Through A Scope (Sinon X Reader)

Chapter 23 - Welcome Home

Shino starts to calm down. "S-Sorry about that," She wipes her eyes. "I don't know what came over me."
"No need to apologize," You said. "Kirito has had a huge effect on everyone's lives. He's even saved over six thousand lives. Hell, he's practically a hero. I would be more shocked if you didn't get upset."
"Thank you for understanding,"
"I owe Kirito a lot too, you know. Maybe not as much as you. Scratch that, definitely not as much as you, but I still owe him. He's introduced me to the rest of your group, invited me to play games with you guys, and overall he's been a great friend. Plus, I'm pretty sure whatever supernatural ability he has that somehow makes any girl attracted to him has also rubbed off on me." Shino laughs a bit. I'm glad that I've lightened the mood for her, even if just a little.

"I think we should head back now," Shino looked up at the sky as it started to turn deep orange.
"Yeah," You look to your right to find a large hill, giving you an idea. "Follow me." You grab Shino's hand and lead her to the top of the hill where you sit down on the grass. Shino accompanied you.

"Wow," You both say as you look at the sunset.
"It kind of reminds me of our first date," Shino said.
"It does, doesn't it?" You agree.
"You brought me to that park after Akira set us up on that date." She lifts the necklace off her necklace and reminisced. "And if I remember correctly, that was the first time I gave you a kiss." Shino lets go of her necklace. "How about we do it again..." She grabs your chin with one hand. "But better?" She presses her lips against yours and you do the same. I'll never get tired of this feeling. You both let go after a few seconds.

"Y'know..." You lie down on the grassy hill. "We don't need to head home right away. Let's stay here for a bit longer?"
"I was thinking the same thing." Shino lays down next to you and places her head on your chest.

"As annoying as Akira can be, he's a great friend. Just like Kirito." You said. "I'm lucky I have him."
"Same here. After Shinkawa... you know... I didn't have anyone to speak to in school. Then I met you two. My enjoyment of school only went up from there."

"Heh." You chuckle. "It's weird. Not the school thing! It's just, this is stuff I wouldn't normally talk about. Yet here I am."
"Maybe we should do it more. I enjoyed this."

A cold wind began to brush past you, making you shiver. "Maybe it's time we head back."
"Yeah," Shino gets up and helps you to your feet. "Hey," She grabs your attention. "Could I maybe come to your place for the night?"
"No problem," You smiled. "I wanted to stay with you a bit longer anyway."

~ Monday, August 3rd, 2026

You slipped on your AmuSphere and met up with the rest of the gang in ALO.

"Hey, everyone," You greet as you enter Kirito's cabin.
"Mama!" You hear Yui shout. You turn to find the small pixie hugging Asuna.
"Asuna! Leafa! It's great to have you back. Now we're only missing one more."
"It's great to be back." Asuna said. "It hasn't been that long, but I still missed this place."
"Kazuto will be back soon enough," Leafa reassured. "The nurses said a week, but I assure you he'll be back in half that time."
"Leafa's right." Agil agreed. "The kid's a machine. He'll be back in no time."

"I've been told there was a new update to ALO." Asuna said. "Do you mind filling us in?"
"Sure thing," Akira clears his throat. "We logged into ALO to find snow had fallen everywhere. We all found it strange. Me, being the genius I am, suggested that it might be the start of Thimble Winter."
"Fimbulwinter," You and Sinon correct him.
"Potato potahto. Anyway, we decided that we should all head to the World Tree as I proposed there might be another teleport pedestal like with Helheim. And I (unsurprisingly) was correct. However, our path was blocked by the Sisters of Fate."
"Wrong mythos." You and Sinon, once again, correct Akira's mistake.
"Shush! This is my story!" Akira silenced us. "Anyway, we defeated the three hags, unlocked Asgard, killed some mythical creatures for Odin, blah blah." Akira sighs. "You've killed my vibe." He gives you both an annoyed glare.