Chapter 91: The Despicable Shall Not Be Forgiven
"So, who exactly is the Demon King and final boss?"
"Ah, well, I don't know either."
"I have absolutely no memory related to that."
"What if we beat it out of you?"
"No no no! I'm against violence!"
"Then let's settle things with words instead of force."
"Um, may I ask—since when have you been there?"
"Probably since the moment you said, 'I love you.'"
"Hey! Don't go around fabricating things I never said! Whoa—sorry, sorry, please forgive me!"
After Hikigaya reflexively retorted, he saw Haruno's face instantly turn demonic.
He immediately dropped to the floor and pressed his forehead to the ground in apology.
"Ha... no helping it. I'll forgive you if you chat with me for two hours."
"Understood. I shall obey your command."
Hikigaya agreed and was about to end the call with Kirito, only to discover the call had already been disconnected.
Though he was worried about Kirito's safety, he deduced that it was likely Haruno's doing rather than an enemy attack, so he kept quiet.
Haruno asked Hikigaya to tell her interesting stories from SAO, and he complied.
Two hours later, someone knocked on the hospital room door.
"Oh, looks like they've arrived. Come in~"
"Someone was coming? So you were stalling for time?"
"Correct. And it's someone you know quite well."
The door opened to reveal a face so familiar it couldn't be mistaken.
"Eh? What's going on? Why are you here, Kirito?"
"...I was kidnapped."
"Miss Haruno, what is the meaning of this!?"
"That's so rude. All the paperwork was filed properly, I just didn't tell the person involved.
Anyway, starting today, Kirito-kun is moving into the hospital room next to Hikigaya-kun!
Kirito-kun, I'm Yukinoshita Haruno. Just call me Haruno-nee."
"Ah, yes, Miss Haruno."
Hearing this exchange, Hikigaya was dumbfounded.
Kirito also had an indescribable look on his face and muttered quietly:
"Hikigaya was totally right."
"You've experienced it yourself now?"
"Yeah."
"Hm? Do you two still want to say I'm the Demon King or the final boss?"
At those words, Kirito suddenly became very eloquent:
"No! Miss Haruno is a beautiful, rich, and outstanding noble lady!
Hey, Hikigaya! How could you say such things about such a wonderful person!"
"Kirito, you traitor!"
"I didn't betray you! I've just returned to the right path!"
"Isn't it just like you to stand firm in the face of any enemy, Kirito?"
"Don't be ridiculous! This pressure is stronger than the Skull Reaper!
I don't fight battles I can't win! Same goes for you, Hikigaya!"
"At least I'm glad to know the Skull Reaper left a deep impression on you."
"Ahahaha, I don't know what this Skull Reaper thing is, but you two are really in sync!"
Hikigaya and Kirito exchanged wry smiles while Haruno watched them with interest.
"Miss Haruno, what's the real intention behind this surprise?"
"Hmm~ After discussing it with Mr. Kikuoka, we concluded you two are the key to solving this case. For convenience, we transferred Kirito-kun here."
"I see... I'm glad I can contact Kirito easily now."
"Looking forward to working with you, Hikigaya."
"Oh! Nice to meet you!"
The two shook hands firmly.
"Kirito-kun, why don't you sit on Hikigaya's bed? Standing must be tiring, right?"
"Ah, thank you. I will."
"Now then, Miss Haruno, shall we continue the previous topic?"
"As expected of Hikigaya-kun, you shift gears quickly. I agree with and understand the earlier analysis. Now, tell me the doubts you've discovered."
"Well, it's not a huge issue, but it's about Asuna.
If this is a corporate crime, the fact that she still hasn't woken up is suspicious."
"Hmm? Why?"
Hikigaya explained Asuna's identity to Kirito:
"Kirito, Asuna is the daughter of RECT's CEO."
"Whoa... You really had it rough, Hikigaya."
"Putting that aside, the RECT CEO is Mr. Yuuki Shouzou, right?
Even if it were a company-wide act, there's no reason to let his daughter suffer further."
"Mr. Shouzou's a total daughter-con."
"If RECT HQ had such a plan, the CEO wouldn't be unaware. So the suspect should be RECT Progress."
"Can't the government step in?"
"Without a trigger, it's hard. There's no legal reason for a forced investigation."
"So, gathering evidence of RECT Progress's involvement is our goal for now."
"I'll try, but frequent investigations at the branch office are tough."
"About that—Miss Haruno, remember Zaimokuza?"
"Hmm~ That big guy who talks strangely?"
"Yeah. He's going to start working at RECT Progress. Can you help arrange it?"
"Setting up a part-time job shouldn't be a problem."
"Then once Zaimokuza infiltrates, Kirito and I will focus on rehab."
