That night, a lively banquet was held at the secret base, ostensibly to celebrate Hachiman's upcoming entry into the Knights of the Blood, Kirito's "consolation party" for his duel loss, and Asuna's move to Hachiman's place. Klein, who claimed to have often played event organizer at his company, led the toast. The garden table was laden with Asuna's cooking, and while the gathering was simple—just friends chatting in small groups—everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The attendees were Hachiman, Asuna, Kirito, Lizbeth, Silica, Klein, Egil, and Argo—eight in total.
"Soy sauce…" Hachiman murmured.
"And miso too!" Klein added.
"Asuna, you finally nailed it," Kirito said.
"I managed to recreate the flavors. What do you think, Hachiman-kun?" Asuna asked.
"Perfect," Hachiman said. "Next, I'm begging you for ramen."
Asuna's surprise dishes, made with painstakingly developed soy sauce and miso seasonings, were a hit. The group, overcome with nostalgia, ate in silence for a while, some with misty eyes. Afterward, they split into smaller groups for casual conversation. Lizbeth and Silica, who'd had little prior contact beyond Asuna arranging weapons for them, chatted animatedly with Kirito between them. The other four gathered around Asuna, discussing her seasonings. Argo, after paying a hefty sum for the recipe, got permission to spread it. Egil and Klein couldn't stop praising Asuna's cooking. Meanwhile, Hachiman, lounging in a beach chair he'd somehow acquired, sipped his usual drink.
(It's peaceful…)
Lately, Hachiman's mind had been consumed with Heathcliff-related worries, leaving him little time to relax. Savoring the moment, he let his thoughts drift.
"…man-kun… Hachiman-kun."
Someone's voice roused Hachiman. He'd dozed off in the chair.
"Oh, he's awake," Asuna said.
"Finally up, huh?" Kirito added.
"You looked exhausted, so we let you sleep. Get some good rest?" Egil asked.
"Don't push yourself too hard alone!" Klein scolded.
Everyone showed concern for Hachiman.
(These guys barge into my space so easily… and I let them.)
Looking at his friends, Hachiman's thoughts turned to those he'd left behind in the real world.
(Yukino, Yui—whether they're the "real" thing or not, I've found precious friends here. What are you two doing now? Did Komachi get into Sobu High? Iroha's probably taking entrance exams this year. I might've left her struggling with student council work. And I still owe Hiratsuka-sensei that ramen outing…)
Thinking of them, Hachiman renewed his resolve.
(I'll make it back and show them a slightly better version of me. I'll introduce them to the friends I've made here… and then…)
His gaze settled on Asuna, watching him with warmth. She wasn't just a friend—she was someone special.
(Yukino's hard to read, but Yui… she might've had feelings for me. If I hadn't ended up here, I don't know how things would've turned out. Back then, they were trusted friends, not romantic partners. But…)
Hachiman stared at Asuna, who tilted her head curiously.
(Asuna's different. She's been by my side since the game started, even after joining the Knights of the Blood. It'd be easy to call her a friend, but that's a cop-out. Even I can admit now—it's more than that. She looks at me no matter what, shares my joys and sorrows, and even scolds me when I need it. Asuna probably loves a flawed guy like me. And I…)
"Hachiman-kun, everyone's about to head out," Asuna said.
Her words snapped him out of his thoughts. He decided it was time to make things clear, with all his precious friends here.
"Right. Before that, I've got something important to say. Everyone, gather in the living room."
His friends complied without hesitation, heading inside.
"Hey, why do you guys listen to me so easily?" Hachiman asked.
"Well, it's you, so…" Klein shrugged.
"It's Hachiman, you know?" Asuna smiled.
Laughing, they filed into the living room.
(These guys…)
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Hachiman followed.
"First, I'm giving Klein and Argo keys to this place. Now everyone here has access to my house—only those I trust completely."
"That's a weird way to put it, but I'll take it," Argo said.
