"Ah."
A friend sitting in the seat in front of her—her name was Mii—suddenly stood up. Shino wondered what was going on, but Mii was immediately reprimanded by the teacher and sat back down, so Shino returned her gaze to the blackboard and focused on taking notes.
Since Hachiman visited Shino on her way home from school last time, her life had changed drastically.
She was no longer shunned by her classmates as she had been before; in fact, people were practically begging for her forgiveness. Endo and her clique were now blatantly avoiding Shino. Later, Shino heard rumors on the wind that Endo had been scolded quite severely at home.
Her part-time job changed to one she could do from home, and with shorter hours and more breathing room in her life, when classmates she wasn't particularly close with invited her to hang out after school, Shino was able to hesitantly say yes.
She was still uncomfortable around boys other than Hachiman, but when her classmates heard this, they seemed to conveniently misunderstand, assuming it was natural since she had Hachiman. Consequently, whenever they invited Shino out, it was always just the girls.
As this repeated, Shino eventually made a few friends she could truly call friends. Mii, sitting in front of her, was one of them.
That same Mii secretly passed a note behind her back to Shino, who was busy taking notes. Shino quietly accepted it and opened it.
It read simply: Big news! Look outside!
Shino casually glanced out the window.
There, she saw a familiar, flashy car parked. Inside, she could see Hachiman reclining in the driver's seat, looking completely relaxed. Shino stood up without thinking.
"Asada-san, what on earth is going on with everyone today?"
"Ah... I-I'm sorry."
Reprimanded by the teacher, Shino apologized flusteredly and sat back down.
The moment class ended, Mii spoke to her.
"Shino, did you see? That's him, right?"
"Yeah, looks like there's no mistake."
It seemed several others had noticed the car as well, and a crowd quickly formed around Shino.
"Asada-san, did he come to pick you up again today?"
"So lucky. I want a boyfriend who picks me up like that."
"Ah, sorry! You need to go quickly or you'll keep him waiting."
"Yeah, sorry."
Prompted by them, Shino packed her things and stood up. She was happy Hachiman had come, but thinking about the various troubles that came with it gave her mixed feelings. However, her steps were light, and her true feelings—that she wanted to see his face as soon as possible—were clearly visible.
Surrounding Shino were Mii, Eiko, and Shiina. Protected by these three friends amidst the attention, Shino made her way down the hallway.
"Shino-chi, that's great! Your Prince Charming came to pick you up again."
"Shino, do your best to make him yours!"
Eiko and Mii cheered her on.
"But... I honestly have no idea why he came today..."
Shino explained honestly, though she was confused. Shiina replied with a cheerful tone.
"Is that so? Then, if you weren't originally scheduled to meet, isn't that actually lucky?"
"Ah... I guess... that's true?"
"It is, it is! Go for it, Shino!"
"Y-Yeah."
These three were Shino's closest friends at school now. Because Shino hesitated to keep lying to them about Hachiman being her boyfriend, she had told them the truth: Hachiman wasn't really her boyfriend but had claimed to be to save her; that day was actually the first time they had met face-to-face; and that she really did love him. They were the only friends who knew the truth.
Incidentally, the story about Hachiman being Shino's boyfriend had spread throughout the school as common knowledge, apparently thanks to a desperate Endo spreading it everywhere.
When she confessed the truth to them, Shino had been prepared for their scorn. But what she got back were words of reflection on their own past behavior and praise for Hachiman.
"So that's how it was... Sorry, Shino-chi. For ignoring everything until now..."
"No, even now that you're with me like this, nobody says anything anymore. But if things were like they used to be, and I was in Eiko's position, I think I would have been too scared of being ostracized to do anything. So don't worry about it."
"Really, our class changed dramatically after that day."
"I mean, you guys definitely didn't look like you were meeting for the first time that day."
"Or rather, I can't believe there are people who would go that far for someone they've never met... That's amazing. I'm so envious, Shino."
"Y-Yeah. At first, I couldn't believe what was happening in front of my eyes either..."
"But Shino, thanks for telling us. I'm really happy you did."
"Mii..."
"Yeah. Let's keep getting along, Shino."
"Thanks, Shiina."
From that moment on, these three became irreplaceable friends to Shino.
Protected by them, Shino passed through the shoe entrance and ran toward Hachiman. However, unlike last time, Hachiman wasn't waiting outside the car. Students were just surrounding the vehicle from a distance, looking curious.
"I wonder what's wrong?"
"Maybe he hasn't noticed Shino?"
"Shino, why don't you go closer?"
"O-Okay."
The three friends began to clear a path for Shino.
