Watching the pair, the remaining four fidgeted, but Rinko, as if struck by inspiration, said:
"Staying overnight? Guest rooms deeper in. Relax there first. Monitors have nav—find baths freely. Hot springs, mixed, but yukata provided. Dinner...?"
"I'll cook! Hachiman-kun, Kazuto-kun, help."
"Really? Great—call when ready."
"Yes!"
Securing Medicuboid, group overnighted in Nagano depths.
En route rooms, Kikooka teased Hachiman:
"Another big sis? Those two—friends or foes? Good luck."
"Compatible, but... Rinko wanted private talk with Yōno-san—Kayaba vibe."
"Thought so too."
Asuna: "Yeah."
"You too?"
"Probably Kayaba-related. Rinko his lover; Yōno omiai. Something to say."
"Shura field? Missed it."
Kazuto down; Hachiman: "Better not know. Fulfill your romance shura-free."
"Shut up—know that."
Kazuto embarrassed; Kikooka smiled at youths.
"You two spot it well. No real shura—Asuna crushes pre-shura."
"True, but sensitive to Hachiman admirers—extension."
"Yeah, Asuna tough... Holds reins in group."
Asuna exasperated: "Not just group—Rika struggles too."
"Seriously?"
"School calls you princes. We fend endless outsiders."
"Princes?"
Hachiman explained.
Kikooka burst laughing: "Pfft—sorry, epic."
"Not funny. Explain, Asuna."
"Literal: double princes. Admirers swarm—we toil."
Stunned.
"Sorry..."
"Gift Rika..."
"Hachiman fine—I'm known, fewer pokes. Rika... Kazuto, ring? Flash it—deters."
"Considering..."
Kazuto deflated; Hachiman grinned: "Left ring finger: 'Marry me!' Public."
Asuna: "Practice: 'Parents, give Rika!'"
Red-faced: "Revenge for my school line!"
"Pure kindness."
"Your happiness."
"Gr..."
Kikooka: "Rooms—ease up."
"Yeah."
"Okay."
"Deny bullying?!"
Hachiman gleeful: "Good retort! Fresh being tsukkomi-ed. You're my partner."
"Not happy!"
"Tsukkomi king yours."
"Fine..."
"Room split?"
"Tsukkomi that!"
Asuna, Kikooka roared. Hachiman, Kazuto laughed.
Calmed, checked rooms.
"Three—how?"
"Me Kikooka; Yōno; Hachiman-Asuna."
Asuna reactive: "T-too soon for lewd!"
Hachiman patted head: "Just sleep. Calm."
Asuna hid behind, flushed. Kazuto troubled; Hachiman cool: "Me Kazuto; Yōno Asuna; Kikooka alone—politics."
"Yes!"
"Best!"
Kikooka nodded.
"Unpack, prep dinner. Find kitchen."
"Yeah. Kikooka, paperwork—call when ready."
"Thanks."
As they split, Yōno-Rinko talked alone.
"They're lively."
"Comrades—in arms."
"Should've been me and Akihiko."
"Talk? Not sis stuff."
"Yeah..."
Pause, then:
"Akihiko mentioned you—rare for woman. Remember clearly."
"Bratty, strong-willed?"
"No—said you seemed utterly bored with everything."
"Hmm..."
Yōno narrowed eyes, sharp: "Calling me boring—arrogant."
"Sorry—world seemed boring to you."
"Different. But maybe true then."
"Now you're vibrant—not his description."
Yōno choked, glared, then relaxed: "Pointless bristling. Yes—daily thrilling."
"What changed?"
"Obvious: Hachiman-kun."
Stared; Yōno sheepish: "...Secondary. Saved him for sister—excuses. Reconciled, defied parents first. Off rails—succeeded, cleared conditions, free. Did everything for him."
Paused, glanced: "Monitored growth via numbers—fantasized battles, what-ifs. Fell in love. He returned, fighting for loved ones—fell again. Confessed delusions once. He accepted: 'Wonderful imagination.' Called me special, respected. Love settled; gained siblings. Now swallowing parents' wishes, soaring with him. Fun—rose-colored. Jealous? Emulate—free from Kayaba's ghost."
"...Figured?"
Squeezed voice.
"You accepted oddly. I wasn't. Rejection would've crushed. No acceptor, liberator—self-liberate. Hard."
"Can I be free like you?"
"Different—unknown. Immerse research, new love, or believe reunion, strive."
"Believe reunion..."
"Best odds near Hachiman—Kayaba's favorite."
"Hehe, true. Refreshed—thanks for secrets, Yōno."
Recalling, Yōno blushed, protested: "Why spill to you? Mystery."
"Hehe, equals. No friends, right?"
Stung: "You too."
"Yes."
Yōno silenced, defanged. Rinko smiled: "Friends? Lonely—need gripe buddy. Felt we'd click first talk. Instinct—you too?"
"...From start."
"Hate? Quit if."
"..."
Yōno pondered, lifted face, refreshed: "Nickname: Demon King. OK?"
Rinko beaming: "Fine. Pleasure, Demon King."
Gripped hand. Became best friends, supporting Hachiman.
Meanwhile, Kikooka on bed: "Health Ministry cleared. Plus MITI Augma dev—Rinko's help... Consult Hachiman, Yōno later. Medicuboid priority. Augma suspicious—monitor just in case..."
Unbeknownst to Hachiman, wheels turned.
-------------------------------
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