The Question

The Question, part 2

My wife took a couple of steps back and walked around the table all the way to Kirito and Asuna's side until she was right behind them. Not knowing how to react, the young couple simply stood up looking at her with a mixture of confusion and expectancy, but even with a million years time, neither I nor them could've guessed the words that came out of Trish's mouth...

- Kirito... Asuna... Thank you! - Trish basically shouted the last part, bowing as deeply as humanly possible.

- ... -

- Huh?! -

Both of them said at the same time, looking at each other and then again at Trish, who's body was still bent, gaze on the floor.

- I... I should've said it before, the first time we ever met, but at the time I didn't know... - she tried to speak, but the sobs where making it difficult, so she paused for a second, took a deep breath that seemed to help her calm down, and then continued - A year or so ago, Andrew finally told me what happened in Aincrad, more specifically, on the last moments you were all traped inside...

A sudden realization came to my mind, and I felt the urge of hitting myself in the face for not realizing before, but I also felt great tranquility. At least now I knew what all of this was about, so the best I could do was to watch in silence.

- He told me... - Trish continued - He told me how Kirito discovered the true identity of Akihiko Kayaba, and how he risked his life on a duel against him - she said finally straightening up, looking at Kirito - and how Asuna jumped in front of Kayaba's sword to save his life, giving him one last chance to defeat him - she looked at the girl this time.

At the mention of the sacrifice, I noticed Kirito's body starting to twich and I could almost see the shiver run down his spine. I thought I'd have to intervene, but Trish never gave me the chance as she spoke once more.

- At first I couldn't believe that the heroes who saved the 6.000 people trapped inside of SAO were just a teenage boy and his girlfriend, but I also knew that Andrew was saying the truth, so from that moment I've been waiting for a chance... A chance to say this to you.

With a quick movement, Trish caught Kirito's left hand and Asuna's right hand in between her own, and with tears still streaming silently down her face, she looked at them, straight in the eyes, as she delivered her final message:

- Thank you for saving Andrew's life.... Thank you for bringing him back to the real World.... Thank you for bringing him back home... Thank you for bringing him back to me...

At this point I couldn't just stare anymore, so I followed my wife's steps around the table until I was right by her side, and softly rested both my hands on her shoulders. Trish looked at me with surprise but I gently smiled at her before opening my mouth:

- That's right, Kirito, Asuna, without the both of you, I would've never been able to come back to my home with Trish, and I cannot thank you enough for that. I know you don't like being called heroes, but in this house, that's exacly what you two are, and we'll be eternallly in debt with you.

Trish and I gave a final deep bow, putting an end to this emotional moment.

At first, the young couple didn't know how to react, Kirito's expression was something between embarrassment and shock while Asuna's was completely indescipherable, but after a brief moment of awkward silence, the latter was the one to finally speak:

- Agil-san, Trish-san, thank you for your kind words, but non of that would've been possible without the help of a lot of people, included you, Agil-san.

Her words came out gently, but the content was like a splash of cold water that left me and my wife shocked.

- Asuna's right - it was Kirito who spoke this time - From the beginning of the game, Agil had been watching our backs, or perhaps you don't remember how you saved both our lives from Illfang the Kobold Lord on the First Floor Boss Fight?

Of course I remembered, but I couldn't pronounce a single word because I wasn't expecting to hear something like this, much less from Kirito.

- And what about the fact that you let us join you and the Bro Squad for every Boss Fight? Without those L.A. bonuses, Kirito would've never been strong enough to defeat Heathcliff... err... Kayaba.

- Well, I wouldn't say that - Kirito grumbled - I still had all of my beta knowledge, and the Dual-Weild skill

- A skill you obtained thanks to being able to reach the Sixth Floor with enough stats to do that crazy parkour and find the Meditation Skill...

- That was just a theory...

- And your beta knowledge was only usefull until the Tenth Floor...

- Well..........

Kirito was about to accept defeat, when a sudden giggle interrupted the tug of war between him and Asuna. I looked to the side and found Trish covering her mouth, making a big effort not to let out the biggest laugh, probably out of respect for Kirito who she'd been praising just a second ago.

- Sometimes I forget how young you are, and how much your future... as a couple... awaits... - she started to say, but her words faded as she spoke, until her mouth clamped shut. She then opened her eyes as wide as possible, looking at Kirito, then at me, then back at Kirito, and finally relaxing and smiling at Asuna, for some reason.

Perhaps... she figured something out...?

- Anyway... - Kirito said letting out a little cough to cover his embarrassement - Our big friend here didn't help just the two of us, you know? He spent most of his earnings helping mid-level players so they could catch up to the frontline, so he's one of the biggest responsibles for why we got that far in the first place - he finally said, winking at me as if he'd just done me a favour.

The thing is, I'd never talked about this with Trish because it just didn't seem something to brag about, in the end, I'd done it just because it was the right thing to do.

- Ohhh, did he now? - she glared at me with amused eyes.

- Oh yes! - Asuna exclaimed - And he always lowered the price of his items so they could afford them more easily.

- Oh my, I guess Andrew has a soft side after all! - she said playfully elbowing my side - That just gives me an idea, why don't you tell me all about my husband's prowesses, while him and Kirito talk about whatever issue they have to attend?

Up until that moment, I had totally forgotten the real reason for why Kirito and Asuna had come to our house tonight. Everything had started with a criptical message from Kirito saying that he had something really important to talk about with me.

At the mention of the topic, Kirito got all tensed up and swallowed with an audible *gulp*, almost as if he was scared of the very thing he had started.

- I think that is a great idea! - Asuna sentenced, making Kirito's face turn even paler than it already was.

- Then please, follow me Asuna, I'll make some more tea for us - Trish said while turning around.

Just when I thought they were about to leave, she tip-toed for a second and whispered something to my ear:

- You should probably take Kirito outside, and bring a bottle of Whisky... I thing he'll need it.

And without looking back, she dissapeared through the kitchen door, Asuna following closely.

I was left with more questions than answers... What did she mean by that? Why would we need alcohol? And why take him outside?

Almost as if he was reading my thoughts, Kirito cleared his throat and quickly said:

- So, Agil, do you think we could talk somewhere more... private?

How did she know?!

- Of course! Please follow me! - I said as started to make my way to the little inner yard behind my house, but I stopped for a moment and quickly sweeped two big round glasses from a drawer and a bottle of ambar liquid that rested atop a wooden shelf.

Kirito looked confused but didn't say a word, so I assumed he wasn't against the idea. Now that I had followed every piece of advice my wife had given me, I finally turned towards the door and said with a mischevous tone:

- Come on, let's see what you are up to...