"...Hey, Koneko, what is the meaning of this?" "I did as instructed and relied on my connections to request police protection." "..."
Hearing Rose's response, Hachiman looked at the two people present with an expression of complete disbelief.
"Well if it isn't the Strategist! We have been expecting you!" "O-Oh, good morning...?"
On the day of the tournament, Hachiman visited the Forest of Slumber early in the morning. Next to the bed he was scheduled to use, Kiyomori and Freedom were sitting, deep in a game of shogi.
"Old man aside, what on earth is old man Godfrey doing here?" "A vital mission such as protecting the Strategist's life cannot be entrusted to anyone else. Therefore, I decided to act as your bodyguard personally!" "...Um, old man, what about your job?" "No issue! I made sure to formally apply for paid leave today." "Ah, right..."
To be sure, with these two guarding him, hardly any average person could ever get close, but Hachiman couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of overkill.
"...Well, whatever. Please look after me today."
Regathering himself, Hachiman offered a polite greeting to the two.
"Ooh, leave it to us!" "Leave it to me!"
The two answered with boundless enthusiasm, leaving Hachiman to let out a deep sigh.
"Kazuto-kun, how are you feeling?" "Natsuki-san, I'm in top condition. Besides, there's someone I absolutely need to crush." "...Could that someone happen to be Shana?" "Yeah. If I let a pervert like that run wild, Hachiman is going to lecture me."
At Kazuto's words, Natsuki couldn't hold back a sudden burst of laughter.
"Eh, wait, did I say something strange?" "N-No, something just hit my funny bone, don't mind me."
Overhearing their voices, Kikuoka emerged from the inner room.
"Hey there, Kazuto-kun! How are you feeling?" "I was feeling great until a second ago, but seeing your face just sapped all my motivation." "Wait, what do you mean by that?!"
Kikuoka looked deeply hurt.
"Just kidding. Well then, Natsuki-san, please look after me today." "Eh, wait, is there nothing for me?" "If you do anything to me while I'm sleeping, I'll never forgive you. Being cuddled by a guy is disgusting." "Eh, eeeeeh...?"
Kikuoka slouched in dejection. Seeing his reaction, Kirito offered a bright smile.
"Come on, I was just joking, Kikuoka-san."
Kikuoka gave Kazuto an anxious glance.
"R-Really?" "Really." "Really really?"
Pushed by Kikuoka's persistence, Kazuto blurted out his true feelings.
"How tedious... Yes, really. Alright then, Natsuki-san, let's get started." "Right, understood." "W-Wait a minute, Kazuto-kun... haven't you been acting a lot like Hachiman-kun lately?" "Ahahaha!"
Kazuto didn't answer, simply laughing in response.
"W-Well, alright then. Do your best today! We'll be paying the utmost attention here to ensure you don't run into any real-world danger." "Yes, please do."
And so, Hachiman and Kazuto logged into GGO at roughly the same time.
"Ugh." "Oh."
Inside GGO, the two crossed paths almost immediately.
"Yo." "Don't talk to me! I'll catch your perversion!" "I'm not a pervert. I'm completely normal." "Then you're a pick-up artist." "I've never picked up anyone in my life..." "You tried to pick me up the other day! Gross!" "Ah..."
Confronted with indisputable proof, Shana gave up on trying to reason with Kirito any further.
"W-Well, maybe something like that happened." "It didn't 'maybe' happen, it did happen!"
(So this is one of the reasons he treats me like a pervert...)
Shana considered this, but there was no crying over spilled milk. Shaking it off, he tried to change the subject.
"Hey." "What?" "Do you even know where the BoB preliminary venue is?" "...O-Of course I do."
(This guy definitely hasn't checked...)
Without letting his thoughts show, Shana casually spoke up.
"I see. Well, see you at the venue then." "Y-Yeah."
Shana started walking, and Kirito trailed a short distance behind him. Noticing this, Shana stopped, turned around, and looked at him.
"...Why are you following me?" "We're going to the same destination, so of course it turns out like this!"
Hearing that, Shana couldn't suppress the urge to tease Kirito.
"I see, I see. Well, I was planning to visit a shady tavern full of older girls to get hyped up before the tournament. Looks like you had the same idea! Yeah, yeah, that kind of thing is essential for a man." "Eh?"
Kirito stared blankly in shock. At that exact awkward moment, Sinon happened to walk by.
"What are you two doing? Hurry up, let me lead the way." "Oh, Sinon! Come on, let's leave a guy like that behind and head to the venue! He was just saying he wanted to visit a shady tavern full of older girls to get hyped up before the tournament!" "A shady tavern?"
Sinon paused to think if such a place existed, but no matter how she thought about it, there was no such facility in GGO.
"...Whatever. Come on, you two, let me get moving." "Right!" "Ah, um... y-yeah."
(Damn it, Sinon's timing was way too bad.)
Shana reluctantly gave up on teasing Kirito and quietly followed behind the two. As they walked, Kirito and Sinon's conversation reached Shana's ears.
"Hey, Sinon, are you close with him?" "Eh? Yeah, I suppose so." "He hasn't asked to meet up in real life or anything, has he?" "Ah, um..."
Since Sinon was actually the one pushing for that herself, she faltered, unsure of how to answer. Seeing her hesitant reaction, Kirito rounded on Shana.
"You..." "Woah, wait, wait! Don't worry, I haven't done anything guilty at all. You can ask Sinon to confirm." "Is that true?"
Kirito turned back and asked Sinon directly.
"Yes, what he says is true." "I see... Sorry for doubting you!"
Kirito bowed his head sincerely to Shana. This straightforwardness was precisely one of Kirito's good traits.
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