Hachiman woke to the sun high in the sky. Exhausted from yesterday, he sat quietly on the sofa to avoid waking Asuna, planning their next steps.
(New weapons first. Then drill Asuna on combat basics, gather enhancement materials, stock potions. And find a new inn. Staying together's too much, even for friends.)
A knock—knock knock—sounded. Recognizing Argo's pattern, Hachiman called out, "Argo?"
"Har-bo, got something to discuss. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, opening now."
Inviting Argo to the sofa, Hachiman fetched two glasses of milk.
"Small gesture."
"Har-bo, so thoughtful! Falling for me?"
"Nope."
"Instant denial…"
Argo feigned disappointment. "What's up?" Hachiman asked.
"Want A-chan to hear this too."
"Fair. Time to wake her. Yo, Asuna, rise and shine!"
Asuna stirred behind the screen, rubbing sleepy eyes. "Fwa… I'm up."
(What's with this sly-cute creature?)
"Argo's here. Change and come over—she's got something to say."
"Argo-san? Gimme a sec."
Hachiman grabbed another milk. Argo, noting their ease, teased, "So, Har-bo, A-chan or me—who's your favorite?"
"Asuna."
"Instant!?"
"She's my friend. You're an acquaintance. Obvious choice."
Argo blinked at Hachiman's shift from yesterday. (Friend? That changed him this much? His eyes are different. What happened?)
Asuna's voice piped up. "Hachiman-kun, I heard that! Thanks, but it's embarrassing!"
"Sorry. Never had a girl friend before… I'll watch it."
Asuna emerged, but Argo was still rattled. Hachiman tapped her cheek. "Yo, Argo, snap out of it. What's the talk?"
Clearing her throat, Argo dove in. "I'm making a beginner's guidebook. Free distribution."
"Smart. Could save lives," Hachiman said.
Asuna tensed at "lives." Hachiman patted her shoulder. "We'll help however we can. That's the plan, right?"
"Har-bo gets it," Argo grinned.
"I'll do what I can," Asuna added.
Hachiman nodded. "Asuna, they'll need a newbie's perspective—what's useful in a guidebook."
"I can handle that," she said.
(Service Club creed: teach fishing, don't give fish.)
They discussed essentials: guidebook content, tight schedules, their plans. Everything clicked smoothly.
"You two high schoolers?" Argo asked. "You're so meeting-savvy. Student council?"
"Junior, yeah," Hachiman said. "Got dragged into inter-school meetings."
"Junior too," Asuna said. "No council, but I've been class rep a lot."
"High points from big sis," Argo teased.
"Low points from big bro," Hachiman shot back.
The girls blinked. Hachiman explained, "Just sounded like my sister's catchphrase."
"Got it. Lucky it was you here, not her," Argo said.
"Yeah, Komachi would've been screwed. Especially as a newbie," Hachiman agreed.
Mid-chat, Hachiman paused, mumbling, then faced Argo. "Got a favor."
"Depends, but I'll waive the fee for your help. What's up?"
"Lots of adults in town are too scared to leave. Tip them off about the church—it's got facilities for big groups. Then gather wandering kids there to form a community. A safe haven for non-combatants. Also, add ways to earn col in town to the guidebook."
Both girls were impressed. It felt humane, aligning with Hachiman's Service Club ideals.
"Honestly, that's amazing," Argo said.
"Never thought of that. You're incredible, Hachiman-kun!" Asuna beamed.
Hachiman blushed, looking down. "Argo, call me for combat training. I'm curious," she added.
"Got it."
"With you two, I feel like we'll make it back," Argo said. "Don't die, okay?"
Waving Argo off, they prepped to leave. Hachiman extended Asuna's stay at the inn and booked a nearby one. Asuna hesitated, but he convinced her cohabitation wasn't friend-appropriate.
"Get new weapons today, then tomorrow we'll head out for materials and training. Earn col today to extend your stay," Hachiman said.
"Why?"
"No inn beats this one. Baths matter for girls, right?"
"Feels selfish, but… yeah."
"No harm done. There aren't many women players, but they exist. Harsh world for them. If you make female friends, sleepovers here would be perfect with a bath. Breaks are vital. Might be my loner imagination, but promise me—only do that with trusted people. This world's not all kind."
Asuna stared, stunned. Hachiman looked away, embarrassed. She circled to face him, grinning. "You are kind. I promise!"
"Idiot, it's not kindness. Loners need this tact. If I talk to someone and they're seen as my friend, it's trouble for them. Same as never approaching others."
"Hmm…" Asuna leaned closer.
(Too close! I might fall for her! Confess and get rejected—wait, rejected?)
"You're not a loner anymore. Forget those skills," she said.
"Y-Yes."
"Let's hunt for weapon drops!"
Resigned, Hachiman led her to the hunting grounds. They dove in. A dagger dropped quickly, but the rapier took time. Asuna's impatience sparked a slip—using Linear needlessly on a dying foe, leaving her rigid. Another enemy charged. She braced, but a clang sounded—no impact. Hachiman's back was there, parrying and beheading the foe.
"Sorry, slow support."
"Thanks, Hachiman-kun! What was that?"
"Parry. Counters their weapon, stuns them, sets up criticals. You'll learn it."
"Got it!"
"Look, it dropped."
A rapier landed in Hachiman's storage. He passed it to Asuna, who materialized it.
"Your new weapon, Wind Fleuret."
"It's beautiful…"
"Worth the grind, right?"
Asuna gazed, captivated.
(She loves it. Good.)
"Tomorrow, we'll farm materials and train with it."
"Let's do this!"
"Back to town."
Thus ended their second day in Aincrad.