I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"...That's the correct way to set up the game."

"..."

Asuna Yuuki's lips twitched, and a smile suddenly appeared on her face, her voice sweet and gentle.

"Yu-kun, if you keep pretending to be stupid, I'm going to get angry!"

Yuu Tenkuji hugged his girlfriend, who was starting to sulk, rubbed her head vigorously, and laughed heartily.

"Hahaha, just kidding!"

"—Asuna, let's get married!"

Asuna Yuuki struggled out of his arms, pouting in dissatisfaction as she tidied her hair.

"Honestly—wouldn't it be better to just be honest at a time like this and create a warm and touching atmosphere?"

"Let's talk about that when we get married."

Tenkuji Yu shrugged, shifting his gaze from the chestnut-haired girl with a shy smile, and turning to look at Sister Ma, who was grinning broadly:

What should we do?

"Because we only have ten minutes and there are only three of us participating, the procedure has been simplified as much as possible."

She opened the red book in her hand, and the effect of changing equipment suddenly flashed on Tenkuji Yu and Yuuki Asuna.

Soon, when the two looked down, their original light armor and leather armor had been transformed into a wedding dress and a suit, neatly fitting their bodies.

Although it has a strong modern feel, it's quite out of place with the otherworldly style of Aincrad... but nobody cares about that now.

"That's amazing..."

"There's actually such a mechanism...?"

As they were reminiscing, Granny Ma beckoned: "Come stand in front of me."

Yuuka Tenkuji glanced at Asuna, just as Asuna looked over at him.

Her chestnut hair was partially hidden by a white veil, allowing glimpses of her gentle, hazel eyes.

Her snow-white neck and shoulders were completely bare, revealing delicate and alluring collarbones. Above the off-the-shoulder neckline was a deep I-shaped cleavage. As the gaze moved downwards, behind the full and firm valley was a suddenly narrowing plain. The perfect curves of her waist were accentuated by the wedding dress, while her hips were concealed by the full skirt. The scenery was hazy and stunningly beautiful.

As he sized up Asuna, Asuna was also scrutinizing him.

His white peaked suit accentuated his well-proportioned figure. Though not particularly tall or imposing, he possessed all the charm a man should have, captivating and mesmerizing those who stared at him, lost in thought.

...He was handsome all the time, but now he's even more handsome than ever.

Is this the magic called marriage?

"It's beautiful, and it suits you perfectly," Yuu Tenkuji said sincerely.

Asuna snapped out of her daze, her face flushed, but she confidently looked up and said with a smile, "Yu-kun is handsome too! I've accidentally grown to like you even more."

"Really? I won't be swayed by a mere change of clothes." Tenkuuji Yu laughed too, though a little mischievously. "No matter what you wear, I'll like it. What I like most is that you don't wear anything..."

Before he finished speaking, he turned his head away nonchalantly, as if he hadn't said anything at all.

"Alright, let's go, let's go to Sister Martha's place."

Unfortunately, Asuna had already heard half of the sentence and could guess what the second half was.

"Yu-kun, you..."

She glared at him angrily, then sighed with a mixture of helplessness and amusement, complaining in a tone of "I just can't do anything with you~".

"That's what you say, but you were able to endure it in that situation before. I really don't know what to say to you..."

"Then just call me a gentleman."

"Pah, shameless!"

After a quiet argument, the two approached Sister Mary—Yuu Tenkuji stood to her right, while Asuna Yuuki stood to her left, both of their gazes meeting.

"Ready? Let's begin."

She smiled slightly, holding the red-covered scripture in both hands, her eyes slightly closed, and her tone suddenly became solemn and sacred:

"Goddess of Creation, we come before you to bless this couple who are about to enter into the sacred hall of marriage..."

The lengthy prayers echoed in the pure white church. About three minutes later, Sister Mary opened her eyes and looked at the boy and girl in front of her, who seemed to be a match made in heaven.

"Before the Goddess of Creation, confess any reasons that prevent you from being together."

First up is Yuu Tenkuji.

