No one's POV

Sora had just sent Kotone back to her house and Kotone saw that Sora had really dull eyes and she understood him right away. He was upset by what happened between him and Kirito just now and he look at her with a force smile.

Sora: Good night, Kotone. I'll call you tomorrow...

Sora was about to drove off when Kotone calls him.

Kotone: Sora...

Sora: Yeah...?

Kotone: I... uh... I was wondering if you still remembering the day we first met...

Sora: Sure I do. You were trap by a Laughing Coffin member, and I came there to save you...

Kotone: Yeah.. And then I attack you, thinking that you were one of them.

Sora: Yeah, I still can't believe you attack me, even when I save you.

Sora let out a small chuckle and he was about to sped off but Kotone calls him once again.

Kotone: Sora, I hope you and Kirito could make amends with each other...

Sora just looked down with his hair covering his eyes, and nodded his head and sped off.

(Timeskip)

It was late at night, and Sora was sleeping in his old home just like he said he would. He doesn't wanted to meet up with Kazuto, and he had received multiple phone calls and text message from his brother, telling that he was sorry for what he did, but Sora just ignored it. Just as he was about to went back to sleep, his phone rang off again, and he was getting tired at Kazuto for instantly calling him, but it turns out to be Kotone.

Sora: Is something wrong...?

Kotone then ask Sora to meet up with her at the place where they would watch the sun set together at ALO, and Zora logged in and saw Philia sitting there in the grass holding her knees tightly.

Zora: What's going on? Can't sleep?

Zora then sat next to her and Philia spoke up.

Philia: I'm sorry, that I woke you.

Zora: It's fine. Did something happened?

Philia then look up and started looking around the area as if she was trying to remember something and she look at Zora.

Philia: This might seem weird, but since when did the two of us started coming here and watch the sunset together.

Zora: Huh? Since we were in SAO, so about 2 and half years...

Philia: It has, hasn't it?

Zora then looked confused and could tell right away that something was wrong with Philia.

Zora: Philia?

Philia: I knew it... I can't remember...

Zora: Can't remember what?

Philia: Everything. The day that I spend with you in SAO. I can't recall any of it. The first time you and I met, the battles we fought, the two of us started going out with each other.

Zora then looked completely and utterly shocked. All the precious memories that they shared and she couldn't remember a single of it. Their trust, prove of love... everything is suddenly gone.

Zora: What are you talking about? Please tell me your joking?!

Philia shook her head telling him that it was not a joke.

Philia: In the last few hours. The memories I had of SAO faded away. There's nothing left now.

Zora's eyes widened, completely and utterly shocked and the next day, he brought Kotone to Doctor Kurahashi at the Yokohama North General Hospital to have him checked. While Doctor Kurahashi examined Kotone's brain with the Medicuboid. Currently, Sora and Kotone were seating in front of Doctor Kurahashi as the doctor has Kotone's result test in his hand.

Kurahashi: I need to go through all the data, before I can say for certain. But by the looks of it, Kotone's brain, seemed to have undergone some kind of limited memory scan.

Sora: Limited memory scan? So what or whoever did this only targeted her memories of SAO. How is that possible?

Kurahashi: What I can think of is that individual neurons responsible for the memories were identified by greatly stimulating Kotone's memories of his SAO days. And election pulses were then focused on these specific targets to forcefully read the images stored in them. In the past few days, there are multiple symptoms similar to Kotone's.

Sora: It couldn't be just coincidence...

Kurahashi: They all play that AR game events.

Sora: The Augma is causing it.

Kurahashi: I can't be of certain yet. And by the way, Kazuto come here just recently with the same problem on Asuna.

Sora and Kotone's eyes widened completely and utterly shocked that Asuna had the same problem. Sora then started thinking multiple things. Like how was this possible? Both Asuna and Kotone started having this thing the after they finished the last event fight, right after their life hit zero and they collapse. And Eiji, who said that he was going after him and the rest of his friends as well.

Sora: Is Kotone going to be alright?

Kurahashi: Most likely, the memory scan has impaired her ability to recall these memories. At the present moment, we have found no organic abnormalities with the brain itself. Though... whether her condition will stabilize or not only time will tell.

Sora: So your saying that she'll have more chance to lose more of her memories?

Kurahashi nodded his head and both Sora and Kotone's eyes widened completely and utterly shocked. The two of them then sat outside and the patient waiting area, where they would wait, where Kurahashi did some more test.

Kotone: I'm sorry, Sora.

Sora: Don't worry. You could still remember what happened lately, right?

Kotone nodded her head.

Sora: This doesn't mean you never gonna remember SAO again. You will...

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Kotone raised her hand and started and started scrolling down, like she would do inside the game to bring out the menus. And Sora looked confused and saw that she started sweating heavily and he started to get worried.

