Sword Art Online: Fate (Sword Art Online x Male Reader)

Chapter 8: It's Okay

Yuna POV

February 10, 2023. Floor 19 – Ralberg Town Inn

As the sun goes down, I sat on my bed watching the sunset while holding a lute in my hand. As I watch the sun slowly setting down, I gently pluck the string making a sad melody to match the feeling in my heart. I hum a tune to play with the melody as a person comes to my mind. It was none other than (N/n)...

Ever since that day, he's not the same. It didn't take long before we heard what happened on the front line and we were worried about him. But he has never shown his face to us ever since. He usually would come to the inn and greet us with his cheerful smile with Asuna standing next to him. He would then ask us about our day, and we spend the rest of the day together as a party. But now... the only one that came is Asuna. When we asked about him, she would force a sad smile and tell us that he need some time alone, at least for a couple of days. Her word stops us from trying to reach out to him, because one thing that we know, Asuna is the one who knows him the most. If she said that he needs some time alone, she really means that he needs to be left alone. A few days passed by and (N/n) still didn't show up, he didn't even read the message that we sent. He completely ignores us. It's just like, he wants to completely disappear from us. I know that Asuna told us to give him some space, but I really worried about him, and if he's in trouble I want to be there to help. So that day I decide to come to the frontline to meet him, to see how he is. But of course, at that time I didn't prepare to see what was about to happen. 

I left for floor 25 when the sun was about to set because I know he would be back in town during that time. I wait in front of the inn for him, it was not too long before I saw him from afar walking toward the inn. I was so happy to see his face again that I can't help but jump from my seat. I was about to wave my hand and call his name when suddenly someone bump into him. That person falls to the ground making (N/n) stop on his track. I was surprised when he didn't even lend a hand to help that person, the (N/n) that I know would help that guy without even thinking twice about it, but this time he just stare at him, I was wondering why? I sneakily take a closer look and I was taken aback when I see his eyes, his eyes used to be so gentle now turn cold, and the eyes that used to fill with care now turn empty.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't see you." That person apologized before he stands himself up.

(N/n) didn't say anything back, without emotion he just stare him coldly in the eyes.

That person then takes a closer look at (N/n) before he realized who he is.

"You're (N/n)? aren't you? I-I never imagined I would be meeting you right now. I just want to say thank you. You're the reason I'm braving myself to go up to this floor. I have never been in the front line, but hearing your story, about a duo who bravely fought to finish this game. It inspired me, you see, I have a sister back home and I was the only family she has left. That's why I want to fight, I want to help people like you finish this game."

(N/n) stare him for a moment, studying the person before he finally speaks, "You said you want to fight?"

"Y-yes, I want to take part in finishing this game."

He hums at the answer, "Good..." (N/n) turns his back and walks away.

Just when I thought that the conversation would end, something unexpected happened. (N/n) turn around to that guy and strike him in the face. His punch was so strong that it throw the guy a few feet away from where he stood.

"You said you want to fight! How could you expect to survive if you can't even block that!" With anger, he raised his voice as he steps closer to that man.

The guy is holding his face in pain as he struggles to stand up. But before he even managed to do it, (N/n) came to kick him in the stomach. The man shriek in pain as (N/n) keep beating him up.