SAO: After Ordinal Scale

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/13758006.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: F/M, Gen
Fandom: Sword Art Online
Relationship: Kirigaya Kazuto | Kirito/Yuuki Asuna | Asuna, Kirigaya Suguha |
Leafa/Original Male Character(s), Shinozaki Rika | Lisbeth/Original
Male Character(s), Ayano Keiko | Silica/Original Male Character(s),
Konno Yuuki | Yuuki/Original Male Character(s), Asada Shino |
Sinon/Kirigaya Kazuto | Kirito
Character: Kirigaya Kazuto | Kirito, Yuuki Asuna | Asuna, Shinozaki Rika | Lisbeth,
Ayano Keiko | Silica, Asada Shino | Sinon, Konno Yuuki | Yuuki, Alex
Mitchell, Scott Mason, Timothy Hudson, Hirose Shigeru|Spike, Randal
Mitchell
Additional Tags: Alternate Canon, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence,
Friendship/Love, Romance
Stats: Published: 2018-02-21 Words: 8070

SAO: After Ordinal Scale

by Jax189

Summary

A month has passed since their experience with 'Ordinal Scale' and the others talked about it
while they teach swimming lessons with Yuuki.

(Takes place within SAO: Warfare)

Notes

See the end of the work for notes

June 3rd, 2026:

It had been over a month since the ‘Ordinal Scale’ incident ended. The man responsible, Professor
Tetsuhiro Shigemura, created the Augmented Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing
Game, which was supported by a device known as Augma. He orchestrated the Original Scale
Incident in order to steal memories of the SAO survivors, including Asuna’s, to revive his dead
daughter Yuuna as an AI. With the help of Yuuna's former beloved, Eiji aiding him, he nearly came
close to succeeding, which would have killed the Auguma users in the process. Fortunately, this
experiment failed as Kirito, Asuna and the others defeated the revamped SAO bosses in the OS
game, with the help of Yuuna no less. In the aftermath of the final battle, all of the SAO Survivors'
memories were restored, including Asuna’s, much to Kazuto’s delight.

However, Professor Shigermura went missing afterwards, only to be found dead days later when his
body was discovered in the ocean waters by deep sea fishermen. His death was ruled as a ‘suicid,e’
and the ARMMORP game and the Augma were declared an ‘outrage since the Sugou incident’. The
political and social fall out led to Ordinal Scale's removal from the market and internet servers.

Today was a beautiful day, and everyone decided to help Yuuki Konno out on swimming lessons
since she had been in Full Dive for three years. To that end, her friends reserved the SAO Survivor
School's swimming pool for Yuuki's sake.

Kazuto and his sister Suguha arrived in the parking lot on a scooter bike. with Alex just behind them
on his own.

“We’re here.” Alex said as he hopped off his bike and took his helmet off.

Kazuto smiled upon seeing his BFF, and then Suguha went over and caught the blond boy in a
glomping hug.

“Alex!” She exclaimed happily as she buried her face into his shirt.

“Suguha…” Alex chuckled as he held her tenderly in his arms, his eyes contacting with the black-
haired beauty’s light grey eyes that shined from the sunlight.

“I missed you.” She admitted.

“I missed you too.” He replied before planting a kiss on her forehead. Kazuto smiled at the lovely
scene. Then he felt two slender arms wrapping around his waist, followed by a pressing of a
feminine body and a honeyed feminine voice that he recognized and loved.

“Kazuto-kun…” Asuna cooed softly as she nuzzled into his neck in a very cute way.

“Mmmmmmm….Asuna..” Kazuto sighed as he felt her nose rubbing against his neck. She giggled
as she moved onto his shoulder, pressing her cheek against his.

“Here are the lovely couples.” The two couples turned to see Rika heading towards them, with her
boyfriend Scott Mason. Several others appeared, including Keiko Ayano with Timothy Hudson,
Shino Asada with Shigeru Hirose and Yuuki Konno with Randy Mitchell.

“Hey Rika.” Asuna greeted her friend as the group came together.

“This is so exciting.” Yuuki exclaimed. Randy chuckled at his girlfriend’s happiness.

“Same here..” Keiko added.

“So…are we gonna head on in to change?” Shino asked, dying to see Spike’s reaction towards her
bathing suit.

“Same here.” Scott admitted before leaning in towards Rika’s ear and whispering, “and you get to
see my toned body.” This caused Rika to blush and giggle child-like.

“Let’s head on in.” Kazuto said as they all headed inside.

“You don’t have any counseling on anything?” Rika asked in a teasing matter. Kazuto sighed as he
remembered that he had to take counseling on his time while in SAO and ALO. Fortunately, he’d
already done so back on May 6th, days after the Ordinal Scale incident.

“I’m so looking forward of showing my swimsuit to you Spikey.” Shino cooed while she hugged
him.

“Love to see a kitty who loves the water.” Shigeru chuckled. Shino leaned up and gave his cheek a
lick.

“Meow.” She mewed, followed by her giggles as she cuddled in his arm.

Suguha, on the other hand, was blushing deep red. Alex noticed her rosy cheeks and asked her in a
soft tone. “Is there something wrong Sugu?”

“Well…..” Suguha began. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I got a new swimsuit two
days ago.”

“Really?” The American blond-haired boy said in surprise. “Can’t wait to see it.” This caused her to
blush even more.

“It’s just….” She could not finish.

“I’m sure that I’ll love it when I see it.” He reassured her. Sugu looked up into his eyes and smiled
with confidence. Everyone entered their respective locker rooms to get their swimsuits on.

