After dropping Asuna off at her home, Hachiman made the call he had promised to Yukino.
"So," she began, her voice steady and curious. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"
"Right. I actually stopped by Sobu High today. I went to the Service Club room."
"Oh? It's been so long. How was it? I imagine it's been abandoned for quite some time, so it must have been dusty. Perhaps I should go and give it a proper cleaning soon."
"About that... the club was actually active. Someone was there."
"What?" There was a pause, a rare moment of genuine shock from Yukino. "I'm surprised. Even after Komachi graduated, the Service Club survived?"
"Yeah. There's only one member left, but she's doing a hell of a job protecting the place."
Yukino fell silent for a long moment. When she finally spoke, her voice was thick with a profound, quiet emotion. "I see... I'm glad. I really am."
"And," Hachiman continued, "I saw the album you guys left behind."
"...You looked at that?"
"Yeah. Honestly? I almost teared up."
"Hehe. Such a crybaby," Yukino teased, her voice lighter, almost bouncy. She sounded genuinely happy to know that the legacy they left had been found and cherished.
"By the way, that member... it's Rumi Tsurumi. Remember her?"
"Rumi Tsurumi? Oh, it was that girl." Yukino's legendary memory didn't fail her; she likely recalled the girl from the summer camp and the Christmas event.
"Rumi's in high school now, and looking at her was like looking at a younger version of you—mostly in the way she looks and talks."
"Does she really resemble me that much? I wonder if that means a boy with terrifying, rotten eyes will be joining the club soon."
"On a related note," Hachiman ignored the jab, "it seems the faculty advisor has changed. It's a woman who actually knows me, Asuna, and Agil from back in SAO."
"I see. So that's who you went to see today."
"Sharp as ever. Exactly."
Hachiman suggested that once the GGO war was over, the old and new members of the Service Club should all get together.
"I think that's a lovely idea," Yukino agreed. "We should have some breathing room once this conflict is settled."
"Right. Sometime soon, then."
"Yes. Sometime soon."
After hanging up with Yukino, Hachiman called Yui and Iroha. Both were delighted to hear the club was still standing; upon hearing Rumi's name, they were surprised but seemed to find a strange logic in it. Finally, he shared the news with Komachi, who was lounging in the living room. She was so moved she insisted on thanking Rumi in person. Hachiman reached out and patted her head, and Komachi leaned into him, lost in nostalgia.
The following evening, Hachiman logged into GGO and immediately contacted Rosalia.
"How's the situation? Any movement today?"
"It's strange," she replied. "They're moving around quite a bit, but there's no aggression. It's like they have no intention of fighting... or like they're preparing for something big."
"I see. I guess the Heike Army is finally getting serious."
"I'm certain they're plotting something, but we might not see any real combat today."
"Well, a quiet day isn't the worst thing. Keep investigating."
"Understood."
Just as she predicted, the day's skirmishes were sporadic. Even when the Genji forces launched attacks outside the city, the enemy retreated instantly. By the end of the session, the squadron counts remained unchanged.
"Boss," Comike remarked, "it looks like they're planning a large-scale operation."
"You think so too, Comike? I was coming to the same conclusion."
"As long as we're ready to react the moment they move, we should be fine."
"Right. I'm counting on you."
Large-scale conflict failed to materialize by nightfall, so the team decided to withdraw early.
"I wonder what they're up to."
"Maybe a massive offensive?"
"Who knows? If that's the case, we just have to hunker down here."
"They'll want to fight somewhere where they can leverage their superior numbers."
"If they just keep running, they won't get any rewards since they haven't taken down a single one of our squadrons."
"Yeah, there's no point unless they take out Shana."
The core members discussed their theories and agreed to meet a little earlier the next day.
The next morning arrived.
"Day five of the Genpei War... let's see what happens."
Just as Hachiman was about to log in, his phone buzzed. The caller ID read: [The Stray Kitten].
(A direct call from someone inside the game? Is it an emergency?)
He picked up, and Faris's (Bara's) frantic voice burst through the speaker.
"Hachiman, it's a disaster! The entire Heike Army just deployed!"
"The whole army? Are they hitting the Yggdrasil Fortress?"
"No! They're heading in the complete opposite direction!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"