Chapter 05: Hangout with Koharu

<<Date: April 9th, 2023>>

It's been half a year since the first expedition raid defeating Ilfang the Kobold Lord and ever since that day, many things had changed greatly since that day. One of them was the appearance of <<Clearer>>.

Clearer was an elite player who is at a higher level than most other players and focuses on leveling up and getting better equipment to clear all levels of the game.

Of course, our protagonist Vergil was one of the clearers as he was one out of two solo players that lead the group. Well... as you can guess, the other solo player is none other than Kirito, the Black Swordsman, and the best friend of the Dark Slayer.

Currently, we can see our protagonist, Vergil walking around the floor 27th with a strawberry shake in his left hand. As so you can see, Vergil is bored since he got nothing to do, thus he decided to explore this new cleared floor.

Floor 27th of Aincrad was cleared by the newly formed <<Clearer>> led by the Knights of Blood, which was the newly formed group led by a certain middle-aged man but what peak Vergil's interest was Asuna was one of the members.

Vergil looked at the couple in the cafe and smiled, as he remembered something. Vergil heard from Kirito that Diavel confessed to others that he was a beta tester too a week after Vergil left, feeling guilty.

Some of the first expedition raid members forgave him while the rest resent him. Kibaou and Diavel part ways and it seem like Diavel had stopped become the Clearer and decide to become a normal player. Vergil heard a rumor that says Diavel stayed in the Town of Beginnings and opened an orphanage for child players.

Vergil: (Is there anything fun to do?)

He checked his list of friend and was shocked when he saw Kirito joining a guild. Kirito, a loner and useless when it comes to making a friend joining a guild... That one and only edge lord.

Vergil: (Well... it's a good thing that Kirito started to make friends other than me and Klein but something is wrong. Kirito is at the level of 40 and his guild consists of members with an average of level 20. How can they invite him knowing he was one of the Clearer?)

As Vergil in his thought, he didn't notice that he was bumped onto someone. The person who bumped on him yelped, snapping Vergil out of his thought.

???: Kya!!!!

Vergil realized that he just bumped into someone while in his own thoughts, one of his habits from the real world that causing him trouble around his classmate.

Vergil: I'm sorry for bumping into you.

Vergil looked at the person who he bumped into and it was a girl. She has straight, black hair and bright green eyes. She was wearing a dark magenta tunic with dark green features on the neck and wrists, a black mini-skirt, as well as a chest plate protecting her upper body.

???: No, no. I'm also sorry for not looking around when walking.

Vergil then offers a hand at the black-haired girl which she gratefully accepts. Vergil pulled up the girl but it seems like he was using too much straight or the girl was too fragile because the girl easily heads straight to Vergil's chest.

Vergil: I-I'm sorry!

Vergil lowered his head to looked at the girl due to their height difference but when their eyes meet each other, the two blushing at how close their face was. Vergil's blue eyes were focused on the girl's green eyes, seemingly taking his breath away with the girl also focused on Vergil's crystal blue eyes.

Vergil realized that he was looking at the girl's eyes without permission as he was her lover, quickly let go of the girl, and bowed his head in apologetic.

Vergil: I'm sorry!!!

???: I-It's alright! I know you just trying to help me so please lift your head.

Vergil then lifted his head and smiled at the girl.

Vergil: Alright. Well... I'm Vergil. Once again, I'm sorry for bumping into you. I don't want to take any more of your time so have a good day.

Vergil stepped to the side and takes a step, only to found the black-haired girl grabbing his coat sleeve, stopping him in his tracks.

Vergil: Um... can you let go of me?

???: Vergil... Can I ask you one question before you go?

Vergil: ...Go ahead.

???: Are you one of the beta testers?

When she said that question, Vergil's eyes widen in shock before he looked around him in

Vergil: (How did this girl know me?! Is she someone I know? But now that she mentioned it, I have seen that face before but where is it...?)

Vergil brainstormed his mind before his eyes widen in realization as he remembers the girl.

Vergil: Koharu... You're Koharu, right?

The black-haired girl now known as Koharu nodded her head with a bit of tear forming in her eyes before she suddenly hugged Vergil.

Koharu: That's right! How can you forget your friend's face, you idiot?!

