That day, Yukinoshita Yukino was doing her daily routine of checking out her favorite cat videos.
After looking through the whole thing, Yukino had a very satisfied look on her face.
Just as I was about to start searching to add a new video to my favorites, my cell phone rang.
(This length can't be an email, Yuigahama-san.)
Thinking that she would ignore the call if it was from her sister, Yukino picked up her cell phone.
The call came from Komachi, so with a bit of relief, Yukino pressed the answer button.
"Hello Komachi-san? What's wrong? Did Hikigaya-kun do something again?"
Komachi occasionally calls me about the man with the dead eyes,
Yukino asked Komachi, wondering if the man had done something wrong again.
The expression on his face was very kind.
"Yukino-san..."
At that first sound, Yukino realized that it seemed like Komachi was crying, and she was flustered.
"What's wrong, Komachi? Did that man make you cry again?"
"Yukino-san... when I got home now, I saw Nerve Gear on TV...
So I hurriedly went to his room to have a look, and my brother was there..."
The crying Komachi's explanation was not at all coherent.
Yukino was at a loss as to what to do, so she decided to turn on the TV.
No matter which channel I watched, the content was the same. From the atmosphere, it seemed that without my knowledge,
Thinking that something terrible had happened in the world, Yukino paid close attention to the news.
(Nerve Gear? That thing I was considering buying for the cat game.
Huh? Kayaba Akihiko? I've heard that name before...
Ah, this is the man my sister met through an arranged marriage, and the one who brilliantly rejected her...
At the time, I was really surprised that someone who would dump my sister existed in this world...
Sword Art Online? Death game? What does that mean?
Can't you escape from the game... Hikigaya-kun?
At that time, Yukino wondered about the future of the Service Club, whose relationship had improved dramatically.
Sensing a dark shadow creeping up on me, I felt a chill run down my spine and put my arm around her shoulders. Then, in a panic, I spoke to Komachi.
"Komachi-san, please calm down and answer. Perhaps, Hikigaya-kun...
Are you playing Sword Art Online right now?
"Yes, Yukino-san. My brother... my brother..."
"I'll be there soon, so please wait for me. I think my driver knows the location.
Anyway, please stay calm and contact your parents and, if possible, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Komachi seemed to calm down a little after hearing his words.
He must have felt a little relieved now that he was in contact with Yukino.
"I'm sorry, Yukino. You're the only one Komachi can rely on right now. Please."
"Okay, stay strong, contact the people I just mentioned, and wait for me."
"Yes!"
After hanging up the phone, Yukino thought about what to do. She was surprised at how calm she was.
Making a quick decision, he carefully selected his sister's number from his address book and pressed the answer button.
After a few rings the call was connected and I heard my sister's voice from the cell phone, just like always.
"Yay! What's the matter, Yukino-chan? It's rare for you to call me, Yukino-chan."
"Sorry sis, it's an emergency. Please listen carefully to what I have to say."
"Hmm? What's wrong? Did Hikigaya-kun do something again?"
The fact that both sisters were thinking the same thing gave Yukino a headache, but she didn't have the time for that right now.
"Sis, before I explain the situation, please turn on the TV.
It doesn't matter what channel it is."
"I was just studying. Wait a minute, TV TV?"
"Sis, hurry up!"
"I get it. Yukino-chan is still the same, scary when she's angry."
It seems that my sister is watching TV as she was told. My hands are sweating with frustration.
The sound of swallowing sounded extremely loud.
My sister returned sooner than expected, and her voice sounded like a completely different person.
"I understand. Maybe he is?"
"Yes, Hikigaya-kun."
"I'll be right there, stay in front of the house."
"Do you need anything?"
"Are you okay"
The sisters' call ended there. Yukino got ready.
I went outside and called my only friend. The call was connected in just one ring.
"Hello, Yukinon? That TV looks amazing. It's something called Sword."
"I just called you about that, so please calm down and listen.
Hikigaya-kun is playing it right now."
"Eh? That means..."
"I've already contacted my sister and she's made all the arrangements. I'll contact you as soon as I know the details.
If possible, Yuigahama-san, I would like you to stay home and wait for me to contact you."
"...I get it. Please, Yukinon...please help me with Hickey!"
"Leave it to me, Yuigahama-san. Hikigaya-kun is an important member of our club, after all."
As Yui spoke, she was overcome with a sense of helplessness, unable to do anything.
He then decided to entrust everything to Yukino, get ready to go out, and wait for her contact.
Fortunately, the person who came to pick her up arrived quickly, so Yukino ended the conversation and got into the car.
Haruno's sharp instructions are immediately given.
"Tsuzuki, go full speed."
"Yes, Miss Haruno."
"Sis, what's the situation?"
"Apparently, it's okay if the connection is cut off for a short time.
I think they'll probably tell me to take him to the hospital in the meantime. I've already made all the arrangements with the Yukinoshita affiliated hospital.
That guy is really amazing, I should have punched him at the matchmaking session."