Soon, the girls changed in their swimsuits. Yuuki’s swimsuit was a deluxe two-piece with the bottom
part of the skirt that resembled Rika’s. Shino’s was a typical two-piece bikini that nearly resembled
Asuna’s. Asuna on the other hand, still retained her two-piece striped bikini.

“Still rockin’ in the bikini, eh Asuna?” Rika commented with a smug look on her face, "you just love
hypothesizing Kazuto with your stripes.” Rika chuckled, to Asuna's smirk. “Very true Rika,” the
chestnut-haired beauty agreed. The girls then noticed Suguha had not come out of the changing
room.

“Hey Sugu! Let’s see your swimwear.” Rika called out.

“Um….I’m not sure about this.” Sugu's shy voice said from behind the curtain.

“Come on, we want to see it..” Rika mocked a whiny voice. Asuna just rolled her eyes over her
impropriety. Shortly after, the curtains slid aside and Sugu stepped out in full view of her friends. She
sported a two-piece green bikini that showed off the chest area. The girls were surprised by Sugu’s
choice of her swimsuit.

“Wow Sugu…” Asuna exclaimed. “That’s a…very bold pick you have there.”

“Do you think it’s over-revealing?” The blushing girl asked. She was thinking of how the boys
would react if they saw her.

“I’m sure it’s very good.” Keiko reassured.

Rika grinned naughtily, causing Suguha to worry as she recognized that look. “See? I told you that
the two-piece would show more of that.” Rika giggled teasingly.

“Rika.” Asuna said in an annoyed tone while giving her a glare; she did not want her to be groping
Sugu's chest like she did last time.

“Sorry.” Rika shrunk away. Keiko began to have thoughts of what Tim would say if he saw her in
her swimsuit, as it was not very new and quite revealing.

“Alright, I guess everyone’s ready.” Yuuki beamed as she headed out the door. The other girls
followed her to the swimming pool outside, where they saw that the boys were already out.

Kazuto, Alex, and the other guys had just finished dressing in their swim trunks. Kazuto was in his
black swim trunks, Alex in his red and blue, while the others were in their mixes of black and grey,
light blue, orange and tan colored.

“Wonder when the girls are coming out,” Scott asked as he examined his black/grey trunks.

“Not sure, they seem to take a long time,” Shigeru replied. He was in his light-orange swim trunks.

“It’s no surprise at all,” Alex chimed in as he fiddled with his smart phone, "and there's getting
Yuuki dressed up right." It was then that the boys heard voices coming down the hall from the girls'
room.

“Here they are,” Scott grinned as the boys turned to see their girlfriends walking out in their
swimsuits. The girls each had noticeable swaying in their hips as they got closer.

“Woo-hoo!” Scott called out.

“Oh yeah!” Shigeru added, eyeing Sinon with a grin.

“Yeeeaaahhh..” Randy exclaimed.

Kazuto smiled at Asuna, as she and the others blew kisses to their respected boyfriends, adding more
cheers from their guys.

Alex and Tim had different reactions by the sight of their respective girlfriends in swimsuits. Alex’s
jaw dropped in shock and awe at Sugu’s new bikini; it was definitely a new look for her as she
ditched her old blue one-piece for a two-piece with the colors of her ALO avatar.

“Alex, you’re one lucky dog," Scott grinned and patted the blushing boy on the back.

The girls set their stuff down before standing in front of their boyfriends.

“Kazuto…” Asuna cooed.

“Scotty…” Rika grinned.

Spikey…” Shino mewed.

“Randy…” Yuuki giggled.

"Hi, Tim..." Keiko shyly greeted.

While Kazuto and the others admired the new looks, Alex and Tim, along with Suguha and Keiko
stared each other in silence. Alex's eyes soaked in Sugu’s appearance and admiring of her bikini,
while Tim was blushing at Keiko's choice of bikini.

“Was this the swimsuit you mentioned earlier," Alex asked Sugu. The blushing girl just nodded. “It’s
so…beautiful and very attractive,” he breathed. This caused her to perk up and look him in the eye.

“R-Really?” Sugu asked.

“I’d be lying if I wasn’t,” Alex complimented with a smile. He’d seen her in different outfits that
made her appearance very stunning, even in a more private and intimate state. Seeing her in the
bikini though, had left him breathless. It was then he stepped forward, nose-to-nose with his Sugu.
“My beautiful swordswoman.”

“My handsome swordsman.” The two shared heated gazes in each other’s eyes as they lost each
other in the moment. Leaning in, they shared a hot, passionate kiss. Alex moaned as he felt her chest
pressing and rubbing against his bare chest. His hands found their way down to her back and gave it
a good rub, earning a muffled moan from Sugu and deepening the kiss.

Tim’s face was rosy due to seeing Keiko’s swimsuit. He had never seen her in a two-piece since they
started dating. He scanned the equally rosy-faced girl from head to toe, admiring the details of her
pose and body in the swimsuit.

“You look stunning.” Tim finally spoke, breaking the silence between the two.

“You sure?” Keiko rubbed her cheeks shyly as she stuttered, “I-it’s not my best since I couldn’t…”
She didn’t finish as her face continued to get rosier.

“Wrong, Keiko. In fact, you look absolutely amazing,” Tim beamed. Finally casting her doubts
aside, Keiko headed toward him and hugged him. She then stood up on her tip-toes to plant a sweet
kiss on his lips, while Tim held her close to keep her balance. They parted lips and just shared sweet
and heated gazes. "Meow," Keiko cutely mewed, causing her boyfriend to grin as Cheshire Cat.

