-1777- Can't let anyone find out...

"You... You're Rozen?"

Looking at Rozen sitting there, Shinon seemed somewhat uncertain and hesitant, as if she couldn't quite believe it.

The reason was simple: the impression Rozen gave Shinon was vastly different from what she had before.

Unlike the many players in SAO who appeared with their real-life appearances, still recognizable even in the virtual world, Shinon had only met Rozen in GGO.

In GGO, Rozen's avatar was strikingly androgynous and petite, an appearance adored by both men and women alike, with a universal appeal.

In contrast, the Rozen in real life, though exuding a blend of Eastern and Western features with a mixed-race kind of charm, was distinctly masculine. His tall stature exceeded that of the average high school boy, boasting an appearance that would make most men envious and leave women utterly captivated. He was completely different from how he looked in GGO.

To be honest, while Rozen's appearance in GGO was undoubtedly exceptional and could make anyone scream in admiration, it only gave off a cool vibe. However, in reality, his looks could make other men bow their heads in inferiority while causing women to blush in silence.

At least, Shinon found herself avoiding eye contact, not expecting Rozen to look so attractive in reality—so vastly different from his GGO appearance.

Naturally, Rozen guessed what Shinon's reaction might be and shrugged.

"You're not exactly the same as your in-game appearance either, are you?"

In GGO, Shinon was like a cold and unyielding lynx.

But in reality, Shinon gave off the impression of a frail and undernourished kitten. At first glance, it was hard to believe that this delicate-looking girl could wield a heavy sniper rifle and coldly take out one renowned player after another.

"Have a seat, no need to be so tense."

Due to Shinon's frail demeanor in real life, Rozen's tone naturally softened a bit. He smiled at her.

"Anyway, it's just the two of us on this floor for the entire day. You can completely relax."

This statement left Shinon puzzled.

However, the server nearby explained it to her.

"Mr. Kirigaya has reserved this entire floor for twenty-four hours. So today, besides the two of you, only I will come up. Please feel free to order anything you like."

The server's words thoroughly shocked Shinon.

Reserved the floor?

And not just any floor but in a place like this?

"You... You're this rich?"

Shinon couldn't help but ask.

"Well, I suppose so," Rozen said, scratching his nose, not elaborating further.

After all, Rozen hadn't done this to show off his wealth in front of Shinon. It was simply because the upcoming conversation and events weren't suitable for a crowded place, so he chose to reserve the entire floor for convenience.

As for why he chose such an upscale venue instead of a random private place to meet Shinon, Rozen hadn't thought much about it. This place was well-known, making it unlikely Shinon would have trouble finding it. That's why he casually suggested it.

Incidentally, Rozen was a regular here.

This was unavoidable—this establishment was among the most renowned nationwide, ranking in Tokyo's top three cafes. Its patrons were typically elite socialites and daughters of wealthy families. For women, it was a dreamlike place of aspiration. Furthermore, the food here was undeniably excellent, which held great appeal for women.

Unfortunately for Rozen, he not only had a fiancée from a prestigious family but also an adorable younger sister who adored this place. With several female companions around him and substantial wealth, he frequently brought them here for meals. This venue also became a regular date spot for him and Asuna, which explained the server's extraordinary courtesy. It wasn't just because of Rozen's generosity but also his status as a valued customer.

Naturally, the cost wasn't even a concern for Rozen now.

To put it bluntly, Rozen could earn enough in just a few days to outright buy the entire café. Reserving the floor for a day was a trivial matter, and this wasn't even his first time doing it.

For instance, in late September, on Asuna's birthday, Rozen reserved not just a floor but the entire café. The first floor was transformed into a candlelit dinner venue, complete with a live violin and piano ensemble. He even danced with Asuna, giving her an enormous surprise.

Because of that, the staff here treated Rozen with exceptional warmth, never considering him an ordinary high school student.

"Please enjoy your meal."

The server brought out a variety of desserts and dishes Rozen had pre-ordered, along with a cup of tea for Shinon. After bowing, the server left the floor.

Feeling somewhat uneasy, Shinon sat across from Rozen, her mind racing.

"If the girls at school found out a guy reserved an entire floor just for me, they'd probably cry with envy."

And if that guy happened to be this attractive, then there was no doubt about it. Shinon would either be praised to the skies out of admiration or ostracized out of jealousy.

"I can't let anyone find out."

Shinon silently made this decision.

At that moment, Rozen, who had taken a sip of coffee, finally spoke.

"Nothing happened after that, right?"

Rozen, of course, referred to the events following the end of the BoB tournament.

That day, Rozen forfeited and gave up the championship, logging out without returning to GGO, leaving him unaware of the aftermath in the game.

However, when that incident was brought up, Shinon couldn't hold back her frustration.

"You've got some nerve bringing that up." Shinon took a deep breath and glared at Rozen. "Because of you, I've been bombarded with verbal attacks from GGO players. Everyone's claiming the BoB results were a sham, saying we rigged the fight to scam bets. It's been a mess online—don't tell me you didn't know."

This uproar had indeed been dominating online discussions recently.

"Anyone with eyes can see you should've been the champion of the third BoB tournament. But you forfeited when you faced me and even went out of your way to save me in that abandoned city warehouse. How else would people interpret that? Don't tell me you weren't aware."

This whole ordeal had left Shinon feeling deeply unfair.

At the time, she had already resigned herself to losing the fight. Winning the championship felt undeserved no matter how she looked at it. Naturally, the players who had bet against her in GGO weren't willing to let the matter slide. Their suspicions that Rozen and Shinon staged the fight were somewhat understandable.

Rozen had spent the previous day busy with other matters and hadn't paid attention to the situation in GGO. That didn't mean he was clueless about it.

It wasn't hard to guess.

Yet, Rozen remained utterly indifferent.

"I wasn't competing to entertain them," he said nonchalantly. "I joined the tournament for my own reasons. My goal was accomplished, so whether I claimed the championship or not is my business. Their suspicions mean nothing to me."

With that, Rozen pulled out a file.

"More importantly, you should take a look at this first."

He slid the file toward Shinon.

Instinctively, Shinon took it and began reading.

As she skimmed through its contents, her expression shifted dramatically. Her face turned pale.