-storey house consisted of only two main rooms. A large living room and the bedroom.
Naturally, Yuuji and Asuna shared the bedroom. Though, they still slept in their own beds.
The bedroom was dimly lit solely by the twinkling stars and moonlight that entered through a massive window wall overlooking the large lake in the middle of the floor and surrounding hilly terrain.
He stepped in, and Asuna followed.
Yuuji unequipped his hood and adorned his casual outfit; a simple shirt and long pants.
Similarly, Asuna also unequipped her hood. Though, she hadn't changed back to her indoor outfits yet. She'd normally change in the bathroom, something she insisted on doing despite there being a function to instantly change their casual outfits, especially in front of Yuuji.
And just as the wooden door closed behind Asuna, Yuuji turned around with a smile.
"What's wrong, Asuna? You've been glaring at me all the way. Are you still upset that I forgot to tell you that the skewer was spicy?"
Now with her hood off, despite the dark space, Yuuji could clearly see her face blushing redly.
"N-No I'm not! I'm not that petty!"
She raised a hand to hit his chest lightly. But Yuuji caught it and held them softly.
"I know. I'm just teasing you."
He could feel her hand tense up, before relaxing slowly. She kept her hand in his, not shaking him away.
"...Idiot."
Asuna averted her gaze to the side, her lips pouted. She herself didn't know why she was acting so dramatically.
Having been raised in a strict home where she was expected to always maintain her composure as the daughter of a massive technological company's owner, Asuna was used to reigning in her emotions and acted with a composure that belied her juvenile age.
Only when she was with Yuuji did she find herself failing in the art she had cultivated since she was little.
Her emotions flowed out naturally and expressed itself in her expression, her demeanor, and her actions.
Even the ones she wanted to hide.
Perhaps it was comfort. Or perhaps it was because the emotions had overflowed from her chest.
"... You know why I'm like this."
She whispered faintly.
"I do."
Yuuji nodded readily, his voice soft and gentle.
"It's because I said we weren't a couple to them, right?"
Her silence was all the confirmation he needed. And the way her hand tensed in his was an undeniable proof.
"I said that because it was the truth then."
Her hand tightened into his. A protest against his words. Her dissatisfaction.
He could feel it. And the fact made his smile grew as he placed his other hand onto hers and clasped her firmly.
"But now… I think it's time to change that."
Asuna snapped towards him as Yuuji suddenly dropped down to his knees. His eyes—Soft, warm, and loving— looking directly towards her surprised gaze.
"Asuna… There are still many things I need to tell you. Great… many things. Truths I don't want to hide from you… Not anymore."
"What…"
He brought her hands to his face, letting her touch him as he leaned into it. His eyes never leaving hers as her eyes glimmered with shock, confusion, and anticipation.
Yuuji could feel his face warming in her hand, just as clearly as her rapidly beating heart from her pulse.
"But one truth I will tell you now. I love you, Asuna. I've long since fallen for you. Though I only had the courage to tell you this now."
Her lips split open as her eyes widened in a look of shock, before tears seemed to pool in the corner of her eyes, threatening to flow down.
"Yuuji…"
He smiled softly, ever so lovingly, as he gazed at the blushing face of the girl he had come to fall in love so deeply.
"Will you become my girlfriend, Asuna?"
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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~!
Thank you~!