Afterward, Yoshikata immediately set about persuading the other hospital directors, and Haruno accompanied him to explain the MediCuboid. Essentially, he was being considerate of the three of them. And so, Hachiman and the two others remained in the room.
"But it really has been a long time, Yugen. No, it's just us here, so we can just call each other by our old names, right?
I was able to contact everyone else right away because of the Hundred Survivors Incident, but I'm sorry, Nezha.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if your vision was resolved by the Amusphere, and I questioned whether you'd be an immediate asset, so I put off contacting you.
And then it became difficult to ask Kikuoka-san, and it dragged on until now. I'm really sorry."
"But we've met now, haven't we? I'm sure if my strength was truly needed, Kikuoka-san would have secretly arranged it for me."
Nezha said this without appearing at all offended by Hachiman's confession. Then, Nezha continued with a slightly sad expression:
"But in reality, I don't think I would have been much of a fighting force. Even with the Amusphere, I still had problems with depth perception."
"Is that so…"
Hachiman said that with a bitter expression. Nezha then asked Hachiman:
"By the way, that Hundred Survivors Incident, that's what we're talking about, right? Did something happen back then?"
"Ah, actually…"
Hachiman then explained the circumstances surrounding Asuna's rescue to Nezha. Nezha seemed shocked and said regretfully:
"Something like that… I can't believe that if you used the NerveGear, your abilities would carry over directly… If only I had known, even I might have been able to help in some way, but I…"
"Don't worry about it, you didn't know anything. I took care of those small fries in a flash, didn't I? How's that, pretty impressive for me, right?"
Hachiman deliberately said that to lighten the mood, and Nezha's smile returned. Then, Nezha looked between Hachiman and Asuna and said in a bright voice:
"But it's really, truly wonderful that you two are still so close even in this world. When Kirito-san defeated that guy at the end, Asuna-san had already shattered, hadn't she? And Hachiman-san also shattered at the same time as that guy… At that time, I was just so frantic, so frantic. The moment Asuna-san shattered, I threw my weapon, and by some incredible timing, the attack landed, and the game was cleared immediately. I woke up in my bed without being able to confirm the detailed situation. So, at that time, I couldn't stop sweating. And then a little later, when I met Kikuoka-san, I asked about your safety, but he only said you were fine and didn't tell me any details. So, I was really worried no matter what…"
"That timing was truly miraculous, Nezha, you did great. If you weren't there, I'm sure all of us would have been defeated by Heathcliff."
"Yes, Hachiman-san…"
Hachiman gently patted Nezha's shoulder, who was tearing up as he spoke.
"We won. Only that result matters, everything else is irrelevant, right?"
"Yes!"
Nezha replied in a bright voice, and Hachiman and Asuna smiled in response.
"But why are you two here? You're not saying you knew about me and came to see me, are you? Earlier, I think you mentioned something about the board chairman election…"
Hachiman answered Nezha's question.
"Ah, we came here this time to help Tomomori-san win the board chairman election. Meeting Nezha like this in the process was a lucky byproduct."
"I see, Tomomori-san… Yes, I kind of understand. At least he seems more reliable than Munemori-san, and above all, he's incredibly skilled."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, he once gathered young Yuuki-affiliated individuals aspiring to be doctors and publicly demonstrated a surgery. It was absolutely goosebump-inducing. That said, it's just the impression of someone like me, who has only just decided to pursue a medical path, so all I can say is that he's overwhelmingly better than his elder brother, Munemori-san."
"Is that so? I'll ask Argo about it. Since we're at it, I'll put it on speaker mode so everyone can talk."
Saying that, Hachiman selected the name "NezumiNeko" and began to dial.
"Yo, Argo, I wanted to ask you something."
"Who's NezumiNeko? I'm just a mouse. No, well, I am a sharp and beautiful woman, so I might look a bit cat-like, I guess."
Hachiman flinched at Argo's words.
"Putting aside the 'sharp and beautiful woman' part… what are you talking about?"
"It seems you've registered Rose as 'Picked-Up Kitten,' Boss as 'Idiot Sister,' and me as 'NezumiNeko,' haven't you? It's already been investigated."
"It was a series…"
Hearing Asuna's murmur, Argo asked Hachiman:
"Hm, is anyone else there?"
"Asuna and one other person, but they're family, so no problem. More importantly, seriously… your information network is incredible."
"Hmph, family, huh."
While Hachiman commented, he felt his heart rate quicken at Argo's previous words. And before Hachiman could say anything, Asuna suddenly asked Argo:
"Hey, Argo-san, what are everyone else's registered names?"
"Ugh…"
Ignoring the flustered Hachiman, Argo calmly told Asuna:
"That information is 100 yen per person."
"Wow, affordable service price! Alright, one coin, five people's worth, please!"
"Aye, thanks for your patronage."
"O-oi, you guys…"
Since this information was gathered by Argo herself in her free time, it apparently didn't violate Argo's rules regarding information trading.
"Klein is 'Kill If You Don't Make Sensei Happy,' Yukino is 'No Making Angry.' These seem to be things you'd write down to remember during a conversation. On the more unusual side, Kanzaki Elsa is 'S Pervert M,' Kikuoka-san is 'Black-Hearted Glasses.' And Aa-chan's registered name is H…"
At that moment, Hachiman yelled.
"Wait, Argo! I'll buy that information at any price!"
"Ehhhhhhhh! Wait, wait, Argo-san! I'll buy that at any price!"
The two spoke before Argo could reply. After a moment of silence, Argo gravely responded:
"Alright, I'll make a deal with Aa-chan."
"Why!? I was faster!"
"Aa-chan bought information for five people, right? I've only told you information for four. Besides, Haru-boy will definitely be under Aa-chan's thumb in the future, right? I side with the powerful."
