*Splashing footsteps noises*

Japan Standard Time, 2:00am.. Sakura highway, Chiba.

During the pouring rain in midnight, a wounded, armed girl wanders around in a highway where only streetlights would guide her through. Despite both of her legs are trembling from the cold temperature of the rain and her lack of stamina, she walks tiredly with each steps while her G36 rifle and the rest of her loadout, her soaked clothes and the heavy raindrops continuously weighing her body down. Plus, suffering from the bruises and cuts, she struggles even more to move forward that she can obviously tell she will fall anytime. But her will refuse to submit to it.

"Mother...!"

Her vision starts to become blurry, gradually losing her consciousness. Eventually, she falls on the ground with her rifle.. Until someone just arrived on time.

Timeskip...

Year 2025, January 19th.. Japan Standard Time, 8:00am.. Lai's Room in Apartment Complex in Kashiwa, Chiba.

The sun finally arrived after the rainy night, the alarm rings out loud throughout the room. Loud enough for Koharu to finally open her eyes, the pain and the cold are the first thing she feels from her whole body, letting out a painful voice.

Koharu: Ugh..

She could feel her skin is directly touching the blanket that is covering her and also felt a warm sensation on her forehead. She slowly gets herself up from the bed with all the soreness of her muscles and pain. Checking around the surrounding. She still recognizes the room she's in. Even after just a quick visit.

Koharu: This is.. Lai's Room..?

A cloth soaked with warm water that is applied on her forehead, just drops onto her laps. She looks at her body, noticing she's now with her bra and her panty only.

Koharu: Wha-!?

Her shock wakes Lai up, who is half asleep on the chair while keeping watch on her..

Lai: You finally awake.. Thank god..

Blushes immediately surface up on her cheek. Just knowing that Lai had stripped off her clothes while she's unconscious. But she couldn't care about that as she is curious how she got here in the first place.

Koharu: How did I ended up here?

Lai: I brought you back here.. Kayaba told me your house was attacked last night. Fortunately, the heavy rain had extinguished the fire. But there are so many dead bodies around and it was a wreck in the end. Your clothes are soaking wet so I dry it out on the balcony.

As soon as she just remembers her mother is still there, she struggles out from the bed. Couldn't stop worrying of her mother.

Koharu: Mom! Where is she now!

Lai: She's currently in the General Hospital, alive but unconscious..

She grits her teeth as she insists.

Koharu: I need to see her at least!

He grabs her tight, keeping her on bed.

Lai: You're not going anywhere with that condition of yours!

Koharu: But she could be in danger in anytime! How could I not worrying about her!?

Lai: Kayaba is keeping watch on her! And I'll protect her!

Lai releases her as she softens herself, but he starts to notice her sobbing noises, trying not to panic or grief.. Leaning her head to his chest, hiding her sorrowful face.

Koharu: *sob* They just..! They just!

He wraps his arms around her, patting her back as he hugs her..

Lai: They will pay.. They will f*cking pay for this..

(Opening Song: Liar Mask - Rika Mayama. Author's note: Imagine it with this video.)

The old disk starts playing out the song..

Kuchi hateru you ni moyuru tsuki, Akatsuki ni shizumi yuku

(As the song starts, the scene shows the Aincrad is crumbling down to bits and bombs the land. Then it shows up the title "Sword Art Online".)

Tsukurareta kao de sotto chikadzuite Shinjiru mono wo yami ni otosu

(The Fallen Castle, which was a floating steel castle is now destroyed by them. The scene now changed to the a land full of Fairies. As the Army of Salamanders marching throughout the land while other races kneel down to them.)

Ito ni karamaru emono no you ni Tada hitasura ni sora wo aogu

(The scene now shows the main protagonist, Koharu who is in her room, innocently sitting on the bed and staring at the sky through the window while hugging tightly onto her animal plushie as she starts to worry, then the scene quickly switches to her unleashing her dark side. Then another main protagonist, Lai, who is standing behind a set of guns showcasing out while cleaning off the dust from the Glock 17, before loading in with a 9mm Parabellum Magazine, releases the slide and locks the bolt back.)

Kurikaesareru higeki bukimi ni warau ura no kao
Kore ijou nani hitotsu

(The scene is filled with newspapers titled with the mysteries of the 298 kidnapped victims after SAO incident. Then, it shows a man called Sugou Nobuyuki and behind him is a pile of female corpses that got unfortunately perished by his dark desire. The man tosses over two Poker Cards, one is with Lai's picture in a Spade King Card, another is Koharu's in Spade Queen Card to his partner, who is a cold-blooded chairman, sitting on his throne with thousands of Yakuza standing in front of him, attached with the logo of a Python snake, represent their cruelty and the desire to devour the entire Japan.)

Nakusanai you ni katana wo nuku

(The scene now shows them holding Crystal Magazine and their emptied Magic-Tech Rifle in-game, switching to the real life which they are now loading up their Heckler & Koch G36, Long Barrel Assault Rifle, ready to fight in Real Life and in Virtual Reality against large amount of enemies.)

Yami ni houmure yogoreta egao. Yariba no nai ikari, hanate!

(Lai headshots a Yakuza's head who is blocking the screen, then switch to Koharu who just cuts off someone's arm and shoots a few rounds of .45 ACP on his stomach then on the head with her FNX 45, bursting his brains out. Then the next scene is them in the airborne in Virtual Reality, Lai pulls out a Salamanders's wing and snaps his neck. Koharu shoots several Magic Projectiles from her Rifle, blasting another Salamander's body apart. Koharu slams her heel drop on someone before stabbing through another one's windpipe and blows his head apart with her Side-by-side, Custom Double Barrel Shotgun.)

