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"I'll give you time to think. See ya." he said and left.
Asuna could hear in his voice how heartbroken he was. And she felt very bad how she handled that situation.
Slowly, she walked from her sofa into her bedroom and slumped down on her bed. Her eyes felt heavy and she was barely able to keep them open. Soon it was like all her energy was drained somehow and she fell asleep at once.
When the young woman woke up again, she realized that her bed felt different than usual. She looked around and it wasn't just her bed... The whole room was different.
She jumped up from the mattress and immediately opened the curtain to look outside the window. It was a small town of white houses and a huge lake nearby. The sunset engulfed the surroundings in a soft orange hue.
Then she heard a door opening from the next room and two familiar voices. Her breath got stuck in her throat when she recognized who it was: her boyfriend and herself.
Soon the bedroom door opened and yet again Asuna had trouble to breathe. It was herself who entered but her outfit looked weird. A white uniform and a silver chest plate fitting for a noble knight, a red skirt and knee high white stockings.
The other Her raised her head but didn't react at all as she faced the "guest" in her room. Instead she just moved her fingers in front of her as if typing on an invisible keyboard, stopped for a moment to contemplate an apparently important matter, and started typing again. Her outfit vanished suddenly, and a different one appeared just as quickly. Now she was wearing an ordinary white and green shirt and a blue skirt. Then she took a deep breath and turned a little red in her face.
"It's your first proper date with him... Don't mess this up..." she mumbled, took another deep breath and left the room.
Asuna was frozen in place, so many questions running through her head. Was she invisible to that girl just now? Who was this girl who uncannily resembles her? What even is this place anyway?
Slowly, she walked to the door but couldn't open it. She could only hear the voices outside talking with each other but that didn't clarify anything. Instead it confused her even more when they were talking about cooking but at the same time also using words she only knew from online games.
"What on earth is going on here?" the woman yelled and pinched herself in her cheek to wake her up or something but nothing happened.
Time passed without any answers for poor Asuna as she was leaning against the wall, looking out the window where dusk turned to night, listening to the alternative versions of her and her boyfriend talking about different things until she heard him leaving.
When steps came closer to her, she immediately jumped aside to dodge the opening door - although she didn't know if that would even hit her - and watched that doppelganger yet again as she quickly changed outfits and didn't seem to notice someone else being here. Maybe she was indeed invisible.
"Oh... Kirito..." the other Her mumbled with a bright smile and with rosy cheeks, "See you tomorrow, good night..."
And with these words, Asuna started to feel a bit light in her head and the floor under her feet slowly disappeared. She watched that other self lying down on the bed and then everything around her was wrapped by a thick white mist.
For a moment it was like she was about to suffocate and she felt dizzy. She clenched her eyes and was about to pass out.
"What's happening... now? Am I going to...?"
But before she could finish that thought, she suddenly fell back and landed on something soft.
Asuna's eyes shot open and was happy to see a familiar ceiling. But that happiness was gone very fast because much to her dismay, it wasn't her room. It was the room of her friend Rika.
"Why am I here? Is my subconscious telling me I should visit her more often?" she wondered and tried to open the door. Surprisingly, it worked.
She saw Rika sitting at the table eating dinner while music was playing quietly in the background.
"Ehm... hello? Rika?" Asuna said calmly.
She didn't get any answer, so she walked towards her friend and wanted to tap slightly on her shoulder. But her hand went right through like she was a ghost. She tried again touching the table and was indeed able to feel its wooden surface.
"Hmm, so I just can't interact with people..." Asuna mumbled and accepted her role in... whatever this is right now.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, followed by loud knocks.
"Rika! Please open up!" an agitated female voice came from outside.
Asuna watched as her friend got up from her chair and let the person in. And she was surprised to see that it was another version of herself.
"What's going on? You're not someone who's screaming around without any good reason."
"My husband is a jerk! He cheated on me!"
"Kirito did WHAT???" Rika's jaw dropped.
And so did Asuna's. She couldn't believe her boyfriend would go that low. He's someone she would trust more than anyone else. So sweet and caring... but what if he stopped being that when they're married? She shook her head wildly. This is just a dream, the real version would never... Right...?
"Can I stay here for the night? I just can't go back to my own bed where they... they..." the other Her asked but her anger turned quickly into desperate cries. "Why did he do this to me? Or am I the one to blame because I blindly trusted him despite all the girls he attracts left and right?"
Rika immediately hugged her devastated friend. "No, you're not to blame. It's all his fault. And of course you can stay..."
Asuna was still in shock as she watched this. On wobbly legs, she stumbled backwards until she found something to sit on. She took deep breaths but her heart kept racing and she couldn't help but wonder if that's what she has to endure when she accepts. She closed her eyes and wished to get out of this nightmare as soon as possible, mumbling repeatedly "let me leave" to herself.
