December 24, 2022. 10:35 PM – Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Yuiha closed the door behind her and sank onto the edge of the bed. Silver's reaction had caught her off guard. On the battlefield he was fearless, always stepping into danger without thinking—but with her... with her he was different. Clumsy, unsure, so careful it felt like he was afraid of hurting her even with words. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady what she was feeling.

  Why did I assume he wouldn't understand?

  What if he has? What if he knows what it is to be truly alone?

  The doubt weighed more than any anger.

  She lifted her gaze to the window. The faint, artificial moonlight slipped into the room, laying pale bands across the stone walls. Everything was quiet except for a distant echo in the cathedral halls. The stillness wrapped around her and brought other nights to mind, in another place.

  She thought of her childhood. The orphanage had been her whole world for as long as she could remember. The sisters were strict, but never unkind. Above them all, Sister María shone brightest: she had cared for Yuiha like a daughter and taught her to look for goodness even where it seemed impossible. There were no luxuries there, but there was a family built from shared laughter, childish quarrels, and sincere embraces. She wouldn't have traded it for anything.

  Maybe that's why, when SAO closed in on them, she kept moving forward. She'd learned to find comfort in the unexpected: in Aincrad's endless sky, its glassy rivers, the humanity of players and NPCs that blurred together. Liz with her warmth. Sasha with her quiet strength. And Silver.

  Meeting him was, without question, one of those hidden blessings. For all his awkward silences and clumsy reactions, something about him made her feel safe. Something she couldn't name—like a low, steady flame in the dark that lodged itself beneath her ribs and refused to be ignored.

  She lay back, eyes on the faintly lit ceiling. The hush of night rocked her gently and, in that calm, a thought slipped in—dangerous and inevitable:

  Maybe... maybe I don't want to leave this world without him knowing.

  December 25, 2022. 7:11 AM – Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Silver woke to the thud of running feet and children's shouts in the corridor. Laughter echoed with hurried steps as if the whole cathedral was celebrating. It took him a moment to remember where he was, and when he did his stomach clenched. Last night's conversation stuck in his mind like a thorn. He had to find Yuiha—had to fix this somehow.

  He prayed for a few minutes to sort his thoughts first. Aincrad's gods didn't answer. The moment he opened his door, Yuiha stepped out of hers.

  —Good morning, —she said with a light, almost casual smile, as if last night's shadow had never existed.

  —G-good morning... —Silver stammered, thrown by her gentle tone. He swallowed and tried to speak, fighting the knot in his throat—. Yuiha... about yesterday...

  The words jammed like stones in his mouth.

  She watched him in silence for a beat, then dipped a small bow as if to defuse any tension at once.

  —I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way when I hardly know anything about you yet.

  For all its sincerity, the apology hit him like a hammer. He didn't hear anger—he heard distance. As if she had set an invisible wall between them, one made of caution and respect.

  His face betrayed him: he dropped his gaze and pressed his lips together, feeling he'd ruined everything.

  Yuiha noticed and spoke again, her voice soft against the cheerful racket of kids behind them.

  —Sorry if that sounded wrong. What I meant is, there's still a lot I don't know about you. But from what little I've learned... —she paused, weighing each word— you're very honest. And you've never been cruel to me.

  The tightness in his chest eased a fraction, though guilt still gnawed at him. He wanted to apologize, to explain, to say something that would erase last night's sting, but nothing came. All he managed was a rough murmur:

  —And I never will be.

  She blinked, surprised by the force of it, and the smile returned—not wide or playful, but the kind of sincere curve that put the light back in her golden eyes.

  —Then we're okay, —she said, and turned toward the dining hall where the noise swelled—. Come on, the kids are waiting.

  Silver followed in silence, still carrying the weight in his chest—and the sense that maybe, just maybe, not everything was lost.

  December 25, 2022. 8:12 AM – Cathedral, Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Morning light poured through stained glass, washing the stone floor in blues and golds. On the long table, Sasha had laid out a breakfast like something from a dream: warm bread, fresh market fruit, and a pitcher of thick hot chocolate that perfumed the air.

  The children sat in a neat row, wriggling with excitement they could barely contain. Kain and Ginn tried for serious faces, but their eyes gave them away. Mina drummed her fingers on the table while Neru giggled at her impatience. Kiku kept his head down, muttering, curiosity glinting all the same.

  —All right, kids, —Sasha said in that gentle, steady tone— I think it's time.

  Yuiha stepped forward with a small wooden box. When she lifted the lid, it revealed gifts wrapped in colorful paper she and Sasha had prepared a couple nights earlier. The children's eyes lit up at the sight alone.

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  —These are for you, —Yuiha said, smile warm—. Nothing fancy, but we hope they make you happy.

  One by one she handed them out. The girls got delicate metal hair clips shaped like hearts. Mina tried hers first, tucking it into her black hair and tilting her head like a princess on a stage. Neru, shy but beaming, let Yuiha tuck a stray lock behind her ear and set the clip in place.

  —You look beautiful! —Mina cried, and Neru—blushing—could only nod and giggle.

  The boys received metal pendants with four-leaf clovers. Kain held his up with a mix of pride and wonder, as if it were treasure. Ginn studied his in silence, thumb tracing the cool metal, then looked up with a small, rare smile. Kiku hesitated until Silver crouched to loop the cord around his neck.

  —Clovers bring luck, —Silver murmured—. But the real luck is that you have each other.

  Kiku met his eyes, serious, and finally nodded.