“Oy,” Rika exclaimed from the sweetness the couples were expressing, “you can have all that lovey-
dovey, lip-sucking later.” Her blunt statement earned her glares.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll jump the gun before everyone else,” Keiko shot back. Her quick reaction
surprised everyone including Rika.

“Whoa… She got us there,” Scott admitted.

“Can we get swimming before something else happens,” Yuuki asked, breaking the awkwardness.
Asuna smiled as she stood next to her to show her some preparations for swimming.

“Remember Yuuki, stretching is very important for swimming so that you don’t get cramps while in
the pool,” Asuna said to her.

“Cannonball,” Rika shouted as she jumped into the pool, along with Keiko and Shino.

“Unlike some others who don’t stretch before jumping in,” Asuna said in a tone of annoyance by her
friends’ rush to the pool.

“OK, Asuna,” Yuuki chimed as she did some stretches with Asuna, Kazuto, Alex and Randy.
Meanwhile, Scott, Tim and Shigeru were exchanging snippets with each other on who was doing the
‘belly flop’.

“No, No way I’m doing it,” Tim protested.

“Come on Tim,” Scott egged him on, “it’ll be fun.”

“Like that time you talked me and Randy into charging against the Nazis in the ‘Wolfenstein game,”
Tim snipped at him.

“It was the one time,” Scott groaned from the memory of when they played ‘Wolfenstein’ in VR,
which landed them in the hands of heavily armed Nazi soldiers as well as a pack of Panzerhunds,
forcing them to run helter-skelter from bullets and flamethrowers.

“So are you gonna do it,” Scott asked again.

“Absolutely not,” Tim replied again. It was then that Shigeru stepped up.

“I’ll do it,” Shigeru volunteered, “never tried it, but it shouldn’t hurt.” He stepped up to the board for
his dive. Scott stood on the other board next to him, ready to make the dive as the two ran towards
the pool.

The two boys jumped. "Belly flop," Scott yelled as they landed in the pool on their stomachs and
resurfaced with their stomachs and chests red and stinging from the dive. Tim shook his head as the
boys laughed at their own silliness.

“Boys,” Rika groaned as she shook her head.

After stretching, Kazuto, Asuna, Suguha, Alex and Randy jumped in with excited shouts. Yuuki just
lowered herself into the pool with a pool ring

“I don’t think that swimming lessons are done with a floaty,” Randy chuckled.

“It’s just a little something before I can start.” Yuuki replied with a smile.

“Well, you'll eventually have to learn how to float without that ring," Randy remarked.

It was then the Konno girl thought about it before removing the ring.

“You’re absolutely right,” Yuuki said with a devious smirk on her face as she suddenly latched
herself onto Randy. She giggled, “I can hold onto you until I’m ready.” The Mitchell boy felt
Yuuki’s leg hitching up to his waist and wrapping around him, making his heart do leaps in his chest.
She gave him a seductive look before giving him a wet peck on the cheek. Both Randy and Yuuki
agreed to take things slowly with their relationship, but they still got to tease each other lightly.

“Mmmmmmm…Yuuki you tease…” Randy growled while nuzzling her nose, causing his girl to
giggle and sigh happily.

“Sheesh,” Rika just scoffed. It was then Scott crept up from behind and caught her in a hug.

“Scott!” Rika squeaked as she felt his arms wrap around her stomach.

“You’re so cute when you make those noises,” Scott remarked as he rubbed her stomach, causing
her to coo and moan from his touches.

“Scottttttyyyy,” she moaned as she lost herself in her boyfriend's gentleness. Scott even nibbled on
her ear in a teasing matter.

Tim cuddled up with Keiko, who giggled from his soft hug. “My my, someone misses me,” Keiko
giggled.

“Indeed I do.” Tim smiled before they turned to face each other. “And I do love to see a cute kitten
like you swimming.”

“Hehehehe…Meow,” Keiko mewed. She curled up in his arms, nuzzling and rubbing her face
against his bare chest like a cat would do.
“Mmmmmm…Good kitty,” Tim petted her hair.

“Meow….Buuurrrrr,” she purred and giggled. Shino smiled on before Shigeru moved in and hugged
her from behind.

“I see another kitten who loves the water.” Shigeru smiled as he pressed himself against her back.

“Meow….” Shino mewed in response, causing him to nibble on her ear.

“Such a good kitty…”

“Hehehehehe…” She giggled before mewing again.

Meanwhile, Suguha looked around and wondered where Alex is. “Has anybody see Ale…
EEEKK!” She squealed softly when she felt something grabbing her waist from underwater. Her
face blushes as she felt her sides being rubbed and squeezed from underwater, citing soft moans and
coos from her lips. Suguha turned her head to see Alex rising out of the water.

“Gotcha my beauty.” Alex teased. Suguha laughed when she saw his wet hair covered his eyes, she
wipes her fingers across his face to move the hair away from his beautiful eyes.

“You tease…” Suguha giggled.

“My love…” Alex cooed as his arms wrapped around her sides and they hugged.

“Alright guys.” Asuna said, ending the moment between the lovers. “Let’s get to swimming lessons
before more weird things happened.” She then turned to Yuuki. “You ready for your swimming
lessons?”

“Indeed I am.” Yuuki answers before asking. “Mind if Randy helps out as well? I’d love to have my
boyfriend teach me how to swim as well.”

“Of course.” Asuna smiled as she and Randy begins teaching her on holding her head underwater.
The outcome of the lesson was great as the three came back up for air.

“You did great Yuuki.” Randy commented.

“Yeah I sure did.” Yuuki beamed happily.

“It’s a first start.” Asuna added. Then the next lesson, Yuuki is learning how to swim from one side
of the pool to the other. Her legs kicked back and forth in the water for propelling with Randy and
Asuna holding her arms.