"Haru, do you take this woman to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for all other reasons, to love and to cherish her, to care for her, to respect her, to accept her as your wife, until the end of your life?"

He answered decisively, "I do."

Next up is Asuna Yuuki.

"Asuna, do you take this man to be your husband, to be married to him...until the end of your life?"

She smiled happily: "I do!"

"Then, you two, let's exchange rings."

Yuu Tenkuji removed the silver ring from the ring finger of his left hand. The simple ring suddenly shone brightly and transformed into an exquisite diamond ring with blooming crystal flowers.

The same thing happened on Asuna's side; the crystal flowers sparkled brilliantly, as if chanting a blessing prayer for the two of them.

"Asuna..."

Tenkuji Yu took her left hand and looked at her slightly reddened eyes.

Those moist, bright eyes were overflowing with tenderness and affection, enveloping her figure within them.

To be surrounded by such overwhelming love is truly an incredibly blissful thing.

He smiled and slowly slipped the ring onto the base of his slender, pale ring finger, speaking at the same time.

Are you satisfied now?

"Ok?"

Coming back to her senses from the overwhelming feeling of happiness, Asuna blinked in surprise, seemingly not understanding why he had asked that question.

She frowned and thought for a moment, then replied, "It's a bit strange to say I'm satisfied... Although it's not official, being able to marry the person I love is every girl's dream, right?"

"Moreover, if the person is someone who rescues you from a prison-like life and stays by your side through both sadness and joy, then that satisfaction is beyond what mere contentment can describe, isn't it?"

Asuna Yuuki laughed again, looking into his eyes, her voice clear and firm.

"Yu-kun, from the moment I met you, I never regretted my choice... And being able to fall in love with you is the proudest and most memorable thing in my life!"

From the bottom of my heart, I expressed my most sincere feelings.

Her confident demeanor is more impressive than anyone else in the world.

"So I am happier than ever before."

"And then, I want to be happy in the future, and I want it to be much, much, much happier than it is now!"

"Yu-kun... could you please grant me this wish?"

The words fell.

Asuna Yuuki smiled and watched him put the ring on to the very bottom, and then he didn't move again.

As time passed, his expression gradually turned to confusion.

"Yu-kun?"

The silence lasted for a long time.

"...Asuna."

"I like the smile on your face, and I also like the way you say you like me."

Tenkuji Yu released her hand, but instead of extending his left hand to exchange rings, he gently touched her cheek.

Despite the gentle and affectionate touch, Asuna felt a tearing pain in her heart at that moment.

"Yu——"

Before she could utter a sound, Tenkuji Yu lowered her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, and whispered.

"That's my answer."

Because what is important is here right now.

"Yuuki Asuna, your wish has been fulfilled."

"Congratulations, host, on completing the mission."

"Task rewards can be settled directly. Settlement will not be conducted until 6:9 AM on December 22th; the system will automatically begin the settlement process."

"Note: The settlement process is irreversible. Once you choose to enter the settlement, you cannot leave the settlement space until the world is corrected."

"No need to confirm, task settlement."

I didn't listen carefully to the system's response.

The next moment, his world was plunged into darkness once again.

Chapter 115 Injury Stoppage Time (Part 2)

A world with nothing at all—that's not entirely accurate either.

The place known as the "System Space" is still filled with ruins and desolation, where a cold and lonely atmosphere lingers endlessly.

As if waking from a dream, Yuuki Tenkuji opened her eyes, looked around, and then looked up to greet the golden sun:

"Goodnight, you culprit who should return the comb to Yang Nai."

The "Radiant Jade of the Sun" did not answer him, continuing to emit false light and heat dozens of meters above the ground, yet bringing the world closer to reality.

Having entered this place for the third time, Tenkuji Yu naturally had nothing to say. He casually sat on the floor in front of the LCD screen, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, and said:

"System, come out and chat!"

The screen flickered, and a pixelated head suddenly appeared on the screen.

Immediately, a voice rang out, and the original electronic voice of Onion Girl was transformed into a gentle human voice that sounded like it was performed by a voice actor.