35 Chapter 35: I Will Never be Strong.

-Night, Same Day.-

"Fuuhh...." (Rein)

(Tommorow...huh.)

In the middle of the dark alleyway, Rein is still contemplating tomorrow's battle and today's actions while looking at the beautiful night sky.

After he made the party and discussed the battle plan, he didn't join with the rest of the players since it will only be a disaster and awkward atmosphere.

During the time he did the speech on the first day and today's, he already prepared that he will be outcasted and lived as a solo player.

After all, who likes an irregular that stabs other people's minds?

Even so, somebody did stand up and want to battle with him.

Kirito, the protagonist.

Agil, the future weapon merchant.

Lastly, Asuna who will be crowned as the flash.

"Haha, it really is a weird party." (Rein)

Except for himself, the key pillar of players who always fight in the front lines has already been gathered in the early phase of the story.

Suddenly, he has an idea.

Realistically, it is a ridiculous concept to implement.

But with these members and himself, it is possible.

(After this, I should try asking them.)

Guild.

Although the members are only four candidates, each of their abilities is top notch without a doubt.

Even the all-star team will lose when comparing with these people.

Besides,

(It's more lively than being alone.) (Rein)

If Rein could be described in one word, then he is an oddball.

He can be the ultimate hero shining brightly without relying on anybody.

Even so, he himself will never become nor wish for it.

Even if his happenings is similar to other protagonists, he has his path.

True, his past actions in the morning make him as an enemy, but he himself never wishes so.

(Why would you make your own burden heavier just because it's cooler?) (Rein)

You don't need to become friends with everybody, but you don't need to be enemies either.

That's why Rein didn't kill Kibaou nor other players who condemn him discreetly.

Rather, if he does so, there's no doubt he will really be the number one public enemy of every player at all times.

Rather than being overconfident of own strength, if he could borrow and rely on other people, then he won't hesitate on grabbing their hands.

He is not the original Rein.

So he will do his way only.

He doesn't mind if his action is not cool or unsightly.

If he needs to beg and kneel, he will do so.

If he needs to cry pathetically like a baby, then he will gladly cry.

Because he always thought to himself.

(The one who will survive until the end is the winner.)

*Grumble~~* (Stomach rumbling)

"I should fill my stomach first."

In real life, he could hold his hunger for two weeks with just water only.

But this world has hunger meter set as normal human including Rein himself. Even if he has extraordinary skill and power, he is still human.

Just like what Akashic Record said, there is law and rules that have to be followed no matter what.

Before that,

"Do you want to join me for dinner, Asuna-san?" (Rein)

He lowers his head and faced toward the only female player on his party who still has her hood on.

"...I want to ask you something." (Asuna)

"Is that the reason for you to join our party despite the risk?" (Rein)

*Nods*

"Okay, I will answer it. However, before that..."

*Grumble~~*

"...." (Asuna)

With a wry smile, Rein voices out his request to the girl who is holding her stomach.

"Let's eat dinner first. We can talk after that." (Rein)

"...I understand."(Asuna)

In the end, she cannot beat the hunger with curiosity only.

*****

"Fuuhh... Thank you for the food." (Rein)

"....Thank you for the food." (Asuna)

After Rein has invited her for dinner, he shared his created food to her too.

Although, it didn't take that much time since she ate it with tremendous speed, just like a person who never eat for weeks.

It naturally makes Rein smile, for her eating his food without leaving anything.

"Fufu, I guess it was that delicious. It makes me feel worth making it." (Rein)

"Do you...really think this is all real?" (Asuna)

"Real...huh."

The 'real' she mentioned doesn't only mean the food she ate but everything in this world.

The taste, the field, the NPCs, and the monsters.

To her who always focused on following her parents' word aiming for better college, she couldn't accept all of this situation easily.

No, maybe it's more accurate that she sees this world as a fake.

Rein could understand that feeling.

After all, this world is still a game, despite the no logout option.

However,

"It doesn't matter." (Rein)

"...What is?" (Asuna)

"All of it. This world is truly just a created reality. However, the players who lived here, the food that we just ate, and the discussion of defeating the boss together. Even if we are just a gathering 0s and 1s, the actions that we do are all real."

"So you accept this world completely?"

"Maybe. There's no point to reject something that's already happening in front of me. All I can do is to face and walk through it."

"...."

Few moments of silences and stare occurred between each other. All they can hear is the constant chattering of the players outside the alley.

*Chatter* *Chatter* (Players talking to each other.)

After a while, Asuna ended up speaking first.

She finally understood.

"You are... the opposite of me." (Asuna)

"Opposite?" (Rein)

"Unlike you who can be one with this world, I only reject it. I never accepted all of this situation even one bit. ....The only reason I don't stop and fall is because I still want to go back. Go home to our world."

"...."

"Probably.... we will never understand each other in the same line."

*shakes head*

After hearing that, Rein interject her opinion with a smile.

