It's September 15, 2026. Kirito and Asuna have recovered quite well after all the Underworld stuff.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KIyBOMM4h
Kirito was in his room when there was a knock.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6gNawdjzZ
Suguha: Onii-chan, come on, Asuna's probably already waiting.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgTYqIXpgD
Kirito got up and turned off his computer.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGCx7uuiem
Kirito: Yeah, I'm coming, Sugu.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENTZVTS14s
He grabbed his jacket and went outside with Suguha, where Asuna was already waiting.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYqRrqzcIc
Asuna: Kirito, there you are! You know I hate it when you're late.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS7sxV93da
She pulled him into a hug.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupMWDrbEKa
And so the three souls went for a peaceful walk.
Meanwhile, all hell broke loose at Rath's place.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFUJPHPj0Z
Kikuoka: Higa, restart the server quickly, or the whole Underworld will blow up!!!!!!
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tpHAFNXe
As he said this, there was an explosion. Smoke was everywhere, and when they looked up, there were five people standing there:
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWufFtCCyel
Four girls and one boy.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6srDU1ATXT
Maple: Where have we landed? Is this some kind of special quest?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CFc6To2aT
Sally: If we keep ending up in places like this, it must be because of you. These things always happen with you.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bRfcFwlhG
Kasumi: Watch out, there are two people here.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0Epoh3VEA
Iz: This doesn't look like a quest, guys.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvLxucP9cm
Kuromu: Don't worry, I'll take care of the enemies.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeAsszGJQP
He charged at Kikuoka, but when he reached for a weapon, he realized there wasn't one.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjXJYdivRT
Kuromu: What's going on???
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1vltKRFHO
Kikuoka: Higa... I think we've done something we shouldn't have.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGKcej0Bzb
Kirito Suguha and Asuna finally arrived at the park.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nsCe0VPkw
Where Liz, Sinon, Rain, and Phillia were already waiting.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1SELy1cJn
Liz: There you are at last! I thought you weren't coming at all.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx7PsDzkhc
Asuna: Oh no, just someone here was on the computer again for too long.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTKjQqmvVl
Her gaze fell on Kirito.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKcLZa5RR
Kirito: That's not true at all... Okay, yes it is.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZP7zY2u0h
Everyone laughed.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtZoypc89Z
Phillia: Typical Kirito, that's just how he is.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡablQqbU3CP
Rain: You Asuna, Didn't Yuu......
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAP9ZhCGIz
Voice: ASUUUNA
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wQTqZfQt9
At that moment, Yuuki rushed up and hugged Asuna.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMB8FjKZSb
Asuna: Wow, Yuuki, are you okay? 😂
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2jvCrzQ11
Yuuki: Of course, I'm just glad to see you. :)
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZbjO9vMMU
Sinon: Oh man, Yuuki, you just saw her a few hours ago at school.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OSAicpFgC
?: Hello, there you are! Yessss!
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmRjvXNnxF
At that moment... Klein is also too late.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuEqCWqIUN
Klein: Sorry, my dog ate my pillow.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU0rqnZSWu
Sinon: You don't have a dog.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj7qM1sdZF
Klein was about to reply when Kirito's phone rang.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BrsGS6nkP
Kikuoka: Kirito, come to Rath quickly, something's happened.
Approximately 30 minutes later
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboYPeuB8aZ
Kirito: You're seriously telling me that your server overload somehow opened a gateway to another dimension and that the five of them are now here?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqAMVvDKfL
Kikuoka: Yes, that's exactly what happened.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxUbPw1frr
There was silence until Maple broke it.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV7ou0uAmd
Maple: Are we stuck here forever?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy5VDqpuEF
Higa: No, we'll definitely find a way to bring you back soon.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbSIsQTHlR
Kirito looked at Maple.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHapM5CpJL
Kirito: My name is Kirito, nice to meet you.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ziNI0po6
Maple: My name is Maple, nice to meet you too.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32S9T2nGZl
So everyone got to know each other and talked until a loud shout rang out.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAFW0clcbe
Klein: AH, WHY DOES HE LOOK LIKE ME????
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SkurWbnuq
Kuromi: Better question, why do you look like me???
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVbAZSs1Fn
Suguha looked at the two of them.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcZUKs4pWc
Suguha: Mmm, I do see a certain resemblance.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb6mIXzl7g
It wasn't even five minutes before Klein and Kuromu were talking like two best friends, as if they'd known each other for years.
