December 29, 2024
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
After spending most of my morning killing floor mobs and gathering materials for the Aincrad Assault Army, I would be sitting in the lobby of Agil's Shop twirling a metal spoon around a brew of coffee and looking down at a sheet of paper that I decided to start doodling on. It was a small drawing of me and my family, Kiyo sitting on my shoulders and laughing while Ashtry and I were holding hands. I smile at the illustration and pocket it.
It's a good thing I still have feelings for her and have a desire to be a family with both Kiyo and Ashtry... I always feel bad for not hanging around them as often as I used to. Hopefully they understand...
Yui- Is something wrong Kazzu?
"GAH!!!!"
The small artificial intelligence startled me nearly out of my seat as my head quickly shot back to look at her. After noticing that she wasn't alone and in fact had my daughter next to her calmed me down as I took a deep breath.
"Sorry about that you two... you just scared the heck out of me..."
Yui- We apologize...
Kiyo- We just saw you looking sad and wondered if everything was ok... are you ok Papa?
She would slowly come up and hug me as she asked, melting my heart as I gave her a hug back and smiled.
"It's nothing to worry about you two...I was just thinking how whenever I'm off training the troops or exploring the Hollow Area or helping out our friends, you and Yui are always left behind to stay in this inn all by yourselves. I remember when Kiyo would come out with me and be a big part of the boss raids. I just feel bad about it. I know you two hang out together, but it must get pretty lonely."
Kiyo- Awww... Papa...
Yui- Thank you for thinking about us Kazzu. But there's no need to worry about us. Whenever you're out, there's always someone we can hang out with.
Kiyo- Besides, we have Mama to hang out with. We'll also hang out with Kirito or Asuna if Mama isn't available.
That's true... it's not like this inn is without its fair share of regulars.
"Well... if you two are really sure..."
Before I knew it, I would feel a set of hands on my shoulders start gently massaging me. A soft soothing voice would fill my ears as Ashtry stood behind me.
Ashtry- Although it would be nice if you took more of a break from trying to help others or fight for your life. You can enjoy the small things in this digital life.
I would take another deep breath and grab one of her hands gently, pulling it towards my lips and kissing it lightly while caressing the back of her hand with my thumb.
"I know, I know... I should take a moment to breathe..."
Asuna- Well that's good! At least someone around here doesn't just take people for their word sometimes!
The four of us look over and watch as Asuna drags Kirito by the collar over towards us, practically shoving him over at me.
Kirito- I still don't understand why I shouldn't have taken Yui at her word.
Asuna- Because she's only trying to keep you from worrying! You know how considerate she is with other people's feelings! Kiyo has been the same way ever since we made it up to this floor.
Both Kiyo and Yui's eyes went wide as they wave their hands in the air defensively.
Yui- Y-you've got it all wrong Mommy!
Kiyo- W-we really don't get lonely, I promise!
Yui- Yea! And besides... you and the rest are here to conquer Aincrad... not babysit us...
"Babysit? Kiyo, Yui, we aren't babysitting you. It's part of being a parent to involve their kids in activities."
Ashtry- While I wish those activities didn't involve life or death situations, I agree with Kazzu.
Asuna- Yea, you see what I mean Kirito? Yui's too sweet for her own good.
"I mean... she's just portraying honest human emotion..."
Kirito- Yea I know... I'm sorry Yui...
Asuna and Ashtry would both look at each other and smile before leaning towards Kirito and I.
Asuna- So boys... we have an idea...
Ashtry- Are either of you two busy today?
"Not really. I didn't have any plans after this morning..."
Kirito- Why do you ask?
Asuna- Well, why don't the six of us do a double family date and walk around town together?
Ashtry- We haven't done anything like that in quite a while.
Asuna- The kids must have been bored out of their minds being stuck in this inn all day.
"I don't have a problem with that. How about you Kirito?"
Kirito- I'm down for that. If both Kiyo and Yui are on board as well, let's make it a date.
"What do you two say?"
Yui- A trip with Mommy and Daddy? Yippie!!!
Kiyo- Yea, that sounds like fun!
"Guess that settles that."
Kirito- We might as well get going now.
Yui- Oh, I have an idea! I can act as your tour guide and show you all around town!
I mean... I'm pretty sure I've seen the entire town by now but if it makes them both happy...
