Two months after the SAO survivors were freed, Asuna's father, Shozo Yuuki, faced heavy criticism for remaining CEO of Recto Progress. However, as investigations revealed Sugou's sole responsibility for the incident and Shozo's leadership in using the company's reserves for victim compensation, public opinion shifted, praising his accountability. The situation calmed rapidly, and today, Asuna completed her rehab and was discharged.
"Alright, Asuna, ready to go?" Hachiman asked.
"It's a bit sad I won't see you two together anymore," the doctor said. "Congrats on your recovery, Asuna-san."
"Happy for you, Asuna-chan!" a nurse added.
"Congratulations!" another chimed.
"Thank you, doctor, nurses," Asuna said gratefully.
Hachiman alone accompanied Asuna's discharge; her parents, busy with the aftermath, had visited with Hachiman the previous day to finalize plans, so Asuna wasn't concerned. Outside, Hachiman led her by the hand to the parking lot.
"Where are we going, Hachiman-kun?" Asuna asked.
"Here," Hachiman said, opening the door of a white car and ushering her to the passenger seat before taking the driver's seat.
"When did you get a license?" Asuna exclaimed.
"While helping with your rehab, I attended a nearby driving school. School hasn't started, so I had time," Hachiman explained.
"Wow," Asuna said.
"Besides, Haru-neesan's butler, Tsuzuki-san, drilled me in her yard. Had to graduate on time for today," Hachiman added.
"You did all that quietly…" Asuna said. "Whose car is this?"
"Bought it," Hachiman replied.
"So fast…" Asuna marveled.
"Used my savings, borrowed a bit from Haru-neesan. Cheap car, but it's mine. Passenger seat's yours—well, maybe Komachi sometimes, but mostly yours," Hachiman said.
"Yes!" Asuna beamed, buckling her seatbelt. Excited to claim her spot, she leaned to kiss Hachiman's cheek but was stopped by the belt.
"Mmm, can't reach…" she pouted.
Hachiman chuckled, leaning closer. Asuna kissed his cheek, satisfied.
"Mufu~" she giggled.
"You're not a kid," Hachiman teased.
"It's fine! Let's go!" Asuna urged.
"Yes, yes," Hachiman said, starting the engine. "To Dicey Cafe."
"Wonder how everyone's doing," Asuna said.
"Finally meeting Liz, huh?" Hachiman said.
"Yeah! I saw the others when they visited, but Liz and I were both in rehab. We met in-game, but this is our first real meeting. I'm excited!" Asuna said.
"Argo's iffy on coming," Hachiman noted.
"Haru-neesan and Argo-san are so busy…" Asuna said.
Recto Progress was dismantled, and ALO's operations moved to a new Yukino-affiliated company. Yomino, facilitating the transition, was swamped, acting as liaison. Argo, hired personally by Yomino, assisted the government while being worked to the bone. When Hachiman asked why Yomino hired Argo, she smirked, "Seemed more interesting this way."
Arriving, Hachiman parked—slightly clumsily—and texted Egil. They walked to Dicey Cafe.
"Here it is," Hachiman said.
"Such a cool vibe!" Asuna said.
"Very Egil, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, hard to explain, but it feels like him," Asuna agreed.
"Let's go. Everyone's probably here. Oh, we're using in-game names today," Hachiman said.
"Got it!" Asuna nodded.
They opened the door, peeking inside.
"Sorry, we late—huh?" Hachiman said.
"Nobody's here?" Asuna wondered.
Food and half-drunk beverages littered the tables, but the room was empty. As they stepped in, hidden friends—Kirito, Leafa, Egil, Klein, Silica, Yukino, YuiYui, Komachi, Iroha, and Lizbeth—sprang out, popping crackers.
"Late, Hachiman!" Kirito called.
"Hachiman-kun, Asuna-san!" Leafa shouted.
"Drove okay?" Egil asked.
"Asuna-san, still stunning! Everyone here's gorgeous, though!" Klein said.
"Long time, Asuna-san!" Silica greeted.
"You look healthy, Asuna-san," Yukino said.
"Late!" YuiYui teased.
