Sword Art Online: The Duo Factors

Chapter 35: A Mending Start (Prologue)

"Lai!! Lai!!!"

I watch that scene repeat itself again and again in my sleep every time, every night.. The scene that a man, an unknown person pierces through Lai and lifts him hanging on his blade. Waiting for the Heaven to unleash the judgement on him. At first, I was yelling out as loud as I could to make him stop. But now, I went silent, helplessly watch him fall in my very own eyes. I forcefully closed my eyes to let it end.

Year 2025, January 13th.. Japan Standard Time, 7:15am.. In a bedroom in Honda Residence, located in Sakura, north side of Chiba.

Koharu's POV

I spring up from my bed as soon as I snapped out from my usual nightmare. My heart is still pounding rapidly from it. Then, I fall back to the bed, feeling very sleepy as my mind and my body refuse to get up. I stare up to the ceiling before going through another day of the real world.

My name is Koharu.. Koharu Honda.. A 16 years old girl with a traumatic past, I can tell I'm still haven't gotten over the death of the one I once loved the most.. That nightmare haunts me ever since I finally returned my home. But I'm sure that cheerful, kind, thoughtful and caring side of mine is still there within me, somewhere... Maybe it's best to be concealed for a while.. I force myself to get up, feeling myself sloppy until I head to the bathroom for a wash on my face. My room is on the second floor, with the interior design and layout are probably the same as my other former classmate's during my Second-Year High School. A simple white wall with Air Conditioner, a single pink bed placed at the corner, with several plushies on the bed as well. Next to it is a bedside table with LED Bonsai Tree Lamp, a table with a laptop, a few pens in the cup, right next to the window with translucent white curtain, also there's a wardrobe filled with casual clothes of mine, placed right next to the bathroom's door.

I look at myself through the window, trying to regain my usual smile, I somehow feel myself a lot more mature than the previous me in two years ago.. I guess all the adventures and experience I had, made me a lot stronger and more independent in any aspect of my life. Except this fragile feeling of mine.

Then, a scene of her killing KoB Member flashes through her mind. Her body recoils a bit by the scene but she recovers herself immediately by snapping herself out from her thoughts.

Koharu: It's been months since I had returned back to the real world. I guess I still need a lot of time to recover myself from the nightmare.

I quickly grab a set of casual clothes before going back to the bathroom. Taking a quick shower, combing my long, straight, black-hair with a side bangs at the front before heading downstairs. I could notice a set of breakfast on the dining table in an instant as I walk downstairs. Then, I saw my mother just walk out with two poached eggs in a pan. Carefully placing the eggs on top of the bread. I greet at her with my usual smile.

Koharu: Good morning, Mother!

She looks at me and responses back quickly.

Haruna: Ah! Good Morning, Koharu! I just made some of your favorites as today's breakfast.

I look at my mother.. Surprised that her beauty and her youth still hasn't changed yet even after two years...