"Alright then, I'll guide you to the destination."
"What kind of place is the destination?"
"It's a special facility called 'Sleeping Forest.' There are many patients there with incurable diseases, just like Kaede-chan."
"Kit, do you know the location?"
[Kit: "Search complete. We can reach it via the shortest route."]
"Woah, the car… it talked!?"
Tomomori was utterly astonished by the car suddenly speaking. Well, it was a common reaction. On the way, Hachiman explained Kit's nature to Tomomori.
"Ah, so it also serves to showcase Soleil's technological prowess, I suppose? Even so, you all are truly out of the ordinary…"
In reality, Soleil had no direct connection to Kit. However, Kit was currently heavily influenced by the AI program left behind by Kayaba Akihiko, thanks to Argo's work. So, to say there was no connection with Soleil wasn't entirely accurate.
"Tomomori!"
"Sister."
"Where's the Medicuboid? Where is it?"
"It's all arranged, so please calm down for a moment. Look, we have guests."
Admonished by his older sister, Kyoko, she glanced around, cleared her throat, and elegantly introduced herself to the group.
"Pleased to meet you, I am Kyoko, Tomomori's older sister… Oh, Asuna-chan? Is that you, Asuna-chan?"
"Yes, Aunt Kyoko, it's been a while."
Asuna's image of Kyoko had always been that of a doll-like figure who would only offer a perfunctory reply to greetings. So, when Kyoko gently embraced Asuna, Asuna was utterly bewildered and confused. To a flustered Asuna, Kyoko said:
"It seems your health is perfectly fine. I was truly worried about you. I'm so glad you came home, Asuna-chan."
"Ah, um… Y-yes, I apologize for making you worry."
"Hm? Is something wrong?"
Kyoko looked puzzled as she asked Asuna, who had managed to stammer out a reply. Tomomori then explained to Kyoko:
"Sister, Asuna-chan has only ever seen you when Dad was around, so I think she's surprised by the difference."
"Eh? Could it be that… Asuna-chan disliked me!?"
"Probably…"
"Eh? Oh no, really?"
"Um, well…"
Seeing Asuna awkwardly avert her gaze, Kyoko visibly looked shocked. Asuna was still bewildered, but Tomomori began to explain to her:
"Since we're from the main family line, when we dealt with guests, we tried to respond as safely and dispassionately as possible. Well, except for big brother, anyway. He's just naturally unpleasant, so you can just deal with him casually in the future. Oh, I got sidetracked. Anyway, if we showed too much leniency to someone from a branch family, Dad would later unleash his fury. So, I think Sister also tried her best to tell herself to remain calm and composed when interacting with Asuna-chan. Because her usual demeanor is completely different. Normally, Sister would fawn over Asuna-chan, calling her 'cute, cute,' and constantly seek my agreement."
Hearing this, Asuna was incredibly surprised.
"I-is that true!?"
"It is! It's absolutely outrageous to torment such a cute child! It seems those idiots from the branch family often treat your family coldly, but don't worry, Asuna-chan, I'll crush all of them eventually."
"Ah, haha…"
Asuna offered a wry smile, but a warmth spread through her heart, realizing that Aunt Kyoko had been on her side all along.
"Sister, we're in the middle of introductions, but this isn't really the place for it. How about we talk in the reception room?"
"You're right, we can't keep our guests standing. Everyone, please follow me this way."
Accepting Tomomori's suggestion, Kyoko led the group to the reception room. There, the introductions began anew.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Yuuki Kyoko, the director of this facility. Thank you so much for coming all this way today for my daughter."
"Yukinojo Haruno. I am the CEO of Soleil Corporation. The Medicuboid is currently our company's exclusive domain, so I have come personally."
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
Haruno and Hachiman offered brief greetings. Kyoko seemed to understand Haruno's position, but she looked puzzled at Asuna, unsure about Hachiman.
"Um, Hachiman-kun is the most important person to me, and he'll eventually be your nephew, Aunt Kyoko."
The moment she heard those words, Kyoko's face lit up.
"Oh my, so that's how it is. I'm truly happy to see you so happy, Asuna-chan."
"Thank you, Aunt."
This time, Asuna said it with a genuinely joyful expression.
"Incidentally, he's also our company's next president and the person with the final say on the Medicuboid."
Haruno added, and Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is that so… Asuna-chan, you've truly met a wonderful person."
"Yes, I know it might sound strange to say, but it's thanks to SAO."
"In that case…"
Tomomori preempted whatever Kyoko was about to say.
"The 'Flash' was indeed Asuna-chan, Sister. And Hachiman-kun seems to have been a central figure in the攻略 (capture/strategy) effort."
"Oh, so it was true after all. That's amazing, Asuna-chan, that's truly a Yuuki woman for you!"
Kyoko nodded happily. Hachiman then began to explain the circumstances of their visit.
"What's that little bug? If I could, I'd annihilate him with my own hands."
"Pffft…"
"Eh, what? Did I just say something strange?"
At Kyoko's remark, Asuna couldn't hold back a snort of laughter, and Tomomori scratched his head, saying:
"Sister, actually, I said exactly the same thing just a moment ago…"
"Oh, really? Well, we are siblings, so it's only natural that we'd be alike."
And Kyoko added further:
"So, in short, you want me to help Tomomori with his coup, and the reward is the Medicuboid?"
"Well, that's generally how it is."
Kyoko thought for a moment, then said to Hachiman:
"Very well, since it's for Asuna-chan and for my daughter, I'll cooperate fully. However, there's a condition."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Please find a way to persuade Kunitomo Yoshikata. I certainly wouldn't want to be a defeated general here and have this facility shut down."
"Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do."
Hachiman had anticipated this request, so he nodded without issue.
"Do you have a chance of winning?"
"Well, it's not impossible…"
Hachiman hedged his words, unable to admit that he was relying solely on Kikuoka's words.
"Alright, let me know as soon as you have results. And about the Medicuboid…"
"It should be arriving here shortly, I believe."
"Oh my, how impressive of Soleil."
Kyoko commented, impressed by their swift action. But Haruno glanced at Hachiman and then said to Kyoko:
"Well, whether the negotiations succeed or fail, we intended to provide it here from the beginning."
"Eh, is that so?"
"Yes, he's that kind of person."
"W-wait, Sister, that's…"
Hachiman frantically called out to Haruno, but Kyoko tightly grasped his hand.
"So that's how it was. You're such a kind boy. A person like you would be an ideal husband for Asuna-chan. I look forward to working with you, Hachiman-kun."
"Ah, yes, please treat me well."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"