Looking For Something Real (Sword Art Online)

24. Summertime

Chapter 24 August 19th 2025 "Summertime"

SAO Survivors School Hostel

I was waiting outside of the hostel for Rika whilst leaned against my motorbike. Kirito and I had got our licences and bikes at the same time, but up until now I had only ever used it to get to and from work. However that was changing today.

It was the first time in a month where Rika and I both got a full day where we didn't have extra lessons at school or time at work and I had decided to make the most of it. In preparation for the day I had bought Rika her own helmet.

Rika had been dropping hints like crazy that she wanted to have a ride on my bike together and today seemed like the perfect time to do that. The weather was hot and our destination was quite a distance away.

Unlike my own helmet, which was a drab green colour, Rika's was a bright red colour which reminded me of her usual attire in games. To make it extra special I had made a stencil of a blacksmith hammer and spray-painted it in white, I knew that she would get a kick out of it.

Finally Rika appeared from the front gate and hurried her way over to me. I quickly hid her helmet behind my back as she approached.

"Hey hero, so what's the plan for today hmm?" Rika asked me with a big smile. She really seemed excited to be spending the day together.

"Well first of all you'll need this." I said showing her the helmet. Rika took it into her hands and let out a high pitched screech.

"You're taking me for a ride?" she asked excitedly while jumping up and down.

I gave a little chuckle in response. "Sure am, you like the helmet?"

"Yeah it's a cool colour."

"Flip it over to the other side."

Rika turned the helmet in her hands and upon seeing the hammer another screech was let out. She shot forwards to me and held me tight.

"Damn, this is so cool Tyzn!" Rika shouted before going onto tip toes to give me a series of quick kisses.

"Well we had better get going" I said with a wink before placing my own helmet on. As I sat on the bike I tapped behind me and Rika jumped on. "Hold on tight" I said as I started the engine and we pulled away.

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Traffic was something of a nightmare today, had I been in a car it would have taken all day to reach our destination. It was one of the perks of having a bike that you could cut easier through traffic.

We eventually arrived at our destination, one of the large parks inside the city. We placed our helmets into one of the rentable lockers and headed off to walk around.

We found a path which led down through a heavily wooded area, perfect to escape the heat of the day. As we walked Rika hooked her am around mine and tilted her head to place it against my arm.

"I'm so glad we can finally spend some time together, just the two of us." I said.

"Uh-huh, and with no Asuna and Kirito trying to compete for cutest couple. They just can't seem to accept that we have taken their crown." Rika said laughing to herself.

"Well, well. Did I just hear you admit you're cute" I replied with a chuckle. Rika let out a disgruntled hum.

"Nah you're the cute one with all the muscles, I'm the brains of this relationship."