Chapter 86: Yukino and Yui's Feelings
The moment the knock sounded on the door, Hachiman's heart thudded heavily.
"Come in," He responded with slight nervousness, but no one pushed the door open. As he strained his ears, familiar voices came from outside. Carefully holding onto the edge of the bed, he cautiously moved toward the door.
"Yukino-chan, aren't you going in?"
"What about you? Why aren't you going in?"
"Eh~ Look, my hands are shaking."
"Honestly, my fingers won't move from nervousness either."
"Then let's open the door together."
"Okay, let's push together on the count of three."
Hachiman silently listened to their conversation, then suddenly opened the door himself. The two girls froze, staring at him in shock.
"It's cold outside. Get in here already... and help me out while you're at it."
"..."
"Yukino-chan, support him from the other side!"
"Okay, got it, Yui-chan."
'Yui-chan!? Did Yukinoshita just call her Yui-chan?'
While Hachiman was still in confusion, the two of them supported him back to the hospital bed.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, and they did the same.
"..."
"Hehe."
"Hahahaha."
After sharing a smile, the three of them formally exchanged greetings.
"Long time no see, you two."
"Yeah, it's been two years."
"Hey, Hikki!"
"Uh… I don't know where to start, but anyway… I'm back."
"Welcome back!"
"Welcome home!"
The two of them sat beside Hachiman, sandwiching him and hugging him from both sides.
'Sigh… Let them do as they please…'
Hachiman silently wrapped his arms around their backs. Just as he was about to release them, they hugged him even tighter.
"Ah… isn't it time to let go? We can't really talk like this."
"No."
"No way!"
"…"
"You made us worry for two whole years. At least endure this for two hours."
"I'm really sorry."
"But Hikki, you're not blushing at all!"
"Oh, well, I guess I've grown a bit."
"Is that really a good kind of growth?"
"Don't tell me you've become a playboy, Hikki!?"
"At least phrase it more tactfully, like 'becoming more mature and understanding.'"
"But with the way you are now, how are you going to explain things to Asuna-san?"
"Guh… So you knew about Asuna too?"
"Well, there's a photo stuck on the wall after all."
"Right! Why did you even stick that photo up!?"
"To mess with you, of course!"
"Eh? Seriously? That's the reason?"
"Only those who can still like you after seeing that photo deserve to continue loving you."
"What kind of twisted logic is that…"
Yukino and Yui exchanged a glance and nodded in perfect sync.
"Hikigaya-kun, I like you."
"Hikki, I love you the most."
"I'm really moved by your feelings, but I…"
"We know. But for you, Hikigaya-kun, this is a necessary ritual too."
"Like... bringing closure?"
"No. It's not about giving up or letting go. Yumiko said there's no need to suppress your feelings."
"Even if there's a high chance you won't be chosen?"
"Yeah! Even if we aren't chosen, striving to become better isn't a waste. Yumiko said doing so might lead to something new and wonderful."
"I see..."
"You can keep loving Asuna-san. We'll just do our best to become people you find admirable."
Hachiman let out a long sigh.
"That applies to guys too."
"Right. If you slack off, even Asuna-san might leave you."
"That's true."
"So, let's all keep doing our best together."
"Yeah."
"Now, let's catch up on the past two years."
"Yeah! There's so much I want to say!"
"Before that, can you two let go already…"
"No."
"Mm~ nope!"
"Yui-chan I get, but Yukinoshita... you've really changed, huh?"
"I'm just not the person I used to be. Now listen to us first. Your story is probably a long one."
"Ah, right. Please go ahead."
The two of them took turns talking about their efforts to maintain the Service Club.
Hearing that the club had survived brought a smile of relief to Hachiman's face.
"I see… The Service Club lasted until the end."
"Yup! We got special permission not to recruit new members. Yumiko and Hina helped too!"
"I'll have to thank them properly."
"And here—this is the message album Hayato-kun collected for you!"
"Oh wow…"
"Hayato-kun and the others will visit tomorrow!"
"I'll thank them in person then."
"We also need to thank you, Yui."
"Ah! Yukino-chan!"
The two of them showed off matching hair ties.
"Huh? ...Wait, don't tell me…"
Hachiman finally remembered that he had bought that pair of hair ties.