That's right. Koharu was Vergil's second friend after Kirito. The two met during the last day of Sword Art Online Beta. At that time, the high-level Vergil found Koharu surrounded by a group of low-level monsters and help her.

Koharu was grateful that someone helps her and mustered her courage to asked Vergil to teach her which he accepted since he got nothing better to do since his Kirito was sick that day. The two spend a day with each other with Vergil training Koharu on how to used Sword Skill, tips on defeating the monsters, and more important stuff.

The two promise to meet each other during the official launch of SAO but Vergil was slightly saddened when he can't find her and due to the fact they do not add each other, Vergil doesn't know whether Koharu plays the game or not.

Though, Vergil tried to find Koharu but hopelessly can't find her. That's why Vergil thought that Koharu was late to play the game and saw the news then decide to not play the game. Vergil was happy to found Koharu was alive but

Koharu: Where are you all this time, you idiot?! I'm waiting... waiting for you to come but where are you!?

Vergil looked down in shame since he can't help her and gave up easily when he can't find her. He knows how hard for her to survive this far by herself judging by her personality which she can't believe people she just meets for the first time and she is afraid of fighting.

Vergil then made up his mind to redeem his sin of left her alone by herself today.

Vergil: Koharu... I'm sorry for leaving you alone. That's why, from now on, let party with each other. I promise you from now on, I'm gonna protect you. I know you are mad at me and you are free to do so but let me protect you from today.

Koharu lifted her head from Vergil's chest and looked at him with a happy expression. These words. The word that she always wanted to hear from her precious person. For Koharu, not even a minute she forgot about her savior. After the SAO started and all the death thing, Koharu was depressed and just stay on the floor 1st while waiting for the game to be clear.

However, after the news of the Dark Slayer and knew his name from Argo, she made up her mind to met him. She wants an explanation on why he broke their promise. Thanks to Vergil's teaching, Koharu was more than enough to solo by herself but not to an extent of the Clearer. She was level 35 and it's pretty decent to protect herself.

Koharu: ...Yes! But before that, I want an explanation of why you broke our promise.

Vergil smiled when he saw Koharu pout at him and honestly, he finds it very cute.

Vergil: Of course.

Koharu nodded in contentment as from today onwards, she can spend her day with her crush which the white-haired boy doesn't know.

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<<Date: July 7th, 2023>>

Currently, we can see our protagonist, Vergil stand in front of the inn where Koharu stays, looking more nervous which doesn't fit his character at all. The reason for his nervousness was because today he gonna go date with Koharu. Surprisingly, this is Vergil or Shiro's first time went on date since he was a bit... unapproachable.

Since today was the Tanabata event, the two decided to go to the special event. Tanabata, also known as Star Festival was the day where Japanese people celebrate the coming together of two stars; Altair and Vega--who are normally separated by the Milky Way. To put it simply, it was a festival wish for good weather.

After 30 minutes of waiting, Koharu finally came out of her inn.

Vergil: Ko-ha-ru! You know how long I wa--

Before Vergil can get mad at Koharu, he stopped mid-sentence as all his anger was gone instantly when he looked at Koharu. Koharu now wearing a white yukata with a purple flower design, a yellow sash on her waist, and her hair now tied in a bun-hairstyle that looks good on her.

Koharu noticed that Vergil was stunned seeing her and that caused her to blush, embarrassed being stared at by her crush.

Koharu: How do I look? Does it look good on me?

She asks timidly while twirling around, showing her figure and that caused Vergil to blush like crazy as he looked to the side, trying not to be busted but failed horribly.

Koharu: Well... Let's begin our date.

Vergil nodded and the two began their date. As many players are joining the event, Vergil and Koharu walking arm in arm with red faces. Since this is the two first time went on a date, they don't know what people usually do during the date but since this is an event, they decided to go around the stalls and tried a variety of food.

During the date, Vergil was happy to spend time with Koharu.

Vergil: (I wish the time could stop...)

Vergil snapped out of his thought when Koharu suddenly stopped walking as he looked at her with a confused expression.

Vergil: What's the matter, Koharu?

Koharu: Look, Vergil!

Vergil looked at where Koharu pointed at shocked when she pointed at the advertisement for a free wedding.

