Kazuto Kirigaya had finally found the tranquillity he'd longed for. With his beloved circle of dear friends, they relished a peaceful life in the real world. The days of virtual battles in Sword Art Online felt like distant memories, and he reveled...
Sherry gazed sorrowfully at the academy, its once proud facade now marred by the destruction of the previous night. With a heavy heart and a suitcase in her hands, she contemplated the loss and uncertainty that lay ahead.
"Why did all of this have to happen to me?" Sherry whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "What did I do to deserve this?" Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she struggled to hold them back.
Suddenly, amidst her despair, she heard a familiar voice calling her from afar.
Looking up, she saw Kirito sprinting towards her, his expression etched with concern.
"Sherry!" Kirito called out, his voice filled with worry as he closed the distance between them.
Sherry's heart skipped a beat as she watched him draw near, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She hadn't expected to see him amidst the chaos.
Breathless, Kirito skidded to a halt before her, his eyes scanning her face anxiously. "I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner," he apologized, his voice tinged with regret.
Sherry opened her mouth to reassure Kirito that he didn't need to apologize, but before she could utter a word, Kirito gently caught both of her hands in his, his worried gaze locking onto hers.
"Are you alright, Sherry?" he asked earnestly, his concern evident in his voice and the tightness of his grip.
Caught off guard by his sudden gesture, Sherry felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as she averted her eyes momentarily. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
But as she glanced back at Kirito, she couldn't help but notice the exhaustion etched into his features, the remnants of battle still evident in his stance.
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"You fought alone against Shadow," she murmured, her voice softening with empathy. "I should be the one asking if you're alright."
Kirito's gaze drifted away, his mind momentarily transported back to the events of the previous night. He remembered the fierce battle against Shadow, the overwhelming sense of responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders. With a sigh, he turned back to Sherry, forcing a small, strained smile.
"I'm fine," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "But I couldn't... I couldn't do anything about your father."
Sherry reached out, gently placing a hand on Kirito's arm. "Kirito, you did everything you could," she reassured him, her voice filled with sincerity. "Last night... I acted out of emotions. You don't have to carry the weight of guilt for what's already happened."
Kirito opened his mouth to speak, but Sherry interrupted him, her gaze unwavering as she continued, "I'm just... I'm just glad to see that you're here, that you're okay, and that you still care."
A mixture of emotions flickered across Kirito's face, gratitude mingled with a hint of sorrow.
As Kirito's gaze softened, he noticed the luggage in Sherry's hands, its presence suddenly catching his attention amidst their conversation.
