48 Chapter 48: Love is Always a War. Part II

In all of her life, Asuna had always felt being alive was suffocating itself.

The moment she was born, her path has been decided by her parents.

You have to do this, you can't do that, choose your friends wisely.

Each and every one of her actions had always been decided and monitored.

Of course, she understood that her parents worry about her well-being and wishes her the very best. It's the obligation of what every parent should do to their own child.

....Just, she felt that breathing was already a luxury.

"What is my real self ?"

Society always judged her attitude. Her family decided her course of actions from A to Z.

Putting it bluntly, her existence herself was blank.

A white piece of paper with null black stains.

Because there's no action that she really did wished for she could remember.

But all of that turned upside down when she was trapped inside SAO.

(I need to go back!)

At first, she was desperate to escape this game because she doesn't want her entire effort to be futile.

Her studying, her future, and her identity herself. Even if all of it was made by someone, there's no denying it was still important for her.

However, everything changed when he met Rein.

She never believed in so-called fate until that moment.

Because of his existence, her world has become colorful, instead of black and white.

Because of his words, she has someone she could rely for.

Because of his actions, she is truly connected with somebody on her entire life.

Just because of one man, she could feel....alive in truest sense.

She is grateful to him until now. No amount of words could express her whole heart emotion.

That's why she regards Rein as the most important person in the world.

At the same time, she could easily collapse if another person takes his existence.

*****

Silence can be divided into two types.

One, a silence where the person purely enjoy the moment itself.

Second,

"..."

It's a death still silence which one second equals to eternity.

"Let me summarize so I could understand it completely without misunderstanding."

Asuna, who is still giving the death glare to Rein tries to calm her raging heart. As for the receiver, he could only nod his head meekly with a bitter smile.

As for the double duo, they try to pacify this situation before it gets worse.

"N-Now, now Asuna. At least he come back safely right? So---" (Agil)

"Y-Yeah!! Since it's Christmas, let's enjoy it, okay!? If not---" (Kirito)

"Be quiet, both of you. I didn't ask your opinions."

" "Yes, Ma'am." "

There is a saying, "Never grab the Tiger's neck in the back." Kirito and Agil could only zip their mouths just with her simple words and 'nice' smile.

(Why is she this angry?)

Seeing her like this, Rein truly has no idea how could it become like this. At the very least, he has never offended her (Except a bit of teasing) in this 9 months.

However, saying anything in this situation would equivalent to stepping a landmine. So, he could only progress this carefully.

As for Sachi, she is fidgeting and shivering on the entire time, just like a scared hamster.

Her Mental Life point is already on red bar.

"Fuuuhh...."

Taking a deep breath, Asuna interrogates(?) Rein in straightest fashion she could.

"Where did she come from?"

"A guild called Moonlit of The Black Cat. Right now, it's already disbanded."

"Why did you decide to bring her on our guild?"

"Because I can't leave her alone."

"....."

Direct and clean.

So straight that even Asuna feel speechless for a little while. Moreover, she couldn't even argue with it since Rein is too honest.

She knows he doesn't mean it THAT kind of way. ...Just, it will make the receiver be misunderstood easily.

Being too honest is also a problem.

Even Sachi's face becomes bright red for being embarrassed of Rein's answer.

Seeing her like this, Asuna's wrath is reaching the peak.

(Ahhh...the more I think about it, the more I feel irritating it is!!)

Looking at the girl beside Rein, her face couldn't frown more than now. She even feels it could make wrinkles.

A short-haired style, well-proportioned body, and a cute face with a sense of weak to it until it could make men unconsciously protect her.

In all honesty, Asuna has confidence in her looks. As proof, she periodically receives marriage proposals until today.

But when she looks at Sachi who is fidgeting like this beside Rein, Asuna felt a sense of crisis she never felt.

(....Why are you so close with him!? At least make space, will you!?)

It is not a fun thing to experience. Rather, her annoyance just keep accumulating without stopping.

It is a first, feeling something like this.

That's why she will dig this case to the deepest until she felt satisfied.

Fuuhh...

Exhaling a long breath, Asuna finally asks the last and the most sensitive question.

"...Then, what is your relationship with her?"

"...(Blinking eyes) Yes?"

"~~~ Like I said, what are you to her!!"

*Bam!*

While saying so, she stands up and slams the table with both of her hands. The loud sounds vibrate clearly in the empty, large house.

Hearing this question, Rein couldn't understand the question for a moment.

If he answers to her simply, Sachi is just a friend at best to Him.

Nothing more, nothing less.

But, he understands Asuna doesn't want to hear that.

Then, he reaches in one conclusion.

(Ahh~~~ I finally understand.)

With a smile that understood everything, Rein answers the question plainly.

"Don't worry, Asuna. We are not a couple, so you don't need to worry about being awkward in the future."

"...."

(What is this!? It's not like he's wrong but he's making it more frustrating!!)

If she could describe Rein's answer, it felt like she is getting a high prize, but not the want she really desires.

...Let's talk about Rein's life for a second.

In his previous life, he was a super expert who could read people's intention from their facial expression and lead the conversation to his liking. Also, since he had experienced the hardship of society, his personality is much more mature compared to people of the same age.

