I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"If two people truly love each other, perhaps something magical will happen...?"

He and Asuna exchanged a glance, then simultaneously opened their equipment menus and looked at the ring's item description.

Item: Hearts in Love (a pair)

"Attribute: Special/Accessory"

"Bonus: (Several attributes)"

"Explanation: Your heart is with me, and my heart is with you."

"Transformed from a ring of love, false bonds will eventually blossom into true love. I swear this affection with this ring."

"No matter where we are, no matter how time goes by—you are in my heart, and I am in yours."

Note: If this ring is used in a wedding ceremony, it will undergo another evolution.

"The name... has changed?" Asuna's eyes widened.

"It's not just the name; the attribute bonuses are higher than the equipment we have, and it can even evolve again..." After glancing at the text description, Tenkuji Yu frowned slightly.

Asuna beside him gradually revealed a joyful smile, seemingly very satisfied with the transformed pair of rings. However, his expression turned complicated for a moment, and then he closed the interface as if he was not interested.

Of course, no one else noticed the subtle change in his mood.

Sister Martha looked lovingly at Asuna's smiling face, and after a while, she shifted her gaze and stretched out her hand to Yuu Tenkuji: "Give me the seed of the 'Flower of Love,' and I will teach you how to use it."

"Seeds?" Asuna shifted her attention from the ring to her, and asked in confusion, "Did he only give us seeds? How did you know that, Grandma?"

"The goddess told me." She pointed upwards, and the two instantly understood that she was referring to the game system itself, which was a part of the quest process.

"To my shame, I only just learned that curing the curse of lost love is merely a side effect; the most important function of the 'Flower of Devotion' is—"

May our love last forever.

Sister Ma took the box from Yuu Tenkuji's hand and, while speaking, took out a small and ordinary seed from the box.

Then, she took their hands, placed the seed in their clasped palms, and smiled as she took a step back.

Silently say the name of the person you love in your heart.

Both Yuu Tenkuji and Asuna Yuuki were stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at each other.

Soon, Asuna Yuuki smiled gently at him, lowered her head and closed her eyes without any hesitation, and her clasped hands conveyed a firm and warm force.

Tenkuuji Yuuya closed his eyes, but in that instant, he couldn't help but ask himself a question—

Do I really like Asuna Yuuki?

I clearly said that I would not repeat the same mistake as last time.

I clearly thought I wouldn't be defeated by mere love.

She was determined from the beginning to play her boyfriend and "husband" with perfect acting skills, and she didn't end up showing real feelings while acting.

Forget about love, when did he...?

Why did I fall in love with Asuna Yuuki?

△

Although there are no feelings involved, the memories remain.

Yuu Tenkuji still remembers that he only realized he had fallen in love with Yukinoshita after meeting her at the resort.

The reasons are somewhat complicated—because of her twisted nature, because of her obsession, and because of her loneliness and desolation.

It was also because it was the first time she had wanted someone other than her sister to be happy.

The moment he realized this, Yuu Tenkuji in that timeline fell completely in love with Yukino Yukinoshita.

—So, what about now?

When she first met Asuna Yuuki at the artificial lake, she was just a complete stranger.

When you first meet Asuna in the game, she's a skilled swordswoman and a friend who always tries to introduce her to her poor younger sister.

After that, she became the system's "target," but their relationship did not change, and he did not intend to actively do any missions.

And so, as party members, we leveled up together in the wilderness, wandered around the city together, and went to the church to pick up quests together; we were forced to become a temporary couple, logging off at the same inn and logging back on from the same bed...

She was a wonderful girl, beautiful, with a large bust and long legs. She was both strong-willed and gentle, and her emotions were vivid and moving. Her eyes were brighter than any star in Aincrad.

Even so, Yuu Tenkuji remained unmoved.

I accompanied her to the Land of Love, camped with her in the wild; we exchanged messages in real life, and fought side by side with her in the game...

Even so, Yuu Tenkuji remained unmoved.

Running with her on my back under the night sky, chatting with her hand in the alley, gazing into her moist eyes in the warm bedroom, enjoying the innocent and ambiguous feelings of youthful intimacy.

Even so, Yuu Tenkuji still felt that he hadn't fallen in love with Asuna Yuuki yet.

Even after she left the game world, all the things he did to win her back were out of consideration for goals, sympathy, and other factors, not because "I like her."

So until then, Asuna Yuuki's love life was a one-way street.

His acting skills successfully fooled her, but not himself.

