Chapter 97: Yukino-chan's Comeback
After parting ways with Kirito, Hachiman, who was sound asleep in his room, suddenly felt his consciousness awaken.
With his eyes still closed, Hachiman sensed the atmosphere around him.
It seemed someone had come to visit him. Understanding this, and not detecting any dangerous aura, he decided to listen in on their conversation first.
"Senpai, is he asleep?"
"Looks like my brother is sleeping soundly. Should we wake him up?"
'Actually, I'm already awake.'
"We can wake him anytime, so how about we think about what to do while he's asleep?"
'Hey Yukino, what do you mean by 'what to do'? Don't steer the conversation in some weird direction.'
"The classic prank in situations like this is to doodle on the cast on his leg, right?"
'That is a classic move, but don't use a water-based pen directly on the cast, Yui.'
"Well…"
"At this stage, it's really not a good idea. How about we just break the cast?"
"No, no! What kind of scary things are you guys plotting?"
Finally unable to stay silent, Hachiman hurriedly jumped up. "Aha, so you were just pretending to sleep, huh, Hachiman-kun."
"Ugh, you caught me? That was intentional."
"Of course. Even I wouldn't break a leg just to doodle on the cast, though I admit I once admired the idea… Anyway, let's not break it."
"Hey idiot, stop! Komachi, hold Yukino down!"
"Brother, even though Komachi loves you the most, she also loves Yukino-nee the most. So she can't be biased. Just give up."
"Damn… Yui, you're on my side, right?"
Facing Hachiman's question, Yui looked away and replied: "Well… actually, I also kind of admired that idea…"
"Isshiki! Use your student council president authority to stop them!"
"I don't know any senpai who only calls me by my last name! Besides, I'm no longer the student council president, you know? I haven't even received my promotion gift!"
Iroha puffed out her cheeks and turned away in anger. "Ahaha…"
Hachiman immediately went into a full apology posture. "Sorry, Isshiki, no, Iroha, I totally forgot about your promotion."
"After this whole incident, I'll definitely throw a celebration party. Please spare me for now."
Seeing Hachiman's attitude, Iroha got flustered instead. "S-Senpai, I was just joking! I know the situation is special now!"
"But…"
"It's fine! With this kind thought, I'm happy enough! We can think about the celebration after things settle down, so please keep your head up!"
"Leave it to me, I'll make sure to have a grand celebration."
"Okay, I'll wait with low expectations, senpai!"
Hachiman sat back down on the bed and said again to the four of them: "So, you're all here to visit, huh? Thanks. It's been a while since four people came together."
"Ah, yeah."
"…"
"Hm? Is there something special?"
"Yukino-nee…"
Komachi called to Yukino for help, and Yui and Iroha showed similar expressions. "Yeah, let's just say it straight here, Hachiman-kun. Actually, we have a question for you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"When the four of us got together yesterday, we had an interesting topic, so we decided to ask you directly."
"Oh, I see."
"It's about your combat style in SAO."
"My combat style?"
Hachiman was surprised by the question. "Yes. If it's troublesome, you don't have to answer, but if possible, could you tell us?"
"Well, it's no problem, but I'm surprised you're interested."
"It's purely curiosity, yes, curiosity."
"Curious, huh... Alright, my combat style. In short, I first parry, then attack the enemy's unguarded neck, or anticipate the enemy's attack moment, and at the instant of breaking the attack, immediately behead them. "In other words, it's all about beheading."
"Putting aside the parrying, I don't get this 'anticipate the attack moment' thing at all."
"Then I'll demonstrate. Yui, can you pretend to attack me? Imagine you're holding a weapon."
"Can I be the one?"
said Yukino "Sure."
'Though I'm a bit curious, this should make things clearer.'
"Okay, got it! Let's try!"
Yukino took a stance that looked quite professional. "Alright, start whenever."
"Here I go... ah."
Just as Yukino swung her right hand in attack, Hachiman grabbed her right shoulder, causing her to stagger back a little. At the same time, Hachiman's hand was already pressed against Yukino's neck.
"See? In real life it's not as fast as in the game, this is my limit now."
"Liar…"
"Senpai, what you just did was…"
"It's a bit unbelievable"
"Hey, Yukino -san, how strong are you really?"
"Haven't I told you? My sister's a master of Aikido."
"Seriously?"
"Hmm, I'm so jealous… Hey!"
"Yui, don't get wild, whoa."
"Ah!"
Yui suddenly attacked in frustration. Hachiman barely caught her attack but was pushed back and fell onto the bed.
Just as Yui got on top of Hachiman, the hospital room door suddenly opened. "Yui-san, knock first!"
"Eh~?"
"..."
At the door stood Kirito and an unfamiliar young girl. The unknown girl blushed deeply and said: "Sorry to intrude!"
Then ran away.
Kirito first froze, then snapped back and dashed outside. After peeking around for a moment and giving up, he returned to the room, muttering softly: "Ah, the introduction will have to wait."
Kirito, blushing, turned to Hachiman and asked: "So, what's going on here?"
"Before that, Yui, this position is pretty bad, can you get up first?"
"Ah, sorry."
Yui hurriedly got off Hachiman, cheeks red. Phew 'That was close, her power is really strong.'
Hachiman's gaze quickly scanned a certain part of Yui, then turned to Yui and Kirito to explain the situation. "…That's basically it."
"I see."
"That girl just now was?"
"Th-That's my sister, Suguha. I was planning to introduce her to Hachiman."
"You mentioned her before, I think."
"Yeah, that's Suguha."
"Please help clear up the misunderstanding."
"Got it."
Kirito smiled and agreed, and Hachiman seemed relieved. "Yukino, the situation has changed. Maybe it's better to tell him everything."
Yui suddenly suggested. "Yeah."
"What is it?"
Kirito asked suspiciously, but it was Hachiman who answered. "Yukino and the others are playing ALO, and they'll join us tomorrow, that's what's going on, right?"
"..."
"Otaku, you already knew?"
"N-No… just guessing."
"When did you find out?"
"From the conversation with Yukino just now."
"Oh, did I say something I shouldn't have?"
"Yeah, a pretty obvious slip-up."
"Please explain."
Yukino seemed unaware and asked persistently. Yui and Kirito, who hadn't heard the conversation, listened with great interest.
"If it were the old Yukino, she wouldn't have made such a blunder. You've clearly been playing ALO quite deeply, huh?"
"First, only players would understand differences in combat styles."
"That's…"
"Recognizing the concept of parrying immediately is proof. "But it's surprising none of the other three questioned that."
Yui, Komachi, and Iroha all showed 'Oh no' expressions. "Brother's amazing."
"Senpai is incredible."
"Lastly, Yukino's stance — a layperson couldn't pull that off."
"So you picked me to demonstrate."
"Yeah, plus you subconsciously imagined a shield, no way you're a newbie."
"Ugh… it's just a habit…"
"Hahaha, this round, everyone lost."
"Yeah… just as expected…"
"Yui-san! You promised to keep my sister's secret!"
"Hm~? Sorry~ I forgot~"
"D-Damn, playing dumb…"
Hearing this, Yukino seemed a little relieved. "Hehe, we've made a comeback."
"I give up."
Hachiman raised his hand in surrender, filling the room with laughter.
After the laughter died down, Yukino took charge of the topic again:
"Now, let's talk about the plans moving forward."