“You’re doing great Yuuki.” Asuna said.

“Yeah Yuuki, keep going.” Randy chimed in; their encouragements are what Yuuki needed as she
made it to the end.

“You did it!” Randy congratulated her as she came back up for air.

“Thanks.” Yuuki said happily. “You’re all very good help with me.” She turned to her boyfriend.
“Especially you Randy.”

“What can I say?” Randy said proudly. “I’m your knight in shining armor.”

“Indeed you are.” Yuuki laughed, Randy and Asuna laughed with her. It was then Randy offered.
“Want me to help continue the lessons with you?”

“Sure.” Yuuki replied as the couple continued their lessons. Asuna sighed happily for her. It was
hard to believe that she came all this way after being cleared from her AIDS. From relearning how to
walk to helping her defeat the bosses in the ‘Ordinal Scale’ game after her memory, as well as the
memories of her friends who survived SAO were stolen and helped restored them.

The other couples watched on with happy and dreamy expressions as they see Randy and Yuuki
swam from one side of the pool to the other several times. Eventually they begin swimming laps with
each other and playfully splashing each other.

“Such a lovely couple.” Alex remarked as he sees his young cousin happy with the cured girl.

“Yes they are.” Suguha replied with him as they recalled their playful moment in the pool. It was
then the girls waded out of the pool and sat on the edge with only their feet and lower legs in the
water. They giggled and laughed when they see their boyfriends, who are still in the water,
swimming up to them slowly.

“Well look who have decided to show up.” Rika giggled as Scott nears her legs. It was then she
raised one of her legs out of the water, displaying her foot to him. Then she planted her wet foot
against his face.

“Hey!” Scott protested, Rika giggled like a child as she plays with Scott with her foot, she uses her
other foot to rub his chest, laughing as she does this. Then Scott’s fingers rubs to bottom of her foot,
causing her to squeal with laughter and tried to pull her foot again, only to have it in a soft, but firm
grip before he starts tickling her.

“Stop it you brute!” Rika laughed as she splashed everywhere. Scott then picks her up off of the
edge and back into the pool. The two laughed as they held each other while still in the pool. Shino
raised her leg out from the water as Shigeru got closer. However as she placed her foot against his
face like Rika did to her boyfriend, Shigeru smiled and rubbed his cheek against her foot; his nose
touching between her toes.

“Hehehehe…..” Shino giggles.

“Such a lovely foot..” Shigeru said smugly before giving her foot kisses, earning cute moans and
giggles from the girl.

Tim approached Keiko and rests his head against her legs, rubbing his cheek against the smooth skin
coated by water.

“Aww…Cute Timmy..” Keiko cooed as she pets his hair.

“Mmmmmm…Keiko.” Tim sighed. Underneath the water, his hands found one of Keiko’s feet and
he begins rubbing them. She squeaked when she felt his hand, but relaxes as she feels his fingers
rubbing her foot.

“Mmmmmm…Timmy….” Keiko sighed; she raised her foot out of the water for Tim to get a good
view of her foot while displaying her slim, but perfect legs in the air. He massages her foot in a
tender manner, causing the girl to coo and sigh by his touch before moving to the next foot.

“Yyeeeeaaaahhh…” Keiko said in a dazed trance.

“Keiko’s got him trained.” Asuna chuckled.

“She sure did.” Sugu replied, she feels Alex placing his head against her legs. The girl giggled and
places her legs on his shoulders, pulling him in a hug until his face is almost in her groin.

“You look beautiful from down here.” Alex commented nearly muffled.

“Why thank you my handsome knight.” Suguha replied while she places her hand over her heart.
She coos when she felt his hands rubbing against her legs and caressed her thighs.

Kazuto rubs his face against Asuna’s thighs while gazing up to her princess, the sunlight shined off
perfectly, giving her wet skin and hair a perfect glow.

“My princess.” Kazuto sighed by the beautiful love of his life.

“My valiant knight.” Asuna replied, the side of his face pressed against her thighs, giving his cheek a
cute chipmunk look.

“You look so adorable when you do that.” Asuna giggled. She remembered when she pressed his
cheeks together when they expressed their feelings together. Those were one of the best memories of
SAO and she was glad that her memories were restored.

“Anything for my love.” He said while he nibbled on her thigh, causing her to giggle.

After some playful splashing, Randy and Yuuki stopped and just held each other in a warming
embrace. Their wet skin shined perfectly from the sunlight along with their eyes.

“My Randy.” Yuuki cooed softly as her hand touches his cheek.

“My Yuuki.” Randy replied softly while his hands move on her hips, pulling her closer to him. Then
they shared a sweet kiss, the couple moaned as their lips caressed on another while their bodies
pressed against each other. They parted lips and rest their foreheads against each other’s not moving
a muscle as they stand in the middle of the pool.

Then a growl from Yuuki’s stomach is heard.

“Hehe…Sounds like someone’s hungry.” Randy chucked.

“Oh man, talk about killing the moment.” Yuuki admitted before they turned to see that their friends
are getting out of the pool and are sitting down on the blanket with two baskets.

“Wanna have lunch?” Asuna asked from afar. The couple then waded out of the water and sat with
the group. Asuna and Suguha have brought food, such as sandwiches for the group. Everyone
chewed delightfully on the lunches the girls have brought with them while sitting at their respected
couples.

“This is darn good.” Scott admitted as he wolfed his down.

“Wow Asuna. These are really good.” Yuuki smiled while taking bites of her sandwich.

