Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-90.221.228.185-20150511233505/@comment-73.141.172.91-20161024130701

Did it happen? Even though it is left somewhat ambiguous, it's quite likely that they did have sex going scenes following the revelation of the Ethics Code Removal, Asuna's reaction in the Extra Edition, and frankly just the degree of physical intimacy they show towards one another during their time on 22nd floor implies as much. As for Chapter 16.5, Kawahara explicitly declared that it was non-canon fanfiction when it was still a Web Novel series, so it has no bearing on the LN/anime/manga series. Let it go already.

Also, no disrespect, but the reasoning that it was omitted from the light novel "to protect the younger readers 12 and up" is bollocks. SAO is a seinen title, meaning it is primarily targeted by males 17+. It has never been a series for children, unless you consider scenes like Sugou nearly raping Asuna, tween-friendly.