"Thanks, Hachiman!" Klein added.
"When I say 'access,' I mean… you're all my trusted… my precious friends," Hachiman said.
Silence fell. Even Asuna, usually quick to speak, was speechless. Expecting a different reaction, Hachiman nervously glanced at everyone. Asuna moved first, throwing her arms around him.
"Hachiman-kun!"
The others followed, piling on—Kirito, Klein, even Egil.
"…What's this?" Hachiman stammered.
"It's obvious," Asuna said. "You never say stuff like that, so hearing your true feelings means a lot. We're all thrilled."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"R-right… sorry I haven't said it properly before," Hachiman mumbled.
"Don't worry about it," Kirito said.
"We get you, so it's fine!" Klein added.
"You overthink things, Hachiman," Lizbeth teased.
"It's refreshing to see this side of Hachi-bou," Argo said.
The group eventually let him go as the mood settled.
"Back to business," Hachiman said. "I'm telling you everything about what's been going on."
Hachiman's lengthy explanation left those unaware stunned.
"No way… for real?" Klein gasped.
"Heathcliff's like the leader of the raiding group, right?" Silica asked.
The revelation was staggering. Once everyone calmed down, Hachiman continued.
"We'll proceed assuming that's true. It's risky, but we've been here two years. Time's running out. We'll find an opening to expose Heathcliff's identity, gauge his reaction, and, if necessary, take him down on the spot."
Kirito frowned, thinking. "Will that end it?"
"There are two possibilities," Hachiman said. "He either acts as the final boss then or vanishes to wait at the hundredth floor. I bet on the former."
"Why?" Kirito asked.
"If he disappears, he can't watch the players in his world anymore. Knowing his personality, he'd probably say, 'Well done finding me,' and challenge us to beat him for a clear. I'm certain he's set himself up to die if defeated."
Everyone held their breath.
"No way…" Lizbeth murmured.
"He wouldn't cheat by keeping himself safe," Hachiman said. "Though he's probably immortal for now to avoid random monster deaths."
"That's bold, but coming from you, who knows him, it's believable," Kirito said.
"If it works out, he might not have to die," Hachiman added.
"How?" Egil asked.
"The revival item's description suggests we don't die in the real world until ten seconds after death here."
"That's what it implies," Kirito agreed.
"So, raiders, be ready. Don't falter, no matter what. If someone falls, focus on clearing within ten seconds."
The four raiders—Kirito, Asuna, Klein, and Egil—nodded solemnly.
"This mission can't fail. I don't know when we'll act, but we have to succeed. Liz, Silica, pray for us."
Lizbeth and Silica nodded firmly.
"Argo, I need your behind-the-scenes support," Hachiman said.
"Count on Argo-sama for full support," she replied.
"Sorry, everyone," Hachiman said, bowing his head.
"We could keep raiding as is," he continued, "but the closer we get to the hundredth floor, the more we'd rely on Heathcliff. That'd make clearing impossible. We need to act now, before that happens."
"Hell yeah, let's do this!" Klein shouted.
"We'll all make it back to reality, no one left behind!" Egil added.
"Count on it!" Kirito said.
"We can't fight, but we'll help however we can!" Lizbeth said.
"Let's do this, Liz-san!" Silica cheered.
Hachiman lifted his head, visibly tenser than before.
"One more thing I need to say, in front of everyone."
His tone made everyone sense something big was coming.
"Just spit it out," Kirito urged.
"R-right… Asuna, come here for a sec."
"Okay," she said, stepping closer.
"As you all know, Asuna's moving in here," Hachiman began.
The sudden shift in topic caught everyone off guard.
"I'm done making dumb excuses like it's for her safety," he said.
Asuna's face lit up with anticipation. The others, sensing the moment, listened intently, no teasing in sight.
"Uh…" Hachiman faltered, nerves getting the better of him.
"Come on, Hachiman, man up!" Kirito said.
"You're a guy, right?" Klein added.