  Laughter and chatter swelled as Sasha brought out a tray of chocolates she'd made. They were small, a bit uneven, but their rich, warm aroma filled the hall. The kids cupped them in both hands as if afraid to waste a single bite.

  —It's delicious! —Mina shouted, mouth smudged with chocolate, and the room erupted in laughter.

  Breakfast rolled on in a flurry of jokes, impromptu toasts with steaming mugs, and the kids making up a goofy carol on the spot. For a moment the cathedral wasn't a refuge in a deadly world—it was a home, bright with love and human warmth.

  Sitting slightly apart, Silver watched with a quiet smile. Yuiha sat among the kids, laughing; Sasha hovered with a mother's pride. He knew then that this Christmas in Aincrad wouldn't be remembered for monsters or fights, but for this simple, perfect picture.

  After a long spell of laughter and stories Silver had never heard, the kids exchanged looks and stood. Kain, Ginn, and Kiku went to Sasha; Mina and Neru to Yuiha. The two women glanced at each other, puzzled. Then Kain and Mina took plain-wrapped boxes and held them out.

  They accepted them, surprised and touched.

  —What's this? —Yuiha asked.

  —A present. So you know how much we love you.

  —We already know that, —Yuiha said, eyes shining—. But thank you.

  She knelt, kissed each forehead, and Sasha did the same before carefully opening her box. She frowned at the fine work of the packaging—then her eyes shot wide when the item window popped up:

  [Christmas Box. Open to receive a random event accessory.]

  —Where did you... get this?

  —We didn't do anything bad, —Kain blurted, darting a look at Silver, who put a finger to his lips. Yuiha caught it and smiled to herself.

  —I know you wouldn't, sweetheart, —Sasha soothed— though it does worry me you might do something dangerous...

  Kain's smile turned sheepish, but he didn't look away. Sasha drew a breath and lifted the lid. A soft violet flash bloomed:

  [Item obtained: Snowflake Crystal Glasses]

  Rarity: Epic

  Type: Accessory

  Description: Lenses crafted from eternal-ice crystals, pure and bright as snowflakes suspended in time. They never fog or melt; wearing them reveals razor clarity even in harsh conditions.

  Effects:

  — Passive: Removes visual penalties from bad weather or low light.

  — Unique: Grants Tracking, allowing you to locate any friend-list player on the same floor.

  —This is incredible... —Sasha breathed, slipping them on. The room snapped into perfect light—. And the skill is perfect. Now I'll always know where the kids are.

  Kain winced at that, and the others cheered at such a rare drop. Sasha truly deserved it.

  Then it was Yuiha's turn. She peeled the paper back as if it were tissue, opened the box—and a burst of gold lit the hall.

  Inside lay two slim earrings, a warm-gold setting that seemed to glow even in shadow. Each held a translucent, pale-blue gem—like a shard of eternal ice caught in gold. Look closely and silver sparks seemed to dance inside, like moonlight on a snowy night.

  [Item obtained: Eternal Winter Earrings]

  Rarity: Legendary

  Type: Accessory

  Description: Earrings set with crystalline gems bathed in the cold light of the winter moon. Their frosted gleam shelters the wearer from extremes and blunts abnormal effects.

  Effects:

  — Passive: Removes physical penalties from extreme heat or cold.

  — Unique: 30% chance to resist Freeze, Burn, and Paralysis.

  Yuiha stared, stunned—not at the rarity or stats, but the craftsmanship. Like so much in Aincrad, the detail turned them into something unmatched.

  She tucked her hair behind her ears and equipped them. The kids burst into applause and squeals.

  —Yuiha-nee, you look sooo pretty! —Mina cheered, then glanced at Silver— Right?

  —She does. She looks beautiful, —Silver said with such unfiltered honesty he didn't realize what he'd said until the kids' noise snapped him back.

  —Are you two dating!? —Neru asked, eyes sparkling.

  —Do you like her? —Ginn pressed, staring at Silver.

  Only then did he cough theatrically and shoot a side glance at Yuiha for backup—but she didn't look at him; she was staring through the window as if at something only she could see.

  —So you are dating? —Mina insisted.

  The pressure he'd felt facing bosses—even staring death in the face with Blitzen—was nothing compared to this. They weren't dating, that much was true. But was that the right answer?

  He looked to Sasha, pleading so blatantly that she relented and stepped in.

  —That's enough, kids. Don't make our guests uncomfortable.

  There were groans, but they dropped it.

  After a while, Silver said his goodbyes.

  —Will you come back? —Kain asked, looking up at him.

  Silver glanced at Yuiha, who only watched in silence. He looked back at the boy, then knelt.

  —Of course, champ. I'll see you again.

  Kain lunged into a hug, and Silver wrapped him up. He rose and headed for the door.

  —I'll walk you to the gate, —Yuiha said, more statement than question.

  They covered the few blocks to the plaza in silence. Finally, Silver spoke:

  —I'm sorry. I know you asked me not to make promises to the kids.

  Yuiha studied him and slowly shook her head.

  —Don't apologize. I was unfair. I let my fear for them cloud my judgment. I'm sure you're the kind of person who keeps a promise. And speaking of promises... —she paused, hands clasped behind her back—. Do you remember when you said you'd help me upgrade my gear?

  —Of course I do, —Silver said, surprised by the sudden turn.

  —Then you have to come back alive from the boss raid. Because you still owe me that promise. I'll be waiting.

  He didn't know how long he stared; time had stopped keeping count. At last he answered with a broad smile:

  —I'll always come back as long as you're waiting.

  He turned quickly, activated the teleport gate, and vanished toward the capital of Floor 4.