Chapter 7: The Philosophy of the Service Club
When Hachiman opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.
As he slowly sat up on the sofa, trying not to wake Asuna, he reflected, "A lot happened yesterday... Seems I was more exhausted than I thought."
He then began contemplating the next steps.
'First, I need to upgrade my weapons. While teaching Asuna basic combat, I'll also gather enhancement materials. I should stock up on various potions too. Also, we need to find a new place to stay. Living together like this is improper. No matter how close we are, there must be propriety.'
Just as he was thinking that, there was a knock at the door.
Recognizing the same knock pattern as yesterday, Hachiman called out:
"Argo?"
"Yo, Hachi? Got something to talk about. Can I come in?"
"Sure, just a sec."
Hachiman let Argo in, motioned for her to sit on the sofa, then brought two glasses of milk from the kitchen.
"A simple drink, but it's all I've got."
"Oh, how thoughtful, Hachi. Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"
"Nope."
"That was fast..."
Argo made a dramatically dejected face.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Actually, I'd like Asuna to hear this too. Isn't it about time to wake her? Hey—Asuna—time to get up—"
Hachiman called over to the other side of the screen. Asuna, apparently woken up, rubbed her sleepy eyes and replied:
"Mmm... I'm getting up..."
'What's with this cute and sneaky creature...?'
Suppressing his shaken heart, Hachiman explained, "Argo's here. Get changed and come out. She's got something to say."
"Miss Argo is here? Just a moment, please."
Seeing that Asuna was now awake, Hachiman naturally prepared a third glass of milk.
Watching their interaction, Argo sensed a change in the atmosphere compared to the day before and playfully asked a sharp question:
"Hey Hachi, who do you like more, me or Asuna?"
"Asuna."
"That was instant!?"
Seeing Hachiman's blunt answer, Argo couldn't hide her real reaction.
Hachiman, as if delivering the finishing blow, added:
"Asuna's a friend. You're just an acquaintance. Isn't it obvious who's more important?"
This attitude, so different from the previous day, stunned Argo.
'A friend? They've become friends? I get it, but the change is too dramatic. Even their eyes are different. What happened between them?'
While Argo was processing her thoughts, Asuna's voice came from behind the screen:
"Hachiman-kun, I can hear you! Um... Thank you, but please don't say things that are so embarrassing."
"S-Sorry. I've never had a female friend before... I'll be more careful."
When Asuna came out from behind the screen, Argo was still in shock.
Hachiman gave her a light slap on the cheek.
"Hey Argo, weren't you here to talk? Snap out of it."
Clearing her throat, Argo refocused and got to the point:
"I want to make a beginner's guide and distribute it for free. If we leave things as they are, a lot of people will die."
Noticing Asuna tense up at the word "die," Hachiman gently patted her shoulder and said:
"We'll do our best to help prevent casualties. That's what you came to talk about, right?"
"You're sharp as always, Hachi! I'll help too!" Asuna chimed in.
Hachiman offered a suggestion: "Asuna, you should contribute the beginner's perspective—like what the guide should include."
"Yeah, I think I can help with that."
'This also aligns with the Service Club's philosophy—teach a man to fish rather than giving him one.'
The three of them then efficiently began planning the guide. Argo couldn't help but ask:
"This might be a bit of a real-world question, but... you two are high school students, right? You're so good at meetings—were you in the student council?"
Having already opened up to them, Hachiman answered naturally: "I'm a second-year. I was forced to attend inter-school exchange meetings before..."
"I'm also a second-year, and I was a class rep."
"Wow, both of you have big-sister vibes."
"But that kind of comment just makes you sound like an old man."
Seeing the strange banter, Hachiman awkwardly explained, "Ah, that's my little sister's catchphrase. Good thing I was the one who got transported here. If it were Komachi, we'd be in trouble."
Suddenly, Hachiman had an idea: "Argo, can you ask some adult players in town to discreetly guide the kids to build a community at the church? And then write in the guide how to earn Cor in the city."
This suggestion, full of compassion, impressed the other two.
"You're becoming more and more interesting, Hachi!" Argo exclaimed.
"I didn't think that far ahead either. You're amazing, Hachiman," said Asuna with admiration.
Not used to praise, Hachiman blushed and lowered his head.
"I'll get going now. Oh, and Hachi—don't forget to call me for combat training.
Somehow, when I'm with you two, I feel like I can find a way back to the real world. So don't you dare die, okay?"
After seeing Argo off, the two began preparing to go out.
Leaving the inn, Hachiman had Asuna extend their stay at the front desk while he went to check out another nearby inn.
Asuna was initially reluctant, but Hachiman persuaded her.
It wasn't proper for a boy and girl to live together, even as friends.
Explaining his reasoning to the persistent Asuna, he said seriously:
"This place has good facilities. Most importantly, it has a bath. For girls, that's important, right?"
"Well, yeah... Honestly, I guess that's true..."
"And also... how should I put it... There aren't many female players, but that doesn't mean there are none.
Say you made a female friend and she stayed over. Wouldn't it be better if your room had a bath?
I've never had female friends, so maybe I'm imagining things.
But I want you to promise me one thing: not everyone in this world is good. So only do that with people you truly trust."
Asuna looked at him, a bit surprised, and Hachiman turned his gaze away awkwardly.
Then Asuna suddenly leaned in close, peering at his blushing face.
"Hachiman-kun, you're really kind! I promise."
"I-I'm not kind! This is just a solo player's survival tactic! If people misunderstand and think I'm close with someone, it's a problem. So I don't talk to others..."
"You're not a solo player anymore~" Asuna teased with a bright smile, moving in closer.
'Too close! This is bad! If I fall for her and get rejected, I'm done for!'
Thinking, 'I really can't handle Asuna'Hachiman led her toward the hunting grounds.
They arrived at the boar hunting area and eagerly began hunting.
A short sword dropped quickly, but the desired rapier took its time, making Asuna grow slightly anxious.
This led to a small mistake.
Usually, Asuna used her "Linear" skill skillfully, landing flawless finishing blows.
But in her impatience, she used an unnecessary skill on a near-dead enemy, leaving her vulnerable during the post-skill cooldown.
At that moment, a boar suddenly charged in from the side.
Asuna braced for impact, but heard only a loud "clang!"—the blow never came.
Looking up in surprise, she saw Hachiman standing protectively in front of her.
He had deflected the boar's attack and was now finishing off the stunned enemy.
"Sorry, I was a bit late."
"It's okay. Thank you, Hachiman-kun. What was that skill?"
"Oh, that's called 'Parry.' You deflect the enemy's weapon at the right moment to stun them.
Then you can basically land a guaranteed critical hit after that. I'll teach you this one next."
"Okay! I'll do my best!"
"Oh, looks like the weapon finally dropped. Here."
The rapier they had been aiming for finally appeared in Hachiman's inventory.
He handed it to Asuna, who materialized the item.
"This is your new weapon, Windblossom."
"So beautiful..."
"Glad the effort paid off."
Asuna was clearly captivated by the elegant sword, and Hachiman, watching her reaction, thought:
'Looks like she really likes it.'
"Let's start gathering enhancement materials tomorrow!"
"Yeah! Let's do our best!"
And so, the second day in Aincrad came to a close under the setting sun.