Days after the twenty-fifth floor's breakthrough, Hachiman teamed up with Kirito for a rare leveling session.
"You inviting me out? That's new," Hachiman said.
"Haven't been on the frontlines lately, so my level's lagging. Plus, I figured you'd need someone watching your back without Asuna," Kirito replied.
"I'm not lonely or anything," Hachiman snapped.
"Didn't say you were," Kirito smirked.
"Fine, let's do this," Hachiman said.
"Full throttle, been a while," Kirito said.
Been a while? Not going all-out with his guild? Must be tough being the standout in a mid-tier group… Hachiman thought.
Their teamwork rivaled Hachiman and Asuna's, maybe even faster in raw clearing speed. Since it wasn't a boss fight, Hachiman let loose, enjoying the grind. After several battles, they decided to take a break when Hachiman spotted a group approaching.
"Kirito, someone's coming," he said.
"Even if they jump us, we'd wipe the floor with them. Let's chill and let them pass," Kirito said.
"Damn, that's dark," Hachiman said.
"Hah, just saying we've got this," Kirito grinned.
"True enough," Hachiman admitted.
As they sat, sipping water, the group drew close enough to recognize. Kirito's expression flickered with pain before he called out.
"Hey, Klein. Long time," Kirito said.
"Whoa, Kirito! Since day one, man!" Klein replied.
Hachiman vaguely recalled the name Klein, the memory clicking at "day one." Right, the guy Kirito was teaching back then.
"Word is you're the Black Swordsman of the Raiders," Klein said.
"Ugh… that's what they're calling me?" Kirito groaned.
"And this guy?" Klein asked.
"Think we met on day one," Kirito said.
"Huh? Day one? Oh, the guy practicing next to us! I'm Klein, nice to meet ya!" Klein said.
"Hey, I'm Hachiman," he replied.
Energetic, maybe a bit loud, but… likable. Seems like a good guy, Hachiman thought.
"Hachiman? The Hachiman from the Raiders?" Klein asked.
"Probably. No weird nicknames for me, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Nope, haven't heard any," Klein said.
Hachiman smirked at Kirito. "Hear that, Black Swordsman?"
"Shut up…" Kirito muttered.
Klein grinned. "You two friends?"
"Yeah, frie—" Kirito started.
"Awesome! I was legit worried Kirito had no friends!" Klein interrupted, tearing up and half-hugging him.
"Didn't mean to worry you," Kirito said, sheepish.
Klein's genuine joy convinced Hachiman he was a good guy. Kirito, initially weighed by some guilt, softened into a smile.
"These are my buddies. We formed a guild, Fuurinkazan," Klein said.
"Hey, I'm Kirito."
"Hachiman."
Klein's crew matched his vibe—good-natured and easygoing. The group chatted warmly, and at Klein's request, they watched Hachiman and Kirito fight. The duo's ferocity stunned them.
"Knew Kirito was strong, but Hachiman's unreal! Total Raider vibes!" Klein said.
They shared some tips with Fuurinkazan before parting.
"Catch ya later! Hit me up if you need me!" Klein called.
"Yeah, see ya, Klein," Kirito said, a rare hint of reluctance in his goodbye.
Friends are pretty great, Hachiman thought. They resumed hunting, leveling up before calling it a day.
Two weeks later, the frontline hit the twenty-eighth floor, but Kirito hadn't appeared since the twenty-fifth floor's boss. No one was overly worried—his absence wasn't new. Hachiman overheard a similar sentiment while shopping at Egil's stall.
"Haven't seen Kirito lately," Hachiman said.
"He was gone before the twenty-fifth too. Probably busy," Egil said.
"He's on lower floors, so he's not in trouble," Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Egil agreed.
Asuna was swamped too, living at the KoB's lodging, hunting with her team, and handling meetings. Guild life demanded that grind. As a result, she and Hachiman had grown slightly distant.
That day, Hachiman decided to solo the twenty-sixth floor's labyrinth. Progress was smooth until the mid-levels, where he spotted a figure fighting ahead.
"Is that Kirito? Yo, Kirito!" he called.
Kirito didn't hear, and something was off. He fought recklessly, as if he didn't care about surviving. Hachiman hesitated to call out again. When Kirito finished the enemies and collapsed, Hachiman rushed over, confirmed he was unconscious, and carried him back to the tower.
Kirito woke later.
"Where…?" he mumbled.
"You're up. My place," Hachiman said.
"Hachiman! Why am I here?" Kirito asked.
"Found you passed out in the labyrinth. Carried you back," Hachiman said.
"I see…" Kirito said.
"Hungry?" Hachiman asked.
Kirito didn't answer. Hachiman didn't press, starting to cook. Ten minutes later, he handed Kirito a bowl of soup.
"…Tastes bad," Kirito said.
"Shut up. Asuna hasn't been by, so I'm low on good ingredients," Hachiman said.
Kirito forced a weak smile.
"You're not gonna ask what happened?" Kirito said.
"Not interested," Hachiman replied.
"Got it," Kirito said.
Silence stretched, broken by Kirito.
"You don't miss Asuna?" he asked.
"Nah, not lonely. I could message her anytime. Don't, though," Hachiman said.
"Anytime, huh…" Kirito murmured, his words heavy with meaning.
Hachiman sensed it but didn't pry. "Sleep. Your room's there."
"Thanks, Hachiman," Kirito said.
"Don't mention it," Hachiman replied.
Kirito, who'd been holed up in the labyrinth for days, slept in a warm bed for the first time in a while.
The next day, Hachiman showed off his tower.
"Pretty cool, right?" Hachiman said.
"A player house in the twenty-second floor's safe zone? How'd you find this?" Kirito asked.
"Good karma," Hachiman grinned.
"No way your karma's that good," Kirito shot back.
"Oi," Hachiman said.
"But seriously, this place is amazing," Kirito said.
"Secret base vibes, right?" Hachiman said.
"Damn, I'm gonna find a better spot," Kirito vowed.
He seemed brighter, though his core issues lingered. "You owe me for the bed and meal. No skipping out," Hachiman said.
"…Got it. I won't think about dying till I pay you back," Kirito said, catching Hachiman's hidden meaning.
"Yep," Hachiman said.
"Really is a nice place," Kirito said.
"Finding it was a miracle," Hachiman admitted.
"Asuna still drop by?" Kirito asked.
"Used to, not lately," Hachiman said.
"Got it," Kirito said.
They gazed at the view until Kirito moved. "I'm heading out. Back to the frontline tomorrow."
"Cool," Hachiman said.
Feeling Hachiman's quiet support, Kirito couldn't resist a jab. "I'll tell Asuna you were crying from loneliness."
"Hey!" Hachiman snapped.
No clue what hurt Kirito, but healing's up to him. He's past the worst, so that's enough, Hachiman thought.
Kirito returned to the frontline, ready to fight again.
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