Chapter 133: Asuna's Hospital Transfer Record
It had been two months since Asuna returned to the real world. Although her recovery was slightly delayed, her physical strength had improved significantly recently, and she should be able to start rehabilitation soon.
Since Asuna's rescue, Hikigaya Hachiman had come to visit her in the hospital every single day without fail. Today, Asuna was also anxiously awaiting Hachiman's arrival.
Thirty minutes before the scheduled time, someone knocked on the door to her hospital room. Thinking Hachiman had arrived early, Asuna called out toward the door, "Come in."
However, to her surprise, the person who entered was a mature-looking woman she didn't recognize.
"Good afternoon~!" "Ah, hello. Um, sorry, may I ask who you are?" "Nice to meet you, I'm Yukinoshita Haruno—the woman who's going to be your big sister!"
"Eh?" Hearing something so sudden, Asuna was completely confused.
Thinking it over calmly, she considered that maybe the woman was her brother's girlfriend. So she decided to confirm that with Haruno. Still, deep inside, she couldn't believe her brother could land such a beautiful woman.
"Um… could you be my brother's girlfriend? Or maybe his fiancée?" "Hm? Ah—Kouichirou-san? We are coworkers and know each other, but sorry, that's not it." "Ah, so you're with RECT?" "I'm not here for work today, but yes. Okay, I'll give you the correct answer now! The right answer is—Hachiman-kun's sister!"
"Eh?" "That's the second time I've gotten that reaction today, Asuna-chan." "Hachiman-kun's sister? Huh? Wait… Hachiman-kun has a sister?"
As far as Asuna could remember, Hachiman didn't have an older sister—she was sure of that. Haruno waggled her index finger left and right and began to explain.
"No no~ I'm Hachiman-kun's stepsister... hmm, not quite right. Soul sister? Spiritual sister? Oh! A sister-like figure!"
"A sister-like figure... Ah! Could it be—you're the one who helped us? I remember now! Hachiman-kun mentioned someone named Haruno before. Thank you so much!" "It's no big deal, I did it for my little sister after all."
"Hmm~?" "Think about it. If I'm Hachiman-kun's sister, that means I'm your sister too, right?"
"Ah!"
The moment Asuna grasped what Haruno meant, her face lit up with a bright smile. "Hachiman-kun gave me such a wonderful sister!"
"Eh?" "Haruno-oneechan… No, that's a bit of a mouthful… How about 'Haru-oneechan'? Yes, that's good!" "Buh…" "Haru-oneechan, Haru-oneechan! I'm Yuuki Asuna! Please take care of me from now on!"
Caught off-guard by the sudden shift in energy, Haruno couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ahaha, as expected of the girl Hachiman-kun chose. But you know, you shouldn't trust strangers so easily, okay? What if I were a villain here to kidnap you?" "Ah… I'm sorry, Haru-oneechan." "No no, it's fine."
While comforting Asuna, Haruno suddenly asked: "Asuna-chan, you seem cautious—so why did you trust me right away?"
"Because I sensed a similar presence from Haru-oneechan… like the one Hachiman-kun sometimes gives off." "Oh?" "That feeling of observing someone deeply, trying to see through them, but also with a kind warmth."
"Observing… I see…" "So I didn't even think to doubt you. But I'll be more careful next time, sorry, Haru-oneechan."
Looking at Asuna's angelic smile, Haruno finally couldn't hold back. "Geez~ you're too cute!"
"Eek!" With that, Haruno suddenly pushed Asuna down onto the bed. "What's the harm, right? What's the harm~!" "E-eh ehhh~"
Haruno straddled Asuna, gradually leaning her face closer. Just then, someone knocked on the door again. Before Asuna could respond, Haruno called out:
"Come in~"
"Asuna, how's your health…? Wait, what the hell is this…"
Seeing the scene on the bed, Hachiman pressed his fingers to his temple. "Um… we're playing a villainous magistrate game?" "What kind of nonsense is that?" "What's the harm, right~!"
