Sword Art Online: Aincrad's Hollow Fragment

December 7, 2024

Floor 76: Arc Sophia

I had just got back from slaying monsters on Floor 77 and had acquired some new materials to hand over to my favorite blacksmith, who I decided to pay a visit to since it had been a few days since we last hung out. Approaching the small little corner smithy in the shopping district, I noticed that she had a sign up saying she was on break. I raised an eyebrow as I knocked on the door and slowly peeked my head in to see what was going on.

"Liz? Are you in here?"

I heard a small yelp as the pink haired smith jumped a bit in the air, almost dropping a small vase filled with flowers in her hand. It looked like she was setting up for something. She turned to me and gave me a small smile.

Lisbeth- Oh! Hey, Kazzu!

"I'm sorry for bothering you but why are you cleaning up inside the smithy? I've never seen you do that before. You're usually busy pounding hot iron in the forge. Not saying you can't clean up after yourself, it's just odd."

Her smile suddenly shifted into a nervous frown. She shyly started twiddling her thumbs while looking up at me.

Lisbeth- Well, I wanted to tidy up in case you suddenly decided to drop by.

"Liz..."

She realized what she had said and jumped back in a flustered state, flailing her hands around like they were weapons themselves.

Lisbeth- I mean, it's important to give a good impression to potential customers by having a nice, clean shop.

"Are you sure about that? You seemed very confident in your first answer."

Lisbeth- Y-Yeah, that's it. It was nothing to do with you, honestly. Now, would you mind helping me clean up a bit?

"Of course. I did kind of drop in here unannounced. Was there anywhere in particular you would like for me to focus on?"

Lisbeth- For now, could you help me collect the old, battered weapons?

"Sure. You going to use them for scrap metal or sell them off?"

Lisbeth- I'm not entirely sure yet. I mean just take a look at this one here.

She grabbed one of the swords on the ground and opened up the item description. Its stats were nowhere near my own blade but, with our current situation with skills being reset, this wasn't a bad blade. Liz, however, didn't share my enthusiasm.

Lisbeth- These parameters are pretty mediocre. It'll take me ages until I can make swords half as good as I used to.

"That seems like you're beating yourself up. This blade isn't bad, especially if you are at a lower smithing level. You seem to be doing pretty well."

That earned me a small blush from the smith. She twirled her hair in her fingers as she gave me a grin.

Lisbeth- You're very sweet Kazzu. But, onto other matters. Was there something you came here to do besides help me clean? Why did you want to visit me? What would you have done if I wasn't here when you showed up?

"Well, I did actually want to spend time with you today since I found some new materials that might interest you and if you weren't here, I would have just started testing each of your weapons. We all know how my last test ended, right?"

Lisbeth- Yea, you shattered my masterpiece so shut up.

"But for real, I would've just made myself at home until you got back. Call me crazy but your shop is very cozy. You do a real good job keeping it clean."

Lisbeth- Thank you Kazzu. At least you appreciate my hard work. Kirito and Klein just make fun of me.

"Well Kirito is pussy whipped, and Klein is just an idiot. Don't take their word seriously."

That earned a long laugh from Liz. She held her stomach as she collapsed to the floor in joy.

Lisbeth- Oh boy... don't let Asuna hear you say that about her boy, she'll go ballistic.

"I'm quaking..."

Lisbeth- You know what? I think I'll recast these battered weapons for practice.

"Sounds like a good way to improve your smithing skills without wasting your resources. I'll set them aside for you. Let's see... this old weapon is in need for reworking, but this one also has a special property to it, so I'll set it aside, and this one..."

Lisbeth- Having fun there, stud?

"Sorry sweetheart, I'm almost done with this massive pile of weapons. I was just sorting them out differently."

Lisbeth- There was really that many? Wow, I'm sorry.

"Not a problem at all. Besides, I wanted to ask, did you make all of these?"

Lisbeth- I sure did. And even though they are lower quality than my other weapons, I can't help but admire my handiwork, seeing them all lined up like that.

"It's only been a few days since you opened this shop, have you made all of these during that short amount of time?"

Lisbeth- Yep. After our skills got reset, I wanted to get my blacksmith skills honed back up to the max, and I knew I didn't have a second to lose.

"I will say my dear smith, I'm impressed. Before long you'll be making weapons just as good as the ones at your old shop. No... ones that are even better."

Lisbeth- I'm not sure about that but I do hope I can live up to your praise. Thank you Kazzu.

Lisbeth stopped and gave me a worried look, causing me to look back at her confused.

"Are you ok Liz?"

Lisbeth- Yea, I'm sorry. You're my guest, you've helped me clean up and I haven't even offered you a cup of tea. I really am a terrible host.

"No, you aren't. It was my fault for coming here out of nowhere. You don't need to offer me anything. Besides, It's a smithy, not a cafe."

Lisbeth- Are you sure? I could fix something really quick.

