"Welcome back, Yui. Long time no see, Kizmel."
"Papa!"
"You look different, but I sense it's you, Hachiman. I'm glad to see you again."
Yui joyfully hugged Hachiman. Kizmel started toward him but glanced at Asuna and hesitated. Hachiman and Asuna exchanged puzzled looks. Kizmel seemed conflicted, and Asuna whispered to Hachiman.
"Kizmel used to be more open, right?"
"Yeah, she didn't seem to care about restraint before."
"Doesn't it look like she's holding back from hugging you?"
"Definitely feels that way."
Hachiman nodded. Asuna, concerned, spoke up.
"Maybe… a bug? Or some restriction?"
"Doubt it. Harassment rules, maybe?"
"Could be. Let's ask."
"Yeah."
Asuna approached Kizmel casually.
"Hey, Kizmel, what's up? Why the hesitation?"
"I'm not sure myself, but you and Hachiman are a couple, right?"
"Uh, yeah."
Caught off guard by the blunt question, Asuna answered honestly, sensing its importance to Kizmel.
"In human customs, isn't it improper for a paired couple to be touched by another? I've observed humans and concluded as much. So, wanting to hug Hachiman might upset you, Asuna."
"Hachiman, this is…"
"Yup, no doubt. Her AI's evolving."
They marveled. Hachiman wondered why Kizmel's AI was so advanced but found no answers.
(Akihiko-san, what direction did you want for AI? I wish we'd talked more…)
Kayaba Akihiko's AI vision remained a mystery, but Kizmel's would later bear fruit through a certain girl. As Hachiman pondered, Asuna addressed Kizmel.
"Listen, Kizmel."
"Yes?"
"We're a couple, sure, but Yui hugs Hachiman, right? That's because we're family. You're family too, so it's fine."
Kizmel glanced at Yui, who nodded eagerly.
"I see… family. We're family now."
"Yup! But since we're your only family, don't do that with others, okay?"
"Understood."
Kizmel nodded, then cautiously approached Hachiman, wrapping her arms around his back. Hachiman, embraced head-on, glanced awkwardly at Asuna. She smiled, hugging both from behind. Hachiman returned the embrace.
"Family reunion."
"Yeah."
"Papa! Mama! Big Sis Kizmel!"
"Big sister, huh? Family feels… wonderful."
Though Kizmel looked the oldest, she seemed like their daughter in that moment. No blood tied them—two were virtual—yet their family bond was undeniable.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team reached floor 22, just activating the gate.
"Gate activated, done."
"Alright, everyone, this way. It's tricky, so I'll guide," Lizbeth called.
A presence flickered at the gate. A Sylph girl burst out.
"Yo! I camped the gate after hearing rumors, but didn't expect floor 22 this fast! Total win, nobody's here!"
Sakuya spoke first.
"Fuka-jiro? We just activated the gate. Sharp as ever."
"Sakuya-san! Yo, yo! You're the real deal!"
The energetic Fuka-jiro greeted Sakuya. Leafa and Recon, familiar with her, chimed in.
"Fuka-chan, long time!"
"Hey, Fuka-san."
"Leafa, Recon! Not fair, joining such a…"
Fuka-jiro scanned the group, continuing.
"…crazy crew? 'Valhalla Resort,' right? Brand new, but already called the strongest? With Berserk Healer, Abs—Yukino, and the leader—not here—plus Kirito-kun, stronger than General Eugene? And Abs—Soleil too? What kinda cheat guild is this?!"
She pointed at Kirito, rattling off excitedly but avoiding Yukino's nickname. Kirito, flustered, turned to Leafa.
"Who's she?"
"Fuka-jiro-chan, one of Sylph's Four Heavenly Kings, my friend."
"Fuka-jiro here! Nice to meet ya!"
"Uh, yeah…"
Kirito glanced at Eugene while Fuka-jiro greeted others.
"Know her?"
"Yeah, she's strong. Not as strong as me, though."
"Nice."
Fuka-jiro chatted with Leafa's group, but with Hachiman waiting, Kirito decided to move.
"Let's head to the new base."
"New base!?"
Fuka-jiro pounced on the word, eager to tag along. Kirito consulted Yukino.
"What do we do?"
"It'll get out eventually, so no harm. Since no other players are here, get Hachiman's okay to bring her, but make her swear secrecy."
"Good call."
Kirito got Hachiman's approval via comms, and Fuka-jiro was granted guest status. She walked beside Leafa, brimming with curiosity, as did the others, even SAO veterans, eager to see the base's changes. Guided by Lizbeth, they reached the tower outside town.
"Seriously, here? Looks like nothing," Yuiyui said, scanning around.
"Just a tower with no entrance to me," Yumii agreed.
The team glanced at Kirito, confused. He approached the tower.
"This is it, right?"
"Yup, no mistake! So nostalgic," Klein said.
"Klein, don't spill!"
"Whoops…"
Klein's slip drew Fuka-jiro's gaze, but she shrugged it off.
"I've heard some of you are SAO vets. No need to hide it, at least from me."
"Really?"
"Klein, Hachiman planned for this. He said it's impossible not to be noticed," Kirito added.
"For real?"
"Yup, something like that."
Fuka-jiro nodded.
"The hottest gossip is that some of you were SAO's Four Heavenly Kings. True or not?"
Her boldness made Kirito grin wryly, glancing at Leafa and Sakuya.
"Fuka-jiro, you promised—everything here stays secret."
"Of course, Sakuya-san! I'd never betray friends!"
"I trust you. We go way back," Leafa said.
"Thanks, Leafa!"
With their approval, Kirito answered.
"Probably a rumor from SAO players. Same names, so it's no surprise."
"So…?"
"Three of the so-called Four Heavenly Kings are in this guild. I'm one."
Fuka-jiro's stunned expression was priceless. She froze, then snapped back.
"The rumor's true… and three of them? No wonder you're the strongest! Who's the last one?"
"Not around anymore."
"Oh… sorry."
"It's fine."
Fuka-jiro, grasping the weight of Kirito's words, apologized softly. He waved it off.
"The other two are…"
"Me."
"And me!"
"Hachiman, Asuna!"
Voices rang out. The group looked around, spotting an open entrance at the tower's base, where Hachiman and Asuna stood.
"Took you long enough, Black Swordsman," Hachiman teased with a grin.
Kirito started to retort, but Fuka-jiro cut in.
"Not a tank, not Holy Sword. Silver Shadow and Flash? And Kirito-kun's the Black Swordsman! It's real… incredible."
"You're Fuka-jiro? Where'd you hear those names?"
Hachiman, caught off guard but calm, asked.
"Net rumors! Urban legends!"
"Guess you can't stop gossip."
"But no character names were leaked. They say their saviors—heroes who saved their lives—kept names secret. Cool story, right?"
"Yeah…"
Hachiman's eyes welled up, but he looked skyward, holding back tears. Asuna leaned close, and the SAO crew beamed. Hachiman rallied, addressing everyone.
"Thanks for coming, team and guests. This is our new base, our forever home—Valhalla Garden."
-----------------------------
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