Kikuoka: What do we do now? We have to find somewhere to put the five of them up.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOfiuFG94j
Iz & Kasumi: We'll both go to a hotel.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskjenhvuYj
Klein: Well, I'm all for Kuromu coming with me.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC7iyvuJzS
Everyone seems to agree.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC8jFcJoyw
Kikuoka: Okay, then we just have to figure out what to do with the two of you.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvNrnoqnm
(Looks at Maple and Sally)
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pGgAjEzER
Suguha: So, Maple, you can come with us. I have a spare bed in my room. That's no problem, is it, Kirito?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBp5oS6hns
Kirito: No, basically. I just don't know what Mom and Dad will say, but it'll work out.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQM7x9bHOb
Sally: Then I'm the only one left.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrlMuL82Lz
Asuna: I'd really love to, but my parents wouldn't allow it. They're very strict.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf43AZfu1fO
Rain, Liz, and Philia were in the same boat.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRph5MFDmgn
So everyone looked at Sinon.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1tbfN0hQJ
Sinon: Why are you all looking at me like that?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsPh0U0hlA
Philia: Well, you live alone, so it wouldn't really be a problem.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqK84sP7Nh
Sinon thought for a moment.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr1s1VSlId
Okay, fine, I'll take Sally with me.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZavaCsHGWs
So everyone said their goodbyes and headed home.
Finally, Suguha, Kirito, and Maple arrived at the couple's house, where they were greeted by their mother in the hallway.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTGRkwgGvb
Suguha's mom: Hi you two, there you are again! But who is that girl?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9JrpfQTpw
Her gaze fell on Maple.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS5d2xE01b
Suguha and Kirito knew they couldn't possibly tell the truth. After all, no one would probably believe them.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKXwYlVoCa
Suguha: Um, this is Maple, a good friend of mine. Would it be okay if she stayed here temporarily?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh47T1m6Mm
Suguha's mom: Suguha, you know I don't really like this during the school year, but... It's okay, but it's bedtime at 10 p.m. Tomorrow is...
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0MCzRP1sw
Kirito and Suguha seemed relieved, and Kirito went to his room.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhNblWNJS8
And Suguha and Maple went to theirs.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxGUNvlfau
Meanwhile, at Sinon's:
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIBwgrZ9Mz
Sally: You have a nice apartment.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDecsGLgTE
Sinon: Thanks. Feel free to sit down. Are you hungry?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWwmwqx6MF
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0tgbc6xIQ
Sinon Sally: No, but thank you.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dJqfXrZPL
The two talked until Sinon suggested she log into Alo so she could show Sally.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhaUwpdWr2
Sally: Wow, this is nice too... And wait a minute... I'm wearing my clothes from New World Online?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEptQw3Ucct
Voice: Oh, you're here too!!!
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW1p9DoVRu
It was Leafa and Maple.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5WNrKQVuK
Maple: Sally, there you are! Did you notice our clothes too?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFYYPvtFyj
Sally: Yes, and I have the skills and everything else too. Weird.
Then Syrup and Oboro appeared and jumped into Sally and Maple's arms.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyH2lPEGeg
Before anyone could say anything, a scream rang out.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi0cmdFsvi
PINAAAA, stop! Where are you going?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEcvVUHFCu
Silica came around the corner with Pina: Oh, hey Sinon, hey Leafa, who are these two?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgzbOzYpNo
Sinon: Oh, hi, just two friends.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpacUjiNbP
Maple: Hello, I'm Maple, and this is Sally.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5snivcyvAf
At that moment, Pina went over to Syrup and Oboro, and the three of them started playing.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHVPQuFrBW
Sally: That's so cute! :)
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcmtzvuWNd
Voice: Suguha didn't tell Mom you to be in bed by 10 PM. It's already 11 PM!
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASpYJfLbWT
Leafa: Oh, Onii-chan, I'm sorry. Please don't tell her anything. We'll log off right away.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRvS7GDzYO
Kirito came downstairs.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhQcnnXF0L
Kirito: How cute are they? What are their names?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVK6aAsTe6
Maple: This is Syrup, and this is Oboro.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlZflYIm9t
Kirito looked at them...
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVpk2X7ODx
Kirito: What's the fox's name?!
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8Cj5btIvC
Sally replied: Oboro, any problems?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuXsXSzdpE
Kirito: Ah, Oboro, sorry, I was thinking about something from the past, sorry.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMvbadQA9B
(He was obviously thinking of Oberon.)
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeRIWMoW3t
After that, everyone logged out and went to sleep.
Meanwhile, at Rath's
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOw6a6yWB9
Kikuoka: Good, Higa, everything seems to be fine in the Underworld. Nothing's broken.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXeEgmP3RH
Higa: Okay, then we should go to sleep. It's late.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWJdbdubb0
They left the room.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ6P3xy9pq
When the screen came back on:
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkaLkwbZi0
Voice: Oh yeah, I can smell it and almost taste it—so many sweet little souls! Hahaha.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8PVV7m3V2
End of Chapter 1
ns216.73.216.98da2
and then Add to home screen.