"Alright, guess I'll hit the bath first.
I got it ready while you three were cooking."
After dinner, Hachiman's suggestion made Asuna flush red and freeze.
(Asuna's misunderstanding something again, Hachiman thought.)
He considered clarifying, but Komachi spoke first.
"Big brother, you don't mean anything weird, right?"
"Obviously not. I'd never think something strange."
"Right! You'd never tell Asuna to bathe alone. You wouldn't leave her by herself, would you? I'm sorry for doubting you!"
"Yeah, as long as you get it… wait, huh?"
Komachi's dejected look flipped to a grin.
"Gotcha! Asuna, here's your big moment—go for it!"
"Y-Yeah, I'll do my best! Hachiman-kun, please take care of me!"
Hachiman glanced at his parents, exasperated, but they were already muttering about grandkids and wedding plans, leaving him isolated.
"Ugh… what a hassle… but fine."
"Big brother, what was that?"
"Komachi, think about what you just said."
Komachi recited her words:
"You'd never tell Asuna to bathe alone. You wouldn't leave her by herself, right?"
"Exactly. So, go take a bath with Asuna."
"What?!"
"I never said who Asuna should bathe with. You're the one joining her."
Komachi pondered, hand on chin, while Asuna clutched her head, yelling "No!" But Hachiman's logic was airtight. Komachi trembled, making one last stand.
"That's sneaky, big brother! I didn't want to see you act all grown-up like that!"
"Your mistake, Komachi. When you set a trap, layer it two or three times. Otherwise, someone like me can turn it against you. Watch your words next time."
"Grr… as expected from the former Blood Oath Knights strategist…"
Komachi sulked, knowing her error. Asuna looked disappointed but a little relieved, perhaps from embarrassment.
"Well, I knew it was a long shot," Komachi sighed. "Alright, Asuna, let's bathe together and make big brother jealous!"
"Y-Yeah, no choice, I guess."
"Let's go!"
"Right, let's go!"
Hachiman sighed in relief as Asuna backed down easily. If she'd pressed, even he might've caved. Everyone knew he was soft on her.
(If it came to that, we'd just wear swimsuits like back then, he thought, recalling their hot spring trip with Kirito. Maybe we should go again… and I should ask Argo about reviving Kirito. A bit of favoritism, but she'll let it slide.)
Leaving his disappointed parents behind, Hachiman retreated to his room, reading while waiting for the girls. Soon, their voices echoed from the hall, followed by a knock.
"Asuna? Come in whenever."
Asuna entered, fresh from the bath in pajamas. Hachiman's heart skipped—she looked alluring—but the pajamas caught his eye.
"Asuna, those are guy's pajamas, right? They look familiar…"
"Yeah, Komachi said they were yours from middle school."
Hachiman nodded, nostalgic. "Why those, though?"
"I forgot to pack pajamas while shopping, so Komachi offered yours. I got so excited, I just shouted, 'Those'll do!'"
Asuna started rambling, so Hachiman cut her off, suggesting she read something while he bathed. Noticing her pick, he pointed out the DVD of its anime adaptation before leaving.
When he returned, Asuna was engrossed, sitting on his bed.
"You're really into it, huh? Like it?"
"Yeah! Especially this cute cat—the eyes!"
"Cute, huh? Well, if you like it, that's fine."
"Can I watch more?"
"Sure, take your time. You won't finish tonight, so I'll lend you the DVD for the rest."
"Thanks!"
Asuna dove back in. Hachiman lay behind her, casually watching. Komachi joined, and the girls laughed and cried together, enjoying the anime. Hachiman's expression softened with an unreadable emotion. Asuna noticed.
"Hachiman-kun, what's with that look? What're you thinking?"
He paused, reflecting on his expression.
"Nothing weird. Just… watching you two, I got a bit jealous. If I'd had friends to share moments like this back in middle school, maybe things would've been different."
Asuna leaned back, resting her head on his stomach, smiling up at him.
"We can't go back, but I'm here now, right? We'll have tons of moments like this."
"Yeah… you're right."
Hachiman, warmed by her words, gently stroked her hair as they watched the screen. Around midnight, Komachi yawned and left for bed. Asuna was dozing, so Hachiman carefully carried her to her room, tucking her in. As he turned to leave, she mumbled in her sleep:
"Hachiman-kun… this noble fairy will always be with you…"
He stifled a laugh. "Too much anime, Asu-nyan-sensei. But yeah, here's to more, Asuna."
He returned to his room and slept. The next morning, with their parents at work, Asuna cooked breakfast for three. Komachi rushed in, flustered.
"Big brother, Asuna, ALO's update info just dropped!"
They checked her phone. One line stood out:
'In the next update, Aincrad descends upon ALO!'
"Wow…"
"Is this for real?"
"Komachi, you know SAO, but not Aincrad?"
"It's SAO-related?"
"Yeah. Aincrad's the floating castle we fought in for two years."
"I'd heard bits, but it's finally here. Alright, tonight, we rally everyone."
And so, they prepared to set foot in Aincrad once more.
--+--
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?