"So, who's this demon king and final boss?" Yui-no-neesan asked, her tone teasing.
"Uh, no idea," Hachiman stammered. "Completely clueless."
"Hmm," Yui hummed skeptically.
"No recollection whatsoever," Hachiman insisted.
"Maybe a punch would jog your memory?" Yui suggested.
"No, no! Violence is bad!" Hachiman said, waving his hands.
"Then let's settle it with words," Yui said.
"Uh, how long have you been there?" Hachiman asked nervously.
"Since you said, 'Yui, I love you,' maybe?" she teased.
"Hey, don't make up stuff I didn't say!" Hachiman protested, then, seeing her menacing expression, dropped to the floor. "Sorry, sorry, please forgive me!"
Yui sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll let you off if you chat with me for two hours."
"Deal," Hachiman said, resigned.
He grabbed his phone to end the call with Kirito, but the line was already dead. Worried, Hachiman suspected Yui's involvement but kept quiet, figuring it wasn't an enemy attack. Yui demanded funny SAO stories, and Hachiman obliged. Two hours later, a knock came at the door.
"They're here," Yui said. "Come in!"
"You had someone coming?" Hachiman asked. "That's why the time-killer?"
"Exactly," Yui said. "You know who's outside."
The door opened, revealing a familiar face.
"What the—Kirito, why are you here?" Hachiman exclaimed.
"…I was kidnapped," Kirito muttered.
"Yui-san, what did you do?!" Hachiman said.
"Don't be dramatic," Yui said. "Everything's above board, just didn't tell him. Starting today, Kirito-kun's moving to the room next to yours! Oh, I'm Yui Yukino. Call me Yui."
"Uh, okay, Yui-san," Kirito said.
Hachiman was speechless. Kirito, looking bemused, muttered, "Hachiman was right."
"You get it now?" Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Kirito said.
"What's that?" Yui said, narrowing her eyes. "Still calling me a demon king or final boss?"
Kirito, suddenly talkative, backpedaled. "No way! Yui-san, you're a beautiful, wealthy heiress—absolutely amazing. Hachiman, what were you thinking, saying stuff like that?"
"You traitor!" Hachiman said.
"Not betrayal, just switching sides!" Kirito shot back.
"You face any enemy head-on—that's you, Kirito!" Hachiman said.
"You think I can handle this pressure?" Kirito said. "It's worse than the Gleam Eyes! I don't fight reckless battles, and neither do you, Hachiman!"
"I get that the Gleam Eyes left a mark," Hachiman said.
Yui laughed. "No idea what the Gleam Eyes are, but you two are in sync!"
Hachiman and Kirito exchanged glances as Yui grinned. "Yui-san, what's with the surprise?" Hachiman asked.
"I talked with Kikuoka-san," Yui said. "We think you two are key to solving this case. To keep communication tight, we moved Kirito-kun to this hospital."
"Makes sense," Hachiman said. "Having Kirito nearby helps."
"Looking forward to working together, Hachiman," Kirito said.
"Same here!" Hachiman said, shaking Kirito's hand firmly.
"Now, Kirito-kun, sit on Hachiman's bed," Yui said. "Standing's tough, right?"
"Thanks for the concern," Kirito said, sitting.
"So, Yui-san, back to the earlier talk?" Hachiman asked. "You understood my points and agreed. Want to hear the question I had?"
"Sharp as ever, Hachiman-kun," Yui said. "Go ahead—what's the question?"
"It's about Asuna," Hachiman said. "If this is a company-wide plot, it's strange she's still trapped."
"Why's that?" Kirito asked.
Hachiman turned to Kirito. "Asuna's the daughter of RECT's CEO."
"Whoa," Kirito said. "You've got it rough, Hachiman."
"Forget my struggles," Hachiman said. "The CEO's Shozo Yuuki, right? If RECT's behind this, there's no reason to keep his daughter trapped."
"Shozo-san's crazy about Asuna," Yui said.
"If a plan like this was brewing at RECT, the CEO would've heard," Hachiman said. "So, the culprit's likely at RECT Progress."
"Can't the government act?" Kirito asked.
