Chapter 98: Yukino's Absolute Zero
"But I really didn't expect everyone to be playing ALO. Although Kirito said so, Hachiman bluntly denied his words. "Even if Kirito is here, he should be able to notice it right away, since it's so obvious."
Hearing this, the four of them let out disappointed sounds like "Umm..."
but Yukino was the first to gather herself and clear her throat.
"Ahem. Let's start exchanging information. First, let me introduce ourselves. I'm Yukino, mainly responsible for healing, my race is Water Spirit."
"Yui, Yui! Heavy-armored warrior! Race is Wind Spirit!"
"I'm Komachi! Race is Cat Spirit, mainly responsible for reconnaissance!"
"I'm Iroha! Cat Spirit too, basically in charge of offensive magic, senpai!"
The four stated their in-game names, but Hachiman didn't seem to agree with this way of putting it.
"Oh, then what are your actual in-game character names?"
"Huh?"
"..."
Because of Hachiman's question, an awkward silence fell over the room.
"De..."
"Hey Hachiman, don't tell me that just now was..."
"Big brother, watch the atmosphere!"
"Ah? Ah, I see, so that's what it is."
"So that means they all just use their real names as their game IDs."
Kirito said this with interest, and Hachiman scratched his head.
"Sorry, I didn't expect everyone to use their real names directly. Actually, I'm not in a position to say anything. Uh, sorry about that."
"It's not you who should apologize.
We realized this issue pretty soon after starting the game. But it's good that ALO allows character appearance customization.
For someone like me, if I used my real name outside and mentioned that I'm a former SAO player, I'd be exposed immediately. People outside the strategy group probably don't know what we look like, so it's okay."
"That's true, sorry about that, please continue."
"Alright, then continuing, though there's nothing particularly important to say."
"Yukino-chan, pause."
Haruno suddenly interrupted Yukino.
"What is it, onee-san?"
Haruno pointed at Hachiman and said: "Silver Shadow."
"Hmm."
Then she pointed at Kirito: "Black-clad swordsman, the hero."
"Being called that so seriously is a bit embarrassing,"
Kirito said, scratching his head.
Haruno then pointed at the framed photo of Asuna:
"Flash."
Finally, Haruno pointed at Yukino with a bright smile and froze in that pose.
"What does that mean?"
"Yukino-chan, you know, right?"
As silence fell, Hachiman seemed to notice something and asked Yukino:
"Could it be that Yukino also has some kind of title?"
Faced with this question, Yukino spoke rapidly in defense:
"What is Hachiman talking about? I thought you'd have a bit of common sense, but I guess I was mistaken, Hachiman-kun. Why would you think I have such a title? You really can't get rid of your weird way of thinking.
I want you to apologize and make amends, but given the occasion, let's leave it for later.
That's the end of this topic.
Don't get carried away just because you got a bit cooler — no, very cool. I
t's okay occasionally, but if it happens every time, it embarrasses me. So reflect on yourself."
"Hey Yukino, you just called me Hikigaya-kun again, and the latter half I didn't understand at all. Anyway, calm down first."
"There's nothing more to say, let's continue discussing the main topic."
"Geez..."
Hachiman shrugged and suddenly patted Yukino's head.
"It's okay, nothing to be embarrassed about. Actually, it's impressive, isn't it? It means Yukino is very active in the game. Having such a strong player to support us makes me really at ease. Thanks, Yukino."
"H-Hachiman-kun, you're too sly..."
Yukino struggled between happiness and shyness, finally muttering quietly:
"...Degree."
"Hm?"
Hachiman, who is not a typical oblivious male lead, really didn't hear clearly this time. Yukino trembled all over, and finally made up her mind to say clearly:
"Absolute Zero, that's my title."
"I see, so you're good at ice magic or something?"
"Hey, Hachiman!"
"Ah?"
"Yukino-san just said she's a healer."
"..."
Hachiman looked anxiously at Yukino's face.
Her cheeks, which were flushed from embarrassment earlier, were now even redder from anger.
Realizing this, Hachiman regretted his carelessness.
"Ah... no, Yukino, you see, that, um, so it's a misunderstanding, anyway it's not my fault."
"Big brother's excuses look suspicious to Komachi!"
"Senpai, as a man, it's better to just accept the punishment!"
"Yeah, this time it's definitely Hikki's fault!"
"Hachiman-kun really still needs training~"
"Haruno-san... please help calm down your sister!"
"Hmm~? Sorry, I can't do that!"
"How could you..."
At that moment, Kirito patted Hachiman's shoulder twice.
Hachiman looked at him for help, but Kirito smiled brightly and said:
"Hachiman, better grit your teeth."
"Damn, what's with that smile..."
Suddenly Yukino raised her hand.
Hachiman instinctively closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, but the impact never came.
Instead, he felt a soft touch on his cheek.
Opening his eyes in a hurry, Hachiman found Yukino's face very close and immediately understood what was happening.
Yukino stepped back with a triumphant expression:
"Your defense was too loose, full of openings."
"D-damn, I was careless again..."
"Aww~ Watching my big brother get kissed is really embarrassing~"
"Oh my, Yukino-chan, well done!"
"Yukino-chan is a strategist!"
"Yukino-senpai is amazing! Haha! Just now Yui-senpai also pushed down senpai, am I the only one falling behind!?"
Iroha said as she tried to kiss the other side of Hachiman's cheek but was stopped by him grabbing her head.
"No way you're getting away with it!"
"Ugh~ Senpai is so mean!"
"Iroha-san is still inexperienced. You have to surprise him completely like I did."
"Hey! Weren't you angry just now!?"
Hachiman protested fiercely while Yukino wiped her hair and replied:
"What are you saying? I already included your slip of the tongue in my calculations, so making a strategy based on that is easy. Typical Hachiman behavior."
"Even so, sigh... I give up."
"You should be more aware that you're being watched."
"My ironclad defense shouldn't be broken this easily; I'm just off today."
"Isn't that fine? It means you've opened your heart to us."
"Is that so? True. Alright, let's start discussing again."
The topic turned to future plans, and Kirito spoke first:
"So when are we meeting up exactly?"
"The day after tomorrow. We are currently in the neutral city of the Cat Spirit territory. Even if we rush, it'll be tonight before we get back to Central City, Alyn. Let's end tonight here, and on the day after tomorrow, we'll fly toward your location."
"Moving in ALO is really inconvenient."
"Although it's for realism, it is quite inconvenient."
"Why don't we just go directly to Alyn tonight?"
Hachiman's suggestion was denied by Yukino:
"Players in ALO cannot fly beyond a certain altitude, and on your way to Alyn, there are towering mountains that can't be crossed. You must go through the Lugulu Corridor, a cave system.
Although I heard you started in a very strong state, being unfamiliar with the geography is a fatal weakness, right?"
"That's true."
"So we asked acquaintances to act as guides.
First, please prepare your equipment at the Wind Spirit territory city, Lusburg.
It's too dangerous to wear only the initial equipment.
Once you can fly freely, that basically satisfies the conditions for long-distance travel.
Even if attacked by Fire Spirits, it should be fine as long as it's not a large army."
"Got it. We just need to finish that tonight, right?"
"Exactly. Then the day after tomorrow, with the guide leading you, you'll pass through the Lugulu Corridor. We should arrive at the corridor exit around the same time. But..."
"Is there something worrying?"
"Yes, if you want to reach the top of the World Tree, you have to challenge the Grand Quest, right? But even if we unite and challenge it with the current lineup, it would only be a death sentence."
Yukino stated firmly.