The Infinite World of Weapon Girls

"No, no!" Yuri's lips curved slightly as she said proudly, "At least today, you are my partner, Yuri's partner, how could I let you suffer... But you, Shino, I've gone to such lengths, if you still don't eat, I'll have to feed you."

"I'll eat, I'll eat."

Upon hearing that it was time to be fed, it hurriedly and fearfully picked up its chopsticks, took a bite of the meat slice in the bowl, and nibbled on it.

Recalling how Yuri had casually saved him from ten delinquents that morning, and with a desire to understand her better, he subconsciously said:

"Thank you so much for what happened this morning. And... Yuri's swordsmanship is really amazing. No wonder she's the ace of the kendo club. But... which school is Xinqiang High School? I've never heard of it."

“Ah, this…” How could Yuri explain a school in another dimension? “Don’t worry about the details.”

"Actually, what happened this morning made me feel like I was back in the past—"

With a nostalgic smile, the young girl Yuri said, "Back then, I think it was when I was in the first year of junior high school. I once saw someone doing something wrong and used a broom to chase away a group of delinquents. That's how I discovered my kendo talent and was recommended to join the kendo club... Well, that's when my kendo journey began!"

Yuri didn't tell Sinon about her memories from the original world, such as awakening superpowers during a competition and striving to become a Sealer for a secure job in Union.

"By the way, Sinon-chan is still in high school, right?" Violet suddenly asked.

"Um…"

"Are there any boys who like you, or boys you like?"

"Why... why are you suddenly asking about this..." Asada Shino's mind subconsciously conjured up the image of a person, but she clasped her hands together and whispered in embarrassment and annoyance.

"Violet, don't bully Sinon."

Yuri was very considerate of others. She grabbed Sinon's wrist with one hand to comfort her, and then seriously stopped Violet.

"Okay, I guess I picked an unpopular topic. Just pretend I didn't ask."

However, Yuri noticed Sinon's expression and became curious, turning her head to quietly ask, "It can't really be true, can it?"

Because the person in question was Yuri, Sinon became more candid: "Hmm..."

"Well, that would be great if you could, Shino, you should work hard for it!" Yuri said sincerely.

Try harder...?

But Kiriko isn't Kirito, and Kirito... already has Asuna.

When Shino looked up and saw Yuri's gentle, alluring gaze, she was momentarily lost in thought.

drop--

At the same time, an invitation message sounded simultaneously in their respective neural connection devices.

Violet was the first to open it, then covered her mouth in surprise, "No way... is this for real?!?"

Then, Yuri also opened her own virtual information interface in mid-air:

"Huh... a wedding invitation? Asuna Yuuki and Kazuto Kiritani... are getting married this Christmas and have invited Yuri..."

...

...

—[I've inadvertently written half a chapter of filler; I need to work on organizing the plot now.]

[Speaking of which, poor weird uncle J really has a hard time finding a partner _('□`」 ∠)_]

[I'm a bit face-blind and mistook it (covers face), the picture is of Seul-yu...]

【213 I want to travel with you】

The news of Kirito and Asuna's wedding should be sent to all their friends, including Tina, who has been in this world for eleven days.

The owl, curious, opened its neural connection interface and stared wide-eyed at the invitation letter inlaid with exquisite patterns, a flicker of emotion flashing in its pupils.

Getting married...

Ah, this is exactly what I've always wanted to do! Thinking this, his eyes, which were trembling with excitement, unconsciously turned to the girl beside him.

When Tina received the wedding invitation, a hint of surprise flickered across her calm expression.

Yuri glanced around at everyone, let out a soft "hmm," and then asked, "Did everyone receive wedding invitations from Kirito and Asuna?"

Their eyes met, and everyone nodded.

Except for one person—except for Sinon.

When Shino saw the invitation, it was as if she heard something shatter, even though she had expected this day to come.

But I was just hiding my feelings for Kirito from Yuri and the others... Why am I suddenly receiving this invitation...?

The time that Kirito and Sinon entrusted to each other in GGO was like a mirror shattered into pieces. For a moment, Sinon's gaze was lifeless and empty, as if she had died.

"...Shino...Shino?"

But soon, a voice beside her pulled her back to reality, jolting Shino awake. At the very least, she couldn't let Yuri worry about her trivial past anymore.

"Ah...yes, I received an invitation too." Sinon quickly forced a smile.

As the meal continued, Yuri noticed that Shino's subsequent behavior seemed somewhat forced.

After finishing their meal, as everyone was discussing where to go next, Sinon apologized and said:

"...Well, it's shameless to say this, but I have to go back now. I hope we can play together again next time. Goodbye..."

