The Seventh Case

Chapter 7

"Kirito/Stacia", the two of them yelled simultaneously, calling each other's host's name.

Asuna shot back into reality and saw Kazuto clutching the sides of his head. A few seconds later, he recovered with a visible grunt. He tried to avoid her eyes and this was enough proof that he too had a similar or the same vision she had.

"Who..(clears throat) Who did you see?", she asked him with nervously. Kazuto stared at her and gave her a sad smile.

"Based on what I had observed, I do not think you would like my answer", he responded without beating around the bush. Asuna buried her face in her hands for a while coming to terms with the fact.

"So, how is he? Kirito?"

"Highly different from me. That I can guarantee", he replied with a weak smile.

"I can say the same about me and Stacia", Asuna grumbled. Silence prevailed between them and Kazuto could see the anger boiling in Asuna's mind. Before he could do anything to divert her attention, she slammed the floor and glared at him.

"On a set of conditions, I will agree to this engagement. One, just because you are engaged to me, doesn't mean that you are instantly my beloved. Absolutely not - I am still wary of you. Two, I can break our engagement any time I feel we are not compatible with each other. Three, if you dare place your filthy hands on me, I swear....", she left the threat hanging and expected him to nod in fear. To her surprise, he weakly chuckled and bowed gently.

"As you wish"

That was his response. Asuna blushed openly when he chuckled. It sounded sweet to her ears and his beauty grew tenfold when he smiled instead of maintaining his poker face.

To prevent him from seeing her obvious blush, she turned her face to the side where she observed a small photo frame. Kazuto was there with around six or seven children. The children were wearing sets of kendo gi and were waving their shinais around aimlessly. She mirrored the smile that was present on Kazuto's face in the picture.

"They are orphans. From the church nearby. At times, they drive the nuns crazy and some of the times, they would come and drop them off. At times, I train them. First, I used to bribe them with snacks, but nowadays, whenever they come, they just want to train for the pleasure of it. You should drop by at least once, when they are here", he said smiling at the photograph.

Why did he have to be so normal in matters relating to those he loved? From what her brother told her, he had killed people in the past - many people. Though he said that they all deserved it, and eventually they would have ended up on death row, this man had killed people. How did he have such a pleasant side to him? In this matter, he was extremely like her brother who she loved the most in her family. He spoiled her a lot giving in to her simple whims, but would always be the first to listen to her problems. She doubted whether Kazuto would be able to keep her happier than she was at the moment.

"Yuuki-san..."

"Asuna"

"I..."

"As of now you are going to marry me aren't you? Call me by my first name", she squeaked out with a flustered expression although her fiance himself was not doing too well on that matter.

"Asuna-san, if this is not too much of a trouble, can you please keep this?", he asked her as he gave her his katana. Asuna's eyes grew as she observed the beautiful weapon. Its craft, its balance, it was pure perfection. The only blemish on the beautiful weapon was a ragged piece of cloth tied on to the hilt.

"I am sorry if this sounds stupid, but please bear with me. Ji-san always used to tell me about a tradition he picked up from his friend - the groom presents his most beloved possesion to the bride with a piece of cloth tied around it. If the bride accepts his proposal she keeps the cloth and returns the possession with a piece of cloth of her own", he explained.