Sword Art Online: Side Stories

Masaru was about to answer Scarlet's question after given his set of prizes until Star was singing and finished, her face red as she realised where she was and thrown her microphone down and ran out of the Colisuem and ran out and he looked at Scarlet. "Sorry but I'll have to answer you another time Scarlet." he apologized to to her and sent her a friend request.

"Just to get in contact with me." He said to her and followed after his partner.

"Gotta catch up with her!" He thought as he used his <<Tracing>> skill to follow the tracks Star left behind, he didn't master it but ti was high enough to follow someone

 

Star had panicked. She ran to the warp gate. She saw Masaru in the distance chasing after her. She turned her face as she activated the warp gate. She had traveled to the 47th floor. Going into her inventory and equipped a cloak to cover herself. She walked off to the Hill of Memories. A glorious meadow stood in front of her. "This place reminds me of home. Quiet, calm, and away from people." She new it was all fake though. How could she set up shop now? People would not come for armor or swords, but instead for her talent. "I cant seem to find peace. Not in the real world nor in this game. Will have to fight on." Her head rose to the sky. The hood dropped down to show the flowers within her hair. The wind blew with a slight breeze "It is truly beautiful here though. Wouldn't you say, Masaru?" She didn't know if he was there or not. She just had the urge to ask him. A feeling came over her that he might be there.

 

It was pleasing to know that her tournament had a nice ending with this song that the people seemed to enjoy, but it was rather awkward when Star had ran off.

"Well, that's all. We hope you've all enjoyed your time here!"

Sighing she realized how weird things were just standing here now so the girl wandered away from the arena as her members asked around to see if anyone wished to join the guild. There were some takers, maybe not many, but enough to make today success. Maybe there were some still thinking about joining too, but for now she would remain away from all of that as she went into town. Sure she hadn't fought much but her sword could use some repairs and food sounded nice, so let's just forget official business for now.

 

Masaru was lucky enough to keep on her trail and follow her to the Hill of Memories as he eard Star's question, standing a bit aways from the woman and he nodded. "It is indeed Star, it's like you want time to stand still and gaze at this scenery forever." he asnwered her and continued, taking steps towards the girl.

"Peace huh, only peace I find is at home when I want to be alone but it never lasts long because reality is harsh enough to pull us back, but we fight on everyday in order to bring happiness to others and to ourselves then one day, all that effort will show and you'll get what you wish for." He said, standing beside her.

"You surprised me with your singing, I personally never listen to music that much, even if friends tell me to listen, I just enjoyed what I like doing, not what everyone else wants to me to... I even heard of your name perhaps once or twice as I never taken much interest in idols. " His face was embarassed as he rubbed his hair sheepishly.

"But even if you are, that doesn't change the fact you are still a normal person, even with talent, I'm not going to treat you any differently even if you were the top ranked singer in the whole of Japan, you're still like everyone else, a human who should be treated equally, not some special trophy to showcase." he finished.

 

Masaru's words were soothing. She had found a friend who wouldn't see her as an idol or see her as shallow because of her placement in culture. She didn't have friends in the real world. Everyone just wanted her for her money, appearance, or fame. It was never just time to spend with one another and hang out out of pure enjoyment. Tears fell from her eyes. "You are a good guy Masaru. No one has ever told me that before. Everyone has seen me as shallow because of what the media has done to me. I slowly even gained this trait. It hit the hardest when I put on that helmet. Some time in a world where no one could judge me. A world where I could be myself. People will say SAO was a bad thing, but for me, it was a way to express my freedom." She hugged Masaru tightly.

She let go and smiled. "I am sorry. I tend to hide my emotions from people. There is more inside that I just cant not show yet however." Star grabbed his hands. "Lets go back to town. I have a shop to set up. Although I may get unwanted attention for who I am, I still have to help players beat this game." While the two walked away. Star just looked up to the sky. Clear and beautiful. "Hey, when we leave this game, will you try to see me?"

 

Mya was dumbfounded listening to Star sing. She had no idea that a pop star would be in this game. She even didn't notice Masaru completely ignoring her and running off after her. She then shook her head and reminded herself what she was supposed to do."Right. Need to find him... Thank you Scarlet for letting us participate in the tournament." She stormed off into town."How dare he say that! Saying all of that and expecting me to let him off like that..."