"Guh…"
And as Hachiman's face turned pale, Argo spoke the registered name.
"Aa-chan's registered name is 'Asuna H.'"
"Eh…? Th-that means I'm perverted!?"
Asuna said that, her cheeks somehow faintly flushed, and looked at Hachiman's face.
"A-ah, th-that's right…"
Hachiman answered Asuna, his eyes darting around wildly, so Asuna seemed to understand that it wasn't what she thought. Then what could it mean? Argo calmly answered Asuna's question.
"No, no, Aa-chan, that H is for Hikigaya's H."
"Uwaaaaaaah!"
The moment he heard that, Hachiman cried out and clutched his head. Nezha rushed over to Hachiman and gently spoke to him.
"Hachiman-san, it's okay, I perfectly understand the bond between you two."
And Asuna, her face flushed, muttered those words to herself.
"Asuna H is Asuna Hikigaya… Asuna H is Asuna Hikigaya… Yes, my name is Hikigaya Asuna. Hmm, I'll introduce myself like that from now on!"
"Aa-chan… I know you're happy, but you're getting too carried away."
At those words, Asuna snapped back to reality and, fidgeting, said to Argo:
"U-um, yeah, thank you, Argo-san. Something like this should really wait until after we're officially married, right? Alright, Hachiman-kun, sign the marriage registration form right now!"
"Aa-chan…"
"J-just kidding! I'm fine!"
Seeing the two of them, Nezha said happily:
"Haha, it feels like we're back to those days, and it makes me really happy."
Hearing that voice, Argo instantly recognized who it was and spoke to Nezha:
"Oh, if it isn't Nez-cchi. So, you met, huh?"
"Argo-san, it's been a while. Yes, by chance, we were able to meet!"
"That's good, Nez-cchi. By the way, Nez-cchi, the conversation has strayed pretty far, so could you bring Haru-boy back to his senses soon?"
"Oh, yes, understood."
Nezha replied and then gently patted Hachiman's cheek, conveying Argo's wishes.
"Hachiman-san, Argo-san says she wants to get to the main topic soon."
"O-oh… you're right."
Then Hachiman stood up, cleared his throat, and said to Argo:
"Um, I want to know about Yuuki Tomomori-san's reputation as a doctor, you have that information, don't you, Argo?"
"Oh, of course. In medical research, he's decent, but his surgical skills are apparently天才的 (genius-level). However, there's one drawback."
"A drawback?"
"He's good at imitating others and performing perfectly, but he's not good at unprecedented surgeries."
"I see…"
"On the other hand, regarding business matters, he's innovative, which makes him an interesting person."
Listening to Argo's precise explanation, Hachiman was able to largely understand Tomomori.
"Also, about the information on the illness you asked for earlier, it's definitely a serious, difficult disease. There have only been three successful surgical cases in the past. By the way, the total number of cases is in the tens of thousands. But, conversely, it means there are three successful cases, right?"
"It's that serious…"
"And, the last of those cases was supported by Argus America, and detailed data, including videos, were apparently recorded. It was a hot topic at the time, with people saying that the difficulty of that surgery might decrease."
Hachiman was surprised by that unexpected name.
"Argus? Then that data…"
"Ah, the SAO incident probably caused them to go under as well. So, it's unknown whether that data still exists."
"Please contact all relevant parties immediately."
"Understood. There's a chance that data might still be in Rect, so."
Then Hachiman ended the call with Argo and decided to resume his conversation with Nezha.
"But I never expected Nezha to be from a family of doctors. Well, if you say that, Asuna is also from a medical family."
"My ancestors were a family of artisans, so I guess it hasn't changed that much."
"Artisans? Of what?"
"Gunsmiths… I suppose."
Gunsmiths, and hearing "Kunitomo," Hachiman recalled a name.
"Could that possibly be the Kunitomo family renowned for their gunsmithing during the Sengoku period? Could Nezha be their descendant?"
"Yes, well, our branch is just one of many, but because of that, I was a blacksmith in SAO. I've always loved making things."
"Hmm…"
Hachiman thought for a moment, then said to Nezha:
"Actually, we're currently mainly active in ALO, but separately, we're playing GGO because of Laughing Coffin. Do you know GGO?"
"Laughing Coffin related… that doesn't sound good. I only know the name GGO."
Hachiman then explained the circumstances that led them to play GGO to Nezha.
"I see… Are those guys still active?"
"I think the possibility of them resorting to crime is low, but I'd like to at least keep an eye on them if possible."
"I see… So, should I become an artisan in GGO?"
Hachiman was impressed by Nezha's words. Nezha seemed to have accurately understood Hachiman's intention.
"As expected, you're quick on the uptake, Nezha. If possible, would you play GGO and become our team's exclusive blacksmith? I'll provide all the support I can for that. Won't you let the blood flowing in your veins bloom in GGO?"
"In that case, it seems the vision problem can also be cleared. Understood. As a Kunitomo man living in the present, I, Kunitomo Yugen, accept that request."
"Nezha, no, Yugen, thanks. Well, since you're going to play, let's have fun with it."
"Nezha-kun, please take care of us again."
"Yes, both of you, please continue to take care of me!"
Thus, Nezha's lightning participation in GGO was decided.
"By the way, earlier, Hachiman-san's phone seemed to have Kanzaki Elsa's name on it… I don't suppose it's the actual person, but I'm a fan."
"Oh, really? In that case, I'll let you meet Elsa herself next time. Do you want an autograph too? She's willingly become my servant now, you know."
"S-servant? Eh… Ehhh? W-what on earth happened, Hachiman-san!?"
More than reuniting with Hachiman and Asuna, and all the other conversations, Hachiman's words gave Nezha the biggest shock of the day.
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