"Asuna, how are you getting along with Miss Haruno?"

The black car hummed quietly as it cruised down the street. Inside, Yuuki Kyouji's voice broke the silence. For a man known for his solemn and distant demeanor, the sudden warmth in his tone caught Asuna off guard.

Asuna blinked in surprise. "Miss Haruno is very kind," she answered, glancing out the window. "She even invited me out next weekend. But... I have cram school."

Her voice faltered at the end, and she lowered her gaze, almost embarrassed.

Yuuki Kyouji's expression stiffened. "So you refused?"

"Not really," Asuna replied quickly. "I just told her I'd check my schedule. It wouldn't be polite to outright decline someone like her."

Yuuki Kyouji nodded in approval. "Good. You're growing up well, Asuna. You should interact more with people like Miss Haruno. In fact... I'm thinking of talking to your mother about your current school situation."

"My school?" Asuna looked up, eyes wide with curiosity.

"You're already seventeen," he said, smiling faintly. "It may not be wise to remain at a noble girls' academy indefinitely. How about transferring to Sobu High School instead?"

"Really?!" Asuna nearly burst out of her seat, her eyes sparkling. For the first time in years, she felt genuine excitement.

Living under her mother's iron-fisted rule, she had long given up hoping for such freedoms. Everything from her school to her extracurriculars to her engagement had been predetermined. Love? Club activities? Friends? Those were luxuries denied to her.

But now...

"Of course," Kyouji said gently. "Also, I've been giving it some thought... You're still young. There's no need to tie you down with an engagement just yet."

Asuna's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm canceling your engagement with Nobuyuki Sugo."

"W-What?!"

This time, she couldn't hide her shock. She had been quietly enduring that arrangement, even though the mere thought of Sugo made her uncomfortable. His slicked-back hair, smug smile, and the unsettling way his eyes wandered during their meetings... Everything about him screamed danger cloaked in polish.

And yet, her parents had seemed so impressed.

"You're my daughter, Asuna," Yuuki Kyouji said firmly. "You deserve the right to choose your own future, your own happiness. Your mother and I—we'll support you. Always."

Tears welled in Asuna's eyes.

She didn't know what caused her father to change so drastically, but she wasn't about to question it.

"Thank you, father. Thank you so much."

What she didn't know was that earlier that day, Kyouji had met with Nozomi. After a mysterious and cryptic conversation—one filled with veiled threats, impossible claims, and unsettling confidence—Kyouji had begun to reconsider his decisions.

The name Suo Masachika had stirred something in him. Old memories. Older fears.

Now, both father and daughter had gotten what they wanted.

Asuna's unwanted engagement was annulled.

Kyouji solidified a lucrative business partnership.

And Nozomi? He had finally crossed paths with Asuna.

...…

Later that evening, Kyouji summoned Nobuyuki Sugo to the Yuuki estate.

They met in the sitting room, the atmosphere tense beneath the polished pleasantries.

"Nobuyuki," Kyouji began, keeping his tone light but firm, "I've decided to cancel your engagement with Asuna. I hope you'll understand that I'm doing this as a father."

Sugo's expression didn't falter.

He nodded, bowing politely. "I understand, President Yuuki. We should respect Miss Asuna's wishes. But... I won't give up."

Kyouji offered a diplomatic smile. "That's up to the both of you. Let youth take its course."

As Sugo left the estate, his polite façade crumbled.

His clenched fists trembled with rage.

"You're giving me lip service, old man! Respect feelings? You just found someone better for a son-in-law, didn't you?! Kayaba Akihiko, is it?!"

His thoughts burned with resentment. Kayaba had stolen the spotlight before—taking credit for projects Sugo believed should have been his. It was only because of that mysterious core technology that Kayaba had created SAO. It should have been Sugo basking in glory.

"I'll take everything back. My research position. My pride. Even Asuna. Just you wait, Kayaba Akihiko!"

His face twisted into a sneer as he stared back toward the Yuuki mansion.

"Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west. Don't look down on me!"

Suddenly—

A ripple in the air. A crackle of something otherworldly.

A single black flame descended from the night sky. It hit Sugo squarely on the head.

He didn't even have time to scream.

In the next second, he was gone.

Ashes scattered across the pavement where he once stood.

(Sounds like Kibaou Yoshiaki, I'm still not completely sure.)

...…

After coming to this world, Nozomi had encountered many unexpected twists—one of them being Yuuki Asuna. And to his irritation, Asuna was already engaged… to none other than Nobuyuki Sugo.

Nozomi didn't even need to think twice. A man like Sugo—who, according to the original storyline, would later trap players' souls in virtual prisons for twisted human experiments—was a walking red flag wrapped in a lab coat. Not to mention, he had the gall to even think about laying hands on Asuna.

There was no way Nozomi would allow that future to happen. Not on his watch.

Even outside the narrative, Sugo was problematic. The moment he left the Yuuki residence after hearing of the canceled engagement, he showed his true colors. His face twisted into a venomous glare, and his words dripped with hatred and ambition. That confirmed everything Nozomi needed to know.

He had to go.

The disappearance of Sugo Nobuyuki would no doubt raise some eyebrows, especially within the Yuuki household. But Nozomi wasn't concerned.

After all, a deterrent was necessary. If the world believed him to be something more than human—if they feared him—so much the better. A deity without fangs could never keep devils at bay.

And Asuna? Nozomi had already decided. She would be his.

After taking care of Sugo in a display of silent, overwhelming power, Nozomi returned to Sakurasou, his mind at ease and his steps light.

Several days passed. Sugo Nobuyuki never returned to work.

Yuuki Kyouji quickly grew concerned. Was the canceled engagement that much of a psychological blow? He sent his assistant to look into it.

What they found wasn't a resignation letter. Nor a suicide note. Just a small pile of fine ash on a path near the Yuuki residence.

It was tested.

The results were… chilling.

"This is Nobuyuki Sugo's ash, sir."

Yuuki Kyouji's hand trembled. He could hear Nozomi's voice echoing in his mind: "This world is not that simple."

His heart pounded. He gripped the edge of his desk until his knuckles turned white.

"The Son of God… really isn't to be underestimated."

In silence, Sugo Nobuyuki had been reduced to dust. All because of an engagement… or perhaps, because of Asuna.

Yuuki Shozo didn't know what emotions he was supposed to feel. Terror? Relief? Gratitude? Maybe all of them.

But one thing was certain. He had made the right call. He had agreed to the cooperation… and handed over his shares.

...

A few days later, Class J of Sobu High School's first year received a new student.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Yuuki Asuna. I used to attend an all-girls school, but starting today, I'll be your classmate. Please take care of me!"

Wearing the Sobu High uniform with natural grace, Asuna's gentle smile practically melted the hearts of half the class—particularly the boys, who stared as if they had just met a goddess.

A stunning beauty. An elegant air. And now part of their class.

Just when they thought the combination of Yukino Yukinoshita and Suo Yuki had maxed out the school's goddess count… fate added another.

Asuna's transfer had been orchestrated by her mother, of course. Expensive tuition was not an issue for the Yuuki family, and Asuna's top-tier academic record made her eligible for the elite Class J.

Known unofficially as "International Class J," this was the pinnacle class of Sobu High School.

Its students were the crème de la crème—heirs to old bloodlines, scions of corporate empires, and talents honed from birth.

For someone like Yuuki Asuna, it was the perfect setting.

Besides, it didn't hurt that Yukinoshita Haruno's younger sister happened to be in Class J as well…

***********