"I'll get us something cold to drink. Just a second," Shino said, disappearing into the kitchen.
Hachiman remained on the sofa, his internal radar at maximum sensitivity after their earlier conversation. He was right to be wary. When Shino returned with the drinks, she didn't take the opposite chair; she sat directly beside him, close enough that he could feel the heat radiating from her skin. Hachiman sat in a state of high alert, his muscles coiled and ready to bolt at a moment's notice, even as he accepted her hospitality.
"So," she began, her voice dropping the playful edge. "Who is he? Really?"
"Oh, right. Kirito."
"I know the name. I mean who is he?"
"Wait, have you really never met him? I thought you'd know the legend."
Shino tilted her head. "Is he from Valhalla too?"
"Yeah. He's the Black Swordsman."
"The... the Black Swordsman?!" Shino's eyes widened. She had heard the stories—the hero of the front lines, the man who had ended the death game. To think that legendary figure was the girl-faced avatar she had been guiding all afternoon.
"I guess I never used his real name around you," Hachiman mused. "You only knew the title."
"Well, yeah. That kind of name sticks with you."
Hachiman went silent. He had come here with a specific purpose: to tell her the truth about the players who were dying. But as he looked at her—sitting there in her T-shirt and shorts, looking so much like a normal girl—he hesitated, searching for the right opening.
(I need to tell her people are actually dying... but how do I drop that kind of bomb?)
"Why are you keeping your identity a secret from him?" Shino asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Honestly, I didn't expect him to show up in GGO. If he finds out I've been investigating the red players on my own, he'll..."
Seeing Hachiman falter, a mischievous glint returned to Shino's eyes. "He'll get mad at you?"
"Well... yeah. Basically."
"You shouldn't have made it a secret in the first place, then."
"At the time... I just didn't want anyone else to be in danger."
Shino leaned in, peering up into his eyes from below. "And now?"
"That hasn't changed. But I've realized that if something happens to me alone, a lecture from Kirito will be the least of my problems."
"But you're still not ready to tell him who Shana is. Right?"
"Not yet."
"You should tell him eventually," she said softly. "You know that."
"...Yeah. I know."
Shino watched him, sensing the weight on his shoulders. Thinking this was her chance, she leaned in even closer, her face inches from his. "He's a precious friend to you, isn't he?"
"Yeah. My best friend."
"Then you definitely have to tell him."
As she spoke, she leaned her weight against him, her back resting against his side. Hachiman, lost in his own thoughts, didn't even seem to notice the contact.
"I will," he murmured.
He decided it was time. He couldn't protect her by keeping her in the dark. He needed her to be careful. He looked up, realizing Shino was no longer beside him—or rather, she had moved. He felt something soft and warm pressing against his back and spun around in a panic.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
"What?" Shino asked innocently. "I just moved a little. Perfectly normal."
"Normal?! You're glued to my back!"
"Heh. You left an opening, and I took it. Your loss, Hachiman."
"Tch... fine. If that's how it's going to be, I'll use my trump card."
Hachiman leaned in close, catching her off guard. "Is this what you meant? That 'natural vibe with a bit of skin and a subtle hint of interest'?"
Shino's face turned bright red. "H-how did you... how did you hear that?!"
In that split second of her confusion, Hachiman vaulted over the coffee table and landed safely on the other side.
"Damn it!" she hissed.
"You've still got a long way to go," Hachiman said, regaining his composure. "Your mental discipline is lacking."
"Hachiman! Where did you hear that conversation?!"
"Kirito's movements are being monitored for safety. I was watching the feed from the control room."
Hachiman expected her to be frustrated or angry, but instead, Shino's face went from red to a deep, burning crimson. She looked down at her lap, hiding her eyes.
"So... you heard the whole question? All of it?"
"Uh... yeah. Every word."
"I see..."
She didn't say anything else. She just sat there, staring at the floor. Hachiman started to wonder if he'd pushed the joke too far, but before he could apologize, a small savior appeared.
"What is this? Some kind of husband-and-wife comedy routine?"
Hachiman sighed. "It's you."
The small avatar, Hachiman-kun, trotted over. "Yo, me. Don't tease my Shino too much. She's more innocent than she looks. She's got no defense when she's pushed."
"I'm aware," Hachiman muttered.
The doll-like entity patted Shino on the rear—the only place he could reach given his height. Shino didn't even flinch; she was used to his antics. She finally looked up.
"You need to learn when to pull back, not just when to push," the doll advised her. "Shiina is a pro at that; you should ask her for tips. Anyway, Hachiman has something serious to say. Listen up."
"R-right," Shino said, straightening her posture. She sat in seiza on the floor, and the doll hopped into her lap. Hachiman took a seat opposite her, his expression turning grim.
"Alright. Ready?"
"Ready. Tell me."
Hachiman pulled out his phone and brought up a video file—the footage of the player being shot by Death Gun.
"Who is this?" Shino asked, leaning in.
"We don't know much, other than that he calls himself 'Death Gun.' But there's one undeniable fact: the player who was shot and disconnected in this video... his death was confirmed in the real world shortly after."
Shino gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Wait... you mean he died because he was shot in the game?"
"Theoretically, that should be impossible. But he's dead nonetheless. Kirito is in GGO specifically to investigate this."
"So that's why... but why enter the BoB?"
"He wants to make himself a target. He's going to win, get famous fast, and draw Death Gun out so he can be shot himself."
Shino's eyes went wide with terror. "Is he crazy?! That's suicide!"
"We've looked into it. Getting shot in a game shouldn't be able to kill a person in reality. He's trying to see what the 'trigger' is. And don't worry—he's logging in from a government facility with a team of doctors and soldiers monitoring his vitals and guarding his body."
"Monitoring... Oh, like the setup at May Queen Nyan-Nyan?"
"Exactly. We're using the same technology."
Shino nodded, her heart still racing. Hachiman leaned forward, his voice stern. "If you see anyone who looks like this 'Death Gun' character, do not engage. Your home isn't a fortress like the government facility. Your safety isn't guaranteed."
"I... I understand."
"I mean it, Shino. Don't go near him. Not for any reason."
"I get it! God, are you really that worried about me?"
"Of course I am. I don't even want Kirito doing this, but I can't stop him."
Shino looked at him, her expression softening into one of deep concern. "Promise me... you won't try to take a bullet for him, either."
The doll in her lap chimed in. "Yeah, me. If something happens to you, Shino will be devastated. Don't do anything stupid."
Hachiman looked away. "...Yeah."
Shino saw right through him. She knew that if the moment came, Hachiman wouldn't hesitate to throw himself in front of a gun to save a friend.
"Hachiman... look at me. Promise."
"I... I said yeah, didn't I?"
"You're lying."
"I'm not! I mean, I wouldn't plan on it, but if it just... happens..."
Suddenly, Shino stood up, clutching the Hachiman-kun doll to her chest. "Hachiman-kun," she said, her voice trembling but certain. "If Hachiman dies... I want you to kill me."
Hachiman froze. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
The doll looked up at her. "Is that your wish, Shino?"
"Are you two insane?!" Hachiman shouted. "Is anyone here sane?!"
"I'm an AI," the doll replied calmly. "I am always perfectly sane." He looked back at Shino. "Understood. I have recorded your request. If the primary Hachiman ceases vitals, I will execute the command."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"