On that day, Aiko and Yuuki set foot on Tokyo soil for the first time in their lives. They were led into the newly established Tokyo branch of "Sleeping Forest."
"Wow... so this is the Medycuboid."
"We're going to be living in the VR world through this for a while, huh?"
"I wonder what it'll feel like? I'm so excited."
"Me too. It's not like we have friends outside the hospital anyway, so it won't be lonely."
"What are you talking about, Yuuki? We have Hachiman."
"That's different. We're going to be Hachiman's mistresses, remember? That's more than just friends."
"Oh! Right! I almost forgot!"
Aiko giggled, and Yuuki shared a bright smile. Just then, Nurse Keiko hurried over to them.
"Are you two alright? You aren't too tired from the long trip, are they?"
"Principal! We're fine! The car was super comfortable, and the people from Soleil were so nice to us. It was a great trip."
"It would've been perfect if Hachiman had been with us, though," Aiko added.
Keiko watched them with a fond, slightly pained smile. "My, you two certainly have taken a liking to him. I'm almost a little jealous."
The twins looked at each other and then spoke in perfect, determined unison.
"Well, yeah! We've already decided to be his mistresses!"
"Exactly. And for that to happen, we have to make sure we get better."
Keiko let out a sudden, startled laugh. "But didn't he look incredibly troubled when you told him that?" She remembered the scene clearly—Hachiman's face had been a masterpiece of awkwardness.
"Yep!" Yuuki chirped.
"He did," Aiko agreed. "But he didn't say no, did he? He's too kind for that."
"He said the 'Wife' position was already full, so we settled for the 'Mistress' slots!"
"Hachiman will never be able to truly push us away," Aiko said with a knowing look. "The success rate of our plan is actually quite high."
Keiko laughed again, shaking her head. "I suppose you're right. You're either very calculating or very brave... or maybe both."
"Hehe. But because of that, we actually have a reason to keep living."
"Meeting Hachiman was the best thing that ever happened to us!"
"I agree," Keiko whispered. "I'm very glad he found you both."
Just then, they saw a familiar figure running toward them. It was Kaede, looking radiant and full of energy.
"Ai-chan! Yuu-chan!"
"Kaede-chan!"
"Look at you... you're really running now!" Yuuki said, her eyes shimmering with tears of joy.
"Uh-huh!"
"That's wonderful. We're going to work hard to get better too. Once we do, let's all play together."
"Wait for us just a little longer, Kaede-chan!"
Kaede beamed, her face filled with pure, innocent hope. "I will! I promise! I'll be waiting right here, so Ai-chan and Yuu-chan, do your best!"
Currently, only the twins had made the move from the old Kyoto facility to Tokyo. The Medycuboids were being prepared one by one; since two units were now fully operational, the sisters had been chosen as the first residents.
Technically, they weren't scheduled to enter the machines until tomorrow. Today was intended to be their last full day in the physical world. Of course, they could return to reality if necessary, but for all intents and purposes, this was a major threshold.
"Alright, let me show you to your room for the day. This way," Keiko said.
They followed her down a hallway until she stopped in front of a heavy door.
"Here we are. Now, you two... enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
"To the fullest? What do you mean?"
"Principal? What's inside?"
Keiko simply gave them a mysterious smile. "Why don't you see for yourselves?"
She turned and walked away. Nervous and curious, the girls pushed the door open.
"Hey. Ai, Yu. Glad you made it."
"Hachiman!"
"You're here!"
The room was luxuriously furnished, with two comfortable beds side by side. Hachiman was sitting on the edge of one, waving at them. They charged across the room and tackled him into a hug, knocking him flat onto the mattress.
Hachiman caught them, grunting as the air left his lungs, but he sat up easily while still holding them both.
"Hey, hey. Take it easy. You shouldn't be overexerting yourselves."
"You actually came!" Yuuki cried.
"I didn't see you when we arrived, so I thought you weren't coming. I was a little sad," Aiko admitted.
"Sorry, sorry. I wanted to surprise you. Besides, I'm the one who dragged you here. I had to be here to welcome you."
"I suppose I can find it in my heart to forgive you," Aiko teased.
"I forgive you normally!" Yuuki added.
