I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Asuna walked out of the bathroom with a hint of shyness. Her head was slightly lowered, and her lips, moistened by the steam, were lightly pursed, like a rose with dew on them. At this moment, she resembled a dancer with a half-closed fan, every inch of her skin telling a story of alluring temptation.

“Asuna…” Even Mochizuki Kaede, who was always calm and composed, widened her gray pupils slightly, her gaze unable to leave as if drawn by a magnet, sliding from the girl’s fair shoulders, over the waistline outlined by the apron ribbon, and finally settling on the faintly visible snow-white curve.

Seeing her lover's unwavering gaze, Asuna's initial shyness vanished instantly, replaced by a triumphant joy. She deliberately slowed her pace, approaching Mochizuki Kaede step by step, unhurriedly.

"How is it?" Asuna's voice was soft and melodious, with a hint of anticipation and playfulness.

Mochizuki Kaede's breathing visibly became erratic. To be honest, Asuna wearing the nude apron possessed a unique kind of beauty. The thin red apron perfectly blended innocence and sexiness, and its destructive power was no less than the ultimate attack of the seventy-floor boss.

Asuna smiled with satisfaction, seemingly sensing his thoughts from Mochizuki Kaede's somewhat flustered yet amazed gaze.

Her slender fingers gently fiddled with the apron straps: "Actually, I prepared this during my honeymoon. But Silica was always there, and I was a little embarrassed. Then Yui came to visit, so I didn't have a chance to do it, and it just fell through."

As Mochizuki Kaede listened to Asuna's words, an image involuntarily surfaced in her mind: Asuna in their new home, wearing that red, nude apron, busily preparing dishes in the kitchen. Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, gently bathing her smooth, bare back. The graceful rise and fall of her shoulder blades as she chopped vegetables, the unconscious allure of her tongue lightly licking her lips as she tasted food, the sudden sway of her apron hem as she turned, revealing a fleeting glimpse of her cleavage… all the images exuded the unique gentleness and sensuality of a newlywed wife.

While Mochizuki Kaede's thoughts were still immersed in that warm and beautiful scene, Asuna suddenly pounced on him like a nimble yet somewhat wild little cheetah, knocking him down onto the soft bed.

From this angle, Asuna's eyes, which were looking down at her, shone with a fierce light, completely different from her usual gentle demeanor.

"You're being unusually enthusiastic today," Mochizuki Kaede tried to ease the tension with a joke.

Asuna leaned down, burying her head in Mochizuki Kaede's neck, her warm lips tracing the side of his neck, leaving a distinct mark above his collarbone. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, their body heat passing through their thin clothes, as if trying to merge the other into their own.

"Xiao Feng..." Asuna's lips brushed against her earlobe, her warm breath spraying against the sensitive back of her ear, "What... happened between you and Mito today?"

The unexpected question made Mochizuki Kaede stiffen. Asuna immediately noticed his reaction and punished him by planting another hickey on his collarbone. Her fingers ran through Mochizuki Kaede's silver hair, as gently as combing feathers, yet with an inescapable force.

Under Asuna's dazed gaze, Mochizuki Kaede finally spoke slowly. He recounted Mito's accidental fall into the water and that fleeting kiss. With each sentence, Asuna's lips added a new kiss mark to his neck, as if asserting her dominance in this way.

When the story reached the abruptly ended confession by the stream, Asuna suddenly sat up. Her apron had already slipped to one side, and her snow-white shoulders, framed by chestnut hair, still bore traces of dampness.

"I never expected this..." Her voice carried a strange joy, "Even my best friend is captivated by you."

These words stirred invisible ripples in the quiet room. Mochizuki Kaede clearly saw the complex emotions that flashed in her eyes—first surprise, then a subtle pride, and finally settling into a thoughtful gentleness.

"For someone like Mito to confess his feelings..." Asuna's fingertips traced his Adam's apple, "It means you're very special to her."

Her thoughts drifted back to the real world. That always solitary, top-performing student, the ice queen who had rejected countless confessions of love—only showed a rare smile when playing online games with Asuna.

"She's changed so much..." Asuna murmured softly, then suddenly rolled over and lay down next to Mochizuki Kaede. The sheets rippled with her movement. She gazed at the flickering light and shadow on the ceiling. "Tell me the details... What was her expression when she confessed? Was her voice trembling?"

