Both Kirito and Salem nodded in response.

Carly knocked on Alex's door and smelled food cooking. She hoped she and Max were on time.

"Come in," Alex said, having a feeling that it was one of his friends.

" Hope we're not late. " Carly said with a grin as she entered. Everything smelled so good.

"Nope, you aren't late," Alex said before seeing Taylor and Sora appear a few seconds afterwards.

" That's good. " Carly said and was glad Eve was on time too

Alex was glad that all of his friends were here to enjoy his cooking. He had to admit that his life had certainly picked up after becoming a Trainer and he was glad for every second of it. "Now that everyone's here...let's eat" he said with a chuckle.

" Thanks for breakfast Alex. " Carly said with a smile.

"It's the least I could do Carly," Alex replied.

"So what are everyone's plans today ?" Taylor asked. He had a feeling they all and the same idea.

"Deanna and I were going to go shopping with Thalia, Max and Sakura. We need to get some gear for ourselves if we're going up to the mountains," Carly replied as she answered Taylor's question.

Sounds like a good idea. " Taylor said, since that was what he and Sora were going to do too.

"I have some of my old gear with me, for when we were sent into the mountains," Salem responded. "I can check to see if I have any that fit you as well Eve," he added.

" Alright. And we can buy what we need if it doesn't fit." Eve said.

"Exactly," Salem responded with a grin.

Kirito was looking forward to seeing Sakura again and hoped that he wouldn't get sad again. It was getting hard to not think about Asuna.

Sakura was getting a little nervous about meeting with Kirito and explaining to him what had happened. She just hoped that he believed her...

Kirito excused himself and headed toward the gym to meet Sakura. He promised Eve he would meet up with her and Salem later.

Sakura got ready, knowing that Kirito would be at the training area and mentally prepared herself for what she had to say to Kirito, both what Asuna said and for the answer to her question. "Thalia? What are you doing here?" she asked when she saw Thalia step in line with her and following her to the training area.

( sorry about taking so long. Went to watch fireworks. )

" Just seeing if you are okay. " Thalia said. She had been told to watch Sakura and Kirito and then report back what had happened. " I promise you two won't notice me. " She said.

(alright)

"...your uncle asked to report back to you, didn't he?" Sakura asked, having an idea that Asuna wanted to make sure that Kirito would be okay.

" He did. I hope that's fine. " Thalia said.

"It will be, but is this just for your uncle, but for Asuna-san as well?" she asked as they walked. If it was just for Thalia's uncle, then she didn't want her personal business involved in it.

"It's for Asuna as well. " Thalia said.

"Then hopefully I can help both Asuna-san and Kirito-sensei," Sakura said with a small smile.