I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

After saying that, she belatedly blushed, biting her lip slightly shyly, but her gaze remained fixed on him, as firm as a sword made of steel.

Let's exchange rings.

A wedding ceremony that's merely a formality doesn't truly reflect the meaning of "marriage."

Asuna Yuuki believes this is a ritual—an important ritual to reunite the two people who once loved each other.

Perhaps before my memory fades, this wedding ceremony will be the most profound memory I have of myself?

Whether it's ultimately completed or not, whether I'm happy or sad before I forget him...

A voice inside me told me that I must exchange rings with him—this time, I must exchange eternal vows with him!

"...Of course. Maybe doing this will help me regain my memories?"

For some reason, Yuu Tenkuji felt a little nervous and took a deep breath to calm herself down.

Then, he lifted the girl's soft, boneless hand and slowly slipped the ring, which bloomed with a crystal flower, onto the base of her slender, long ring finger.

At that moment, Tenkuji Yu's heart stirred slightly, and she couldn't help but blurt out:

Are you satisfied now?

"Huh?"

Asuna's beautiful hazel eyes widened slightly as she looked at him in surprise.

Yuu Tenkuji suddenly snapped out of his daze, made an awkward "uh" sound, and was about to explain his unintentional remark when...

Despite her doubts, the girl thought about it seriously, then looked into his eyes and gave him her answer in a gentle tone.

"It's a bit strange to say I'm not satisfied... Although it's not official, being able to marry the person I love is every girl's dream, right?"

Asuna Yuuki smiled slightly, her voice clear and firm.

"I like you!"

"No matter how many times we pass each other by, as long as you appear in front of me, as long as we can meet somewhere again—I will like you for no reason, just like I do now, and in trying to find the source of this feeling, I will like you more and more."

Even if I lose you, no matter how many times, I will still fall in love with you.

"So, Yu-kun."

She took the initiative to hold Tenkuji Yu's hand and slipped the ring onto the base of his ring finger.

"From now on, I don't need any touching reunions, nor do I need any courage to reminisce."

"As long as you stay by my side, that's enough."

After confirming that the ring was on properly, Asuna Yuuki released her hand and tilted her delicate face up slightly.

Then, she slowly closed her eyes.

"..."

Tenkuji Yu gazed at her silently.

The ring on his finger seemed to retain the warmth of the girl's body, and it weighed heavily on his heart like a mountain.

Is this the weight of a vow?

Although the promise He Yang made at the amusement park was different, it was undoubtedly of equal importance.

His lips curled up, revealing a calm and gentle smile.

Without the old nun's prompting, Tenkuji Yu held her shoulders and gently kissed her.

A bright yet gentle light shone once again from between their intertwined fingers.

Chapter 176 Asuna Yuuki's Turn

In reality, the two had met once.

Although Asuna Yuuki couldn't see the other person's face clearly, she remembered the sound that prevented her from falling into the lake.

After that, we officially got to know each other in the game.

Despite not knowing each other well enough, they were forced into marriage by a system task and went to do quests in a strange dungeon together.

Despite not knowing each other well enough, she gradually developed feelings for her cheap husband through their daily interactions in the game.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, every moment they spent together was incredibly memorable.

Yuuki Asuna sometimes wonders if she's being too unreserved.

Who can fall in love online so quickly, and then develop that online relationship into a real-life one even faster, almost crossing that final line?

To be honest, it's all Granny Ma's fault—if it weren't for that mission, he and she wouldn't have gone from strangers and teammates to a married couple in the game.

Most importantly, such realistic holographic virtual games are almost like reality, aren't they?

It's only natural that I would fall for him so easily and place him in a very important place in my heart, allowing each other to seek the warmth we crave.

...Moreover, he even crossed the distance between reality and virtuality and took the initiative to find me.

Asuna Yuuki will never forget that night when he called out to her and pulled her out of the gloomy, rain-soaked world.

The rain was icy cold, but under his umbrella, it was always a sunny day.