Doredake no chi to namida wo nagashitara!

(In First Person's View, Lai inserts a Magazine to his M16A4 and then Koharu just chugs the fully charged Mana Crystal to the rifle. Then, back to Lai who just slaps the bolt release button before shooting down several incoming Yakuzas and the scene switch to Koharu who just uppercut melees with the weapon's stock.)

Inoru you ni kiri saite

(They both are strafing on the right side while taking fire from the enemies. As Koharu couldn't stop thinking about Haruna, who is in deep slumber, caused by a tragedy accident. The scene shows a statue of a god. Representing the god of humanity watches the duo murder their way to save the mankind from the pure and absolute evil.)

Kyou mo akaku someage yo!

(The scene shows Lai who starts wielding two Drum Mag AA12 as he mows down the Yakuzas to pieces while yelling out in berserk. As the drum hits, the scene shows the "Sword" before changing the screen to Koharu who just cuts someone's throat off and stabs on the neck. The scene changes by another drum hits to a word shows "Art" before showing Lai is wielding an Energy Chaingun, decapitating the Salamanders group. Lastly, it shows title "Sword Art Online" shaking violently with some bloods stains on the screen while the guitar plays through the session. As the drum hits again, the scene switches to Koharu who stabs the heart of a Yakuza to death in her silent kill, while Lai guns down any Yakuzas who are in his sights with his Franchi SPAS-12 Shotgun. Suddenly, an Attack Helicopter mounted with Missiles Launcher surfaces up the screen and fires several missiles on them. They both noticed immediately and Lai quickly grabs an AK-47 with the GP-25 Grenade Launcher before exchanging fire to the Helicopter with a grenade.)

End of Opening...

Timeskip...

After the comforting, he carefully helps her up standing and walking out from the room to the living room in the lobby where the breakfast Lai has prepared, as her feet still feeling very sore from all the walking last night. Lai gently sets her sitting on the couch, with a bowl filled with two Half-boiled eggs mixed with soy sauce on the table and a sandwich on the plate. Also, Lai serves up with a glass of hot chocolate with some marshmallows sprinkles on the surface, hoping it will set her mood towards positive after what happened last night.

Lai: Please dig in.. Even I know you're not in the mood right now.

Koharu: Thanks.. I'll take care of myself..

Lai grabs a fully loaded Model 1887 with silencer attached and 6 rounds of shell holder on the side, also with a Coonan M1911 pistol. Both are holstered into his hoodie and Brass Knuckles as melee weapon. Trying not to bring too much firepower inside the Hospital.

Lai: Great.. Because I'll heading out for a while today.. Kayaba just informed me that Sugou will be visiting Yokohama General Hospital, for Asuna.

Koharu: Can I go with you? I want to see how is her condition now..

Lai: Unfortunately no, we will just get caught if Sugou knows two of his test subjects, such as "us" are together. And anyway, your G36 rifle is busted inside so I had prepared a new, better rifle at the counter in the Shooting Range basement, you should know which one I had prepared with the paper I had tagged. But you played well with your gun so I can leave the guarding post to you. Sorry that I can't stay with you for now.

Koharu: ...

Getting no response from her, Lai adds in before he left.

Lai: Hope you're doing okay, Koharu..

He closes the door. Immediately starts discussing with Kayaba after letting out a sigh of grief..

Lai: Aki? Give me some proper targets. We're paying them back tonight, in ten folds.

Akihiko: This will take a couple of minutes.. You should be heading to Yokohama Hospital right now.

Lai: Right...

He starts heading to Yokohama in Tokyo via train. As for Koharu, without Lai's presence. She forces herself as she still doesn't have any appetite nor the right mood to have the breakfast before testing out her new weapon. She first gulps down the Half-boiled eggs in one go, savoring the delicious egg yolks mixed with the soy sauce in her mouth, slowly having her appetite back. Then, she takes a sip of the hot chocolate and chew one of the marshmallows. Feeling the sweetness and the warmth slowly changing her mood before having her sandwich.

Koharu: I'm feeling a bit better now.. Thanks Lai..

She eventually manages to finish the breakfast before heading down to the basement to get her new rifle, also wearing a hoodie as for temporary.

Timeskip... Yokohama's General Hospital.

Arriving at the hospital where Asuna is in, Lai enters the main lobby, Kayaba guides him to the Asuna's Room Number through the Bluetooth headphones.

Lai: Alright, where's that f*cker at?

Akihiko: Chill down.. I'm spotting Kirito is here as well.

Lai: What a reunion before the fight.. How did he know Asuna is in this hospital?

Akihiko: Her father, Shouzou Yuuki, gave Kirito the access card to her room.

Lai: Which means I have to find him so I can get in..?

Akihiko: You can say that way. Or I can just hack the door and you make a fake card swipe. But that's gonna attract suspicion if her father or even Sugou is there.

Lai: I guess I will go look for Kirito first.. Tell me his location.

Akihiko: Just your nearby, dress in all black.

Lai: Edgelord...

Akihiko: ...Yeah...

He looks around the ground floor of the main lobby, only took him a second to locate Kirito who is about to close the elevator. Lai interrupts the door before it's closing, gaining Kirito's attention to him.

Lai: Sorry about that..

