(3rd Person)

"So wait, what you're telling me is, Shino has liked me for a while," Kazuto repeated. Suguha sighed out of exhaustion.

"How many more times do I have to explain this to you?" Suguha asked, bewildered.

"Well its pretty hard to believe," Kazuto refuted.

"What do you mean its hard to believe? A lot of girls like you!" Suguha exclaimed.

"I always thought Shino was different," Kazuto rubbed the back if his head and laughed.

Finally, I have a break through, Suguha thought. He had basically asked her the same question for an hour.

"Oh? Is that so? How come?" Suguha pushed further.

"Well, Shino is cool, you know?" Kazuto said vaguely.

"No, I don't know. Care to expand on that?" Suguha asked, now in therapist mode.

"Well she wasn't like any of the girls we hanged with. She understood what I was going through more than anyone else," Kazuto's face turned grim.

"About killing someone," Suguha muttered. Kazuto nodded his head.

"She wasn't a psycho on a murder spree. But she was put in the same position where she felt she had no choice. Where there was hardly any options left. She felt the same painful guilt I did. She suffered the same sin," Kazuto mumbled. Suguha nodded.

"And she probably feels the same towards you. I'm sure she's glad she met you," Suguha reassured.

Kazuto's face lit up a bit and a small smile formed on his cheeks.

"Really?" Kazuto's eyes lit up.

"Oh my, you like Shino!" Suguha exclaimed, catching Kazuto by surprise.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Kazuto asked, panicked.

"Your eyes. That smile. The only time I've seen that expression from you was when..." Suguha paused.

"When what?" Kazuto urged her to continue.

"When you and Asuna were together," Suguha replied, waiting for Kazuto to react.

"Really?" Kazuto asked, now bummed at the thought of Asuna.

"I know you love her, but you need to let go now. Its not doing you any good," Suguha leaned closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know. Actually I see Asuna in a couple days," Kazuto added.

"What? What do you mean?" Suguha questioned.

"She wants to see Yui. Its been traumatic for her. She wants us to be there for Yui," Kazuto said, voice lacking emotion.

"No Kazuto, I'm sure you'll do something you'll regret," Suguha pleaded, trying to get him to face her.

"I know. But it's for Yui. I can't just say no. She's so excited for it," Kazuto replied.

"Fine. I guess you have to get over Asuna before then," Suguha determined.

"Oh really? I see her in three days, been in love with her for roughly two years. How am I supposed to get over someone in three days that I've been in love with for two years?" Kazuto remarked. Suguha turned pale and unsure.

"Its still possible," Suguha said.

"How's that?" Kazuto asked.

"I see the way your face lights up with the mention of Shino. You love to play around with her, its like your favorite thing to do. Pulling her tail, remember?" Suguha asked, and Kazuto just chuckled at the thought.

"She's a feisty kitty," Kazuto laughed.

"You protect her like your life depended on it, I know, I saw when you two were in GGO," Suguha finished.

"You feel the need to comfort her and ease her pain, by showing her she saved someone's life and her child by killing that madman. You went through so much to set that up. You like her Kazuto," Suguha finished.

Kazuto smiled and nodded.

"I do," Kazuto realized.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Suguha asked, trying to pump him up.

"I'm going to tell her," Kazuto mumbled.

"And by doing so?" Suguha asked on.

"I'll finally be over Asuna," Kazuto said, relieved.

"Thanks Suguha!" Kazuto embraced her, and she shyly gave him a pat on the back.

"Anytime. I love you when you're happy. Now I know what makes you happy,"

"I'm happy to have a little sister like you," Kazuto confessed.

"Yeah" Suguha sighed. I'm not even your little sister.

"I don't know what's going on with you lately but," Kazuto started, still embracing her,
"You can get through it. We both can,"

"Thanks Kazuto," Suguha teared up and wrapped her arms around him also.

***************************

(Kazuto Kirigaya)

How can I be so dense? I chuckled at myself. What did girls see in me?

That doesn't matter anymore. Shino is who matters. Suguha left to talk to her date about date night. She apparently got Jun to go with her. Poor Keiko. I wonder how she'll react.

Never mind that, I couldn't stop smiling. I look down at my phone. Maybe I should give Shino a call?

I'm psyched for tonight, but I wanted to talk to her now...

I turn on my phone and dialed her on speed dial.

She wasn't answering. I tried again. She wasn't answering.

Kazuto: (Hey Shino, you okay?)

She didn't reply. I ran my hand through my hair in worry and frustration.

Is she okay? I stood and got dressed in some jeans and a shirt and went out. Maybe she's sleeping in. I just got to know if she's okay...

***************************

(3rd Person POV*)

Kazuto rushed to Shino's apartment building on his motorcycle.

He ran up the steps since the elevator was being used at the moment.

He made it to her floor and rushed to her door, but before he did, a door suddenly opened, almost hitting Kazuto.

"Oh I'm so sorry," Shino's neighbor exclaimed.

"You're Shino's neighbor, right?" Kazuto asked.

"Ah yes, I'm Hikari! Nice to meet you," she introduced herself then paused.

"Wait I've seen you. You were here last night," Hikari giggled. Kazuto blushed and coughed nervously.

"Do you know if Shino is home?" Kazuto asked urgently.

"I don't think so. I haven't heard her make a sound since a while ago," Hikari pondered.

"Make a sound? What do you mean?" Kazuto asked, desperate.

"I remember hearing muffled screams coming from her room. As if something was covering her mouth from being heard," Hikari remarked. Kazuto turned pale and held her shoulders.

"When was the last time you heard this?" Kazuto asked, weary.

"Hmm, maybe an hour ago?" Hikari estimated.

"Is there anyway I can get in there?"

"Oh sure, here's the key!" Hikari chimed, walking over to Shino's door mat, under a key was placed.

"Not a very good hiding place. I tried telling her, but she's so shy," Hikari sighed.

"Thank you," Kazuto took the key and rushed to opened the door. The room was clearly messy, not anything like it was last night. Shino's bed sheets were everywhere.

He took his first step in and felt his foot step on something. He lifted his foot and knelt over. What he found shattered his heart even further.

"Shino's glasses," Kazuto murmured, as he held onto the most precious item. He noticed his jacket was here too.

I guess I forgot to take it with me last night, Kazuto thought, picking it up.

Shino, where are you? Kazuto wonders, as he hung his head, gripping both the jacket and glasses in separate hands.

**************************

Authors Note: Hi! So I had nothing to do but eat a Mexican dessert 😅 So I wrote this chapter.

Until next time!

-InGameProdigy