But, his love life was close to none. Of course, he didn't even have a lover.

That's why, this idiot doesn't understand the underlying meaning of Asuna's question nor her feelings poured into it.

In short, he's a hopeless case.

Adding to his perfect appearance and lack of common sense toward women, ....the strongest natural lady killer is born.

" *Sigh*...."

(....Well, at least I found out the important part.)

The heart of a maiden is too complicated for a man who is single in his entire life.

******

Finished pressuring this irritating man, Asuna faces toward Sachi. As a vice guild master, she needs to consider this recruitment not by personal feelings, but by an objective point of view.

"Sachi-san...is it? can I ask you some questions?"

"Y-yes, Of course!!"

"...Please don't be that nervous. I won't harm you in any way."

Well, she admits her actions before was a bit(?) overbearing, so she couldn't do anything with it.

"Are you prepared to be a full-fledged member of our guild?"

"...Umm, what do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, let me explain it a bit more. Do you know that our guild is currently at the front line, clearing the floor boss actively?"

"Ah, yes."

"Alright. This means you need to fulfill several criteria to join our guild. Personally, are your current skill strong enough to join the fight?"

"....No, I couldn't."

Obviously.

She is stagnant for three whole months without being able to level up even once. Just the level gap between both of them is already more than fifty.

But that won't be a problem If Rein took part into it.

"Don't worry about that, Asuna. I will take responsibility for her training regiment. In two months minimum, she will be good enough to stand beside us."

*Nods*

"....Understood. If it's our guild master, there won't be a problem at all."

In a game, there's a concept of power leveling and taking a bus from powerful players. In addition, Rein has experience in teaching people prior to Suguha's so he won't have a problem.

Moreover, she including Kirito and Agil had received lots of advice to be stronger.

But, the latter question is the important part.

"...Then, are you ready to risk your life at all times?"

"....."

"Sachi-san, I don't want to say this in a cruel way, but it's my obligation. ...We cannot have a burden on our party. It will not be your life only on a stake. Just one mistake could cost all of our lives. Moreover, there will be murderer guilds and other clearing guild members interrupting our actions at all times. Are you...prepared for it?"

"...(closing eyes)"

Honestly, she is still scared. Sure, she chooses this decision but her past still becomes a trauma even until now. During her sleep, she often had a dream haunting her, where his teammates blame her on their deaths.

(Even so.)

Precisely so she experienced this endless nightmare, she wishes to be free for it once and for all.

No matter how many blood and sweat she needs to sheat for.

Opening her eyes, she expresses her resolve by looking at Asuna's eyes directly.

"I....am a weak person. I was just a girl who couldn't wield a weapon by my own choice."

"...."

"But, I want to change myself. I'm sick of being a burden for people around me. ....That's why I accepted Rein-san's invitation. For me to be a strong person that could stand up on my own."

After saying that, she bows to Asuna while sitting.

"I may lack in a lot of aspects. I will also be pulling your leg times to times. ...Even so, please accept me."

"Fuuhhh...."

(She is serious.)

Honestly, she wants to point the door while giving Sachi no chance to refute. That's how serious and heavy for bearing the title of Familia Myth.

If not, they won't be able to survive with just four members only.

The problem is, even if she refused her, she could imagine easily that Rein will support her in the back so she won't die in the middle of the road. That's how much caring he will give to his friends.

(Hahhh... do I really have a choice...)

She doesn't like this at all.

She is stuck between a rock and hard place.

No matter what choice she will choose, there will be a scene where Rein will do one to one lesson with a girl he's close with.

Therefore, the only choice for her is to left Sachi around the corner of her eyes.

"....Alright. I accept your admission."

She swallows her huge dissatisfaction barely while glaring at the guy who throws this surprises to her.

If not, she herself won't know how to subdue own raging emotion.

(You idiot guild master!!)

Sadly, Rein could only tilt his head without understanding that stare.

As for Sachi, her face automatically brightens for receiving the OK sign unexpectedly.

"Then!!"

After that, Asuna faced toward the two stiff guys who are silent this whole time.

"How about both of you?"

" "No objection." "

Even if there is, they didn't dare to when they are receiving the silent threat from her stare.

Raising her right hand, Asuna gives a smile to the first new member since the start of their guild.

"Welcome to Familia Myth, Sachi-san."

"Thank you so much!!"

Saying that she took her hand with a spirited response.

This is the start of the gentle and strong warrior, bearing the name 'Iron Maiden'.

*****

"Now then, let's start the real deal!!"

"...Haha, you still haven't given up?"

"Hmph. This time, I'll definitely make you lose!"

"Ohhh, then I should be serious."

In the kitchen, Asuna and Rein are preparing the ingredients to serve for the judges. Since Sachi has joined, the odd number of judges makes the result fairer.

"...(Mutter) I will win."

While seeing his back, Asuna strongly resolve herself to put everything on this match.

However,

Her words just now don't mean on cooking only.

War is a battlefield where every strategy could be used to achieve own goal.

In this Christmas Eve, her holy fight has just started.