 

Masamune heard Star's song even from the distance he'd put between himself and the arena. Soothing...encouraging...but being relaxed wasn't something he could be right now as he watched Star and then Masaru bolt towards the Warp Gate. "Please...Masamune, we were only ordered to take you out. We've got no personal grudge against you! I...I don't want to die!" Desperate words from a sly tongue pulled him back to himself. "Then you should've thought of that before taking PoH up on his offer. You may not want to die...but I want you to die." Dragging his sword up through the players' body, he glowed faintly and shattered into a thousand pixels. Turning his cold gaze to the other, he advanced upon him. The man scrambled backwards, whimpering, "M-Masamune...we...we're friends, aren't we? We spent a lot of time together during those first few raids. Y'know...I...I always admired you more than PoH. I always thought you were the better leader. You're smarter...you...you're kinder." His panic only made the situation seem like it was Masamune's fault...and that pissed him off. "You talk like you had no choice. But you did...you agreed to take this job because PoH was ticked that I'd gone green...and I'm still green. Killing a Red Player is considered self-defense. PoH knows that as well... He also knows quite well that since we were trapped in this game...all of our bodies have been moved to hospitals. I'm willing to bet armed police officers are hanging about my room just waiting for when you and I wake up..." He smiled cruelly, "I've got an idea. How about...you never wake up again." Shattering his body into pixels left him feeling cold and tired. A video message bubble popped up and he clicked it unconsciously. Ima's face appeared before him, her heartless smile filling him with rage. "Still alive? Sad. You must be feeling lonely being green, Masamune. Why don't you head on out...and find yourself a dungeon filled with Players, hm? I'm sure...the places around you aren't too much trouble. I mean with all the monsters and then the fight the Players will put up...not to mention they'll be in groups..." "Shut up... I've watched your back for as long as I can remember. You've got no right talkin' to me like that." She wasn't grateful and she never would be, but she wasn't important at all. Shutting his eyes, he breathed deeply and heard a pleased hum from Ima and the scuffle of feet behind him. The rest was a series of painful knockback strike after strike until the notification of his location changed from the name of the town to the the field around it. "What?" Sure he hadn't been far from the edge...but... His eyes caught on green and hate filled eyes. "Die!" Just his luck too... A sharp and probably new dagger stabbed into his leg, inflicting poison and paralysis status. No...two in one? A special item? A Player...but why...? Since moving was out of the question, he listened to the crazed laughs of the newly turned Red Player. "Now I'll be number one and you'll be dead. PoH won't mind one bit either. He'll make me co-Guild Leader and everything." Stupid...stupid boy. "He won't give up an ounce of power to a newbie like you...now scram before I actually do die. I don't want to see you as my final image." Hearing feet scutter away, he figured the boy'd taken his order and now...he watched his health bar dip into orange and a darker orange. The color contrasted to the blue sky. So this is how the infamous Masamune goes...and how the also infamous Ryu Miketsukami dies.

 

Mya frantically looked around for Masamune, not able to see him. "Can't ask anyone. Not like they would help. Maybe he's at the gate?" She made a run towards the gate and spotted him on the ground and apparently dying. Don't tell me he's...that idiot! She ran up to him and pulled out a crystal, using it on him and restoring his health all the way back to full while using another crystal to cure his status ailments. "You idiot! What were you thinking?! Running off like that and getting yourself killed! You expected me to forget all of that and what you said back there?!" She took a deep breath, her hands still trembling. "You realized what would happen if you died? I would've never forgave you. NEVER. You idiot..."

 

Masaru was a bit embarassed to told such a thing by Star about his goodness but what Star said afterwards could be seen as truth, Virtual Relaity was seen as a way to get away from everything and you could create a character and not one person will suspect the idenity behind that programming, people woudl say SAO was a bad thing since they were literally in a place where survival was top of the reasons and if they died here, they wouldn't be able to return to their normal lives they miss so much but she hugged him tightly, surpsing him a little before listenig.

"No need to apologize, everyone has things they want to keep close to them." He said to her and she taken his hands. "Of course, besides, we still need that bit of food and plans for that dungeon you want to go to." he chuckled as he walked with her and she asked him one more question, perhaps the most important one to her. "I will try my best, but this the real world we're taking about, I doubt some guards will let one normal boy backstage to meet the idol, many people wish to do that but it never happens, only people who get that lucky is the ones who wins a contest and obtained passes I imagine." he said to her.