Kiyo- Yea! In addition to everything Yui knows, we've both learned a lot from the idle chatter here at the inn!
Yui- Thanks to that, I am now a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Arc Sophia!
Asuna- Really? This is sounding more and more fun by the minute!
Ashtry- How cute! Both of our little girls are gonna be our little guides...
Kirito- Alright Yui, Kiyo, lead the way for us.
Yui- Alrighty everyone, follow the leaders!
Yui would have a huge smile as she grabbed Kiyo's hand, causing my daughter to blush slightly but smile just as wide as they both started to march in sync. We would all let out a small chuckle and follow our respected daughters. We would first reach the center of town where the water fountain would be. Yui would come to a stop with Kiyo and they both turn around to face us.
Yui- Alrighty ladies and gentlemen! Here is our first stop! Did you know that the water from this fountain can heal you 1 health point?
Really? I mean, it makes sense that water would be refreshing but not to that extent. Guess I forgot that I programmed that into the game.
Kirito- Really? Only 1 point? How much do you need to drink for it to take effect?
Yui- I believe about a cupful.
Ashtry- A cupful for 1 health point... jeez...
Asuna- You and Kazzu would have your work cut out for you if either of you tried to fully heal yourselves that way huh Kirito?
Kirito- I don't even want to think about how much time would be wasted by doing that.
Kiyo- By the time any of us would drink ourselves full, we'd be lucky to only have replenished around 20 to 30 health points...
Yui- Well regardless, it's still super tasty to drink.
Ashtry- Well if that's the case, there's no harm in trying a sip. Anyone gonna join me in that?
"I'm a little parched. I still have the taste of coffee in my mouth."
Asuna- Count me in too.
Kirito- Me three!
Kiyo- Me four!
We would all take turns trying out the fountain's water, which surprisingly was fresher and clearer than normal river water.
Asuna- Wow girls, you weren't kidding!
Ashtry- It's like drinking from a mountain spring!
Kirito- There definitely wasn't any water this good down on the lower floors!
"Could there be a way to gather this water as a cooking ingredient?"
Ashtry- Oooooh good idea Kazzu! Me and Asuna can lug some home later!
Asuna- What a find! Thank you girls!
Kiyo- We are just happy to make ourselves useful.
Yui- Agreed! Now, if we're done here, let's move on to the next location. Follow us everybody!
We would once again follow the girls to the next location. On the way though, I picked up a comment of another player that walked by us.
Male Player A- Man, there are some real oddballs around these parts...
Oddballs? Who is he talking about?
We would continue to walk until we reached the shopping district. Yui would once again come to a halt and motion us to a random shop.
Yui- Our next dazzling stop is this one right here. I give you... this shop!
Kiyo would go along with it and clap for her, causing the rest of us to look confused but clap with her, wondering what significance this shop had.
Asuna- Um... girls... not to rain on your parade but... this just looks like a pile of bricks...
Kirito- Is it possible that these sun baked bricks are the merchandise?
"It's possible but I didn't think they would be this far up in the game. I would've thought they would've stayed on the lower floors."
Kiyo- Well there's actually a purpose for the bricks.
Yui- If you ever want to own a home here in Arc Sophia, you can buy the bricks here and build your own home from scratch. It's a smart way to avoid the competitive real estate market.
God that feels real on so many levels... I didn't think the NPC AI would grow that advanced...
Kirito- Sounds like hard work but who knows... we could probably start thinking about building a new home from us. Like that log cabin on the lake we had.
Kiyo- Ooooh! That sounds like fun! Papa, maybe the three of us could build a house together!
Ashtry- It would be a nice diversion possibly.
Asuna- And having another house like we had on the 22nd floor would be nice since we can't return to the lower floors...
"With the right amount of time, the idea of building a dream house for us sound really appealing."
Kirito- But unfortunately, we need to save our efforts for our real mission: namely clearing each floor.
Wow, way to shoot down their hopes and dreams dumbass...
Asuna- You're right Kirito... but still...
Ashtry- It would be nice and cute if we could have a place for each of our families to live. Maybe they could be next to each other, and we could be neighbors.
"Perhaps if it were in another game... or if this one wasn't a death trap... it would be more doable but like I said, building a house together could be really fun. We even know a certain smith that could provide us materials aside from these bricks."
