"Well, looks like the introductions are done. The rest is up to you two," Yahata said, sensing the moment was right.
"Thanks for coming out, Hikitani. I really appreciate it," Shizuka replied.
"Thanks, both of you!" Ryotaro added enthusiastically.
"No big deal," Yahata said with a shrug.
"You got this, Klein-san!" Asuna cheered.
"Thanks, Asuna-san!" Ryotaro grinned.
"We'll head out now. Ms. Hiratsuka, I'll reach out about that ramen plan," Yahata said.
"Looking forward to it, Hikitani. See you, Yuuki-san," Shizuka replied.
"See you!" Asuna said brightly.
With that, Yahata and Asuna waved goodbye and seemed to head off… or so it appeared. When they reached Yahata's car, he turned to Asuna abruptly. "Alright, let's tail them from a distance."
"Figured as much!" Asuna said, half-expecting this.
"What, you saw that coming?" Yahata asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yup. You seem to really care about Ms. Hiratsuka, so I figured you'd be too worried to just leave and might sneak after them," Asuna teased.
Yahata flushed slightly, flustered. "It's not like I care care. It's respect, okay? Respect. Obviously, the one I like most is you, Asuna."
Asuna's cheeks turned pink, but her face lit up with a warm smile. "I know, silly. I love you too, Yahata-kun."
"Y-yeah…" Yahata mumbled, clearly embarrassed. He ushered Asuna into the passenger seat, started the car, and followed Ryotaro and Shizuka from a discreet distance. Parking in an inconspicuous spot, they watched the pair from afar.
"So, Shizuka-san, you're into driving, right?" Ryotaro asked.
"Yeah, I'd say I enjoy it," Shizuka replied with a nod.
"How about we start with a drive, then? Just cruise around for a bit? I had some plans in mind, but honestly, I don't know much about you yet. I'd love to share in something you enjoy, and chatting while driving sounds fun."
Shizuka considered his suggestion. "If that's okay with you, Ryotaro-san."
"Absolutely! Honestly, just being with you makes me happy," Ryotaro said earnestly.
Shizuka visibly blushed. "Th-thank you…"
The two climbed into Shizuka's car and set off without a specific destination, letting the road guide them.
"Let's head out of the city for now," Shizuka suggested.
"Sounds good!" Ryotaro agreed, humming cheerfully to himself.
Curious, Shizuka glanced at him. "What's that song you're humming?"
"Oh, this? It's the theme from SAO, 'Crossing Fields,'" Ryotaro replied.
"SAO…" Shizuka murmured, stealing glances at him as if weighing something. Finally, she steeled herself and asked, "Ryotaro-san, what… what was SAO like? I've heard it was tough, but I can't quite wrap my head around it."
Ryotaro gave a wry smile. "Yeah, I bet it's hard to imagine."
He paused, then continued, "It's like a world where animals designed to kill roam around, and the moment you step outside town, they're all coming for you. Without a way to defend yourself, you're done for quick."
Shizuka fell silent, processing his words.
"But if you play it safe, it's mostly fine," Ryotaro added. "Plus, I had some reliable comrades."
"Comrades…" Shizuka's mind flashed to the two they'd just parted ways with. "Like Hikitani and Yuuki-san?"
"Yup. Yahata and Asuna-san were called the Four Heavenly Kings of SAO. They were seriously dependable when we were together."
"Not just Hikitani, but Yuuki-san too…" Shizuka said, impressed.
"Those two were together from the start, apparently by chance," Ryotaro explained. "They stuck together the whole time. In a way, Yahata protected Asuna from beginning to end."
"Hikitani did that…" Shizuka said, looking skyward, overwhelmed with emotion. She felt immense pride in her former student, who had bravely protected someone in a dangerous, virtual world.
"Looks like I owe him a bowl of ramen," she said with a smile.
"Haha, he was a troublemaker back in the day, but you should praise him now," Ryotaro chuckled.