"Perhaps I'll attend one of her concerts as a way to ensure this occurs? But those will be packed and tickets most likely, sold out quickly." He thought to himself

 

Star grinned. The boy new what to say. Even if he was a tad doubtful, it was cute to her. "No worries, Masaru. I do have your e-mail after all. I can send you back stage tickets. Or we can meet up somewhere else, where we aren't limited to the time we can spend." The two walked off to the town.

They arrived in town at last. "I am going to set up shop, you go find a place to have dinner." She broke off with Masaru to set up shop in the town. With the extra cash, she could buy a really nice place and accessories to match. She bought the large shop in the front of the portal. Most would know where to go then. A large sign could be seen saying 'Star's Smithing'. People gathered around to see what was inside and get orders ready. Star, however, put a closed sign on the door. In addition, she put a note that she wouldn't be back until the day after tomorrow.

Star got done and began to head off for dinner. "I hope no one bother's us. I just want to be alone with him."

 

Health touching red, he shut his eyes and counted down. An odd habit to be obsessed with counting. He heard her voice... That voice... His numbers hit zero and yet...he didn't feel dead. A sense of freedom washed over his body. No..not freedom....mobility. Again....her voice. But...the girl he was remembering didn't call him an idiot...so...why was he being called and idiot? Opening his eyes he found Mya standing over him and a full health bar. Idiot. Lifting his hand he dropped it onto his face, disbelieving laughter bubbling up from his chest. "You're kidding me!" gasping in between laughs, he spoke, "I do all that nasty crap and even give you a nice clean way out and still...here you are. You've seriously gotta be the dumbest kid I've ever met. You realize..." lifting his hand a bit, he stared at her, his reddish brown gaze intense and serious, "I'm a bona fide murderer. Plus...whatever it is you think I said to you....I'm sure you're taking it the wrong way. You remind me of someone I used to know...she...too was always saying stuff like you do." Letting his hand fall back by his side, his laughter died away. "I know what happens when you die in this game... I know enough about how to kill someone...I know what that guy said is true." Sitting up, he felt like he'd been hit in the head with a tire iron. "You've got a lot of questions for me... Lets see...I ran because...no, wait, I didn't run. Quit putting me in a context that makes me sound like a weakling! I leftbecause I didn't need to involve you or little Miss Beater and her boyfriend or that mouthy guild leader in my guild's problems." Acting like a child, he folded his arms, "I do expect you to forget everything about today. Meeting me...talking to me...fighting beside me...forget it! You should just forget about me entirely." Sighing inwardly, he scolded himself. I should really act my age...

 

Masaru nodded and decided to head for a quiet place to have dinner and he found one reasonbly small cafe and sat at a table for two, waiting for Star's arrival as he went through his items as he did argee with Star's idea, but ti would have to wait until they met in the real, if they did get back to reality that is, with each floor, the monster's and bosses were getting harder little by little, nothing for experienced players.

"Let's see..." He mumbled, he wanted to check his stocks before hand and skillsto pass the time, he'll order some food when Star gets here, he'll eat with her and he checked his skill list, his Absorption Slash was...gone? "Huh? It's...not there? " He thoughtin surprise,instead it was replaced by something called <<Phantom Blades>> and looked up the description before Star arrived.

 

Star sat down at the table with Masaru. She ordered her food after briefly checking the menu. Some things concerned her. Many were saying things back at the shop. "Masaru, many have suggested you and I are dating... I cant agree with them. You are just a friend after all." She didn't want to fall in love. Star didn't think she should fall for anyone, but she new something was happening between her and him. The rejection might just kick her back into gear. She didn't notice his shock until then. "M-Masaru? Are you okay, you seem so surprised. What happened?"

 

Masaru heard Star and brought hismelf back andlooked at her about the dating situation and her concern about what he seen. "Just that my Skill has changed completely." he said and decided to answer Star about her previous comment. "Maybe so, but we been together long enough, at the start being a Blacksmith and forging such icnredible weaponary or armour for me to use, esecpially with Dream Eater, no-one makes a sword like that which is by far, better than any of your other works thus far.you could of sold it for more Col to expand your business but instead, decided to give it to me when I asked you to forge a good blade." He paused for a moment.

