April 7, 2023. 5:35 PM — Canalburgh, Floor 27

  Veget's footsteps fading away from the café still seemed to echo in the air.

  Miwa kept her eyes locked on the door, as if it might swing open any second and he'd come back—dead serious as always—to say it had all been a twisted joke.

  But the seconds passed.

  And Veget didn't return.

  —This isn't happening... —Miwa murmured, covering her face with both hands.

  For her, the party had never been just a hunting group. It was the family she'd found inside Sword Art Online.

  HappyGoose watched her, not knowing what to say.

  Ryuho kept his eyes on his sister.

  Yuiha stayed quiet, steady despite the shock.

  Silver tried to process everything Veget had said. It was a lot. But one line kept ringing in his head, like the confirmation of something he'd felt for a long time.

  "Up until yesterday, I still believed staying together was safer.

  Today, I can't say that anymore."

  Silver already knew.

  Ryuho's priority had always been Miwa's safety. He'd never hidden it. And as the danger climbed floor by floor, that priority became more dangerous, too. Silver was certain that if it came down to it, Ryuho wouldn't hesitate to use him and Yuiha as bait if that's what it took to save his sister.

  And HappyGoose—whether he said it or not—had made it clear Miwa was his center.

  That left Yuiha in a fragile position. Too fragile.

  Miwa's voice pulled him back.

  —We're staying together, right...?

  It was a question, but it sounded like a plea. She looked to HappyGoose first.

  —Of course, Miwa-chan —he said, offering her a reassuring smile.

  Miwa returned a shy smile—completely out of character. But it was enough to spark something fierce in HappyGoose: the need to protect her at any cost.

  —Onii-san? —she asked next, turning to her brother.

  —Of course we're staying together, little sis —Ryuho replied with a wide smile.

  Finally, Miwa looked at Silver.

  —Silver...

  He held her gaze for a few seconds. Then he shook his head slowly.

  —I'm sorry, Miwa. We're leaving too.

  Surprise flashed across her face.

  —Why?

  Ryuho answered before Silver could.

  —Silver can't keep running with us. His habit of ignoring the group's tactics has only gotten worse. Like Veget said, he's a ticking time bomb. And I don't want him near me when he finally goes off.

  Miwa stared at him. Then she looked at Silver, who stared back at Ryuho in disbelief.

  Silver let out a dry laugh.

  —Seriously? You're going to tell me I'm dangerous? —his voice sharpened—. You, the guy who'd sacrifice an entire party to save his sister?

  Ryuho didn't look away.

  HappyGoose glanced at Miwa, worried. She'd gone still, eyes fixed on the tabletop.

  —Silver! —Yuiha's voice cut through the air—. Enough.

  Silver turned to her, startled by the tone.

  —You're not hurting Ryuho —Yuiha continued—. You're hurting Miwa.

  Silver looked down at the table. He saw the drops falling one after another. He went silent.

  Miwa lifted her gaze slowly.

  —Yu-chan...?

  Yuiha answered with a small smile.

  —I'm sorry, Miwa-chan. This isn't personal. But I'm not leaving Silver alone.

  She drew a breath before going on.

  —Like Veget said, your brother and Silver are at a dangerous point of friction. You just saw it. It's better they separate now, before it turns into a fight.

  Miwa covered her face again.

  —This is all my fault...

  Yuiha stood at once and hugged her.

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  —No, Miwa-chan. Listen to me. None of this is your fault.

  —You're just saying that to make me feel better...

  —No —Yuiha said softly—. I'm saying it because if this were your fault... then it would be mine, too.

  Miwa looked up, startled.

  —I'm sure Silver never clashed with Ryuho before I joined the party.

  —It's not your fault —Miwa echoed.

  Yuiha smiled a little more and stroked her hair.

  —I know. That's why I'm telling you it isn't yours either.

  Miwa wiped her tears.

  —But the most important thing —Yuiha continued— is that you'll still be my friend. We can meet in safe zones. And if you ever need help, message me. I'll come as fast as I can.

  Miwa hugged her hard.

  —You too. If you need help, I'll run straight to you. And I'll drag these two along with me —she added with a mischievous smile, winking.

  Yuiha laughed, relaxed for the first time since Veget left.

  Then she bowed to Ryuho and HappyGoose.

  —Ryuho-san, Goose-kun... it was a good journey with you. I wish you the best of luck. May God watch over you.

  Ryuho dipped his head.

  HappyGoose couldn't hide the emotion in his face.

  —Yuiha-san... thank you for everything. If Silver ever lets you down, you can count on me.

  Yuiha laughed at that. Miwa arched a brow, amused. Silver, on the other hand, gave him a look that ran down his spine like ice.