Mochizuki Kaede turned her head to look at Asuna, who had suddenly become very interested. The sly glint in the girl's eyes made her both amused and exasperated. This wasn't an interrogation; it was clearly a gossip session between best friends.

“Another person who likes Xiaofeng has appeared.” Asuna suddenly laughed and poked his cheek. “I knew I had good taste.”

. . . .

Thank you to 【The Twilight Town on the Edge】 and 【Shunjun】 for the monthly tickets!

Chapter 204: Yuna's Song

Yuna noticed that Asuna and Mito's interactions had become more frequent recently.

This wouldn't be strange, since they're close friends from the same school in the real world. But ever since Mito accidentally witnessed Asuna and Mochizuki Kaede kissing on Valentine's Day, a subtle atmosphere has hung over the three of them. Although they maintain a harmonious friendship on the surface, Yuna can sense that Mito is intentionally or unintentionally keeping her distance from the two of them.

However, this situation seems to have changed recently.

Yuna was startled to discover that Asuna and Mito's relationship seemed to have suddenly warmed up, becoming much closer than before. This contrast caught even her, an observer, off guard.

What she didn't know was that in their private conversations, Asuna and Mito's topics all revolved around romance. It turned out that when Asuna learned that Mito had confessed his feelings to Mochizuki Kaede, she didn't remain silent but instead sought out Mito herself.

When Mito was completely off guard, Asuna bluntly stated, "I know you confessed to Kaede." At that moment, Mito's face turned deathly pale; he was terrified, thinking he was about to face his best friend's questioning and rage.

After all, she had always felt guilty towards Asuna. This guilt stemmed partly from the fact that early in the game, she had briefly considered abandoning Asuna, though the thought was fleeting. It also arose from her uncontrollable feelings for Mochizuki Kaede, the person Asuna loved.

Mitt prepared herself for the worst. She felt that even if Asuna scolded her or cut off all contact with her, she would accept it silently.

To her surprise, Asuna didn't react with anger or blame as she expected. Instead, Asuna enthusiastically discussed with her why she liked Mochizuki Kaede. The two chatted back and forth, and Asuna quietly shared a few little secrets that only close friends could know—such as Mochizuki Kaede's sensitive spots. These kinds of private topics naturally flowed into their conversation.

As the conversation deepened, the concerns hidden in their hearts gradually melted away. Mitt felt, in a daze, that they had transformed back into the girls who shared game strategies on the school rooftop. Back then, they cheered with joy at clearing hidden levels; now, although the topic of their discussions had shifted to people they both liked, that pure and profound friendship remained unchanged.

Mito was truly surprised by Asuna's magnanimity, but Asuna gently shook her head and said calmly, "I'm not being magnanimous because of that. Actually, to be honest, I probably have no right to comment. I was a despicable person to snatch Kaede away from Miss Kissmel. Besides, I always felt that my feelings for Kaede were more familial. Although I like him very much, sometimes I unconsciously treat him like a younger brother."

Although Mito didn't know who this Miss Kissmel was, hearing Asuna's honest words and knowing that she hadn't distanced herself from him because of Mochizuki Kaede, Mito finally felt relieved and let out a long sigh of relief.

……

June.

The strategy team overcame numerous obstacles and successfully defeated the boss of the 79th floor, reaching the 80th floor. This significant breakthrough means they are getting closer to their ultimate goal of clearing all 100 floors.

The news spread like wildfire across every floor, bringing new hope to all players.

The members of [Golden Rule], who had just defeated the floor boss, finally got a short day off.

Yuna, as always, decided to hold a concert in the lower levels, a long-standing habit of hers. Since the start of the death game, she has remained convinced that music can give people courage.

"Brother Feng, over here!"

Celia grabbed Mochizuki Kaede's sleeve, and the two walked through the bustling crowd to the reserved seats in the front row.

Mochizuki Kaede looked around; the tiered circular plaza was packed. The back rows were even full of people, some holding up glowing signs that read "Silver-White Diva" and "Forever Support Yuna." Cheers and whistles rose and fell, making the entire plaza seem like a boiling ocean.

"There are so many people," said Mochizuki Kaede.

Silica hugged Bina, her eyes sparkling: "Sister Yuna is the most popular singer now! I heard that every time she holds a concert, players come all the way from more than ten floors away."

Mochizuki Kaede exclaimed, "She used to be just an ordinary person playing the piano in the square, with only a handful of listeners. I never imagined that it would grow so much bigger and bigger now."

