With their leave granted, Hachiman and Asuna began by visiting friends to share their news. Their first stop was Nezha, whom they hadn't seen in a while. Nezha had stepped back from the front lines, spending most of his time with the Braves. Thanks in part to his efforts, the guild had fully recovered and was now a respected mid-tier force.
"Hey, you two! It's been ages!" Nezha greeted.
"Yo, you doing alright?" Hachiman asked.
"Yup! Thanks to you, the Braves are back in top form!" Nezha said.
"You've been working hard, Nezha-kun," Asuna added.
"I owe so much to you two and Kirito!" Nezha said earnestly.
He looked vibrant, clearly thriving with his guildmates.
"Glad you're doing well," Hachiman said. "We stopped by to share some news."
"News?" Nezha asked.
"Yeah… we got married," Hachiman said.
"Whoa, you tied the knot! Congratulations, both of you!" Nezha exclaimed.
"Thanks, Nezha-kun!" Asuna beamed.
"Thanks, man," Hachiman added.
"No, really, you two always seemed perfect together. I'm thrilled for you!" Nezha said.
After Nezha's warm up, the couple headed to Ashley's shop in Floria, the main town on the forty-seventh floor.
"Ashley, hi!" Asuna called.
"Been a while," Hachiman added.
"Well, if it isn't Asuna! And Hachiman-kun—rare to see you here," Ashley said. "Shopping together today?"
"No, we've got something to share," Asuna said.
"Share?" Ashley raised an eyebrow.
Asuna glanced at Hachiman, who stepped forward. "Ashley, it's been a while. We came to tell you we got married."
They showed her their rings. Ashley blinked, then grabbed their hands, bursting with joy.
"Congratulations, you two! I'm absolutely, positively thrilled!" she exclaimed.
"T-thanks," Hachiman said.
"Thank you, Ashley!" Asuna added.
Ashley's enthusiasm caught them off guard, but they exchanged smiles, basking in her wram. Her next words, however, left them stunned.
"But this was totally within my predictions! I'm a genius, aren't I?" Ashley declared.
"Uh, what's so genius about it?" Hachiman asked.
Ashley didn't answer, instead pulling Asuna toward the back. "Hachiman-kun, wait here. Asuna, come with me!"
"Okay," Asuna said, following.
"What? Huh?" Hachiman stammered.
The atmosphere left no room for resistance, so Hachiman stayed put. While waiting, he browsed the shop's equipment displays.
(I'd love to get Asuna some new clothes, but that'd mean custom orders. Gotta hunt sewing materials soon. Maybe when I've got time.)
A call from the back interrupted his thoughts. "Hachiman-kun, come on in!"
"Coming!" he replied.
In the back room, Asuna stood in a stunning white wedding dress, blushing shyly.
"W-wow… an angel," Hachiman breathed.
"How do I look?" Asuna asked.
"It suits you perfectly. You're gorgeous—like an actual angel," Hachiman said.
"T-thank you…" Asuna mumbled, fidgeting with embarrassment.
Hachiman found her adorable. "Ashley, when did you make this?"
"I got some rare materials recently and wanted to craft something for the shop's display," Ashley explained. "I figured it should be worn at least once, so I thought, who'd look best in it? Asuna was the first to come to mind."
"Naturally. My Asuna's the cutest in the world," Hachiman said.
"My Asuna… my Asuna…" Asuna repeated under her breath, blushing harder.
"Come on, Asuna, snap out of it!" Ashley laughed. "When I thought of the perfect outfit for you, Hachiman-kun's face popped up, and I knew it had to be a wedding dress."
"So that's why it fits me perfectly without adjustments," Asuna said.
"Got it. That's why you're 'the genius,'" Hachiman said.
"Yup! Moments like this make this job worth it," Ashley grinned.
Hachiman gave her a thumbs-up, and she returned it.
"Still, 'my Asuna,' huh?" Ashley teased. "Last time, when I called you 'Asuna's Hachiman-kun,' you denied it, didn't you?"
"Did I? Hachiman-kun's always been my Hachiman-kun," Asuna said.
"You get a bit goofy when it comes to me, don't you?" Hachiman said. "Not that I mind."
