"That's the full story of what happened back then," Hachiman concluded.
"Unbelievable…" Haruno murmured.
While Yukino and the others chatted at Valhalla Garden, Hachiman's group finished explaining why they despised the man in the photo—Kuradeel.
"So that's Kuradeel," Haruno said.
"What a creep. We've gotta crush him and take control!" Elsa declared.
"Take control?" Minami echoed, wide-eyed.
Hachiman briefly explained Elsa's stalker situation and how she keeps the culprit close. Minami looked concerned, but Elsa's nonchalant attitude made her drop it, accepting it as just how things were.
"Her case and mine back then were similar. When the stalked is stronger, it's manageable if you stay sharp," Hachiman said.
"Real life's not that simple," Minami noted.
"Yeah," Hachiman agreed solemnly, then turned to Elsa. "I'm not putting him under control."
"Why not?" Elsa whined.
"I won't let Asuna near his slimy gaze. It's disgusting. I just hate him."
"Ooh~" Elsa cooed.
"Wow~" Haruno teased.
"Hmph," Minami huffed, a bit sulky.
Asuna blushed, fidgeting. The three women exchanged glances, then abruptly stood and started a game of rock-paper-scissors.
"Yes! I'm Asuna!" Minami cheered.
"I'm Hachiman," Haruno said.
"Ugh, I got Kuradeel~" Elsa groaned.
"What!?" Hachiman sputtered, looking to Godfrey, who just shook his head maturely. Then the skit began.
Minami: "Please, don't touch my Asuna! I'll do anything!"
Elsa: "Haha! That woman's mine for endless dirty deeds!"
Minami: "BAM!"
Elsa: "Argh! How're you moving!?"
Minami: "You fell into my trap, you scum!"
Haruno: "I'm here too! Godfrey, you okay?"
Godfrey: "O-oh? Vice-Commander? Thank you?"
Elsa: "Vice-Commander, why're you here!?"
Haruno: "Obviously, where Hachiman is, the lovely, cool Asuna is too!"
Haruno flaunted her ringless left ring finger smugly at Elsa, smirking at Hachiman, whose face twitched. Asuna hid behind him, flustered.
"Pretty accurate," Godfrey declared gravely.
Hachiman, red-faced, protested, "Godfrey, you're in on this!? Stop reenacting that scene!"
"But, like…" Minami started.
"Yeah," Haruno agreed.
"Right?" Elsa added.
"What's with you guys?" Hachiman groaned, echoing his earlier line.
"After that story, your possessiveness is so sweet I could puke sugar," Haruno teased.
"I'm grateful you saved Dad, but you're too showy with Asuna!" Minami huffed.
"I'm reborn as Asuna in my next life!" Elsa declared.
"What am I supposed to do!?" Hachiman muttered, aware but unyielding.
Godfrey stepped in. "Easy, Strategist. It's the curse of being popular. Bear it. Back in my day—"
"Dad, stop lying," Minami cut in.
"Sorry, Minami. Forgive your vain dad," Godfrey chuckled.
"I won't tell Mom," Minami sighed.
The exchange calmed the mood, returning to the main issue.
"So, how do we deal with this guy?" Hachiman asked.
"If there's evidence, I'd arrest him myself, but no crime yet," Godfrey said.
"Wait, Godfrey, you're a cop?" Hachiman asked.
Godfrey handed him a card. "Superintendent Jiyu Sagami."
"That's… pretty high up," Hachiman said, stunned.
"Like a major precinct chief. That incident delayed my career," Godfrey admitted.
"You're a career officer?" Haruno asked.
"Yep. If there's any criminality, I'll handle it, even if it ruffles feathers," Godfrey assured.
Hachiman muttered, "No wonder you were so rigid back then…"
"Godfrey, that's awesome!" Elsa cheered.
"I'm not praising you!" Hachiman clarified.
"Let's leave that angle to Godfrey," Haruno concluded.
Hachiman hesitated. "But won't what we're planning count as blackmail?"
Godfrey pondered. "Direct threats would, but nudging him to step down voluntarily should be fine. There are victims, so it's within bounds."
"Got it. We'll ask Shozo to pitch a partnership to LECT, set up a meeting with the president, and ensure Kuradeel's there," Hachiman planned.
"If there's another heir for Kura Agency, that'd be ideal," he added.
"Like I said, his brother's great. Like their dad, super decent. Bit ambitious, so perfect for this," Elsa suggested.
"Perfect. Let's go with that," Hachiman nodded.
"Invite the brother too. We'll prep him, subtly share Kuradeel's SAO antics—just facts," Haruno added.
"No crimes, please," Godfrey cautioned.
"Telling the truth isn't a crime, right?" Haruno smirked.
"Exactly," Godfrey agreed.
With Godfrey's approval, the plan was set, and they began moving forward.
"What if Asuna has to face Kuradeel?" Haruno asked.
"Ugh…" Hachiman visibly struggled.
Haruno teased, "Where Hachiman is, the lovely, cool Asuna is too!"
"Fine, I'll deal! Just stop that!" Hachiman snapped. "Asuna and I are always together, so of course she's coming."
"I'm going too!" Elsa added.
"Obviously, you're the client. Plus, you need to thank the president," Hachiman said.
"Yep!" Elsa agreed.
"I'll go too," Godfrey said.
"You?" Hachiman asked.
"I'm his former colleague, so it's a good excuse. My presence as a cop will keep him from getting violent," Godfrey explained.
"Plus, you look intimidating," Asuna noted.
"Leave it to me, Vice-Commander. This is payback. I'll protect you," Godfrey said.
"Got it!" Asuna smiled.
Minami watched them, awestruck. Hachiman noticed and said gently, "Sagami, no role for you this time, but someday, I'll need my right-hand woman. Stay home and wait for our victory."
"I'm not worried about you guys! But… I'll study hard to be ready," Minami declared, then added, "And stop calling me Sagami—it's confusing with Dad. You can call me Minami."
Hachiman smiled. "Alright, Minami. Here's to the future."
"Yep!" Minami beamed, thrilled.
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