After these painful moments, her head began spinning and soon her surroundings changed. The young woman opened her eyes - glad that she escaped that former scenario - and was taken aback by how the room suddenly looked.
Everything was so fancy with all these golden ornaments on the otherwise plain dark wood furniture. Whoever lives here, must be very rich or it's some kind of fairytale she landed in.
Then something caught the young woman's eye: a cupboard opposite of the bed with two cushions on top. And on these were placed a golden crown and a golden tiara.
"They must cost... a fortune..." she thought and stood up to take a closer look.
Asuna was about to touch the tiara carefully but then heard voices from the next room. By now she just assumed that she won't be visible to others and opened the door without much caution.
Two persons, one with short black hair and the other with long chestnut colored hair, were sitting on the sofa and two other men were standing close to them, holding a bottle and two glasses. They looked nearly identical, dressed in knightly garb, just without a helmet on.
"Your order arrived, my prince." the man with the bottle said with a bow and handed it over. The other one bowed as well and put the glasses on a small table.
"Thank you, that's everything for today. You're dismissed." the young man on the sofa told them.
"Have a nice evening." The guards bowed again and left. Now that the couple was alone, the woman shifted closer to him and shot him a confused glance.
"But Kirito, you know I shouldn't drink wine in my current state..." she mentioned and shook her head.
"Don't worry, my dear Asuna. It's just grape juice mixed with sparkling water."
She smiled sweetly and watched him as he tried a sip to make sure they didn't make a mistake down in the kitchen. After the check, he poured her a glass as well and gave it to her.
"Happy first anniversary, my love. I hope we will be able to celebrate this many, many times in the future as well. And next year together with our little one." he said with such confidence in his voice.
Asuna felt a chill down her spine when she heard this. She was certain that her Kirito wants this as well. Maybe not a child that soon but still. But what does she want?
Her other self sitting there nodded with a teary smile and raised her glass for a toast.
And when their glasses clinked, Asuna felt dizzy again and stumbled back until she reached the bed and lied down. She took a deep breath and watched as her surroundings were changing again.
Wondering where she might appear now, she moved around a little and felt a soft fabric between her fingers but it's different from the one just now. And sadly not the blanket she's used to. Slowly she got up and sighed disappointed. But it didn't take long for her to get curious about this place.
It was a bedroom but it was filled with boxes and no other furniture except the bed she was currently sitting on.
Suddenly the door opened and a person she wasn't prepared for entered: someone suspiciously looking like her mother with a face of pure disappointment. Asuna froze up immediately, remembering the time she messed up some way or the other and her mother was making that face.
Then a familiar voice came from the other room. "Take just one of the boxes. My friends will be there soon and get the rest."
"My dear, you had put too much effort into this whole-"
"Mother, stop! I'm feeling horrible enough already..."
"Sorry..." the woman said almost convincingly, shook her head and took a box out of the room.
Asuna followed her into the living room and saw this dream's version of her packing even more boxes and scribbling a "K" on some of them. She had no doubt about for who this letter stood for. It was quite a heartbreaking sight.
"Let's take a break for now."
"Yeah, I'll make some tea. I knew I'll need that, so I haven't packed the kettle yet." the other Her stated and clearly faked the little smile.
After a while the versions of her and her mother sat down at the kitchen counter and were sipping the freshly brewed tea. Asuna watched them, wondering what might have happened in this dream. A chill ran down her spine when she remembered what was the reason for a breakup in a former dream scenario.
The two didn't say anything for a while. Until her mother broke the silence.
"Too bad it didn't work out for you."
The other Her nodded and frowned. "It was a mistake. A mistake which ruined a perfectly fine friendship."
"At least you two weren't married yet. All the legal stuff you would have to go through..." The older woman sighed and took a sip. "But you know that there are plenty of fish in the sea."
"You mean the sea of possible partners that you find acceptable?"
"Asuna, dear, you know I just want the best for you."
"Sure you do." her daughter remarked sarcastically. "That's why you only consider people with a high social status, right?"
"That's not true, I-"
"Oh, really? Then explain to me why exactly Kirito broke up with me because he thinks I'm out of his league. And not long after you two talked to each other?"
"Why are you blaming me? It's not my fault how he feels about himself!"
The two started a heated argument and yelled at each other. Asuna just couldn't handle it. It reminded her so much of the discussions she had with her mother until she was finally okay with her relationship with her boyfriend. So she hurried back into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. But in her rush she stumbled over one of the smaller boxes on the floor and landed face first on the bed.
Maybe it was because of her fall, but that dizzy feeling came back again and she turned on her back. With deep breaths, she prepared herself for another change of the area. And soon the room around her faded away.
When Asuna opened her eyes, she was a little surprised as she saw trees and bushes encircling her. A refreshing breeze blew through her hair and the nice smell of early summer reached her nostrils. She smiled as it must be one of those days she loves so much.