Violet: "So fast?... I haven't even had a chance to get to know you properly yet, Sinon-chan."

Ren: "Sister Shino—how about we take you back?"

Yuri frowned slightly, her gaze fixed on the face that was close to hers, and asked with concern, "...Shino, are you feeling unwell?"

"...Yes, a little."

“Alright, since it’s such cold weather, if you’re not feeling well, going back to rest is the best option…” Yuri turned her gaze to Tina and the others and said, “…Then, Tina, you guys go first, I’ll take Sinon back.”

Shino quickly shook her head: "No... this time there's really no need to trouble Yuri-neechan, I... can manage on my own."

"No! This time, I'm definitely taking you back. This is a basic lesson for couples. Do you want me, a model student full of integrity, to become a jerk who can't even fulfill basic responsibilities?"

That's not what I meant...

"That's all right then, let's go!"

For no apparent reason, Yuri led her by the nose, forcefully twisting her hand and imposing her, leaving Shino with no choice but to follow her footsteps and leave with Yuri.

Sinon was never someone without her own opinions, but she felt somewhat powerless to resist Yuri, who had a more assertive style of doing things.

……

On the way back, Yuri didn't ask anything, but deep down, Shino felt that this seemingly carefree girl was not only thoughtful but also empathetic, as if she had already guessed everything.

Instead of being rude, Yuri racked her brains and tried to recall jokes she had heard before to tell herself.

Her smile was always bright and sunny, making people feel as if they were bathed in spring sunshine in the dead of winter.

They returned to Sinon's residence.

On the other side of the door, the lights were not yet on, presenting a darkness that sunlight could not penetrate—a darkness that one would never want to step into if they had spent too much time with Yuri.

Although Yuri had many thoughts and questions on her mind, she still kept them to herself with some reservations. So, after seeing her to the door and completing the basic tasks of a couple, Yuri smiled and said goodbye.

"Mission accomplished! ...Well then, I won't bother you any longer. Shino, have a good rest today, I'll come see you another day."

After saying that, without waiting for a response, he turned around and left without hesitation.

After turning around, the sound of footsteps echoed softly in the quiet corridor, but Shino remained standing in the same spot, not entering the door, her delicate body trembling slightly amidst extremely faint sobs.

The third and fourth steps, as if something had finally broken free of its shell, were followed by a sudden, sharp, twisting sound from the ground.

Da da da da ———

Shino Asada suddenly turned around, rushed behind Yuri, and hugged her tightly from behind.

"No...no...don't go..."

As if her scheme had succeeded, Yuri's lips curved into a slight smile before she turned around, a look of surprise on her face, and asked, "Shino-chan, what's wrong?"

A cute, choked sob came through the air, her vision blurred by fogged-up glasses. Shino hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the truth and the hurt she felt. "I..."

"Shh..."

A cold touch brushed against Shino's soft lips, followed by Yuri's shushing voice. Then, Yuri separated her fingers from her lips, tilted her head back, and touched Shino's smooth chin, a glint in her eyes: "Don't speak, let me guess!"

“I guess…” Yuri, holding a finger out in mid-air, lowered her eyes and said, “Sino-chan likes Kirito… right?”

Have you figured it out yet?

But how did they figure it out...? I was already being very careful to hide it.

Yuri noticed the confusion in Shino's eyes, raised her head arrogantly, pursed her lips, and stared at her, saying, "Because when Shino saw the wedding invitation, she gave that kind of look... You wouldn't give that kind of look unless the person you like belongs to someone else."

"Moreover, as someone who has experienced this, I have the authority to say such things!"

"So, Shino and I are kind of in the same boat."

Yuri's two additional sentences deeply disturbed Asada Shino's heart.

—What?! Yuri, such a perfect lover, would also... experience heartbreak?

Seeing that her usually beautiful and radiant face now showing a rare hint of melancholy, Shino's anger flared up instinctively.

"Who did this?!...Who...would abandon Yuri? This kind of person is really...really..."

"Hey! Stop talking... You're not allowed to say bad things about her," Yuri stopped her.

"Why...why? The person who betrayed Yuri is just too hateful."

"You can't say that. If I called Kirito a heartless man, would you agree?"

"……Won't"

"That's because you and Kirito are just very good friends, not lovers, right? Even if you like him a lot, your relationship isn't that kind of... And it's the same with me."

"..."

"So, have you figured it out?" Yuri asked with a smile.

Shino may have come to terms with it, but the fact that she has completely lost Kirito remains unchanged, and she is still immersed in that sorrow.