The Breaking Point - Kirisuna

Lessons from Sortiliena

Sortiliena's POV:

I didn't necessarily know why, but I guess I was going on a "date" with Kirito today.

I don't feel too comfortable with this. I mean, what would the Queen think? There are two Kiritos and either way it feels wrong.

It was explained to me by Ronnie that Kirito had to be sure of the girl he wanted. I've never liked him so I don't know why this is happening still.

"Good Afternoon, Sensei!" Kirito walked up to me in an all-black suit.

"Good Afternoon! Um... was I supposed to be dressed up?" I started to panic a little. I hated being unprepared.

"No! No! There's a gala being thrown in the village and I thought you'd like to join me?"

"I'll agree. I have a few questions first."

"Go on...". Kirito's face grew in worry. Why?

"Does this have to be a date? I feel this is very...informal."

I watched him physically exhale in relief.

"No! It's perfectly fine for this to be a hangout. That's what I prefer." He happily gave me a long bag.

A dress? I peeked into the bag to see a beautiful long violet gown.

"Wow! Thank you, Kirito." I couldn't peel my eyes away.

"Nothing less for the best teacher in the academy."

My eyes went back up to Kirito's. Although he was smiling, the smile looked beat up and worn down.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah yeah. Of course." the smile became even more nervous.

I sat down on a bench. The dress was now draped across my lap. I pat the open space on the bench to summon the knight, hopefully, he wouldn't sit on the dress.

He reluctantly drugs himself to my side.

"Care to share what is bothering you?" I picked at my dress to occupy myself.

"I think I'm getting burnt out. I've been talking to these girls and it's been emotionally tolling to hurt all of them. It hurts, even more, to not be talking to Asuna." Kirito used his hand to support his chin in his slump.

There he was. That was the King I had seen in him.

"Why are you doing this then?"

"I just wanna make Asuna happy. She wanted me to do this. I also need to reject these girls so they know I'm serious about her."

"Kirito. This may sound weird because technically I'm talking to you from the past. The king here is just like you. It's kinda nice hearing you complain."

"The king has complained about Asuna??? Oh my, Stacia."

"NO! I mean. He doesn't like being away from her. You guys are a part of each other's identity. The times I've seen the King at his strongest is when the Queen was by his side."

"Well good for him. Right now, I'm Asuna-less. I haven't gotten to be with her for a month. Each week is longer than the last" He frowned harder.

"There was one time when the Queen went to a haunted forest to pick some berries for a bake sale. She didn't know it was haunted. She was lost there for 2 days and no one knew where she was. The King went nuts. He had searched non-stop for her, meanwhile, anyone who crossed his path was given hell. He married her right after because it had been a while since he felt what it was like losing her. He took her for granted. Losing Asuna should be lighting a fire under your ass. Raise hell until you get her back." I laughed at the memory.

Kirito looked as if he was remembering some things of his own. I'm pretty sure the king had said something similar to him. I'm not sure. He turned completely towards me and grabbed my shoulder to make sure I had seen.

"I. I. I'M GOING TO MARRY ASUNA!" The knight's face was beet red.

I was very happy he came to his senses.

"Are you sure?" I teased.

"Yes! I don't want to lose her. I want her life to be intertwined with mine forever. I want her to move back to Japan so we can get our own place together and come home to each other. I want to be hers! I want her to be mine only! I don't want to go on these stupid dates anymore! I WANT TO MARRY ASUNA FOR REAL!"

Kirito smiled again. This smile was wide and genuine. One I haven't seen in a long time.

"What are you waiting for? Let me change then we can teach you how to dance!" I got up from the bench and rushed to my personal sleeping quarters.

The dress was gorgeous and shimmery. It looked even better on me at that. I was so grateful something so nice had been picked out for me.

A knock on my door suddenly startled me as I admired myself in the gown.

"Come in!" I shouted from across the small room.

The King himself in all his black shiny armor had stepped into the room. I immediately bowed.

"Your Majesty"

"Sortiliena! I come bearing a gift."

I stood a bit frightened.

"What for?"

From behind his back, Kirito had pulled out a sterling silver tiara encrusted with diamonds.

My mouth dropped in awe. I could never afford such a thing. He gently placed the beauty upon my head.

"I heard you helped young Kirito today. This is his thanks. Thank you for being so loyal and respectful. Asuna would have appreciated what you did." A solemn smirk appeared on his face.

"Always. The Queen was my friend too." I solemnly smirked back. No matter how many years went by, the grief of the Asuna we knew no longer being here was encumbering. Her loss was great and the entire kingdom felt it. 

"Well then, don't mind me. Enjoy your time tonight."

I could swear I saw him tear up. I'm not going to push the subject because I understood.

A gift from a friend. The king still saw me as a friend right? My heart warmed at the thought.

"Liena, you look great in the dress by the way!" Kirito held his elbow out to me as an escort to the dance opening.

"You look good as well" I took the elbow.

We swayed gently back and forth. We were having too much fun acting fancy which was slightly ruined by Kirito spinning me in a circle over and over again.

"Ah Jeez, I'm being blinded by your head and the moonlight. It's like a disco ball. Wait do you know what that even is? WAIT. Where did you get the crown!? That has to be real! Do you know how many meat pies you can buy with that???". Ah. Classic Kirito.

I only then realized that the thanks weren't from this particular Kirito as I originally thought. I put a hand over my heart.

"It's my most treasured possession. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world".

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A/N: YAY LIENA WE LOVE SENSEI! Man, there could be a proposal coming up. But I feel like a proposal is an end. Well. The upcoming chapters are gonna be sweet so we will see!!!