"Excuse us, coming through~"
"Sorry, the person in that car is this girl's special someone."
"Come on Shino, this way, this way."
"Everyone, thank you."
Shino approached the car, bathed in attention just like last time. But there was no sign of movement from Hachiman. When she worked up the courage to peer through the window, she saw Hachiman sleeping soundly.
Stifling a laugh, Shino returned to her three friends.
"He was sleeping."
"Eh?"
"Seriously?"
"Let me see, let me see."
"Yeah, everyone look."
Following Shino, the three of them peered through the window.
"Wow, he really is sleeping."
"Sound asleep."
"Shino, why don't you steal a kiss while you have the chance?"
"I-Impossible!"
"Well, jokes aside, shouldn't you wake him up?"
"Yeah, I will."
Accepting the suggestion, Shino gently placed her hand on Kit's door handle. But it seemed to be locked; the door wouldn't open at all.
Then, Shino suddenly remembered something and spoke aloud.
"Ah... right. Kit. Yeah, it's Kit."
"What are you talking about?"
"It seems locked, so I thought I'd ask Kit to open it."
"What's Kit? A chocolate brand?"
"It's this car's name."
"Oh, really? But what do you mean?"
"I mean this."
Shino winked at the three of them, then softly spoke to Kit.
"Kit. It's me, Shino. Do you remember?"
『Yes, of course I remember.』
"Whoa!"
"Right, this car talks!"
Simultaneously, a murmur of awe rose from the surrounding students.
"Sorry, I want to wake Hachiman up. Could you open the door for me?"
『Understood. Opening it now.』
The door on Hachiman's side slid smoothly upward. Seeing this, Shino realized her mistake.
"Ah."
"What's wrong, Shino?"
"I forgot this car's doors open upward. I was trying to pull it sideways..."
『Yes. The door was actually unlocked, so I intended to tell you, Shino, but to be honest, I was a bit unsure of how to address you.』
"S-Sorry, Kit. Making you worry about that."
『Not at all.』
Hearing this conversation, the three friends were astonished.
"Wow, a car that can be considerate of people... that's amazing..."
"High performance~!"
"Really, how much does this car cost...?"
Then, Shino peered inside the car to wake Hachiman. Her eyes met Hachiman's perfectly; he was desperately stifling his laughter. Shino blushed.
"S-Since when were you awake?"
"Come on, anyone would wake up hearing Kit's voice, right?"
"T-That might be true, but!"
"Man, to think that while I was sleeping, you were trying to pull the door sideways."
"It was just a momentary lapse of judgment! Just forget it already!"
"Yeah, yeah. So, are those three behind you your friends?"
Hachiman noticed that unlike the solitary Shino from last time, she was now accompanied by three other girls. Shino answered his question happily.
"Yeah, they're friends. Maybe thanks to you, Hachiman."
"I see."
Hachiman nodded, seemingly pleased by the answer, then exited the car to greet the three girls.
"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. Feel free to call me Hachiman."
"Ah, I'm Hiruoka Eiko."
"Yugumo Mii."
"Yono Shiina."
The three introduced themselves after Hachiman's greeting. Then, Eiko boldly made the first move.
"I-I don't mind if you call me Eiko without honorifics, just like Shino!"
"That's unfair, Eiko! Then call me Mii too!"
"Please call me Shiina as well."
"O-Oh... Eiko, Mii, Shiina. Nice to meet you."
Hachiman replied, slightly overwhelmed by their intensity. Then, he explained to Shino why he had come.
"Actually, I got back from Kyoto today, and I brought a souvenir for you, Shino, but..."
Hachiman looked around at the crowd before continuing.
"...This place is attracting too much attention. Shall we move?"
"Yeah!"
Hearing "souvenir," Shino leaned forward eagerly. But immediately after, she showed hesitation about leaving her three friends behind. Seeing this, Hachiman thought that since she finally had friends, he should include them.
"Ah~, if it's okay with you, Shino, how about the three of them join us for a quick drive?"
"Eh, is that okay?"
"It's still early, and if you're fine with it, I have no reason to refuse."
"Thank you, Hachiman!"
Shino happily ran over to the three girls and relayed Hachiman's words.
"Hachiman asked if you three would like to come along."
"Eh, really?"
"Wow, Hachiman-san, thank you very much!"
"I've always wanted to ride in it once."
Slightly nervous, the three climbed into the back seat. Shino took the passenger seat, and Hachiman started Kit.
"Wow, it doesn't shake at all..."
"I usually get carsick, but I'm totally fine today."
"Come to think of it, yeah... Kit, how does this work?"
