Equis Art Online II

Asuna blinked her eyes and stood up. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she smiled and changed from her day wear into her PJ's. Then, she heard a knock on the door.

"Asuna?" came Kyouko's voice.

"Yes, mom?"

Kyouko opened the door and sat down next to her.

"DId you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes." Asuna replied. "I really did."

"Good. By the way, Mr. Kirigaya called, said to expect him shortly. Did you plan this?"

"Yeah." Asuna replied.

"Fine. I just wanted to be sure. Goodnight." Kyouko said, smiling.

"Goodnight." Asuna replied. As she curled up under the covers, she felt warm and safe. A few moments later, the door opened revealing Kazuto. He smiled, walked over, and sat down on the bed next to her. Asuna's hand touched and held his, and he placed his other hand on her cheek. Brushing it gently, he smiled.

"Evening." he said.

"Evening." Asuna replied, smiling. After a few moments of silence, Kazuto sighed.

"You know on Wednesday, we head back to school, right? Gonna mean a change for us and Twilight."

"Isn't she staying with you?"

"She warps back home during the night, and stays here during the day. Apparently time flows differently, and our day and night cycles are reversed. The many strange mechanics of parallel worlds." He said, and Asuna giggled.

"Yeah." She said.

"You know, I mean, when we...I mean...if we get married, you know…" Kirito said.

Asuna smiled, stood up, and pressed herself against him in embrace.

"To be honest, Kirito, I would want nothing more than to be married to you." she said, smiling.

"Same here." Kazuto replied, touching her face lovingly. Asuna smiled again and laid back down, curling up again.

"You know...Kirito, tonight kinda reminds me of our first night in Aincrad together."

"It does." Kirito said. "Though there, you were..well…"

"Naked?" Asuna asked.

"Yeah. Well, partially."

"Eh." Asuna said. "It was still probably one of the greatest nights of my life."

"Again, same here." Kazuto said. "Would it be too overwhelming if I proposed for real right now?"

"Maybe." Asuna said. "Would be a nice touch, though."

She closed her eyes and yawned sleepily, and Kazuto sighed again.

"You know Asuna, I don't get tired of saying I love you."

"Neither do I." Asuna replied. As they sat in silence, basking in each other, Asuna smiled.

"Kirito?"

"What?"

"Could you...kiss me goodnight, if you don't mind"

Kazuto smiled, kissed her deeply on the cheek, and sighed.

"You don't even need to ask." he replied. Asuna blushed and laid down, setting her head on the pillow. As she closed her eyes, Kazuto stood up and pulled on his jacket.

"Goodnight, Kirito." Asuna said sleepily. Kazuto turned and looked at her.

"Goodnight, Asuna."

Kazuto shut the door and walked down the hall. As he entered the family room, Shouzou called him over.

"I heard a little of your conversation. To be honest...you're exactly the type of person I would want as my son-in-law." he said, and Kazuto scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Thanks, Mr. Yuuki." He replied.

"No problem. By the way, I think I've got what amounts to hobby now."

"Really?" Kazuto asked.

"Follow me." he said, leading Kazuto to his den. He proudly showed him a model plane, a Zero from World War II.

"I got it from a friend as a retirement present. It's been here for a while, and I thought I would try it. Truth be told, I think I'm hooked." He said.

"Sounds great." Kazuto replied.

"Thanks. You had best get going. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Sure. See you around."

As Kazuto exited the house, and drove off back to his house, the moon shone like a pale gem.