Irisity why not just cut Kirito and Asuna completely from the RP like they were never there. Basically an alternate universe but the same game and original plot thats relevant to how the game works?
Of course this is just a suggestion, feel free to take it or leave it.
But all I'm getting at is that you can build this SAO rp exactly how you want it to play out and never once need to mention or bring any of the cannon characters to life for the matter.They never need to exist in your rp ever not even verbally for this to work