The Fox Under the Moon

This is a prequel for Sword Art Online: Snow and Bells.

DO NOT READ ANYTHING AFTER CHAPTER 1. THIS PAGE IS NOT FINISHED.

Chapter 1
December 13, 2020

The morning air was cool and the fog was beginning to lift. Luna loved the morning settings.

Luna, a 14-year old, worked at a local bakery. Today, she was opening the bakery.

As she arrived, there was a teenager in white in front of the bakery, staring through the window.

This boy looked as if he was 16. Asian. He had a dyed brown Mohawk and a choice of clothes fit for a model. A fur hoodie, a scarf and skinny pants, of which is all white. What's abnormal about him was his red eyes, an eye color that shouldn't be.

"Um...do you need something?"

"Huh? Wha?" he says and wipes off the drool from his mouth with his scarf.

Luna tried her best not to laugh, but she did.

"I'm...haha...soooo sorry!" she apologizes, feeling guilty.

The boy scratches his head.

"It's quite alright. It wouldn't be the first time someone caught me like this...."

They both laugh for a long while until Luna finally asks," Would you like to come in and have something to eat?"

"Um...yeah, sure."

She unlocks the door and switches the power on. The bakery was filled with pastries from left to right.

The boy asks,"What would you recommend?"

"Probably the strawberry danishes."

"I'm not a fan of strawberries, but since you recommend it then I'll try it."

"Okay!" she exclaims cheerfully. She walks up to one of the many shelves, picks one out and hands him one. It was wrapped in a clear bag and tied with a red ribbon. Simple, but neat.

He takes a bite and his eyes widen.

"This...this is heaven!"

The boy takes larger bites and soon finishes it.

"It was good. Did you make it?"

"Yes, I did."

"Wow..."

"So, what's your name?"

"Chris."

"I'm Luna. By the way...are you American?"

"Yeah. I came here on a business trip."

Luna was surprised. He must be really smart and amazing.

"You're young, though."

"Yeah...being 14 and all...it isn't easy."

Luna was surprised again. She expecting him to be 16. Not 14.

"Eh?! I thought you were older!"

"A lot of people think that."

Chris looks at his watch and sighs.

"I'm late for today's meeting...."

"Oh my gosh! It's my fault!"

"No need to apologize. I enjoyed talking with you. It beats sitting down with old geezers and computer nerds."

"I see. Well, you should get going, though."

"Yeah...I'll definitely come back, though. Real soon!"

Luna walks Chris out and and watches him leave. He wasn't even rushing. Just strolling. He's just too laid back.

Chapter 2
Not only did Chris come back, but he came every day about 3 times a day. About two weeks have passed since then and Luna finally decided to invite him to her apartment home. She lead the way in, and Chris followed.

Her home was decent. Her parents were often away and it was up to her to keep it tidy.

As you walk in, the kitchen is further up and on the right. It had a bar and the living room was on the left. Every other room was further back.

"Wow....It's so simple and neat! I like it!"

"It's not all that great..."

"It is! Everything is neatly organized and it's not heavily decorated. "If you say so...."

Luna turns around to tell Chris that there were some strawberry danishes inside the kitchen, but it seemed  like he had already found it.

The teen looked at her guiltily.

"Oh, sorry. Was I supposed to eat this...?"

The girl laughs.

"I made it for you, so it's fine."

"Oh...well then. No point in holding back!"

He grabs a few of them and sits beside Luna on the couch.

"You know, my workplace isn't that far from here."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking....could I stay here tonight?"

She has never had anyone over before. And since her parents were out of town, she may be able to let him.....but it was a guy staying over. Then again, he's not the type to touch girls.

"Um....okay. But I don't have any spare rooms and you don't want to sleep on my parents' bed...."

"Don't say the couch. I hate couches. I'll sleep in your bed. With you."

"I-I see..."

"And I'll get my own pillow.

---

As he takes his leave, Luna begins panicking.

"What do I need? I've never had someone over! And it's a guy! Worst of all, he wants to sleep in the same bed as me! Me!"

She runs to her room, into her closet. She looks through her lingerie.

"Ah! What am I doing?! I shouldn't be looking through here!"

She tries to calm herself down and changes into her normal, home clothes. Just a t-shirt that barely goes over her panties. No bottoms.

She waits half an hour before Chris arrived. He had a duffel bag full of clothes and a black pillow with flaming tiger designs.

"Welcome back."

"Thanks......cute outfit."

"Hmph