"Ugh, you two are so cute it's unfair," Ashley said. "Let's take a commemorative photo! Hachiman-kun, what about your outfit? I haven't made anything for you yet—ran out of good materials."
"Maybe the clothes you made me before? Or I've got my Knights of the Blood strategist uniform," Hachiman suggested.
"Right, you joined the Knights! Straight to strategist—impressive," Ashley said.
"It's not that big a deal," Hachiman said modestly.
"Can you put on the uniform for me?" Ashley asked.
"Sure."
Hachiman equipped the uniform via his menu.
"Alright, stand together," Ashley said.
Asuna looped her arm through Hachiman's, and they stood side by side.
"Perfect! Let's capture both outfits," Ashley said.
"I've got some recording crystals. Can we use those too?" Hachiman asked.
"Of course! Smile, you two!"
The happy moment was immortalized. Unbeknownst to them, the photo data would later reach Haruno through an analysis team, and Hachiman would one day be deeply grateful for it.
Their final stop was the fourth floor to visit Kizmel. At the Dark Elf castle, Kizmel was waiting, having sensed their arrival.
"Kizmel, long time!" Asuna said.
"Yo, you good?" Hachiman added.
"You both came! It's been, what, a year since you visited together?" Kizmel said.
"Sorry we haven't been by much," Hachiman said.
"No need to apologize. You've each stopped by occasionally," Kizmel said. "But having all three of us together again is truly special."
It had indeed been a year since Hachiman and Asuna visited together, though they'd dropped by individually when on lower floors.
"So, what brings you both here? Something happen?" Kizmel asked.
"Yeah, we've got news. Is the Viscount around?" Hachiman asked.
"Of course. Let's head to him," Kizmel said.
In the Viscount's room, he greeted them warmly. "Welcome back, both of you."
"It's been a while, Viscount," Asuna said.
"You've both grown so strong. I doubt I could match you now," the Viscount said, somehow sensing their levels.
"We've been working hard! We're fighting on the seventy-fifth floor of Aincrad now," Asuna said.
"Almost at the top. I don't know what awaits you there, but keep pushing," the Viscount said.
"Thank you," Asuna replied.
"Viscount, Kizmel, we came to share some news," Hachiman said.
They showed their rings.
"Those are… the Rings of the Spirit's Oath. You've bound yourselves in the Spirit's Bond," Kizmel said.
Realizing she meant marriage, they nodded.
"Yup!" Asuna said.
"Congratulations, both of you!" the Viscount said.
"Congrats!" Kizmel added.
"Thank you!" Asuna beamed.
"Come to my tent for a bit?" Kizmel offered.
"Sure!" Asuna said.
"I'll return to my duties. Stay as long as you like," the Viscount said.
"Thank you, Viscount," Hachiman said.
"Come back anytime," the Viscount replied.
The three left for Kizmel's tent. Asuna chatted excitedly with Kizmel, who listened with a warm smile. Hachiman joined in occasionally, nodding quietly at times, as they slipped into a nostalgic, comfortable rhythm. Before they knew it, dusk had fallen, and they decided to head home.
As they were leaving, Kizmel stared at a point in the air. "Just now, a spirit was watching you two. Then it ascended upward."
(What? Kizmel reacting means it's system-related…)
"Kizmel, did the spirit feel bad or anything?" Hachiman asked.
"No, not at all. It was likely born in a labyrinth in the lowest town, curious about you two, and headed toward your home," Kizmel said.
"A labyrinth in the Town of Beginnings? Asuna, ever hear of that?" Hachiman asked.
"I think Argo mentioned something about it," Asuna said.
"Guess we'll buy the details from Argo later. But Kizmel, how would a spirit know where we live?" Hachiman asked.
"I'm not sure, but the image it sent matched the description of your home perfectly," Kizmel said.
"Got it. Thanks, Kizmel. We'll head home and check it out," Hachiman said.
"Come back soon," Kizmel said.
"We will, Kizmel!" Asuna promised.
"See ya," Hachiman added.
"I look forward to it," Kizmel said.
They left the Dark Elf castle and hurried to the teleport gate. Upon reaching their home, they froze. Lying in front of their door was an unconscious girl.
---------------------------------------------
🚀 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!