Yukino Yukinoshita was browsing her daily cat videos, satisfied, when her phone rang. Expecting Yui, she checked—Komachi. Relieved, she answered.
"Komachi? What's wrong? Did Hachiman mess up again?"
Her tone was gentle, used to Komachi's calls about "that rotten-eyed guy."
"Yukino-san…" Komachi's voice trembled with tears.
Yukino tensed. "What happened? Did he make you cry?"
"Yukino-san… I got home, and the TV said NerveGear… I checked his room, and Onii-chan…"
Komachi's sobs were incoherent. Yukino, flustered, turned on the TV. Every channel blared the same news. Something catastrophic had happened.
(NerveGear? That cat game device I considered… Kayaba Akihiko? Haruno's rejected suitor… Sword Art Online? Death game? Trapped? Hachiman?)
A chill gripped Yukino, sensing a shadow over the Service Club's future. "Komachi, calm down. Is Hachiman playing Sword Art Online?"
"Yes… Onii-chan…"
"I'm coming. Our driver knows your place. Stay calm, contact your parents, and if possible, Sensei Hiratsuka."
Komachi steadied slightly, reassured by Yukino. "Sorry, Yukino-san. You're all I've got. Please."
"I'll be there. Call them and wait."
"Yes!"
Yukino hung up, surprised at her calm. She dialed Haruno, selecting her number carefully. Haruno answered brightly.
"Hey, Yukino-chan! You calling? Rare!"
"Sorry, emergency. Listen carefully."
"What? Hachiman mess up again?"
Yukino sighed—sisters thinking alike. "Turn on the TV. Any channel."
"Studying, but okay. Hang on."
"Hurry!"
"Geez, you're scary when mad."
Haruno's tone shifted after checking. "Got it. Him?"
"Yes, Hachiman."
"I'm coming. Be outside."
"Need anything?"
"I've got it."
Yukino grabbed her things, calling Yui. It connected instantly.
"Yukino? TV's wild—Sword something?"
"That's why I'm calling. Hachiman's playing it."
"What?!"
"I've contacted Haruno; she's handling things. Stay put, I'll update you."
"Okay… Please, Yukino, save Hikki!"
"Trust me, he's our precious club member."
Yui felt helpless but trusted Yukino, preparing to wait. Yukino hopped into Haruno's car, which sped off.
"Tsuzuki, floor it," Haruno ordered.
"Yes, Miss Haruno."
"Status?" Yukino asked.
"Brief disconnects are safe, likely for hospital transfers. I've arranged everything at our hospital. That guy—I should've punched him at the proposal."
Haruno's jest carried anger. "He seemed schemy. I was gonna reject him, but he beat me to it."
The car reached Hachiman's house fast. Komachi led them to Hachiman, lying in bed, NerveGear on.
(Never thought I'd come here like this…) Yukino thought.
"Never expected this," Haruno muttered.
(Sisters, huh?) Yukino noted.
Haruno swiftly arranged Hachiman's transfer. Yukino called Yui, who soon arrived at the hospital.
"Yukino, how's Hikki?"
"Physically fine. We can't enter, but we can see him. Let's go."
"Thanks, Yukino. I'd be useless alone."
"Haruno did everything. I've never been so grateful for her."
"Gotta thank her."
In the elevator, Yui spoke. "I haven't cried. Weird, right?"
"Not weird. I haven't either."
"It's so Hikki—slipping away just when he's close."
"Yeah, he's quick to escape."
At the ward, Komachi's family sobbed, Haruno stared silently. Komachi rushed to Yukino and Yui, crying.
"Yukino-san, Yui-san, Onii-chan…"
"It's okay now, Komachi," they soothed, stroking her head until she calmed.
Haruno spoke. "We can enter tomorrow. Go home, rest."
"Thanks, Haruno-san," Komachi said.
"Thanks, Haruno," Yukino echoed.
"Thank you," Yui added.
"No weird thoughts. Bath, sleep," Haruno said, flashing a radiant smile.
Encouraged, Komachi and Yui left steadily. Yukino and Haruno rode back in silence until near Yukino's place.
"Your composure back there was impressive," Yukino said.
Haruno didn't reply. Yukino pressed, "No one's here. You can drop the mask."
