-The Next Day, Sunday.-

After Rein woke up due to the cold AI Merry he has on home, he headed toward to Kirigaya's residence to begin his usual routine work again.

However, during the way, he has begun to wonder and worry at the same time.

(...Did three of them was able to accept each other?) (Rein)

Sometimes, human' emotions can be so illogical and unexpected.

Although they can understand that the things or actions they did in the past could be wrong, they couldn't stop it because they are used to it.

Kirigaya's family is also the same.

If Suguha and Kazuki ended up unable to relieve their irrationality inside their heart, then he could predict that Kazuto is going to live as 'Kirito' forever without having any attachment to this world.

".....Haaahh, i Really am a worrywart." (Rein)

Unconsciously, Rein makes a bitter smile in his face.

After all, all the things he thought just now is the worse case possible that could happen. After interacting with both of them, Rein knows they are not that kind of people who point to other people for their mistake but able to accept their own too.

So that's why he will pray that his thought is just some bad feeling and nothing else.

With full of hope and worry in his chest, he headed toward to the house.

*****

-In front of Kirigaya's Residence-

*Ping Pong!* (Bell sound)

After arriving at his designated location, Rein rings the doorbell for Suguha to open the door.

However, even waiting for 3 minutes, nobody responds nor try to greet him.

Finding it strange, Rein tilts his head naturally.

(...Hmm... strange. At least they will notify me if they can't train for today.)

Both of them are a responsible person so they are not that rude to leave Rein unnotified while going somewhere. Even so, he can't confirm it either because they don't have a smartphone to contact. Suguha doesn't have it because she is still underage while Kazuki said he can't use it properly even if Rein teaches him kindly from A to Z.

*Ping Pong!*

*Shiiin* (Silence)

"...No choice, I could only go another ti--" (Rein)

At that time,

"Yes, ~~~ Please wait a moment." (???)

Instead of Suguha or Kazuki, somebody unexpectedly answers the call. Even so, Rein knows this familiar voice.

Although he never met with the person directly, there's a sense of similarity to it.

(Hmm?) (Rein)

"...This voice, it's not Kazuki or Suguha. ....Then."

There's only one person he could think of that matches this young-sounded voice but with low tone for man only.

*Kacha.* (Door open.)

"...Sorry for waiting, I was in the middle of something." (???)

What faces him right now is a young boy who is in the early 10s at most.

Having a natural black hair and black eyes that is the unique trait of Japanese, the young boy's face is close to cute as a babyface rather than handsome. Even so, Rein won't deny that his trait will be popular with women. Adding to that, his current attire is full of black color from the top to the bottom, which is kind of plain if you look at it in an overall sense.

Seeing his familiar appearance, Rein widen his eyes and leave his mouth half open.

It is an unexpected meeting.

"....(Mutters), I guess you really never know what happens in the future." (Rein)

Facing this surprise, Rein makes a mix of a wry and bitter smile.

The original plan for Rein to meet with this young boy is supposed to be 1 year later when the game has officially started. After all, this boy is too occupied with playing the beta version of it until he becomes a shut-in for tens of hours in the house.

"...Umm, hello? May I ask who you are and your purpose of coming here?" (???)

Due to Rein not answering his call, the young boy has begun to worry now.

Although the man in front of him is extremely handsome while having a peculiar trait of silver hair and golden eyes like a foreigner, it makes him be on alert as the boy never see him around this neighborhood.

Seeing the boy's suspicious look, Rein snaps out from his muddled thought and respond to the boy politely with a smile while lightly bowing.

"Good morning, I'm sorry to come this early. Is there Kirigaya Suguha-san and Kirigaya Kazuki-dono on the house right now? I usually spar with them during the morning every day." (Rein)

(Note: San is for polite tone while dono is formal address to someone much older than you.)

"...Spar with Suguha and grandfather every morning?....Ah. You are the one..." (???)

Looking at his surprised face, Rein immediately knows that both of them talked about him. Moreover, since Kazuki who even constantly ignore Kazuto introduces about him, it saves him the trouble of long introduction.

With a faint smile, Rein introduces himself to the person he wanted to meet the most.