Ashtry- As long as it's for buying materials only buster. I want this to be a family only project.
She would smirk and bump her hip into mine. I roll my eyes and playfully nudge her back.
"Yea yea, I got it..."
Yui- Well, if anyone is in the mood to do some DIY, you know where to come for the building blocks.
"Was that a dad joke you just made Yui?"
Yui- Back to the town square everyone!
Both Yui and Kiyo giggle and run away while holding hands. We all roll our eyes with a smile and chase after them. Along the way, I pick up another few conversations from other players.
Male Player B- Are those two girls really daughters? And who are the parents? Could it really be those four?
Famale Player C- But that would be impossible right? I know that the orphanage is on Floor 1, but those guys can't really be parents', right?
I don't see what's so difficult to understand. The four of us are parents. Asuna and Kirito have Yui and Ashtry and I have Kiyo. Not that difficult...
We would just continue to walk around the town square, learning about a few streets that connect to one another and learning more small details about Arc Sophia. We would eventually just stroll around the town with me and Kirito holding the hands of our partners, watching while Kiyo and Yui held hands as well.
Asuna- Well this has been a real learning experience girls. Thank you!
Ashtry- Just when you thought you've got the town figured out, there's a new discovery right around the corner. This was fun!
"I'll say. I've been running all around this town so I really thought there was nothing else to explore. Turns out, I was wrong."
Kiyo- Well if everyone is happy, then so are we. Right Yui?
Yui- Right! I'm glad we could have fun like this!
Kirito- This afternoon has been a real eye opener Yui. I couldn't be prouder to call you my daughter.
"Same goes for me to you Kiyo."
Kiyo- Awww... Papa... thank you!
As we were having a moment, a couple of random players walked up to us, all with concerned or confused faces.
Male Player D- Hey guys... um... do you mind if we ask you all something? It's just... you four have been following these kids around and I hear you all calling them your daughters and stuff... so like... are they actually children of yours?
Kirito- The one in the white dress is mine yes.
"The one in purple is mine."
Male Player D- Seriously!? Oh man, for real? You gotta tell me! How do you make one of those? A kid, I mean.
Is this guy being serious right now?
Asuna- I beg your pardon? You can't expect us to answer that question in front of all of these people!
Ashtry- Especially in front of the children!
Kirito- It's ok ladies. It's a fair enough question.
"In what regard!?"
I take a deep breath from Kirito's denseness and turn to look at the other players.
"Look, the system doesn't allow you to "create" a child, per se.
Male Player E- So it's true. You really can make a child! It's virtual data so I guess anything is possible!
"Did you not hear a word I said?"
Female Player F- Awww, just look at how cute they are holding hands. Now I want a child of my own.
"Are you all serious right now?"
Male Player G- Wait a minute... if this game has only been running for two years, how come they both look so big?
"Dude..."
Male Player H- Can it you idiot! Data babies obviously grow quicker than regular ones!
"For fucks sake..."
I turn behind me to see that players are starting to crowd my friends and the two little girls, who have let go of each other and start to get a little nervous.
This is getting out of hand...
Yui- Daddy... Mommy... I'm getting scared...
Kiyo- Mama... make them go away...
Ashtry- Kazzu... what do we do? Do we barge through them...?
Kirito- We should try to clear up the misunderstanding... I recognize some of these faces...
I gave them all a nod and cleared my throat, addressing the crowd.
"EVERYONE LISTEN UP!"
The crowd went silent and shot their heads over to me, hoping to get answers as to how to get pregnant and give birth in game.
"It's true that Kiyo is my daughter just like Yui is Kirito's but we are not their biological fathers. I adopted Kiyo at the orphanage on the 1st floor and Kirito found Yui all alone in a forest one day. We are taking care of them as their foster parents."
Male Player D- You mean like... adoption?
"Correct. Other than adoption, there is no other way to have children in Sword Art Online. There is no pregnancy mechanic, no fertility quest, nothing of the sort."
Male Player D- Now he tells us! Here I was getting all excited!
Male Player E- I don't know what you're complaining about. Even if you could make babies in this game, you would need to find a partner first.
Male Player D- H-hey shut it will you?
"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we are taking our leave."
