24 Chapter 24: Let's Start Again

-??? Point of View-

"Haaah!!"

*slash!*

"GRowLLll!!" (Monster)

*Pring* (Dissolving)

"...Fuuhh. Today is also fulfilling." (???)

In the middle of a grass field, a man is standing alone defeating a wolf type monster packs in a matter of minutes. After he finished killed the monster in one strike, he sheathes his sword coolly on his back.

It is a scene that can only be seen in movies.

Moreover, this man's facial features are quite handsome to look at. From the third point of view, it's like looking at a painting.

All of this could be realized because he's not in the real world but in a virtual reality where the settings are medieval fantasy.

*Teng!* *Teng!* *Teng!* (Sound of the bell)

"....It's already time,...huh."

After the ringing of the bell sound, the sky of the virtual reality has slowly transformed from blue to orange-red. Adding to that, the sunset in the sky makes it more beautiful to look at.

No matter who looks at it, it's really like living in the reality itself.

"...*sigh*...Today, I should log out."

Even so, the man didn't appreciate any of it. Instead, he just makes a bitter face and sighs for a long time.

After being chosen as a beta tester for Sword Art Online, the man was very ecstatic.

No matter day and night, he always prioritizes playing it more rather than focusing things on his real world.

He was really fascinated by this world.

No, to be accurate, it is near to being addicted.

In this world, you don't need to worry about 'yourself' in the real world.

You can be anybody you want to.

Most of all, you can do what the real world can't.

It even makes him think, 'This is my calling.'

Unfortunately, this dreamlike world has also its time limit. The bell sound just now brings him back to the reality he doesn't want to face.

That's why,

"...I wish this place could become a new reality for me."

He can't help thinking a wish that is impossible to fulfill.

*shakes head*

After reaching this point, the man makes a bitter smile for thinking a stupid and impossible dream.

"...Fuuhh, I should stop daydreaming and just go back."

While opening the interface, he chose the option 'logout' from it.

*Click*

*Fwissssh* (Body disappearing)

From that, he disappeared from the world he wished to live, but going back to the reality he hated.

However, in the near future, this man's nonsensical dream is going to be fulfilled.

One day, he will be one of the citizens in this beautiful world he always wished for.

At the same time,

It will be the day where he can't go back to the 'real' reality.

******

*Taking off the helmet.*

".....It's really silent." (???)

At this time, usually this man,

No, this 'young boy' will hear the sound of shinai clashing each other loudly until he can hear it from the room he lived upstair.

It is natural though.

After all, it is already past 9 A.M. so the morning practice had already finished a long time ago.

He felt lucky and complicated after noticing this fact.

Lucky because he doesn't need to hear it anymore.

...Feeling complicated because he knows himself the most that he's just running away from reality.

"...*sigh*...I guess Suguha already left."

Mutters the young boy under his breath.

*Grumble* (Stomach grumbling loudly.)

"....Fuuuh, I should look the refrigerator downstair for something to eat."

The young boy, Kirigaya Kazuto moves his stiffen body and wake up from the bed.

Whether he wants it or not, it is the new day for him to the world he doesn't wish to face.

However, today he will lead his life in a completely new direction.

*****

*Duk* *Duk* *Duk* (Sounds of stepping stair)

*Chirp* *Chirp* (Birds crying)

*Fwisshhh* (sound of wind rustling the leaves)

"Huhp!! (Stretching)... the wind feels really nice today." (Kazuto)

While thinking so, he heads toward to the kitchen for finding something to eat. Right now, his father already passed away while his mother rarely goes home from work so his home feels lonely.

Currently, it is weekend so Suguha went to the school for the kendo club while Kazuto didn't join any. In short, he's free and alone in this big house.

...Actually, there is still one more person living in this house, but unfortunately, their relationship can only be said as a disaster.

"...I should quickly make something. It will be awkward if we meet."

To Kazuto himself, he really can't face with his grandfather Kazuki directly. After the incident when Suguha protects him, he doesn't need to do the painful kendo anymore.

Even so, everything always has consequences, big or small.

As for Kazuto, every day he needs to live quietly to avoid grandfather' disappointed eyes.

Every time he meets accidentally on the house, Kazuto always faced his grandfather who is cold to him so he can't properly look to his eyes.

....Most of all, he can't bear to meet his little sister to protect the weak him, but unable to do something for her. Instead, he stays away from her because he doesn't know what to say to her.

That's why the existence of Sword Art Online saves him the most.

Because of that game, he doesn't need to worry all about his problem. He can just forget it completely to enjoy the new world where some people only can do.

It is paradise.

But, looking at it from another view,

It is just him running away from hardship.

"....Damn it."

He can't help curse under his breath. It's not like he loathes his grandfather for it. After all, he himself understand the most all of this happened because of him who gave up and choose another path.

...Even so, he can't help feeling pained to live every day like this.

"...*Sigh*...I really should st--- Hmm?"

