(Shino's POV)

Back in my room, all I could do was count the time. Trying desperately to fight back all these thoughts that slip into my mind.

What if Kazuto still loves Asuna? What if Asuna found out? Would she hate me? What if they were together again? What if they kissed...

I groaned into my pillow. My poor poor pillow, I know, try to hang in there. Much appreciated for your service, I salute to my pillow...

I must be going insane. I hugged my pillow and sat up. It's been hour and twenty three minutes since I logged out.

I sighed. Despite it all, all the horrible, panicked thoughts roaming in my mind, one wasn't so negative. I hope Yui's happy.

Having Asuna not there must've been hard. I know its hard not having my mom around.

My head leans into my pillow. Mom hasn't been the same since the incident.

I could've been like her. I mean I know I'm pretty bad as it is. But I could've been much worse.

I could be in one of those homes. Instead of hanging with friends and going to school I could've been in therapy. Or even worse. I could be unresponsive or mentally unstable. And I'm sure I'm not quite there yet but...

Its times like these I miss my mom and her comforting hugs. I remember them. And I miss it terribly.

I know I was too young to remember. But I remember it all. My mom's double fudge brownies were the best, none could beat their chocolatey flavor... Is that even a word?

I also remember my mom's lullaby's. They were so sweet and soothing. Her melodic voice always knocked me out. I could really use that lately. Now that I think about it, I can almost hear the lullaby she used to sing to me. A song she wrote herself. And the melody pleasing to the ears. But the lyrics mean so much more to me now than ever before.

Don't let your heart feel blue
Just let me hold you
Don't let your heart break
Just let me fix you
Don't let your heart feel pain
Just let me sooth you
Don't let your heart be afraid
Just let me hold you

Don't be scared
Don't you cry
I'll be here to sing you this lullaby
Don't you fret
Don't you sigh
I'll be here to hold you

And my fate was sealed. As soon as we walked into that dreadful building. That man didn't take my mom's life but he might as well have. She's unresponsive most of the time. And when she is responsive she murmurs crazy thoughts that pop into her mind.

When I saw her last year she thought I was still five. When I saw her a few months ago she had a stuffed animal thinking it was me when I was just a baby. She didn't acknowledge anyone's presence after that.

What he did was so much worse. He didn't take her life. No. He destroyed who she was, and in the process, taking away a mother from her child. Taking her away from me. If he had killed her, at least she would've rested peacefully...

At least that way I can say she's gone. But no, I can visit her, I can see her. I can hold her. Yet she won't even notice I'm there. She rarely eats so now they have to try other methods. How low can a human being go through?

I hug my pillow just a bit tighter. I look down at my hands. The fingers that pulled the trigger. That launched a bullet in his body. I quietly began to sob.

I suddenly shook my head. But I'm over that.

Wow how did my mind get from Kazuto and Asuna to this?

I heard a audible knock from my door and I quickly wiped my tears. Two thoughts came to mind. Hikari or Kazuto. But Kazuto is probably still in ALO... So Hikari?

I walk over to the door and opened it.

"Shino!" Tsuboi cheered. Hikari was standing next to him.

"Tsuboi?" I exclaimed, a bit surprised. Hikari giggled.

"You're so popular Shino," Hikari winked. I couldn't help but blush and shake me head.

"Its not- we're not, I mean..." I stammered. Tsuboi awwwwed at my speaking mishap and Hikari soon joined in.

"What do you want?" I tried, obviously embarrassed.

"He was looking for you and didn't know where you're apartment room was so I brought him here. He said he was a friend of yours!" She chimed. I raised an eyebrow.

"For all you know he couldn't been a murderer, and you guide him to my doorstep just because he claimed to be my friend?" I ridiculed. She laughed nervously and nodded her head.

"Yup," she replied.

"Does this a face look like it belongs to a murderer's?" Tsuboi pouted, batting his eyes. I would usually laugh to this but...

