Hachiman and Asuna raced up the stairs, spotting Kirito's dejected figure. Undeterred, they showed no mercy. Hearing their footsteps, Kirito turned, tried to flee, but was swiftly caught.
Hachiman spoke first. "Why run, Jet-Black Fallen Angel?"
"…Huh?" Kirito froze.
"What's wrong, Jet-Black Fallen Angel?"
"…"
"Why so quiet, Jet-Black Fallen Angel?"
"I-I… uh…"
"Speak up, Jet-Black Fallen Angel."
"Sorry…" Kirito mumbled.
"We're buddies, right? Something to apologize for, Jet-Black Fallen Angel?"
"Asuna…" Kirito pleaded.
Asuna grinned wickedly. "Something wrong, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun?"
"…"
"Pouting, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun?"
"Guys…"
"Looks tired, Asuna. Our Jet-Black Fallen Angel needs a pick-me-up," Hachiman said.
"Definitely. Special drink for Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun," Asuna agreed.
Hachiman solemnly handed Asuna a Max Coffee. "Here's a special drink for you, Jet-Black Fallen Angel. Drink up—mandatory."
"Hachiman made it just for you, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun. Mandatory," Asuna echoed.
"You loved it, so I poured my heart into it, Jet-Black Fallen Angel," Hachiman teased.
"Made plenty for you, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun," Asuna added.
Kirito knelt, downed both drinks, and begged, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again, forgive me!"
Oddly, the drink he hated tasted good.
"Guess we'll let you off. Mouth's tired," Hachiman said.
"Tongue-twister was tough," Asuna laughed.
"Don't do it again, Jet-Black Fallen Angel," they said in unison.
"Never again, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun."
"Y-Yes…" Kirito stammered.
"Let's hit the second floor. Got stuff to discuss," Hachiman said.
"It'll inspire everyone," Asuna added.
In Urbus, the second floor's main town, carved from a table mountain's crater, a bell rang as if welcoming them.
"Like a volcano," Asuna said.
"Epic view," Hachiman marveled.
"Bell's about to ring," Kirito predicted.
Clang-clong. The trio smiled.
"Kirito, I'm starving. Treat us," Hachiman demanded.
"Food's on you!" Asuna chimed.
"Uh, sure. This way," Kirito led them to a cow-themed restaurant.
"Beef? You a tycoon, Kirito?" Hachiman teased.
"Nah, lots of bison monsters here, so cow-themed spots are common. American vibe," Kirito explained.
"Cowboy style, got it," Hachiman nodded.
"Perfect for a hearty meal. Sweet's nice, but we had that," Asuna said.
"You two love that stuff," Kirito groaned.
"You drank it fine," Hachiman shot back.
Kirito paused. "Weirdly, it tasted good. Why?"
"Nice, Kirito! I dub thee Honorary Chiba Citizen!" Hachiman declared.
"Hail the honor!" Kirito bowed.
"What about me, Hachiman-kun?" Asuna asked.
"Honorary Miss Tokyo German Village!" Hachiman proclaimed.
"Not Chiba…" Asuna pouted.
"Tokyo German Village's in Chiba," Hachiman clarified.
"Like Tokyo Disneyland," Kirito added.
They bantered, ate, then sipped coffee, syncing info.
"Here's what happened after," Hachiman summarized.
"My stunt was pointless…" Kirito sighed.
"Nah, it wasn't," Hachiman countered. "Without it, even with Asuna's charm, I couldn't have explained why beta testers are scarce."
"You wouldn't have noticed?" Kirito asked.
"Not without your cringey speech," Hachiman teased.
"Cringey's uncalled for!" Kirito protested.
"I was a statue then, so no way," Asuna admitted.
"But yeah, Hachiman, you're amazing," Kirito said.
"Nah, Asuna's the star," Hachiman replied.
"Not really…" Asuna blushed.
"Your push let me face them honestly. Alone, I'd just lecture, make it worse," Hachiman said.
"Really?" Asuna asked.
"Three-way combo worked," Kirito grinned.
"Flukey synergy," Hachiman added.
"Sorry, guys," Kirito said.
"Consult us next time," Hachiman urged.
"Yeah," Asuna agreed.
"Won't act alone again. Also… sorry for hiding I'm a beta tester," Kirito confessed.
Hachiman and Asuna sighed, exchanging glances.
"You dumb, Jet-Black Fallen Angel?" Hachiman asked.
"Want another drink, Jet-Black Fallen Angel-kun?" Asuna teased.
"Stop that name!" Kirito begged.
"Does your beta tester status mess us up?" Hachiman asked.
"Uh… no?"
"Exactly. Doesn't matter," Hachiman said.
Asuna smirked. "Yup, irrelevant, Kirito-kun. Got it?"
"Yeah, I was overthinking," Kirito admitted.
"Oh, Egir says hi," Hachiman added.
"Nice," Kirito smiled.
"And he'll catch you for using him as a springboard," Hachiman growled.
"What? Seriously?" Kirito paled.
"Kidding," Hachiman laughed.
"Good… he'd crush me in town," Kirito sighed.
"Looks tough," Hachiman agreed.
"Kibaou said he'll work you hard on floor two," Asuna interjected.
"Kibaou said that?" Kirito blinked.
"Yeah, jerk sees more than you'd think," Hachiman said.
"You really hate him," Asuna noted.
"Then… Diavel," Hachiman said, mood sobering.
"Maybe a beta tester…" Kirito mused.
"Don't care either way," Hachiman said.
"Felt like one, but yeah, it fits," Kirito agreed.
"No excuse to die," Asuna said.
"Yeah…" Hachiman nodded.
"That death… it's not human," Asuna trembled.
"No more losses," Hachiman vowed.
"Careful and steady," Asuna said.
They chatted, then parted, tired. Kirito stayed in Urbus; Hachiman and Asuna returned to floor one.
"See ya," Kirito waved.
"Later," Hachiman replied.
"Bye!" Asuna called.
They headed to their inn. "Tell Liz you're okay. She's worried," Hachiman said.
"Already messaged her and Argo," Asuna replied.
"Efficient."
"We did it, Hachiman-kun."
"Yeah. First floor's done. Leveling and scouting should speed things up."
"So much happened."
"Thanks for all your help, Asuna. Here's to more."
"I was the one helped. Thanks."
"Tomorrow?"
"Wanna laze all day…"
"Typical! I'll explore Urbus with Liz."
"Cool. Night."
At the inn, Hachiman spotted a figure. "No stealth, Argo? Rare."
"You beat it, Har-bo," Argo said.
"Your work should ease up. Keep helping."
"About this time…"
"Forget it. Thank Kirito. Also, you're getting punished."
"Haha, same old Har-bo. Thanks."
Hachiman waved, entering the inn. (Too tired for anything…) He messaged Liz to check on Asuna, then slept.