Suddenly, after not knowing how many times sighs he had, he found a shinai lying in the middle of the dojo.

Seeing that he felt strange and tilt his head.

After all, both Kazuki and Suguha are a responsible person so why does the shinai has just been left on the ground?

"...I should help clean it up."

Saying so, he heads inside toward the dojo to pick up the shinai for putting it back to the proper place.

Carrying the shinai with his real hand, he forms a bitter smile on his face, realizing one thing.

"...Heavy. It's different from SAO."

That is so.

After all, in virtual reality, the body is adjusted appropriately for the world itself so they could move several times faster than the original body. Therefore, Kazuto could easily slice the wolf pack monster easily like tofu.

*Fwissh* (Sound of swinging shinai)

*Fwissh*

(Suguha, you do this every day, huh?)

While swinging the shinai thinking like that,

"Kazuto." (Kazuki)

A low and old tone vibrates around the dojo, reaching Kazuto's ear too.

"Tch!?...Gr-grandfather." (Kazuto)

Unknowingly, he got founded out by the person he doesn't want to meet the most. To him, he doesn't know what to say when he got called after Kazuki seeing this scene.

Will he be mad at me again?

Or will he force me to do kendo?

Negative thoughts keep swirling around the head all the time while waiting for the continuation.

However, Kazuki didn't yell at him nor trying to teach him again.

Instead,

"...Come with me. I want to talk to you for a while." (Kazuki)

He only talks slowly and kindly to Kazuto without any condescending tone.

"...E-eh?" (Kazuto)

"I'll be waiting in the living room. ...Tidy up the shinai before you go."

"Ah,y-yes!"

*Da* *Da *Da* (Sound of footsteps)

(...Grandfather, doesn't he look different today?)

Kazuto himself couldn't help feeling so. After all, he knows the most that grandfather still hate him for quitting kendo because of his selfish desire.

So what happened to him today?

"...I should clean this up first."

Nevertheless, what will be coming to him is going to be the change in his life forever.

*****

*Shuu* (Pouring tea)

*Fwiii* (Steam coming from food)

"....." (Kazuto)

"What's wrong? Sit down. You haven't eaten anything since morning right?" (Kazuki)

"Y-yes."

(Wh-what is this? Is there something going to happen today?)

Seeing his grandfather who was always cold and indifference to him prepare food for him like this, he really doesn't know what to say.

In the table, there's rice, miso soup, and grilled salmon.

In short, it's the typical breakfast for Japanese.

Moreover, seeing the steam coming from the foods and tea, Kazuto can tell that his grandfather just prepared this recently.

Seeing this unexpected change without any sign, he couldn't help getting a bad feeling about it.

Even so, he still follows his grandfather' words and sits down obediently.

Gathering both of his palms, he says his gratitude to food albeit nervously.

"I-Itadakimasu." (Kazuto)

(Note: Itadakimasu is equivalent to 'thanks for the food' in Japanese.)

*Nom* *Nom* (chewing.)

"!!...De-delicious..." (Kazuto)

"Is it good?"

"Y-yes."

(...Does grandfather can cook this good?)

In the past, he had eaten Kazuki's homemade food but he remembers it's not this good. Seeing the wonder and surprise on his beloved grandson, Kazuki faintly smiles while answering his doubt.

"I have a friend who can cook really well. He helps me a lot during the morning after the spar." (Kazuki)

"I-I see. ...Did he..come to our house these days?" (Kazuto)

*Nods*

"He is. He came to our place 1 month ago to practice kendo. I have no problem with it so he comes here every day practicing with Suguha and me." (Kazuki)

"He-heeee... I didn't know at all."

Of course, he doesn't know. Not only he never talked much with his grandfather and little sister, he always holed up in his room to play SAO.

Instead, it's more of a wonder if Kazuto really knows about it.

"If there's an opportunity, I will also introduce him to you too." (Kazuki)

"I-I understand." (Kazuto)

(...He really looks happy when talking about this guest...)

While talking about this 'mysterious' person he never met, Kazuto is surprised. After all, his grandfather rarely smiles even to Suguha, much less to him. Moreover, hearing his story, it looks like they were quite close since Kazuki always smiles happily while talking about Rein.

"Umm...Grandfather, you don't eat?" (Kazuto)

"It's okay. I already ate it with Suguha. Don't worry about it and just savor it." (Kazki)

"O-okay."

After he had a peaceful and quiet breakfast with his grandfather, he rinses the inside of his mouth by using the green tea.

Then,

"Kazuto, how are you these days?" (Kazuki)

His grandfather begun to ask him his condition now.

Everything is just shocking one after another. So, Kazuto himself also begin to slightly get numb about it and get flowed by it.

"I-I'm doing well these days. School is also not a problem."

"...I see. Kazuto, I want to ask you a question."

"Wh-what is it?"

Even so,

"Do you play a game called Sword Art Online?"

"!?"

He can't help be shocked after his grandfather asking that. After all, he never tells this to Kazuki and most of all, Kazuki himself is never interested to him.