『I measure the unevenness of the road surface ahead and prepare for it in advance to absorb the shock, Hachiman.』
"...So he says."
"Amazing, amazing!"
"This is insane! So fun!"
Seeing Shino watching her friends' delight with a happy expression, Hachiman felt relieved. They seem closer than I imagined. Looks like her school life is going without issues.
"Shino, is school fun?"
"Y-Yeah. Honestly, I had almost given up, but I made friends like this, and now it's really fun. Thank you for everything, really, Hachiman."
"I see. That's good then."
"Um... I'm sorry. I wasn't able to help Shino-chi at all until now..." Eiko said apologetically.
"No, well, schools can be like that. It can't be helped. But you're getting along with Shino now, right? Then that's fine."
"Yes! When you actually talk to Shino, she's totally normal and very cute."
"And a tsundere, too."
Shino protested at the last remark.
"Wait, you three! I-I am not a tsundere!"
"See? Not a tsundere."
"Definitely a tsundere."
"Yep, tsundere."
"Rather, if Shino isn't a tsundere, then tsunderes don't exist in this world."
"Geez, even Hachiman!"
The four of them laughed brightly, with only Shino puffing out her cheeks.
"But Hachiman-san, we really respect you."
"Respect?"
"Because, Hachiman-san, you pretended to be the boyfriend of Shino, whom you'd never even met, just to protect her."
"Yeah, yeah. We totally couldn't tell that Hachiman-san and Shino-chi were meeting for the first time."
"I see. So you told them properly, Shino."
"Yeah. I just really hated lying to them..."
"I think that's fine. That's what friends are, right?"
"Y-Yeah, that's right. It's fine, right?"
"Yeah. You didn't do anything wrong."
Shino realized she felt happier than she expected at Hachiman's validation. Eiko and the others watched her with warm smiles.
"By the way, Hachiman-san, how did you make that Endo quiet down?"
"Shino won't tell us that part."
"Is it something dangerous if we know?"
"Hm? Is that so, Shino?"
"Well, it involves your reputation, so..."
Hearing this, Hachiman looked exasperated.
"You worry too much. It was just... I used a little authority. I applied pressure saying if she did anything more to Shino, her parents would lose their jobs."
"Eh, you can do that?"
"Hachiman-san, I heard you were a student, but who are you really?"
"Dark... but that's the good part..."
"Hachiman, are you sure it's okay to say it?"
"It's not something to blab about freely, but... if Endo gets desperate and tries something, having you three know the facts might serve as a deterrent."
Hearing this, the three girls spoke forcefully.
"Leave it to us! We will definitely protect Shino-chi!"
"Unlike before, now she's surrounded by allies."
"So Shino, don't worry."
"Th-Thanks, everyone."
Seeing their resolve, Hachiman decided to explain in detail.
"Anyway, I'll tell you exactly how I did it, but please don't tell anyone else."
"Okay."
"First off, I'm an SAO Survivor. So while I am a student, I'm a student at the Survivor School."
"Eh?"
"I-Is that so!"
After dropping that bombshell, Hachiman immediately launched the next one.
"And actually, the president of Soleil has taken a liking to me, so I'm officially the next president of Soleil. This car is treated as the president's exclusive vehicle."
"Ehhhh!?"
"That was unexpected..."
"I totally thought your father or someone was a big shot at some company..."
"That Endo girl's father is an employee at a business partner of Soleil. I used that connection to apply pressure. That's the gist of it."
"Wow... A legitimate power player..."
"Dark... but that's the good part..."
"Shiina, you've been saying only that for a while now..."
Then, Hachiman dropped the final bomb.
"And my girlfriend is the daughter of the CEO of Recto. So actually, I can apply pressure from that side too. Meaning, as long as Endo has a father in this industry, she is completely checkmated."
"Eh?"
"Recto? That Recto? Isn't that a super-giant corporation...?"
"Will the two companies merge eventually? No way..."
The three girls' surprise at the story so far was beyond imagination. Shino became a little worried because she hadn't expected Hachiman to reveal this much. But she figured if Hachiman thought it was okay, then it must be, and decided to listen quietly.
"So, not just with Endo, but if anything happens at school, say this: 'Shino's backing consists of Soleil, Recto, and every student at the Survivor School.' As proof, you can bring up this car. No ordinary company president would own a talking car. Explain that it's a vehicle only possible with the technological power of Soleil and Recto, and most people will be convinced. Or, tell them to ask anyone from the Survivor School about my name. No matter who it is, the moment they hear my name, they should confirm everything."
"Um, no matter who? Any student?"
"Yeah. There isn't a single person at that school who doesn't know my name."
"Eh... really?"
