"Now then, Asuna. Why exactly are you giving free rein to the women around Hachiman-kun?"
"I-I'm not exactly giving them free rein... I am choosing them carefully..."
"In short, you are giving free rein to the ones you have chosen."
"U-Ugh... I suppose that might be true, but..."
"I'm sure you have your reasons, Asuna. Why don't you let me hear them first?"
Asuna began to explain the thoughts she had recently shared with Hachiman.
"Um, lately, Hachiman-kun has been working really hard for Shinonon and Elsa-san. Because of that, I can tell that the two of them are falling more and more in love with him. But... I don't find that unpleasant. It's fun being together, just the four of us, and I don't want to break that environment. Plus, I know Hachiman-kun would absolutely never cheat, so as long as they don't cross the final line, I actually welcome a certain amount of contact... or something like that..."
Though her thoughts didn't seem entirely organized, Asuna honestly conveyed what she had been feeling to Yukino.
"I see. Unlike Valhalla, because the community is smaller, there is a different kind of comfort to be found there. Hmm..."
Hachiman interjected.
"Sorry, Yukino. Right after the reunion, Asuna and I had a similar conversation. The current situation might just be an extension of that. If I had been clearer about drawing lines, things might have been a little different."
"That is impossible for you."
Yukino immediately rejected Hachiman's statement.
"No, I mean, at least that much..."
"Since long ago, you were occasionally hugged by Nee-san or Yuiyui, weren't you? In those moments, you would just panic; you could never actually push them away. You simply aren't capable of doing such things to girls. At most, even knowing it's futile, you might say something like, 'Could you please let go?'"
"I... well, I have no retort to that..."
"True, at that time you didn't have a specific girlfriend, so we cannot apply that situation directly to the present. However, even then, there was someone you liked, wasn't there? Yes, me."
"Don't you dare fabricate my past in the confusion!"
"Oh, come now. It was just a little joke."
"Your jokes have never sounded like jokes, not since the old days..."
Having slightly lightened the mood with that jest, Yukino turned back to Asuna.
"I apologize for making you sit seiza in the heat of the moment. You two can relax now. If that is how you truly feel, Asuna, then I want to respect those feelings as much as possible. However, I also have my own pride that I cannot compromise."
Seeing the two settle back onto the sofa, Yukino resumed speaking.
"For example, suppose our positions were reversed. If Asuna approached Hachiman-kun for a relationship, and I smiled and said, 'Do as you like; he belongs to me anyway,' how would you feel hearing that?"
"Ah..."
"And hearing that, Hachiman-kun would probably think he got lucky and devour you whole, but would that satisfy you, Asuna?"
"Is it just me, or is the criticism directed at me a bit harsh...?"
"It's obviously a joke. You should act more dignified. So, what do you think? Asuna?"
"Um... I think I'd hate that a little..."
"Do you understand what I want to say?"
"Y-Yeah, I think I get it..."
As Asuna's eyes began to well up with tears, Yukino glanced at Shino. Taking the hint, Shino gently embraced Asuna and started stroking her head.
"That is essentially what I wanted to say. I'm sorry, I didn't intend to make you cry. In short, we want to stand as equals with you. That is why we don't want you to just permit everything with a nod. Instead, we want you to be a high wall standing between us and him."
"Yeah... yeah..."
"However, if you honestly feel happy seeing us getting along with him, then you should feel that joy openly. After all, when I see you and Hachiman-kun getting along, while I do feel a tinge of jealousy, I also feel very happy. Isn't that right, Shino?"
"Yeah, that actually sounds about right."
"Yukino... Shino..."
Asuna called their names with teary eyes. Unlike her earlier tears of sadness, these seemed to contain joy.
"So, here is my proposal. If you find yourself hesitating, let's establish a standard. Asuna, watch closely what Hachiman-kun and I do next."
"O-Okay."
Yukino sat next to Hachiman and gently wrapped her arms around his arm.
"Hachiman-kun, try lightly shaking me off. You can do at least that much without hesitation, right?"
"O-Oh..."
Hachiman shook his arm, and Yukino's hold broke easily.
"See? Surprisingly simple, isn't it?"
"I guess so..."