  Yuiha rested a hand on Silver's shoulder and looked at Ryuho.

  —I'm sorry it has to end like this. But it's for the best.

  She turned to Miwa and HappyGoose.

  —Take care. This world keeps getting more dangerous.

  Silver took Yuiha's hand.

  They walked out of the café together and didn't look back, while the others stayed seated, fully aware that something irreversible had just cracked.

  April 8, 2023. 12:09 AM — Canalburgh, Floor 27

  After Yuiha and Silver left, Miwa stood up without a word and headed straight to the inn where they'd rented rooms.

  Ryuho and HappyGoose followed, also in silence.

  Ryuho walked her to her door and knocked the way he always did. No answer. He waited a moment, then spoke through the wood.

  —Don't go out alone.

  No response came, but he turned and went to his own room.

  Miwa was angry with him. He understood that. He accepted it as part of the cost of protecting her in a world where their last name meant nothing.

  Ryuho had just closed the door when he heard footsteps in the hall.

  HappyGoose was there.

  —What do you want? —Ryuho asked, not bothering to hide his irritation.

  —I need to talk to you —Goose replied, not looking away.

  Ryuho studied him for a beat.

  —I have nothing to say to you.

  —I do.

  HappyGoose's gaze didn't drop. That started to get under Ryuho's skin.

  —Do you still not understand who I am? —he asked, voice hard.

  —Miwa's brother —Goose said calmly—. The heir to the Onodera Group.

  Ryuho kept staring. HappyGoose continued.

  —Out there, you probably have an aura that makes people bow without thinking. But... —his eyes sharpened, and his voice turned icy— here in Aincrad, your last name has no power.

  A chill ran down Ryuho's spine.

  In all the time he'd known HappyGoose, he'd never seen him like this.

  He hadn't spent long learning at his father's side the skills needed to control an empire—the kind you don't learn in a classroom—but even in that short time, he'd learned one fundamental truth:

  The most dangerous man is the one with nothing left to lose, because you can't control him with threats.

  And HappyGoose's eyes were the same eyes Ryuho had seen in other men. Men who had forced his father to crush them with everything he had—sometimes outside the boundaries of the law.

  Still, Ryuho held his composure. He'd been trained for that since childhood.

  —I don't have time for your games. What do you want?

  —I'm here to make a deal.

  Ryuho let out a brief laugh, humorless.

  —And what could you possibly offer me?

  —A chance for Akane to live.

  Silence swallowed the room.

  —Are you threatening me? —Ryuho's voice was terrifying.

  —No. The opposite —Goose shook his head—. I'm offering you my life so Akane can live.

  The samurai stared, not fully understanding.

  —I know you don't want me near her —Goose continued—. And now that I know who she really is, I know that if I make it out of here alive, the world will put a million walls between us.

  HappyGoose lowered his gaze for only a second. When he looked up again, his eyes burned with resolve.

  —So I'd rather stay by her side until the very end, in this world.

  —You're telling me you're willing to sacrifice yourself for her? —Ryuho asked.

  —You should already know that —Goose replied—. More than once, I nearly died protecting her. And that resolve has only gotten stronger.

  Ryuho sized him up. He knew it was true.

  Just like that idiot Silver, HappyGoose was the kind of man who would throw himself into hell to protect his sister.

  —I could kill you the moment we step out of the safe zone.

  —You could —Goose admitted—. But you won't.

  —And what makes you so sure?

  —Because deep down, you're a practical man —Goose said without hesitation—. Even if you don't like me, you won't get rid of me while I'm still useful.

  HappyGoose held his gaze.

  —You don't have the party anymore to protect Akane. What happens if you end up in a situation where someone has to stay behind? Will you stay?

  —Of course —Ryuho said instantly. —For my sister, I'd die without hesitation.

  —Perfect. And after you die to save her... who protects her then?

  Ryuho tried to answer, but no words came.

  HappyGoose smiled faintly.

  —I'll be the bait if that moment comes.

  All you have to do is let me stay at her side until then.

  Another long silence fell.

  —Akane won't agree —Ryuho said at last.

  —She doesn't have to know —Goose replied—. In fact, she can never find out.

  Without waiting for an answer, HappyGoose turned and walked out.

  Ryuho stayed frozen, weighing how much truth was in those words. He'd seen enough negotiations, pleas, and lies to recognize an honest man.

  And he'd never met one more honest than him.

  HappyGoose reached his room and leaned back against the door.

  —Akane Onodera... —he murmured.

  He shook his head with a tired smile.

  —I'll never have a place by your side. But at least... I can stay with my dear Miwa-chan until the end.

  A half-smile slipped out—

  half defeat,

  half relief.