“Me and Suguha have made the lunches together.” Asuna said. Tim and Keiko sat lovely with each
other; so far, Tim has gotten really good with the chopsticks since he moved to Japan. There were
some moments where he fumbles with the food whenever he tried to use chopsticks, even on the first
date with Keiko, who giggled and agrees to help him out. Keiko sighed as she enjoyed feeding him
with the chopsticks, and of course, they still do every once in a while.

“My cooking skills continue to pay off.” Sugu said to Alex.

“Indeed it has.” Alex admitted, “Especially with the fondue dinner.” The couple blushes from that
memory where they made fondue that night, with chocolate covered strawberries and bananas for
dessert.

As the group continues, they had conversations on the events in the past.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a month since ‘Ordinal Scale’ ended.” Alex admitted.
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was an unpleasant incident for everyone since the creator of the
game used the system to steal memories from SAO survivors.

“No kidding.” Randy added.

“He’s got a lot of nerve of doing that to all of us.” Scott said. His tone had some bitterness in him by
the thought of Professor Tetsuhiro Shigemura of stealing the memories of his girlfriend was enough
to make his blood boil.

“I mean, just because his daughter suffered brain damage while in SAO doesn’t mean he had the
right to steal everyone’s memories, including your girlfriend Kazuto.” He turned to her. It was indeed
an emotional moment for him when he learned that Asuna no longer had memories of the moments
when they met in SAO. It was the same emotions that he had when he learned of Asuna’s arranged
marriage to the creature Sugou and he was powerless to stop it. But he vowed to have her memories
restored and he did after everyone defeated the bosses and YUNA have their memories restored
before disappearing.

But of course it wasn’t just him that experienced it, but Scott and Tim who are scared of their
girlfriends’ memories, Suguha and Shino as their boyfriends are survivors of SAO. Fortunately they,
along with both Randy and Yuuki were spared for the memory theft.

“If only I’ve met him again.” Scott remarked. “I’d pounded him to where he had to eat food through
a tube…..If he hadn’t disappeared.” At this moment of fuming, Rika curled up to him and stroking
her hand against his back.

“It’s OK Scotty.” Rika cooed as she rubbed his back. “It’s all over.” Scott finally calmed down and
lowered his head.

“I’m sorry; I was just scared of losing you.” He admitted.

“I know that feeling.” Kazuto added, he recalled of almost losing Asuna in SAO during their due
with Heathcliff when she sacrificed herself to block his sword strikes.

It was then that she looked up into his eyes with the cute expression on her face. Scott smiled as her
baby-like face, combined with her beautiful eyes is enough to make his heart melt and she gently
strokes her face. Rika sighed as she then places herself in his lap and curls up to him. Scott sighs as
he feels her soft brown hair touching his face and Rika taking in his scent while they embrace.

“At least he won’t be causing any more trouble with all of us.” Tim remarked. The others agreed
with him. Ever since the ‘Ordinal Scale’ incident, Professor Shigemura disappeared without a trace.
But he was found dead roughly nine to ten days later when the deep sea fishermen found his body
floating in the middle of the ocean and recovered it. After several days of autopsy by the Coalition of
Allied Nations, his death was declared as ‘suicide’. They also learned about Yuuna was later
unhooked from life support afterwards. However, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that there’s
something else to his death.

“Alex?” Suguha asked when she noticed her boyfriend pondering.

“I’m just getting this feeling that….that his death is more to it.” Alex stated. Everyone gathered
around him as he made this statement.

“What do you mean by that?” Yuuki asked, curiosity was amongst the group.

“When he was taken to the Coalition base. I’ve overheard some conversations that they didn’t find
any water in the lungs.” Alex explained. “Meaning that he was dead before he got to the ocean; plus
they found a couple of gunshots in his chest which is unusual as it may have come from assault rifle
and in an angle that doesn’t appeared to have been suicide. But of course, the corpse has
decomposed during that time, not to mention being waterlogged and all.”

“Odd.” Tim commented.

“Very odd indeed.” Randy added.

“It doesn’t make sense, why would the public lie about it?” Shigeru asked.

“You don’t think the Ghosts may have something to do with his death. Do they?” Keiko asked.
Everyone has heard about the Ghost Op faction as it’s a secret branch of the CAN peacekeepers.
However, from what they heard from Yuki Tsutano, the Ghosts used brutal tactics of interrogation.

“ No, my dad said that it couldn’t be them since they were stationed when it occurred…..But…” He
continued. “There’s something else that was odd.” He went on explaining that around his
disappearance, he overheard his brother saying that the base had picked up strange signals that were
coming out of the ocean near Tokyo.

“Near Tokyo?” Suguha gasped.

“Yeah. But when they tried to investigate it, it vanished and wasn’t heard since.” Alex finishes.

“Was it by boat?” Tim asked.

“They send in recon drones out and didn’t find anything above the water.” Alex mentions and then
said that his brother managed to pick up some of the messages and he believed it may be Chinese. At
this time, everyone was silent from the shocking testimony from him. No one could think of all of
this. Was China responsible for the disappearance and death of the professor?

“But I’m not sure if it is since the message is garbled up. Plus I highly doubt that China would admit
it as they’ll deny it like they always have.” Alex said bluntly.

Silence loomed around the group, at this point, nothing made sense. The media have been reluctant
on reporting news to the public lately, mostly on the United Islamic Republics expanding their
borders from Pakistan to Morocco.

Kazuto and Asuna looked at each other, wondering if they should continue this conversation or end
it. They’re not very keen on continuing the former, so they went with the latter.

“Did anyone else see the Meteor shower last month?” Kazuto asked, changing the subject. Alex and
Suguha saw it from her bedroom window while others admitted they haven’t.