“Yuna has been performing all along,” Silica said softly. “Because many players are still living in fear. Yuna said she wanted to bring hope to everyone on the front lines. Many players… got through the toughest times thanks to her singing.”

Mochizuki Kaede nodded slightly, his admiration for Yuna growing even stronger. He slowly turned his gaze to the center of the square, where Yuna was already standing. Today, she wasn't wearing her usual large white hat; instead, her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She wore a pristine white dress and held a lute lightly in her hand.

"Everyone--"

Her clear voice resonated throughout the square through the loudspeaker system. Instantly, cheers erupted like thunder, and the audience stood up in unison, waving their light sticks.

Yuna smiled faintly, her voice gentle yet powerful: "First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming here. The strategy team has now successfully reached the eightieth floor, and we are getting closer and closer to clearing the game. So please don't give up hope. Coming to this world may not be entirely hopeless. At least here, we can get to know each other, and I can sing for you all, which makes me truly happy. And the fact that my singing can become your motivation to move forward makes this happiness indescribable. I am really... really happy to have met you all."

The simple words caused the scene to boil over once again.

Mochizuki Kaede gazed at the girl on stage, as pure as a lily, knowing that every word she spoke came from the heart, just like her singing, without the slightest hint of falsehood.

Yuna closed her eyes slightly, and the music began. The moment the first note floated out, the entire square fell silent. Everyone held their breath, as if afraid to disturb this beauty. Sunlight filtered through her hair, casting dappled patterns on the ground, like the light of hope she always inadvertently sowed in people's hearts.

……

The concert came to a successful close, but the enthusiastic atmosphere lingered in the air. Yuna, along with Mochizuki Kaede and Silica, headed to a tranquil mountaintop.

Chapter 205: Stoleya's Thoughts

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the clouds red, painting the entire sky a vibrant orange-red. The three sat beneath a lush oak tree atop the mountain, dappled shadows gently swaying on them.

Mochizuki Kaede sat in the middle, with Silica on her left and Yuna on her right. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of grass and wildflowers, and the faint sound of town bells could be heard in the distance.

"Sister Yuna, today's song was absolutely amazing!" Silica said with admiration. "I'm still immersed in the melody."

Yuna smiled gently, her long, dark brown hair swaying lightly in the wind like a graceful ribbon: "If you like, you can come to my room to listen every night."

"Really?" Silica's eyes widened in surprise, then she lowered her head shyly. "But that would be too much trouble for Yuna-nee."

"I'm happy to have people who appreciate my music, and I can come anytime I want to listen."

Yuna turned to look at Mochizuki Kaede: "How did the president think of today's performance?"

“Excellent,” Mochizuki Kaede answered without hesitation. He wasn’t a music enthusiast, but Yuna’s singing always seemed to penetrate all technical judgments, directly touching the softest corners of his heart. Like a spring drizzle, silently nourishing parched land.

Upon receiving affirmation, Yuna's eyebrows curved into crescent moons, and two adorable dimples appeared on her cheeks.

The three chatted about interesting things in the guild, and before they knew it, Silica's little head began to nod, and finally she leaned on Mochizuki Kaede's shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

“Silica is so cute even when she’s asleep~” Yuna whispered, afraid of disturbing Silica’s sweet dreams. “No wonder the president attacked her.”

Mochizuki Kaede coughed awkwardly.

"President," Yuna suddenly said seriously, "leading everyone in battle on the front lines all this time... don't you feel tired?"

This question surprised Mochizuki Kaede somewhat. Exhaustion was real, but seeing the smiling faces of the [Golden Rule] members only fueled her burning desire to clear the stage.

"It's alright," he replied briefly, his gaze fixed on the darkening horizon in the distance.

Yuna nodded gently: "Then...did my song give the president any power?"

Mochizuki Kaede turned to her and smiled: "Of course. I feel full of energy now, and I can go and challenge the floor boss again."

Yuna chuckled, quickly covering her mouth to avoid waking Silica. Her laughter was as clear as a mountain stream, blending into the gentle breeze.

“Then I’ll sing one more song just for the president,” Yuna said softly, her fingertips gliding across the strings, producing an ethereal and tranquil melody. This was a piece she had never sung in public before, as if it were specially composed for this twilight moment.

Mochizuki Kaede nodded and closed his eyes. Yuna's gentle singing enveloped him, like a lullaby a mother uses to soothe him, or the whisper of a close friend. He felt the fatigue from days of fighting gradually soothe away, and his tense nerves slowly relaxed...

