The morning sun filtered through the leaves of Coral, the picturesque town on the 35th floor, casting a warm glow over its charming streets. Kirito arrived at the designated meeting spot, the central plaza, where the statue of a sea dragon towered majestically. The air was filled with the scent of the sea, and the sound of seagulls echoed in the distance.
The town itself was a masterpiece of design, with its white stone buildings adorned with intricate coral carvings. The streets were lined with colorful flowers, and the canals that wound through the town reflected the azure sky above. It was a place that felt almost too peaceful for a world filled with danger.
As Kirito stood there, taking in the beauty of the town, he spotted Shino approaching. She was dressed casually in a light blue dress that swayed gently with the breeze, her hair flowing freely over her shoulders. Kirito, in his usual black player attire, couldn't help but notice how relaxed she seemed.
"Good morning, Kirito," Shino greeted him with a smile. "Thank you for coming."
"Good morning, Shino," Kirito replied, returning her smile. "You wanted to meet here?"
Shino nodded. "I've taken the day off from my official duties, and I was hoping you could spend some time with me exploring Coral. Everyone else is busy, so I didn't want to bother them."
Kirito was surprised but pleased by the request. "Of course, I'd be happy to." Kirito thought of it as a date with Shino but he never told her so.
They began their day by strolling through the town, admiring its true beauty. Their first stop was the Coral Garden, a breathtaking sanctuary filled with vibrant coral formations of every color imaginable. The garden was like an underwater paradise brought to life on land, with fish-shaped sculptures and fountains that glimmered in the sunlight.
"This place is incredible," Kirito remarked as they walked along the garden paths, the soft glow of the coral reflecting off the water in the nearby ponds.
"It really is," Shino agreed. "It's hard to believe we're still in a game when you see something like this."
Next, they decided to take a gondola ride through the winding canals of Coral. The gondola, made of polished wood and adorned with delicate carvings, glided smoothly over the water. As they floated through the canals, they passed under arched stone bridges and alongside buildings draped in flowering vines. The water was so clear that they could see the fish swimming beneath them.
"This is so peaceful," Shino said, leaning back in her seat as she took in the view. "I never imagined I'd find something like this in SAO."
Kirito nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "It's easy to forget the dangers we face when you're in a place like this. It almost feels... normal."
They continued to enjoy the serene ride, their conversation light and filled with appreciation for the beauty surrounding them.
By noon, they found themselves in a cozy café nestled along the canal's edge. The café had a rustic charm, with wooden beams and large windows that offered a view of the water. They ordered a warm drink and a dessert—Caramel Cream Puffs with a drizzle of rich chocolate sauce. The puffs were soft and airy, melting in their mouths with a burst of sweet caramel flavor.
"This is amazing," Kirito said after taking a bite. "I didn't expect virtual food to taste this good."
Shino laughed softly. "I know, right? It's little things like this that make the experience so much more real."
In the afternoon, they wandered into Coral Threads, a boutique known for its stylish clothing. Kirito found himself in unfamiliar territory as Shino tried on various outfits, each one more stunning than the last. His face turned red when she tried some sexy outfits. Kirito was secretly looking at her curves without her noticing. He enjoyed it well. She eventually settled on a simple yet elegant dress, but not before insisting that Kirito accept a gift—a sleek black jacket.
"You didn't have to do that," Kirito said, though he couldn't deny that he liked the jacket.
"It's my way of saying thank you," Shino replied with a smile. "For spending the day with me."
As the sun began to set, they walked by the shore of the canal, the water now tinged with the orange and pink hues of the evening. The reflection of the sky on the lake's surface created a mesmerizing display.
"Thank you for today, Kirito," Shino said softly, turning to face him. "I really enjoyed it."
Kirito looked at her, the warmth of the day still lingering in his heart. "I did too. It was the most peaceful day I've had in this game."
She looked really gorgeous in the evening sunset. It almost made him speechless. He looked stunned without her noticing. With a very small voice, " You are beautiful." His heart felt so warm at the site of her. Her hair flickered in the gentle wind making her even more beautiful. Shino didn't notice the way he was looking at her. She was just immersed in enjoying the beauty of nature. Kirito really does love this woman. But he decided not to tell her anything and keep his feelings to himself. His past experiences made him think that it is the best thing to do.
With a final smile, they parted ways, each heading back to their respective guild houses. That night, as Kirito lay in bed, he replayed the day's events in his mind. A peaceful smile crossed his face as he drifted off to sleep, the memory of his time with Shino bringing him a rare sense of contentment.
The next morning, Kirito woke up to the sight of Silica standing by his bed, holding a cup of coffee.
"Good morning, Kirito!" she chirped. "I brought you some coffee."
"Thanks, Silica," Kirito replied, taking the cup gratefully. After freshening up, he headed to the hall where Keita and the others were waiting.
"Kirito, we're planning to go fishing on the 22nd floor today," Keita announced. "What do you think?"
"Fishing, huh?" Kirito mused. "I've never tried it before, but I'm in."
They made their way to the 22nd floor, where Kirito met Nishida, an experienced fisherman. Nishida patiently taught him the basics of fishing, though Kirito's first attempt ended with him being pulled into the lake, his clothes completely soaked.
The others burst into laughter, and Kirito, though embarrassed, couldn't help but chuckle along. "Silica, could you give me a hand?" he called out to her.
Still laughing, Silica reached out to help him up, but Kirito mischievously pulled her into the water with him. Now, it was her turn to be drenched, and Kirito took the opportunity to mock her, splashing water in her direction.
"Hey!" Silica protested, but her laughter betrayed her enjoyment of the playful moment. The rest of the guild watched in amusement, finding the scene both funny and endearing.
As the day progressed, Sachi managed to catch a Giant Striped Marlin. The fish was so large that it nearly dragged her into the river, but with Keita's help, they managed to pull it out.
"Great catch!" Nishida congratulated them, clearly impressed. The others gathered around, amazed by the size of the fish.
Nishida helped them cook the marlin, and the group enjoyed the meal together, savoring the delicious flavor of the freshly caught fish. They thanked Nishida for his help before heading back to their guild, satisfied with their day off.
As evening fell, Kirito took a peaceful walk around the corridor, reflecting on the events of the day. Just as he was about to head back to his room, a message notification caught his attention. It was from Asuna, requesting him to meet her on the 74th floor.
"Why? Anything serious?" Kirito asked, curious.
"Yes, Our captain, Heathcliff, wants to meet you. Alone," Asuna replied.
Kirito with curled eyebrows "Alone!!, Why though?"
Asuna replied "Don't know. He didn't tell me anything much about it. "
Kirito let out a sign "Okay, I will be there in half an hour."
Kirito agreed to the meeting, a sense of anticipation building within him. He made his way to the teleport gate, ready for whatever awaited him on the 74th floor.