"Hachiman here, how's reception, over."
"Kirito here, all clear, over."
"Roger, Asuna, status, over."
Party chat buzzed. Asuna fumbled, switching to voice mode.
"Uh… Asuna here, all good, I hear you… over?"
Guessing they were checking comms, she mimicked their style. Hachiman launched into his report.
"Just cleared all my field boss flags, over."
"Same here, all done! …Over?"
"Roger… target located… engaging now, over."
Kirito signaled Recon, waiting in the distance. Recon scanned, then returned a sign, confirming the field boss's spawn. Yukino, listening, joined with exasperation.
"What are you all doing…?"
"Yukino's interruption noted. Explanation's on you, Kirito. Returning to base, comms off."
Hachiman cut the chat instantly.
"Hey, Hachiman, that's cheating!"
"Kirito-kun, you're up! I'm heading back too, comms off!"
"Don't copy Hachiman, Asuna! Hey, wait!"
"Are you listening, Kirito-kun?"
"Y-Yes!"
Kirito turned stiffly toward Yukino.
"Yukino, your vibe's kinda different lately."
"Not quite. If anything's changed, this is the real me. Those two told me to be myself."
"Yup, Yukino's always been like this!"
"Got it, makes sense!"
Yuiyui chimed in happily, rushing to Yukino's side. Kirito raised a hand and started to leave.
"Yuiyui, grab him."
"Got it!"
Yukino's order sent Yuiyui grabbing Kirito's collar, hoisting him up. Despite his struggles, Kirito couldn't match Yuiyui's strength. Dangling like a caught cat, he stammered an explanation.
"So, yesterday, Hachiman, Recon, and I watched an anime marathon at the inn. The Self-Defense Force's radio chatter and hand signs got us hooked, so we practiced for fun… that's it."
"Why the sudden formal tone? And that marathon… you're not planning to shout 'Bullet incoming, now!' from afar, are you?"
"You watched it too?!"
Kirito blurted, caught off guard. Yukino froze, blushing, then fidgeted with an excuse.
"Well… when Hachiman-kun was hospitalized, we watched anime together sometimes, including that one."
"Gotcha…"
Kirito nodded, convinced.
"Ahem, let's drop this. Time to take down the field boss. Kirito-kun, you're in charge."
Yukino pivoted abruptly.
"Right… let's do this! Yuiyui, put me down!"
"Oh!"
Yuiyui, startled, dropped Kirito, who crashed to the ground.
"Ow!"
"Sorry!"
"It's fine."
"What are you two doing?"
Yukino offered a hand, chuckling. As Kirito grabbed it, she flashed her brightest smile.
"Let me say 'Bullet incoming, now!' I've always wanted to."
Kirito stared, dumbstruck, as Yuiyui whispered.
"She said otherwise, but Yukino's definitely changed a bit."
"Hachiman's influence, maybe?"
"Could be. But this Yukino's pretty cool, right?"
"Totally."
"Hey, let's move!"
Yukino's call snapped them back.
"Right!"
"On it!"
The rest of the team had already gathered. Kirito drew his greatsword, pointing toward the boss.
"Valhalla Resort, move out!"
Yukino issued orders.
"Advance to visual range, stay undetected. Leafa-san, Iroha-san, Yumii, Krushite-san, prep magic attacks. When I shout 'Now!', Yuiyui leads the charge. If you draw too much aggro, fall back. I'll cover the right flank, Mebius-san, take the left."
"Got it, go! Ready magic!"
Following Yukino's lead, Kirito signaled. The four synchronized their casting. Kirito gave the cue.
"Attack!"
Leafa's wind, Iroha's fire, Yumii's lightning, and Krushite's light spells intertwined, surging toward the boss.
"Bullet incoming… Now!"
"Here we go!"
Yukino's cry triggered Yuiyui's roar as she charged, the team following. Guest players Eugene, Kagemune, Alicia, and Sakuya, seasoned from past teamwork, meshed perfectly, unleashing their full strength. Hachiman and Asuna, who'd cleared boss flags separately, raced to join but arrived to find the boss already shattered.
"Damn, too late."
"Everyone's so fast!"
The team flashed thumbs-ups and waves.
"Alright, short break, then we hit the labyrinth."
Hachiman's call prompted the team to rest, logging out in shifts for breaks. Hachiman mentally mapped the labyrinth, planning routes, when Eugene approached.
"That was insanely smooth, Hachiman."
"Thanks for the help, Eugene."
"No problem, it's fun rolling with you guys."
Eugene grinned.
"Heading to floor 22 today?"
"Yup, that's the plan. No further for now, though I told everyone they can join boss fights solo if they want."
"Come to think of it, what's on floor 22?"
"I wanna know too."
"Me three!"
"If it's okay, explain it to me too."
Kagemune, Alicia, and Sakuya had joined, curious. Hachiman seized the moment to explain.
"…Now that you mention it, I haven't seen that pixie girl lately."
"So that's the deal."
"So, Hachiman-kun, what's Yui-chan to you?"
"I believe he called her his daughter."
"Yeah, about that…"
Trusting they wouldn't blab, Hachiman summarized their SAO history. Eugene, eyes misty, clapped Hachiman's shoulder. Kagemune nodded silently. Alicia and Sakuya approached Asuna, holding her hands and chatting, Asuna smiling back.
"That tower you called home sounds like a special base."
"Yeah, probably a hidden one. Found it by chance."
"Maybe there are more like it."
"Jin-san, should we look?"
"Might be worth a shot."
Eugene smiled at Kagemune.
"You guys are seriously strong."
"SAO experience gives us an edge."
"It's more than that."
Eugene gazed at Hachiman's team, almost dazzled.
"Watching you, I feel like our old race feuds were so stupid."
"That was the game's design, can't be helped."
"True, but in Aincrad, it feels pointless."
Eugene looked skyward.
"Racial conflicts don't mean much here."
"We'll team up or fight as needed going forward. Here's to more, Eugene, Kagemune."
"Next time, I won't lose."
Hachiman and Eugene shook hands, Kagemune joining in. Floor 21's conquest continued.
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