But...
If I'd known
this would happen, I wish you'd kept being a jerk.
If you had,
I wouldn't have realized I like you...
Or been sad to learn about Asuna-san...
Or tried to fall in love with Kirito-kun instead!
I'm sorry.
Leave me alone...
Bonds
Ever since that time,
I never knew where I stood in relation to the rest of my family.
I wasn't truly a part of this family.
I learned this when I was ten.
"Who is she really?"
"Can I honestly say I know her?"
Maybe that strange feeling of not fitting in was one of the things
that drove me to online gaming.
An artificial world, where no one really
knows anyone else.
I immersed myself
in that wonderful world...
But my two years in SAO
taught me something else.
That there's no meaningful difference between a real and a virtual world.
It's pointless to ask anyone who they really are.
All you can do is accept and believe in them.
Because whoever they are in your mind
is their true identity.
When I returned to the real world and saw Sugu's face,
I was really happy.
I swore that I would try to make up for the distance
that had grown between us over the previous few years.
But I...
What can I do for Sugu?
Sugu?
I'll wait for you in Arun, on the north terrace.
I was so horrible to you.
You're really strong, Brother.
But I just can't be that strong...
Back then, I told you to do your best,
to not give up.
But now, I can't stop crying.
But what can I say?
Leafa-chan!
I've been looking everywhere for you, Leafa-chan.
R-Recon?
Didn't the Salamanders catch you?
I poisoned them all and escaped.
Poisoned them?
And then, I followed you.
Hey...
Where's that Spriggan?
Well...
I said something really mean to him...
Something I shouldn't have said.
I'm an idiot.
I'm sorry for saying weird stuff.
I won't be seeing him anymore,
so let's go back to Sylvein.
Leafa-chan...
Leafa-chan!
You can't cry, Leafa-chan!
Wh-What?
If you aren't smiling, you aren't really Leafa-chan.
I...
I'll always stay with you!
I'll never leave you alone, here or in the real world!
Wai—
I-I...
I like you, Leafa-chan... Suguha-chan!
Um...
Wait! What are you doing?!
A-Are you okay?
It's strange...
I was positive
the only question left was if I'd have the guts to ask you out...
You really are a moron, aren't you?
I could learn a thing or two from you sometimes.
Hey.
Here I am.
Sugu...
Brother, let's have a duel.
Let's finish what we started.
This time, no handicaps.
That's why he seemed so accomplished.
Here I go!
Why?
I wanted to apologize to you...
But I didn't know what to say.
So I wanted to give you a free shot.
You did?
I'm sorry.
I am, too.
I haven't really returned from that world yet.
It hasn't ended.
Until she wakes up,
I'm not really back in reality.
That's why
I don't know how to think of you yet.
I'll be waiting...
I'll be waiting for you to come home for real.
So I'll help you, too!
Um...
Wh-What's going on?
We're raiding the World Tree...
Him, you, and me. The three of us.
A-All right...
Wait...
What?!
Yui, are you here?
What is it, Daddy?
Did you learn anything from our fight with the guardians?
Their individual stats aren't very high.
But there are too many.
I have to assume that completion of this quest was never meant to be possible.
So together, they all add up to a single, unbeatable boss?
However, with your skill stats,
it may be possible for you to break through with speed.
Everyone,
I'm sorry to ask, but could you help me with my problem again?
Somehow,
I feel like there isn't much time left.
I'll do whatever I can.
And so will he.
Well, Leafa-chan and I are always together.
Don't be stupid!
I'm sorry...
Let's do our best.
Thanks, you two.
I'll draw the guardians away.
If you can heal me from the rear, you shouldn't be in danger.
Let's go.
Wow...
But there are too many!
There's no end to them...
Recon!
Right!
Wh-Why are they targeting us?
They're probably using a different targeting algorithm from the monsters outside.
Dividing our roles this way is futile.
Wait!
Recon?
Leafa-chan, I don't really understand all this,
but this is important, right?
It is.
I don't think it's just a game.
Not right now.
Then, I'll help!
R-Recon...
Y-You idiot!
Oh, no...
Recon, that's enough...
Get outside!
That's dark magic...
Self-destruct magic?
The death-penalty for that is really harsh...
You're such a fool!
No...
This is impossible...
This is just...
The Sylphs?
But why?
Flying dragons?
The Cait Sith dragoons?
Sorry we're late.
Sorry!
It took some time to ready our gear.
Sakuya! Alicia!
Dragoons, ready breath attack!
Sylphs, prepare additional offensives!
Fire breath...
Go!
Fenrir storm...
Fire!
Thank you!
Thank you both so much!
No need to thank us.
We owe that Spriggan quite a lot.
And we only had money for the raid because of him.
All forces, charge!
Don't be afraid!
Keep going!
Sugu...
Watch my back!
Leave it to me.
Follow them!
Brother!
Go...
Go, Brother.
Go!
Everyone, fall back!
We're withdrawing!
Fly...
Fly forever.
Keep flying through the sky...
To the center of the world.
Damn it...
What do I do with this?
Yui!
Yes, Daddy?
Daddy, this door isn't locked by a quest flag.
It's locked by the system administrators.
What do you mean?
Players were never intended to be able to open this door!
No, wait...
Wasn't that...
Yui, use this.
Transcribing code.
It's going to teleport us.
Daddy, your hand!
Next Time: Gilded Hero