"Hey, Kirito, what's with Hachiman's insane moves?" Eugene asked.
"That's his style," Kirito replied. "Half-hearted attacks get parried, and counters hit hard. Against your weapon, he'd probably target your arm or shoulder, throw you off balance, then strike."
"How do I even counter that…?" Eugene groaned.
"Keep struggling. It'll make you stronger," Kirito grinned.
"Fine. I'll crack it someday."
"Let's spar again sometime, Eugene."
"Yeah. Meeting you guys was my biggest win. Here's to more, Kirito."
Meanwhile, Yui, a newbie, stood in awe.
"Soleil-san, I… I had no idea," Yui stammered.
"What's wrong, Yui-chan?" Soleil asked.
"Hachiman's moves… they're not human. That's the world he survived, isn't it?"
"Probably. I can only imagine, but it must've been a brutal world to forge someone that strong."
"I came here to have fun, but… can someone like me even belong with him?"
"Of course you do," Hachiman interjected, appearing with Asuna.
"Yui, don't overthink it," he continued. "Asuna and I started SAO for fun too. Things got crazy, but now we're back to that original vibe."
"Exactly, Yui," Asuna added. "I want to get closer and have fun together."
"Just call me Yui, Asuna. Okay, maybe I'm overthinking. I'll train hard to have fun with everyone!"
"That's the spirit. It's all about enjoying ourselves," Hachiman said.
"Let's train together, Yui!" Asuna exclaimed.
"Thanks, Asuna! Let's do it!" Yui replied, and they ran off to a corner of the arena.
"Fun's the best, right, Hachiman-kun?" Soleil said.
"Yup," he nodded.
"Everyone's having a blast," Yukino observed, approaching.
"Yeah," Hachiman agreed.
All around, battles raged. Klein, Egil, and Recon, stung by their loss, fought a three-way duel to improve. Yui-Yui and Komachi teamed up against Lisbeth and Silica. Iroha challenged Mebius to a magic duel, while Leafa took on Eugene.
"Big sis really likes Asuna, huh?" Yukino noted.
"She's like a little sister!" Soleil beamed.
"Sister…" Yukino's face darkened.
Hachiman seized the moment. "Yukino, you got something against Asuna?"
"No. Why would you ask?" she replied coolly.
"Huh, really?"
"My issue's with big sis."
"Me? What's wrong, Yukino-chan?" Soleil asked.
Yukino's face flushed, trembling. "Why…?"
"Huh?" Hachiman blinked.
"Why don't you ever dote on your real sister?!" Yukino burst out.
"Wha—?" Hachiman gaped.
"Yukino-chan…" Soleil murmured.
Hachiman could tell Yukino was unraveling. Probably since Asuna was freed. The seeds were sown during the campaign. Only one person can fix this…
He glanced at Soleil, who nodded knowingly. "I might've overdone it in front of Yukino lately," she said. "My enthusiasm probably sent her back to when she was chasing after me. Mentally, at least."
"Didn't think Yukino would…" Hachiman trailed off.
"Since she started school, I stopped coddling her," Soleil explained. "It must've built hidden stress. Seeing me fawn over Asuna lately probably amplified it unconsciously."
"Can you fix it?"
"Leave it to big sis."
Soleil approached Yukino and hugged her tightly. "You're my precious little sister. I thought you knew I loved you without me showing it. That was my mistake. Let's hang out more, like normal sisters."
Yukino nodded vigorously.
But Soleil wasn't done. "By the way, Yukino-chan, Hachiman's been watching your little outburst closely."
"What? Hachiman-kun?" Yukino stared, then snapped back, recalling her words and actions. She broke free from Soleil, glaring at Hachiman. "Got something to say?"
"N-No…" he stammered.
"Why are you just standing there? Everyone's fighting, and you, the leader, are slacking. Shame on you."
"Right…"
"But, regrettably, you do have some charisma. So, I'll let this slide, with expectations for better."
"Thanks…"
"And you know, though I shouldn't need to say it, forget this happened. Nothing occurred here. Got it?"
"Got it."
Yukino turned to watch the others, ears still red. Hachiman, on impulse, started patting her head.
"What's that for?" she asked.
"Just felt like it."
"Fine…"
She didn't swat his hand away. "Yukino," he said, "Soleil-neesan helped a ton this time, but she'll log in less often. From now on, I'm counting on you to back me up."
"Of course."
"I'm relying on you."
"I'll support you better than big sis ever could."
Soleil smiled. "Yukino-chan, you're the only one who can take my place. We're sisters, after all. Have confidence. If I can do it, so can you."
"Yes," Yukino nodded.
The sisterly crisis seemed resolved—until Asuna, done training with Yui, bounded over.
"No fair! Hachiman-kun, pat my head too!"
"Where's Yui?" he asked.
"Resting over there."
Hachiman patted Asuna's head with his other hand.
"It's nice, but… what's going on?" Asuna asked.
"Yukino-chan got a bit jealous 'cause I've been doting on you," Soleil explained. "Hachiman-kun and I were calming her down."
"Big sis, you traitor!" Yukino hissed.
"I didn't promise anything~" Soleil teased.
"Really?" Asuna exclaimed. "Then I'll get even closer to Yukino-chan!" She hugged Yukino tightly.
"Asuna-san!" Yukino yelped.
"Just Asuna," she corrected. "I know you use '-san' for everyone, but call me Asuna. I'll call you Yukino from now on."
Yukino glanced at Hachiman and Soleil, who just smiled. Sighing, she tried, "A-Asuna…-san."
"Yukino, come on!" Asuna pouted.
"I'll try. Just… give me time, Asuna-san."
"Fine, but just a little."
With Asuna forcefully closing the gap, the day's activities wrapped up. Argo, who didn't fight, focused on gathering intel on new allies. Soleil, eager for a match, was politely declined by everyone.
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