But then she shook her head. After all, she's supposed to wake up in her bed and not somewhere outside, so she got up quickly to look around.
Her surroundings were mostly white like a thick inscrutable mist. There was merely a street, following far into the distance. Without any other options, the young woman walked down the road. As she kept walking, she could spot some houses which reminded her of the area her boyfriend's family lives.
After a while, she came across a house with a relatively big backyard which piqued her interest. She took a peek over the fence and saw a little girl with long black hair, jumping and waving something long and thin around happily. There was also a sugar maple tree where a swing hang on one of the branches. And by now unsurprisingly, there was another version of Asuna sitting on it and watching the girl.
Despite the distance, she could clearly hear their conversation like it was directly transferred into her ear.
"Look, Mama!" the girl said excited.
"Oh, it's... ehm... a wooden stick?" the woman asked confused.
"No, it's a magical blade! It can do great things!"
"Really? What for example?"
"It can fight evil monsters! And it can turn into a brush so I can draw cute pictures with it!"
"Oh, what a wondrous blade that is."
The two started giggling but suddenly turned towards the house when someone came out of it.
"Sorry I'm late-"
"Papa!" the little girl exclaimed and sprinted towards the man and hugged him. "Welcome home!"
"Hello Yui, sweetie." he said and hugged her back.
The other Asuna got up from the swing and joined them.
"Welcome home, Kirito."
"I'm sorry. I really didn't want to come home late but Kikuoka was talking my ears off during the meeting..."
"Yeah, I know how that is." The woman smiled. "I hope you're hungry because I have something planned for dinner that you two spice lovers surely enjoy."
"Oh, sounds delicious" The man smirked. "I can't wait then..."
"But until it's done, you'll have to look after our little swordswoman here." the other Her stated and ruffled the girl's hair.
"Of course."
The couple looked at each other, their gazes full of love. And despite being some distance away from them, Asuna could feel all these emotions herself. A warmth spread in her chest and an epiphany finally hit her.
That's exactly what she wants for her future. Someone to care for and cares for her. A family. A home. A place where she's happy forever. Together with him. And she gave that possibility away the moment she hesitated to accept his proposal.
Asuna turned around and ran back to the spot she woke up just minutes ago. Despite the lengthy journey through different dreams by now, she didn't notice any specific trigger to wake up, or rather visit another scenario. So she just lied down on the ground and closed her eyes. She took deep breaths and thought about her room and the person she wanted to see most right now.
And luckily, soon she felt pretty light, a sensation she knew from being close to sleep. The smell of nature faded and the grass underneath her slowly changed into a soft fabric.
Asuna opened her eyes and finally saw the ceiling she has woken up to so many times. Relieved, she took a deep breath. She's back home... but something was not right. A strange sense of foreboding crept through her whole body.
The air smelled like the windows haven't been opened for days and when she looked around the room, she noticed that it hasn't been cleaned up for months. Instinctively, she reached for her phone lying on the nightstand.
And couldn't believe what she saw on the screen... It was the 24th of October... She must have traveled around half a year into the future.
"What happened here..." the woman mumbled in shock and got up.
As much as she wanted to open the windows, she just had to get out of here to see what's going on. Almost stumbling over piles of clothes on the floor, she made it to the door. When she opened it, there was a surprising clinking sound and she noticed the door had hit an empty glass bottle lying there. Yet again she was shocked as her living room was also such a mess.
"What on earth happened here?!" she yelled perplexed.
"Shh... some people are sleeping, you know..." a female voice grumbled. A suspiciously familiar person slowly sat up on the sofa but stopped at once, blinking in disbelief. "Okay, so apparently there are two of me or-"
"Wait, you can see me?"
"Yeah... I guess..." the other woman mumbled and shrugged, "or I'm still not sober enough..."
Asuna looked around and the sight of her home in such a shape left her speechless. Meanwhile, the other Her got up and scuffed her feet slowly to the kitchen counter to pour a glass of water.
"Here, for you." she said, "you look upset."
Asuna just shook her head and mumbled: "Compared to you, I'm fine."
"Hey! I don't remember being so rude!"
"And I don't remember being such a washed-up mess!"
The other Her went dead silent and turned away. "What do you know..." An almost inaudible whisper came from that doppelganger and she slumped down on the sofa.
Concerned, Asuna sat down beside her and noticed a pile of papers on the couch table. And a small box next to it. It looked suspiciously identical to the box she received shortly before she went on this weird dream journey. But she had to make sure that-
"Don't touch it!" the other Her yelled and slapped Asuna's hand away. Then she started sobbing and cried out: "It's the only thing I have left of him!"
Asuna couldn't respond as her head had to process what she just heard, yet her hands moved towards the sheets of paper lying next to the box like they were drawn to them.