"That... I gave those? I completely forgot. Sorry."
"It's okay. Komachi handed them over."
"If Hikki had given them personally, I'm sure he'd remember."
"So Komachi found them, huh."
"Can we treat it as a gift you prepared especially for us?"
"Of course."
"Hikki, thanks again!"
"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."
"I should be the one thanking you… You've treasured them all this time."
"They've been our emotional support."
"Just seeing them gives us energy!"
"Then I should thank Komachi too."
"Now it's time to hear your story."
"I'll try to keep it brief, but…"
However, Hachiman's account was far more harrowing than they had imagined.
His understated tone was misleading, but his words described true life-and-death experiences.
Realizing this, the two girls had no choice but to acknowledge—
He had undergone a complete transformation.
"As cliché as it sounds, you really went through hell."
"It wasn't too bad. I got used to it eventually."
"You really have changed… Especially your eyes."
"Haven't looked in a mirror. What do they look like now?"
"They don't look dead anymore!"
"..."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing."
"Yeah."
"The news said nearly 4,000 people died."
"Some of them… were killed by my own hands."
Despite having had some expectation, the two girls were still struck by the heavy weight of his words.
"I see..."
"It's a cross I'll bear for the rest of my life."
"You won't be prosecuted, though."
"Even so, taking lives just to survive... I must never forget."
"I may never fully understand that feeling… But there's one thing I must say: thank you for fighting so hard to come back."
"Thank you for returning safely, Hikki."
The two of them suddenly began to tremble. Realizing they were crying, Hachiman noticed that he too had tears running down his cheeks.
"Hey, don't cry."
"You're crying too."
"Hikki… After you disappeared, we couldn't cry at all… We promised we'd cry our hearts out when we met again."
"I see…"
"We finally fulfilled that promise."
"Yeah."
"Sorry for making you worry for two years."
"It was a long wait… but now you're here."
"Finally, the three of us are together again."
"Yeah."
The three of them embraced as tears flowed.
Two hours later, Hachiman noticed someone peeking through the half-open door.
Realizing who it was, he chose to ignore it.
The two girls had calmed down and were preparing to leave.
"We should head back."
"We'll come again tomorrow, Hikki! There's still so much to talk about!"
"Yeah, lots to catch up on."
"Prioritize your studies. Don't come too often."
"Do your rehab too."
"At least start walking normally."
"Do your best, Hikki!"
"See you later, Hikigaya-kun."
"Bye-bye, Hikki!"
"Yeah, see you."
After sending the two off, Hachiman called out toward the hallway.
"You can come out now, Zaimokuza."
"Uwah! As expected of my best friend! You noticed already!"
"Come in. I've got something to ask."
"Long time no see, Hachiman."
His old friend's eyes were red.
"You… were crying?"
"Of course! Tears of joy for my best friend's return!"
"Thanks, Zaimokuza."
"Come, let's talk through the night!"
"Yeah."
After letting Zaimokuza into the hospital room, Hachiman began questioning him.
"Working part-time now?"
"Yeah, gathering intel while earning money."
"What happened to ARGUS?"
"It went under. The SAO server is now managed by RECT."
"RECT, huh… I see."
"More precisely, their subsidiary, RECT Progress. I'm thinking of applying there."
"Seriously? Can I ask you to go work there?"
"I was planning to anyway… What's your plan?"
"I'm not certain yet, but it could be really important. I need to ask this favor of you."
"Can't guarantee I'll get hired… but I'll try. By the way, this photo…"
"Actually, I got married in SAO. This is my wife—Asuna."
"Wh—"
"By the way, she's the daughter of RECT's CEO."
"D-damn! Hachiman, you became a normie…"
"For Asuna's sake, I have to take action. Step one is this job. Zaimokuza, help me."
"Is this that important to you?"
"You can tell?"
"Yeah. It's the first time I've seen you look this serious."
"Alright! How could I say no to my best friend's request!"
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"That's what friends are for—ride or die!"
"Zaimokuza!"
"Hachiman!"
The two embraced passionately.
Though Hachiman had some ulterior motives, the bond of friendship at that moment was genuine.
And just like that, Hachiman unexpectedly gained a powerful ally.