Sora: Kotone?

Kotone suddenly collapse on the ground and Sora picked her up right away.

Sora: KOTONE!!!

The nurse suddenly came rushing in to check things on her. She was told that she needed time to rest.

(Timeskip)

The next day after she recovered, Zora started to take Philia and revisit the place they had been through. The place they met, their quest together, the adventurer's that they've been. But at the end of the day, Philia still can't remember anything during her SAO times. And now, Zora and Philia were at the lake where they would see the sunset together and Zora gave her something to eat, but she refuses.

Philia: I'm sorry, Zora. I can't remember anything about, SAO. I remember the time after SAO, but other than that, is all blank...

Rio: Mama...

Philia then hugged Rio tightly.

Philia: I'm sorry. I hate that I can't remember the life we had back then.

Rio: I'll try and find something in Ordinal Scale. I'm sure I'll find something to get both you and Aunty's memories back.

Zora then hugged the both of them as well, and he started recall everything that had happened. He wasn't gonna sit still and just let all the memories about them together disappear like it was nothing.

Zora(mind): Nautils... Why are you doing this...?

(Timeskip)

The next day, he visited Asuna and Klien to ask them about whether they recall about their time in SAO, but they said that they didn't. And Kurahashi told that it was happening to all SAO survivor. And Sora started remembering about the promise they made about seeing the sunset and stargazing and he made up his mind and went to search things up.

Sora: Launch Ordinal Scale ranking...

Sora saw that his name was on the 120 and saw that Eiji, who was named Nautilus on the game was ranked second. And he then went to the designated area, to where that an Ordinal Scale event was being held to search for him to find no sign of him.

Rio: I'm sorry, Papa. I can't find the player that called Eiji.

Sora: Oh well...

Rio: Don't worry, Papa. While you go fight the boss, I'll be sure to gather plenty of data.

Sora: I'm counting on you...

Rio: Papa, if you don't mind me asking. What's your relation between you, Eiji and Yuna?

Sora just looked down saddened before speaking up.

Sora: I'll tell you after this battle...

???: Well, well, look who it is?

??? Why are your face so gloomy there?

Sora then looked around and see two people recognize. The first was his friend, Shino Asada, and the second was someone he wasn't expecting. It was his childhood friend before he moved away, Momiji Takamine.

A/N: There will be a side story involving her, that is between season 2 and Ordinal Scale that is being progresses, so wait for it.

Sora: What are you two doing here?

Takamine: What are you doing here?! You just told everyone, not to fight the bosses and here you are...

Sora: But its dangerous! If a boss kills you, you'll both lose your memory, like Kotone and Asuna.

Takamine then looked annoyed and slap Sora in the face.

Sora: OWWW!! What was that for?!

Takamine: Oh you know what its for alright! You are about to do something dangerous all by yourself again. First, you disappear from my life all those years ago, and here I am wanting to help you out, but you refuses our help!!

Sora just look down and look away.

Shino: Is it because of what happened between you and Kirito?

Sora's eyes widened. The others must've told them about what happened between the two of them.

Takamine: You're scared, that we might do the same to you too, am I wrong?

Sora didn't deny it. He was afraid that his friends might do the same thing, so he should do it all by himself so he wouldn't involve them in danger and the both of them just sigh.

Takamine: You really are an idiot...

Sora: And your still as bossy as ever!

Takamine just stick her tongue out and Shono just smile.

Shino: We'll be fine. We're not an SAO Survivor, like you guys. If I don't have those memories to scan, nothing is gonna happened to us, right Rio?

Rio: Yes, I think...

Sora: But, we're still not sure...

Takamine: If your that worry, then you better keep us, safe!

Rio: If anyone can keep them save is you, Papa.

Sora just sigh before nodding his head and the three of them grabbed their Augma.

Sora, Shino, Takamine: Ordinal Scale, Activate!

Sora entered his Zora account as his outfits changed to his OS battle outfits with his sword on his hands. Shino also entered her Sinon account as her outfits changed to OS regular outfits and her weapon of choice is a sniper-type weapon.

And Takamine entered her Kureha account with a SMG riffle.

The area then started to change once the clock hits 9pm

A surge of flame then appeared in the center of the battlefield as the boss monster come out of it. Zora quickly recognized the boss right away. It was a giant boar capable of walking on its two legs, with green skin and red eyes.

Zora: That's Dire Tusk! The boss from floor 18th! What happened to floor 13th boss?!

Rio: I just check! A total of 10 different bosses just appeared across the city!

Kureha: They're pulling out the stocks tonight!

Sinon: And that's quite the lavish reception we're getting here!

Rio: Dire Tusk is here, because the Admin shuffle the bosses around.

