The Restaurant Owner Mina (Sword Art Online fan-fic) [ON HOLD]

Day 9: Meeting an old friend (Collaboration Chapter: SAO: The Demon Knight)

Today is 18 october 2024, I was sweeping away the leaves from the balcony the twins, Marie and Josefin were placing the tables while Guiloz was out searching for ingredients. We opened the restaurant about ten o'clock and the costumers arrived. I stood in the kitchen while the twins served the food, still no sight of Guiloz coming back. When the clock hit two I got a message that he would come back with some guests. They arrived half past to. Guiloz told me that I could take a break so I stepped out. I spotted a new groups of guests sitting almost in the center of the hall. 'Maybe they are the guests Guiloz messaged me about, I'll go give them the menus.' I thought and walked towards them with a three menus in my hands.

-Sorry for the wait, I was... was...

I looked closer at the girl with pink hair and blue eyes. Wait a minute!! I know her!! She's... She's...

-Yuri?!

I shouted out and she replied back.

-Hana?!

She stood up and we hugged each other. She was crying, but I couldn't bring out any tears.

-Hana! It's been so long!

-Yeah, Yuri! It has, I go by Mina in SAO.

I told her and we stopped hugging. I took a chair and sat down while she sat down on hers.

-I saw you in the same line I was in when SAO was released, it's good too see you!

She said to me.

-Yeah it's good to see you too!

I replied. My glaze fell on her companions. First the girl and then the boy. I was especially curious about the boy since he had a hood over his face. I could see some red , black and white hairstrands sticking out.

-This is my cousin Akuma and his... friend Artel.

She introduced them.

-Hello, Akuma and Artel... Are you guys hungry?

I asked them and everyone but Akuma nodded.

-I'll get the food.

I said and stood up.

-We have much to discuss.

I patted Yuri on her shoulder and walked towards the kitchen. Guiloz had prepared the best on the menu for them. They never got to decide what to eat themselves, I felt kinda bad about that. I saw Marie taking away their menus. Yuri seemed to be somewhere else, she didn't even notice Marie. Walking towards the table I decided to give them a proper greeting.

-Oh, hello. Nice to meet you! By the way Yuri, why does your cousin hide his face?

I looked at Akuma, still curious of his look.

-Oh, that...

She paused for a minute then continued.

-He's shy.

She answered. Akuma whispered something to her. Didn't hear what thought.

-Well, that's okay I guess.

I said, pushing aside the subject. I looked on Yuri. She seemed lost in thought again.

-You've changed.

She bursted out. I must say I was kinda surprised by what she just said, and a bit skeptic. I mean of course I changed, I'm playing SAO a real death game!

-I couldn't help but to change, I experienced death only a month after this game started. You know the first floor boss fight?

I asked her and she nodded