I quickly grab Ashtry and Kiyo's hand and motion Kirito to follow me. He would comply and grab Asuna and Yui as we all left the now disappointed crowd. We would rush back to the entrance of Agil's Shop before all of us take a deep breath.
Kirito- That nearly go way too out of hand...
Yui- You did the right thing to explain everything Kazzu.
"It was either that or get asked weirder questions... no thank you..."
Kiyo- They seemed way to interested in the idea of having children...
Asuna- I never realized so many other players were desperate for children of their own.
Kirito- It could be that those players also really miss their families... they can't see their loved ones anymore, so they start to long for a new family in this world. It makes sense when you think about it.
Ashtry- I guess... but still to surround us like that out of desperation was more than a little weird...
Yui- Hey Mommy? Daddy? Can I ask you both a question?
Kirito- Of course you can Yui.
Asuna- As long as we know the answer, we will answer any questions you have.
"Be careful what you wish for..."
Yui- Well, you know how people back there were asking how you make children in Sword Art Online?
Oh fuck here we go...
Yui- That got me wondering... how are babies made in the real world?
The look on Asuna's face dropped into shock as well as Kirito's while me and Ashtry shared a laugh together and looked at them both.
"Oh yea, that's all on you two..."
Ashtry- Good luck explaining that...
Asuna- Oh...!
Kirito- Well, you see... um... I think this is a conversation to have with just you and Mommy... alone... right Asuna?
Asuna- Hey, no! You don't get to weasel your way out of this one buster!
Kirito- I'm just saying that some things are better left off between a mother and a daughter.
Asuna- Fine... well... Yui... you see... um... they uh... babies are like a joint project that two people who love each other do.
Yui- A joint project? That sounds like fun! Does that mean I'll have a little brother or sister someday?
Me and Ashtry shared another laugh as Asuna and Kirito both started blushing like tomatoes.
Asuna- W-what!?
Yui- Well you and Daddy love each other, so maybe you two could do that joint project thingy together right?
Kirito- Well... Yui... let's think about this calmly for a second... Kazzu said that there isn't a system that allows players to make babies.
"I don't know, my father added a lot of things that weren't in the game before. He might have slipped something in there."
Kirito- You aren't helping dummy...
Yui- Well according to my data, such a system does not exist in this game. How sad... I thought if maybe you and Mommy made me a baby brother or sister, I would have someone to play with while everyone was out...
Kiyo- Yui...
Kirito- So you do feel lonely being left here by yourself...
Yui- Well... I would be lying if I said I don't...
Kiyo- Same goes for me sometimes...
Ashtry- Oh... Kiyo...
"Little pup..."
Asuna- We're sorry Yui... we'll make a real effort to spend more time with you...
Kirito- That's right. Still as much as I hate to say it, but there are still going to be time where you are by yourself. You'll just have to hang in there while we are gone, ok?
Yui- No, Daddy, I'm sorry... as the game gets harder, you and Mommy are going to have your hands full enough as it is...
Asuna got down on one knee and rubbed her hand against Yui's cheek, smiling at her as her eyes got a little watery.
Asuna- Hey, that's not for you to worry about ok? We are your parents. We are thankful for every single moment we get to spend with you. Got that?
Yui- Understood Mommy! So... what does that joint project to make babies involve?
Asuna's face turned shocked again as her watery eyes dried up quick. Kirito just gave his daughter a look as Asuna took over the conversation.
Asuna- T-that again?
Yui- Yes! I want to know how babies are made.
Asuna- Ok... it's a bit like... um... a kiss! That's right people kiss!
Asuna... are you kidding me right now...?
Ashtry- A kiss Asuna? Seriously?
Asuna- Shut up!
Yui- Kissing? I mean, I guess that's kind of like a joint project...
I get she's a child visibly but she is still an AI program... it won't be long until she discovers the truth but for now... I guess she'll just trust her parents...
Yui- So after people kiss, where does the baby come from?
"Well on that note, me and my family are gonna take our leave. Have fun guys!"
I quickly race away from the conversation with Ashtry and Kiyo before the others had a chance to stop me or ask me to get involved.
Kiyo- I guess that's one way to tell their kid where babies come from...
Ashtry- Kiyo, has anyone told you where babies come from?
Kiyo- Yea, we learned it in the orphanage.
Me and Ashtry look at each other for a second before looking back at our daughter.
Kiyo- They come from the stork.