“Although the view wasn’t as good, but it’s close enough.” Alex and Suguha admitted.

“It was a great moment that night for us.” Kazuto looked to Asuna with a smile as they explained the
details on it.
“Do tell.” Keiko said as everyone gathered around them.

May 4th:

Kazuto and Asuna sat on the hill that gives a great view of the nighttime sky as well as the city of
Tokyo from the distance. With them is Yui who is using the probe orb on Kazuto’s shoulder. It’s
been days since ‘Ordinal Scale’ ended and Asuna had her memories restored.

“Beautiful…” Asuna sighed at the beauty of the nighttime sky.

“Indeed it is…” Kazuto answered before turned to her. “But do you know what else is beautiful?”
The hazelnut-haired girl turned to her with an eyebrow raised.

“Is it the beautiful swordswoman in your life?” She smirked

“Indeed my Lighting Flash…” He finishes. Asuna giggled.

“Oh Kazuto, you always love saying that.” She smiled. Her smile glowed warmly from the
moonlight. “My Black Swordsman.”

“I’m glad that it’s all over. That we still remember the great times we had in the past.” Kazuto said
sincerely. It was then that Asuna pulled out a small gift out of the basket and hands it to Kazuto.

“One of my gifts to you.” Asuna stated as she placed it in his hand.

“Thanks.” Kazuto smiled. “But what’s the ot…” He was cut off as Asuna suddenly pressed her lips
against him in a kiss. It was sweet and passionate as their lips caressed softly; Kazuto eased up and
returns the kiss as tears begin to form in their eyes. They parted lips and gazed each other in the eyes
which tears streaming down their cheeks. But they’re tears of joy, not sadness.

“I thank you with all of my heart for restoring my memories.” Asuna said happily. “I don’t know
what would happen if I didn’t have them restored.”

“Me neither. You’re the world and the universe to me.” Kazuto replied. “The times in SAO are some
of the good times because we’ve met and I’d never know what my life would be if I never met you.”
They wiped the tears away from their faces and continued gazing in each other; the world begins to
disappear around them.

“Kazuto….” She said softly and sweetly.

“Asuna…” He replied in the same tone. The two leaned in very slowly, their lips inches away from
contact.

“They’re beautiful!” Yui’s voice exclaimed from the probe, snapping them back into reality as they
looked up and see the meteor shower. The couple gazes in awe at the nighttime sky before turning
around and sharing their kiss once more, holding each other in a warming embrace and intertwining
hands as the meteor shower continued above them.
The Present:

“Aawwwwwww.” The girls exclaimed at Kazuto and Asuna’s sweet story while the guys smiled.

“I had a feeling that was gonna happened with you two.” Suguha admitted at her cousin’s sweet
story.

“Never a dull moment for you two.” Scott gives him the ‘thumbs up’.

“Indeed.” Alex added. “I’m surprised that he didn’t propose to you that night.” It caused the couple
to blush from Alex’s statement.

“It’s just me since that would be the right moment with the meteor shower over you.” He chuckled
nervously. “That would’ve been a romantic moment.” While they chatted, Shigeru and Shino
watched the others while sitting close to each other.

“I could tell that you love the swimsuit I’m wearing.” Shino said in a soft tone.

“Indeed I do.” Shigeru remarked. “It suits your perfectly.” She then hugs him from behind while
nuzzling in his back.

“Spikey, my handsome noobie.” Shino cooed while she kneads his chest with her clenched fingers
that resembles cat paws. “Meow.”

“My kitty.” Shigeru smiled as he rubs her paw-like hands. Keiko curls up on Tim’s lap; she rests her
face against his chest with her hair underneath his chin. He sighs as he pulls her close to him while
she sits on his lap.

“Meow….Purrrrr…” Keiko purred while he pets her pigtails.

“Such as sweet kitty.” Tim cooed softly.

“As always…” She replied. Suguha lies back on the blanket in a seductive and shy pose while
giving Alex a full view of her in her bikini.

“L-Like what you see?” Suguha asked with a sheepish tone.

“Like it? I love it…” Alex said with a dazed and seductive look. He leans in to her until their lips met
in a sweet and hot kiss.

“Mmmmmmm…Aaaaaaahhhh…” Suguha sighed as she loses herself in a slow, make out with him.
They both laid back on the blanket as they begin to feel hot all over in a pleasurable way. The girls
gasped and blushes while the guys smiled as the couple continued to make out on the blanket.

“I guess Sugu’s bikini got him aroused.” Scott whispered to Rika.

“It appears so.” Rika smirked. Kazuto blushes to see his sister and her boyfriend caressed each other
in the hot way, it reminded him and Asuna the time where they made out like that while Alex and the
others watched from the pool.

“Get a room you two.” Shigeru said, causing the couple to stop. Their faces blushed heavily when
they realized the others are around them. They both got him, still rosy faced and wiping away the
saliva off of their lips when they broke the kiss.
“Sorry.” The two said, embarrassed from their make out session.

“At least you didn’t strip in front of us.” Rika teased. “The bikini really turned you on Alex.”

“Don’t forget we do that too.” Scott reminded her. Rika then shrugged and smiled. “That’s true
Scotty.” She pecked him on the lips.

They continued to talk for a long time until everyone decided that they should continue on Yuuki’s
swimming lessons.

“Ready to continue?” Asuna asked Yuuki.

“I’m ready.” Yuuki exclaimed as everyone got up and continued swimming until around 4 in the
afternoon. Everyone changed back into their clothes and met at the parking lot and they agreed to
meet at the Mitchell Residence for their celebration.

The Mitchell Residence:

Everyone gathered at the backyard patio at the Mitchell Residence, they all talked and laughed while
cuddling with their respected partners.

