Klein(SAO)x Reader

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"W-what? Really? Do I know you in any way?" I stammer, mostly confused, and half surprised.

"Yes. I didn't use my SAO name. I went by Lisbeth. Remember? Pink hair, blacksmith, mace-user?" 

"Lis? That's really you? Oh my gosh! It's so good to see you!" I burst out of my chair, embracing my friend. I had met Lis on floor thirty-four when I was out leveling. She was out collecting materials, and so I offered to help her, which led to a deep bond of friendship. She was in the last boss-fight, too. 

"Same as always, huh, just a little taller with shorter, more purplish hair." She giggles, returning the hug. 

"I've missed you so much!" I pull away and stand there, taking her in. 

Her avatar is so different, but she acts exactly the same.

She seems to think this too, and as if reading each other's minds blink in surprise. Then we break out in giggle fits, her clutching her gut from either laughing too hard or too much. 

"It's so weird. We look different, but we're the same people!" She gasps, finally regaining her posture. I nod my agreement, taking deep breaths to stop myself from fainting. She chuckles and reaches a hand out towards my head, but it stops, and she draws it back, huffing exaggeratedly. "Man, you're too tall. Now I can't mess with your hair without feeling awkward."

"Yes! I love being tall!" I smirk, but she wags a finger in my face, halting my celebration.

"Oh, but don't get used to it. I know you go to the same school I do, so I will find you." She grins mischievously, completely drowning me in both discomfiture and fear.

"Heh heh... Yeah, that's two things. That's really scary and creepy." I press my lips together, standing straight from my hunched position. She snickers, but says nothing, confirming my suspicions. "So, uh, why were you playing innocent? Like, why pretend you didn't know what this type of game is, and why would you fake?"

"Oh, because I didn't recognize you completely as the Skylar I knew, and I wanted to make sure, so I asked if you'd ever encountered those player killers, and when you said that you had multiple times, I knew it was you, so I could drop the act." She says as I nod to her reasons, resting my hand on the hilt of my rapier at my side. "So, where's Klein? He was another hint that it was you by the way. Have you two gotten any...closer? Even closer than closer?" She teases, raising a brow, nudging me with her shoulder.

"N-no! Not in that way! But yeah, we're together now." I answer as I rub the back of my neck, attempting to recover from her taunting. 

"Really? That's great! I'm glad for you two." She beams, folding her arms, each hand in the opposite sleeve. 

"Thanks, Li--Xalian.  Er, should I call you by your avatar in this game?" I shift my weight from one foot to the other, removing my hand from the back of my neck.

"Just call me Lis, if it's easier for ya." Footsteps echo down the stairs and Xa--Liz and I turn to the stairs to see Klein at the bottom, strolling towards us. 

"Hey, guys." He walks up to us, stopping when he's facing both of us. I glance to Liz, and she nods, smiling.

"Hi, Klein. So, a big reveal just blew up in my face," I beam, and he looks at me questioningly, "You know Xalian? Well, she's actually Lizbeth, from SAO!"

"'Sup, Klein?" She waves and his jaw drops slightly, but he closes it, grinning. 

"Long time no see, Liz! I can't believe it's you!" He exclaims, making both of us smile. We eventually get caught up, and Liz has to log out. We say our goodbyes, and she disappears with a wave, leaving Klein and me to sit at the table.