Koharu: I've always wanted to try wearing one of these. Why don't we stop by?

Vergil: Why so suddenly?

Koharu: I just want to make memories with you... And I want you to have memories with me, as well. Am I... asking too much?

Vergil thought about a moment before agreed to it since he promised to make her happy.

Vergil: Alright.

Koharu brightened and drag Vergil inside. Once they got inside, they ask the NPC attendant if they can try the wedding dress which they gladly allowed it. Vergil then went to the male changing room while Koharu went to the female changing room, as they changed into the wedding attire.

Vergil looked at his new clothes which are a white tuxedo, a long-sleeved black shirt with a blue tie on the collar, matching white pants, and black dress shoes. Vergil then turned his head when he heard the door open and it was the female attendant from before.

Attendant: Everything's ready for the bridegroom! Please, come this way.

Vergil nodded and follow her as she led him somewhere. Once Vergil opened the door, it was revealed to be a chapel but he was stunned at the sight in front of him. Standing in front of him was Koharu now wearing a white ball gown dress along with a bridal veil around her head, which signifies Koharu's innocence and purity image.

Koharu: It's embarrassing when you stare so much.

Vergil: O-Oh, sorry about that! It's just... you look so beautiful.

He said with blushing faces as Koharu also blushing, slightly embarrassed being called pretty.

Koharu: T-Thank you. Vergil too, you look handsome in that.

Vergil: T-Thanks.

Attendant: Now, if you'd like, I can give you a free photoshop in the chapel.

Vergil looked at Koharu as she nodded. The two then took the picture with a happy expression present. As the day begins to pass by, the two leave after giving gratitude to the attendant, and the couple now walking around the festival.

Koharu: Vergil, look at that!

Vergil looked in the direction and saw it was a bamboo full of hanging tanzaku. Not just there. In fact, all this time, the place was full of hanging tanzaku.

Koharu: How pretty they are.

Vergil: Yeah. They're handing tanzaku over there. Why don't you go write one?

Koharu: Yes, I'll do just that. Won't you be writing one?

Vergil: Oh, I'm okay.

Koharu: As we're on a date, why don't we write them together?

Vergil thought for a while before smiled and agreed to the idea. The two head over the counter and ask for tanzaku and started to write their wish.

Vergil: (My wish, huh? It's tough to actually come up with one.)

He said while thinking of his wish. He looked at Koharu and saw her writing her wish. Vergil then looked at his surrounding before writing his wish.

Vergil: (I wish to become stronger and clear this outrageous game so I can see my family once more.)

Vergil: Alright, I'm finished! What did you write, Koharu?

Koharu: Vergil, you shouldn't pry into a girl's secrets.

Suddenly, Koharu put her finger at Vergil's lips, making the white-haired boy blush in embarrassment.

Koharu: That was a cute reaction.

Vergil: S-Stop teasing me! Well, anyway. If you're done, let's go hang them on a bamboo tree.

Koharu: Sure. Which one should we use?

Vergil: They say your wish is more likely to be granted if it's hung closer to the sky.

Koharu: Up there, then?

Vergil looked in the direction and saw the tallest bamboo tree in the area.

Vergil: That certainly is high up. But it is already full. There's another tree on the other side. Let's go check that out.

Koharu: Okay, that's fine with me.

They then head to another bamboo tree and hang their tanzakus there.

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//Time Skip//

It was night time and Vergil now walks Koharu to her inn after they finish dinner. As they almost reach the inn, Koharu braces herself and holds Vergil's hand.

Vergil: !?

Vergil is slightly taken aback at the sudden approach before smiled and intertwined their hand. Koharu was a blushing mess, happy that her feeling was not one-sided. The two began to walk in silence before they arrived at the inn. Vergil then let go of Koharu's hand, much to the black-haired girl's disappointment as she now stood in front of Vergil.

Koharu: Well, I had a lot of fun today.

Vergil: Me too. We should go to this event again next year.

Koharu: Mm-mhm. Then, see you. Thanks for the special day!

Koharu waved goodbye to Vergil as the white-haired boy waved his hand in reply. After Koharu entered her inn, Vergil smiled and head back to his inn.

///To Be Continued///