Hachiman sat in seiza, racking his brain over how things spiraled.
(A girl, alone with me? Way too much for me to handle… How'd this happen?)
"Hachiman-kun," Asuna called.
"Y-Yes!" he jolted.
Smirking at his nervousness, she continued, "Thanks for saving me in that chaos, but dragging a girl to an inn? Kinda bold."
"I-I'm sorry…"
"It's safe here, and I get it was necessary. You taught me a lot, cheered me up, so…" With a smug grin, she added, "Let's call it even."
"Sly…" Hachiman blurted, freezing as he realized he'd slipped into old habits.
Asuna puffed her cheeks. "I'm not sly!"
"Pfft!"
They locked eyes and burst out laughing. After a while, Hachiman stood.
"Let's take turns bathing. I'll lock the door to party members only."
"Sounds good. Lots to process, but let's calm down first."
"Ladies first."
"Thanks!"
As Asuna headed to the bath, she turned back. "You know what happens if you peek, right?"
"No guts for that."
"Good."
Alone, Hachiman sighed, pondering Kayaba, the death game, Asuna, and those he might never see again.
(I'll aim to clear this. Asuna's got potential, but with lives on the line, playing safe as a mid-tier player is smart. First, break through this floor and get her martial arts skills for a boost.)
Then, a loud "Fwaaa!" echoed from the bath.
Hachiman flinched. (Jeez… She's relaxing, at least.)
Recalling Kayaba's beta explanations, he was deep in thought when a knock—knock knock—sounded. He approached the door.
"Argo?"
"Har-bo, what's with that vague message? And kinda pervy. I could sue."
"You found this place, didn't you? Sorry, though."
"Snake's path, snake's way. I'll let it slide. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, opening now."
Argo stood there, face painted as always. Guiding her to the sofa, Hachiman asked, "How'd you paint your face so fast after that chaos?"
"No tact, Har-bo. A lady's secret."
"Lady's secret? Wild."
Argo grinned, then asked, "Speaking of secrets, where's that rapier girl?"
"Girl? What?"
"I saw you pulling a girl, sprinting like mad."
"How'd you know she's a girl?"
"Info broker. I can tell."
(Crap, gotta clear this up.)
"Uh, that's… complicated."
Glancing at the bath, Argo's eyes glinted. Before Hachiman could stop her, she flung open the door.
"Hey, rapier gi—oh."
Hachiman looked up, spotting Asuna. Not naked, thankfully, but he saw too much.
"Kyaaa!" Asuna screamed.
Argo slammed the door. Hachiman stammered, "Argo…"
"What, Har-bo?"
"Uh, thanks?"
"…Har-bo."
Minutes later, a flushed Asuna emerged. Hachiman and Argo, without prompting, dropped to seiza.
"Hachiman-kun," she said.
"Y-Yes!"
(How many times is this? Am I still trash, Komachi?)
"Did you see anything?"
"Uh, thanks?"
Asuna's glare could kill, her cheeks red. "Sorry…"
"Forget everything you saw, got it?"
"Yes…"
Asuna closed her eyes, thinking, then turned to Argo. "Nice to meet you. I'm Asuna."
"Argo, info broker. Nice to meet ya, A-chan."
"A-chan?" Asuna blinked.
"From Asuna. Hachiman's Har-bo."
"Oh. Why're you here?"
"I messaged her," Hachiman said. "Needed info."
"Makes sense," Asuna nodded.
"What's it like outside?" Hachiman asked.
"Info's 100 col, but free today. It's bad—total chaos, more deaths. I'd say a week of this mess," Argo replied.
Hachiman's face darkened. "Figures… Why'd Kayaba do this?"
"Kayaba? You know him?" Argo pounced.
Hachiman cursed inwardly but stayed cool. "Told you, I helped him pre-beta. We got close. Didn't expect this, but… I kinda get it."
"Get what?"
"He wanted something real, like me. Talked about finding it in this game."
Asuna shot up. "That's nonsense! What's 'real'? We're suffering for that?"
"Calm down. It's just something we talked about. I don't fully get it either."
Asuna sat, unconvinced. Argo spoke. "What's done is done. What's your plan?"
"I'll aim to clear, but safely. My life's priority."
Argo squinted. "Really? Dragging A-chan like that didn't look cautious."
"Guh, I thought she was a guy! My sister drilled into me to see things through."
"Nice sister," Argo said.
"Komachi's the best and cutest."
"Siscon?!" Asuna interjected.
"Duh, we're Chiba siblings."
"Chiba, huh?" Asuna mused.
"Let's focus," Argo said. "A-chan, you?"
"I… need to think."
"Fair. Too much for a newbie," Argo nodded.
Hachiman reassured Asuna. "Whatever happens, I'll support you. It's my club's creed."
"Club?" Asuna asked.
"Service Club."
"Something naughty?" Argo teased.
"Nope. Our motto's teaching people to fish, not giving them fish."
Both nodded, impressed.
"Pretty legit club," Argo said.
"Sounds amazing," Asuna added.
"Thanks… That means a lot," Hachiman said, cheeks warm, feeling validated.
"Let's keep info flowing and call it a night," Argo said.
"Don't jump A-chan when I'm gone, Har-bo," she teased.
"Harrassment code, remember? I'm a loner—one look could jail me. Why not stay? It's dangerous out there."
"You're no loner now. I've got a place. Later!"
"See ya," Hachiman said.
"Bye, Argo-san," Asuna added.
They parted. Asuna and Argo friended each other.
"Hachiman-kun, let's friend-register too. It'll help."
The word "friend" shook Hachiman, but he told himself it was just protocol. Breathing deeply, he agreed.
"Here's to teamwork, Asuna-san."
"You too, Hachiman-kun."
Then he blurted, "I'll find another inn. Talk tomorrow."
"Why? Stay here."
"Uh, that's not…"
"What, weird thoughts? Harassment code's got us covered."
"True, but a guy and girl together…"
"Use a screen. It's a bit awkward, but no mistakes can happen. Kicking you out feels wrong, and outside's too dangerous."
Hachiman relented. "Fine, I'll stay. I'll take the sofa, you get the bed."
"Thanks. And since you call Argo by name, just call me Asuna."
"But you use '-kun'!"
"Girls and guys are different!"
"Fine… A-Asuna."
"Yay, Hachiman-kun!"
"I'm hitting the bath. Sleep if you want."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"Night."
In the bath, Hachiman reflected on his uncharacteristic actions, inwardly cringing at how far he'd strayed from his usual self.