『Sure, what is it?』
『Say you have a friend—someone who's incredibly popular with everyone, regardless of gender. And among your group, everyone agrees he's the natural leader, right?』
"Hmm?" Hachiman straightened up.
"Wait," Aki whispered. "Is she...?"
"She's talking about Hachiman-kun, isn't she?" Kikuoka grinned.
『Go on,』 Kirito said. Naturally, the only person fitting that description in his head was Hachiman.
『So, this guy... his guard is incredibly high when it comes to women. Is there... any effective way to actually seduce someone like that?』
"IT'S A ROMANCE CONSULTATION?!" Hachiman screamed.
"Oho!" Kikuoka cheered.
"To be young again," Kurokawa sighed happily.
"So your guard is high, Hachiman-kun?" Aki teased.
"It... it might not be about me!" Hachiman stammered, though the three "lukewarm" stares he received suggested otherwise.
『I'm not exactly an expert on love,』 Kirito said on screen. 『Is that the kind of guy you like, Sinon?』
『Something like that. If you're uncomfortable talking about it, just... imagine someone you know who's like that. What would work on him?』
"Wait, Kirito! Don't you dare say anything stupid!" Hachiman pleaded with the monitor.
『Well, I can think of a few things,』 Kirito mused. 『But with that guy... he probably hates it when girls try too hard to be 'cute.' If you just act natural, maybe with a bit of tactical skin-exposure and a subtle hint of interest... he'd look totally unbothered on the outside, but inside? He'd be panicking.』
"'THAT GUY'?! He definitely said 'that guy'!" Hachiman yelled.
"Calm down, Hachiman-kun," Aki giggled.
"I wonder who this 'that guy' could be," Kurokawa said airily.
"Don't let it get to you," Kikuoka patted his shoulder.
『I see... that's helpful. Thanks, Kirito. See you.』
『Yeah, see ya.』
Sinon logged out immediately. Kirito stayed behind to keep practicing. Seconds later, Hachiman's phone vibrated violently on the table. He jumped as if it were a live grenade.
"Hachiman-kun, you have a call," Aki said.
"It's rude to keep a lady waiting," Kikuoka added.
"Good luck," Kurokawa said solemnly.
"Will you three stop looking at me like I'm about to walk onto a battlefield?!" Hachiman snapped. He took a breath and hit the accept button. "Yeah? What is it?"
「Don't 'what is it' me!」 Shino's voice barked through the speaker. 「Get over to my place right now and explain everything. In person.」
"In person? Can't I just tell you over the phone?"
「After that shock you just gave me? You're coming here to show some sincerity.」
"Look, I'm perfectly fine with not explaining anything—"
「Weren't you the one who messaged me saying the explanation would come later?」
"I... suppose I did." Hachiman's face crumpled. "Fine. I'm on my way..."
「Good.」
She hung up. Hachiman looked at the three observers, who were all practically vibrating with excitement.
"I won't tell Asuna-san," Kikuoka promised.
"Nothing 'shady' is going to happen, Kikuoka-san!"
"Are you going to be the main course, Hachiman-kun?" Aki asked.
"I am not a 'set meal'! Nothing is happening!"
"I'm always here if you need advice," Kurokawa said warmly.
"Thank you, Kurokawa-san. I might actually need it..."
Under their watchful eyes, Hachiman left the building and headed for Shino's apartment. A short while later, Kirito logged out, and Kazuto stretched out on his bed.
"Man... I'm never getting used to guns."
"Sounds like you had a busy day," Kikuoka said over the comms.
"Yeah. I met a nice girl, which was lucky, but that 'Shana' guy is a piece of work."
Kurokawa had already left. The remaining two suppressed their laughter.
"Well," Kikuoka said, "thanks to him, you have money, great weapons, and armor. You're in the black, right?"
"I guess so."
"The tournament is in three days. What's the plan until then?"
"I'll wander the city, gather info. If I'm lucky, I'll run into 'Death Gun' and rattle his cage a bit."
"Roger that. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. See ya."
"Haaa... is this what it feels like to walk into a predator's den?"
Hachiman stood outside Shino's door, murmuring to himself before pressing the intercom.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Hold on, I'll open up."
The door swung open, and Shino appeared. She was dressed down—a loose T-shirt and short-shorts. Hachiman felt his pulse spike.
"Um... aren't you being a little... defenseless?"
"It's getting hot out, and I always dress like this at home," Shino countered. "Besides, it's not like I'd ever dress like this in front of anyone but you. You're the only one I trust, so be a little grateful, okay?"
"I... I am. Very grateful."
"You're welcome. Now, get inside."
"Right... pardon the intrusion."
As the door clicked shut, a figure emerged from the shadows of the street. It was Kyoji. Ever since he had discovered where Shino lived, he made a point to check on her once a day. This timing was merely a coincidence.
"Asada-san... she's so open when she's with Shana-san..."
Kyoji's eyes were glassy, fixed on the closed door.
"But Asada-san loves me. I suppose... Shana-san will have to die eventually, too."
He spoke of murder with the same reverence he held for Shana. In his twisted mind, killing Shana was the only way to preserve his respect for the "legend" forever.
"Soon, Asada-san and I will be together. Then she'll realize I'm the only one she truly loves. And if she doesn't..." He fingered a syringe in his pocket. "I'll use this. Then I'll become an eternal existence to her."
He whispered to the empty street, imagining the moment he would finally take Shino by force.
"Just wait a little longer, Asada-san."
He settled back into the shadows to continue his vigil. The hands of the clock were turning, and the moment of no return was drawing closer with every tick.
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