December 27, 2022. 4:40 PM – Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Silver and Yuiha materialized in the town square, a burst of blue light fading around them.

  The noise of the plaza tugged them out of their thoughts. Silver glanced toward the fountain and spotted Forkaf waving at him with energetic cheer. That meant she had something new.

  —Come with me to talk to her. You might be interested in what she's got —Silver said to Yuiha.

  She hesitated a moment, then followed him toward the fountain. When they arrived, Forkaf greeted Yuiha with a huge smile—more unsettling than warm.

  —Ma chère! —the information broker sang out.— Long time no see. Which floor was it last time?

  Yuiha answered only with a slight nod. Had Silver looked into her eyes, he would have found a chill there he'd never seen in her.

  To Yuiha, it was impossible to accept that someone would sell information that could be vital to players' survival. Unforgivable selfishness. Forkaf had been a beta tester too, and yet she sold any scrap of info to anyone willing to pay. She could just as easily have sold the names of all the beta participants for the right price. Luckily, no one had thought to ask for that list.

  Unaware of the storm in Yuiha's chest, Silver pressed on:

  —Well? Did you find anything about what I asked?

  Forkaf gave him a suspiciously pleasant smile. Silver opened the transaction menu and sent the payment; he knew that even a "don't know" would cost him—because that, too, was information.

  Satisfied with the amount, the girl answered:

  —It's confirmed. There'll be a New Year's event in Karluin, capital of Floor 5. Food, drinks, music. Even fireworks, though with the way the city's laid out they might be hard to see from the safe zone. Best view should be from the clearing outside the city, near the forest.

  He thanked her with a nod and motioned to Yuiha to head for the cathedral. Once they left the plaza, he couldn't hold back the comment.

  —Looks like you're not a fan of hers.

  —Let's say our values don't line up.

  —Yeah, she charges way too—

  Yuiha stopped dead and shot him a look. Silver lifted both hands in surrender and let out a crooked laugh.

  —Sorry, sorry. Bad joke, I know.

  She kept staring, but after a few seconds her stern face cracked and a small, stifled laugh slipped out.

  —It's impossible to stay mad at you when you make that mischievous-kid face.

  —Is that a compliment, or did you just call me childish?

  —Mm... a bit of both. But mostly the first one —she said, side-eyeing him as they resumed walking.

  By the time they reached the cathedral, the sky had begun to tint orange with sunset. They lingered a moment; Silver scratched the back of his neck as he said goodbye.

  —Want me to come by tomorrow? —he asked.— I'd love to see what kind of weapon Lizbeth can forge from that shark drop.

  —Sure. I'll wait for you here.

  Silver turned to go, but before he could take a step he felt Yuiha's fingers close around his right wrist. He froze.

  —Could you stay a little longer today? —Her voice was softer than usual.

  It took him a second to process the question. He slowly turned so as not to hurt her fingers and smiled at her.

  —I'd love to.

  They sat on the concrete benches outside the cathedral to watch the colors of the sky. After a few minutes, Yuiha broke the silence.

  —Have you noticed the sunset changes slightly every day? Depending on the sun's position, the clouds, and other things.

  —Really? Never noticed.

  —Just like in the real world.

  —Didn't notice there either, —he smiled.— I spent all day training in a gym.

  —Remember you shouldn't share personal info in-game —she said, stretching her legs while sat in the bench.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  —Sorry.

  —Don't apologize. It doesn't bother me to hear about you. But you should remember it's not safe to share too much from real life. —Then she added with a smile.— Still, the day we get out of here, if we ever meet, I'd like to know a lot more about you.

  Silver listened in silence. A thousand things leapt to his tongue, and not one found a way out. Then the air between them shifted, and Yuiha spoke more intimately.

  —Silver... if I ask you something, will you answer me honestly?

  Silver's heart kicked like never before. What did she want to ask? What would he say? His thoughts sprinted until he managed:

  —Yes.

  Yuiha looked at the sky, now sliding from orange into violet. She drew a breath and met his eyes.

  —What do you think of the beta testers?

  Silver's mind crashed. He'd braced for a very different question.

  —...

  —Silver? —she asked, worried.