"Thanks, guys."
The twins set down their bags—which were nearly empty, as they had few possessions—and decided to change into more comfortable clothes. Hachiman offered to step out, but they insisted he stay. He sighed and closed his eyes, promising not to look until they were done.
"Okay, Hachiman! You can look now!"
"We're ready!"
When Hachiman opened his eyes, he was greeted by the two of them standing there in only their underwear.
"Wha—?! Aiko! Knock it off!" Hachiman slammed his eyes shut, his face turning bright red.
"My, what makes you think I was the one who came up with this plan?" Aiko asked innocently.
"The way you said that proves it was your idea! Just put some clothes on!"
"Hmph. Fine. Well? Were you happy to see us?"
"No! I was not 'happy'!"
"Oh..." Aiko's voice dropped.
"You weren't happy..." Yuuki sounded genuinely devastated.
Hearing the sudden, profound disappointment in their voices, Hachiman panicked.
"I—I mean! It's not that I wasn't happy! I was—it was... it was just... look, it was embarrassing, okay?! I was embarrassed! So please, just put your clothes on!"
"Oh. Well, that's fine then. Yuuki, let's get dressed."
"Yeah. We shouldn't tease Hachiman too much if he's that embarrassed."
"R-right. Thanks."
(I keep getting swept up in Aiko's pace,) Hachiman thought. (That girl has some serious presence. She's definitely the leader type.)
He waited until he heard the rustle of fabric stop.
"For real this time, you can look."
"We're decent!"
Hachiman opened his eyes cautiously. They were now wearing matching sweaters and skirts—perfectly normal, charming outfits. He let out a sigh of relief.
"It's the first time I've seen you in regular clothes," he noted.
"True," Aiko said, looking down at herself. "But to be honest, I'd love to try something even more feminine and cute."
"Yeah," Yuuki added. "We've never actually gone out to buy our own clothes before."
"Is that so...?" Hachiman reached into his bag and pulled out a laptop. He opened a browser and navigated to a high-end clothing site.
"Hachiman? What's this?"
"Just an idea. I thought... when you guys get better and wake up for real, it would be nice to have some clothes you chose for yourselves waiting for you. Why don't you pick some out now?"
"Wait, really?"
"Are you buying them for us?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll order whatever you pick and keep them safe. When it's time for you to actually go shopping in the real world, you can wear these outfits for the trip to the store in Kit."
The twins' eyes went wide. "Wait, is Kit here today?!"
"Where is he?!"
Hachiman pointed out the window. Down in the parking lot, the sleek black car was parked. Seeing them at the window, Kit cycled its gull-wing doors up and down in a friendly greeting.
"Kit!"
"He noticed us! He's so sweet."
They waved back at the car, then turned and threw their arms around Hachiman again.
"Whoa, what now?"
Hachiman had told Asuna he was going to see the twins off, and she had given him strict orders: "Do not reject them. Be the support they need." Following those orders (and his own heart), he didn't pull away. He held them with a warm, protective gaze.
"I'm just... I'm so happy," Yuuki whispered.
"I love you, Hachiman!"
"Alright, alright. Pick your clothes first. I'll make sure they're waiting by your beds when you wake up."
"We will!"
Hachiman carefully noted the styles they liked. He wasn't sure about the sizes, but he figured he could just ask Keiko later.
"Okay, I'll handle the sizes with the Principal. It'll be fine."
"I'm actually looking forward to it," Aiko said.
"Me too. Even if it's just online, choosing your own clothes is actually fun!"
Watching them, Hachiman suddenly realized something. He had only ever seen them in hospital gowns before, but seeing them in sweaters—and feeling the weight of their hugs earlier—he couldn't help but notice that Aiko was surprisingly well-developed, and Yuuki wasn't far behind.
Aiko caught his gaze and smirked. "Hey, Hachiman. You noticed, didn't you? Yuuki and I are actually pretty gifted. Want to feel for yourself?"
"Wha—?!"
"Huh? I mean, I don't mind," Yuuki added, tilting her head. "Want to touch, Hachiman?"
(These two...)
Hachiman felt the tide of Aiko's teasing rising again. This time, he decided to counter-attack.