"Nice to finally meet you, Kirigaya Kazuto-san. My name is Rein. Currently, I train under Kazuki for Kendo right now." (Rein)

He finally meets with the protagonist of the story after one year coming to this world.

*****

-Inside the House, Living Room.-

*Shuu* (Steam coming from tea)

*Tuk* (Sound of putting the cup on the table.)

"...Are you fine with drinking green tea?" (Kazuto)

Responding to Kazuto who is stiff and formal to him, Rein smiles toward him to calm his tense nerves.

"It's fine. In fact, I love drinking it since it calms me up." (Rein)

"I...see. ....Then, please go ahead." (Kazuto)

"Thank you."

*Slurp* (Sound of drinking)

"Fuuhh... It really feels nice to drink this in the morning. Thank you, Kirigaya-san." (Rein)

"...You are welcome." (Kazuto)

Seeing his refined drinking style, Kazuto feels really weird.

After all, it's very rare for a foreigner able to implement the style of drinking (Unique to Japan) perfectly without any sense of discomfort.

(...So this is the guy who always spars with Suguha and grandfather.) (Kazuto)

Although Kazuto knows Rein from both of them, it is the first time seeing him directly, which makes him really surprised.

Silver-haired that is glowing in this dim-light room, golden eyes that is brighter than any jewel, black clothes that are very stylish compared to himself, and an extraordinary appearance that could make a woman fall in love in first sight.

(...Rather than a martial artist, he is more like an idol.) (Kazuto)

That is true.

the first impression Kazuto gets after hearing praises coming from his grandfather' mouth, he expected a burly man that is full of scar in his body. However, it is the total contrast of his expectation.

...Just like what Kazuto said, if Rein doesn't have a duty to defeat Satan, he can live as a model in any place easily without difficulty.

While Kazuto is guessing Rein's origin, Rein takes the initiative for the conversation to break the silence.

"Kirigaya-san, do you know where is Kazuki and Kirigaya Suguha right now? I wasn't able to contact them because they don't have a smartphone on them." (Rein)

"Ah, both of them are currently going out for buying a new shinai. They said that the durability becomes brittle after repeated uses." (Kazuto)

"Ahhhh...I see."

This is obvious but, during the spar with Rein, both of them always use full power trying to defeat him. Suguha always rushes to get even one hit while Kazuki tried to counterattack Rein's strike in fast-paced battle.

If they use it like that recklessly, it's not strange for it to become broken. Heck, it's more of a wonder that the shinai didn't break until now.

"Umm... Rein-san, It may take a while for them to come back. Do you still want to wait for them?" (Kazuto)

"Well...., It's become like a routine for me to spar with them every morning to start the day. Ah, I guess...I will be a bother to you." (Rein)

"Ah no, it's fine for me. I don't have an important thing to do anyway." (Kazuto)

"Are you sure? Before, you said that you are in the middle of something."

*shakes head*

"That is true. But,... I want to talk to you."

"Me?"

(This is a surprise.) (Rein)

Rein may know him indirectly from the anime but it is the first time Kazuto meet him, so they are practically close to a stranger.

So what did he wants to say to Rein?

While thinking so, Kazuto bows to Rein in 90 degrees without any form of embarrassment. Seeing him doing like this, Rein becomes panicked for the sudden turn of event.

"Ki-kirigaya-san, What are you--" (Rein)

"Thank you." (Kazuto)

"...Eh? Umm... for what again?"

"For giving us the opportunity to face each other directly."

".....Ahh."

(....That means.) (Rein)

"...These few years, I was having a hard time to make up with both of them. No matter how much time passes, ...I was unable to talk with them properly." (Kazuto)

"...."

"...But, because of you. Because you connect three of us by lining us eye to eye, we are able to fix our broken relationship that I thought it was impossible. ...That's why,"

"Thank you for helping us."

"...I...see." (Rein)

(....It's a strange feeling.)

He also felt this with Joshua, but when someone gives gratitude to him straightly, he somehow feels....happy.

Happy for being able to help.

Not because of the money or background he had, but just him only.

As an individual, he was able to lend a hand successfully to somebody not for earning favors, but because he wants to.

