221. Base World Development and The Promised Date with Aika. (3)

After playing with slime, the next step on their date was Aika, who took Kaito to the city's food business district so they could find a place to have a dinner together. Because most of the children were almost forbidden to go out at night (because they needed enough sleep for their growth period), the city felt a bit quieter than usual.

Of course, this didn't mean no one was out at night... in fact, it was quite the opposite. Many adults were out at this time, whether running adult-oriented businesses or just hanging out together... especially in the always-busy business district.

There were still a few children out at night, especially those on the city patrol, who worked to maintain security and cleanliness.

...

"At night, this city feels so different~" Aika muttered, looking around, filled with teenagers and adults alike, nearing every street lamp and public bench, unlike at noon, where's there are so many children around. 

She's also currently tightly hugging Kaito's arm while walking, making everyone around them feel jealous. Although their disguise is still there, such an affectionate show in public will make them the center of attention, albeit nothing Kaito can't do except do his best to calm down.

A soft feeling from his arm on top of the tempting scent of perfume that Kaito smelled as Aika approached made Kaito's heart beat faster. Besides that, Aika's body also feels very warm... the night is pretty cold, and thus Kaito admits her hugs feel comfortable.

...

Many of them sat at street food stalls chatting, some gathered smoking while chatting on public benches, and even some were in host areas and love hotels. Although this city was designated as a residence for Former Cursed Children, the chat group didn't prohibit adults from opening adult-oriented businesses here... as long as it was running at night, when children were forbidden from going out.

"I mean, for now, this is all cities were about." Kaito nodded and explained, "Children lack of experience to run the whole city; only adults are capable of doing so."

"The restriction of adult business only available at night would be lifted later on... maybe next year or so."

After all, this city was only temporarily filled with 80% Cursed Children, and in a few years, it would be clear that the city would be very different from what it was now. The children would grow up and learn to become adults; it wouldn't be logical to create a city just for children.

Furthermore, Kaito planned to make this city a hub for adventurers who would attempt to challenge Aincrad, if the name "Aincrad" wasn't obvious enough. Eventually, when all preparations were complete and their governance was stabilized enough, Kaito would install an entrance to the entire Aincrad complex in the city, where all the inhabitants of this world could challenge its 100 floors.

...

"For now, we are doing those jobs, but in the future, we will leave them to take care of themselves." Kaito added, looking at the clear sky with expectation, "I wonder whether it's the right decision or not... but I hope this world will be a paradise for all of us."

"We can only do our best, Kaito~" Aika suddenly hugged him out of nowhere, which made Kaito flustered since it brought them so close nose to nose.

It was so unexpected that it caught Kaito off guard, especially when they were still in a public street!

...!!!

"Aika?!"

"Pssst... I promise I will always support whatever you want to do as long as you also support me," Aika muttered sweetly. "Can you promise to do the same?"

*Gulp*

"I... I do..."

Looking at determination and hot love in Aika's eyes, there's no way Kaito would refuse her advances right now.

'Aika is so bold... but she's really pretty!' Kaito thought.

Not to mention, in his eyes, Aika is really beautiful right now, very gorgeous, and feels very soft. Her light brown hair glistened slightly under the street lamp, her unique breath giving Kaito chills, her body heat also providing Kaito with comfort; everything about 'Fuwa Aika' made his heart in turmoil.

*DUG*... *DUG*... *DUG*

Kaito wants to hug her back and even kiss her right now, but unlike Aika, he actually doesn't have enough courage to do that in a public space!

Realizing Kaito won't make any move in public, Aika quickly pulled away from him in understanding and then grabbed his hand, "Alright, let's have a quick dinner and go somewhere private."

"...Where?"

"A secret place that we can use." Aika stood in front of him, with 1 finger on her lips, which Kaito admitted made her look pretty cute, "You will like it, I promise."

"Then, I will just let you bring me to wherever you want." Kaito helplessly smiled at her, letting her do whatever she wanted.

Although Kaito didn't know where Aika would bring him, he had a great trust in the girl who had helped him a lot. He also is not dense about her feelings; it's clear Aika wants him to touch her tonight, and it's not like he's not attracted to her either.

The only things that made Kaito hesitate would be what the other girls thought if Aika and Kaito did the deed. Especially for Ravel Phenex, the girl whom he swore to put at the top of the girls he loved the most.

>>>>>

After eating dinner in one of the restaurants run by a Totsuki graduate in the city, Aika used points to teleport Kaito together with her to an extremely deserted and unexpected place... the location for the end of their date today.

"This place... A beach? Where is it?"

Looking out at the sea filled with blue light illuminating the ocean and white sandy beach at night, Kaito was honestly impressed. He was immediately reminded of one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, because the display was similar... if not even better.

After Kaito looked closely, it seemed that the reason the beach here glowed blue was due to the natural blue mana energy seeping directly below. This caused natural bioluminescence, surrounding anyone swimming here with a blue glow.

...

"It's one of the great places Akitsu found during her exploration of the world." Aika answered him, stood beside him to witness the beautiful scenery,  "For your information, this place is located 3000 km away from the wooden mansion to the west."

"You guys didn't tell me about this place... You guys are already building in this place." Kaito wryly smiled.

"This place is only known among women for our secret vacation place, but you will be the first man to know it."

Not long from their standing location, there's a literal small modern home with running water and electricity that can be seen, making it a stark contrast to the untouchable nature around it. On the terrace, there's a long bamboo chair used for glasses of drinks and snacks that have been eaten... indicating this place has been occupied by a living person not long ago. This gives Kaito the idea that perhaps he also should find a secret place for himself to relax; this base world is basically bigger than Earth, so there should be countless hidden, beautiful spots for them to find.

...