His eyes widened by familiar figure.

Kirito: You're-!

Lai kept it cool and reply back to him, who is holding a bouquet of flowers.

Lai: Just a visitor to Asuna's room..

He asks as his curiosity got the best of him. Since he only knows he is the only one who knows Asuna's location.

Kirito: Lai? How did you know Asuna is here?

Lai: Just guessing she would be still here since most survivors are hospitalized in here during the SAO incident.

Kirito: I see...

Lai notices his gloomy face after hearing his depressed voice. He cheers up the atmosphere with some serious talk.

Lai: Asuna's hasn't awake.. Pretty shocking, huh?

Kirito: Yeah...

Lai: Well, Koharu and I finally got out from it.

He replies with no expression except gloomy.

Kirito: That's good. Did you both start mating out right again after meeting IRL?

Lai: At least our relationship is better than your virtual Xbox relationship.

He facepalms himself as he got roasted and tired to reply to him.

Kirito: Ugh.. You just made things worse.

Lai: I have to retaliate.. Ain't my fault.. How did you know she's in here?

Kirito: I traded the information that is happening inside the SAO with the Government Official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication's SAO Incident Task Force, in exchange for Asuna's whereabouts.

Lai: Government Official, huh? You think you can trust those guys? I thought they supposed to be saving our asses.

Kirito: I don't care about what they're doing and I can't stop them.. It's best I better stay out of the trouble.

Lai: People are pissed and started a protest, making all of our lives a living hell, thanks to them.

Kirito: And Kayaba as well.. But you're right.. Tokyo's now a total mess because of SAO..

The elevator reached the floor same as Asuna's room. As the boys arrives at the door, Kirito swipes the card on the door's authentication system. Inside the room, the boys finally witness Asuna's lifeless body lying on the bed, attached with nutrition tube and life signal on her arm. Still wearing the nervegear.

Kirito: Asuna...

Looking at her pale, skinny body. Lai couldn't imagine if the one lying on the bed is Koharu..

Lai: Damn...

Shouzou: Oh, so you were here, Kirigaya-Kun?

Kirito: Shouzou-san?

The two look at the middle-age man just entered in, calling out for Kirito.

Lai: ?

Shouzou: Thanks for visiting her often and..

He looks at Lai..

Shouzou: May I know who are you? I believe this is the first time we met.

Lai: Just a friend of hers, don't mind me.. Hope your daughters doing alright.

Shouzou: I appreciate your presence and your thoughts.

???: President.

Hearing another man's voice, both of them notice a man with a glasses and well combed hair, looks like decent man for them. The old man starts introducing the man as he believes it's their first meeting him.

Shouzou: Oh.. Good timing, I'll introduce him to you both. This is Sugou Nobuyuki, the man who is in charge of our research institute.

Knowing his name, Lai raises his alert towards him but showing no sign of serious expression. The man introduces him once again with a decent smile and a greeting.

Sugou: I'm Sugou Nobuyuki. Nice to meet you.

Kirito senses no danger from him at all and replies back to him.

Kirito: I'm Kirigaya Kazuto..

As for Lai, he replies back with an introduction as well.

Lai: I'm Kento, Kento Lai.

The man got surprised and tries to shake his hand with both.

Sugou: Really? So you're that hero, Lai?

Lai's hand retracts away as he got surprised and confused.

Lai: What are you talking about?

Kirito: Hm? Don't you know? The SAO's incident Task Force announced you and Koharu as heroes who cleared the game to the public in three months ago.

Hearing that, Lai wasn't interested about the "Hero" title at all. So he tries to change the subject.

Lai: I'm just a teen in this world. So I don't know what you're talking about. Also, I'm not here to bring up the SAO Incident.

Shouzou: He's right.. We're not supposed to talk about what happened inside the SAO's server. But he's my partner's son so it's fine. I always thought of him as a part of my family.

The man suddenly brings up something else. While the boys spectate their conversation.

Sugou: Speaking of family, I'd like to make it official as soon as possible.

Asuna's father, Shouzou Yuuki. Shocked to his sudden request.

Shouzou: Are you sure about that? I mean you're still young and you got a whole life ahead of you.

Sugou: Thank you for your concern. But my heart set on it.

Lai starts to see a pattern here.

Lai: (I see where this is going..)

The man stares at Asuna with a lustful face.

Sugou: It sounds strange.. Even though she's like this, she's still beautiful.. I'd like to see her in that wedding dress..

Both of them went completely shocked after hearing it.

Kirito: !!

Lai: Wait! I don't think that's how marriages works.

Shouzou: But it's inevitable.. His father and I had an agreement that I cannot breach against. Is to wed these two people. The sooner we prepared themselves, the better.

His reason behind the marriage left him speechless. Also make him lose any hope for Asuna's family, instantly.

Lai: ...

The old man takes his leave first, leaving Sugou and the boys in the ward room.

Shouzou: I have to cut this conversation short. I have a meeting to get to. We can talk about this more later.

As soon he left, Sugou continues the conversation and also changes the subject. Kirito remains shocked in frozen as Sugou slowly walks up beside Asuna.

Sugou: So I heard you and Asuna were lovers in game. Is that true?

He replies obediently but still aware of the situation. Lai is just facepalms himself as he can't measure how weird this is..

Kirito: Uh-huh..

Sugou: That is unfortunate.. This is gonna make a one complicated relationship between you and I.