"If you really want to, that's fine but don't feel obligated. Besides, I know it's a weird topic but that outfit you're wearing makes you look more like a waitress than a blacksmith."

A small giggle escaped her lips as she examined her clothes.

Lisbeth- I guess it is a bit weird, isn't it?

"There's nothing wrong with weirdness. Besides, I think it suits you."

Lisbeth- Y-You think so? I mean, I can't help but feel like a blacksmith should be wearing something a bit more rugged...

"I don't think the rugged look would really fit you, Liz."

Lisbeth- I bet you would say the same thing to Ashtry...

"No... I've only said that to you..."

Lisbeth- Kazzu...

"Liz... I... want to say... that... I know that you like me... more than... just friends. It's kind of obvious honestly."

A huge blush appeared on her face as she backed up and raised her hands up defensively. She stumbled on her words, trying to find the right thing to say.

Lisbeth- I... I um... I promise I wasn't trying to get between you and Ashtry... I just...

"Liz..."

Lisbeth- Ever since we met on the first floor, I felt a small connection between us and when we went on our adventure on Floor 55, I felt the connection grow.

"Lisbeth..."

Lisbeth- I really want to develop these feelings for you, but I don't want to get between you and Ashtry because I know you two love each other and...

I grabbed both of her hands gently, causing her to stop talking for a second and look me in the eyes. I took a deep breath and gave her a smile.

"Rika... I know that what you're feeling is a scary feeling, but it is not a crime to find attraction in someone, even if they are in a relationship. I will admit, after our adventure on the 55th floor, I noticed your feelings when we smithed the weapon for Kirito. When I found you near the bridge crying your eyes out, I fully realized that you were in love with me. I didn't know what to think about it since we had only really known each other for two to three days."

Lisbeth- So you didn't feel the same back then?

"Not quite... however, when you saved me when I was imprisoned by my father, I knew that no matter what happened, you would always have my back and fight by my side no matter the circumstance. You are a very important person in my life."

Lisbeth- Kazzu...

"Kazuhito... Kazuhito Akihiko..."

Lisbeth's eyes widened as I revealed my full name. Her smile went wide as happy tears started to swell up and fall down her face. I raised my thumb up underneath her tear ducts and wiped away the tears, giving her another smile. I took another deep breath and held her hands tighter.

"Look, Rika... It... will take time... for me to adjust to the whole ordeal... but... I promise you that I will return my feelings for you. I just ask that you wait for me. Are you willing to do that for me?"

Lisbeth- Even if you're with Ashtry?

"Ashtry and I will have a talk about this topic, but if she agrees to it, I would be happy to share my feelings with you."

Lisbeth- Kazuhito... if Ashtry makes you happy, then please don't throw your happiness away for me. But... if you mean what you say... I will wait for you... even if it takes an eternity.

"Thank you, Rika..."

We both embraced each other in a gentle, tight and loving hug, only pulling back so Liz could wipe a few more tears away from her eyes.

Lisbeth- Alright... enough of the lovey dovely stuff. Let's get back to cleaning.

"Agreed."

Lisbeth- And while I'm waiting for you Kazzu, I promise to raise my skills back up for you. If I don't keep honing my skills, I'll never be able to make swords the way I used to. I promise to be the best blacksmith you've ever seen, the greatest asset to you on the battlefield and, when the time comes, I'll be sure to love you to the best of my ability. You mean that much to me Kazzu... no... Kazuhito Akihiko...

"Liz? You still there?"

Lisbeth- Yes! Sorry, I zoned out there.

"I noticed. Well since the cleaning is done, I'll just be on my way."

Lisbeth- Alrighty then, let me walk you out.

Me and Lisbeth went towards the door and walked outside, where the streets of the shopping district started to crowd itself with people. Lisbeth let out a small giggle.

Lisbeth- Looks like it's time for me to get back to work. If you weren't here, it would've taken me a long time to clean up shop. Having someone around to help really speeds things up.

"I can agree with you there."

Lisbeth- And... if you ever need my help on the battlefield or clearing a boss room, please make sure to let me know. I... want to fight by your side, until the very end. Plus, I need to raise my mace skills anyway, so it would be killing two birds with one stone.

"I appreciate it, Liz. If I need a mace wielder, I'll be sure to let you know. See you around."

Lisbeth- See you later Kazzu...

I walked away from the shopping district but stopped suddenly as I felt a cold chill down my spine. I looked around the district, only realizing that no one was a threat to me. I shrugged my shoulder and kept walking, unaware that Strea was watching me from a nearby rooftop.

Strea- A new blooming relationship, even though you are in a dedicated relationship with Ashtry... What will Ashtry and Kiyo say about this? Will they be ok with it or will they resent him for seeking another romantic relationship with the blacksmith? If they are ok with it, will there be enough room for me? Does Kazzu even see me that way?

She held her hands against her cheeks and gave off a slight blush, imagining the possibilities of being with me.

Strea- The human heart is such a mystery...