"Without a trigger, it's tough," Yui said. "No grounds for a raid."
"So, our goal is gathering evidence that RECT Progress is involved," Hachiman said.
"I'll do my part, but visiting the branch often is tricky," Yui said.
"About that," Hachiman said. "Yui-san, remember Zaimokuza?"
"That big guy with the weird speech?" Yui asked.
"Yeah," Hachiman said. "He's set to work part-time at RECT Progress. Can you pull strings to help?"
"A part-timer's easy enough," Yui said.
"Then we wait for Zaimokuza's intel," Hachiman said. "Kirito and I will focus on rehab."
"Together, rehab might go faster," Yui said.
"Let's hit it hard tomorrow, Hachiman," Kirito said.
"You got it!" Hachiman said.
From the next day, Hachiman and Kirito tackled rehab together. Kirito quickly bonded with Yukino, Yui, and other visitors.
"Hachiman, why are you surrounded by beautiful girls?" Kirito asked. "Weren't you a loner?"
"That was the plan," Hachiman said. "Somehow, it turned out like this."
"Never pegged you as an oblivious natural playboy," Kirito said.
"Hey," Hachiman protested.
"It's true," Kirito said.
"Ugh…" Hachiman groaned.
Rehab progressed smoothly, and nearly two months later, they were cleared for discharge. The case, however, remained unsolved. Zaimokuza had passed his interview and was investigating, but only found that a secretive department—likely ALO's server team—existed.
"You're both free to leave anytime," Yui said.
"Feels like forever," Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Kirito agreed.
"But I'd like you to stay a bit longer," Yui said. "You can go out freely, though."
"I'm fine with that," Hachiman said.
"Me too," Kirito said.
"Good," Yui said. "There's some intriguing info."
"What is it?" Hachiman asked.
"You both know about ALO?" Yui asked.
"Yeah, we looked into it," Kirito said.
"I got a screenshot from ALO recently," Yui said. "It showed someone who looks like Asuna."
"Seriously?" Hachiman said, leaning forward.
"Calm down," Yui said. "We're comparing it to your wedding photo. Results should be in by tonight."
"A real lead," Kirito said. "From an unexpected place."
"Wait until tonight," Yui said. "In the meantime, want to visit Asuna's hospital?"
"Can we?" Hachiman asked.
"I cleared it with Shozo-san," Yui said.
"Please take us!" Hachiman said.
"I'm coming too," Kirito said. "Asuna's a dear friend."
"Let's go," Yui said.
Asuna's hospital, a Yuuki-affiliated facility in Tokorozawa, housed her in a luxurious private room. From the window, Asuna looked healthy, not emaciated.
"Asuna…" Hachiman whispered.
"She looks healthier than we did waking up," Kirito said.
"They're sparing no expense," Yui said.
"No surprise for a corporation," Kirito said.
"Let's go in," Yui said.
Inside, the three sat by Asuna's bed. Hachiman fought the urge to rush to her side, relieved by her condition.
"Finally here, Hachiman," Kirito said.
"Yeah, she looks okay," Hachiman said. "I'm relieved."
"Great news, Hachiman-kun," Yui said.
"Thanks, Yui-san," Hachiman said.
The door opened, and two men entered. The trio stood, and Yui greeted the older one. "Shozo-san, thank you for allowing this visit."
"Yui-kun, you made it," Shozo said. "These must be Hachiman-kun and Kirito-kun."
"Hachiman Hikitani," Hachiman said.
"Kazuto Kirigaya," Kirito said.
Shozo shook their hands warmly. "I heard from the government and Yui-kun. You protected Asuna all this time. She's still asleep, but thank you for keeping her safe for two years."
"Hachiman did most of the protecting," Kirito said.
"You lived with her, right, Hachiman-kun?" Shozo said. "As a father, it's complicated, but it was in-game. Thank you."
"I'm sorry I couldn't wake her," Hachiman said.
"It's not your fault," Shozo said. "Don't worry."
"I'm still sorry…" Hachiman said.
Shozo patted Hachiman's back as he fought tears. The younger man spoke up. "Shozo-san, could you introduce me?"