After an unknown amount of time, Yuna felt a weight on her shoulder. Mochizuki Kaede's silver hair brushed against her neck, his warm breath falling evenly on her shoulder. She stopped singing, looking down at the boy's unusually relaxed sleeping face, a slight smile playing on her lips. She didn't wake him, but gently adjusted her position to make them both more comfortable.

……

"There's a really good skewers restaurant that I'd like to recommend to you."

On a bright and sunny afternoon, sunlight streamed through the clouds and fell on the streets of Aincrad, making the cobblestones gleam. Strea excitedly pulled Mochizuki Kaede along as they weaved through the crowds of the market, her steps as light as a butterfly's, occasionally glancing back to make sure Mochizuki Kaede was keeping up.

"This is it!" She suddenly stopped and pointed to an inconspicuous little shop. The words "Charcoal Grilled Skewers" were engraved on the wooden sign, and an enticing aroma wafted from the doorway.

Stoleya bought two skewers and handed one to Mochizuki Kaede. The meat was grilled to a golden brown with a slight char, and drizzled with a dark brown secret sauce. Mochizuki Kaede took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up: "It's really delicious."

“Right~” Stoleya also took a bite of her own portion, squinting her eyes in satisfaction.

Mochizuki Kaede savored the flavor: "The meat is tender and juicy, and the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce are just right... It's a pity that so few people know about such a delicious dish."

"I'm glad you like it," Strea smiled. "How about bringing Asuna and the others next time?"

Mochizuki Kaede nodded: "Good idea. With Asuna's cooking skills, she might be able to perfectly replicate this flavor."

"If it works, I can eat it every day!" Stoleya happily shook the bamboo skewer in her hand.

As the afternoon sun began to set, the two strolled to the garden near the central square. Here, the trees provided ample shade, and colorful flowers swayed gently in the breeze. They sat down on an oak bench, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves.

"It's nice to spend an afternoon like this once in a while." Mochizuki Kaede looked up at the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Stoleya gave a soft "hmm," placed her hands on the edge of the bench, and swung her legs. A gentle breeze blew by, carrying a faint floral fragrance, and lightly lifted her short, light purple hair.

"Thank you for spending time with me today," Stoleya said softly.

Mochizuki Kaede shook her head: "I'm the one who should thank you. If it weren't for your recommendation, I wouldn't have known there were such delicious skewers. I'll definitely thank you properly next time."

“No…” Stoleya said, “I am the one who should thank you. I always feel especially happy when I am with you.”

After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke up: "Can I ask you a question? You guys... are planning to completely conquer this game, right?"

"Ah."

"Have you ever thought about staying here forever?" Her gaze drifted into the distance. "There's delicious food and beautiful scenery here..."

Mochizuki Kaede pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "Although there are indeed many wonderful people and things in this world, and some people may choose to stay, for me, I still want to return to the original world."

Stoleya's shoulders slumped slightly, her light purple bangs obscuring her eyes: "I knew it."

Noticing her dejected state, Mochizuki Kaede asked with concern, "Storea, don't you want to clear the game?"

Stoleya hesitated for a moment, then slowly replied, "After clearing the game, I probably won't see you again."

“How could that be?” Mochizuki Kaede smiled gently. “Even if we return to the real world, we can still be friends.”

“…Hmm.” Stoleya responded, a complex emotion flashing in her crimson eyes: “But…I…”

Mochizuki Kaede keenly noticed her unusual behavior. Most players longed to return to reality, but Stoleya's reaction was so melancholic.

He asked softly, "Is something on your mind?"

Stoleya raised her head, hesitated, and finally just shook her head. But Mochizuki Kaede clearly saw a trace of loneliness flash in her crimson eyes.

. . . .

Thank you for the monthly pass, 【Creating Miracles】!

Chapter 206: A Sturdy Body

As Mochizuki Kaede was heading to Lisbeth's weapon shop, she looked up at the sky and saw that the previously gloomy sky had suddenly begun to drizzle. The rain was initially as fine as cow's hair, but in an instant it became more and more rapid, with large raindrops pattering against the ground.

As Mochizuki Kaede pushed open the door of Lisbeth's weapon shop, raindrops from the eaves were falling in silvery threads. He was slightly out of breath, and a few raindrops still clung to the ends of his hair.