"…Yukino-chan, Hachiman…" Haruno's tears spilled, a first for Yukino. She gently stroked Haruno's head until they reached home.
Next morning, Sensei Hiratsuka announced Hachiman's SAO entrapment in homeroom. Some mocked, but Hayama and Miura's glares silenced them. Rumors spread. At lunch, Meguri and Iroha cried openly. Surprisingly, Kawasaki and Sagami joined them. Hayama looked up, holding back, Miura stared at Hachiman's desk. Tobe and Ebina stayed silent.
After school, the Service Club—Hiratsuka, Yukino, Yui, Iroha—visited Hachiman's hospital room. Komachi greeted them.
"Thanks for coming for Onii-chan!"
"Komachi, I'm Iroha, student council president, Hachiman's kouhai."
"Nice to meet you! I'm his sister!"
"Didn't know you two hadn't met," Yukino said.
"First time, huh?" Yui added.
Hiratsuka spoke. "How's your brother?"
"Doctors say he's fine physically. They'll protect him."
"Good," Hiratsuka sighed.
"Also, something surprising…" Komachi hesitated.
"What?" Hiratsuka asked.
"Haruno-san sent a tech to analyze his status. Apparently, Onii-chan's been with some unknown woman the whole time."
The room froze. Hiratsuka broke the silence. "Classic Hachiman…"
The others pounced.
"What's this, Hachiman? While I'm worried sick, you're with some woman? Ero-gaya!" Yukino snapped.
"Unbelievable! Pervert! Idiot!" Yui fumed.
"Flirting? Trying to make me jealous with another girl? Too obvious—try harder!" Iroha huffed.
Hiratsuka shrugged. The three girls laughed, emotions swirling—shock, anger, amusement. What would Hachiman say if he were conscious?
Hiratsuka left for a staff meeting. As the others prepared to go, Komachi stopped Yukino and Yui, handing them wrapped gifts labeled with their names. Inside were scrunchies—pink for Yukino, blue for Yui.
"Komachi, what's this?" Yukino asked.
"Christmas Eve, Onii-chan went out briefly. I saw these in his bag, labeled for you two. Had to bring them!"
Komachi playfully tapped her head. "He did this?" Yukino murmured.
"So unlike him! But mine's blue, yours pink—swapped, right?" Yui said.
"Feels like it," Yukino agreed.
"He had a reason, I bet. We'll never know now," Komachi said.
"Hikki chose them, so it's perfect," Yui said.
"Right," Yukino nodded.
They wore the scrunchies. Iroha looked jealous yet wistful. Komachi, resolute, spoke to Yukino.
"Yukino-san, could you tutor me?"
"Sure, but why?"
"I've got little time before exams. If I fail, Onii-chan'll blame himself. I want to study hard so he won't when he returns."
"Request accepted," Yukino said instantly.
"I'll help, Komachi-chan!" Yui offered.
"No interfering, Yui. Absolutely," Yukino warned.
"That's harsh!"
"One more thing, Yui, Iroha," Yukino said.
"What, Yukino?" Yui asked.
"Yes, senpai?" Iroha said.
"Let's protect the Service Club. If it's gone when Hachiman returns, he'll blame himself."
"Totally! He would," Yui agreed.
"Yeah, senpai would," Iroha nodded.
"Onii-chan definitely would!" Komachi said.
"Until we graduate, let's guard his place," Yukino said.
"I'm in!" Yui cheered.
"I'll help quietly. If it's at risk, I'll join!" Iroha said.
"I'll pass and join too!" Komachi added.
Yukino nodded, satisfied. Yui spoke up. "Yukino, we haven't cried yet, right? When Hikki returns, let's cry together."
"Embarrassing, but deal," Yukino agreed.
Iroha jumped in. "I'm not losing this fight!"
"Can't lose now," Yukino smirked.
"No way I'm losing, Iroha-chan!" Yui shot back.
"Sister-in-law war?! With an unknown woman too? Come back quick, Onii-chan!" Komachi laughed.
They shared joyful, shy smiles, glancing at Hachiman. Did their words reach him? If Asuna or Argo saw, they'd scoff at his "loner" claim. It was a tender scene.
"He'd better come back. He made me cry too," Yukino whispered.
Hidden, Haruno watched enviously, murmuring the same.