Because he never thought that way.

"That's a bit different. True, I accept this reality. However, I do so, because it could make me adapt faster in this cruel world. Just like you, I also have something to do in the other world, no matter what."

"...."

"That's why I will survive, until the end. Then, when I reach to the top, I will definitely kill that crazy game master."

"...Why."

"Hmm?"

After hearing his resolve, Asuna ended up feeling miserable when comparing him with herself.

From the beginning, she viewed this man's action on the first day of the game and even on today's action.

He is drastically different from others.

No matter what troubles he faces, no matter how low the percentage to win, he still shines brightly like a sun, never giving up until he reaches his goal.

Unconsciously, she envies him.

Envy him for being strong.

That's why she couldn't help but ask.

"Why...are you so strong?" (Asuna)

To that question, instead of answering confidently like a hero, Rein could only shake his head with a bitter smile.

Because he is never strong, even having the supreme's power.

"I'm not strong at all. No, I can be weaker than you, you know?" (Rein)

"...Eh?" (Asuna)

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying this to sympathize you or because I lacked confidence. I'm just... stubborn."

"Stu...bborn?"

*Nods*

"I can still stand up until now because there is always somebody who support me. Somebody who cheered me up when I'm in the bottom. and... Somebody who always wait for my return. I'm not strong enough to be alone, facing this situation."

He gains the supreme's power from the predecessor himself despite the up and down events.

Right now, he can be the existence that can rival the gods.

If there are the stage and story ready for him, then he can be recorded as the strongest protagonist.

However,

"I'm not a hero who will save the world nor can be the protagonist." (Rein)

In the end, he is still himself.

He will do as he wishes only.

He will avoid what he considered as unnecessary trouble for him.

And, he will only protect what he wants to protect.

Rein himself recognized the most he can't be the main character of any story he will go.

After all, he is still a weak person who will collapse if his emotional support, Athena disappears eternally.

Even if he can hold the sense of loss, there's no doubt some piece of his heart will break.

(...Just like...that time.) (Rein)

The reason he can still stand up and walk confidently even after experiencing countless tragedies in his past life because he himself is just hard-headed.

He forcibly fixed himself so he can still stand up until now.

Now?

"I can still raise my head and walk forward because there's somebody support my back. If you interpret that as strong...then maybe it is. Because those people gave me the strength to face the unknown future." (Rein)

"...I...see." (Asuna)

"Sorry for not giving a better answer."

*Shakes head.*

"No, it's fine. It's just....frustrating."

"Frustrating....is it."

*Nods*

"...*sigh*...If you say it like that, I will never be strong. Because....there's nobody who will wait for me."

(I shouldn't have asked.)

The source of his power is impossible for her to obtain it. Currently, she herself didn't think that somebody will be waiting for her return, even for long period.

In the end, she could only lower her head and walk aimlessly.

But to Rein, that is just a misunderstanding.

With a gentle smile on his face, he slowly grabs one of Asuna's hand.

To prove it to her directly.

That she will never be alone.

"!?...What are you--" (Asuna)

Panicked of his sudden action, Asuna tried to release the hand but Rein ended up speaking faster than her.

"You can be strong, just like me." (Rein)

"!!...Why--"

While facing her directly, Rein will be the support in order to keep her from breaking.

In order to avoid the tragedy that can happen just like him.

"Asuna-san, I also say it just now but this world is still real, no matter how much you reject it. The feelings that we have, sense of touch, the view that we see. All of it.

It can't be faked.

...That's why, if there's no one who will wait for you in that world, make it in here. In this world." (Rein)

"...I..." (Asuna)

"If you don't have somebody right now, that's alright. If you hesitate on creating a bond in here, that is also fine. For the first step, I will be the one that will give you the push."

"....You?"

*Nods*

"Yes, me. After tomorrow's battle, maybe we will take different ways. ...However, at least until that time, I will be your companion.

The one that will help and support your back."

"..Ahhh.."

(Fuuhh...this person is.)

Coming this far, even Asuna realizes that Rein is cheering him up so she won't give up on this hopeless situation.

In the beginning, she saw her as a cold person after strangling Kibaou's neck mercilessly.

But surprisingly, he has a gentle side that can care somebody.

It is truly shocking for a person having this much of contrasting side.

Even so, right now his words are enough for her.

Because it gives her the energy to stand up properly.

"Fufu, don't push me okay? I'm a delicate man that will break with just a small force." (Rein)

In order to break this serious atmosphere, Rein smile teasingly on her.

"...Pft, huhuhu. You are really a strange person." (Asuna)

"Haha. Not like it's the first time for me to hear that."

For the first time, she finally smiles and laughs in this world.

She thought that kind of feelings has already been lost. It was an unnecessary feeling, she thought.

But just by simple action and few words from this man, Asuna has begun to feel really...alive.

That's why,

"Thank you." (Asuna)

"You are welcome." (Rein)

She is finally connected with somebody in this world.