“You were amazing Yuuki.” Randy complimented on her successful swimming.

“Thanks, and I couldn’t thank you and Asuna enough.” Yuuki chimed at their kindness.

“Anytime Yuuki.” Asuna smiled. Tim and Keiko watched the others enjoying their conversation
before sharing eye contact, their faces were still rosy red from their first times in their swimwear.

“You looked amazing earlier.” Tim whispered in her ear, causing her to blush even more from the
compliment of her swimsuit.

“T-Thanks Tim.” Keiko replied before she said. “You looked amazing in your trunks as well.” She
rest her head against his shoulder and sighs, Tim pets Keiko’s pigtails as he held her close.

“It’s was a great day today.” Sugu beamed.

“You said it Sugu.” Alex replied. “Especially since you now have the bikini.” He whispered,
causing the black hair girl to blush.

“I-I just wanted to try something new for you.” She confessed.

“You looked amazing; as you do in every clothing you wear.” He complimented before smirking
and speaking in a soft tone. “Even when you’re not wearing anything.” Suguha giggled and
playfully smacked his arm. After a while, Kazuto begins to stand up, everyone looked to him as he’s
about to make his speech.

“The Ordinal Scale game was indeed a dark time for all of us, what was attended to be fun for
everyone turned into a madman who driven to make attempts of good for the wrong reasons,
including stealing memories of our friends and loved ones.” Everyone agreed as Kazuto remained
silent for a moment before continuing.
“But, through the thick of it all, we’ve came through and managed to have all of our lives restored.
And I can’t thank all of you for it.” It was then Asuna stood up and took herself in his arm.

“Indeed that he tried to restore his daughter Yuuna from SAO, but what he did to me and some of us
is still wrong and he needed to move on with his life, like we have when our companions perished in
SAO.” She finished.

“You two are correct.” Alex spoke up as he too, rose up to his feet.

“Plus, this has once again proved how strong our bond is.” He continued. “From the foundations in
SAO, it had continued to grow beyond as well as it formed new friendships as well as growing into
relationships that are more precious to hold dear.” The couples smiled as he stated this, their love for
one another grew into sweet relationships that filled the voids in their lives and set plans for their
future.

“We’ve survived Sword Art Online, we’ve survived ALFheim Online and we’ve survived Ordinal
Scale.” Alex continued proudly. “And we will survive what the tests of time throw at us.”

It was then Alex held his glass up in the air with Kazuto and Asuna follow suit, the others followed
as they get the message that he’s proposing a toast.

“To us.” Alex said as they raised their water bottles up. “To the friendship that has gotten through the
tough trials of time as well as the relationships it has created.”

“May this bond continue to go strong for all times and continue to grow stronger every single day.”
Kazuto added.

“As well as the love.” Asuna smiled. After that, everyone cheered as they raised and clink their
glasses together to that sentiment. The group is now filled with confidence and faith of their
friendship and relationship. The trials of the ‘Ordinal Scale’ are now behind them as well as SAO
and ALO, their futures are filled with promises of better lives together.

It was then Alex spoke up. “Now since the Ordinal Scale’s a bust, that means that Kazuto can
continue his research to making a full effective augmented technology.” Kazuto nodded in
agreement.

“Very true.” Kazuto said. Then he gazed down for a moment. “However, I do hope that the public
will be ready for it.”

“Not to worry Kazuto.” Alex reassured him. “We’ve got plenty of time, long enough for the public
to trust us once we find the way.”

“Yes indeed.” Asuna added. “We do wish to bring Yui into the real world, we can’t stop short of it.”
Kazuto looked up to her beautiful smile and grinned.

“You’re right, after all; it’ll show the world that we’ve created safe technology.” Kazuto then said.

“Plus, we probably won’t need the helmets at all.” Alex concluded. “Perhaps we should write some
ideas down for future uses.”

“Agreed.” Kazuto nodded and he and Alex begin thinking of ideas for their augmented technology.
Asuna and Suguha giggled at their boyfriends’ brain think tank.

“I got a feeling that we’re going to have better futures.” Asuna smiled.
“Indeed we will.” Sugu agreed.

May 3rd:

The waters of the Pacific Ocean is calm in the nighttime sky as well as daytime, but sometimes the
busiest depending if they’re near Tokyo harbor or Yokohama. However, it also houses secrets from
the world; but in this case, underneath the ocean, the Chinese attack submarine, the CNS Revolution
lay silently underneath the ocean, completely undetected by radar when underwater, but they have
anti-radar equipment and coatings placed but only for a couple of minutes before they had to dive
down again.

The Submarine commander, Kwan Ying-pui, sits quietly in his office. So far, it’s been over a week
since they’ve left the port of Hong Kong on a mission that involved with the creator of the ‘Ordinal
Scale’ game and the ‘Augma’ headset. Receiving orders from the Politburo, Commander Ying-pui
send in a Chinese Commando Strike Force to retrieve Professor Tetsuhiro Shigemura from the
Augma headquarters, which once a headquarters of the defunct RECT Progress Inc. It wasn’t an
easy task as Seijirou Kikuoka and his team were moving in to arrest him and they would have too if
the Strike Force didn’t make it in time and managed to slip away to the Revolution before anyone
noticed their presence.

They agreed to help him try to have his daughter restored in another way instead of his original plan
on one condition; he aid them into their own project of cyber defense that’ll give the Chinese the
advantage from all forms of cyberattacks…As least that’s what they told him, but in reality, their
secret project involves the VR technology, reverse-engineered from the NerveGear helmets. The
project was successful and shared with their allies, but only the United Islamic Republics took
interest in the project as the Latin American Federation, the United Republic of Venezuela and the
New Uganda Republic either turned it down or weren’t qualified for it.