"Ahhh!"
Suddenly, Shiina screamed.
"I've seen it on the net! The Double Princes of the Survivor School! According to the rumors, since SAO was cleared thanks to them, everyone unconditionally obeys whatever those two and one other girl say!"
"They write stuff like that...? I guess you can't put a door on people's mouths."
Since Hachiman confirmed it, the three were dumbfounded.
"So that rumor was true after all..."
"Yeah. And that 'one other girl' is my girlfriend."
"Wow..."
"We've learned an incredible truth..."
"Keep it absolutely secret, okay? In exchange, let's see... if you protect Shino properly, I promise to put in a good word for you if you want to get a job at my company or Recto."
"Leave it to us! We promise absolutely!"
"No matter what happens, we will protect Shino!"
"No matter what, we'll keep this secret!"
"I see. I'm counting on you three."
"You guys..."
"Oh, this area looks good."
Hachiman stopped the car at a park overlooking the sea. Since it was winter, there were very few people.
"Wow, the ocean!"
"When did we get this far..."
"Well, I should give you the souvenir now. Shino, come here a sec."
"U-Un."
Shino waited with a pounding heart, wondering what he would give her.
"Close your eyes for a bit."
"Eh? Ah, okay."
Shino wondered, with a strange tension and odd thoughts, if he was going to kiss her suddenly in front of her friends. Ignoring Shino's nervousness, she felt Hachiman gently touch her hair. After a moment, he spoke.
"Alright, you can open your eyes."
"Wow, Shino! It suits you so well!"
"Crazy, I'm already nostalgic for the plain Shino!"
"Yeah, looks good!"
Shino opened her eyes and checked her reflection to see what Hachiman had done. Hachiman held out a mirror to her.
"Here, Shino. Look."
"Y-Yeah."
Looking in the mirror, Shino realized she looked different from usual. She noticed that attached to the ribbon she always used to tie her hair were beautiful, light blue, flower-like objects.
"This is..."
"Yeah. Understated but with presence. Kind of like you, right? Well, the GGO you isn't understated at all, though."
"Th-Thanks."
The two light blue flower brooches, appearing to be made using old Japanese traditional techniques, stood out beautifully against the white ribbon, completely changing Shino's aura. They didn't seem expensive, but Shino could say with pride that this suited her far better than any expensive jewel.
"I'm glad you like it. Honestly, I have zero sense for choosing things like this."
"I'll cherish it for the rest of my life, Hachiman."
"It's not that big of a deal..."
"No, I will absolutely cherish it."
"O-Oh."
Eiko and the other two watched the pair with looks of pure envy.
The four were then driven back by Hachiman and dropped off at a park near the school. After Hachiman left, the four exchanged words.
"Shino, that was great."
"Yeah, thank you."
"Even so, Hachiman-san is an amazing person, isn't he...? If Shino-chi manages to snag Hachiman-san, it's a complete Cinderella story! marry-rich-grade!"
"He doesn't look it at all, but he runs a whole school. Ah, no, not just that. There are six thousand survivors from SAO, and he reigns at the top of them, right?"
"His influence must be insane. Six thousand people and their families are grateful to him..."
"But the girlfriend is a formidable enemy. The daughter of Recto's CEO, and like Hachiman-san, she's at the top of the SAO survivors. Shino, this is tough."
To this, Shino replied simply.
"Yeah. Asuna is my friend, so I know that."
"She's your friend too?!"
"Do your best, Shino-chi! We are on your side!"
"Plus we get job security! Our era has finally come!"
"Mii has become completely calculating..."
Mii responded defiantly.
"Can you blame me? Recto? Soleil? If I get hired, my life is rosy!"
"If? Or rather, knowing Hachiman, he'll probably actually do it."
"To do this much for you... you are loved, Shino-chi."
"No, that's probably just his kindness to protect a comrade at all costs. I know well that he's that kind of person."
"But it means Shino is cherished that much. That's unmistakable."
"Yeah. That's why I just can't give up on this love."
"Then you have no choice but to move forward."
"That's right! Leave the defense to us, Shino, you just charge full speed ahead!"
"But right now, just acting together with him is so fun I can't help it, so romance can wait a little longer."
"Alright! Today is a sleepover at Shino-chi's house, and we're going to talk all night!"
"Ohh!"
"Eh, really? But well, maybe once in a while is okay."
Thus, the three went home to prepare for the sleepover and stayed at Shino's house. There, seeing the AmuSphere, they were told about Shino's part-time job and were once again astounded by her high hourly wage.
As a side note, Hachiman would eventually gain three loyal subordinates who respected him from the bottom of their hearts.
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