The three of them prepared for battle. Zora pulled out his blade from its scabbard and Sinon shot the boss with an energy bullet and hit the boss right on its face.

Zora: Its gonna wind up for an attacks next.

Kureha: Then let's light em up!

Kureha started aiming her rifle towards the bosses and started shooting multiple bullets right in its arm, preventing Dire Tusk from freeing itself from the chains that were binding it.

Zora rushed in and went to push some SAO survivors out of the way, but one of them got hit and Rio saw a piece of data were being launched from the players Augma, Rio followed it to find its destination and went inside the drone. Inside the drone , she had to dodge multiple firewall set up around there. She had doubts on whether she could keep up with it.

Rio(mind): It appears someone really does not wish anyone to see this...

As she was about to grabbed the fallen player piece of data, she suddenly found herself blocked by a barrier midway. Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Zora was fighting the boss on its own on the vanguard, while being back up with Sinon and Kureha from the rear.

Kureha: Your being hasty, Zora!!

Dire Tusk then slammed its axe towards Zora, but Zora managed to redirect its blow and went for an opening, but Dire Tusk, started spinning around and used its chains to form a shield.

Zora jumped back, gaining some distance and Sinon use her sniping ability and hit the chain breaking it, leaving the boss defenseless.

Immediately, Zora rushes in at the boss and went to kill it, but Dire Tusk went to slam its axe towards him, but was blocked by Kureha who was shooting multiple energy bullets towards the axe and break it.  But the boss monster didn't give up, he went and slammed his hand towards Zora and went to punch him, but Zora jumped through its hand and perform a spinning motion and sliced its hand off killing it.

Zora: Phew... He didn't show up tonight.

Zora then sheathed his sword as the battlefield area went back to normal and both Sinon and Kureha walked up to him with a smile.

Sinon: Nice work.

Kureha: See. If we work together, we can overcome anything.

Zora: Thanks to the both of you...

Kureha: Treat us for a cake and we called it even...

Zora: Sure thing... I'll take you both home as well...

Both Kureha and Sinon nodded their head and Zora's eyes widened when he saw the same white hooded figure.

Zora: Yuna?

As the girl walked away, her white hoodie which covered her face got swept away and revealed her face which was the same as the AR idol, Yuna.

Zora: Hey wait! Yuna!

Zora logged out from his OS account and rushed after the person who he failed to save that day. He wanted to ask you question.

Sora: Yuna, please! Are you gonna leave me again?!

Yuna just look back at him and he saw that she had tears on her eyes before disappearing once again after pointing at some location in the distance.

Sora: Wait, YUNA!!!

He was frustrated at the hooded girl who always disappeared in thin air. Shino, Takamine and Rio then appeared behind the black-haired boy after they follow him.

Rio: I'm sorry, Papa. When specific players took damage from the boss, I was able to confirm that some baffling program had been triggered but I was blocked just moments away from discovering the answer.

Sora: Son of a-

Sora then punch some nearby wall, leaving a small crack on it and both Shino and Takamine gasp as they saw how furious he was. Blood started streaming down his hand, and Takamine walk up to him, but he stopped her.

Sora: Do you want something?

Takamine: What happen to you? You seemed so frustrated over that idol girl...

Sora: Before that. Rio, do you know which direction Yuna was pointing every time we saw her?

Rio: Yes I do.

Sora: Bring up a map of Tokyo, and showed me where they all lead?

By combining the location the hoodie girl pointing in, Rio opened a huge map of Tokyo and managed to get the location Yuna pointed at.

Sino: In Okayama...?

Sora: Rio, what's here?

Rio: That's where the Toutou Institute of Technology is.

Sora: Why is Yuna telling me to go there? This is the place where her father work...

Rio: I'll cross-reference them with the player called Eiji.

Multiple pictures then appeared around Zora, Shino, and Takamine. As they looked around, a picture of Eiji appeared.

Sora: That's professor Tetsuhiro Shigemura!

Rio: The one that design the Augma...

Sora: And he is also Yuna's father...

Takamine: And how do you know that...?

Sora look at them and saw that they want some explanation about his relationship between Eiji and Yuna and Sora just sigh.

Sora: Alright... I'll tell you everything...

The three of them sat on a bench near the park as both, Shino, and Takamine sat between Sora as he started telling his story.

Sora: Yuna, and Eiji were my friends from SAO. I use to party with them, before I started partying with Kirito.

(Flashback)
(3 years ago, during SAO after Rumia's death)

After Rumia's death and her message, Zora would almost constantly when towards the 47th floor to look at the flowers all by himself. Rumia love picking flowers at the real world, and even at the virtual world. Zora would almost went there everyday, it was a part of it that keeps him connected with his sister.

Zora:...

???: Hey, are you alright...?

