"Yes?" a familiar voice called from inside the hospital room, making Hachiman's heart pound like an orchestra. He took a deep breath and spoke. "It's me."
"Come in," the voice replied.
Suppressing his nerves with another breath, Hachiman opened the door. The room was filled with sterile air, and on the bed was Asuna, the one he'd longed for. But she held up a hand to stop him, facing the window to hide her face.
"Sorry… are you mad I took so long?" Hachiman asked hesitantly.
"N-No, it's not that… I haven't bathed in forever, and…" Asuna trailed off.
"Oh," Hachiman realized, noticing her ears were red with embarrassment. Smiling gently, he said, "Don't worry. I wiped you down every day, so you're spotless."
"Ehhhh?!" Asuna spun around, flustered.
Hachiman grinned mischievously. "Kidding, of course."
"You…" Asuna started, but Hachiman cut her off, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Your parents kept you in perfect condition," he said. "You smell great, and you're not as scrawny as me or Kirito. Still beautiful."
"Really?" Asuna asked.
"Really. Sorry it took two months," Hachiman said.
"I knew you were fighting hard for me," Asuna replied.
"I can finally keep that promise. We'll be together from now on, Asuna," Hachiman vowed.
"Hachiman-kun!" Asuna sobbed, and Hachiman cried too. After two months since SAO's clear, they reunited in the real world.
After a while, Hachiman remembered his friends waiting outside. "Oh, right. On my way here, Sugou attacked me in the parking lot."
"What?! Are you okay? Oh, you're here, so you must be," Asuna said. "That's why the police rushed out. They only said there was a thug nearby…"
"My friends saved me. They're outside. Mind if I introduce them?" Hachiman asked.
"Y-Yeah, sure," Asuna agreed.
Hachiman opened the door, apologizing to the two for the wait, and invited them in.
"I'm Hayato Hayama," one said.
"Sho Tobe!" the other added.
"Asuna Yuuki. Sorry for looking like this," Asuna said.
"No, we're sorry for barging in," Hayama replied.
"Thank you for saving Hachiman-kun!" Asuna said.
"Man, Asuna-san's a goddess! Hikitani-kun's the real deal!" Tobe exclaimed.
"Huh?" Asuna blinked.
"Whoops, I mean Hikigaya-kun!" Tobe corrected.
Hachiman stared, stunned. "Tobe, you knew my real name?"
"Duh! Hikitani just sounds cooler, so I stuck with it!" Tobe grinned.
"Alright, keep calling me Hikitani," Hachiman conceded.
Asuna giggled, blooming like a flower. Tobe blushed, and even Hayama's cheeks reddened. Hachiman, feeling cocky, patted Asuna's head and boasted, "Well, guys? My girlfriend's pretty cute, huh?"
Hayama and Tobe froze, then Hayama chuckled, "Yeah, she's stunning. But I'm more shocked you said that, Compare."
"Damn, Hikitani-san's a legend! Total respect!" Tobe cheered.
"See? My Hachiman-kun's amazing!" Asuna declared, smirking proudly, clearly in a playful mood.
"Asuna, stop, it's embarrassing," Hachiman muttered.
"Sorry, got carried away," Asuna giggled.
"Hahaha!" Hayama laughed.
"You two are perfect together!" Tobe said.
Their laughter filled the room until a knock interrupted. It was Kikoka.
"Sounds lively," Kikoka said.
"Kikoka-san," Hachiman greeted.
"Thank you, Kikoka-san," Asuna added.
"The case is closed. Congrats, you two," Kikoka said.
"Yes!" Asuna beamed.
"Thanks," Hachiman said.
"Asuna-san, can I ask a few questions?" Kikoka asked.
"Sure. Hachiman, I'll see you tomorrow. Here's my contact info," Asuna said, taking his phone number.
"I'll call once I get my phone," Asuna promised. "And thank you, Hayama-kun, Tobe-kun."
"Let's all hang out when you're better!" Tobe said.
"See you, Asuna-san," Hayama added.
"See you guys! Tomorrow, Hachiman-kun!" Asuna waved.
The trio left. Outside, Tobe put Hachiman in a headlock.
"Whoa!" Hachiman yelped.
"You lucky bastard, Hikitani!" Tobe teased.
"Tobe…" Hayama sighed.
"But, Hayato-kun, Asuna-san's gorgeous, right?" Tobe said.
"Yeah, she is," Hayama admitted.
"I'm just happy seeing Hikitani-kun so happy," Tobe said.
"Tobe…" Hachiman broke free, noticing Tobe's tears.
"Tobe, you…" Hachiman started, then saw Hayama crying quietly too.
"You guys…" Hachiman said, tearing up himself. "I finally got her back. These two months were the longest of my life…"
"You did it, Hikitani-kun! Time for a victory cry!" Tobe said, wiping his tears.
"Yeah!" Hachiman agreed, wiping his own. "We won! We finally won!"
"Woo!" Tobe cheered.
"Yeah!" Hayama joined.
The trio roared childishly. From her window, Asuna watched, smiling.
Kazuto gripped his phone, waiting. He knew Asuna's awakening would be quicker, but he couldn't let go, waiting tirelessly. Finally, his phone buzzed. Without checking, he answered.
"Kazuto Kirigaya," he said.
"Um… it's me," a voice replied.
"Liz! It's me, Kirito," he said.
"Kirito… it's really you…" Lizbeth said.
"You okay? Just woke up, right?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah, like a long dream… some painful, some happy," Lizbeth said.
"We ended the dream. You're safe now, Liz," Kirito assured.
"Everyone's there, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah. When you're better, we'll all meet up," Kirito said.
"Yes… I'll recover fast!" Lizbeth vowed.
"Sounds like you're back. I'll visit tomorrow to explain. Tell me which hospital," Kirito said.
"You're coming?" she asked.
"Of course. I still owe you an answer," Kirito said.
"Kirito… Okay, I'm waiting! I'm at…" Lizbeth began.
Thus, both awoke, and all surviving SAO players were freed. Lizbeth—Rika Shinozaki—was in a hospital near Kazuto's home, so he visited often, aiding her rehab. Asuna's parents, busy with the incident's aftermath, followed Yomino's advice, transferring Asuna to a Yukino-affiliated hospital, partly due to Hachiman's role. Her parents, informed of his efforts, approved. Hachiman attended Asuna's rehab daily.
Two months later, Asuna and Rika were discharged.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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