Chapter 145: The Survivors' Academy
It had been half a year since Asuna was discharged from the hospital. During this time, the two had been dating smoothly while preparing for today.
Among the SAO survivors who needed to continue their studies, everyone had completed their rehabilitation not long ago.
As a result, the long-awaited school for SAO survivors officially opened today.
Former first- and second-year middle school students would receive special classes and, based on their academic performance, be placed into regular classes.
All former middle school students were exceptionally recognized as having completed compulsory education.
Those who were previously in third-year middle school through second-year high school were placed directly into regular classes.
Incidentally, due to land availability, the school was located in a part of Chiba Prefecture close to Tokyo.
Four people besides Hikigaya had decided to live in dormitories: Asuna, Kirito, Lisbeth, and Silica.
More precisely, the reason it was located in Chiba was because the land was provided by the Yukinoshita family.
"Yo, looks like we're all in the same class," said Kazuto (Kirito), walking up to Hachiman and Asuna who were standing in front of the class assignment board. Behind him was Lisbeth—real name Rika Shinozaki—who happily hugged Asuna.
"We're classmates, Asuna!"
"Ah, yeah... right." Though Asuna was happy, her expression looked a bit conflicted. Noticing this, Kazuto and Rika showed puzzled looks. Seeing this, Hachiman gestured them over to explain.
"Actually, we just heard this morning from Mr. Kikuoka—Asuna was just told. The class placements apparently took SAO interpersonal relationships into account to avoid any problems. So we figured this might happen. And it did."
"Ah, so Asuna was spoiled on the surprise earlier, that's why her expression was like that."
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Ah! There you are~!"
At that moment, Silica—real name Keiko Ayano—ran over with a big smile. Like Rika earlier, she hugged both Asuna and Hachiman and exclaimed joyfully, "We're in the same class!"
Having just experienced the same thing, Rika smiled wryly and now understood how Asuna felt earlier.
"I totally get how Asuna felt now."
"Right? You get it, don't you?"
"Eh? Did something happen?" Keiko asked, confused. Hachiman repeated the explanation from earlier.
"—That's how it is."
"I see! But I think it's great this way!"
Keiko smiled brightly, and the others all nodded in agreement.
At that moment, the school broadcast sounded: the entrance ceremony was about to begin.
Notably, parents were not allowed to attend—the school had held multiple prior briefings for parents and barred them from attending the actual ceremony.
This was to prevent any chance of parents leaking information to the media and causing sensational reporting.
In fact, most media were extremely cautious to avoid public backlash, so no problems were expected.
As the five walked toward the auditorium, the surrounding students' gazes all converged on them—more precisely, on Asuna.
And that was no surprise.
The face and name of "Lightning Flash Asuna" were well known, even among those stranded in the Town of Beginnings, thanks to screenshots and stories.
"Wow, it really is a spectacular sight," Kazuto said in amazement. Hachiman smirked and said:
"Your face and name spreading around is just a matter of time, you know?"
"Ugh... Please, have mercy on me..."
"Well, bear with it. You did save us all. I'm sure lots of people want to thank you."
"No need for thanks, really."
"What if it's a girl?"
"No, doesn't matter—guy or girl. I don't want to act high and mighty."
Incidentally, in Hachiman's class of 40 students, only 3 were girls—these three in front of him. Other classes had about 3–4 girls each as well. That was more than Hachiman had expected, about 10% of the student body.
Considering Asuna was the only female in the original front-line raid group, it made her stand out even more.
There were 20 classes total in the school. No new students would be admitted next year. After these 20 classes graduated, the school would become a normal institution admitting five classes annually.
"Twenty classes with 3–4 girls each... that's about 70 girls total. You're gonna be popular, Kazuto."
Just as Hachiman finished speaking, Rika elbowed Kazuto hard in the side.
"Hmph, divine punishment!"
"Ugh... I didn't even say anything! This is so unreasonable..."
Their animated interaction surprised the students around them. At that moment, the broadcast announced the start of the ceremony.
Everyone sat upright, seated freely by class sections. The ceremony began, and a series of guests gave brief, health-conscious speeches. Among them, one unexpected individual appeared.
"Next, we invite the Chairwoman, Ms. Yukinoshita, to give a speech."
"Wait, don't tell me..."
Thinking it might be Haruno, Hachiman focused on the stage. The woman who appeared looked similar to both Haruno and Yukino, but clearly older. Then he remembered—though they had never met, this must be the person Haruno mentioned during the fireworks festival years ago. Cold sweat ran down his back.
"A hidden final boss shows up, huh..."
Noticing the Chairwoman's appearance, Asuna whispered to Hachiman:
"Hachiman-kun, Yukinoshita... could she be related to Haruno and Yukino?"
Just as Asuna casually said Yukino's name, lately the group had grown informal in how they addressed each other, though they still used honorifics for clearly older people.
"Yeah, she's probably Haruno and Yukino's mother. Looks like her, right? In a way, definitely a hidden final boss."
"Hidden boss... Eh? Hachiman-kun, are you sweating?"
Hachiman was indeed sweating and replied with a forced voice:
"That woman... Haruno once told me she's scarier than even herself."
"Ah... I see..."
"Uwah!"
"W-what's wrong?"
"That woman... after our eyes met, she's been staring at me the entire time..."
"Eh?"
Asuna looked up, and sure enough, the Chairwoman was staring at Hachiman throughout her speech.
Though the speech was short, it felt endlessly long for Hachiman.
After the ceremony, just as they were about to return to their classrooms, Hachiman was stopped at the auditorium door.
"You're Hikigaya-kun, right? I'm sorry to take a moment of your time."
It was the Chairwoman, Yukinoshita, who had been staring at him earlier. Unable to refuse, Hachiman told his friends to go ahead and followed her obediently to the office.
"Sorry for suddenly calling you over."
"No, not at all... It's a pleasure to meet you, I've heard much..."
"Oh my, from whom did you hear these rumors? From Yukino? Or Haruno?"
"Ah... from Ms. Haruno."
Nervously replying, Hachiman was stared at for a moment before the Chairwoman broke into a smile.
"No need to be nervous. I'm not going to eat you."
"..."
"I just wanted to talk. Sorry for grabbing you out of the blue."
"No, I don't mind at all... What did you want to talk about?"
Seeing her natural smile—so unlike what Haruno had described—Hachiman relaxed slightly.
"First, allow me to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"Yes. Regarding Haruno and Yukino."
"Haruno-san and... um, Yukino-san?"
"Exactly!"
She cut in assertively, leaving Hachiman surprised.
"You probably know a bit about how those two sisters used to be, right?"
Hachiman cautiously responded:
"Ah, yes... though I'm not sure if I fully understand..."
The Chairwoman nodded and continued:
"Back then, Haruno seemed almost too perfect—like a robot with no flaws. But at the same time, she lacked charm."
That comment surprised Hachiman, who managed a strained reply:
"Um..."
"And Yukino did her best to catch up to her older sister.
I don't know much about how she lived after moving out.
The last time I saw her was at the end of last year—after you went missing.
So I don't know what changes she's gone through since. But if you say she's stopped chasing after her sister, then I suppose there were signs of change even back then?"
"Change?"
"Yes. Later, the two of them suddenly came to visit my husband and me, bowing their heads together to ask for something—right after they had brought you to our family's hospital."
The Chairwoman began recounting what happened after that moment.