Floria, the main town of the forty-seventh floor, was a riot of blooming flowers, earning its reputation as a couple's paradise.
Where did all these female players come from? Hachiman muttered, surrounded by couples who shot him curious glances, wondering why he was alone in such a place. Their stares made him squirm.
Why'd Asuna pick this spot for a meetup? he thought.
"Hachimaaan! Over here!" a voice called, louder than necessary.
Even without her Knights of the Blood Oath uniform, Asuna's casual outfit somehow stood out more. Her shout drew eyes, and the crowd buzzed.
"Isn't that Asuna?" one player gasped.
"The Flash! So cool!" another said.
When they saw Hachiman was her companion, the usual mix of jealousy and confusion followed.
"Idiot, don't yell in a place like this!" Hachiman hissed.
"Oops, my bad," Asuna said, tapping her head with a playful "teehee."
Hachiman sighed, caught off-guard by her rare, calculated charm. This is just how she is naturally… "So, what's the plan?" he asked.
"It's a secret," Asuna said.
"Huh?" Hachiman said.
"Just follow me!" she urged.
Asuna led him to a bustling shopping district, stopping at a clothing store that screamed "not Hachiman's vibe."
"What is this place?" Hachiman asked, bewildered.
"Just get in!" Asuna said, grabbing his hand as he hesitated, half-ready to bolt, and dragged him inside.
"Ashley, I brought him!" Asuna called.
"Asuna, right on time," a woman replied.
"Ashley's shop? Heard of it," Hachiman said.
The store belonged to Ashley, a legendary seamstress who maxed out her tailoring skill at record speed. Hachiman cared little for fashion, but even he'd heard her name.
"So, this is Asuna's famous Hachiman?" Ashley asked.
"Not famous, and not hers, but yeah, I'm Hachiman," Asuna clarified.
"You two seem awfully close," Ashley teased, eyeing their joined hands.
"He'd run if I didn't hold on!" Asuna said, quickly letting go.
She's not wrong, I'd be gone, Hachiman thought, then introduced himself. "No clue why I'm here, but I'm Hachiman."
"I'm Ashley, the shop owner. Nice to meet you," she said.
"So, what do you think?" Asuna asked cryptically.
Ashley studied Hachiman. "Rotten eyes, but decent features."
"Rude much? Though I hear that a lot," Hachiman said.
"My clients don't care about faces, so it's fine," Ashley said.
"Uh-huh," Hachiman muttered, lost in what felt like enemy territory—an alien, flashy atmosphere.
"Passable, I'd say," Ashley concluded.
"Yes!" Asuna cheered, pulling out high-quality fabric from her storage and laying it out. "I leave the rest to you!"
"Come back in an hour. I'll make something to suit those eyes," Ashley said, fired up.
"See you soon!" Asuna called, dragging Hachiman out.
Their next stop was a bright dessert shop, another place Hachiman felt out of place in. This floor's my kryptonite, he thought.
"This doesn't suit me either," Hachiman said.
"No, Hachiman, I want to eat their famous cake," Asuna said.
"Oh. Well, I'm kinda picky about sweets," Hachiman said.
"I know. My treat, as thanks for my birthday," Asuna said.
"That was just a spare item," Hachiman protested.
"Sure, sure. Let's go in," Asuna said.
Asuna was firmly in control today, and Hachiman, off his game, scanned the menu.
"I'll get the cake set," Asuna said.
"I'll take this, this, and… this," Hachiman said.
"Why so much?" Asuna asked.
"Sometimes I crave sweets. Plus, it's your treat," Hachiman grinned.
"Fine, I'm ordering," Asuna said.
The food appeared instantly.
"So good," Asuna said.
"Yeah, it matches the floor's vibe. Bright taste, I guess," Hachiman said.
"Bright taste? Weird way to put it. Let me try yours," Asuna said.
"Go for it," Hachiman said.
Asuna usually kept her distance, but today she was looser—maybe because of recent events. Hachiman let it slide.
"What was that shop about?" he asked.
"A super late birthday present for you," Asuna said.
"Birthday?" Hachiman said.
"August eighth, right?" Asuna said.
"How do you know that?" Hachiman asked.
"I have a skilled spy nearby," Asuna teased.
"That pink one, huh…" Hachiman muttered, realizing Lisbeth's role.
"I couldn't think of much else, so I asked a seamstress I know for a custom outfit," Asuna said.
"Didn't Ashley only take requests from people she likes?" Hachiman asked.
"Yep," Asuna said.
"What'd she see in me?" Hachiman wondered.
An hour later, they returned to Ashley's shop. Hachiman, practically forced into the new outfit, looked in the mirror.
"Whoa… who's this?" he said.
"Looks great!" Asuna said.
"Even I didn't expect this transformation," Ashley said.
The mirror showed a polished young man Hachiman barely recognized. The game-style outfit was flashy but sleek, with no tackiness.
"Uh, thanks," Hachiman said.
"You're welcome," Asuna said.
"Thanks, Ashley. No clue what you saw in me," Hachiman added.
"Come back anytime," Ashley said.
Outside, both Asuna and Hachiman drew stares. Whoever coined "clothes make the man" must've seen a moment like this, Hachiman thought as they headed to the teleport gate. Asuna wanted Lisbeth to see him and sent her a message. They teleported to Lindarth, the forty-eighth floor's main town, a serene place with watermill houses.
Lisbeth spotted Asuna and ran over, waving. "Asuna!"
"Liz, over here!" Asuna called.
"Hi! I'm Lisbeth, Asuna's friend!" she said to Hachiman.
"Huh?" Hachiman said.
"Asuna, where's Hachiman? Who's this?" Lisbeth asked.
"Seriously?" Hachiman said.
"Wait… Hachiman?" Lisbeth gasped.
"No kidding," Hachiman said.
"Sorry, sorry! Really you?" Lisbeth said.
"Still doubting me?" Hachiman said.
"Wow, just… wow," Lisbeth said.
"What do you think, Liz? Surprised?" Asuna asked.
"Beyond surprised! He's a different person!" Lisbeth said.
"Can't even deny it," Hachiman admitted.
Lisbeth was genuinely shocked, and Hachiman was startled by her reaction.
"Oh, I've got something to show you both! Come on!" Lisbeth said.
They followed her to a quaint watermill house.
"What do you think?" Lisbeth asked.
"Nice vibe. Looks like it'd sell fancy trinkets," Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Asuna agreed.
"So, I really want this house!" Lisbeth said. "I found it wandering and want to open a weapon shop here. Please help me! It's three million Col!"
From that day, with Hachiman and Asuna's full support, Lisbeth's Col-earning grind began.
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