"Fine then. If you're offering, I guess I'll start with Aiko." He reached out toward her.
"Wait—!" Aiko squeaked, flinching back.
"What's wrong? Don't be shy, come here."
"U-um... that's..."
"Whoa! Aiko's face is beet-red!" Yuuki laughed. "I've never seen you like that!"
Aiko's blush deepened until it reached her ears. (Strategy successful,) Hachiman thought.
Aiko shot him a resentful look, realizing she'd been played, but she couldn't help but giggle. Soon, all three of them were laughing together.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Are you eating with us?"
"Yeah. I talked it over with Keiko-san. We got you a gourmet meal that looks nothing like hospital food."
"Really?!"
"Yep. The works."
They had a wonderful dinner together. At the girls' request, Hachiman agreed to stay the night. A cot was brought into the room, and he settled in. They talked long into the night, sharing stories and dreams, until the twins finally drifted off into a peaceful sleep. For the two girls about to spend their lives in a virtual world, this memory was a priceless treasure.
The next morning, the twins woke up to find Hachiman still fast asleep. They shared a conspiratorial look, whispered for a moment, and then crept out of the room to find Keiko.
"Good morning, you two. Did you have a good time last night?"
"Yes, Principal. Thank you so much," Aiko said.
"It was the best! Thank you!" Yuuki added.
"I'm glad to hear it. Is Hachiman still asleep?"
"Actually, we have a favor to ask..."
Keiko listened to their request and smiled warmly. "That's an easy one. Let's go."
They returned to the room. While Hachiman was still dead to the world, the twins leaned in from either side and kissed his cheeks simultaneously. Keiko captured the moment with a silent camera.
(I feel a little bad for Asuna, but I think she'd forgive this much,) Keiko thought.
That photo would eventually hang on the wall of the girls' home in the VR world—a source of strength they would look to for years to come.
When Hachiman finally woke up, he blinked at the three faces looking down at him.
"Morning. Is... something wrong?"
"Nothing at all," Keiko smiled. "You just looked so cute while you were sleeping, we couldn't help but watch."
"Yeah, you looked like a little kid," Aiko teased.
"Wait, really?"
"Totally!" Yuuki giggled.
"Is that so...?" Hachiman pulled his most serious, "cool" face, making the three of them burst into laughter.
After a light breakfast, the time finally came for them to enter the Medycuboid.
"Hachiman..."
"Hachiman!"
"Hey. Don't worry. Once you're settled in, I'll come find you. I promise."
"You promise?" Aiko asked.
"Yeah. I promise."
"No matter what?" Yuuki pressed.
"No matter what."
Hachiman opened his arms, and they threw themselves into one last hug.
"See you later, Hachiman!"
"Yeah! See you later!"
"Right. See you later."
With no fear and only hope in their hearts, the twins departed the physical world for the vastness of the VR realm.
As they were settled into the machines, a member of the staff approached Hachiman.
"Hikigaya... no, Next President."
"Yes? Wait... Meguri-senpai?! Is that you?!"
It was Shiromeguri Meguri, who was supposed to be overseas. Hachiman was shocked, but he took her hands, genuinely happy to see her.
"Senpai, what are you doing here? I had no idea!"
Meguri gave him a bright smile, then suddenly straightened her posture and put on a mock-serious face.
"As of today, I have officially joined Soleil and been assigned to this facility. I am Shiromeguri Meguri! Next President, I look forward to working with you for a very, very long time!"
She stuck her tongue out playfully. "Just kidding! Hehe."
(I've seen her in the game, but seeing her in person... the 'healing' aura is on a completely different level,) Hachiman thought. (I feel totally Meguri-fied.)
"So, how much of that was true?" he asked.
"All of it! I was studying pharmacology and medical tech abroad. Haruno-san reached out to me, and well, here I am at Soleil."
"I see."
"I didn't want to interrupt your goodbye with the twins, so I was just waiting for the right moment to say hi."
"Thank you, Senpai. Please... take good care of them."
"You got it! Leave it to me!"
And so, Meguri took her place as a member of the Soleil staff. Acting as the liaison for Munemori in America and the twins in Tokyo, she would become an indispensable part of the girls' new lives.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"