I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Asuna Yuuki stepped forward: "Tenkuuji-kun!"

Yuu Tenkuji unconsciously took a step back, his cheek muscles twitching slightly.

This kind of drive and observational ability is even more terrifying than Yukinoshita Haruno's...

Wait, something's not right!

"The ring was destroyed, but not completely. Even though the events that happened have disappeared, the login records weren't even updated, leaving behind a bunch of clues..."

Tenkuji Yu instantly understood.

Damn system, I don't believe you're really that useless!

You're definitely doing this on purpose again, you traitor! I'll fucking kill you sooner or later!

"No, even without these clues, based on that strange, lingering feeling in my heart, I'll eventually suspect you and find you..."

Then, I'll meet you like this, and I'll be so angry at your attitude that I'll be half-dead, right?

Yuuki Asuna leaned forward expressionlessly, just like before, assuming a charging stance.

That large hand, with its veins bulging, seemed to be hiding boundless rage.

"We've already come this far, are you still planning to keep it from me?"

"..."

Yuu Tenkuji was speechless for a moment.

His brief moment of reflection seemed to be taken as a negative acquiescence.

"Really? I understand."

A sigh of disappointment fell softly.

Asuna Yuuki closed her eyes, and her anger and aura vanished in an instant. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to suddenly return to normal, and the grassland was as sunny and breezy as ever.

The next moment, an unexpected change occurred.

"I will never forgive you."

Accompanied by a soft voice, white light began to illuminate.

The slash started from the tip of the rapier and spread all the way up her arm, not stopping there, but gradually enveloping Yuuki Asuna's body.

"Even if I forget many things, this is the only thought I will never forget."

The excessive, intense light, like the sun, completely engulfed the imaginary bearded man, leaving only the girl's words, clear as a drawn sword.

Seemingly bound by an invisible light, Yuu Tenkuji felt his body become heavy, unable even to launch a sneak attack. He could only squint his eyes to prevent them from being blinded.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the next moment, he was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

"Tenkuji-kun... no, Yu-kun."

It's as if the feelings and memories that existed in the past have transcended time and brought them into the light of the present.

So, after the light faded, the chestnut-haired slender swordsman appeared before him in such an illogical way?

Tenkuji slowly lowered his arm, staring at her in astonishment for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

"Asuna?"

— "Asuna".

Straight and smooth chestnut-colored long hair, with an elegant and cute fishtail princess braid wrapped around the side.

The red and white female swordsman's outfit was incredibly dashing, with white stockings and a short skirt forming an absolute territory.

Holding a sharp, slender sword that shimmered with emerald light, he stared intently into the orange eyes ahead.

There was also an exquisite diamond ring with a crystal flower blooming on the left ring finger of a white fingerless glove.

How could this be? Why did it turn out like this?

Yuu Tenkuji was completely baffled as to what was going on.

"Since you won't say anything, then I'll come and get it myself."

What are you trying to retrieve? Do you have a system too? How are you able to do something so outrageous?

"Well!"

As numerous questions flashed through her mind, a moment of noise seemed to appear before her eyes, causing Tenkuji Yu to cover her slightly stinging eyes and head. She then struggled to lift her head and look at the rapier-wielding girl in front of her.

Nothing had changed; she was still pointing her sword at herself, her eyes brimming with murderous intent, ready to strike.

Then, it suddenly disappeared from sight.

"Drink up! Drink up!"

Chapter 165 Yu-kun, I've Come to See You (Three-in-One)

He poured his heart and soul into the sword, roaring as if he wanted to blow away everything that stood in his way.

The sword tip points forward.

My consciousness was more focused than ever before, as if in that instant, even the pace of time was held back by myself.

'Yu-kun...'

Asuna murmured his name.

As his thigh slammed into the ground, the surrounding scenery seemed to stretch out and become blurred, but his surprised and stunned face remained clear, deeply reflected on his retina.

She couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth into a smile, but even the movement of the muscles around her mouth was frighteningly slow.