Haruno ignored Hachiman's sarcasm and again leaned her puckered lips toward Asuna. Seeing this, Hachiman reflexively shouted: "Oi, idiot, knock it off—that's my job."
Hearing that, Haruno froze, then turned and grinned mischievously at him. Asuna, who had been half-heartedly resisting, instantly turned bright red and froze.
"Ah, no, I mean, that was a slip of the tongue… Wait, I mean…" Haruno glanced at Asuna, then at Hachiman, and smirked.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you, Haruno-san! You timed it exactly when I was supposed to arrive!" "No no~ it's Ha-ru-onee-chan." "Huh?" "Repeat after me—Ha-ru-onee-chan." "Ha-Haru-oneechan?" "Mm, very good."
Haruno let go of Asuna and sat on the chair next to the bed, patting the seat beside her for Hachiman to sit.
"So what's with the Haru-oneechan thing?" "Asuna-chan gave me that name. Which means, Hachiman-kun, you'll have to call me that too from now on." "Really? Asuna… Hey, Asuna."
Hachiman lightly tapped Asuna's cheek. Asuna finally came back to her senses. Seeing his face, she suddenly pouted for some reason.
"Hmm~" "Hey Asuna, still half-asleep?" "Eh? What about your job, Hachiman-kun?" "Ugh… Next time, when Haru-oneechan's not around…"
Haruno immediately protested: "Ehh~? Don't mind me." "No, I do mind. Asuna, get a grip." "Geez, you don't have to mind me."
Asuna also protested. "Asuna, calm down. Geez, now there's two troublemakers…"
"That's normal for sisters, right?" "Exactly!
"When did you two become this close… So anyway, Haruno-san, why are you here today?" "Ah, right. Actually, I wanted to talk about transferring Asuna-chan to another hospital. Her parents are really busy right now, so we want to move her to a hospital under our group— the same one where you and Kirito-kun did rehab."
Faced with such a reasonable proposal, Hachiman nodded in agreement. "I see." "Haru-oneechan, is that okay?" "The equipment is about the same, but it's closer to Hachiman-kun's house. That should help you feel more at ease, right?" "Mm!"
Feeling indebted for all the care they'd received, Hachiman bowed in gratitude. "Thank you so much for everything, Haruno-san."
"Hachiman-kun and Kirito-kun were in that hospital before, but they were discharged recently. So Asuna-chan can move into the room Hachiman-kun used. Oh, and it's still just as he left it—sheets unwashed and everything~ Asuna-chan~"
At that moment, Asuna's eyes seemed to gleam unnaturally. "Let's go right now—come on, let's go, Hachiman-kun!" "Asuna—"
Seeing Hachiman's speechless face, Asuna hurriedly denied it: "O-of course I was joking! I don't want to roll around in a bed that still smells like Hachiman-kun!" "Asuna, your eyes are darting all over the place." "I-it's your imagination."
Asuna tried to act calm with a shrug, but Hachiman clearly saw her exchange a glance with Haruno. "Well… it's whatever." "That's our Hachiman-kun, so generous!" "That's my Hachiman-kun!" "Enough already… So Haruno-san, when is the transfer happening?" "We've already talked to her parents. She can move anytime."
Asuna immediately replied: "Haru-oneechan, I'm ready." "Then let's go." "Eh… are you really ready, Asuna?" "I barely have any personal belongings here. The clothes are all hospital-issued. They can just send over a change of clothes later. Only my NerveGear is mine."
It's normal for sisters, right, Hachiman-kun?"
"Ah, true. Okay then, let's go." "Hachiman-kun, carry Asuna-chan to the wheelchair like a princess." "Got it." "Hachiman-kun, carry me~" "Alright alright."
Hachiman picked up Asuna without hesitation. "Asuna's light. I could hold you all day at this strength." "Mm… I really did lose too much weight." "Let's work hard at rehab together. I'll help every day." "Mm! Thank you!"
Gently placing her into the wheelchair, Hachiman carefully pushed her toward the long sedan parked outside—the Yukinoshita family car. And thus, Asuna began her journey to the hospital room Hachiman once stayed in.