A/N: This chapter is just setting up the beginnings of the plot. Quality of writing is hopefully going to improve with each chapter of the story.

How long has it been now? Two years? It seems that with each passing season, my memories of the relationship I had formed with Asuna while inside the VRMMO death-game "Sword Art Online" grow more and more faint. As my memories of the smaller details continue to dwindle, I find myself wondering if I should be forgetting any of the details of the two nightmarish years I had spent trapped inside SAO. The memories I had created with not just Asuna, who had been my in-game wife, but also with Silica, Lisbeth, Klein and Agil; these memories were all created by Kirito, my avatar from the game. Even after all this time, do they still look at me as…

"Kazuto," whispered Shino, her breath warm on my ear, "What are you zoning out over this time?"

"O-oh, nothing!" I stuttered, grinning sheepishly as I turned to face the beautiful girl who was cuddled up next to me, "I was just thinking about my time in SAO again."

Shino let out an exasperated sigh, then smiled at me kindly. This wasn't the first time I had been distracted by memories of the game that had consumed two whole years of my life, as part of Akihiko Kayaba's grand design to create a world in which he could play God as its ruler. Still, I felt bad about zoning out whenever I was with Shino. Even though I loved spending time with her, I just couldn't escape that infernal game and the memories from that time.

Brushing her bangs away from her face, I leaned in and playfully kissed her cheek, taking great pleasure in watching her turn a deep shade of scarlet. "You know this is wrong, right?" she said. "If Asuna or the others knew that you were here like this, we would be in so much trouble."

"I know… For now, this sneaking around is all we can do. I hate the idea of lying to everyone but lately, Asuna has been on my case about every little thing. She hates the fact that I make time to come see you, checking to see if you're okay."

"That's not an excuse, Kazuto. This is unfair to me too…" she trailed off.

"I don't know what to do, Shino." I said dolefully, "I love coming to check on you to make sure you're alright – that is, I really like spending time with you, but the pressure that Asuna continues to put on me makes it so hard. I just want to put an end to it before it gets any worse and I have no idea how. She doesn't let me get a word in at all whenever we talk."

Shino smiled, but behind her smile, I could see the pained expression in her eyes. "I think that if you're suffering because of how she's treating you then you have the right to do what makes you happy. If that means breaking up with her, then you'll have to do just that, no matter how it happens."

"I guess you've got a point. I'm also a little worried about how our group is going to take the news. If things end sourly between Asuna and I, I'm sure I'll have to shoulder all the blame."

Looking at my watch, I saw that it was currently 8:30PM. "Damn… I'm going to have explain to Sugu why I'm late again tonight."

"I'll see you out, then," said Shino, a hint of defeat in her voice.

With that, I unwrapped the blanket from around our shoulders and got up from where we were sitting in Shino's apartment. I shuddered as the chill in the room crept back into my body. I looked at Shino again and let a warm smile spread across my face. Wearing a mint-green pullover sweater with a wide neck, it sat evenly on her slender shoulders, showing her blue bra straps underneath. Today, she had also opted for simple blue jeans. As always, she had her bangs tied up on either side of her face with white ribbons, her brown hair cut short on the back. Her half-rimmed, oval shape glasses rounded out her look, adding to her already gorgeous features. I looked away quickly as her chocolate-brown eyes met mine, trying to hide the color that was building in my own face.

"You idiot," she teased, giggling at my embarrassment from being caught staring.

As I slipped into my sneakers and put on my jacket, I turned to say goodbye to Shino before I left for the evening. As I turned, I tripped on my own feet and fell right on top of Shino, my arms on either side of her. Her expression quickly changed to one of shock as we lay there, both in a state of panic. "I-I'm sorry, S-Shino," I stammered.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door behind us. "Shino! Can I come in?" said a voice from outside.

My eyes wide with shock, I realized who the voice belonged to. No doubt, Shino did as well. That voice, on the other side of the door to Shino's apartment, belonged to Asuna.

A/N: Hopefully you liked this first chapter! The next is currently being developed. I should have that done and published before the end of the week. If I could keep to a schedule of a chapter per week, that would be ideal.

Until next time,

Riido