The underlying principles are unclear. Right now, Asuna Yuuki can only think about himself, who has transcended the river of time and is leisurely watching from the shore in his imagined world, as well as himself, who has suddenly rushed in front of him.

Perhaps he hasn't noticed yet?

Unbeknownst to me, the light of my heart unveiled all hypocrisy and forcefully corrected all the distorted truths.

The figure standing there was no longer a randomly generated imaginary entity, but a handsome young man who looked almost exactly like him in reality.

He was no longer wearing a school uniform or beginner's gear, but a simple and neat black and white swordsman outfit, a pure black one-handed sword, and a crystal diamond ring on his left ring finger that matched his own.

That must be "Haru".

It is the fictional character of Yuu Tenkuji in "Sword Art Online". She is an online friend who once adventured with her and was also her online spouse who was once married to her in the game.

Although it was the first time she had met her, and she hadn't yet recalled her past experiences, Asuna could still make this conclusion with absolute certainty.

That is the end of this journey, the answer to all the mysteries, and what she is trying to retrieve.

'That's... the end!'

Thoughts, briefly lost in thought, suddenly crashed back into my body.

The sensation of speed overwhelmed all the senses; the sounds of the world seemed to break through the stillness of the water in that instant, and all the chaotic information rushed into the brain at once.

The surrounding scenery was blurry, but he was the only one who was clear.

The drawn-out roar, the noise of the wind howling past my ears.

The near-suffocating sensation in front of my nose, due to the excessive speed, even made me feel the pain of my hair being forcefully pulled backward.

However, with the help of the white light, Asuna still broke through the air barrier and suddenly thrust out the sword tip, which was as dazzling as a meteor, and fiercely attacked Tenkuji Yu's chest.

She could see that Tenkuji Yu subconsciously raised her wrist, as if trying to block it.

Even with his quick reflexes, he still couldn't keep up with himself, who had exceeded the system's limits.

"I will no longer be confused."

The nightmares I had in Kyoto, the tears I shed every time I woke up, and the fear of the false memories and the chaotic reality that always made me hug myself.

"I won't miss it again."

She inexplicably became interested in him, inexplicably paid attention to his affairs, and inexplicably discovered a broken ring in the game, thus beginning her journey to catch up with him and uncover the truth of the past.

"This time—"

That's why I'm standing in front of him now.

With a slight smile, Asuna's eyes suddenly sharpened, and she forcefully pushed aside the air in front of her again, as if she had become one with the rapier, shortening the distance between them to zero.

"Let me come to your side!"

Because this was agreed upon...

I haven't forgotten.

The white light gradually faded, and the sharp, straight sword tip smoothly touched his front.

Asuna firmly believed that as long as she pierced through, everything she had lost would come back—without needing any basis.

So even if it meant piercing the chest of her beloved, she wouldn't hesitate for a second!

But at that very moment—

A deep red hexagonal warning frame obscured his face.

"Interruption of external power supply detected. Initiating connection of backup battery. The virtual object ceases operation."

"what?!"

Asuna stared in astonishment.

It was just an inch away from piercing through, but when the warning box popped up, the speed faster than a train, the piercing through the air, and the powerful impact it brought all seemed to freeze in mid-air, as if it were a joke.

The whole world was put on pause.

'The external power was cut off... But how could that be!? I checked the helmet and the socket; it shouldn't have come loose so easily!'

Asuna screamed in disbelief, her body and consciousness completely severed, unable to do anything but watch helplessly as the next notification popped up.

"Forced logout is imminent. Players, please prepare. 10, 9, 8..."

The countdown is like a heartbeat, constantly moving in the silent virtual world, and about to reach zero.

Asuna stared blankly ahead, the white light surrounding her body dimming further as she stopped, and the grip on her sword unconsciously loosened... but even though she thought she was doing so, the virtual entity remained completely unresponsive.

'...Is that all?'

She peered through the semi-transparent warning frame at Yuu Tenkuji, who was standing right next to her.