Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

"I've been a Saniwa for three years now, and I've accumulated quite a bit of experience during that time. For example, some secrets to finding rare swords~ As long as we exchange our Honmaru IDs, I can help you obtain many rare items..."

Pulling her thoughts back from the past, Nobuko Sagawa leaned forward slightly, leaning close to Yu Bai to look at the familiar face before her, and continued speaking.

"Master Saniwa! It's getting late, we should head back."

However, before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a sudden voice.

The conversation was abruptly interrupted. Nobuko Sagawa frowned in displeasure and turned around. She saw a handsome man with light blue hair and a swordsman dressed in military uniform slowly walking towards them.

Yu Bai knew him; this was Ichigo Hitofuri, the eldest brother of the Awataguchi family, whom the other Saniwa called "Prince" and who was often mentioned by the group of lively and adorable little swords in the family.

But at this moment, Yu Bai felt a strange sensation about Ichigo Hitofuri in front of him.

During previous gatherings, Yu Bai had also met many other Saniwa's Ichigo Hitofuri. Although they differed in some details, they all exuded a sense of composure and gentleness.

However, the Ichigo Hitofuri standing before him gave Yu Bai a subtle sense of unease, as if the sword was standing on the verge of collapse, giving him the illusion that pure white snow had been inexplicably stained.

This puzzled Yu Bai. Tsukumogami are different depending on the Saniwa, but isn't this change a bit too big?

Before Yu Bai could even speak after Ichigo Hitofuri's reminder, Nobuko Sagawa clearly wasn't having any of it. She sneered, her tone tinged with displeasure: "What business is it of yours when I go back? Ichigo, don't you think you're being too nosy?"

Ichigo Hitofuri approached Nobuko Sagawa with a leisurely pace, and finally stood firmly behind her.

A hand was placed on Nobuko Sagawa's shoulder, pulling her slightly away from Yu Bai.

Immediately afterwards, the swordsman with light blue hair leaned down in an extremely intimate manner, his face almost touching Nobuko Sagawa's ear, and said, "Master, the swords in the citadel are all waiting for you to return."

After he finished speaking, Ichigo Hitofuri slowly raised his head, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes as he looked at Yu Bai.

At the same time, his fingers, which had been resting on Nobuko Sagawa's shoulder, quietly moved and slowly slid down to her slender neck, gently caressing it, as if silently telling something that only they could understand.

"……you!"

Nobuko Sagawa's expression changed drastically at that moment. As if a sensitive nerve had been touched, she glared fiercely at Hitofuri Ichigo, her eyes flashing with anger and resentment.

Then, Nobuko Sagawa suppressed her dissatisfaction and anger, turned to Yu Bai, and forced a slightly stiff smile.

"Lord Yu Bai, I'm very sorry, but I suddenly remembered that I have some things to take care of, so I must take my leave now. Let's have a proper chat another time."

After saying this, he didn't look at Ichigo Hitofuri again, turned around and left on his own, completely disregarding the presence of a swordsman behind him.

"Well then, esteemed Master, my lord and I will take our leave now."

Ichigo Hitofuri calmly bid farewell to Yu Bai and Souzo, seemingly unaware of the growing anger that Sagawa Nobuko was harboring ahead. He maintained his composed manners and caught up with the slightly agitated Sagawa Nobuko at a leisurely pace.

"My lord, have you also noticed that there seems to be some unusual atmosphere between that Saniwa and Prince Ichigo Hitofuri?"

As he watched the two figures walk away into the distance, Soza Samonji whispered something in Yu Bai's ear.

"Indeed, something is unusual. However, the banquet is about to end, and we should go back to find Wu Yan and the others."

Yu Bai pondered the scene in his heart, but did not show it on his face. He simply patted Zong Sanzaomonji's shoulder, signaling him to return to the place where they had rested earlier.

"Wu Yan, why didn't you go to other places to explore and chat with those seniors?"

As soon as they returned to their original location, Yu Bai's gaze fell on Wu Yan and Tian Guan Zheng Guo.

The two remained seated quietly, holding their teacups, speechless, the atmosphere so quiet it was almost eerie.

So much so that those Saniwa who wanted to strike up a conversation because of Goguryeo's outstanding appearance all stopped and dared not easily approach to disturb him.

This handsome guy is indeed very handsome, but the cold aura he exudes from within makes people hesitate to approach him.

There was a female Saniwa who thought she was pretty resistant to the cold and was also quite good-looking, and she wanted to strike up a conversation with her. But the female Saniwa talked until her mouth was almost dry, and the man didn't say a word. The atmosphere around them seemed to freeze over.

"There's not much to say, just some boasting and complaining. I've already had some useful information recorded by Da Tian Guan Zheng Guo, and I'll make two copies and send them to you and Shu Yue later."

"..."

"Why aren't you answering?" Wu Yan took a sip of tea and looked up, somewhat puzzled, to ask the person in front of him who hadn't responded for a long time.

"It's nothing, I just didn't expect that Wu Yan, who seems so aloof and taciturn, would say so much."

I think Shuyue is absolutely right. Wuyan, you seem cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Yu Bai also picked up his teacup, a smile playing on his lips as he teased the cool guy.

"……snort."

Why is a man smiling so beautifully?

Wu Yan was slightly taken aback by Yu Bai's smile, then turned her head away somewhat awkwardly and said no more.

For someone with such a cold personality as him, the fact that he would specifically help Shuyue and Yubai organize useful information for them indicates that he has already defined these two as friends.

"Oh, Yu Bai, you're back too? Looks like I really am the slowest one." At this moment, Shu Yue, with a bright smile, walked over with the old man who had just given up, breaking the somewhat quiet atmosphere.

"Huh? Wu Yan, why is your face red? Are you feeling unwell?" Shu Yue noticed Wu Yan's unusual expression as soon as she arrived and asked curiously.

“…Too talkative.” Wu Yan replied somewhat awkwardly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"Hey hey hey? Wu Yan, you're acting weird~" Seeing Wu Yan's awkward silence, Shu Yue couldn't help but tease him.

It seems that teasing icebergs and making them change their expressions is a common, perverse human interest.

As the Saniwa (masters) exchange meeting gradually came to a close, each Saniwa slowly left their seats, accompanied by the helpless or doting smiles of their respective Touken Danshi (swordsmen).

The table where Yu Bai was located was undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching focal points of the entire exchange meeting.

All three Saniwa at this table possessed striking good looks. In particular, the youngest-looking male Saniwa's exquisite features were in no way inferior to those of the swordsmen present.

Unfortunately, not a single Saniwa dared to approach them until the party ended.

A group of colleagues, who had the desire but not the courage, said: Next time, definitely!