"Where's Kirito?" Ayano, also known as Silica, asked.

Sugu looked up from her school work and smiled weakly, "It's June 22nd. He likes to be alone today for some reason. I still don't know why."

"With Asuna?" Ayano asked, a little jealousy creeping into her voice. Sugu noticed and giggled.

"No, really alone. I asked Asuna and even she doesn't know."

"That was before he met me," Ayano pondered, "And I think I was the first one he met. It was Asuna and then Klein..."

"Asuna only told me that some people close to him died, but she clams up afterwards."

Ayano sighed, "There's still so much he's not letting go of. I wish I could help."

Sugu smiled wistfully. She felt the same, but that was how Kazuto was. He had already improved greatly from before the game. When she knew him before, they barely talked. He was antisocial and scared. He didn't open up and just silently put the world on his shoulders. Now, he allowed himself to be surrounded by others. He let others lean on him and he let himself lean on others. She couldn't force her brother to tell her anything he didn't want to. He would find it in his own time. For now, she could only let him know that she was there, no matter what.

"Asuna, what's up?" It was rare for the ginger to meet Klein at the bar. The girl had a troubled expression on her face and sat herself down on a stool.

"It's Kirito," she said, "Its June 22nd."

"What's Jun-" he broke off and took on a somber expression, "That's the day the Black Cats..."

Asuna nodded, "I'm scared he's never going to forgive himself for it," she held a fist to her chest, "I can feel him hurting..."

"He might not forgive himself," Klein said, "But that does not mean he won't move on. There are scars everyone must carry. That... was a life-changing moment for him."

A tear rolled down Asuna's cheek, "I just think of how alone he was, and I hate that everyday this day comes, he plunges himself into that pit again. He doesn't need to punish himself like this."

"He's come a long way, Asuna," Klein reassured, "Just give him time."

But she wanted to give him so much more than that. She wanted to give him peace.