"In situations like this, we are just being playful. Even if you shake us off, we'll just think it's a pity; we won't think anything more of it."
"I'm learning a lot... Still, to think you would be lecturing on romance..."
"Even I have learned various things because of you."
"My fault?"
"Your fault."
Hachiman immediately agreed, looking somewhat awkward after her swift retort.
"R-Right..."
"Now then, next."
This time, Yukino hugged Hachiman's arm tightly. Hachiman shook his arm with the same force as before, but this time, Yukino's grip didn't falter.
"Well, naturally, this happens."
"Yeah, I guess."
"In times like this, you should simply give up. The same applies if you are hugged from the front. If it has come to that, there is usually a reason for it. Here is where you come in, Asuna."
"O-Okay."
"Usually, you should be nearby in such situations. If you believe the situation is justified, I want you to acknowledge it as is. Those moments will likely be when this man has done something to move the other person emotionally."
"Ah, I totally get that."
Shino chimed in. She was likely the one who fit that description most recently.
"However, if you do not think the situation is justified, you must forcibly pull them apart. This pathetic man cannot do it, and fundamentally, this is your job."
"Can I do it...?"
"If you can't, Shino and I will attack him and create a fait accompli, you know?"
"Wha..."
"T-That's no good!"
"Then do it. That is your destiny as the only one chosen by him."
"Got it. I'll do my best!"
"That is the Asuna I know."
Saying that, Yukino let go of Hachiman's arm.
"Now, for cases where Asuna isn't present, I will teach you a technique I learned from Nee-san."
"From Nee-san?"
"...I still cannot get used to you calling my sister 'Nee-san' the same way I do."
"Well, you'll get used to it eventually."
"That is not the point. The fact that my sister is your sister implies that... well, you know?"
Yukino blushed as she spoke. Hachiman replied in a cool tone.
"Just get used to it already."
"Shino. When this man speaks such things with that face and tone, he is inwardly quite flustered."
"Is that so! Okay, I'll remember that!"
"Guh..."
Hachiman groaned in frustration before trying to gloss over it.
"Whatever, just hurry up and teach me the technique you learned from Nee-san."
"Very well. Then, Hachiman-kun, hug me from the front... is what I would like to say, but I am doubtful my rationality would hold up. So Asuna, please hug me as if I were Hachiman-kun."
"Okay!"
"You really have changed a lot compared to the old days..."
"It is all your fault."
"Me again..."
Asuna hugged Yukino. Immediately after, Yukino lightly flicked Asuna's forehead.
"Hey now, I said let go."
"Ehehe, sorry."
Asuna let go bashfully, then looked at Yukino with a surprised expression.
"Ah, I really let go."
"Next is the pattern where you don't let go."
The same scene played out again. This time, Yukino dug her knuckles into Asuna's temples with both hands.
"Come on. I. Said. Let. Go."
"Ouch, ouch! Geez, you're mean!"
Asuna pulled away, pouting, then looked at Yukino in surprise again.
"It felt a bit forceful, but I just let go naturally."
"This is the technique I learned from Nee-san."
"""Ooh~"""
The three of them applauded Yukino.
"By the way, I'm extremely curious about the situation in which you learned this technique from Nee-san..."
"...Actually, I was just imitating Nee-san when she played a male role in a play during middle school."
"...I see."
"But I can't imagine that beauty playing a male role."
"True, Nee-san seems like the type who suits being the one hugging."
"Nee-san was obsessed with Aikido in middle school, so she was quite boyish."
"Eh? Nee-san did Aikido?"
Hachiman addressed the surprised Asuna.
"What, you didn't know? That person has a mastery license in Aikido."
"Eeeeh!?"
"If it were her, she'd probably charge into enemies barehanded and toss them one after another. And with minimal effort, too."
"I had no idea..."
"Well, putting that aside, what do you think? With this, shouldn't you be able to do it too?"
"Depending on the opponent, I think I could use more force, but I feel a bit pathetic doing it."
The three responded to Hachiman's self-deprecating comment.
"Words are one thing, but honestly, I cannot imagine you trying to use force against a female comrade."
"I want Hachiman-kun to stay exactly as he is."
"Well, isn't that part of Hachiman's charm?"
"I'm fine doing it in a game, though. I did actually send Koneko flying in SAO."
