"What, it's just Minami."
"Didn't know you were here."
"Uh… long time no see…"
The two girls, Yukko and Haruka, addressed Minami with icy tones, completely ignoring her attempt at a greeting. It was clear that any connection between them and Minami had long since frayed. Trembling slightly but refusing to back down, Minami stepped toward Hachiman. The onlookers, unsure whether she was here to confront him or had some other purpose, fell into an uneasy silence.
Hachiman, wary yet nostalgic, greeted her casually.
"Yo, Sagami. Been a while."
"Y-Yeah, it has."
Seeing Minami approach without hostility, Hachiman felt a flicker of curiosity. As he pondered, Yumiko, seated beside him, leaned in and whispered.
"Hachiman, when you got trapped in SAO, Sagami heard about it and cried in class."
"What? For real?"
Caught off guard, Hachiman slipped into his old, blunt way of speaking.
"Yep. After that, she was kinda isolated in class," Yumiko continued. "I don't like seeing people left out, so I let her hang with our group sometimes. But she never really fit in. Guess it's 'cause she was always at the hospital—someone she knows was admitted or something."
"Got it."
Hachiman absorbed Yumiko's words, studying Minami's face. She gazed back, her eyes brimming with something unspoken.
"What's up? Got something to say? If it's about old grudges—"
"No, it's not that. I… I need to ask you something."
Minami cut him off, her tone serious. Sensing this wasn't a casual matter, Hachiman straightened up, ready to listen. But not everyone was pleased.
"Hey, Minami, we're in the middle of talking to him," Yukko snapped.
"Yeah, can you not interrupt?" Haruka added.
"It's related to what you're talking about," Minami replied firmly.
Her words caught Yukko and Haruka off guard, silencing them.
"So, can I ask?"
"Sure, if it's something I can answer," Hachiman said.
"Okay, so… my dad, he's kinda old but loves games."
"…Huh?"
Hachiman blinked, thrown by the sudden shift. What's she getting at?
"Sorry, that came out of nowhere," Minami said, her voice earnest. "But please, just hear me out. It's something only you can answer…"
"Alright, go ahead."
Hachiman nodded, settling in to listen.
"Thank you. So, um, back in high school, my dad… he was playing SAO…"
"No way. You mean—"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Damn…"
Hachiman's eyes widened as the weight of her words sank in. The others around them, hearing this for the first time, exchanged stunned glances.
"When I heard about you, it reminded me of my dad, and I… I cried in class," Minami admitted.
"Oh, that's why you were crying back then," Yumiko interjected.
"Y-Yeah," Minami confirmed.
(Sagami crying over me? That makes sense now,) Hachiman thought, piecing together Yumiko's earlier comment.
"My dad came back safely around the same time you did," Minami continued.
"That's great to hear," Hachiman said.
"Yeah, thanks. But here's the thing… Hachiman, the player named 'Hachiman'… was that you?"
Hachiman tensed, wary of her intentions. "What're you getting at?"
Minami shook her head, hesitating before speaking softly. "My dad… he said that person saved him. He talked about it like it was the greatest thing, so happy…"
"Seriously?"
Hachiman was floored by the coincidence, relieved to know he'd helped a classmate's father, even if he didn't know who it was. Then Minami dropped another name.
"And… do you know someone named Asuna?"
The mention of Asuna made Yukino, Yui, Yumiko, Hayama, and Tobe perk up. Hachiman dropped his guard and asked, "Your dad mentioned her too?"
"Yeah. He talks about you two all the time, like you're his heroes. Apparently, he was, like, your subordinate in the game."
"…What?"
Hachiman's mind raced, mentally flipping through the faces of the Knights of the Blood Oath members. A subordinate? Gotta be one of them. Steeling himself, he asked, "Sagami, did your dad ever mention his SAO player name?"
"My dad's? Yeah, it was… Godfrey, I think."
"Godfrey!?"
"Y-Yeah, that's it. You know him?"