"Doing rehab together should be more effective."
"Alright! Let's do our best starting tomorrow, Hikigaya."
"Yeah!"
The next day, Hikigaya and Kirito began rehabilitation together.
Kirito quickly got along with visiting Yukino, Yui, and others.
"Hey Hikigaya, why are you always surrounded by beautiful girls?
Didn't you say you were a loner?"
"...That's how it was supposed to be. When I came to, things just turned out like this."
"Never thought you'd be a natural harem king."
"Oi."
"Am I wrong?"
"Ugh..."
Their rehab progressed smoothly, and the two were finally cleared for discharge.
However, the case made no progress.
Though Zaimokuza successfully infiltrated, all he learned was that the ALO server management department was extremely closed off.
"In any case, you two are free to leave anytime."
"That took forever..."
"Yeah..."
"Honestly, I wish you could stay a bit longer."
"Ah, I agree."
"So can you stay a bit more? Of course, you'll be free to go out."
"No problem."
"I'm fine with it too."
"Then hang in there. Actually... there's a piece of information that caught our attention."
"Information?"
"Do you know about ALO?"
"Did a rough investigation."
"We recently obtained a screenshot from the game.
It shows someone who looks like Asuna."
"Seriously!?"
Hikigaya asked Haruno excitedly.
"Calm down. We're comparing the figure in the image with Asuna in her wedding photo. We'll have results by evening."
"Finally a lead... and an unexpected one."
"So let's wait till evening. In the meantime, want to visit Asuna's hospital?"
"Can we?"
"Yes, I already reported to President Shouzou."
"Please take us with you!"
"Kirito, you too?"
"Yes, Asuna is an important comrade."
"Then let's go."
They arrived at the Yuuki family's hospital in Tokorozawa.
Though still unconscious, Asuna appeared in good condition in her special room.
"Asuna..."
"She looks healthier than we were when we first woke up."
"Looks like they spared no expense in her care."
"As expected of a big corporation."
"Let's go in."
The three entered, and Hikigaya suppressed the urge to rush to her bedside.
"Finally got to see you, Hikigaya."
"She's in good condition. That's a relief."
"That's great, Hikigaya-kun."
"Thank you, Miss Haruno."
Just then, two men entered the room.
"President, thank you for allowing us to visit."
"You're here, Haruno. These two must be Hikigaya-kun and Kirito-kun?"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Kirigaya Kazuto."
Yuuki Shouzou shook their hands.
"I've heard of your achievements from the government and Haruno-kun.
You've been protecting my daughter for the past two years, haven't you?
Though she's still asleep, I'm deeply grateful."
"It's mostly been Hikigaya."
"I see. I heard you and my daughter lived together in the game?
As her father, I have mixed feelings—but thank you."
"I'm sorry I couldn't wake her..."
"This isn't your fault. Please don't blame yourselves."
"..."
Shouzou gently patted Hikigaya's back as the young man fought back tears.
Then, the young man accompanying them spoke:
"President, may I have an introduction?"
"This is Sugou Nobuyuki, direct subordinate to Kayaba Akihiko,
currently the director of RECT Progress."
"I've heard the heroic tales of you two."
"This is Miss Yukinoshita Haruno."
"I've heard of the Yukinoshita family's talented and beautiful eldest daughter."
Sugou ogled Haruno with a lewd gaze, making her feel uncomfortable despite her composed exterior.
"President, about the marriage..."
"...Yes, it's time to make a decision. I'd like her to wear a wedding dress while she's still beautiful."
Haruno immediately questioned:
"President, what do you mean?"
"I plan to adopt Sugou into the Yuuki family.
Since my daughter may never wake up, I want to at least see her have a beautiful wedding."
"Congratulations..."
Hikigaya turned pale. Kirito whispered:
"Stay calm. Now's when we need you to act."
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya whispered to Haruno:
"President, I have a government secret to share."
"Haruno-kun, let's talk outside."
After the two left, Sugou approached:
"Living with Asuna in-game must've been fun, huh? But now she's mine."
"Don't decide that on your own!"
"Legally I'll be a Yuuki family member. And by the way, Asuna used to hate me~
But now her life is in the SAO servers I control. Isn't it fair to collect a little payment?"
Kirito was about to lash out, but Hikigaya stopped him.
"What if we report this to the president?"
"It's obvious who he'll believe."
Saying that Sugou left the room.
But then, an argument erupted outside the door:
"Why cancel the marriage!?"
"After careful consideration, I've decided to postpone it."
"Just wait! I still have an ace up my sleeve!"
Sugou spat those words and left.
Hikigaya tightly held Asuna's hand:
"I will definitely save you. Just wait."
In that moment, the sleeping girl's lips seemed to faintly curve into a smile.