"Hachiman-san, over here!"
"Careful, running's dangerous."
"But everything looks so fun!"
"Don't trip."
"I'm fine! I'm not clumsy forever… Eek!"
Predictably, Silica stumbled on nothing. Hachiman sighed, stepping to help, but she regained balance impressively. He nodded, impressed. Her SAO and ALO battles had sharpened her once-shaky skills. Silica smirked proudly, though tripping at all showed she had room to grow. Still, Hachiman chose to praise her.
"Nice recovery. Not bad."
"If I fell in battle, I'd take huge damage. I've trained for this!"
Hachiman nearly quipped about not tripping at all but held back, seeing her glee.
"Hachiman-san, let's ride Pan-san's Bamboo Fight!"
"Pan-san, huh?"
"Yes, I love Pan-san!"
Hachiman recalled Yukino's obsession. "Yukino loves Pan-san too."
"Really?! I'll talk to her about it!"
"She's intense. Brace yourself."
Silica tilted her head, puzzled.
"Her Pan-san love is like… a Yukipedia with ten thousand entries."
Silica knew Hachiman's "Yukipedia" nickname for Yukino. "Ten thousand words? That's not that much."
"Not words. Entries."
"Entries?!"
"Her love could save the planet."
Silica gaped, then vowed to discuss it with Yukino.
(Later, Silica endured Yukino's six-hour Pan-san lecture, realizing Hachiman wasn't exaggerating. When she mentioned it to him, he offered to demonstrate. Before Silica, he approached Yukino.
"Hey, Yukino, about Pan-san…"
"Finally noticed his charm? Ask away."
"It's about… [topic]."
"That's… [explanation]. By the way—"
"Wow, mystery solved. You're the world's top Pan-san expert."
"Really? I'm flattered, but I'm not there yet. Pan-san—"
"No, you're unmatched. Keep guiding me with that wisdom."
"Of course!"
"Thanks. So, about world affairs…"
Silica mentally applauded, her admiration for Hachiman growing.)
"Next, that one!" Silica pointed.
"A rollercoaster? You're okay with those?"
"Love them!"
"Let's do it."
…
"Which next? Oh, that looks fun!"
"Another coaster? Alright, if you want."
"Let's go!"
…
"Hachiman-san, that one!"
"…Okay (another coaster…)."
…
"Hachiman-san, now—"
"Hey, Silica, hungry? Wanna grab food?"
"Oh, yes! Let's eat. We can ride that later!"
"Right…"
(I'm doomed to ride it… Better not overeat or I'll hurl.)
Hachiman wobbled from the coaster marathon, while Silica bubbled with energy.
"You look tired. Let's sit," she said.
"Not tired, but I'll humor you."
"No enemies or allies here. You can relax. You're always so tense!"
Hachiman, caught off guard, sat beside her. "I seem that way?"
"Sometimes you're too perfect. It's a bit scary."
"Really?"
"Not bad, but you don't have to protect everyone. Loosen up."
Hachiman gave a wry smile. "Ouch."
"I worry you're overdoing it!"
"I'm fine, but… I used to be lazier."
"That's good! Delegate more, relax. Everyone'd feel better."
"Yeah?"
"I do!"
Hachiman reflected. He'd delegated, but maybe he was overtrying. (Guess I'll chill a bit.)
"Thanks. I'll ease up. Parade's starting. Let's have fun."
"Yes!"
They enjoyed the park until closing. As Rosalia's meeting neared, Hachiman drove Silica to Daisy Café, closed but reserved via Egil. Inside, Egil greeted them.
"How was it? Fun?"
"Yeah."
"Super fun!"
"Great."
Egil nodded toward Rosalia, tense at a table. Silica smiled at Hachiman, then ran to her. Hachiman sat at the counter, watching with Egil. Rosalia, noticing Silica, stood, bowing repeatedly. Silica calmed her, and they sat, talking.
"Hope it goes well," Hachiman said.
"Looks fine," Egil replied.
Rosalia seemed to recount the past, apologetic. Silica soothed her, always smiling. Rosalia's smiles grew.
"Seems good. One less burden," Hachiman said.
"You okay? Carrying too much lately?" Egil asked.
"You too, huh?"
"Someone else said that?"
"Silica, today. I'll relax more. Sorry for worrying you."
"Don't apologize. I've leaned on you too much."
"Didn't feel like it, but maybe I've been overdoing it."
"It's not a duty. Have fun. Asuna probably set this up knowing that."
"Yeah… she's too good for me."
"She might think the same."
As they spoke, Silica ran up. "Hachiman-san, I'm friends with Rosalia now! She'll teach me makeup, confident gestures, and how to handle annoying guys!"
Hachiman shot up, calling Rosalia. "Hey, get over here."
Rosalia flinched but approached, feigning bravado. "What?"
"What're you teaching our Silica?"
"Stuff every girl needs!"
"You, who's all timid around me, can teach that?"
"I'm a pro at work!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
"Hold on." Hachiman called Zaimokuza, confirming her rep. "Unbelievable, but true."
"Told you!"
"Fine, teach her well."
"I will! I won't let Silica feel bad again!"
Silica's eyes widened, and she hugged Rosalia. "Thank you!"
"It's nothing."
"I'm so happy!"
"Me too."
They looked like sisters. Hachiman and Egil nodded. Silica turned to Hachiman.
"If Rosalia teaches me, will I get a great boyfriend like you or Kirito?"
"Sure, but we'll screen him first."
"Please keep me from weirdos!"
"Got it."
Egil doubted any guy would pass. Rosalia hesitantly asked, "What about… someone like you?"
"No chance."
"Let me finish!"
"Shut it."
"Tyrant!"
"Hahaha!"
The café filled with their laughter. Silica and Rosalia reconciled after two years. Hachiman treated them to pricey desserts Egil had stashed. The next morning, both girls paled at the scale.
Hachiman's burdens didn't lighten much, but his heart did.
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