"...In a way, Koneko-san had a valuable experience. Anyway, most opponents should be fine with that method. And for anyone who isn't a comrade, I'm sure Hachiman-kun can be forceful without hesitation."
"Well, there are exceptions."
Yukino tilted her head at Asuna's remark.
"Was there anyone like that among our comrades?"
"She's right in front of you..."
"Me?"
Shino, who was sitting right in front of Asuna, spoke up.
"Yeah. Shinonon is the one who requires the most caution."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it's true that wouldn't work on me, but..."
"...What would you do then? I am somewhat curious. Could you try it now?"
"It's a perk for me, so I don't mind..."
Shino happily hugged Hachiman.
"Hey, let go."
"No. Way."
"Come on. I. Said. Let. Go."
"No. Way."
"Please, just let go..."
"No. Way."
Hachiman looked at Asuna and Yukino and raised his hands in surrender.
"She is strong..."
"See? Shinonon really is a danger."
"I see... Understood. In cases like this, Asuna, you must do the same."
"...!"
Understanding the meaning of those words, Asuna happily hugged Hachiman.
"Hachiman-kun!"
"Woah."
Immediately after, perhaps unable to endure just watching, Yukino also hugged Hachiman.
"You too...?"
"Fufu, once in a while is fine, isn't it?"
"I feel like this hasn't resolved anything at all..."
"This is a special case. Even Shino wouldn't be like this all the time, right?"
"Well, I guess that's true."
Saying that, Hachiman put a little force into flicking all three of them on the forehead.
"Come on, you guys, let go already."
"""Ouch!"""
It must have actually hurt, as the three immediately pulled away from Hachiman.
"I see. So modulating the force is also an option."
The three stared at Hachiman reproachfully.
"Well, I suppose that covers it for now."
Yukino sat back on the sofa, and the other three followed suit.
"Sorry, Yukino. I made you worry."
"Yukino, I'm sorry."
After sitting down, Hachiman and Asuna apologized to Yukino.
"Goodness, you two really are a handful. Though I suppose we are partly to blame, so I cannot complain too much."
"But if things had stayed like that, I feel like this good relationship would have ended someday."
"True. Relationships between men and women can easily collapse due to the smallest trigger."
"From society's perspective, our relationship might appear distorted. But since Hachiman-kun isn't normal to begin with, it cannot be helped."
"I want to be normal, though..."
"You know that is impossible by now, don't you? Besides, if you were to complain about your current situation, the other boys in the world would kill you."
"R-Right... I certainly am undeniably happy right now."
Thus, the conversation ended peacefully, and their bond grew stronger. Then, Yukino asked Hachiman about something that had been on her mind.
"So, what exactly did Hachiman-kun do for Shino and Elsa-san?"
"In my case, he drove away the people who had been leeching off me for a long time."
"...Meaning?"
Shino spoke about her past and the events that had transpired.
"And recently, I even made three friends at school. So, I am very happy right now."
"...I see. So that happened. I am happy for you, Shino."
"Yeah!"
Though Yukino's cheek twitched slightly, she said this seeing how happy Shino looked.
"And what about Elsa-san?"
"Um, Elsa-san was suffering from sexual harassment at her agency and wanted to become independent. So, I asked about the situation and found out the perpetrator was an old enemy from SAO. To crush him, I obtained a Medicuboid, then went to my family home and became the next head of the Yuuki family. After successfully treating my cousin's incurable disease, I took over a facility gathering children with similar incurable diseases. Then, after returning here, I successfully crushed that old enemy and practically brought that entertainment production company under my umbrella?"
"...Umm, I don't quite understand. could you explain in detail?"
"Okay, so..."
Hachiman and Asuna explained the events of the past few days to Yukino. Shino seemed to be hearing a lot of it for the first time too and looked surprised.
Upon hearing the story, Yukino stood up silently, looked down at Hachiman, pointed her index finger at the floor, and tapped the air a few times.
"Hachiman-kun. Seiza?"
"Eeeh!? Again...?"
"Just sit."
"...O-Okay."
Overwhelmed by Yukino's intensity, Hachiman sat seiza. Immediately after, Yukino's lecture began.
-------------------------------
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