  —Yeah... sorry. I thought you were going to ask me something else...

  She gave him a bitter smile, mustered her courage, and pressed on:

  —Could you answer this one first? Please. It matters.

  —Of course, —he said at last, snapping out of it at the urgency in her voice.— The beta testers... They've been important. They've supported the other players, shared information, given advice, led the front lines. Kirito's the only one who's openly admitted he was in the beta. And even if he looked like a jerk that one time, I've seen him in raids—he's always helping. Last time, he saved Miwa's life when none of us would've made it in time. I'm sure the other testers are acting the same way.

  —And if there were testers who didn't step forward to help in combat? Who stayed here, in town?

  —If there were players who did that, they must've had their reasons.

  Yuiha raised her head again, but this time the tears wouldn't stay back.

  —Silver... —her voice broke— I was in the beta too.

  Silver stared, eyes wide. When he didn't answer, she shrank a little and pushed through as best she could.

  —I was in the beta, but I barely fought. I didn't join raids or quests. I only killed monsters to protect myself when I couldn't run. I... chose to live in Aincrad instead of "play" it. I watched the colors of the sky and water, the detail of the flowers, the shapes of the stones... —Her voice eased as she went on.— When Kayaba-san trapped us here, I was afraid. Not of dying—but of being useless to others. I didn't have the experience to lead a party of newbies, or the confidence to keep them safe. I didn't know monster or boss patterns, or which quests gave useful gear to share.

  —Do you know why I kept giving away bread and guides? —She let out a laugh that cracked and slipped into sobs.— Because I couldn't do anything else!

  Yuiha began to cry in earnest, and Silver watched, helpless. Pressure crushed his chest—an ache to pull her out of her ghosts with nothing but empty hands. He cursed himself for not being better with words. In the end, he did the only thing he knew how to do: speak from the heart.

  —Yuiha, look at me.

  She kept crying, eyes fixed on the ground, hands clenched on the bench.

  —Hey—please, look at me. —Silver reached out, cupped her cheek, and gently lifted until her gaze met his. He held it, and spoke again.

  —You're right that most beta testers focused on helping the players who adapted to the "game." They led parties so others could level up and help clear. But not everyone could pick up a sword and fight right away. Many—like Liz... or like me—got stuck here, in the Town of Beginnings, paralyzed by fear and doubt. Do you know how many beta testers cared about us? Just one. You. —His voice grew steadier as he went, without losing its warmth.

  Yuiha trembled as she listened, struggling to believe him.

  —You can't die of hunger or thirst here, but it still gets to you. After days without eating, hunger warps your mind in horrible ways. Add the cold of sleeping outside, and it becomes unbearable. Some players ended it because they couldn't take it... I thought about it too. If you hadn't shown up that day with that bread, the beginner's guide—and most of all, the warmth of your smile—I would've jumped from the overlook that night. —His eyes left no doubt he meant every word. She swallowed and listened on.

  —You saved my life, Yuiha. And Liz's. And so many others who'd already given up in this nightmare. Lots of beta testers helped strong players become even stronger. But you... you're the only one who cared for the weak. No other tester has saved as many lives as you.

  Tears flowed again, but now a twitch at the corner of her mouth tried to turn into a smile.

  —Do you really believe that?

  —I don't believe it, Yuiha. I know it. And Liz knows it. And Sasha. And Kain, and every kid at the cathedral. And every player you ever helped. But the most important thing is that you understand it—and believe it—yourself.

  At last, she let out a genuine laugh, and the light returned to her tear-bright eyes. She leaned back against the bench and rested her head on his shoulder.

  —Thank you... —she whispered.

  Knowing more words would only get in the way, Silver stayed quiet, feeling the weight of her head on his shoulder. He set his hand gently over hers where it rested between them. When she felt the touch, she turned her hand so their palms met and, softly, interlaced her fingers with his.

  Silver's heart skipped in surprise, but he stayed there with her.

  For the first time since that fatal November 6, he stopped being Silver, the player.

  He was simply Thiago again—the boy searching for someone who could truly see him.

  And after so long, it seemed he'd found her in the most impossible place of all...

  A floating castle inside a virtual world.