Part 11 (1/2)
”A...s.h.i.+eld.”
Asuna looked my way thoughtfully.
”Wh-What's the matter?”
”You're hiding something.”
”What do you mean all of a sudden...?”
”But it's weird. The biggest advantage of using one-handed swords is being able to hold a s.h.i.+eld with the other hand. But I've never seen you with one. I don't, because it would slow my attack speed, and some people don't because they're more worried about style. But you're neither of those... It's suspicious.”
She was spot on. I had a hidden skill. But I'd never used it even once in front of other people.
It wasn't only because skills were an important way to survive, but also because I thought it would make me stand out even more if it had become known.
But, if it was her-even if she found out, it should be okay...
I opened my mouth thinking this.
”Never mind, it doesn't matter. Digging around about other's skills is rude anyhow.”
She just laughed it off. Now that I had lost my chance, I simply mumbled a few words in my mouth. Then, Asuna's eyes grew wide after checking the time.
”Ah, it's already three. It's late, but let's eat lunch.”
”What!?”
I couldn't hide my excitement.
”I-Is it handmade!?”
Asuna smiled wordlessly and quickly manipulated her menu. After getting rid of her glove, she called forth a small basket. So there was definitely one good thing about partying with her-as I thought this rudely, Asuna suddenly glared at me.
”...what bad ideas were you thinking just now?”
”N-Nothing. More than that, let's eat.”
Asuna pouted, but nevertheless took two paper packages out of the basket and then handed one over to me. I opened the package and found a sandwich made with lots of vegetables and grilled meat stuffed between two thin slices of round bread. An aroma similar to pepper came from it. Suddenly, I felt really hungry and I took a large bite.
”It's...really good...”
I bit into it twice, thrice in a row, and then uttered my sincere appreciation. The shape seemed somewhat European, like the food that the NPC restaurants offered, but the taste was different. The slightly sour and sweet flavor was definitely similar to the j.a.panese fast foods that I had eaten until two years ago. I ate the huge sandwich quickly, feeling like I was going to cry from the nostalgic taste.
After finis.h.i.+ng the last piece and downing the tea that Asuna gave me, I finally gave a sigh.
”How did you manage this flavor...?”
”It's the result of a year of training and experimentation. I made it after a.n.a.lyzing the data on how alllllllll of the herbs affect the taste reproduction engine. This is glogwa seed, shuble leaf, and calim water.”
As Asuna said this, she took out two small bottles from the basket, opened one of them, and stuck her index finger in. The finger came out with some indescribable substance on it that was sticky and purple. Then she said, ”Open your mouth.”
I didn't know what it was, but as I opened my mouth on reflex, and Asuna flung the substance into it. The gooey substance flew into my mouth accurately and its flavor amazed me.
”...It's mayonnaise!”
”Those are abilpa beans, sag leaves, and uransipi bones.”
The last one sounded like the ingredient for an antidote, but the liquid flew into my mouth before I had any time to think about it. Its taste shocked me even more than the previous one. This was definitely soy sauce. I was so ecstatic that I grabbed Asuna's hand and put her finger in my mouth.
”Kya!!”
She screamed and s.n.a.t.c.hed her hand out while glaring at me. But then she started laughing at my expression.
”That's what I made the sandwich out of.”
”...it's amazing! Perfect! You could make a fortune with this!”
To tell the truth, the sandwich tasted even better than the Ragout Rabbit meal I had yesterday.
”R-Really?”
Asuna smiled sheepishly.
”No, it'd be better not to sell them. I can't let my share disappear.”
”Uwa, you're so greedy! ...if you want, I'll make it again for you sometime.”
She added the last bit quietly and leaned slightly against my shoulder. As a calm silence filled the room, I even forgot that this was the front lines, a place where we fought with our lives at stake.
If I could eat this sort of thing every day, I could steel my resolve and move to Salemburg...right next to Asuna's house... I started thinking this without realizing it, and just as I was about to say this out aloud-.
Suddenly, the clanking sound of armor heralded the arrival of another group of players. We quickly widened the distance between us.
I glanced at the leader of the six-man party and relaxed my shoulders. He was the katana-wielder that I had known for the longest time in Aincrad.
”Oh, Kirito! It's been a while!”
I stood up and greeted the tall person who had started to walk this way after recognizing me.
”You're still alive, Klein?”
”You're as foul-mouthed as ever. Why are you of all people in a par-ty...”
The katana-wielder's eyes went wide under his bandana as he saw Asuna, who had stood up after quickly packing away her things.
”Ah-, ...you've probably already met each other during the boss fights, but I'll introduce you two anyway. This guy is Klein from the guild ”Fuurinkazan”, and this is Asuna from ”Knights of the Blood”.”
Asuna nodded lightly when I introduced her, but Klein just stood there, both his eyes and mouth wide open.
”Hey, say something. Are you lagging?”