"Hey, Kirito, over here!" Hachiman called.
"Hachiman!" Kirito replied.
Hachiman and Kirito were meeting in Swilvane, awaiting Asuna and Lizbeth's login to ALO.
"Let's go," Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Kirito nodded.
They took flight toward the coordinates where they'd first appeared.
"How's Liz doing?" Hachiman asked.
"Like us, just needs to regain strength. No weird illnesses. She's doing great," Kirito said.
"Good. Asuna's been heavily influenced by Haru-neesan…" Hachiman said.
"Haru-neesan? Yomino-san?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah, Asuna decided to call her that. She's really taken to her," Hachiman explained.
"Hachiman, never make Asuna mad. If you do, Yomino-san will become your enemy too," Kirito warned.
"Noted," Hachiman said.
They chatted as they flew.
"Around here, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, looks familiar," Kirito confirmed.
Recalling Asuna and Lizbeth's positions at SAO's clear, they split up.
"I'll go high," Hachiman said.
"I'll take low. Don't let Asuna fall," Kirito teased.
"I'll find her," Hachiman said.
"Knowing Asuna, she might fly on her own like us," Kirito said.
"She was asking Yomino-san a lot, so probably," Hachiman agreed.
"Time's close. Good luck," Kirito said.
"If we meet up, let's regroup at that tree," Hachiman said, pointing to a distant tree.
"Okay. Later," Kirito said.
"See ya," Hachiman replied.
Hachiman flew upward, watching the real-time display for Asuna's arrival. When the time came, he scanned the area, spotting a figure.
"There!" Hachiman flew toward it.
The figure was flying unsteadily but managing. "Looks okay. I'm relieved," Hachiman thought, noticing Asuna glance his way. "She saw me."
Suddenly, Asuna shouted, "Oh no, I'm falling!"
"What's with that monotone? Wait, she's actually falling? Damn, this is bad!" Hachiman accelerated, catching her in a princess carry.
"Thanks, Hachiman-kun. I'm still shaky from the scare. If it's okay, take me to Liz," Asuna said.
"You alright?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, I'll recover soon," Asuna assured.
"Alright, to the meeting spot," Hachiman said.
"Okay," Asuna nodded.
At the tree, Kirito and Lizbeth were already there. Seeing Lizbeth, Asuna leapt from Hachiman's arms and hugged her.
"Liz!" Asuna cried.
"Asuna!" Lizbeth replied.
They embraced, while Hachiman and Kirito watched warmly. Asuna whispered something to Lizbeth, who then asked Kirito to teach her to fly.
"I can float, see?" Lizbeth said, rocketing upward at an alarming speed.
"Whoa!" Kirito chased after her.
From above, Lizbeth's monotone voice echoed, "Oh no, I'm falling!"
Hachiman whipped around to Asuna, who avoided his gaze. "Asuna…"
"What's wrong, Hachiman-kun?" she asked innocently.
"I've seen this before… Haru-neesan's tricks! What did she tell you?!" Hachiman demanded.
"What? Got any proof?" Asuna deflected.
Before Hachiman could respond, Kirito descended, carrying Lizbeth. "Phew, be careful, Liz," he said.
"Got it!" Lizbeth said, jumping down and running to Asuna. "Thanks, Asuna, your advice worked perfectly!"
"Liz, don't say that!" Asuna hushed her, too late.
"Asuna," Hachiman said sternly.
"What, Hachiman-kun?" Asuna replied.
Hachiman beckoned her. Asuna shook her head, hiding behind Lizbeth. Kirito, confused, asked, "What's up, Hachiman?"
"Lean in," Hachiman whispered, explaining the situation.
Kirito turned to Lizbeth, who looked guilty and averted her eyes. "Liz…" he said.
"What, Kirito?" she replied.
Kirito beckoned her too. Lizbeth hid behind Asuna.
"No choice. Let's go to them, Kirito," Hachiman said.
"Yeah," Kirito agreed.
They approached slowly. Asuna and Lizbeth squeaked.
"Calm down, let's talk," Hachiman said.
"Yeah, thoroughly," Kirito added.
"What's wrong, Liz? Let's talk," Kirito urged.
Asuna grabbed Lizbeth's hand. "Liz, we run!"
They took off at high speed.
"You can fly just fine!" Hachiman shouted.
"Wait!" Kirito yelled.
Hachiman and Kirito chased them. Just as they closed in, Asuna and Lizbeth performed acrobatic maneuvers, dodging them.
"What?!" Hachiman exclaimed.
"How'd they fly like that?!" Kirito asked.
"Haru-neesan taught me the trick," Asuna said.
"Yomino-san showed me," Lizbeth added.
They answered in unison and fled again.
"Just from a trick? Haru-neesan's a monster…" Hachiman muttered.
"Hachiman, Yomino-san might hear you. Watch it!" Kirito warned.
"Seriously?!" Hachiman scanned the area, relieved to find no one.
"We gotta chase them!" Hachiman said.
"Right, let's go!" Kirito replied.
The chase continued, improving all four's flying skills.
"Finally caught you…" Hachiman panted.
"You two improved too fast," Kirito said.
"Caught at last, huh, Liz?" Asuna said.
"Yup, caught, Asuna," Lizbeth replied.
"But Haru-neesan was right," Asuna said.
"Yomino-san's amazing," Lizbeth agreed.
Hachiman and Kirito tensed. "There's more?" Hachiman asked.
"Our current state is the answer, Hachiman-kun," Asuna said.
"Current state?" Kirito asked.
They realized Hachiman was tightly holding Asuna, and Kirito was holding Lizbeth, to prevent escape. Blushing, they let go.
"Whoa!" Hachiman exclaimed.
"Sorry, Liz," Kirito said.
"You finally get it, Hachiman-kun, Kirito-kun," Asuna said.
"You've been dancing in Yomino-san's palm this whole time," Lizbeth teased.
"Damn, she's scary," Hachiman said.
"Don't make her an enemy, Hachiman. Ever," Kirito warned.
"Who's scary?" a voice called from above.
"Argh!" Hachiman and Kirito dropped to their knees, groveling.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" they pleaded.
Yomino—Soleil—appeared out of nowhere.
"Haru-neesan, your plan worked perfectly!" Asuna said.
"Thanks, Soleil-san!" Lizbeth added.
"Glad it did. Call me Soleil here, both of you," Soleil said.
"Yes, Soleil-neesan!" Asuna replied.
"Got it, Soleil-san!" Lizbeth said.
Soleil looked at the groveling duo. "Why are you two on your knees?"
"We beg forgiveness…" Hachiman said.
"I said nothing! It was all Hachiman!" Kirito protested.
"Kirito, you traitor!" Hachiman shot back.
"I spoke no lies!" Kirito insisted.
Ignoring their bickering, Soleil turned to Asuna and Lizbeth. "Shall we head to Arun?"
Then to Hachiman and Kirito, "Come on, let's go."
"Yes!" Hachiman said.
"Coming!" Kirito replied.
Relieved, they prepared to fly, but Soleil smiled sweetly. "Tomorrow, you two are coming with me. No refusals. I'll pick you up."
"Yes…" Hachiman gulped.
"Understood," Kirito stammered.
The five flew off toward Arun.
--+--
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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