"You gotta say it now!" Egil urged.
"Don't be lame, Hachi-bou," Argo teased.
"Hachiman-kun, you've got this!" Asuna cheered.
Even Asuna's encouragement made Hachiman blush, but he pressed on.
"I know, I know. Look, I've never been good at this stuff. Of course I'm nervous—scared, even."
"It's okay, Hachiman-kun! It'll be fine, I know it!" Asuna said.
Everyone couldn't help but chime in.
"Asuna, what are you even saying?" Kirito laughed.
"She gets weird when it's about Hachiman," Lizbeth noted.
Realizing her slip, Asuna blushed. Hachiman took a deep breath and faced her.
"I'm a mess, full of flaws, but… will you stay with me, always? Asuna, I love you."
"You finally said it…" Asuna said, tears of joy streaming down her face. "I love you too, Hachiman-kun!"
The room erupted in the loudest cheers of the night.
"Nice one, Hachiman!" Kirito shouted.
"You did it!" Klein whooped.
"That was cool, Hachiman!" Egil said.
"You showed your stuff, Hachi-bou!" Argo grinned.
"I knew it all along," Lizbeth smirked.
"Congratulations, you two! I'm jealous!" Silica added.
Hand in hand, they bowed. "Thanks," Hachiman said.
"Thank you!" Asuna added.
As applause thundered, Hachiman and Asuna officially became a couple. But Argo dropped a bombshell.
"Now, shall we proceed with their wedding ceremony?"
"What…?" Hachiman stammered.
"W-wedding?" Asuna gasped.
"I'm thinking," Argo said, "to avoid any future meddling, it'd be cleaner to make it official, no?"
"Maybe, but marriage…" Hachiman muttered.
"Marriage, huh…" Asuna echoed, staring at Hachiman with unwavering eyes.
"What, Hachi-bou, you against it?" Argo teased.
"No way," Hachiman said.
"No way," Asuna echoed.
"Why's Asuna answering for me?" Kirito quipped.
Argo turned to the group. "Everyone's on board, right?"
"If they want it, I'm for it," Kirito said.
"Totally agree!" Klein shouted.
"Sounds good," Egil said.
"It's sudden, but if they're okay with it, why not?" Lizbeth added.
Marriage in SAO was different from the real world. Sharing item storage meant entrusting everything to your partner—a bond requiring not just love but the resolve to entrust your life. Hachiman, who'd wanted to take things slower, was caught off guard. Asuna, seizing the moment, went all in.
"Hachiman-kun was brave enough to confess, so now it's my turn to step up! If you propose, I'll happily say yes, Hachiman-kun!"
"Asuna, that's a bit much…" Hachiman said.
"A-chan's got moves," Argo grinned. "Hachi-bou can't say no now."
"Teaching her to be pushy paid off," Lizbeth said.
"When did you teach her that?" Hachiman asked.
"Guess I didn't need to overthink it," Hachiman sighed. "Just saying what I feel should've been enough. I've still got a lot to learn… Alright, Asuna, let's do this again."
He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm no good with sappy lines, so I'll keep it short. I love you. Marry me."
"Yes," Asuna said. "If you'll have someone like me, let me stay by your side forever."
"If you'll have me, I'll never let you go."
In front of their friends, they sealed their vow with a kiss. Hachiman opened his menu, sending Asuna a marriage request. She accepted, and rings appeared in their inventories. They exchanged them, slipping them onto each other's fingers. The room exploded in even louder cheers and applause, with tears of joy all around.
Hachiman and Asuna, propelled by her boldness, had confirmed their love and become husband and wife.
---------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 On Patreon you can read 20+ chapters ahead, plus there will be exclusive stories available only there.
💖 If you'd like to support me, check it out: patreon.com/Greyhounds
🔓 Patreon will always stay ahead of the public release — and some stories won't be published anywhere else.
✨ All support is completely optional — even if you don't join, I'm still grateful to have you here reading!