"Absolutely," Shizuka agreed. Then, after a pause, she added softly, "But… it's a bit lonely, you know? Realizing there's nothing left for me to teach my student."
In her mind's eye, she saw the high school Yahata—those dead-fish eyes tinged with loneliness. Then, overlaying that image was the Yahata of today, grown into someone reliable and strong. Before she realized it, tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
Ryotaro noticed and panicked. "W-whoa, please don't cry! Yahata's fine now, totally fine!"
"No, it's not that," Shizuka said, wiping her eyes. "I'm just… so happy. Thinking about Hikitani fighting with everything he had to protect someone—it's overwhelming. Sorry for worrying you."
Seeing Shizuka's tearful yet joyful expression, Ryotaro felt a deep respect for her. This woman was a true teacher, through and through. At the same time, a desire to protect her swelled within him.
"I wish I'd had a teacher like you when I was in school," he said sincerely.
"Oh, I'm nothing special…" Shizuka demurred.
"No way," Ryotaro said, shaking his head. "Yahata's always been straightforward, strong-willed, and a great guy. Maybe not entirely, but a lot of that's because of your teaching. Your lessons are still rooted deep in him, I'm sure of it."
Shizuka wiped her tears and smiled. "I hope so."
Feeling a bit shy, Ryotaro glanced out the window. At the edge of his vision, he spotted a familiar car. Turning to look back, he locked eyes with Yahata, who had a "busted" expression on his face. Asuna, meanwhile, waved cheerfully at Ryotaro with a bright smile.
Ryotaro stifled a laugh and turned to Shizuka. "Shizuka-san."
"Yes?"
"Looks like Yahata's worried about you too. He's tailing us in his car."
"What!?" Shizuka exclaimed, checking the rearview mirror. Sure enough, she saw Yahata's familiar face. She stared for a moment, then, as if struck by a realization, said, "Ryotaro-san, it seems I still have something to teach that boy."
Ryotaro grinned, catching her excited tone. "That's great! What's the lesson?"
"I'm going to teach Hikitani that there are walls in this world he can't overcome," Shizuka declared.
"Walls?" Ryotaro asked, curious. "Like what, specifically?"
"That a rookie driver like him has no business trying to keep up with me," she said with a smirk.
"Huh?" Ryotaro's stomach dropped, a cold sweat breaking out as he sensed trouble. "Uh, you mean…?"
"We're about to leave the city," Shizuka said, her voice brimming with confidence. "Once we do, I'll make this car vanish from his sight in an instant. That'll be my final lesson for Hikitani."
"Seriously…?" Ryotaro gulped.
"Yup. It's about the only thing I've got left to teach," she said with a mischievous grin.
Seeing her fearless expression, Ryotaro steeled himself. "Alright, Shizuka-san, do your thing. I'm ready whenever you are!"
He braced himself, gripping the seatbelt tightly. The moment they cleared the city limits, Shizuka floored the accelerator with a laugh. Her car surged forward, disappearing from Yahata and Asuna's view in a flash.
"Whoa!" Ryotaro shouted, clinging on for dear life.
"Hahaha! Take that, rookie!" Shizuka cackled.
"Shizuka-san! Shizuka-san!" Ryotaro called out, but her booming laughter drowned him out. Eventually, the fear gave way to exhilaration, and he found himself laughing along with her.
"Hahaha!"
"Haha, hahaha!"
After their laughter subsided, Ryotaro looked at Shizuka, who was beaming with joy. "Shizuka-san, let's just keep charging forward like this today!"
"Absolutely, Ryotaro-san!" she replied, still laughing. "Haha!"
"I want to stay by your side like this forever," Ryotaro said softly.
"Hm? Did you say something?" Shizuka asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing!" Ryotaro said quickly, grinning.
And so, on their first date, Shizuka delivered one final, unforgettable punch to Yahata—metaphorically and, in true Shizuka fashion, with style.
Let's all follow traffic rules!
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