Currently, Akiri is at his house while watching a map with three dots on it. One is labelled Godfree, the other, Kirito and the last one, Kuradeel. After a few minutes, the dot labelled Godfree disappeared from the map, indicating that Godfree had been killed.

Akiri: Godfree... I'm sorry...

A few moments later, he saw that a different dot has appeared on the map, labelled Asuna, quickly approaching the other two dots.

Akiri: Shit

He quickly got up and ran over to the location.

(Timeskip)

When he arrived he saw that Kuradeel was about to slash Asuna with his sword, but Kirito got in front of her and blocked the hit with his arm, getting it cut off.

He then used a sword skill in his hand and stabbed Kuradeel in the chest, dropping his HP to zero. Kuradeel then bursts into pixels and Kirito fell to his knees.

Akiri watches from the distance as Asuna walked over to Kirito and she knelt down. He saw that Asuna had started crying.

His eyes widened when he saw Kirito slowly leaning in towards Asuna, but before Kirito could, he was pushed away from Asuna by someone. Kirito and Asuna saw that it was Akiri who pushed him and they look at him in shock.

Kirito: Akiri?

Akiri just stayed silent. He then took out a restraining item and threw it straight towards Asuna. She didn't have time to react and was then tied up by steel chains with her hands behind her back.

Asuna: Hey! what are you doing?!

Akiri then looks towards Kirito.

Akiri: You're not taking her away from me! We'll settle this here and now!

Kirito: What are you talking about?

Akiri then turned towards Asuna.

Akiri: I love you! Asuna...

Asuna's eyes widened in surprise. Akiri looked towards the ground and Asuna notices tears falling from Akiri's face.

Asuna: W-what?

Akiri: I loved you ever since that night! The night when I gave up... You showed me that I still have a purpose to live!

(Flashback)

It is currently nighttime with a heavy thunderstorm outside. Akiri is in his room sitting on his bed with the lights off. He walked over to a safe that is in the corner of the room. He entered the combination code and the safe opens. He then reached in and grabbed something from inside.

He pulled it out to reveal a gun and he grabbed a magazine from inside the safe. He loaded the gun and pulled back the slide. He then aims the gun towards his own head as tears were running down his cheeks.

(Flashback over)

Akiri: You helped guide me to the right path!

(Flashback)

The door suddenly opens and a bright light illuminated the room. Asuna came in to see Akiri holding a gun towards his head. She slowly approaches Akiri. She then embraces Akiri in a hug while slowly lowering down his gun. Akiri returned the hug while crying even more.

(Flashback over)

Asuna was completely shocked at Akiri's confession.

Asuna: Akiri...

Akiri: But now... You don't care about me anymore don't you? You only care about him!

Asuna: That's not true... I do care about you

Akiri: Not true? When was the last time we spent time with each other as friends? Hell, when was the last time we even talk with each other as friends?!

Asuna's eyes widens as she realized how she treated him for the last months. She remembered every moment she pushed him away, neglecting him.

Kirito: Akiri, we don't have to do this. There has to be-

Akiri: Shut up! This is all your fault! You're fighting me here and now!

Asuna: Akiri, Please! You don't have to do this!

Akiri just kept silent and looked at Kirito with a serious face. Kirito then used a healing potion and looked at Akiri.

Kirito: Please, don't do this. Think about Asuna. Think of how she feels

Akiri just stayed silent as he unsheathed his sword and got into a stance while Kirito reluctantly did the same. Akiri quickly rushed Kirito and they engage in a battle. They both clashed swords with sparks flying from every hit. They then locked blades and looked at each other.

Kirito: (thoughts) He's even faster than the last time I had a duel with him

Akiri: Why aren't you fighting back?! And why aren't you using both of your swords?!

Kirito: I don't want to hurt you

They broke the lock and kept on clashing blades while Asuna is forced to helplessly watch them matching each other blow for blow. Akiri is quickly pushing back the Black Swordsman. He kept on the offensive until, one of his swings slashes Kirito on the chest. Kirito jumped back a few feet and was surprised to see that his HP has dropped substantially.