"Yeah…" Hachiman said, stunned. "Hey, you said your dad drove you here, right? Is he still nearby? Can I meet him?"
"Um, yeah, he should be close."
"Great. Let's get him here."
"Really? Okay!"
Hachiman pulled out his phone and dialed. "Asuna, Godfrey wants to see us. You done with that dinner thing? Cool, I'll cover the taxi—get to this place ASAP."
Minami, catching on, made a call of her own. "Dad? Can you come to where I am? There's someone I want you to meet. No, not a boyfriend! Just… hurry, okay?"
The group sensed something big was brewing and watched in silence, waiting to see what would happen. Tobe broke the tension, leaning toward Hachiman.
"Hikitani-kun, Asuna's coming here?"
"Yup."
"Sweet! I haven't seen her since she recovered. Gonna be awesome!"
"Yeah, you're right," Hachiman said, nodding as Hayama chimed in with agreement.
"You know her too, Tobe?" Minami asked, puzzled.
"Oh yeah, Asuna's Hikitani-kun's girl!" Tobe grinned.
"What? For real?" Minami's jaw dropped, and the other classmates stared at Hachiman in shock.
Something extraordinary was unfolding, and everyone could feel it. Then, Asuna arrived.
"Hachiman-kun!"
"Asuna, what's with that outfit?"
"Hehe, does it look good?"
"Damn, I'd take you home right now."
Asuna, inexplicably dressed in a stunning gown, had come straight from her dinner event. She threw her arms around Hachiman, who returned the embrace with a grin. The sudden appearance of a dazzling woman sent the room into a frenzy. Their chemistry was undeniable, their bond as strong as steel.
"Asuna-san, long time no see!" Hayama said.
"Hey, Asuna-san, been a while!" Tobe added.
"Hayama-kun, Tobe-kun! It's great to see you!" Asuna replied, her smile warm as she greeted them.
"Sorry for crashing like this, Yukino, Yui, Yumiko—I hope it's okay?" Asuna said.
"Don't worry, Asuna. You're always welcome," Yukino replied, with Yui and Yumiko nodding in agreement.
Minami, watching, muttered, "You all know her too…"
"We're, like, besties with Asuna," Yumiko said proudly.
"Wow…" Minami whispered.
Just then, the door swung open, and a burly middle-aged man stepped inside.
"Dad!" Minami called.
"Minami, what's going on?" he asked.
Hachiman and Asuna locked eyes with the man, instantly recognizing Godfrey. He looked a bit thinner than his in-game avatar, but that was to be expected. Minami pointed at Hachiman.
"Dad, do you know him?"
"Hm?"
Godfrey followed her gesture, and the moment he realized who it was, he let out a booming cry and charged at Hachiman. Amid startled gasps from nearby girls, he enveloped Hachiman in a bear hug.
"Commander! Hachiman, my Commander!"
"Good to see you, Godfrey. Also, ouch—let go."
"Oh, sorry! I just… I've missed you so much!"
Godfrey's eyes welled with tears as he spoke.
"Haha, what a crazy coincidence. Who'd have thought your daughter was my old classmate?" Hachiman said.
Godfrey turned to Minami, incredulous. "Is that true, Minami?"
"Yup, it's true, Dad."
"What a twist of fate! I'm beyond moved!" Godfrey exclaimed.
"Dad, you're embarrassing me!" Minami groaned.
Asuna tapped Godfrey's shoulder lightly. "Hm? Who's—Vice-Commander! It's the Vice-Commander!"
"Hey, Godfrey-san, it's been a while," Asuna said warmly.
"You two are still together?" Godfrey asked, eyes wide.
"Yup, we're a couple," Asuna confirmed with a smile.
"That's… that's just wonderful…" Godfrey broke into sobs, unashamed.
Hachiman and Asuna patted his shoulders, and through his tears, Godfrey's face lit up with a radiant smile.
------------------------------
I've uploaded about 30–40 chapters on Patreon.
If you like this story and want to read it first, you can support me here:
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]