Thanks for the update. I enjoyed this chapter, with Sasha and Silica and Akio’s bits.

One of the greatest indicators of a high quality literary work is consistency, and for thirty-eight chapters this story has consistently provided an excellent plot-driven story.

The chapter does start a bit abruptly with the one sentence description of how Kirita and Akio received a new quest during their vacation. I understand that it can be difficult to portray such detail oriented scenes while preserving the flow and pacing of the story and I think you did a good job of doing that. Even so, I found it a little abrupt.

The line about how the snow feels different and Kirita's comment about needing to stay warm is an excellent commentary about how advanced the SAO VR technology is. How the helmets are able to tap into the brain and deliver sensations of cold, warmth, and even pain onto its user is a testament to the technology. Then again, in the SAO universe it is the same technology that allows the crippled to walk and the blind to see so perhaps its ability to deliver sensations is not too surprising.

It has been so long since I watched SAO so I was unsure if the Cave Dwellers were canon creatures or if they were the story's invention. Upon reaching the author's notes and learning that they were invented for this story I decided that I must again salute you for how you are able to expand upon the mythos of SAO to improve upon the source matter itself. So well done!

An essential element of a great story is the setting and I greatly admire how in every chapter of this story so far we as an audience see and learn more about the world of SAO. The canon show did show us some great and excellent areas of the virtual worlds but I always got the sense that it was more to highlight the action and plot. Here, however, the setting exists in its own right and in every chapter the audience gets to witness the beauty of the environment in its own right. For example, the hot springs serve a binary purpose not just for advancing the characters but also provides insight into the detail of the virtual world. We are given descriptions of the hot springs design and how it is engineered to put the players at ease while also serve as a place of healing. I find myself wondering if Kayaba deliberately designed such locations so that the players would have a place of comfort in what is definitely a high stress environment.

Another element, arguably the most important, is character development. I already care more about this version of the characters than I ever did about their canon counterparts and I have you to thank for that. The character development that stood out for me, which I bet was intended by the author, was when Kirita admitted to treating her family poorly after she learned the truth. I enjoyed the little detail that despite her poor reaction to the news and her distancing herself from them, that they still had good moments even if they were few and far in between. I find myself wondering, with Kirita's issues of self-esteem and regret in this story, if in her more vulnerable moments she privately wonders if her family hopes she never wakes up because of how she treated them.

Another area of this story that I think deserves recognition is perhaps the most underrated area of writing. This story has been of the highest grammatical quality as I have ever seen on fanfiction or even in published works. For example, just about every sentence in this story as far as I can tell is excellent in following the subject-object-verb sentence structure with a consistency that most published authors should have but do not. In addition, I also admire how consistent this story uses thesis sentences. Just about every paragraph begins with a sentence that tells me what that paragraph is going to be about which in turn makes this story as easy of a read as it is compelling of a read. There are published authors out in the world today who spent years taking creative writing classes but fall well short of the quality of this fanfic and I figured recognition was deserved in that regard. I know most authors may not care about the grammar or spelling of their works but I thought it worth giving credit where it is deserved.

This story has thirty-eight fantastic chapters to its name and ever since I began reading this fic I have been grateful that you shared it with us. I eagerly look forward to the next chapter!

Thanks for updating. :)

Really enjoy the gender twist and how that would effect the players. Keep up the good work.

Amazing chapter as always. Keep up the amazing work. I really liked how Kirita and Akio are opening up more to each other and I can’t wait to see what happens in the future with them.

Another great chapter. I’m happy to see that they’re finally opening up to one another about their past and am looking forward to the Anniversary chapter. Thanks for updating!

I'm really sorry to hear about your father.
I really enjoyed the chapter, though.

I loved this chapter! Thanks for updating. Kirita and Aiko were so cute in their interactions.

I really enjoyed this chapter, thanks for posting it. I enjoy reading about Aiko and Kirita, as well as that bit about Sasha. I'm glad Akio and Kirita got to talk to each other and open up.

I always read the updates. Even if I take awhile yo get around to it. But I often don’t leave reviews.

Another great chapter! I am really enjoying this story and hope you stay safe during this crisis.

Hey there!
I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I have always loved stories that delve into the ‘lore’ I guess I would call it that. Those creatures were creepy.
I am glad to see this story updated. I hope you don’t feel down for lack of reviews because this story of yours is awesome! You take care now.

Thanks for updating. :)

Nice look at the non-combat side of things, and showing the strengths and weaknesses of both Kirita and Akio. Good balance going on, as well as more personal communication. Kirita relaxing around him more is also a fun development to see. Until next time.

Man. This chapter was amazing. I really love how Akio was being the “guide” for Kirita in this chapter as we’ve never seen something like this from him before. Keep up the great work