He grabs some of Asuna's hair from the bed and starts sniffing its fragrance. The scene of it Kirito unbelievable and provokes him a bit. Also, it disgusts Lai even more.

Lai: (Why am I doing here?)

The man then asks the other one.

Sugou: About you.. Lai, right? Why don't you take your leave already? Staying here butting in our marriage planning is so unrelevant.

Lai retaliates back in words as his mind still processing what the feck just happened.

Lai: I was wrong about that in the elevator. Because now I finally found something more disgusting and weird than Kirito's Xbox relationship.

Sugou: Your mouth sure spits a lot of garbage. How uncivilized of you.

Lai: Yeah, marrying a coma-ridden fiance sounds civilized for you shiethead.

Sugou: Well, this is arranged by the Yuuki Family. Also the family who adopted me as well. That means as we are legally married, in paper of course. Just like we're married.

Hearing this and watching him runs his finger across Asuna's face gives Lai the next level of uncomfortably disgusting that he moves away from Sugou's sight.

Lai: Ugh...

Sugou: Back when I was a kid. She always hated me to be honest. I'm sure by the time she replies to my proposal, the answer would be no. But now for me, the situation is.. Very favorable..

As his finger about to tease her lips.. A silenced Coonan M1911 Pistol unsheathed from his hoodie and it is now pointed on the back of Sugou's head, in point blank. Threatening him. Also shocks Kirito to the core.

*Pistol's hammer cocks*

Kirito: Wait! What are you doing!?

Lai ignores Kirito's presence and response in a calm but deadly tone.

Lai: I'm sure there's no cameras in this room after how you sniff her f*cking hair...

Despite the gun Lai is pointing at him with, the man remains unfazed. Only a sigh is released out.

Sugou: *sigh* I've seen your fights so far.. Along with that girl of yours..

Lai: Don't f*cking talk about her..

Sugou: Oh, why not? You both can't escape the inevitable, just like Kirito who can't do anything but watching me marrying with Asuna. But..

He secretly grabs something out from his pocket.

Sugou: I can make the "arrangements" even quicker!

He wields out a syringe filled with sleeping drugs and push his gun point away. Lai reacts it and knocks the syringe away as a payback. Then, he melees with his pistol, hammering on Sugou's face, directly on the nose.

*Tush!*

Sugou: Ugh!!

The impact repels him back falling onto the ground, as the pain from his nosebleed is intolerable for Sugou.

Sugou: I'm bleeding out!

He looks at Lai with grudge, immediately tries to grab the syringe to inject the drug on Lai.

Sugou: Damn you!

Lai violently stomps on the syringe, along crushing the bones of his hand that reach out to it. Lai points the gun at him. Ready to fire any seconds.

Lai: Go f*ck yourself!

Sugou: No! No!

Kirito: Wait! Don't!

*Tut*

The sound of silenced shot travels throughout the room but did not escape from the door at all. The sound of a bullet casing drops on the ground rings out loud for them clear enough to hear. Knowing that Lai just shot Sugou to his death. But..

Kirito: Did you.. Kill him?

Lai remains silenced.. Looking at Sugou who is still perfectly fine, but almost scared to death mentally. Sugou slowly realizes as he didn't feel any pain from his chest or anywhere that the bullet could hit. Confused..

Sugou: Didn't I just get shot?

The scene of it slowly causing Lai to burst out laughing maniacally...

Lai: Pfft!! Hahaha!!!

Kirito: Wait.. What just happened?

Lai finally reveals out as he picks up the empty shell casings.

Lai: Don't worry! It's just a blank cartridge! No projectile will fire off even you can hear the gunshot noises!

The man confused by his explanation.

Sugou: So there's no bullet at all!?

Lai: Yep, this cartridge was still used by the police training as simulation for gun firing. I can't believe you fell for that!

Sugou: You!!

Lai kicks him back, bump against the wall. Stepping forward and steps on one of his hands

Lai: But I can guarantee you that the next one is the real one. Only if you wish to die..

His laugh fills up the humiliation for Sugou. It angers him even more as he got trolled by one of his "test subject".

Sugou: You're-!

Lai drills his feet harder to crush his hand that is still under his feet. The pain shot straight to him and it was unbearable. Then, Lai starts taunting him with his gun pressing the back of his head, all the way to the ground as Sugou bears the pain.

Lai: If the two of us are inevitable for your project. Then, your death is inevitable for us. Because that's all you're getting in the end...

He releases Sugou's hand from his feet and holstered his pistol. About to exit out the ward room with Kirito.

Lai: Let's get out of here.. We're done visiting Asuna.

The boys left the room, leaving Sugou alone with unconscious Asuna. The man who is just filled with humiliation from Lai, starts calling his Yakuza men for the attack.

Sugou: All of you! I want him dead this time, surround him at the entrance!

The phone call immediately hung up.

Meanwhile...

*Tatatata!!*

The sound of gunfire rings throughout the shooting range. Koharu, who is in her hoodie only is now practicing with her new enhanced, modernized and "5 types in one" G36 rifle, Heckler and Koch's XM8. AKA: Assault Rifle, Automatic Rifle, Light Machine Gun, Sniper Rifle/DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) and also a good choice as PDW (Personal Defense Weapon).

Multiple 5.56x45mm NATO bullet casings dropped onto the ground constantly from her XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle in her Sniping practice. She recalls the night that her home got assaulted.

Flashback...

Japan Standard Time, 1:00am.. Honda's Residence in Sakura, Chiba.

Koharu's POV...