"Big brother, big sis!" Komachi cheered.
"Grr, Senpai, you two look perfect…" Iroha grumbled.
Hachiman, stunned, apologized. "Not used to driving. Got stuck parking. Sorry."
"Hi, everyone!" Asuna greeted.
Today's group: Kirito, Leafa, Egil, Klein, Silica, Yukino, YuiYui, Komachi, Iroha, Lizbeth, Hachiman, and Asuna. Lizbeth stepped forward shyly.
"Liz!" Asuna called.
"Asuna! First time, huh?" Lizbeth said, hugging her.
Asuna hugged back, overjoyed. A banquet began, though split by gender—not from discord but because the Team Hachiman women were meeting for the first time, eagerly bonding. Hachiman glanced at them, relieved they were getting along. The men, except Klein, were calm. Egil was married, Kirito was nearly dating Lizbeth, and Hachiman was taken, leaving Klein the only single one.
"Hachiman, about that thing…" Klein started.
"Spring's waiting. Work settled?" Hachiman asked.
"Sorry for the wait. I'm ready now," Klein said.
Rehab left Klein unable to work at full capacity, so he'd delayed Hachiman's introduction to Hiratsuka, wanting to meet her in top form—a matter of pride. Hiratsuka agreed willingly.
"Cool. Can you set it up when she's free?" Hachiman asked.
"Leave it to me," Klein said.
"Wanna bet on Klein's spring, Kirito?" Hachiman teased.
"I'd bet on success," Kirito said.
"My bro believes in me!" Klein cheered.
"I'm just betting on the long shot…" Kirito muttered.
"Huh?" Klein said.
"What's that about?" Asuna asked, drawn by Klein's loud voice, as the women joined.
"Promised to introduce Klein to Hiratsuka-sensei," Hachiman explained.
"That Hiratsuka-sensei?" Leafa asked.
"Don't say 'that,'" Hachiman scolded.
"Hiratsuka-sensei and Klein-san, huh?" YuiYui mused.
"You too, YuiYui?" Klein groaned.
"Hachiman, I'm getting nervous. Not about her, but can a guy like me, with little experience, lead her?" Klein admitted.
"Listen, Klein," Hachiman said. "Hiratsuka-sensei has quirks—like trying too hard to impress or spamming long texts if replies are slow. I'll handle that. Just be yourself. I believe in you."
"Got it!" Klein vowed.
"You're saying wild stuff too, Hachiman-kun," Asuna noted.
"Klein'll manage. We shouldn't meddle," Hachiman said.
"Fair," Kirito agreed.
"Egil, hot milk for me," Klein called.
"Me too. Need a breather," Hachiman added.
"Coming up," Egil said.
Two hot milks arrived. Hachiman sipped, relaxing. The person beside him blew on theirs, cat-tongued.
"Figures you're cat-tongued," Hachiman said.
"Always hated hot stuff," the person replied.
"Some people can't handle heat—Argo! When'd you get here?!" Hachiman exclaimed.
"Yo!" Klein shouted.
"Argo!" Kirito called.
"Just got free," Argo said.
"Argo-san!" Asuna hugged her tightly.
"Whoa, passionate, A-chan!" Argo laughed.
"You gave me hope when I was trapped. I wanted to thank you," Asuna said.
"Good job, A-chan," Argo said, patting her.
Hachiman explained Argo to the ALO group, who welcomed her warmly, livening the mood. Kirito, seeing Leafa bond with Lizbeth, felt relieved. Hachiman, watching Yukino and YuiYui chat happily with Asuna, felt the same. They exchanged knowing glances and smirked—though it didn't suit them.
Three hours passed unnoticed. Hachiman stood to close the gathering.
"Time to wrap up. Everyone here is my precious friend and comrade. Uh, I suck at speeches, but… here's to us," Hachiman said.
Bound by SAO for two years, Hachiman and Asuna gained irreplaceable friends. Their story would continue in ALO, surrounded by these comrades.
Though the SAO incident closed, Hachiman and Asuna's journey goes on.
--+--
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
If you want to see it, then why not?