Kirito: That much from a normal sword swing? How? You're not even using a sword skill

Akiri: How, you ask? Why don't you ask Asuna? I told her about it before

Kirito looked over towards Asuna.

Asuna: I... don't remember...

Akiri: Of course you don't. You don't even bother to even pay attention while I'm talking to you.

Akiri then looks back towards Kirito.

Akiri: I'll give you a hint. You're not the only one with a unique skill

Both Kirito's and Asuna's eyes widened in shock.

Kirito: What?

Akiri: It's called "Dynamic Movement". It makes my normal, regular attacks the same damage output as sword skills. It also boosts my speed and agility.

Kirito: Then that means...

Akiri: Yes. Every attack, every swing of my sword is as powerful as a sword skill

Kirito: (thoughts) That's unbelievable. His unique skill could be even more powerful than mine. In that case, I have to use it

Kirito is finally forced to draw his "Dark Repulser".

Kirito: Akiri, please, think about what you're doing

Akiri gritted his teeth and went to rush Kirito. They then once again locked blades. Akiri then pushed Kirito away with a strong roundhouse kick.

Kirito: I'm sorry, but she doesn't have the same feelings towards you

Akiri: SHUT UP!

Akiri tightens his grip on his sword and rushes Kirito in pure rage. Kirito still decided to keep on the defensive. But even when dual wielding, Kirito is still slowly getting overpowered by Akiri's speed.

Kirito: If you kill me, what would she think about you?! You think she would love you?

Akiri: If I can't have her, no one will!

Kirito: Then I will have to stop you!

Akiri and Kirito looked at each other completely furious. They both rushed towards each other with blinding speed and clashed their swords, resulting in an ear shattering shockwave.

Asuna: Stop it...

The both of them ignores her and kept on trading blows. As Kirito finally switches to the offensive, they clashed swords in speeds that are almost inhuman, until they were only seen as blurs of black and red. Kirito then was forced to use his sword skill and got into a stance as his swords glowed a light blue colour. Akiri then smirked.

Akiri: (thoughts) 16 hit sword skill, Starburst Stream

(Flashback)

Akiri is currently waiting for someone in a dark alleyway. He then saw who he was waiting for and it was a girl with brown eyes and auburn hair.

Akiri: You have it?

???: Akiri, I don't see why-

Akiri: Argo, do you have it?

The girl known as Argo just sighed.

Argo: I found a member of the Army who apperantly used a recording item and managed to record a short video of Kii-bou fighting that boss.

She then pulls out an item.

Argo: This is the item he used. I paid him a lot for this so it's gonna cost you a lot more.

Akiri just opened his menu and just gave Argo the exact amount of money. Argo then handed him the item and he starts to walk away while Argo just looks towards him.

(Flashback over)

Asuna: Both of you, please, stop!

Kirito rushes Akiri with his sword skill and he saw Akiri smirking, which made him confused. Just as Kirito's first strike was about to hit, Akiri effortlessly blocked the hit and proceeds to block all 16 hits of his sword skill and Kirito looked at Akiri completely shocked.

Kirito: (thoughts) No way!

Kirito is then caught in the "Post-Motion" cooldown as he realized that this was Akiri's plan all along.

Asuna: Stop!

Everything went in slow motion as Akiri used this moment of vulnarability to quickly swing his sword towards Kirito's neck.

Asuna: I LOVE HIM!

Akiri's eyes widened and his blade instantly came to a complete stop mere centimetres away from Kirito's neck. Akiri sheathed his sword and walked away from Kirito. He then took out a teleport crystal.

Kirito: Akiri, wait!

Akiri then teleported away before Kirito could say more. Asuna is then released from the restraints.

Asuna: Akiri...

She fell to her knees with tears running along her cheeks as she loses her childhood friend.

Asuna: What have I done...?