Through Thick and Thin

All You Need is Love

I have this instinct to trust fully in him, but... How can I trust a complete stranger? Just like that? I know I knew him before I lost my memory. But... What if my mom is right? No, my mom can't be right about him. All he has been is nice to me. Sending me flowers, writing me that note, and telling me how much he cares. Ok, I need to have no doubts. What do I really have to lose? Besides, he is pretty cute. And, if what he says is true. Then... We can't lose.

"Kazuto, please tell me about what we went through in Sword Art Online."

Kazuto scratched his head then slightly stuttered a bit before speaking, "Oh, um... I didn't think you would remember it at all."

"I didn't either, and it appeared in my thoughts some time ago. It originally just was SAO, but I looked it up hoping for it to spark some of my memories. It didn't, but Sword Art Online is a full-dive virtual reality game, huh?"

"Yes, and it was used by a NerveGear. It's headset has microwaves to..."

"Fry someone's brain."

"You must've done a lot of research."

"I have. For hours on end. I want to remember you Kazuto. I really do."

"So, what exactly do you know about it?"

"Just the details of the game, and what it might have been like. And... As I recall... You were the Black Swordsman right?"

"How did you figure that out?"

"I looked up some pictures of the main players on the leaderboard, and it fit you."

"Oh, so... Who else do you know of then?"

"Well... I found me. It was quite strange. So... How did I get the name Lightning Flash Asuna? Did I gain enough skill points to obtain great speed?"

"Actually, yes. And, you were also Second in Command of The Knights of the Blood Oath."

"Wasn't that one of the highest leading guilds?"

"Yes, you really did do your research. I am impressed, but then again you were in Second Command for a reason."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're smart, confident, brave. You are so many things, but none of them are horrible in my eyes. Even your flaws."

"Even my flaws? Now, you must be playing with me. Because... My flaws aren't something that should be loved."

"Who put that it your head?"

"My mom. Even since I was little, she wanted me to be flawless. So, I could be a suitable bride to someone someday. That is why occasionally she will set me up on dates."

"I remember that, but Asuna you can be a lot more than someone's bride. You are your own person, so you don't need to appeal to anyone but yourself. Don't care about what everyone else says, because the only opinion you need is yours. But, all of us have insecurities and that's acceptable. But, I guess you have to look past that and see beauty in yourself. Through and through in order to see your potential. The potential to truly change the world. You already have changed mine. For the better or course."

I smirked and switched to a british accent, "You were just talking about not caring about what people think. So, should I care of your opinion, sire?"

He replied in a british accent, "Well, only if their opinion is putting you down, madam."

We both laughed, and I examined his face for a moment. This is my boyfriend's face. He must be feeling a lot of pain right now, knowing I can't remember him. But, he probably remembers everything about me. I remember someone telling me that we have been together for years, so... The pain must be a lot worse than I imagined. I put my head down, staring blankly at the ground.

"Asuna?"

"Yes, Kazuto?"

He lifts my chin up softly, making me look up at him.

"I am fine. This is hard for me to endure, but I have you. And, that's all I need."

He pulls me into a hug, and kisses me on the forehead.

"I'm so sorry! Force of habit, I guess."

"No, it's fine. It was comforting, honestly."

That's when it sparked. My brain suddenly made connections. Everything I forgot came back but not for long. And... Just when I was getting better... It was back to square one again. Then, a few days eventually became few weeks. I just can't believe Kazuto came to visit me everyday after that one day. He's so sweet. If only, that day never happened.