Chapter 8: Yukino, Haruno, and Everyone Outside
That day, Yukinoshita Yukino was, as usual, engaging in her daily ritual—browsing through her collection of cat videos.
After finishing a round of watching, she wore a satisfied expression. Just as she was about to search for new videos to add to her collection, her phone rang.
(This long ringtone isn't for a text message… is it Yuigahama?)
Although she thought she'd ignore the call if it were from her sister, she glanced at the screen and saw it was Komachi calling. With a sigh of relief, she answered.
"Hello, Komachi? What's wrong? Did Hikigaya-kun get into trouble again?"
Since Komachi occasionally called because of her good-natured but troublesome brother, Yukino asked with a gentle expression.
However, the very first sound from the other end made her freeze—Komachi was clearly crying.
"Yukino-nee… I came home just now and saw the TV broadcasting news about NERvGear… I rushed to check on my brother, and he…"
Komachi was crying so hard she couldn't form coherent sentences.
Feeling helpless, Yukino decided to turn on the TV.
Every channel was showing the same broadcast.
From the somber tone, it was clear something massive had happened while she was unaware.
Yukino stared intently at the news.
'NERvGear? That's the device I considered buying for playing cat games.
Kayaba Akihiko? I think I've heard that name… Ah! Wasn't he the one who rejected my sister's arranged marriage meeting?
I was shocked someone would dare turn her down… Sword Art Online? A death game? What's this? They can't log out? Don't tell me… Hikigaya-kun?'
A chill ran down Yukino's spine. Just as things had started to improve with the Service Club, now it felt like a storm loomed ahead. She quickly said to Komachi:
"Komachi, calm down and tell me—Hikigaya-kun… is he playing Sword Art Online right now?"
"Yes, Yukino-nee… my brother, he…"
"I'm coming over immediately. The driver should know the address. First, calm down and contact your parents. Also, notify Hiratsuka-sensei."
Komachi seemed to regain a bit of composure upon hearing this.
Being able to speak with Yukino reassured her.
"I'm sorry, Yukino-nee… right now, I have no one else to rely on but you..."
"Got it. Pull yourself together and contact everyone I mentioned. I'm on my way."
"Yes!"
After hanging up, Yukino was surprised at how calm she was. She quickly made a decision and carefully chose her sister's number from the contact list.
The phone connected after just a few rings, and her sister's usual cheerful voice came through the receiver.
"Yahallo! What's up, Yukino-chan? It's rare for you to call me~"
"Sorry, Haruno, this is urgent. Please listen carefully."
"Hmm? What is it~? Did Hikigaya-kun mess up again?"
The similarity in their thinking gave Yukino a headache, but she didn't have time to argue.
"Before I explain, please turn on the TV. Any channel will do."
"I'm supposed to be studying~ Okay okay, TV on, just a sec~"
"Hurry up!"
"Got it~ Geez, Yukino-chan is scary when she's mad."
Yukino's palms were sweating as she listened to the sounds of the TV being turned on. Swallowing hard, she heard Haruno's tone change completely:
"I see… don't tell me, it's him?"
"Yes. Hikigaya-kun."
"I'll head out immediately. Wait for me at the entrance. Do we need to bring anything?"
"No need."
The call ended. Yukino quickly packed and called her only friend while heading out.
The call connected instantly.
"Hey hey, Yukino-chan? That Sword something on TV is crazy!"
"I was just about to tell you. Listen carefully—Hikigaya-kun is playing that game."
"What?! That means..."
"My sister is arranging everything. I'll inform you as soon as there's an update. Yuigahama-san, please wait for news."
"...Got it. Please, Yukino-chan… save Hikki!"
"Leave it to me. Hikigaya-kun is an important member of the Service Club."
Holding the phone tightly, Yui was overwhelmed with helplessness, placing all her hopes on Yukino.
The car arrived shortly after, and Yukino got in. Haruno immediately gave a crisp order:
"Mr. Tsuzuki, full speed ahead."
"Understood, Lady Haruno."
"Sis, what's the situation?"
"They say there's a grace period before cutting the connection becomes dangerous.
We have to get him to a hospital during that time. I've already arranged a transfer to one under the Yukinoshita group. That man… I should've punched him during that arranged meeting."
Haruno added jokingly, but her voice was filled with suppressed fury.
"I always thought he gave off a suspicious vibe. I was going to reject him, but he beat me to it."
Driving at the limit of traffic laws, they quickly reached the Hikigaya residence.
Komachi, waiting at the door, led them in.
There, they found Hachiman lying in bed wearing the NERvGear.
(Never thought I'd visit like this…)
Haruno sighed simultaneously, "I didn't expect we'd meet again like this."
(We really are sisters… thinking the same thing…)
Haruno swiftly arranged the hospital transfer.
Yukino contacted Yui and waited for her arrival.
That was all Yukino could do for now.
Hours later, Yui arrived and called. Yukino went to meet her and saw her running over, waving.
"Yukino-chan! How's Hikki?"
"All vital signs are stable. We can't enter the room, but we can see him from outside. Let's go."
"Yeah! Thank you, Yukino-chan. I wouldn't have been able to do anything alone..."
"It's all thanks to my sister. First time I've felt glad she was around."
"Then we need to thank Haruno-san too!"
In the elevator to the ward, Yui suddenly spoke:
"Yukino-chan, it's strange… even though this happened, I haven't cried yet..."
"It's not strange. I'm the same."
"Rather than sadness, it feels more like, 'this is just like Hikki,' you know? Just when you think you've caught him, he runs away again."
"Indeed. Hikigaya-kun's escape skills are top-tier."
They arrived at the ward. Silently, they walked to Hachiman's room.