"In a place with only two of us, directly close to the sea, with only stars watching us from above. Isn't this feel romantic?" Aika smiled sweetly at him.

"Yeah..." Kaito nods, quietly stares at her, and mutters softly, "Are you going to confess now?"

"Umm."

A place with no one else, beautiful scenery, a ready-to-use home for the aftermath... Kaito would be very stupid not to realize what Aika wanted to do. Being bold as she is, Aika then hugged Kaito from the front, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her entire body against his--- with their face facing each other very closely. 

Despite the chilly night air, the two of them felt warm because of their shared body warmth.

...

"I think you already know what I am gonna say." Aika stared at Kaito's eyes seriously, albeit there was a clear blush on her cheek.

"...Yeah." Kaito nodded slowly, knowing there's no use in escaping in this situation. "Tell me, Fuwa Aika."

After spending the whole day with Aika, Kaito knows he's seriously been falling for her. Alongside Manaka, she seems to understand him the best, and pretty much every bold action she did today made his heart pound very hard all the time.

It's clear as day that Kaito does like her; there's no need to lie about his feelings. Besides, Kaito himself despises those dense protagonists who would never abandon anyone who loves him... and accept his situation.

"Kaito, I love you."

Aika smiled sweetly at Kaito, mesmerizing him at this very moment, "I love everything about you. Your kindness, your cool looks, your determination not to give up, I like all of them."

"And most importantly, when I was abandoning my past, you were willing to accept me and support my decision. That's when I was truly falling in love with you."

...

Fuwa Aika is herself is aware of how she behaves towards people around her, how arrogant, and it's hard for her to get along with others. Even her ex-boyfriend, Yoshino, was having a hard time handling her mischievous attitude and arrogance.

But Kaito is fully accepting of and cares for her, simply because she is Fuwa Aika, not because of her looks, her strength, or her ability.

At first, Aika doesn't like Kaito that much and even dislikes him. She thought Kaito was treating her better because her being smart and could help him to control the chat group... but the more she learn about Kaito's personality, the more she liked him.

Despite holding the absolute advantage and position in the chat group, Kaito never abuses his position as the leader of the chat group.

If anything, what happened was the exact opposite. At the beginning of their journey, Kaito had always been paranoid about how other chat group members would not accept him as their leader, and did everything to make sure they accepted him. 

It was proven that Kaito treated them not as subordinates, but as his family.

And then later on, when Kaito was really concerned about her plan to kill herself in her own world... Aika then realizes that she has fallen in love with him so badly.

If it's Kaito, Aika knows he would do anything to keep her happy and safe, something that she actually desperately wanted to get, to experience, to delve into, in her original world.

Aika was sure about this because she knew that they were actually the same type of 'arrogant' person.

Aika calls herself arrogant because she can do anything to protect people they truly cares about, even if it means they would kill themselves in the process.

And Aika believes Kaito can do the same thing easily; a flaw in their personalities, yet it is also reassuring because it means none of them would abandon each other in any situation. Both of them are willing to sacrifice for one another and accept each other's weaknesses easily.

...

"Kaito, do you love me too?" Aika softly muttered.

"I... it would be a lie if I didn't love you too," Kaito replied immediately, staring back at Aika's beautiful purple eyes. Kaito then put his arm around her neck, too, startling Aika.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and every other girl who has helped me immensely during my journey."

"Don't talk about other girls on this occasion." Aika pouted, a bit upset with him, "Moo..."

"I... Uh, I am sorry..." Kaito apologized. 

There's nothing to say about it. Although he likes Fuwa Aika, Kaito also likes every other girl who has shown affection and helped him for a long time.

"What a scumbag boyfriend."

"I am truly sorry... Do you hate it?"

"It can't be helped. Who makes you so amazing, Kaito?"

"..."

Hearing Aika teasing him, Kaito can only wryly smile, knowing there's nothing he can do about people who like him. Managing a harem isn't a thing Kaito had in mind at all; all this time, he has always focused on how to get stronger.

But it seems from today, Kaito also needs to think about how to manage the girls around him more seriously.

...

"Kiss me."

"Isn't this bit too--"

...!!!

Aika then pressed her lips against Kaito, which surprised him for a bit. However, Kaito quickly got used to it and started enjoying this very moment. 

At first, their tongue moved awkwardly, but after a few minutes, both Aika and Kaito became skilled enough and even got addicted to it.

"Ha... ha... ha..." 

Aika was breathing heavily after kissing Kaito for more than 5 minutes, "...I didn't know kissing was so addictive."

"U-Umm..." Kaito nodded in agreement, but it only took a moment for Kaito to adjust his breath. His physique is better than Aika so he doesn't have any difficulty breathing. In fact, Aika was also blushing really badly, and she was feeling more embarrassed than him despite her bold action, but thanks to the minimal light provided by the night sky, Kaito was unable to see that.

"Nee... Kaito-kun."

"Umm...?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Then... Since you have fully accepted me... let's do it tonight in the house."

"Are you serious?" Hearing Aika's invitation, Kaito raised his eyebrow, "Right away? Isn't this bit too hasty?"

"Yes."

Although they have been together for a few years, Kaito barely spends time with Aika, at least in a romantic manner. However, seeing Aika seems determined to do it despite being more nervous than him, Kaito feels he wouldn't be a man if he kept refusing.

"I don't know if I am ready or not... but this is what I wanted to." Aika looked at him with upturned eyes, while taking a deep breath, "If you really love me, please make out with me."

"Yeah."

After that, Aika quickly led Kaito into the secret 'house' where they were having a great time together, enjoying each other's company.

Surprisingly, despite Aika's bold action during the dates, she was surprisingly docile and shy during the act, and Kaito was always in the lead. Such a stark contrast surprised Kaito a lot, but he admitted it makes Aika more humane and attractive to him.

...