Rare Gemstone (Kirito x reader)

Chapter 13

(Y/n)'s POV

The shop's interior was a little different than what I had expected. Instead of the usual rowdy crowd you'd expect, this place was filled with a cosy aura and seemed like 'home'. It was probably closing time as there were no customers hanging around.

"Yo Kirito, long time no see," exclaimed a girl with short brown hair.
"Hey Rika, where are the others?" asked Kirito.
"Upstairs. Come on."

She climbed up the ladder. Kirito smiled at me and motioned for me to go up.
When we had gotten up the ladder, someone immediately pulled me up.

"Uh...?"
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you, your highness! My name's Suguha. That's Shino and the girl over there is Keiko. I'm sure you've already met Rika downstairs."
"Nice to meet you."
"Don't mind her, she's just overly excited," Shino said.
"Yeah, she's been like that all day once she heard from Kirito that you were coming over," Rika added.
"But haven't you guys met Asuna yet?"
"Tch, never liked her," replied Rika.
"Well, she seems okay but sorta hard to approach," Keiko said.
"I see."
"Well, I'll be going now. Look after her for me, okay?" Kirito exclaimed while giving me a pat.
"Sure," Suguha replied.

He waved at us then jumped out the window. Did people normally do that or was it just him?

"(Y/n), don't worry about explaining things to Asuna. Kirito's got it all covered. Anyway, tonight will be fun," exclaimed Shino.
"Fun?"
"Yep, we can talk about girl things."
"What do you think about Asuna? Is she nice?" asked Suguha.
"Well, I wouldn't exactly use the word 'nice'."
"Why? Did she do something to you?"
"No, just- nevermind."

I looked out the window. Did Kirito promise to do something for Asuna? Was that why he was able to allow this?

"Oneesan, you're here too?"
"Huh? William?"

He hugged me and smiled.

"I'm so happy to see you here. Suguha is my cousin, so I sometimes come here to visit her."
"Oh, I see."
"Anyway, let's play some games. I'm bored."

~The next day~

These girls sure do chat a lot. I mean I've had fun but I think I might be late for the meeting.

"Bye, see you next time."

I waved and quickly ran to the palace. Still a few minutes to spare. I stretched and entered the garden.
Damn it, why did I have to come here? Asuna was sitting on Kirito's lap but what annoyed me the most was that he seemed like he didn't mind at all.

"Lady (Y/n), the king would like to speak with you privately before the meeting."

I nodded before following the knight to a different part of the palace.

"Your highness, she's here."
"You may go. (Y/n), come in."
"Was there something you needed to tell me?"
"Asuna seems to spend a lot of time with your companion, the black knight. May I ask for his real identity?"
"I'm afraid I cannot answer your question."
"Why is that? Is it perhaps because you do not know?"
"Yes and nor do I plan on asking him."
"Why?"
"I think he wants to keep it a secret for a reason."
"Interesting..."

~After the meeting~

Asuna smirked at me and moved closer to me.

"I think Kirito's starting to take an interest in me, don't you think?" she asked.
"He'd never take an interest in you."
"Then why was he smiling and opening up to me so much? You saw us in the garden this morning, didn't you?"
"Stay away from him."
"Don't start a fight with me. You do know what weapons I have, right? I believe you've heard of 'Yin and Yang', am I right?"

The twin daggers...they were rare weapons. One poisoned and the other healed. It might be best to avoid fighting her but that was probably impossible.

"Well, Kirito's waiting for me. Don't worry, I'll have fun with him."

She quickly ran off excitedly. A dark, fearful feeling filled my heart...a feeling called hatred. I hated her.

I jumped out the window and landed in front of her.

"You're not going past me."
"I warned you not to interfere with my life," she exclaimed with a glare.
"Like you can say that. Stop using him."

Instead of a reply, she flung her daggers at me. I deflected them with my katana. They immediately returned to her hands like magnets.

She charged at me. I dodged her attacks.

"Why do you keep dodging?!"

What should I do? There was a tree behind her, I'd use that. I jumped up and pushed off the tree while kicking her. I grabbed onto her hands and held my katana to her throat. Luckily her daggers were thrown away when I kicked her.

"(Y/n), what are you doing?" Kirito asked.
"Kirito-"
"Why are you hurting Asuna?"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this because I want to."
"Then why? What reason could you possibly have for hurting her?! You even got out your katana?! She's defenceless and you plan to use a weapon?!"
"Kirito, it's not like that-"
"I thought you were a good person, but now I know that that's not true. Let her go."

I was shocked. He chose her...why? What did she do to him?
He pushed past me and picked her up. She had fake tears in her eyes.

"K-Kirito, she hurt me. I think she's just jealous that I'm spending time with you..."
"Oh, is that it? You were jealous? Is that why you hurt Asuna? I regret helping you all those times."

I clenched my fists and turned around. Asuna had secretly hidden her daggers.

"I can't believe it. This is what I get, huh? You chose her over me? Have you never considered the possibility that she could be lying to you?!"
"She'd never do that."

I was left alone as he walked away with her in his arms.