This is the second part, hope you like it~

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

(Your POV)

Eight months had already passed and no one had ever reached the 20th floor yet... The worst thing of all was that there were 100 in total.

The situation seemed hopeless to hundred of players who had already given up. Upon hearing this statement, I was furious. I just couldn't believing how low-spitired some people were. And they dare call themselves SAO players?

Fortunately, it was not my case but actually the entire opposite. Ever since the day we met, Kirito, Asuna and I had always stuck together.

You could say we three were a clear example of team unity, specially Asuna and I...

We quickly became close friends, always relying on each other and being there even in our darkest times.

Not to mention I had learnt a lot of things about her. Like, for example, that she was a 'Knights of the Blood' member. But not only that, she was also in a high rank inside the guild after she was given the title of vice-commander. All kind of players started regarding her as 'The Flash', a nickname I told her that suited her a lot, which made her hit me in a playful way.

In return, I talked to her about myself as well. From my childhood memories to my most recent ones. My relationship with her couldn't be better.

However, I wasn't satisfied.

I didn't want to be friends with her anymore.

I couldn't wait any longer-- I had to speak to her.

Because I couldn't hide my feelings any more.

I realized that I always knew, but didn't want to accept it, since the moment we both crossed paths.

At first, I only recognized her natural beauty and kindness, but as time went on, I began seeing her in a different way.

One day, I decided to talk to Kirito. After all, he was the one who always supported me in anything.

I confessed him everything, including the fact that I wasn't sure about it.

I was utterly surprised at his sympathy.

"That's not weird at all... I mean, girls liking girls is a normal thing, I guess" he patted your shoulder affectionally.

"I didn't expect this from you. Aren't you my brave cousin that never hesitates in making decisions?" The last thing he said was "Go for it".

And so I did.

Having made my mind up, I had asked Asuna to meet me in a special place ten minutes earlier.

While I made my towards that place, I rehearsed a bit my speech but soon enough realized how stupid it was. All I had to do was telling her about my feelings correctly, right?

As I kept telling myself that everything was going to be fine, I suddenly noticed I was standing in front of a tree.

Taking a quick look around, I scanned my surroundings one more time. Even after seven months, I was still amused by the graphics. The landscape and sights seemed too real to be fake.

I guess, that was my only reality now.

Hopefully she hadn't arrived yet so I sat down, laying my back on the tree and starting to go over things in my mind.

I slowly drifted off to sleep.

...

(Asuna's POV)

I headed towards the location nearly as soon as I received a message from (Y/N).

A few moments earlier, I was spending some time with Kirito, walking around the town when I notification popped in my menu settings. I opened it and it was from (Y/N). It seemed important so I felt like I needed to go.

However, I wasn't sure about leaving Kirito alone. Strangely, after hearing it was (Y/N) he assured me that he'd be fine and that I had to go quickly.

My doubts disappeared all of a sudden.
.

We usually hang out so it shouldn't have been weird. But from what I could see, it seemed almost urgent. The way she just wrote: 'I need to talk to you. I'll be waiting at the place where we first met in ten mins'.

I had a bad feeling.

If something bad had happened to her...

I shook my head.

'There's no time for this!' I mentally scolded myself as I quickened my pace. By the time I got there, twenty minutes had already passed and I soon seized her in the distance.

She was laying her back on the tree with her eyes closed. Was she sleep? I approached carefully, and knelt down once I was beside her.

When I heard a soft snoring I couldn't help but smile, supressing a small giggle. She looked cute sleeping like that.

I knew I had to wake her up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it, not after seeing that peaceful expression.

I was now sitting right next to her, and then, I had an idea as I put both hands on her cheeks. Afterwards, I carefully placed her head on my lap so she was now facing at the sky and lying down on the soft grass.

Kirito had taught me that even if we were trapped here, we had to make the most out of it. Besides, like he said, sometimes it was best to take a rest and look at one's surroundings. It would cleanse your mind.

I slowly closed my eyes, making sure to enjoy the calm atmosphere surrounding us, and I would have ended up falling asleep if it weren't for the feeling of something moving on my lap.

I shot my eyes open and glanced down, then slightly smiled.

"Good morning, sleepyhead" I said kind of lowly so I wouldn't startle her that much, which proved having no effect, as she slightly jumped, clearly not expecting it.

(End Asuna's POV)

...

The chesnut haired girl gently caressed your cheek.

Immediatly realizing the position you were in, your face heated up, hoping she wouldn't notice your rising temperature.

"Sorry, I didn't want to surprise you" she told you with an apologetic expression.

"N-No it's okay..." You managed to say while internally cursing yourself for sluttering. You took a long and deep breath before continuing. "The reason I wanted to meet you..." You gulped.

Asuna didn't want to presure you so she patiently waited as she looked at you with an smile that could encourage anyone.

And it did encourage you.

"I... I don't see you as a friend anymore" you blurted out in an straightforward way, wanting to get it all out, the sooner the better.

Her eyes widened moments after your words hit her had.

"What... What do you mean? You don't want us to be friends?" she had a sad expression that made you regret your words.

"Yes..." From your current position you could already see tears welling up in that stunning hazel eyes of hers.

"Because I like you more than just a friend" you finally confessed.

It took her a few seconds to realize what you just said, and when she did, her eyes widened even more.

"W-What? Do you..---?" She began saying until you cut her off.

"Yes. I l-love you, okay?" Faster than a lightning, you stood up, ready to walk away. "I understand it. You think it's weird? I shouldn't have--"

Now it was her turn to cut you off.

"Stop it!" She raised her voice instantly making you shut up, surprised by her reaction which really was out of character.

She grabbed you by the arm and then stood up as well, now facing you. Your gaze now locked on her eyes that despite being watery they looked as amazing as always.

You opened your mouth to speak until you felt something pressed on to your lips.

You felt light headed for a few senconds as an unknown feeling started engulfing your body.

Asuna.

Was.

Kissing.

You.

Finally realizing what was going on, your eyes closed and you eventually kissed back.

Forgetting about everything, it seemed as though you were the only people in the world. Nothing else mattered either.

After a while, she was the first to pull away as she was looking into your eyes. You, on the other hand, were already lost in her hazel ones.

Softly placing her forehead against yours, she had the brightest smile you had ever seen so far. Without noticing, a wide grin appeared on your face.

Then, the four words you had been dreaming about for quite a while, the four words you would do anything for, the four words that would change everything:

"I love you too"

Then, she pulled you into a tight embrace and you remained in that position for five more seconds.

"And... Remember that question you made me the first day we met?" She asked.

"The one about your future?" you responded quickly since you remembered that day as if it was yesterday.

She nodded then continued speaking. "I already know the answer. I'm going to find our way out of this place, even if that means I'll have to beat every single boss..."

"In that case, I'll remain by your side and help you kick their as$es" you added, which made her smile.

After that she kept on talking.
"And once I wake up in the real world, I will look for you and I will definitely find you. Then, we could start all over again..."

"Sounds like a perfect plan" you commented, then stretched your arms, earning a curious glance from the girl you loved the most.

"Okay, let's do everything you just said" you said, sounding extremely confident. The next thing you did was offering your hand to her, which she gladly took.

Walking side by side and looking together in the same direction, you headed towards the town. There, you would gather some stuff and peoole before entering the following dungeon that would subsequently lead to the next floor.

Now that you had become way stronger than before, defeating the boss from the nineteenth floor didn't sound as an imposible task as before.

Besides, if you achieved this, it would bring you one step closer to fulfilling Asuna's dream...

Your dream.

...

~End~