Whether it was during a date with her or when they were kissing, Yuu Tenkuji always held an umbrella in the rain to keep herself dry.

Having lost the sunshine in the past, all I want now is for the rain to stop and for me to feel refreshed and welcome the next patch of sky.

But looking back, I don't know why, but every raindrop contained her image.

"We're just teammates. Even if I, Asuna, am trampled to death by wild boars or beaten to death by boar-headed men, I would never date a frivolous, outspoken guy who shows absolutely no respect!"

"Let's try to get along before we get divorced!"

"...But I'm willing."

"Can we be together as my online boyfriend?"

"From now on, I will get closer to you every day... until we become the most important person to each other, both in reality and in the game."

"Because it was Yu-kun who said it... I will choose to believe you no matter what."

"After all, Yu-kun is my hero!"

Inside the church.

Countless fragments of memories flashed through her mind. Without opening her eyes, Yuu Tenkuji unconsciously smiled.

Somewhat helpless, some relieved... but without a trace of confusion.

"Time really flies."

It happened so fast that he didn't even have time to react before everything had changed.

I realized I had been standing in the rain all along, letting the gentle raindrops embrace me and melt away my unwavering heart.

Before we knew it, the sound of rain had disappeared, but the traces of rain remained.

Before she knew it, summer had passed, but autumn remained.

unconsciously……

unconsciously……

Like Asuna Yuuki, Yuu Tenkuji unknowingly fell in love with his online boyfriend—that's all.

But then again, dating and having a girlfriend isn't that complicated, is it?

He sighed inwardly with amusement, then without hesitation, silently uttered the name of his beloved:

'Yuki Asuna. '

In that instant, the seed in the palm of his hand emitted intense light and heat.

The two involuntarily let go of each other's hands, allowing the seed, which had transformed into a source of light, to slowly float into the air. They watched it rise to the very top of the auditorium, where it then burst forth with a blazing light as intense as the sun.

Reflexively closing my eyes, wanting to wait for my vision to return to normal, but when I smelled a strange floral fragrance, I couldn't help but open one eye to peek.

"here it is……"

Chapter 114 The Unfinished Wedding

Standing next to Yuu Tenkuji, Asuna Yuuki opened her mouth slightly, staring in astonishment at the surrounding environment as the white light gradually faded.

The night in Aincrad had become as bright as day, and outside the window was a field of colorful flowers.

The church was no longer so grand and magnificent, but rather a small and exquisite wedding chapel in the suburbs, with a long red carpet extending from the floor to the entrance, and ten rows of benches on either side, the wood gleaming with a warm luster.

The church was also decorated with many flowers, with heart-shaped wreaths regularly placed on both sides of the arcade. The goddess statue at the front even held a bouquet of white baby's breath. The fresh and elegant fragrance of the flowers was carried by the faint breeze, making people feel relaxed and happy.

It's like being transported to another world, or in gaming terms... another new dungeon?

Asuna stared blankly for a long time before she came to her senses and found that Sister Mary, who had been sickly, was now standing in the center of the altar, holding a red-covered book, looking at them with a rosy complexion and a kind smile.

Putting aside the strange changes for the moment, Asuna exclaimed in surprise, "Grandma Ma, have you recovered?!"

Turning his gaze away, Tenkuji Yu also looked over.

“Yes, thanks to you all, the ‘Flower of Devotion’ was able to bloom successfully.” Sister Martha bowed slightly in gratitude, her tone as gentle as a kind grandmother’s. “My affairs and the reward for completing the mission can wait. As for now…”

She glanced around at her surroundings, a mischievous wink on her face. "This space was specially prepared for you two. It only appears for ten minutes when the Flower of Love blooms. It's the most luxurious wedding venue in the entire Aincrad—you probably don't need me to tell you what to do, right?"

"Huh?" As if in disbelief, Asuna froze, her face gradually warming up.

Tenkuji Yuzuru looked at Sister Mada with a strange expression: "...Are you really an NPC?"

“Of course I’m a native, adventurer.” Sister Martha smiled politely, but there was a strange sense of meaning in her expression. “Also, you should be more concerned about the girl beside you than about an old woman like me.”

Upon hearing this, Tenkuji Yu subconsciously looked to her side.

A blush crept onto her fair and beautiful face. She quietly raised her gaze, tugged at his sleeve, and whispered with an innocent and adorable expression:

"Yu-kun, this is a wedding hall!"

"...It is indeed a wedding hall."

"It feels like I could experience a wedding!"

"...The nun is right."

"Perhaps there will even be a blessing from the goddess!"