"My apologies," Shozo said. "This is Sugou, head of our full-dive research at RECT Progress."
"Sugou," the man said. "I've heard of you, heroes Kirito-kun and Hachiman-kun."
"Nice to meet you," Hachiman said.
"Sugou-san, this is Yui Yukino, our new hire from the Yukino family," Shozo said.
"Pleasure to meet you," Yui said. "I look forward to working together."
"I've heard of your talent," Sugou said, eyeing Yui sleazily. "But I didn't expect such a stunning woman."
Yui remained composed, though likely irritated inside. Sugou continued, "Shozo-san, sorry to bring this up, but can we move forward with that matter? I want Asuna to wear a dress while she's still beautiful."
"It might be time to decide," Shozo said somberly.
Yui, sensing trouble, spoke for the group. "Shozo-san, that sounds significant. What's going on?"
"I'm considering Sugou as Asuna's husband," Shozo said. "She may never wake, so I want to settle this while she's still beautiful."
"Congratulations," Yui said carefully.
Hachiman went pale. Kirito whispered, "Stay calm. You're the guy who figures things out."
Hachiman took a deep breath. "Thanks, Kirito. I'm good. Yui-san, a word?"
"Hm?" Yui leaned in.
Hachiman whispered something as Shozo and Sugou talked. "Shozo-san, I have a confidential government matter to discuss," Yui said.
"Alright, let's step outside," Shozo said.
"Sorry, Shozo-san," Yui said as they left.
Sugou turned to Hachiman and Kirito. "Hachiman-kun, you lived with Asuna in-game, right? This must sting, but bear with it."
"Yeah, sure," Hachiman said flatly.
"Is it even possible without her consent?" Kirito asked.
"Legally, we can't marry," Sugou said. "I'd just become a Yuuki foster son."
"I see," Kirito said.
"Between us, this works out for me," Sugou said. "Asuna didn't like me."
"Oh?" Hachiman said, uninterested.
"You don't seem to care, Hachiman-kun," Sugou said.
"Guess not," Hachiman said.
"Are you planning to exploit this?" Kirito snapped, glaring.
"You know my department manages SAO's servers," Sugou said. "I hold Asuna's life in my hands. A little reward isn't too much to ask, right?"
"You…" Kirito started, advancing, but Hachiman stopped him.
"If we tell Shozo-san what you just said, what then?" Hachiman asked.
"Shozo trusts me completely," Sugou said. "Guess who he'd believe?"
"Got it," Hachiman said.
Kirito, recalling Hachiman's cunning, felt a chill. Sugou continued, "You lived with Asuna but seem so detached, Hachiman-kun. Was it a casual fling?"
Kirito gasped. "What's wrong, Kirito-kun?" Sugou asked.
"N-nothing," Kirito said.
"So, Hachiman-kun?" Sugou pressed.
"Up to your imagination," Hachiman said.
"Fair enough," Sugou said. "You get it, right? Don't come back here. This is beyond you. Enjoy your last goodbye with Asuna today."
Sugou left, and Yui returned. "Yui-san, how'd it go?" Hachiman asked.
"Just as you said," Yui replied. "I mentioned it, and he reacted as expected."
"What'd you do?" Kirito asked.
"Listen," Hachiman said.
Voices came from outside—Shozo and Sugou. "What do you mean, no marriage?!" Sugou shouted.
"I reconsidered," Shozo said. "It's too soon. This is on hold for now. Understand, Sugou. I thought it through."
"…Understood," Sugou said.
Shozo left, and the door burst open. Sugou stormed in, face twisted. "What did you do?!"
"What?" Hachiman said innocently.
"Don't play dumb!" Sugou yelled. "Shozo just postponed the marriage. You did something!"
"No idea what you mean," Hachiman said.
"I just relayed government info," Yui said. "What's this about, Sugou-san?"
"Damn it, you'll see!" Sugou spat. "I've got the trump card!" He stormed out.
Alone, Hachiman took Asuna's hand, speaking softly. "Asuna, I'll deal with that idiot. I got the marriage delayed. I'll save you soon, so wait for me, okay?"
Though she couldn't hear, the trio felt Asuna's face seemed to smile faintly.
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