Spoiler Alert: This article or section contains details about plotlines not covered in the anime. Do not proceed unless you wish to be spoiled. |
16.9, released at COMITIA 109 on August 31, 2014, is the 13th Material Edition written by Kunori Fumio. The story is a direct sequel to 16.8[1] and the 16.8.5 side story. It is the fourth chapter in the Forest Home series and is equivalent to Sugary Days 4.[2]
Plot[]
Part 1[]
On October 25, 2024, during the first day in their log house, Kirito and Asuna rested on the wooden deck while swinging together in a newly-bought rocking chair. With his young wife still sleeping in his arms, the boy contemplated about various aspects of a virtual world, such as fictitious data or the reality of the death game. Sensing Kirito's unease, Asuna awoke, prompting Kirito to share his worries with her. Upon learning of his concern about one day awaking from their fictional world, she abruptly mentioned that she liked power lines, much to the boy's confusion. With further elaboration on the topic, Kirito realized that power lines symbolized the connection between the couple in the real world. Overflowing with emotion, he tightly embraced Asuna and began to act more intimately, despite her temporary resistance to his actions.
Part 2[]
At 14:30 that day, Kirito and Asuna were en route to Coral, the main town of 22nd Floor of Aincrad, when the girl suddenly behaved as if she felt sick. While Kirito initially considered the possibility of Asuna having a stomachache, he soon realised that it was Asuna's was suffering from embarrassment due to the multiple violations of the «Moral Code» in the morning.
Once in town, the couple headed to a furniture shop to purchase additional interior for their new house. Upon entering, Asuna took a liking to large and luxurious table with a set of chairs. However, after seeing its price, which greatly shocked Kirito, the couple decided to look for something smaller and less expensive.
Part 3[]
Having finished their shopping, Kirito and Asuna were returning home, when the girl abruptly mentioned the expensive table from before. According to her, it had been crafted by a player, who had consigned the piece of furniture to the Non-Player Character (NPC) shop. This fact made Kirito recall various groups that played the game in their own, individual way.
After a while, Asuna reminded Kirito of their conversation in the morning, revealing that the Japanese word for "fiction" was the same as the word "aerial" in the term "aerial cables". Asuna's smile at the end of their conversation triggered another outburst of emotion from Kirito, who then passionately hugged and kissed his wife. Although the girl was flustered at first, she allowed the kiss to last for ten seconds, before she whispered to him that their home was only a little farther.