Haruno added jokingly, but there was an air of anger in her voice.
"That guy had the air of being up to something.
It seemed fishy, so I tried to turn them down, but they turned me down first."
The car, driving as fast as possible within the traffic regulations, arrived at the Hikigaya house in surprisingly little time.
Komachi, who was waiting for me in front of the house, guided me there.
Yukino and Haruno came face to face with Hachiman, who was lying in bed still wearing his Nerve Gear.
(I didn't think it would come to this...)
At that moment, Haruno muttered the exact same thing.
"I never thought it would come out like this."
(They think similar things. Maybe they are sisters after all.)
Afterwards, Haruno quickly made all the arrangements and Hachiman was transported to the hospital.
Yukino immediately contacted Yui and decided to wait for her arrival.
That was all Yukino could do for now.
A few hours later, Yui called Yukino on her cell phone to say she had arrived at the hospital.
When Yukino went outside to greet her, Yui ran up to her, waving her hand.
"Yukinon, how is Hickey doing now?"
"He seems to be in good health at the moment. I can't go inside, but...
It looks like we can see him from outside, so let's head to his room right away."
"Yes, thank you Yukinon. I definitely couldn't have done anything."
"It was you who arranged all of this. I've never felt more grateful to have you here than I do now."
"Well, I guess I should thank Haruno-san too."
Then the two of them headed to the hospital room.
On the way there, Yui started speaking in the elevator.
"Yukinnon. You see...
Even after all this, I still haven't cried. Isn't that strange?"
"I don't think it's strange, Yuigahama-san. I think so too."
"Rather than being sad, I think it seems really Hickey-like.
Whenever I get close to you, you run away."
"That's right, Hikigaya-kun, you do seem to be quite fast at running away."
When they reached their destination, the two of them headed to the hospital room in silence.
There, the Hikigaya family were crying profusely, and Haruno was silently gazing at Hachiman.
As soon as Komachi spotted the two of them, she pounced on them with great force.
"Yukino-san, Yui-san, my big brother... my big brother..."
"It's okay now, Komachi-san."
"It's okay now, Komachi-chan."
The two of them continued to gently stroke Komachi's head until she stopped crying.
Just as Komachi finally stopped crying, Haruno spoke up.
"It looks like we'll be able to enter the hospital room tomorrow, so let's go home for now."
"Yes, Haruno-san. Thank you so much for everything you did for my brother today."
"Okay, thank you so much, Sis."
"Thank you so much, Haruno-san."
"You three, don't think of anything weird, okay? Go home today, take a bath, and get some good sleep."
Haruno said with a big smile.
Perhaps encouraged by those smiles, Komachi and Yui walked home with firm steps.
"Well then, shall we go home too, Yukino-chan?"
"Yes, let's go, sister."
They got in the car and drove off, and even after a while, neither of them said anything.
Just a few minutes left until they reached Yukino's apartment, Yukino spoke up.
"To be able to make that expression in that situation, you're really amazing, Nee-san."
Haruno didn't answer. Yukino looked at Haruno and continued.
"But, sister, we're the only ones here.
I think it's okay to take off the mask now."
"...! Yukino-chan, Hikigaya-kun, Hikigaya-kun..."
For Yukino, it was the first time she had ever seen Haruno cry.
Tears began to flow from Haruno's eyes as if a dam had burst.
With a gentle expression on her face, Yukino continued to stroke Haruno's head until they reached home.
And the next morning, in homeroom, Shizu, the teacher, said,
It was announced that Hachiman had been imprisoned in Sword Art Online.
Some people spoke ill of him, but a yell from Hayama and Miura silenced them.
The rumor spread throughout the school, and when Meguri and Iroha came to the classroom during lunch break,
She burst into tears there and then, without caring about the people around her.
It was a surprise to those around them, but Kawasaki and Sagami were also crying.
Hayama looked up as if he was holding something back, while Miura stared intently at Yawata's desk.
Tobe and Ebina also kept their heads down and refused to say a word.
After school, the members of the Service Club took the day off from club activities and came to Hachiman's hospital room.
The group consisted of four members: Shizuka, Yukino, Yui, and Iroha.
When the four of them entered the hospital room, Komachi, who had arrived earlier, stood up and welcomed them.
"Thank you everyone for taking the time to come and help my brother today!"
"Nice to meet you Komachi-chan. I'm Isshiki Iroha, Senpai's junior and student council president."
"Oh, nice to meet you! I'm your little sister, Komachi!"
"Oh, this was the first time you two met."
"It was the first time we'd met."
After the general greetings were finished, Hiratsuka was the first to speak.
"So, how is your brother doing?"
"The doctor said that there was no problem with my body and that he would definitely protect me."
"I see, that's good for now, Komachi-kun."
"Yes. And the other one is... a bit surprising for Komachi..."
"One more thing? Is there anything else going on at the hospital besides doctors?"
"Yes, the engineer that Haruno-san sent, um,
Did they just analyze the inside? I guess they just checked the condition."