Somehow, I'm having insomnia after worrying too much about my mother's safety, still haven't change to my pajamas. Maybe I should stay up for a while tonight. I quietly grab the gun case, fully arm myself with firearms that the case can supply me with. I grab the earpiece to make a communication with Kayaba. Surprisingly, I hear Kayaba is already online.

Koharu: Just in time..

Akihiko: You're already awake? Good thing I don't have to wake you up for multiple times like your partner. I can already tell you're more reliable than Lai does.

Koharu: Don't you dare insult him, I beat you once after what you put us through in SAO.. I can do it again I swear to God..

Akihiko: ...I'll take back what I said..

I check the magazine attached on the gun.

Koharu: What did you want to tell me with?

Akihiko: Some Yakuzas are lurking around. I will locate them for you to rat them out.

I sheathe my G36 rifle to my back, equip my MP7 with silencer on and a Karambit.

Koharu: I supposed I have to do this quietly..

I slowly open the window. Carefully scanning around the dark area or any blind spot I can spot in my view. But it'll be even harder for me to locate in midnight.

Koharu: I need to move around. I can't spot them at all..

I close the window back and try to go downstairs. But I heard the sound of door just pry off before stepping downstairs.

Koharu: What the-?

Akihiko: Some of them had breached into your house. Eliminate them first.

Koharu: Damn.. You're not getting in here and do what you want.

She leans out from the second floor, spotted several figures in the dark through her scope. As she locks her aim on the target.

*Tut!* *Tut!* *Tut!* *Tut!*

Several fires manage to shot down one of them inside the house. Koharu whips her Karambit, silents her walks as she rushes downstairs, hiding her figure under the railing in the dark. Start backstabbing and then the chest where the heart is located at. Mowing down the rest of them until her MP7 runs empty. She reloads with a new 9mm magazine into her SMG. She looks around before exiting out.

Akihiko: Hold on.. Do not head outside.

Koharu: What's wrong?

Akihiko: They're waiting to ambush you as soon as you head outside. They all have night vision goggles, scanning for your movement.

Koharu: I see.. Give me their location, I'll snipe them out in any loophole I can find.

Akihiko: I don't think that's a good idea. Your rifle isn't attached with silencer.

Koharu: Damn.. Is there any way to get them? Hitting them with MP7 won't be easy.

Koharu: Huh?

Akihiko: Wait.. I'm picking up something else.

After a while, the sound of helicopter's propeller blade spinning breaks the silence in the night. Koharu still clueless of what is coming for her.

Koharu: What is it?

Akihiko: This is bad..! You need to get out!

Koharu: !!

Suddenly, a huge explosion blasts through the wall Koharu is watching from. The impact launches her away to the ground, spreading debris around and creates a fog of dust and also ignite a fire around the house. She let out a painful groan as she just receives the violent impact.

Koharu: Ugh! It hurts!

Three Yakuzas starts invading in from the blown up wall. Koharu quickly forces herself up.

Koharu: You're not getting in here!

She draws out her pistol to take them down before they could come out from the fog. Then, she rushes back to upstairs to get Haruna out of here before they fire another explosion.

Koharu: Mom!

As she reaches to her mother's room, another explosion just blows the door open, she yells out to her mother even loud as her worries worsens.

Koharu: MOM!

She busts into room, the first thing she could witness is Haruna lying on the floor with her forehead starts bleeding out a bit. Then, she feels the wind starts blowing in violently as a Helicopter just got a visual on her with its flashlight. The sudden assault left her in rage, she starts dumping all her bullets to the helicopter's pilot through the windshield with her rifle in Full-Auto while screaming in , the pilot got mowed down a few times before getting his head blown off all over the pilot seat. The helicopter loses the pilot's control and crashes into nearby tree.

Koharu: Mom! Hang in there!

She grabs a towel that is nearby her and put pressure on her mother's wounds, she wraps it around before carrying her outside the Honda's Residence that is about to crumble. She could more of them are coming in. She sets her leaning against the wall near the stairs, replacing her G36's magazine before pulling and release the bolt. She grabs a Frag Grenade from her jacket, with her teeth gripping on the pin before pulling it out. She releases the striker, timing the explosion by waiting for a second late before throwing down the stairs.

Yakuza 1: Grenade! Look out!

*Boom!*

The Yakuza immediately notices it but also instantly got caught in its radius, the blast tears their torsos apart and the shrapnel stabs their chests, crotch and legs. Koharu quickly wipes the rest who managed to withstand the blast with her rifle. Then, she sheathes her G36 to her back and quickly carries Haruna to outside as the fire spread through out the house. She notices the rain outside.

Koharu: Almost there!

Several flaming planks falls down from ceiling. She hops over the debris despite it will burn her clothes a bit. But she quickly rushes outside to soak herself in the rain to put out the fire. Koharu sets Haruna on the ground.

Koharu: You will be fine, Mom!

A flashlight just shines on her, exposing her position, Koharu notices another helicopter armed with missile launcher is hovering around. She quickly draws out her pistol. Yelling out in rage as she tries to snipe the pilot, hopefully to hit him.

*Bang!* *Bang!*

Koharu: I HATE YOU!!!

One of her .45 ACP bullets penetrates the windshield and headshot the pilot. The Helicopter descends down quickly and crashes in the end. Koharu continues back helping Haruna. But she started to panic as she doesn't know what to do.

Koharu: Kayaba!? Where the hell are you!?