"Does it matter if you choose to date someone despite who or what you are in the real world or this game? Sure you're a Beater but you never taken advantage of anyone to my knowledge and sell your equipment for Players for need it to progess further onto the Floors." he finished and looked at her. "But it's your decsion and mie eshould we pursue a relationship."

 

Star looked away from him. "The real world has no handicap on love. Just because I have fame doesn't mean I am held back to whom I care for." The answer he gave her was not the one she expected. She couldn't decide. If they remained friends, losing him would not be as painful. Together as a couple though, if he died, how could she bare to survive in the worlds. Aincrad would just become what it was to many other players, an artificial hell.

She was unlike some of the other Beaters out there. A Black Swordsman by the name of Kirito was a Beater that only helped the community through beating the high level bosses. She met him once before. Back in the earlier levels when everyone was clearing floors at a rapid pace. Although it helped everyone in the long run, he would eventually die. Star instead wanted to make everyone stronger. She wanted everyone to unite and beat the game together.

The food came and after that statement she just remained silent. She ate without saying a word. All she could think about was whether or not to pursuit love or abandon it. She grabbed Masaru's hands. "Look. I don't know what I want. I don't think you know what you want. Let us give it some time. Let us both have an answer after the quest tomorrow. Now it is getting late. Would you care to stay at my place tonight or head back to your home?"

 

Mya sighed angrily and slapped him in the face."Stop saying that! You know you don't mean it! You expect someone to forget something like that?! A personal story with meaning? Put more thought in your words! Why do you want me to go away? Can't you see no one here cares about you but me?" She shook her head."I-I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to slap you like that. It's just it frustrates me for those who I connect to want me to go away." She closed her eyes, remembering her sister. What am I saying...I'm doing the exact thing what he's doing...

 

The impact of her slap had him taken aback and he stared at her wide eyed, shock clear on his face. His battle healing skill took care of the damage done but the bright red hand imprint on his cheek felt far more real than being stabbed any day. Rubbing his cheek, he slowly recovered and leaned down to her, "You...actually mean all that, don't you. Jeez...you're making me feel like the kid here." Smiling, he felt a warmth heat his cheeks, "Do you even know how old I am? Probably much older than you. But...I don't know what you're trying to make me say here. I've taken these risks with my life from day one of this game." Setting a hand on her head, he started to feel bad for what he'd said. "If....you'd like, I could give you my email. If you need anything...maybe I could help out."

 

Kaito was surprised about how the tournament ended. Most of the matches ended with a forfeit which was something he wasn't expecting. Still he couldn't deny that Scarlet was an excellent fighter. Maybe he could get her to help him train. "Hayden, I'll be right back." He said before heading down. Along the way he bumped into someone. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." The red-haird boy said, helping Kaito up. "If your looking for Scarlet, I can help." "How did you know?" "I can tell by the look in your eye. Come on." He said, leading Kaito towards the arena.

 

She smiled, enjoying his hand upon her head. "I'm a lot older than I look. Just because I'm short doesn't mean I'm young." She ran her hand across the side of his face where she slapped, her eyes, giving off some sort of a hazy look."It's funny...it seems like you need more help than I do. Lost and running on confused thoughts. Where would you be without me...?" She then realized she was getting too comfortable and took her hand back, feeling her face flush and her eyes blinking back to normal. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to act like that."

Back in town, a man pulled on his hood and looked around for a weapon shop. "Sheesh...you think there would be some sort of a weapon shop around here. Most of them won't even refine and upgrade your own weapon!" He pulled out his sword partly and examined the wicked looking weapon. I'll make sure the last victim for this sword will be "her."

 

His blush darkening, Masamune laughed. "No...it's fine. The only problem I've had is that...I am confused. But definately not about my guild. I know those backstabbers like the back of my hand... What confuses me...is everyone I've met today. I remember meeting Miss Beater and her boyfriend that first day in the dungeon...I barely remember Shiina's friend and herself." Removing his hand from her head, he flicked open his menu, "I don't get why you'd even care if I died. I'm sure Miss Guild Leader would love it...along with Shiina." Since he'd been expecting to die moments earlier...he'd ignored the bleep of the new message tone. "Older than you look, huh? The last time I bothered to remember my birthday and current date...was a while ago. I was twenty-eight when I started this game... I bet I'm past thirty now..." Skimming the message, he shrugged off the mild irritation at still how calm and collected PoH wrote his letters.