Hearing this, tension spread among the group. Then Yukino spoke up on behalf of the group.
"So, is there something wrong with you, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Well, Yukino-san, even Komachi doesn't really understand it,
Apparently my brother,
It seems like he's always been alone with a woman I don't know."
Komachi's words were so unexpected that everyone's thoughts came to a halt.
The four of them were silent for a while, seeing Komachi looking uncomfortable. Then Hiratsuka was the first to break the silence.
"Oh my goodness Hikigaya, you're really just..."
Those words seemed to get the remaining three thinking, as they approached Hachiman.
"You, what on earth is this about?
It is truly unfortunate that, with all my worries,
What are you doing with a woman you don't know, Erogaya-kun?"
"What is that? I can't believe it! Idiot! Etch! Idiot!"
"What is that? Are you trying to flirt with me?
It's so commonplace for him to try to get my attention by scattering the shadows of other women around,
Please try again later. Sorry."
Hearing this, Hiratsuka shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.
The three of them looked at each other, then suddenly burst out laughing.
The hospital room was filled with a variety of emotions: confusion, surprise, astonishment, anger.
If Hachiman were conscious now, what would he have said?
Shizuka got up first, saying that there was another staff meeting about this matter tomorrow and it had to be early in the morning.
The remaining three turned to leave, but Komachi stopped Yukino and Yui.
"Um, I have something to give to Yukino-san and Yui-san."
The two were given a gift carefully wrapped by Komachi.
I received two small packages with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama written on them.
When the two opened the package, they found a pink and blue scrunchie inside.
"Komachi-san, what is this?"
"Umm, you see...
During the daytime on Christmas Eve, my brother went out for a bit, which was unusual for him.
When I came home, I saw it in my brother's bag.
So, their names were written on it, and I thought it was definitely a gift for them both.
Komachi, I brought it without permission!"
Komachi slapped her head mockingly.
"Hikigaya-kun, why would you say something like that..."
"That's surprising! But mine is blue and Yukinon's is pink, so aren't they opposites?"
"Yeah, I guess I'm kind of against it."
"I think maybe he had some ideas.
I don't know now though."
"Since Hikki picked it for me, it must be fine, Yukinon!"
"Yeah, I guess that's what it is."
And the two of them put on scrunchies right then and there.
Iroha looked at the two of them with a look of regret, yet envy.
Then, seeing the two of them, Komachi spoke to Yukino in a determined tone.
"Komachi was thinking, Yukino, if it's okay, could you please help Komachi with your studies?"
"That's fine, but may I ask why?"
"Komachi, there isn't much time left until the exam, but if you fail now,
I'm sure my brother will blame himself.
So Komachi, so that you won't blame yourself when your brother comes back,
I plan to study seriously from now until the day of the exam.
Upon hearing this, Yukino immediately agreed.
"Okay. I'll take on that request."
"I'll help you too, Komachi-chan!"
"It's okay, Yuigahama-san. Just keep watching over me and don't say anything, okay? Absolutely?"
"What a terrible thing to say!"
"Also, may I say one thing to you? First, to Yuigahama-san and Isshiki-san."
"Yup Yukinon, what is it?"
"What is it, Yukinoshita-senpai?"
"Let's protect the Service Club together. If the Service Club were to disappear here,
I'm sure when he gets back, Hikigaya-kun will blame himself."
The three of them unanimously agreed with that opinion.
"Ah, I suppose Hickey would certainly think so..."
"Well, I suppose you might think so, sir."
"I'm sure your brother would agree!"
"So, we want to protect his place at least until we graduate."
"Yes! I'll help you protect you, Yukinon!"
"I'll cooperate from behind the scenes! If the club's survival is in jeopardy, I'll join!"
"Komachi will definitely pass and join the club!"
Hearing that, Yukino nodded in satisfaction.
"Then can I give you something too, Yukinon?"
"What is it, Yuigahama-san?"
"Hey, Yukinon. We're the only two here who aren't crying yet, right?
So when Hiki comes back, let's cry a lot together!"
"Well, it's a bit embarrassing, but I understand, Yuigahama-san."
Iroha also chimed in, refusing to give in.
"Well then, I'll give you both one more thing. The game isn't over yet!"
"Well, if this is a contest then I can't lose."
"If it's a contest then it can't be helped! I won't lose either, Iroha-chan!"
"Wow, has a big sister-in-law war broken out here?
But it seems there are some sisters-in-law I don't know about...
Komachi won't be able to handle this, so please come back quickly, big brother."
The four of them looked at each other and laughed happily and shyly.
Then, as if they had timed it all, they all looked at Hachiman, who was lying there.
I wondered if this scene, these words, had reached him properly.
If Asuna or Argo were to see this scene, they would wonder how they could be lonely.
He must have sighed. It was such a sweet sight.
"You have to come back for sure, Hikigaya-kun. You made me cry, too."
Haruno, who was unable to come out and was watching the scene from hiding, murmured enviously.