Part 1 of the Snow Bells Arc

This is the first part/chapter to Sword Art Online: Snow and Bells.

Part 1
Floor 1, Starting City, February 20, 2024

Snow's life in SAO has taken a turn after completing his mission on passing down Dual Blades. There's no meaning in his life?

The best he can do is wait until something comes up.

On his way to his favorite restaurant, Snow spotted something in the alley. There was a small figure sitting down in torn clothes. It was definetely a player since there was a player icon above her head.

He walks towards the small player. It looks up and he finds himself face-to face with a young, blonde girl. Was she lost?

"Are you lost?" Snow asks in a calm voice.

"No...", the young girl replies quietly,"I'm not lost."

"Oh, so you must have ran out of stamina?"

"That's not it either...."

Snow should've saw this coming.

"...where's your parents?"

"I....don't have any."

"Then I assume you've been alone all this time?"

"Yes..."

Damn it all. Kayaba, you idiot! This young girl has been stuck in this hell because of you! Getting mad obviously won't get anyone anywhere.

Snow thinks about what to do next. He should probably buy her breakfast, to begin with.

He reaches out for her hand and kindly asks her,"Would you like to come with me for something to eat?"

Her face lights up,"Really?"

"Really."

She ecstatically grabs hold of his hand and squeals,"Yes! Oh, my name's Claire, by the way."

"That's a pretty name. I'm called Snow."

"I can see why. You dress up in a lot of white."

"You're quite smart, aren't you?" Snow says while rubbing her head,"Let's go, shall we?"

Snow orders strawberry danishes and some orange juice for the both of them.

"In real life,"he begins with a mouthful of danish," what was your life like?"

"I was an orphan."

"An orphan? How did you get SAO then?"

"I stole it. There was also a Nerve Gear at the orphange, so I just used that."

"Unfortunately, this game was cursed. Anyways, I suppose we can get you a better change of clothes, a better way to defend yourself, and increase your level by today."

"Really? You'd spend that much Col for me?"

"Yep. You can buy whatever you want, no matter how much.

Later that day, they checked into Snow's hotel. They've both had a long day after going shopping.

For Claire's new clothes, she bought a white button-up shirt, red bow tie, a skirt and boots. She also bought a hairbrush.

For her new weapon, she ugraded from a stone dagger, to a short, double handed sword. Snow also bought emergency items, such as a teleport stone.

And finally, she raised her level to level 7, to level 10.

After this long day, Snow was about to sleep. Then Claire whispers,"Can I call you Daddy?" "Daddy?"

"Because you took care of me. You act grown-up and you're smart."

"Well, if you want to, then yeah."

"Yay! Good night, Daddy."

"She cuddled with him and Snow's eyes widened. A new meaning of his life just opened up. He feels....protective of her, all of a sudden.

The next couple of days, Snow attends his weekly meeting with his friends, along with Claire. His friends were his real friends in reality. They were all Americans, just brought into this hell by visiting to Japan to buy SAO on its release date.

Snow walks in his friend's pub with Claire holding onto his coat.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Claire. See?" he says, trying to reassure her.

She nods.

Nick, the first person to see them, greets him.

"Whoa, Chris! You're looking the part as always. Who's the young girl behind you?"

Claire exclaims,"He's my Daddy!"

All his friends in the pub stop their conversations and stared at him with                                                              shock.

"Dang Chris, we knew you were popular with girls, but we didn't know you would be interacting with them",Elizabeth teases.

"W-what? You mean...getting a girl pregnant? With her as my offspring? There's no way! It's a game, not reality. Besides, we've only been trapped here for a year!"

"Yes, we know Chris. Stop thinking too hard," Brandon, his best friend tells him.

"But Daddy's so nice!" exclaims Claire.

Everytime she says "Daddy", it makes him feel good.

"Daddy?.....You're still a bit young, aren't you Chris?" Brandon states.

"Well, yes, but she sees me as her father, so I plan on protecting her."

"Okay....well anyways, we all gathered here because Chris has decided we should start a Guild. We already see each other so much."

"...it's not that easy. We're all different levels. You and Chris are the only ones that fight on the Front Lines. Besides, we have a pub, blacksmith and bakery to take care of."

"We'll worry about all that later."

Dejon steps in," Well, I'm in. Besides, we can make a multi-purpose shop and that'll be how the Guild makes money."

"Well, that's one. Anybody else?"

Everyone looks at each other.

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"Whatever."

"Well then. We should name our Guild, the Snow Bells."