"Well neither does mine, but looks can be deceiving," I replied grimly. Hikari just gave me a questioning face.

Oh yeah she doesn't know. Probably why she hasn't run into her room yet, locking the door. Or shrieking. Or possibly pissing herself. I've actually had someone do that before...

"Uh okay, I think we'll need some alone time, thanks," Tsuboi quickly excused, waking in and closing the door on uninformed Hikari.

"What's with you?" Tsuboi questioned. I sighed and shrugged my shoulders, sitting on my bed.

"What did Kazuto do?" He questioned, grabbing a chair and sitting across from me.

"Well, nothing really," I replied. He shook his head.

"Well I heard he's with Asuna at the moment," he responded. I flinched.

"And Yui," I added.

"I honestly didn't know he'd suggest something so dumb," Tsuboi mumbled.

"Its for Yui," I shrugged.

"I know. But I know Kazuto. He probably set this up mostly to meet with her, at first, I mean!" Tsuboi said, just slipping, as if he wasn't planning to say this.

"I kinda knew. But I trust him now," I slightly frowned.

"I'm sorry. I'm probably making things worse. I didn't mean for you to doubt him," Tsuboi apologized. I shook my head.

"I know. You're a sweet guy and a great friend," I replied.

"Ouch," he frowned. I laughed.

"Sorry?" I questioned. I guess I shouldn't use the term friend for a while.

He just shook his head and smiled. A real smile.

"Its fine," he shrugged, leaning back into the chair.

"Hey Tsuboi?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Kazuto is over Asuna?" I asked. He seemed to squirm.

"I don't know, really," he responded. I lifted a brow.

"You said you knew him," I replied. He signed as if he were caught.

"I know he likes you, Shino," he mumbled. He didnt answer my question.

I promised myself not to do something I'd regret a long time ago.

I might start to regret getting in Asuna's way.

"Where's your bathroom?" Tsuboi asked awkwardly. I pointed to the door to the right.

When he stood all I say was his fall, forward, directly in my direction.

***

(3rd Person POV)

"I should really get rid of that rug," Shino exclaimed. Tsuboi clumsily tripped over the rug and landed on Shino.

"I am so sorry," Tsuboi cried. He lifted his head and faced her and froze.

His breathing began to quicken, which alarmed Shino. But was now too distracted of how close he really was.

Tsuboi didn't seem to quite realize his own face nearing hers. And Shino didn't move an inch.

Finally, his nose was touching hers.

"Tsuboi," Shino whimpered. Tsuboi snapped out of it and inched away.

"Sorry," he whispered. Shino shook her head.

"No its fine," Shino murmured. Tsuboi sighed and got up.

"Tsuboi?" Shino whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Do you- do you like me?" Shino stammered. He simply nodded.

"Why?" Shino questioned. This caused a small laugh to slip his lips.

"You sound so surprised, why is that?" He questioned.

"I asked first," Shino declared.

"You're right, you're right," Tsuboi replied, sitting back in the chair.

"You don't shoot me down like all the others. You're cool, nice. What's there not to like?" He responded. Shino plainly shrugged.

"No ones ever liked me before, I never had real friends. So I'm just not used to all of this," Shino fell back into her bed.

"I'd get used to it then," Tsuboi added.

"So why did you come by?" Shino sat up.

"I had a feeling you needed someone right now," Tsuboi rubbed the back of his neck.

"I do," Shino murmured.

"Well consider me that someone. Until Kazuto comes back, of course," he reassured.

"Yeah, if he comes back," Shino whispered, now hugging her pillow again.

***
Authors note: Hey! Ima try to finish this story I promise! But forgive me if I won't be able to under some circumstances...

Just know as long as I'm able I'll continue to publish. But I don't know if I'll continue to be able too. As long as I'm here I will tho :3

Sorry if this feels like a filler chapter 😓

Anyway, Until Next Time!!!

-InGameProdigy