Inside were his tearful family and Haruno watching him. Komachi ran to them as soon as she saw them.
"Yukino-nee, Yui-nee! My brother, he… he..."
"It's okay now, Komachi."
"It's okay now, Komachi."
They gently patted her head until she calmed down. Once she did, Haruno said:
"Visits start tomorrow. Let's go home for today."
"Thank you so much, Haruno-san."
"Understood. Thanks, sis."
"Thank you, Haruno-san."
"You three, no gloomy thoughts, okay? Go home, take a nice bath, and sleep well."
Haruno smiled brightly. Perhaps affected by that smile, Komachi and Yui walked away with renewed resolve.
"Let's head back too, Yukino-chan."
"Yes, let's go, sis."
Silence filled the car. Nearing the apartment, Yukino spoke:
"Being able to smile in that kind of situation… you really are amazing, sis."
Haruno didn't reply. Yukino looked at her and continued:
"But Haruno, it's just us now—you can take off your mask."
"!... Yukino-chan, Hikigaya-kun… he…"
For the first time in her life, Yukino saw her sister cry. Tears flowed like a dam had burst.
Yukino gently stroked her sister's hair until they got home.
—
At the morning assembly the next day, teacher Hiratsuka announced that Hachiman was trapped in SAO.
Though there were murmurs, Hayama and Miura silenced them quickly.
During lunch, Isshiki burst into tears in class.
Surprisingly, Kawasaki and Sagami also cried.
Hayama looked up to hold back tears. Miura stared at Hachiman's desk, and Tobe and Ebina hung their heads in silence.
After school, the suspended Service Club visited the hospital: Hiratsuka, Yukino, Yui, Isshiki. Komachi greeted them.
"Thank you all for coming to see my brother!"
"Nice to meet you, Komachi. I'm Isshiki Iroha, your brother's underclassman and student council president."
"Nice to meet you! I'm his sister, Komachi!"
"Wow, it's your first time meeting, huh."
"It really is."
After greetings, Hiratsuka asked:
"How's your brother doing?"
"Doctors say he's physically fine. I'll definitely protect him."
"That's good. Also… there's another development that might surprise you."
"Another? Something else from the hospital?"
"Yes. Technicians sent by Haruno found something… they say they analyzed internal game data..."
Everyone tensed up. Yukino asked on their behalf:
"Is there something wrong with Hikigaya-kun?"
"Um… I don't really understand it all, but… it seems he's always partnered with some unknown girl in the game..."
That unexpected revelation left everyone speechless. Hiratsuka broke the silence:
"Oh boy, Hikigaya, you..."
That comment triggered the others:
"What's the meaning of this?! While I was so worried, you're off flirting with strangers?!"
"Unbelievable! Idiot! Pervert! Idiot!"
"Trying to make me jealous by hitting on other girls? That cliché move needs more originality!"
Hiratsuka shrugged helplessly. The trio looked at each other and burst into laughter.
In the room filled with confusion, shock, helplessness, and anger—who knows how Hachiman would respond if he were awake.
As Hiratsuka left for a staff meeting the next day, the others prepared to leave. Komachi stopped Yukino and Yui:
"I have something to give you both."
They received gift-wrapped boxes labeled "Yukinoshita" and "Yuigahama." Inside were pastel-colored hair ties.
"Komachi, what are these?"
"On Christmas Eve, my brother went out, and when he came back, he had these in his bag. I saw the names and just took them!"
She playfully tapped her head.
"Hikigaya-kun, really..."
"Surprising! But mine is blue, Yukino's is pink—it's reversed, right?"
"It is a bit."
"He must have his reasons. Who knows what they are though."
"If Hikki chose them, they must be right!"
They put them on. Isshiki watched enviously, and Komachi turned to Yukino:
"Yukino-nee, can you tutor me?"
"I can. But why?"
"If I fail my exams, my brother would blame himself. So I'll study hard until he comes back."
Yukino nodded: "Understood. I accept this request."
"I'll help too!"
"Yuigahama-san, please just quietly observe."
"Too harsh?!"
"I have a proposal," Yukino turned to Yui and Isshiki. "Let's protect the Service Club together. If it vanishes, he'll feel guilty."
All three responded:
"Hikki definitely would!"
"Senpai would feel that way!"
"So until graduation, we'll protect his place."
"Yeah! Let's protect it together!"
"I'll support secretly! And join if things get bad!"
"I'll definitely pass the entrance exams and join too!"
Yukino nodded in satisfaction. Yui then suggested:
"By the way, we haven't cried yet, have we? Let's all cry together when Hikki comes back!"
"Though it's embarrassing… I agree."
Isshiki chimed in, "The battle's not over yet!"
"Then I can't lose either!"
"Me neither!"
"Whoa~! The fight for who becomes the next sister-in-law has started?! But there's still a mysterious contender… Anyway, big bro, come back soon and sort this mess out!"
The four girls smiled at each other and turned to the bed. Surely this scene would reach him.
If Asuna and Argo were there, they'd probably say, "What part of this is lonely?"—for it was such a warm, heartfelt moment.
"You have to come back, Hikigaya-kun. Even I ended up crying because of you."
Haruno, watching secretly from the shadows, whispered enviously.
Staring at the sleeping Hachiman, Hiratsuka suddenly spoke:
"I heard that in the game, you can only party with people you trust completely."
She placed her teacher ID on the bedside table.
"When you come back, I want a full 100,000-word report on 'The Social Dynamics of Online Games'!"
Meanwhile, somewhere in SAO, Hachiman, fighting monsters with Asuna, sneezed three times in a row.
"Did you catch a cold?" asked the rapier-wielding girl with concern.
"No…" replied the swordsman, rubbing his nose. "I feel like something terrifying is thinking about me…"