One Week Ago

~~~

(Asuna)

I sat there in front of my mirror, brushing my hair from root to tip before spraying myself a bit with this perfume my mother had gifted me. One spray to the neck, another to my dress.

I began to make a braid that I usually do and tied it in the back with a hair tie. I reached for my lip gloss and glide the gooey wand across my lips before rubbing my lips together.

I began to pinch my cheeks to get a rosy color to them once I realized I had run out of blush. I took the mascara and began to brush my lashes up. I sighed desperately, my head in my hands. I was stalling. I wouldn't get so dolled up for a man I never met, I just wanted to buy a few minutes. Just a few.

"Asuna," my mother called outside the door before she opened it.

"He's in the garden, waiting, long enough, I might add," she looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"I like it, anymore make up would've been inappropriate," she nodded in approval before she walked in further in the room.

"It's time, Asuna," she had placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Mom," my voice broke.

She placed a hand on the top of my head as my head leaned in on her stomach.

"I am so proud of you Asuna," she smiled, her eyes threatening to glisten with a tear. A small smile took over my lips and nods.

"I think," I paused, "I think I'm ready now,"

And with that said, she took my hand in hers and guided me out my room. I walked down the stairs with my hand gliding on the stair rail, eyes locked on the glass back door that leads to the garden.

"This way," my mother snapped me out of my trance as she opens the door, motioning me to walk outside.

I did cautiously, and at first I didn't see him in sight.

"He's further down, I believe admiring our small koi fish pond,"

My mother stayed inside as I walked further to my backyard before I saw a figure sitting down on the stone bench, facing the pond with his back to me.

I didn't say anything for a moment, I was analyzing his features. He had slick chocolate brown hair, slightly long. He wore a dress button up shirt, plain white with some formal casual pants with dress shoes. He didn't look like much, he wasn't what I was expecting.

The image I had created would've been a man in a black suit and tie, trimmed black locks and glasses. Well, I haven't seen his face yet, maybe he does have a pair.

"Hi," I heard a man's voice.

He had turned around.

"Hi," I replied, somewhat unsure if I should wave or not.

He didn't have glasses, but he did have honey brown eyes, surprisingly lighter than mine.

"Asuna, right?" He had his elbows on his knees, his back arched as he was leaning forward, his hands locked with each other.

I nodded.

"That was a pretty stupid question, of course you are, who else would you be," he chuckled. There was sweat on his brow.

"Are you, by any chance, nervous?" I smiled a bit when he jumped a bit in his seat.

"What? No, what makes you think that?" He chuckled nervously before he sighed.

"That obvious, huh?" He rubbed the back of his neck, slightly frowning.

"Well, yes, but I would be more intimidated if you weren't," I looked down with a small smile.

I looked back up to see him flash a small smile too, a nervous smile, but unexpectedly genuine.

"Uh, please, take a seat," he scooted a bit and gave me a fair amount of space. I sat next to him, facing the koi fish pond, we were silent for a while before he broke the silence.

"It was dumb of me to think you wouldn't be nervous either," he mumbled.

H still faced the pond as he spoke though.

"I just assumed you would've been used to these sort of things," He smiled a bit.

"Not exactly, every time I'd meet a suitor, I'd purposely mess things up. This would be the first time I would take it seriously," I fumbled with my thumbs.

"How come?" He turned his head to face me.

"I already pictured who I wanted to be with. And they didn't fit that picture," I looked blankly at the pond as the koi fish lazily swan about.

"Did you ever found someone who did fit that picture?" He asked, a bit dreadfully. He must be nervous by how I respond.

"Yes," I nodded, before I faced him. I could see the disappointment.

"I see," his voice dropped. I giggled at his disappoint reply.

"But he's not anymore," I had a sad smile tug at my lips. I could actually feel my heart ache as the old feelings I had tried to bury resurfaced.

"Well, I don't what exactly happened," he started, "and I won't pry but, whatever did happen, I hope you find peace in your heart,"

"How did you-" I was cut off.

"I know heartbreak when I see it, I've seen that enough in my lifetime to identify it," he sighed, he had a sad smile that matched mine.

"I won't pry either, but, I hope you can forget that aching feeling one day, and I'll try to forget with you," I responded. He smiled wide and nodded before he extended his hand to me.

"Let's make that a deal," his hand didn't waver, even after I took a moment to take it.

"Deal," I shook his hand. It felt so warm.

"Here's to forgetting heartbreak," he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"To forgetting heartbreak," I replied. We didn't let go of each others hands right away. Our hands lingered, not ready to let go just yet.

That night I had hope that I could forget this aching feeling that had lingered in my heart when I lost Kazuto.

I stared at his face and sighed in relief, a big smile of my own, thankful that I got paired with someone who genuinely understood. Someone genuine. And even though I'm still nervous about this wedding, I feel more at ease to go through with it, because he seems just as nervous and scared as I am.

•••

Filler chapter, yeah.

Until next time,

InGameProdigy