Akihiko: I had called nearby hospital as soon as they attacked. The ambulance will arrive in any minutes. You should leave now.

Koharu: There's no way I'm abandoning her!

Akihiko: I detected one of the neighbors had made a 110 police call. You're not staying around! I'm calling Lai to pick you up.

Hearing update from Kayaba, Koharu yells out in panicked.

Koharu: Damn it!!

With no other choice left for her, she carries Haruna for one last time, setting her near the tree that can provide shelter from the rain before she runs away from the fight scene.

Koharu: (I'm sorry! Mom!)

Flashback ends...

Recalling the flashback from last night, she tightens her grip on the gun, keep firing in Semi, lining up with each shots as she holds her grudges against the Yakuza who attacked her home. In result, her lined up shot breaks the wooden target in half, only the head part still on the metal clip. Smoke escapes out from her gun barrel after ceasing her fire.

Koharu: ...

She hold her fire.. Unload the XM8 rifle and take out the bullet from the chamber. Testing with other guns that fits her taste.

Back to Lai and Kirito in the elevator..

Kirito: What the hell were you thinking!? How did you get a gun like this!?

He reveals a bit of the gun holstered inside his hoodie since there's a camera in the elevator.

Lai: This one? I got more where that came from..

Then, he shows the Model 1887 shotgun resting inside his hoodie.

Kirito: How many of them you have!?

Lai: More than your hentai search history. But look at the bright side, did you see how he pissed himself on the floor?

Kirito: No! I was on the other side.

Lai: That is unfortunate. But I managed to get it back just for you so you better be grateful about this.

He receives a call from Kayaba through his earpiece.

Akihiko: Lai.. Enemies are approaching the main entrance. I suggest you take another route.

Lai: Copy that..

Kirito: ...

Lai: I suggest we separate and you should take the backdoor. His men is coming from the main entrance and things gonna turn straight down ugly.

Kirito: I'm starting to regret meeting you IRL.

Lai: Well, welcome to war. Feel free to walk away.

Kirito: I was about to say that.

As the elevator, the boys immediately separate. Kirito heads to the alternate exit while Lai engages to the main entrance with his Shotgun. As he walks pass the fire extinguisher hanging on the wall, he undo a few steps forward, looking at the fire extinguisher, which can be used as good explosive.

Lai: Jackpot!

He grabs it and rushes to the main entrance. Some of the Yakuza men start busting in, armed with M4A1 and the people starts panicking by the sudden assault. But Lai is in time for the party, as he tosses the extinguisher rolling towards the entrance. Then, he shoots the extinguisher with Dragon's breath Shotgun Shell after he lean out from the cover.

*Boom!*

The explosion creates a white fog and blows the intruding Yakuzas. Lai salvage the guns that is still functional. He can hear the others yelling out the others as he grabs an AK-47 with reflex sight away from the mist, to the nearby flower bushes.

Yakuza: He's heading out! Kill him!

A big chubby Yakuza along with several armed men just deployed out in the battlefield from the van. Crackling knuckles and bending his neck before ready to fight.

Lai: Great.. The big one's coming. Too bad he's not big in where it really matters.

He sticks out his barrel, ready to surprise the enemy with his snipe.

*Bang!* *Bang!*

One of the shots bursts through one of their heads like watermelon. Lai quickly adjusts his aim, switching from target to target each time Lai makes a shot. Lai quickly changes his position as soon as they notice and start suppressing fire on him. Lai crouch walks around the cover to avoid the fire. After moving to a safe position, Lai stands up from his cover. But the chubby Yakuza is already standing in front of him, blocking the sunlight. Lai shoots out several shots on the chubby one Yakuza, all of the 7.62x39mm bullet ricochets away or even flattens instead as soon it hits on his black suit. Hinting Lai that bullets isn't effective on chubby one.

Lai: What the-!?

The big one immediately grabs Lai and lifts him entirely up in the air as the boy tries to escape. The man binds Lai with his crushing hug, trying to break his spine as the tightens up even more. Lai coughs out saliva as he feels the pain.

Lai: Argh!!

Before the man turns around to let other Yakuzas to shoot the boy while he is still in bind. Lai draws out his pistol to shoot the man's head in point blank. The man blocks his face with both of his arms and releases him out. Lai rolls away and quickly draws out his Model 1887 Shotgun. Fires a Dragon's Breath Shell on the man's suit. Lighting up his bulletproof suit on fire. The man panics and tries to put out the fire with his bare hands Then, Lai opens the loader, inserts it with Slug Shell and close the lever before he headshots the man's head off for good. Then, he proceeds on eliminating the rest quick with Dragon's breath in long range shot, setting their bodies and the road on fire. Since suits are flammable, the remaining Yakuza struggles to put out the fire on their own as they hopelessly runs around with flames around them until it reduces them into ashes. The noises of the battle eventually dies down as Lai confirms their deaths.

Lai: I guess that's all.

Suddenly, he receives a vibration from his phone. Lai picks it up and immediately see his mother's name on the caller, Joyce Yong.

Lai: Oh! It's mom!

He picks it up quickly as he doesn't want to raise suspicion on her.

Lai: Hey Mom! What is it?

Joyce: Hm? I can hear noises from your side.. Are you outside?

Lai: Yeah, I was onto some-

*Boom!!*

The explosion from the van due to the fire reaching to the oil tank just surprised him completely. Loud enough to be obvious for Joyce to notice it.

Joyce: Is that explosion!?

