Yamada Elf looks at Hiratsuka Ryosuke with a confident expression, thinking to herself, Boys probably aren't good at romance novels, are they? Sorry, I have to be a little cunning because I can't give up Kashiwagi Eri. She decides that she will introduce Ryosuke to other top-tier artists in the future. As for the romance novel for this duel, she has already started writing it in secret.
As an author who often works with illustrators, Elf knows that a single artist has limited energy and can't take on too many projects at once, or the quality will suffer. This means that if Kashiwagi Eri chooses Ryosuke, Elf will have to find a new illustrator for her upcoming book, which could take a long time. Forgive me, Ryosuke. This will be the last time. After I prove myself to Kashiwagi Eri and change her mind about nudity, she will become my partner for good.When I win, I'll introduce you to all my illustrator friends.
Ryosuke was about to refuse the challenge, but he can't back down after hearing Elf's comment about wanting Eriri to be naked. He's worried Elf might do something inappropriate to Eriri. "I don't have a problem, but shouldn't we ask the person concerned?"
They both look at Eriri. She feels small and helpless. No one has ever fought over her like this before. Her clear blue eyes dart between Ryosuke and Elf. One is her partner, and the other is her favorite author. She wants to say she can work with both of them, but she knows she has limited time, especially with school. Eriri takes a deep breath to calm herself. When she opens her eyes, the hesitation is gone. She nods and says sweetly, "Okay. Your work will be judged by me, Kashiwagi Eri!" She smiles at Ryosuke. For some reason, she has more faith in her partner. Will you win, Guardian Knight?
Seeing that Eriri agrees, Ryosuke nods. Yamada Elf feels victory is within her grasp. She believes her new novel is even better than her last best-seller. She says proudly, "Alright, in two weeks, let's see who can create a romance light novel that will impress Kashiwagi Eri!"
After agreeing to the duel, Eriri and Elf exchange contact information and go home. Ryosuke finds himself walking under a large bridge, the same one where he and Nibutani Shinka made their pact. A hint of nostalgia appears in his eyes as he thinks about how shy she was that day. He then notices a familiar figure under the bridge.
Under the bridge, Hikigaya Hachiman holds a copy of Sword Art Online and recites lines from the book to the flowing river. This is the only place he feels comfortable doing this. "Even though it's a virtual world, our feelings are real. My desire to be with you hasn't changed for a moment. When I return to the real world, you're the first person I want to see. I want to fall in love with you all over again and have a real relationship."
He looks down at the book. The confession of Asuna to Kirito is so well written. I'll just change the words and use them myself someday. Hachiman is a homebody, so the reason he's out on a weekend is simple. He has a crush on a girl in his class. He remembers back in the fourth grade, his classmates called him "Hikigaya-kin," seeing him as an impossible-to-get-rid-of bacterium. He was always alone. His intelligence was the only thing that saved him from being bullied. He thought his middle school years would be the same, but his fate changed on the first day of school.
On the first day, while everyone was exchanging contact information, he met a girl. While all the other girls avoided him, she gave him her email address. Since then, he's found an excuse to email her every night. Even if her reply the next day was, "Sorry, I fell asleep," he kept trying. Hachiman's emotions fluctuate based on her replies. He's read a lot of books and understands his situation. This is what it feels like to care about someone.
"It's been a while, Hikigaya," a calm voice says from behind him. He turns around and sees a handsome boy, his old desk partner from elementary school. Although he doesn't know why the boy is talking to him, he turns to face him.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Hiratsuka."
Ryosuke remembers his old desk partner fondly, but they weren't close. He wasn't planning on coming over, but when he heard Hachiman reciting lines from Sword Art Online, he decided to check it out. Hachiman notices Ryosuke looking at the book in his hand. He realizes what Ryosuke just heard and asks carefully, "Hiratsuka, you didn't hear anything, did you?"
Ryosuke doesn't lie. "I heard it all, from 'Even though it's a virtual world.'" Hachiman's face turns red. He holds up the book and explains, "It's a line from the book. I was just practicing."
Ryosuke nods. "I know. I wrote it."
"Huh?"
Now it's Hachiman's turn to be shocked. He looks down at the author's name on the book, "Ryou." Isn't that the same as "Ryo"? He looks up at his calm former desk partner in awe. This guy is amazing! This book is so popular! Everyone is reading it! Hachiman decides to stop trying to deny what Ryosuke heard. For some reason, he has a strange trust in Ryosuke. Maybe it's because he saw Ryosuke save the disabled girl in their class back in elementary school. A person like that can't be a bad guy.
"Hiratsuka, can I ask you something?" Hachiman asks, his back to Ryosuke as he looks at the river. He's confused and wants to talk to someone, but the only people he can talk to are Zaimokuza and Komachi. He can't talk to them about this.
Ryosuke walks over and stands next to Hachiman, looking at the waves. "You can ask, but I might not answer." Ryosuke says this to be clear. Hachiman gathers his courage and tells him about the girl and his confusion.
After a while, Ryosuke asks, "Hikigaya, are you sure that girl has feelings for you?"
"I'm not sure, but we email each other every day."
Ryosuke sighs to himself. Many people are blind when it comes to love. Some aren't sure if the other person likes them. Others know the other person doesn't like them but refuse to admit it. The latter will often lie to themselves, trying to make the other person's dislike turn into love. In extreme cases, they lose their self-respect and become pathetic just to make it happen.
Ryosuke is more like the first type. He wasn't sure of Shinka's feelings until their graduation day. He remembers that rainy day when they acted like chuunibyos together. It's embarrassing to think about, but if he could go back, he would do the same thing. Ryosuke turns to Hachiman. "I'm sorry. I can't give you advice because I can't figure out what girls are thinking either, Hikigaya." Then he changes his tone. "I'm not sure if that girl likes you, but do you like her?"
"Of course. Orimoto is special," Hachiman says without hesitation. His answer surprises Ryosuke. Ryosuke thinks for a moment and then says, "Hikigaya, follow your heart and be brave. No matter the outcome, you won't regret it later. As a friendly warning, there's a good chance you'll fail."
Ryosuke gives him a realistic answer. He doesn't think Hachiman and Orimoto will end well. From Hachiman's description, Orimoto sounds like a girl who is friendly to everyone and is just humoring him. Ryosuke and Hachiman were classmates for six years, so he knows what Hachiman was like in elementary school. The current Hachiman is like a lonely traveler who has been in darkness for a long time. The tiniest spark of light is enough to make him think he's seen the sun.
After hearing Ryosuke's words, Hachiman feels like he's back in elementary school. He remembers Ryosuke, a boy who was also isolated by his classmates, but who always had the courage to overcome any difficulty. In the last year of elementary school, Ryosuke even saved a girl with a hearing disability.
In Japan's schools, people who don't follow the crowd are isolated and excluded. To fit in, you have to go with the flow and become either a bully or a bystander. It's a sick and funny system. But Ryosuke went against it, fighting the bullies alone and becoming a hero.
Hachiman stares at Ryosuke and then laughs. He turns to the river, and the confusion in his eyes is gone. "I understand, Hiratsuka. Thank you."
Only cowards run away. This time, I, Hikigaya Hachiman, will not run away. I will be my own hero.