Sword art online: Aincrad's Flash

\"No, Toyo's fine too. He just didn't feel like coming to the shop.\"

She looked relieved but began shaking her head sadly as she replied. \"I'm glad. These past few weeks have been...horrible.\" She offered a grim smile. \"But I'm glad you two have made it through this far. After you left I...I don't know. I felt unsure. I was worried I may have to lead you into danger. There are monsters around here that weren't in the beta test. It's getting harder and harder to be confident in what I knew from before when I keep finding things that are different.\"

Jae nodded. \"I understand. It's all good, Naomi. Is that why you came? To see how we were?\"

Naomi looked unsure of how to answer. \"Well, yes and no I guess. I wanted to know how you were, but I was kind of, I don't know. I was scared of knowing. But today I was farming the monster spawns near here, and before I knew it, the sun was setting. Fighting in the dark is really dangerous. It's several miles to the nearest town from here, I'm pretty much out of Col, and I used my last teleport crystal yesterday. You could say I'm in a tight spot.\"

She looked a little guilty at the admission, but Jae wasn't quite sure why.

\"So you needed to take shelter here in Trevica. There's nothing wrong with that, Naomi.\"

Smiling again, Naomi nodded. \"I just didn't want you to think that the only reason I came here was for myself. I was worried about you two. Mostly because I felt slightly responsible for sending you off on that quest, but still. Anyway…\" Accessing her menu, Naomi equipped a one-handed sword. Though he only got a brief look at it, Jae could tell by the ornate handle and gleaming steel that it was extremely well made.

\"Would it be a bother to ask if you could give this to Toyo for me? The sword he was using when we met was absolute shit. I couldn't bring myself to let him keep using it.\" She quickly scanned the area before leaning in confidentially. \"But don't tell him I said that.\"

Immediately, Jae could feel a pang of jealousy welling up inside of him. That piece of shit. Not even trying. He talked to her one time. One time. And here she is trying to give him a present. I'm going to kill him.

Suppressing his annoyance, Jae smiled. \"Sure, I'll make sure it gets to him. He's really going to like it.\" A thought suddenly came to him. \"Wait...you said you were out of Col. where are you going to sleep if you have to stay here tonight?\"

Naomi shrugged as she looked around. Lifting her arm, she pointed to a spot in the corner of the street. \"Right there probably. It's got a nice patch of grass.\"

Jae nodded in irritation. No way around it now. I have to invite her to stay with us for the night. How fantastic. Toyo will be thrilled. I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him.

\"Is something the matter?\"

Torn from his thoughts, Jae saw Naomi glancing uncertainly at him.

Waving his arm casually, Jae smiled as he said. \"Of course, I'm good. Listen, Naomi. I wouldn't feel right sleeping in a room while you're out here on the street. You can stay at our place if you want?\"

Naomi looked pleasantly surprised. \"That's so nice of you! Are you sure? It's your room after all. Please don't feel like you have to, it would kind of contradict my gift if I'm being a burden on you guys.\"

\"It's no problem, really. The room isn't the biggest, but it's definitely better than sleeping out here.\"

Looking up at the sky, Naomi mulled it over. \"It does look like it's going to rain soon. Alright, if you're sure. I accept your invitation.\" remembering the sword in her hand, she added, \"I guess I'll just hold on to this and give it him myself.\"

Jae nodded matter of factly. \"Of course.\"

*****

alternative title:'toyo's death foreshadowing','jealous'

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