"…Come in," Suguha's voice came softly from inside her room.
Kazuto cautiously opened the door. Suguha sat on her bed, head bowed, avoiding his gaze.
"Sugu…" Kazuto began, but words failed him.
Suguha remained silent, and time dragged on in the heavy quiet. Determined to break the stalemate, Kazuto searched for the right thing to say, but Suguha spoke first, her voice hesitant.
"Hey, Onii-chan…"
"Yeah?" Kazuto replied.
"When you put on the NerveGear again… weren't you scared?"
"Well… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," Kazuto admitted. "But I didn't hesitate. Honestly, I felt more joy than fear—joy at finally finding a lead to save my friends."
"Joy…" Suguha murmured.
"Yeah, a clue to help my comrades," Kazuto said.
"Comrades…" Suguha echoed, wondering if she was included in that group. How do I compare to someone like Liz? Feeling a pang of insecurity, she gathered her courage and asked, "Onii-chan, what's Liz to you?"
"Huh? How do you know about Liz? Did I mention her to you?" Kazuto asked, caught off guard.
"No, I overheard you mumble her name in the hospital," Suguha said.
"Oh, that's right," Kazuto said, piecing it together. "Liz, huh? To me, she's… like a sunflower, I guess."
"A sunflower?" Suguha tilted her head.
"Yeah. Me and Hachiman, we've got this… shadowy vibe, you know? Dark, maybe? I don't know how to explain it," Kazuto said.
"No, I get it," Suguha said softly.
"Compared to that, Liz is like a sunflower," Kazuto said, his face brightening. "Always facing the sun, full of light."
"I see…" Suguha said, noting the warmth in his expression as he spoke of Liz.
"So, what's up with Liz?" Kazuto asked.
"Um… well…" Suguha hesitated, knowing her next question might cross a line. "If I was one of the SAO players who didn't wake up… what would you have done?"
"I'd save you," Kazuto said without hesitation. "No matter what it took."
"R-Really?" Suguha asked. "What if it was me and Liz? Who would you save first?"
"There's no 'first,'" Kazuto said instantly. "I'd save you both."
Suguha blinked at his swift reply. "Whether it's Liz and Klein, or you and Hachiman, I'd save everyone," Kazuto said. "It's obvious, right?"
"Obvious… yeah," Suguha said, a small smile forming. "Sorry, that was a weird question."
"Nah, you're my only sister," Kazuto said. "It's fine."
"Sister…" Suguha's tone shifted slightly, unnoticed by Kazuto. Steeling herself, she said clearly, "Onii-chan, I already know. You and I… we're not blood-related."
Kazuto froze, realizing this wasn't just about Kirito and Leafa—it was about him and Suguha. "You knew…" he said. "Did Mom and Dad tell you?"
"Yeah," Suguha said. "I've always liked you, not just as a brother, but as a person. But because we were siblings, I buried those feelings. Then you got trapped in SAO, and I was falling apart with worry. Mom and Dad couldn't stand seeing me like that, so they told me we're not blood-related. Since then, I've been wondering if it's okay to like you that way. When you came back, I was still figuring it out. Then Kirito appeared, and I started falling for him too. It makes sense, right? You're the same person."
"Sugu…" Kazuto said softly.
"I thought I loved you, but I was falling for Kirito too," Suguha continued. "When I heard about Liz, it got stronger. I think I was trying to escape to Kirito. That's why I feel like this is my punishment for being so dishonest."
"No!" Kazuto cut in sharply. "I'm not one to talk, but there's no sin or punishment in loving someone!"
"Really?" Suguha asked, her voice trembling.
"I might not have the right to say it, but you blaming yourself is absolutely wrong," Kazuto said.
Suguha paused, then asked, "What do you like about Liz?"
"I don't know," Kazuto admitted.
"Huh?" Suguha said, surprised.
"I just… wanted to be with her," Kazuto said. "It's probably about balance and timing."
"Balance and timing…" Suguha repeated.
"I know it sounds weird, but I don't have a better way to put it," Kazuto said.
Suguha suddenly giggled. Kazuto looked puzzled. "What?"
"It's just… you talking so seriously about love is kinda funny," Suguha said.
"I know it's not my thing," Kazuto said, scratching his head.
"No, it's not that," Suguha said. "It's just… you're so you, Onii-chan. Always giving your all, even after all the danger in SAO. You're still the same at your core."
"Sorry for not growing up," Kazuto said dryly.
"No, you've grown a lot," Suguha said. "I've watched you forever, so I know. Your roots are the same, but you're more… mature now."
"I don't get it, but… sure?" Kazuto said.
"Yeah," Suguha said, smiling.
Kazuto, still unclear on the logic, was just relieved to see Suguha's brightness return. She looked at him with a firm gaze. "Onii-chan, I'm fighting with you. We'll save Asuna and Liz, no question. But afterward, I'm meeting Liz in real life to see if she's good enough for you. Be ready."
"Uh, sounds like Liz is the one who needs to be ready," Kazuto said.
"From what you've said, she'll probably pass," Suguha said. "But that'd be frustrating, so I'll tell her: 'Onii-chan and I aren't blood-related, so if you ever betray him, I'll take him.'"
"Go easy on her," Kazuto said with a nervous laugh.
"Let's do this, Onii-chan," Suguha said, grinning.
"Thanks, Sugu," Kazuto said.
"No need for thanks," Suguha said. "I might end up with a cool sister-in-law, so it's a win for me."
"Hope so," Kazuto said.
"Don't be so timid!" Suguha teased. "Say it'll definitely happen!"
"Alright, it'll definitely happen," Kazuto said. "So fight with me, Sugu!"
"Absolutely!" Suguha agreed.
Their talk ended on a gentle note. Suguha chose to move forward, and while Kazuto felt he'd fumbled the conversation, he sensed the complexity of her emotions. They shifted to what came next. "The meeting's probably done by now," Kazuto said. "I'll head back to the hospital tomorrow. For now, I'll sleep in my room and let Hachiman know."
"Oh, but your room's not ready since you came back suddenly," Suguha said.
"Ugh…" Kazuto muttered.
Suguha fidgeted, then said, "Onii-chan, how about… just for tonight, we sleep together like old times?"
"Uh, isn't that a bit much?" Kazuto said, hesitant.
"I want to hear more about Liz, and Hachiman and Asuna too," Suguha said. "Please, just tonight!"
"Fine," Kazuto said. "But if I pass out mid-talk, don't blame me."
"Thanks, Onii-chan!" Suguha said. "I might crash too, so it's all good."
That night, Kazuto and Suguha shared a bed for the first time in years, talking about everything. Exhausted from the day's battles, they fell asleep as promised, their peaceful forms reminiscent of their childhood selves after a day of play. What lay ahead for their relationship was uncertain, but for now, they were siblings united. The tumultuous day ended, and tomorrow, their comrades would face the final battle.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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