(...Maybe, this is one of the purposes of my travel.) (Rein)

He won't change his ultimate goal, which is to defeat the sick bastard preventing him destroying worlds.

....Even so, he doesn't feel bad, being thanked like this.

"...You are welcome, Kirigaya-san. I'm glad I am able to help you. ...Also, please raise your head. It's kind of uncomfortable talking to you like this." (Rein)

"Ah, I guess you're right." (Kazuto)

Raising his head, Kazuto smiled gratefully to his benefactor.

If this man didn't come to his family, Kazuto will really be alone in this huge house.

...If this man didn't fix his relationship with his family, there's no doubt that he will run away to SAO.

(I should pay back this huge favor.)

Therefore,

"...Umm, Rein-san? Do you have any problem that I can solve? You already helped so much to me. If possible, I want to return it back to you." (Kazuto)

"....Favor is it."(Rein)

"Yes."

While crossing his hand and closing his eyes, Rein tries to answer cautiously as he could.

True, if Rein himself already get helped this much, he will be burdened by it if he can't pay it back.

The problem is, he really doesn't have any problems solved for Kazuto openly.

It's not like he can spar with a boy that doesn't wield shinai for a few years already. Moreover, helping him digging secret information of SAO is also a no-go. Not only it can endanger Kazuto, but it may also attract unwanted attention to himself too.

(...But I can't just say "No, thank you" either. Fuuh... Really, human relationship is so complicated.)

Reaching to this point, Rein naturally forms a bitter smile.

He knows that Kazuto offers him gratitude hundred percent without planning to backfire him. If he just outright refuses it, it will make things awkward in the future too.

The past life of him makes Rein has high communication skills. But in private life, he can be said as greenhorn without little to no experience.

(I guess I'll just politely decline--- ...Wait.) (Rein)

There's actually one.

One favor that even Kazuto could fulfill immediately.

Even so,

"...(Mutter) Haha, I never thought I'll be the one to take the initiative." (Rein)

"...Rein....san? Am I bothering you after all?" (Kazuto)

Snapping out of his muddled thought, Rein smiled assuredly to Kazuto who shows a worried face. He already thinks for long enough. It'll be rude of him to not respond back.

That's why he will say his request.

The first request he actually does in all of his life, including his previous one.

"Then, will you be my friend?" (Rein)

"....Eh?" (Kazuto)

"Like I said, will you be my friend? If you don't want to, then that's also fine."

"N-no that's not it! I mean, why is it something simple! you can say another thing you know!? Like--"

*Shakes head*

"No, this request is good enough. ...You see Kirigaya-san, in my entire life I rarely met people who care for me. Instead, they will just suck me dry for their own profit if I show any weakness. ...That's why having someone that will truly stay by my side during important times is a blessing to me."

Hearing his words, Kazuto feels heavy in his heart.

(...Even a strong guy like him also have hard times, huh.) (Kazuto)

He recognizes that the man who showed sad smiles while pouring out his problem is so painful to look at.

Since he himself is a loner too, he can sympathize with his feelings very much.

What it means to not have somebody that will push your back when you really need it.

"...Then, is that really all?" (Kazuto)

*Nods*

"(smiles) That is enough for me. If you can be somebody who will help me when I'm in trouble, that'll be good enough." (Rein)

"...Pft, you are a weird person, Rein-san. Saying to be a friend with me directly like this. ...But, I don't hate it."

Shrugging his shoulder, Rein only smiles back to his rude words.

"I can't help with that. That's my personality anyway. ....Right, one more thing. Let's stop with the formality. You don't need to be that stiff with me just because I'm older than you. After all,"

"Friends doesn't need to be polite with each other, right Kazuto?" (Rein)

"....Haha, that's also true I guess." (Kazuto)

While both of them raise their right hands spontaneously, they look at each other with a smile while shaking their hand strongly.

"I will be in your care from now on, Rein." (Kazuto)

"Likewise, Kazuto." (Rein)

Both of them have close to ten years of gap, but there's no doubt that they started their bond freshly without trying to stab each other.

Today, the Supreme is able to successfully befriend the protagonist that'll be crowned as a hero in the future.

It is the moment for the strongest duo has been born.