Crossover PS 206 (Patreon)

Outside the city, on the Wild Boar Plains.

Mahiru gripped her rapier, feeling a bit nervous. "Do I just attack?"

"Watch the tutorial first."

Asuna pulled up her system panel and flipped to the Basic Sword Skills page.

"Lock on, strike, and sheathe. Just three steps. Try locking on first."

Following her instructions, Mahiru stared at the nearest wild boar. A faint blue light ring lit up on the boar's body.

"Locked on."

Asuna said, "Good, now strike."

Mahiru thrust her sword out.

[-8!]

The damage wasn't high, but it definitely hit.

The wild boar gave a grunt and charged toward her.

"Eek!"

"Don't panic!" Asuna stepped forward, slashing the side of the boar to draw its aggro. "Keep attacking, its health is low."

Mahiru took a deep breath and struck again.

[-9!]

The wild boar shattered into fragments.

"I... I killed it?"

"You killed it."

Mahiru stood dazed for a second, then turned and ran toward Minoru. "Minoru! I killed it!"

Minoru smiled and ruffled her hair. "Impressive."

Asuna stood to the side, watching this scene. In the past, seeing such a sight would have made her envious. But now, the thought that popped into her head was actually...

Next time, she wanted to be praised like that too.

For the second wild boar, Asuna stepped back. "This time, do it yourself. I'll watch from the side."

Mahiru gripped her sword nervously.

Lock on, strike—it was all one fluid motion.

[-9!]

As the boar charged, she stepped aside and struck again.

[-11!]

The wild boar collapsed.

"Beautiful." Asuna said.

Mahiru looked back at her and smiled. "Thank you, Asuna."

...

Over the next half hour, Asuna led Mahiru across the plains, clearing out the wild boars.

From her initial clumsiness to becoming increasingly proficient, Mahiru's progress was visible to the naked eye.

"Mahiru, you learn so fast."

"It's because Asuna is a good teacher."

Asuna didn't say anything.

Was she a good teacher? Or was it because she had finally started taking this seriously?

Before, she played games because 'if you're going to play, you have to play well'—it was the burden of being a young lady, a refusal to lose.

But now it was different. Standing here, teaching someone even newer than herself, watching her go from nervous to composed, from incapable to capable.

This feeling was better than getting a perfect score on an exam.

"Asuna." Minoru's voice came from behind her.

She turned around. "Hmm?"

"Good job leading."

Asuna froze for a moment, then smiled. "Of course."

...

The sun began to dip toward the west, tinting the horizon with a faint shade of orange.

The five of them sat on the grass at the edge of the plains, looking at the distant scenery.

Erii leaned against Minoru, hugging her knees, softly talking about today's monster hunting.

Kiss-shot lay on the grass with her eyes closed, her golden hair spread out.

Mahiru leaned against Minoru's shoulder, watching the clouds on the horizon.

Asuna sat a little further away, watching the four of them. She suddenly thought back to everything that had happened today.

When she was being mocked, she thought today would be a terrible day.

When she mustered her courage, she thought she would be rejected.

When fighting the Boss, she thought she would be a burden.

Even though she had only known these four people for a few hours, it felt like she had known them for a long time.

Asuna took a deep breath. "Um..."

The four of them looked toward her.

Asuna gripped the hem of her clothes. "Thank you all for today. Thank you for taking me to fight the Boss, thank you for teaching me how to play the game, thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone."

"Asuna." Minoru spoke up. "You were never alone to begin with. From the moment you decided to follow us into the tower, you were already a member of the team."

Asuna was stunned.

Erii nodded. "Asuna is a teammate."

Kiss-Shot opened one eye. "You're alright, you don't drag us down."

Mahiru walked over to Asuna, and held out her hand. "Let's play together from now on too."

Asuna looked at that hand. She suddenly remembered this afternoon, at the entrance of the Labyrinth Tower, when she had reached out her hand, asking to join the party. Back then, she was afraid of being rejected, afraid of being mocked, afraid that she wasn't good enough.

Asuna grasped Mahiru's hand. "Mhm, let's be together from now on."

The sun gradually sank, and the clouds on the horizon burned a golden-red.

Asuna stood up and brushed the grass clippings off her skirt. "Um... Tonight, are you guys free?"

The four of them all looked at her.

"I want to treat you to dinner. Not the in-game kind. In reality. I know a place that's really delicious."

Asuna lowered her head, not daring to look at their expressions.

What was she doing? Inviting people she'd only known for a few hours to dinner?

And meeting in reality? This was too impulsive. Would they think she was strange? Would they refuse?

Minoru said, "Okay. What time? Where?"

Asuna's finger hovered over the logout button. She was ready to quit the game and make a run for it.

"Asuna?" Mahiru asked, "Are you okay? Your face is so red."

When Mahiru's voice rang out, Asuna realized that Minoru had just agreed to her request.

She stood there dazed, looking at Minoru's calm face and Mahiru smiling gently beside him. She saw Erii tilting her head, waiting for an answer, and Kiss-shot raising an eyebrow. They were all waiting for her.

"T-Tonight at six! Ginza, L'Osier, I'll book a private room!"

After saying that, she slammed the logout button.

"S-See you later!"

A flash of light appeared and she disappeared.

Mahiru turned to Minoru. "What's wrong with her?"

The corners of Minoru's lips curled up slightly. "Maybe she's a little nervous."

—

The real world, the Yuuki residence.

Asuna sat up abruptly in bed and gasped for air.

What did she just do?

She invited people she had just know today to dinner. She cupped her face, it was frighteningly hot.

Asuna kept trying to convince herself. She was just curious about who he really was in reality, and curious about why he was such a good fighter.

Just curiosity, yes, just curiosity!

It was just a meal, a thank you for taking her to fight the boss today. Normal social etiquette. Yes, that was it.

Asuna picked up her phone. She started scrolling through a list of restaurants. Then she remembered that she had just blurted out the name of the restaurant. L'Osier was a three-star Michelin restaurant.

This restaurant was too expensive, would they think she was showing off her wealth? Was it too late to change it now?

If she chose a cheaper one—no, that wouldn't be formal enough.

Somewhere too quiet—no, the atmosphere would be awkward.

Somewhere too lively—no, they wouldn't be able to hear each other speak.

Asuna eventually compromised with herself. This restaurant would have to do. The lighting was soft, the location was private, and its reputation was excellent.

Asuna had been there once when her father took her to meet a client. She hadn't said a word during that meal, just listening to the adults discuss topics she didn't understand.

But the food there was delicious and they had private rooms.

Asuna hesitated for a moment before dialing the number. "Hello, I'd like to book a private room for tonight..."

After hanging up, Asuna started feeling nervous again.

Would they think she was being too deliberate? Would they think she had ulterior motives?

Asuna buried her face in her pillow. "What on earth am I doing?"