But, rather than that, he is more afraid.

Afraid that Kazuki will get mad at him for playing a game rather than doing kendo.

That's why he prepares for the worst and grit his teeth.

.....But, his expectation is ruined in a good way.

"What did you do in there?" (Kazuki)

".....Eh?" (Kazuto)

"Like I said, what did you do inside that game? It's a place where you go to another world with your own body, right?"

"....Ha! Umm...In there I was..."

Instead of facing an oni's face, he only got greeted by a face full of curiosity.

It was a really strange reaction. After all, an old-fashioned man like Kazuki definitely thinks that games are just something to waste your time.

Even so, Kazuto tries to explain how revolutionary SAO is compared to the other game.

When he first see the new world,

Slashing the monsters with a sword,

Interacting the NPC's of that world and many others.

Each time he explains that to Kazuki, he never gets mad to him. Instead, he only nods his head time to time for showing that he's listening to Kazuto seriously.

After he finished talking about it passionately, he began to get really nervous and wait for his grandfather's reaction.

"..That's all...I guess.." (Kazuto)

"....." (Kazuki)

"Umm....Grandfather?"

"...*sigh*...It really is according to what he says."

"?"

(He? is it the guest he talked about?)

"Kazuto." (Kazuki)

"Y-yes."

".....I'm sorry."

".......EH!?"

...Now, Kazuto couldn't be more shocked than now. His grandfather is literally bowing to him and apologizes without any form of sarcasm.

"Gr-grandfather!? Wh-what are you apologizing for!! Anyway, please stand up! I--" (Kazuto)

*Shakes head*

"...No, I need to do it. If not, I won't have the courage to do it again. Kazuto, please listen to this foolish old man's rambling."

"...O-Okay..?"

"....I was wrong Kazuto, forcing you to do kendo and most of all, hitting you when you try to chase your own dream."

"!!!"

"I should have noticed. It's not easy for you to express your opinion like that. Even so, you still did it. Because you strongly want to accomplish something. .....You really are strong, just like what Suguha did in the past."

"...Gr-grandfather....I...I..."

"!!!"

While confused and surprised at the same time, Kazuki's face has tears pouring both on his eyes now.

Yes, he really cries.

Because he regrets it.

He always thought that Kazuto's dream is something insignificant compared to what he taught so he condemns it and hit Kazuto to go back to his sense.

"...But, it was me who was supposed to wake up. I forced my ideal, my dream to you even without your consent. ....It is something that can't be easily forgiven."

While gripping both of his knuckles strongly until it bleeds, he continues to apologize to Kazuto with trembling voice.

"..I should have known it sooner. I should support you so you can chase it without worry. ....instead, I did the worst thing a grandparent could do to his child. Even so, ..." (Kazuto)

"Will you.....forgive me?"

"!!! (Tremble)....Gr-grandfather..." (Kazuto)

"I'm sorry....I'm really, really sorry..." (Kazuki)

That's it.

Something snap inside Kazuto.

That's why he burst all of his hidden feelings too.

"Please....please stop it!! It's not you who is wrong!! I also did many mistakes! Because of my selfishness, I forced Suguha to do kendo until now! Even so, I 'can't' do anything to her! Worse, I...I didn't even give thanks to her... "Thank you"... Just that two words.....because of me....I...."

This time, tears fell on Kirito's face too.

Because he can't bear to hear it anymore.

Kazuki said that he was wrong, but Kazuto doesn't think so. After all, he himself knows the most that it's his fault.

If he could convince his grandfather, it wouldn't end this way.

If he could do something to Suguha, he doesn't need to feel this agonizing shame.

....Most of all, if he could stand up and face it properly, they all wouldn't be suffering anymore.

Instead, he runs away from it.

He hides from his grandfather, fearing his wrath, hiding from Suguha because of shame and gratefulness.

Running, hiding, and cowering for a long, long time.

"If I...*Hic*...If I could do it better...If I have the courage...Then, *hic* it wouldn't end this way... That's why..!!" (Kazuto)

"..(Trembling) I'm sorry...I'm sorry for being selfish *Hic*....I'm sorry for being a coward..."

"...I'm sorry for being...weak."

*Hug*

Suddenly, He feels warm sensation surrounding his body. When he looks at the front, his grandfather who is still crying hugs him with a warm smile.

For a very long time, he never experienced this feeling.

The feeling of being accepted.

The feeling of being loved.

"....It's fine. It's fine Kazuto. ....We all make mistakes. I, you,... and Suguha too. That's why....." (Kazuki)

...

.....

....

"Let's start again, from the scratch. This time, by facing each other properly."

*Nods slowly*

"...Un...Un... Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me... Thank you for accepting me..."

(Note: 'Un' is like nodding or yes in Japanese.)

Responding to his Grandson's gratitude, Kazuki doesn't answer back. Instead, he only ruffles the back of his hair softly, slowly, and gently.

At this moment, both of them are genuinely saved in the truest sense.