Scene 148

I wonder...how long have we been trapped here?

All those battles that barely let us see the morning—they led to us forming the Order of the Cherry Blossom today.

"This may be a game, but it's not one you play." ...I still can't make sense of Kayaba's actions.

And honestly, returning to reality is…

Zash, Stina, Musoh, and you, {HeroName}.

Looking back, it all started with this brooch.

I'm just thinking about all that's happened since then.

Battling alongside Kirito and Asuna, clashing with Lara—yet still singing together...

Meeting Cal, too... I wish we'd had more time together.

I'm sure more experiences await us in the future—both good ones and bad ones.

Even this Swordsman of Salvation quest—the end is still nowhere in sight.

But it's okay. No matter how hard it gets, I have friends I can rely on.

The Order of the Cherry Blossom begins as a small bud.

Yet one day, we'll bloom into a magnificent flower, bringing hope to everyone stuck here.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, {HeroName}. I'm so glad I met you.

Perhaps it's too early for thanks. Once this is over, I'll make sure to say it properly, one more time.

Until then...let's keep fighting.