Pitohui kept laughing.
"Haha, hahahaha!"
"Too much laughing…"
"But… it's too funny!"
"What's so funny?"
Shana sighed, exasperated. Pitohui, clutching her stomach, managed to speak.
"Thinking Em might actually do that…"
"That's worth laughing over?"
"Em was my stalker originally!"
"What?!"
Shana couldn't hide his shock at her confession.
"Your tricks to charm me, how do you know so much? Are you a god or something?"
"Just a decent guy. Also, 'buddy' now?"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Stop laughing already…"
Pitohui calmed down, her face refreshed, and declared suddenly.
"You know what? I don't care if you're an SAO survivor or not. I'm gonna be your friend!"
"Pass."
Shana shot her down instantly.
"What?! That's too quick!"
"No way I'm friends with someone as dangerous as you."
"Then… lovers?"
"Why would I need anyone less than my world's-best girlfriend?"
"Meet me, I might take first place."
"Never happening. Guaranteed."
"Ugh… how about mistress?"
"I don't cheat."
"Come on, what relationship will you accept?"
"Maybe master and minion."
Shana said it jokingly, but Pitohui's eyes lit up.
"That works!"
"Are you stupid?"
"You said it first!"
"True, but…"
"It's settled! A man doesn't take back his word, right?"
"Since when was I a man?"
"Oh? A woman? Then this is fine, right? I swing both ways."
Pitohui lunged, hugging Shana.
"Hey… let… go!"
"Nope!"
Shana tried to pry her off, but her strength was surprising.
"You brute… let… go!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"I won't meet—"
"Huh? What?"
Pitohui released him swiftly, acting innocent.
"Let's log out. Wasting time."
"You've got some personality…"
"Complimenting me? Falling for me already?"
"Not a compliment, and never happening."
"See you later!"
Winking, Pitohui logged out. Shana clutched his head.
"Asuna… I might've screwed up big time…"
Sighing, he logged out. Back in reality, Hachiman immediately called Rose. He'd mentioned having others watch their meeting, but Rose was the only one he could trust not to care if things went south. She answered instantly.
"…Hello?"
"Whoa, startled me… Did the ringtone even play?"
"I picked up right away."
"Too fast…"
"I wasn't waiting for your call! Just coincidence!"
"Right… Can you come out now?"
"Ready. Where to?"
"Way too fast…"
(She needs me too much. Worrying for her future… Telling her I'm meeting a woman might cause a misunderstanding, but no choice.)
"I'm meeting a woman I don't know well. Can you back me up?"
Hachiman spoke confidently, showing no guilt.
"Got it. You found a lead without my help."
"Not quite, but it's tied to Laughing Coffin. Surprised you didn't misunderstand."
"Of course. I'm your number-one subordinate. Plus, you've got Asuna-sama."
Imagining Rose puffing out her chest, Hachiman felt conflicted.
"Don't call yourself number one."
(Is she competent or just overly loyal? Hard to tell…)
"Then, prime subordinate!"
"Did you eat something weird?"
"Am I not your first subordinate?"
"You're my only one, yeah."
"Good. Instructions, please."
"Alright, here's the plan."
Two hours later, Hachiman and Rose watched from Haruno's office window. He'd chosen the street below for the meetup—perfect for posing as a businessman and calling for backup if needed. A woman appeared, glancing at her watch and scanning the area. Hachiman figured she was Pitohui, but as he moved to tell Rose, she trembled.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"That's… she's disguised, but isn't that Elsa Kanzaki?"
"Elsa Kanzaki? Sounds familiar."
"You don't know? Super popular artist, tickets are near impossible!"
Hachiman recalled Asuna playing Elsa Kanzaki's new song. He pulled it up on his phone.
"This it?"
"Yes! That's her song!"
"No way…"
Rose scoffed.
"You treated a celebrity like a minion? And she agreed?"
"Guess so…"
Stunned by the twist, Hachiman rallied, noting it wasn't confirmed.
"Whatever. No one else is around. I'm going."
"I'll tail and keep watch. Be careful."
"Thanks."
Hachiman left the building, approaching Pitohui. She flinched, then studied him, relaxing when he waved. She waved back, confirming he was Shana.
"Shook the tail, right?"
"Yup, perfectly!"
"So there was a tail…"
"Haha, just like you predicted!"
His phone rang—Rose. He excused himself and answered.
"Trouble?"
"Didn't notice earlier, but there's one tail. They slipped up seeing you."
"Got it. Keep tabs on them."
"Roger."
Hanging up, Hachiman grabbed Pitohui's hand and moved.
"This way."
He retraced his steps into the building. His face pass ensured entry, but Em likely couldn't follow. The entrance could detect bugs, and finding none, Hachiman headed to the back exit, then to a subway. They switched lines at the next station, and he confirmed with Rose that Em had lost them.
"We're clear."
"Clear of what?"
"Em was tailing you."
"Really? He's in for a punishment tomorrow."
"Go easy on him."
Distracted by "punishment," Hachiman missed her saying "tomorrow."
"For a private talk, this'll do."
"Karaoke box?"
"Yup. Private, soundproof."
"Fair enough."
They entered, ordered food and drinks, and settled in.
"Phew…"
"Sorry, Shana. Thought I shook the tail."
"Em's just that good. Don't sweat it."
Hachiman fiddled with the remote, queuing a song.
"Singing before we talk?"
"Not quite."
As the song played, Pitohui gasped.
"That's…"
"Your song, right? Elsa Kanzaki."
Staring at Hachiman, Pitohui stood before a monitor showing a smiling girl with her face—Elsa Kanzaki.
The title "Two Faces" refers to Pitohui and Elsa Kanzaki, as well as Elsa and her monitor image. Man, Rose and Pito have some wild personalities…
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