Lai: Uhm.. Yeah! I'm nearby construction site so things happened.

She sighs out..

Joyce: *sigh* Anyway, do you have time to meet? I have something to discuss with you.

Lai: Sure, give me the location. Will be there quick.

Joyce: It better be.. I don't have much time left before I'm heading back to work.

Lai: Yeah! Yeah! Love you, Mom!

He hung up the call before escaping from the battle. Asking Kayaba for direction to the meeting place with Mom.

Meanwhile...

After the practice, a hot shower to freshen her mind and mood and wiping off the water from her long hair, she comes out with the towel wrapped around her body, straighten her hair. Koharu heads over to Lai's Room to search for some clothes that fits her well. She opens the wardrobe that reveals out a series of old hoodies, old T-shirt and old trousers, the only type that Lai used to wear two years ago..

Koharu: ...

She grabs one of the T-shirts from the wardrobe, matching it with her body to see if it fit. As she unties the towel, dropping it to reveal her naked body immediately do a test wear it on her. The Black T-shirt is surprisingly fits on her natural slender body, even with her C-cup size breasts. She could feel comfortable with it already.

Koharu: Thanks for the clothes, Lai..

She grabs a dark blue hoodie out this time and also a dark blue trouser out as well. The results are the same, they all match the size of her body. But the only thing that is uncomfortable for her is there's no underwears for girls in Lai's wardrobe at all. With the hoodie she just wore, she zips up the hoodie's line to conceal her chest. But she can still feel her crotch exposing out even it's inside the trouser. Making her uncomfortable.

Koharu: Maybe I should borrow Lai's just for temporarily?

Without any choice, Koharu takes one of Lai's underwear. Still wondering if this is the right choice to do so.

Koharu: I'll just have to explain and apologize to him, right?

She strips her trouser down, wearing Lai's underwear before putting the trouser back on. Feeling her crotch better now than before. But Koharu could tell she's still blushing madly as she never lives with a boy before and now suddenly wearing his underwear.

Koharu: I'm sorry..

Meanwhile... Tokyo, at the Cafe away from the protesting zone.

Back to Lai, who is on his way to the cafe for meeting. Suddenly, he stops his move as Koharu flashes through his mind..

Lai: I'm worrying about Koharu right now.. I hope she's doing okay on her own..

Then he proceeds to the Cafe that Joyce was talking about.. Eventually arrives there in one piece.

Lai: Here it goes...

He enters the cafe, immediately notice his Mom who is just staring the view through the window. He joins in with his Mom..

Joyce: You came here in one piece.. I'm genuinely surprised..

Lai: Yeah, I have to avoid any protestors around. Seriously, those guys are pain..

Joyce: You're still not being honest, aren't you?

Lai: What do you mean?

She takes out several photos of the last night scene taken at nearby Honda's Residence, she tosses it onto the table in front of him.

Joyce: Several dead bodies were found nearby Koharu's home. And I interrogated one of them before I put him out of his misery.

Since he knows that Joyce is stalking her during that night. Lai attempts to change the subject by bringing it up.

Lai: Wait..! Have you been stalking her!?

She quickly ignores it by clearing her throat.

Joyce: Ahem! If not, how long you are going to hide it from me?

Lai: Well.. Uhm...

Timeskip...

Lai told her about the SAO incident hasn't ended yet, as he reveals out what happened to Asuna, one of the SAO survivors who hasn't woken up yet. And also told her about the two of them, Lai and Koharu are targeted by the Yakuzas. She repeats Lai's explanation to do an analysis.

Joyce: Sugou Nobuyuki.. The chief of the research institute is keeping Asuna's mind in somewhere else. That's how you explain out, right? And the Python Clan had their eyes on you both?

Lai: Yes. I managed to hold back against their assaults. But they targeted her home instead. Koharu is now staying in my home and her mother is in the hospital.

Joyce: How did you know her home was assaulted?

Lai just realizes he just backfire himself up in accident by causing Joyce to raise suspicious towards him.

Lai: Well..! I was worrying about her safety so I followed her for a while secretly.

She calmly asks him but in a murderous intent as soon as she knows what he did is unforgivable for women.

Joyce: So you were stalking her as well, huh~? 💢

Lai: Her safety is my responsibility as a boyfriend, alright!?

Joyce: That makes me think you're just obsessed over her, you know. Anyway, about the Yakuza's problems. You sure you can deal with that?

Lai: Yeah! I already knew how to solve this whole SAO incident created by the worst man ever. Don't worry! Plus, Koharu is a good fighter too!

Joyce: Well, that doesn't lighten up my worries for you two. But you both sure are the lucky one since all the police are focusing on the protestors. None of them will have the time to deal with massacre cases like this. Plus, your father is at oversea at the moment so I'll just pass this message to him about your situation. I'm sure he will forgive you for using his collection.

Lai: I believe he will beat me up for ruining his collection..

Joyce: Maybe.. But I'll pacify him.. ^^

Lai: Thanks, Mom!

Joyce: Also, I will ask the chief to send some men to guard Haruna. You should probably be taking care of your girl right now.

Lai: Yeah. I'm heading back home right now. See ya.

Lai takes his leaves from the Cafe, leaving Joyce alone to enjoy her tea before heading back to work.

Timeskip... Lai's Apartment Complex in Kashiwa, Chiba.

After arriving back home, Lai says out loud so Koharu could recognize him. She just heads downstairs from the second floor just to see him..

Lai: I'm home..