Afterwards, their relationship gradually warmed up. They dated and studied at the tutoring class, went to various places to play on holidays, and kissed each other reluctantly when they parted. Although there were insignificant obstacles in their way, they successfully overcame them through their own efforts. They also gradually understood and forgave each other with their mothers, and made changes and compromises for the sake of their important family members.

Everything was transforming into something beautiful she had never imagined before.

She once thought that this happiness would last forever, and never doubted that she would spend the rest of her life with him through thick and thin.

However, on the night the autumn exhibition ended, we agreed to log into the game together after a long time, intending to complete the task that led to our initial encounter and the vow of marriage.

Until the flower of love blooms and they go to the church to get married, it's as if they are wrapped in a blanket of happiness, full of warmth and sweetness.

But after he put the ring on her finger, he stopped and then made a confession that made her heart stop.

"Asuna."

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

"That's my answer."

The next moment, consciousness was plunged into darkness.

—The following passage seems to be Yu-kun's memory.

He appeared in the middle of a desolate and indifferent ruin, talking to a screen buried in the ground.

On the screen, a series of events that the two of them had experienced were playing. Yu-kun became increasingly shy as he watched, and his embarrassed expression at his own affectionate look was really funny and cute.

He said, "Remember to put away my feelings for Asuna. Now that you've successfully made your exit, I wish her a peaceful life and hope she doesn't run into any more strange men."

Asuna Yuuki almost laughed in exasperation at that remark.

A successful retirement? A peaceful life for the rest of your days? Are you here to do charity or to date me?

Without you in the world, I am no longer myself!

But upon closer reflection, I realized I didn't seem to have the right to blame him.

She had experienced enough of the unpleasant feeling of liking someone who didn't remember her, and even having to watch him flirt with other women.

If it were me, knowing that the person I like might never remember me again, and yet I still have to interact with other people of the opposite sex to fulfill the mission set by the gods...

The thought of giving up on this relationship and cutting all ties with that person is probably the most helpless and desperate thing to do.

Most importantly, if Yuuki hadn't made this choice, he might have continued to love his first girlfriend, Yukinoshita.

Those who come later may never win his heart, and may even become the perpetrators who cause him immense suffering.

Thinking about it this way, the only one who has the right to blame him is Yukino Yukinoshita—blame him for not being stronger and for loving her deeply from beginning to end, until the day a miracle happens.

It's obvious that Yukinoshita Haruno wouldn't do something so outrageous.

Because even Asuna Yuuki couldn't do that.

"But we agreed not to forgive him."

Time off due to injury.

The system told her the 'truth,' but she wasn't angry at all.

Because Asuna Yuuki knew that perhaps their meeting was arranged, and perhaps he approached her with an ulterior motive—

But the feelings that arise from this, and the mutual respect for each other, are by no means fake.

Even though he was lying to himself and trying to say goodbye, even though he knew that she wasn't his only one.

Yuuki Asuna also wanted, no matter how many times, to become the most important person in his heart.

"So, I will definitely forgive him, and I will definitely remember him."

If your palm can't reach it, then rely on the blade; if even the blade can't reach it, then risk everything.

A young girl's love is so straightforward and foolish.

No matter what difficulties the future holds, she will overcome them and hold his hand without hesitation.

Because Asuna Yuuki had already fallen in love with him and was hopelessly in love with him.

"We made an agreement."

I'm coming to find you right now, right away, I'm running there.

I don't care if I chase you all the way to Soubu High School, I don't care if you treat me like an ordinary friend, I don't care if I have to go to a very, very dangerous place to save you...

How did you find me when I had almost given up everything? Now I will find us all again!

……

Asuna opened her eyes.

Their parted lips still held warmth, their intertwined breaths were still hot, and an indescribable feeling of happiness welled up in their hearts.

She recalled everything, including how she briefly broke through the system's blockade using the power of her will during the cultural festival.

In other words, he had already fulfilled his promise, but his opponent was too powerful and cunning, so he had to complete the final step here.

If one can still feel resentful about such an outcome, then one can only be described as overly arrogant and stubborn.

Asuna Yuuki wasn't the kind of person who was stubborn, and she was very satisfied with this, finally putting her mind at ease.