Zora then look up with his eyes dull and saw a girl with brown hair, wearing white and blue had a white hat on and she spoke up again.

???: I always saw you, standing here all sad and alone. Is something wrong...?

Zora:...

???: Did you lose someone important to you?

Zora didn't say anything and after a few seconds spoke up.

Zora: I did...my sister died...protecting me...she's gone because of me...

???: I don't think that's true...if she protected you, then your sister didn't die because of you, she died for you. She wanted you to live on for your sake and for her sake as well...

Zora then looked down and didn't say anything and then girl spoke up smiling at him.

???: What's your name? My name's Yuna.

Zora: My name is Zora...

Yuna smile at him. And that was his first encounter with the girl name Yuna. Ever since then, Yuna would constantly hang out with him when he was there. She introduce her friend name Nautilus, and they become friends right away. Yuna even started calling Zora by the nickname, Zo-kun. They tell each other almost everything, Yuna even told him about her real life name named Yunna Shigemura.

Nautilus, he suffered from a FullDive Non-Conformity condition that impeded his movement whenever he feared for his life. Despite his condition, Nautilus managed to be recruited by the Knights of the Blood due to his levelling progress. However, after his condition endangered his party during his first battle against a mid-boss, he was forbidden from taking part in the 40th Floor Boss battle. But the three of them still got along pretty well.

(Timeskip)

6 moth have passed, and Zora would start smiling again. But that time didn't last long. On the day of the boss battle, Nautilus led an emergency rescue party to aid a party of players. And as they had done aiding the players, Yuna saw a treasure chest inside the dungeon room.

Yuna: Hey look! A treasure chest! Let's see what's inside...

Yuna then ran inside while Nautilus still stood there unable to moves while Zora still looked skeptical until he realized that it was a trapped.

Zora: No wait! It's a trap, don't open that-

As soon as the girl opened the treasure chest, the door suddenly closed down trapping Zora and Yuna, with some other players inside leaving Nautilus outside and over a hundreds monsters started appearing and both Zora and Yuna and the rest of the party looked completely shocked.

Zora: Oh no!

Zora started fighting against them while rushing towards Yuna trying to protect her, but he was blocked by dozens of monsters standing in front of him.

Zora: Get out of my way!

Just as he barely broke through, he saw Yuna in front of him who was defending herself, got hit from behind and her HP reaches zero and Zora's eyes widened completely and utterly shocked.

Zora: YUNA!!!

Yuna: Zo-kun...

Zora tried to reached out for her and and she just smile and mutter a few words and disappeared.

Yuna: Thank you... Goodbye...

Zora:...

Tears started streaming down his eyes. He once again lost someone precious to him. After that, he told Nautilus everything that happened and he started to get broken just like Zora.

Nautilus: Its all your fault!! YOU DIDN'T SAVE HER!!!!

Zora: Nautilus... I...

Nautilus: YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE WITH US!!!! YOU'RE A TRAITOR!!!! DON'T EVER CONTACTED ME AGAIN!!!!

This rescue attempt resulted in the death of Yuna, thus Nautilus left his guild and secluded himself in an inn on the 1st Floor for the remainder of the game in the aftermath of the incident. Every time, Zora tries to get in touch with him, he would push him away, and thus Zora gave up and left him.

(Present)

Sora: And after that, I'm sure you all know the rest. I started partying up with Kirito, Asuna, and Philia, for the next year. Never making contacts with Nautilus ever again. To him, I was a traitor for not being able to save Yuna, that day.

Sora concluded, wrapping up his long story. All the fun and sad memories between him and Yuna.

Sora: Wah...

Shino and Takamine were crying loudly.

Takamine: That's awful... Why... Why did such thing...

Shino:...

Sora: I appreciate that your crying for me, but its all in the past... so please don't cry...

Shino: What a sad story indeed...

Sora: Anyway, I need to go. I want to make an appointment to meet up with Yuna's dad, tomorrow.

Takamine: I'll go with you... You can stay at my place. My Mom and Dad would be delighted to see you again.

Sora: Huh? But...

Takamine: No buts... What you need right now, is someone you need to lean on to. I won't accept no for an answer...

Sora just sigh and look at Shino.

Sora: What about you?

Shino: No its fine you can go. I have something urgent after this...

Sora nodded his head and both him and Takamine stood up and left Shino alone, and she pick up her phone from her pocket and saw that she was secretly calling Kazuto on the line.

Shino: Did you get all that...?

Kazuto: *Sigh* What have I done...

Shino: You better find out how to make up to him.

Kazuto: Yeah... Thank you, Sinon. And I'm sorry...

Shino: If you wanna say sorry. Say it to your brother...

Kazuto on the other side nodded his head and he made up his mind and will apologized for what he had done towards his brother