Koharu: Lai? Welcome back..

He sees her wearing his clothes from two years ago, but it is surprisingly fitting for her size.

Lai: You look surprisingly fitting..

Koharu: I'm sorry that I have to borrow your clothes to wear.

Lai: No, it's okay. Thank god I didn't toss away my old clothes. Or else you won't have anything to wear beside the one drying under the sun.

Koharu: Uhm.. But I..

Lai: It's okay.. We'll buy some clothes for you once all of this ends.

Unable to overcome it from just explaining it, she resorts to blurt it out quick just to let him know.

Koharu: I'm now wearing your underwear!!

Lai: Eh?

Lai frozes his sentence, unable to process what he just heard from her. He wants to confirm it again from what she just said.

Lai: You did what?

She yells out in embarrassment tone while hiding her blush as she feels disgraceful..

Koharu: Don't make me repeat it again! It's embarrassing! ><"

On the other side, Lai panics a bit as he doesn't know how to deal with this situation as he never lives with a girl before. (Author's note: Sorry Children.)

Lai: Well.. There's no need to feel embarrassed about! We're still a couple, right? Even though we only just met each other a few times in real life. But we would eventually start cohabiting together in the future! ^^"

Koharu: But still, I afraid you might think me as a thirsty girl tho..

Lai: Please don't think that way.. I'd still consider you as my partner. Don't let such trivial matters affects you.

Koharu: Yeah, we still got a bigger picture to focus on. So how's your visit? Is Asuna doing okay?

Lai: Her appearance getting worse. I could see her bones pop up from her pale skin. And also, I crossed path with Kirito who has the access card to her room.

Koharu: Kirito! So he is doing fine.. But he's in danger, right?

Lai: Well, I managed to get Sugou's full attention on me so Kirito won't be in danger. And Aki was right, Sugou and her father, Shouzou Yuuki, visited Asuna. Sugou and I had some.. Conflicts after her father left. I ended up making him pissed himself with a fake bullet because he sniffed her hair and runs her finger around her lips like a pervert. And he sent some men trying to kill me. That's the whole summary from my visit.

She grits her teeth as she holds her grudge against him who is behind the assault of her home.

Koharu: That bastard! I won't let him off as well!

Lai: Very well. But we have to plan out something before we strike..

Koharu: Which is?

Lai: One of us must guard the home and one of us must infiltrate Sugou's research facility in Alfheim Online. Set everyone free and make Sugou suffers if have the chances.

Koharu: Alfheim Online?

Lai: Oh, I haven't tell you yet. It's a sloppy reskin of Sword Art Online. But this game is World PvP with magics and fairies.

Koharu: Magic and Fairies... You mean players can fly around and cast magic?

Lai: Yeah.. That's how Keita explained it before he lets me borrows the Amusphere and the game.

Koharu: But.. It's gonna be hard as new player. Even with our battle experience.

Lai: About that.. Aki had stored our stats and our avatar before SAO was deleted completely. He is now converting our data to Alfheim Online since it's just a sloppy reskin of SAO. So it shouldn't be a problem for him. Oh yeah, he is also converting Yui and will add her into the game if one of us enters ALO for the first time.

Koharu: Oh yeah, I totally forgot about Yui! You stored her data inside your nervegear, if I remember correctly!

Lai: Yes. Now all the things are prepared and the only thing that hasn't finish yet is, which one of us should dive into ALO and destroys his project?

She grips on her chin as she wonders about that. Also feel a bit uneasy about being separated..

Koharu: So that means we have to separate and fend for ourselves alone... Is there any other way to stop his project instead of diving into the game? Like destroy their servers?

Lai: Storming into the company would be a grave mistake, it will result innocent deaths, causing unnecessary even more panics in the public and Joe Biden will command the military to shoot anyone that poses threats..

Despite hearing the consequences, she insists on this idea.

Koharu: That's horrible..! But still..! I don't agree with the separation part at all..

Lai gently pulls her close to him. Surprising her..

Koharu: Huh? What are you-!? Mhm!

Their lips met again.. While the boy's arms wrapped around her waist and her back. Refusing to let her go as she resists him at first. But slowly, she softens up her resistance as she missed this feeling and gradually enjoys it. Letting out a cute kissing noise.

*Chu~* ❤️

After calming down her worries, Lai releases her who is breathing hard after the kiss.

Lai: Koharu.. I know what you've been through.. And I won't go anywhere that is far from you.. I will hold your hand so you can feel my presence around you.

She leans forward this time, kissing him back for a while. As a repay for calming her..

Koharu: ...Please promise me that.. With another kiss.. So I can memorize our moment.

Saying nothing else.. Lai willingly kisses her back with affection.. Even when she is no longer the short haired girl with innocent personality during time in SAO. But Lai still cherishes her with care.

Lai: This won't be our last time.. I believe we can win this.. No matter how dire the situation is.

Koharu: We had made it this far, alive and kicking.. I thought everything is okay when we finally back to the real world.. I hope this will be the one last trip to the virtual world for one of us..

Lai: Speaking of that, which one of us should dive in? We can't tell what Sugou has in stored for us inside ALO..

Koharu: ...

The two of them are unsure and still worrying about each other's safety. (Author's note: This is the point where the readers should take the poll and post their votes about which protagonists should dive in and which one stays guard of their home. Both of them will choose and have different weapons, stats, combat style or even races. So choose carefully! Place your votes in the comment section so I can make the call!)

End of Chapter...