After some moments of silence, one of the Lieutenants approached his office and made a crisp salute;
Ying-pui returned the salute before speaking. “How’s our guest?”

“So far, he’s made great progress.” The Lieutenant says. “In fact, he says that he’s almost finished
and expected to be ready once installed.”

“Excellent. I’ll see him shortly.” Ying-pui replied. Afterwards, the Lieutenant leaves his office. The
Commander stood up shortly and begins to head down the hallway. The CNS Revolution is a very
complex submarine and the upgrade of their own submarine fleets. Built in the dry docks of
Singapore, the Revolution holds their usual compartments such as the bunkroom, the galley, the
command center and even the reactor room where it houses its nuclear reactor that powered the entire
submarine. He recruited a couple of soldiers from the strike force with him as they made their way
towards the room where they keep Professor Shigemura. For days, the Professor has been working
on the project, taking breaks to eat and rest up as he went along.

“I heard that you’re almost finished.” Ying-pui mentioned as he walked in.

“Indeed it has.” Shigemura stated as he turned the commander’s attention to the laptop which is
hooked to one of the NerveGear helmet processing chips.

“I’ve managed to make some updates to the software program within the helmet.” He explains as he
continues typing in various codes into the laptop. “Once the new codes are put in place, you’ll have
full protection for the entire nation.”

“How soon can this be done.” The Commander asked.

“Not too long,” The former professor replied. After a few minutes, he steps back with sighs of relief.
“The coding and updates have been placed.”

“Excellent.” The Commander said with satisfaction. Shigermura held the small portrait of his
daughter Yuuna and sighs sadly.

“I understand that she means the world to you.” Ying-pui sympathized with the man. “I too have a
child of my own and cared for her deeply like you have.”

“It’s just not fair that she was taken from me.” He lamented. “I wanted to have her restored…But
those brats put an end to my process, thus taking away my hope of having her reunited with me
again.”

“I understand your frustration.” He replied. “But there are others way of bringing back your
daughter, together we can accomplish that.”

“Really?” He asked, his voice sound with convince and hope. The Commander smiled before
continue. “Yes, in fact, we can get started right now if you wish.”

“Thank you, thank you very much.” The professor said with happiness seeping out as he gets up to
get a quick drink of water.

“I can’t tell you how happy I…” He stopped mid-sentence as he sees the happy radiance from the
Commander’s face is gone and replaced with a more serious, no emotion look. His eyes glanced
down to his hand, at first he couldn’t tell what it was holding for a second. As his eyes readjusted, he
sees that he’s holding a QSZ-100 pistol. But before he could react, a shot rang out, the bullet hits
Shigermura square in the stomach and causing him to fall backwards onto the bunk bed. A second
shot is fired, hitting him on the right side of his chest, shattering one of his ribs and puncturing one of
his lungs. Shigermura coughs up blood as he tries to stabilize himself, but the sudden pain kept him
from doing so. Ying-piu walks towards him with his pistol in hand. The professor looked up to him.

“W-Why?” He wheezed. “Y-You promised me—that you’ll---help me re---“ He coughs up more

blood.

“But I am helping you reuniting with her.” The Commander said in a calm but cold voice. “To tell
you the truth; your daughter was already dead since SAO and you refused to move on and resorted
to this abomination that shocks every common worker.”

“But your purpose was at good use to us and for the people’s nation.” He continued with a smirk.
“And now that you’ve gave us what we wanted, we no longer have use for you.”

“B-Bastard!” He gurgled as he tries to reach up and grab him, but to no ale.

“It’s time to see your daughter….zai jian Shigermura.” He said before raising the QSZ pistol up and
fired the third shot, this time, hitting him right in the heart. As Shigemura lay dying on the floor, his
hands shook as he reached for the portrait of Yuuna, despite covering it in his blood, he held the
portrait to his chest.

“Yuuna….I’m sorry…” He wheezed as he breathed his last breath, soon, he became limp when
everything went dark for him.
 The Commander leaned down and picked up the blood-covered picture of Yuuna and scoffed.

“Very sad that he’ll resort to this.” He muttered before letting the picture drop on the floor. He turned
to the laptop and sees the results of the success. ‘At least he served his purpose.’ He thought before
turning to the soldiers.

“Remove this piece of filth from my ship and order the command bridge to raise the submarine to the
surface.” He ordered as well as telling them to dive down as soon as they remove the body. The
soldiers replied before they came over and begins carrying out Shigemura’s corpse, stepping on
Yuuna’s picture as they do so.

The Revolution rises out of the ocean’s depths and surfaces into the nighttime sky. Despite having
state-of-the-art technology of stealth, they’re still at risk of being spotted by satellite, so they have to
make this very quick. The two soldiers carried out Shigemura’s motionless body out through the
hatch and together, they heaved the body into the ocean with a splash. Then they turned and quickly
headed back down the submarine and closed the hatch behind them. The second they did, the
submarine begins to descend back into the ocean, disappearing underneath the waves and into the
abyss.

End Notes

This short story takes place between chapters six and seven of 'SAO: Warfare'. Some events
may have changed during 'Ordinal Scale' in this timeline such as the OC's taking major roles
as well as Yuuki Konno who lives after being cured of her AIDS. Plus the scene where
Kazuto gives her an engagement ring doesn't occur in this which also gives details of the
'butterfly effect' such as SAO: Aftermath is explained.

Anyway, I do hope that you've enjoyed this story.

Please drop by the archive and comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!