And when she saw what these were, her eyes went wide and face went pale. These were all reports from different news outlets, all covering the same occurrence:
Close to her home, there was an accident involving a bus. Not long after the stop, it had some technical defect which caused an explosion in the back of the vehicle. The driver and some passengers, who were all sitting in the front, were more or less unharmed but one person was in the last row. A young man. He didn't make it. And the date was the exact day Kirito proposed to her.
"If I had said Yes... he would have stayed... in safety... here with me... We would have been married by now..." the other Her assumed and was close to breaking down, "It's all my fault! My cowardice killed the love of my life!"
Asuna felt a chill running through her whole body and it was hard to breathe.
"I need to wake up..." She said calmly at first but then couldn't help herself, stood up and started screaming: "I need to wake up!"
The woman next to her stared confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I need to wake up and tell him not to take this bus! He will be saved!"
"You can... save him?" the other Her mumbled in disbelief.
"I... just... need... to... wake... up!" With every word, Asuna pinched herself on different spots on her skin but to no avail. Tears of despair rolled down her cheeks.
Suddenly, the other Her stood up and grabbed her wrists. "Listen, I don't know what's going on here but... if you can really save him... please...Don't make the same mistake as I did."
Asuna nodded. "I will. I promise."
And with that word, the surroundings changed much to her relief. She closed her eyes and hoped that she will see her home exactly like she remembered it when she wakes up again. The grip around her wrists from the other Her faded and she leaned back. And landed on her bed.
Immediately, Asuna opened her eyes and checked her phone. It was the right day and not that much time has passed since she laid down. Without any hesitation, she called him on his phone but he didn't pick up, so she jumped up from the mattress. She ran out of her apartment into the night and didn't even put on a coat.
She ran. She kept calling him multiple times and kept running. She had no idea where all this stamina came from but she ran and ran. She wanted to reach him in time. She had to. So she ran as fast as she could, like a lightning bolt through the sky.
Finally, there came the bus stop in sight and, together with three other people, he was waiting there, hanging his head.
"Kirito... Kirito, wait! You-" the young woman screamed in a panic but was so focused on him that she didn't watch her step and stumbled.
"Asuna!" He looked at her concerned and rushed at her side to help her stand up again. "Are you alright?"
She grabbed him so tight that he couldn't escape her clutch even if he tried really hard. "Please don't take this bus!"
Meanwhile, the bus came to the station and the three other passengers got in.
"What are you talking about? I-"
"Please, I will accept your proposal a million times! JUST DON'T TAKE THIS BUS!"
Kirito looked at her even more concerned - and confused - than before.
When everyone inside was seated, the vehicle started moving. The couple kept standing at the bus stop in silence but he just needed to know what's the reason behind her strange behavior.
The woman couldn't face him. She made a fool out of herself just because a dream had the possibility to be a prophecy. He's probably thinking that she must have gotten crazy.
"Tell me, why shouldn't I have taken this-"
A loud noise interrupted him. Not far away from them, something at the backside from the bus exploded.
Shocked, Kirito hugged Asuna tightly to protect her as she broke down in his arms crying, her legs slowly giving in, feeling his embrace as the last thing before she fainted.
Later after she recovered, the two were back at her apartment. She was sitting on the sofa, wrapped in a cozy blanket and gave him a synopsis of her weird dream she had. He came out of the kitchen with a cup of tea. With a smile, she took it from him, her hands still shaky but she just needed this beverage to calm down now.
"Sorry..."
The young man just shook his head. "You really don't have to apologize." Gently, he began stroking her back. "You saved me, after all."
Her eyes wandered around in awkward silence and focused on the small box lying on the table. She had no idea how to address the elefant in the room.
He noticed what she was looking at and couldn't help but smirk. "You know, Asuna... The proposal still stands."
"You're sure about it?" She sighed, put the tea cup down and continued, "You must now think I'm crazy..."
"Not at all." He shifted closer and carefully pulled her towards him. "And even if... It's still you. The one I love more than anything."
She took a deep breath and reached for the box to open it. The sight of the beautiful little stone made her smile and she imagined how it would look on her. What kind of possibility will her decision bring to her and the one she loves so much? There's only one way to know for certain. So she met his patient gaze, teared up and gave the box back to him.
A little bit confused, Kirito stammered: "S-so... this means that...?"
"This means that you can put it on my finger now."
"Are you absolutely sure sure about this?"
She nodded. "Yes, I am. When this dream journey showed me one thing, then that there are possibilities this step is worth taking."
His face lit up brightly. Happy, he did as she wanted and they immediately shared a sweet kiss and a long, loving embrace.
And in front of Asuna's inner eyes, she saw many of the possible versions of her and her fiance, standing around the couple, smiling. Even the washed-up one appeared, smiling all the same, while next to her a certain someone slowly faded into existence, being at her side once again.
"Thank you."