Board Thread:New on Sword Art Online Wiki/@comment-70.31.107.95-20161226054139/@comment-35248429-20180811000452

103.231.95.73 wrote: But look, when in a cave in with Sinon, she’s asks Kirito that is”Is there anyone you don’t want seeing this?” And Kirito shyly answers “no”. THATS THE FREAKIGN REASON WHY I STOPPED WATCHING SAO Yeah that's the anime for you.

In the novel he goes white as a sheet out of fear and answers no rather hesitently. And then the whole thing is resolved later anwyay when Asuna and Sinon meet. Not that there being no romantic intention was made abundently clear before the anime staff got a hold the cave scenes.