Blighted Affection

Chapter 9: Unspoken Words

Cover art credits to Chico on Twitter

Link: https://twitter.com/lel_loot

"I...I don't understand...Just how did all of this happen? I'm...I'm so confused..." Asuna spoke, burying her face into her palms as she had a hard time accepting the shocking news that was brought to her.

"What do you mean how? You guys were getting so chummy for the past month and basically slept together. I wouldn't be surprised seeing how...active...he was." Edith shrugged, not understanding the reason behind Asuna's shock.

"Edith-dono, that was unnecessary." Alice sighed. She rubbed Asuna's back, comforting her. "Is there a reason why you find it hard to accept all of this? I know that this is an unplanned pregnancy but did both you and Kirito not want a child?"

"N-no, that's not it! It's not..." Asuna shook her head and bit her lip. 'That's right...it's his child...what would he, the current Kirito-kun, actually say I wonder?'

Noticing her hesitation, Edith's brows then furrowed when she realized the possibility of another reason that was causing the chestnut-haired girl grief. She never liked seeing cute girls sad and would do anything to protect their smiles. She walked over to Asuna and placed both her hands on the latter's shoulders. "Tell me. Has he been forcing himself onto you all these times?" She growled.

"No! Of course not! Every time it happened, it was mutual. And I didn't dislike it...It's the truth." Asuna admitted. "I gave him the consent...he didn't force me to..."

"Then why are you so affected by the fact that you are now holding his child?" Alice asked, completely confused, and was eager to get some answers.

"Both Kirito-kun and I...we are not from this world, I did tell you guys before. Our real bodies do not exist here, they are still in our world while our minds were transferred to his world. Since our real bodies aren't here, it shouldn't be possible for us to reproduce like normal. It's all so confusing..." Asuna explained to the girls, shaking her head. Both Alice and Edith just looked at each other, unable to comprehend the meaning behind her words.

"We can't really tell you what to do as we couldn't really grasp your situation. But I do think that there's no point reflecting on the past. Focus on what you have now and find out the best course of action that you need to take next. We'll be right here with you no matter what happens." Alice held Asuna's hands, smiling at her as she spoke those comforting words. The chestnut-haired girl responded with a small smile, thanking her for her kindness.

"Yeah, big sis Edith is here to take good care of you! Let me know if that bastard ever gives you trouble. I'll come running and kick his ass!" The elder knight smashed her fists together, earning a small chuckle from Asuna.

"Are you going to tell him?" Alice words stopped her laughter as her expression turned glum again.

"I...don't know...What if he didn't want it?" Asuna said with her palm over her belly. "I mean. He seemed uninterested in having children. The old Kirito-kun I know would have accepted the child right away but...I don't know how the current him would react. Honestly, I'm scared. I might not even want to tell him. I fear that he might reject the child and I don't want to experience that feeling."

"You can't run forever though. Your belly will eventually grow so big that everyone would know!" Edith exclaimed.

"Edith-dono...that really wasn't necessary..." Alice narrowed her eyes at the loudmouth knight beside her.

"Opps...sorry." Edith chuckled nervously but Asuna wasn't smiling at all. She sighed and patted on her head. "You know...as much as I disapprove Kirito, I don't think he would be that bad to have abandoned you for this. I can tell that he does care a lot for you even if he won't admit it or might not even realize it. Talk to him, and he might just surprise you."