The room was transfixed by Godfrey's unabashed tears. A grown man clinging to his former classmate, laughing and crying like a child, was a sight rarely seen in everyday life. Yet his tears were raw, a pure outpouring of emotion. No one—except Yukko, Haruka, and their clique—found the scene distasteful or embarrassing. The clique, unsettled by the spectacle, began to wonder if Hayama's claims about Hachiman were true. A flicker of panic crossed their faces as they glanced at Yukko and Haruka, who, refusing to back down, doubled down on their attacks against Hachiman and the still-clinging Godfrey.
"What kind of grown man acts this pathetic?" Yukko sneered.
"You sure you're not mistaking him for someone else? This guy was a total pariah in high school, you know," Haruka added.
Godfrey's sobbing stopped abruptly. He rose, facing the two head-on, his voice low and chilling.
"So what?"
His words carried a razor-sharp edge, his presence swelling like a mountain. Among SAO survivors, the frontline players were a breed apart, often harboring traits that set them apart from society. They hid these quirks to blend into the real world, but Godfrey had just unleashed his restraints, revealing a fury that could overwhelm most. Even Yukino and the others, seasoned by their own trials, could barely withstand his intensity. Minami, his own daughter, collapsed to the floor, stunned by this unfamiliar side of her father. Some in the room might've lost their nerve entirely, but let's leave that unmentioned.
Amid the tension, only Hachiman and Asuna remained unfazed, addressing Godfrey as if nothing were amiss.
"Ease up, Godfrey," Hachiman said calmly.
"Yeah, they're just kids talking nonsense. Don't sweat it," Asuna added with a shrug.
Their words seemed casual on the surface, but their presence dwarfed even Godfrey's, exuding a regal authority. Godfrey turned to them, nodding with a smile.
"You're right, Commander, Vice-Commander."
The onlookers could no longer deny it—Hayama's words were true. Godfrey extended a hand to Minami, gently helping her up, and spoke to her as if teaching a child a vital lesson.
"Listen, Minami. These two are my saviors. Sure, they helped clear the game, but it's more than that. They literally put their lives on the line to save me from danger. Real saviors."
"Y-Yeah," Minami nodded, taking it in.
"If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here talking to you. I'd have fallen into an enemy trap and died—I'm certain of it."
"I understand…"
"So you and I, we can never forget to be grateful to them. Remember that."
"Got it," Minami said, nodding earnestly.
Godfrey turned to Yukko and Haruka, continuing in the same measured tone.
"I don't know what history you have with the Commander and his group. But let me make one thing clear. The world we were trapped in? Imagine a city where murderers roam with weapons, and tigers and lions prowl just outside. One slip, and you're dead. But these two didn't just survive—they saved others, led countless comrades, unmasked the true enemy, and defeated them, saving six thousand lives. Can any ordinary person do that? They're heroes in the truest sense. And I'm the proof."
Hachiman and Asuna listened silently, but at Godfrey's final line—"And I'm the proof"—they couldn't help but snicker. The oppressive atmosphere dissolved, and the crowd let out a collective sigh of relief.
"That was intense…" Yukino murmured.
"Seriously, I was freaking out," Yumiko admitted.
"I couldn't even move," Yui added.
"Hearing it straight from a survivor? Hikitani-kun's legit unreal. Max respect!" Tobe exclaimed.
"Hikigaya really is something else," Hayama said.
"Way to go, Hachiman! You're amazing!" Totsuka cheered.
"Guys, come on, you're embarrassing me," Hachiman muttered, rubbing his neck.
All he wanted was to catch up with friends, but now he was regretting not meeting Godfrey outside. The room buzzed with admiration for Hachiman, but Yukko and Haruka's voices cut through, shrill and defiant.
"What's the big deal?!" Yukko screamed. "He didn't save me! What do I care about some hero who saved six thousand people? I just hate him, okay? What's wrong with hating someone I can't stand?"
"Exactly! So what if he did something in a game? That means nothing in the real world. We're in college, and he's still loafing around in high school. He's a loser—a total failure at life!" Haruka added.
Hachiman, hearing their tirade, almost admired their audacity. Even after Godfrey's display, with their clique visibly backing away, they stood their ground with shameless bravado. They were probably desperate, but their sheer nerve was something else, he thought. Still, their words crossed a line, and Hayama and Tobe rose slowly, their faces stern. Yukino, Yui, and Yumiko, veins pulsing with anger, started toward Yukko. Even Totsuka, rarely ruffled, looked furious. Godfrey, aware he was an outsider, held back, watching Hachiman and Asuna for cues.
Then, Asuna stepped forward. The moment Hachiman saw her move, he turned, urgently gathering his friends and whispering in a panicked tone.
"Shit, Asuna's pissed. This is, like, next-level bad."
"For real, Hikitani-kun?" Tobe gasped.
"Seriously?" Hayama asked.
"She's just smiling and walking forward," Yukino observed skeptically.
Asuna's smile was radiant, but Yukko and Haruka glared at her, dismissing her as an outsider.
"What? You don't even belong here. Stay out of it," Yukko snapped.
"Yeah, just because you're pretty doesn't mean you get to butt in!" Haruka added.
Asuna's response was a barrage of words so unlike her usual self that it stunned everyone.
"Are you indirectly admitting you're not pretty? Or maybe you're just bitter because guys don't give you the time of day? Or is it that my boyfriend's insanely cool and has a bright future, and you're jealous? Well, that's probably because your hearts are so ugly. Maybe try working on that? Oh, and why am I an outsider? My precious boyfriend just got insulted by some random nobodies with zero clue, and I'm supposed to just sit here? Hmm?"
Her friends froze, realizing Hachiman's warning was spot-on.
"Holy crap, she's terrifying…" Tobe whispered.
"What do we do?" Yui asked, panicked.
"Don't cross Asuna, no matter what. If this turns physical, I'll handle it. Just be ready," Hachiman instructed.
"G-Got it," Yumiko stammered.
"Okay…" Yukino agreed.
The group braced themselves, ready to react. As Asuna opened her mouth to continue, a new figure burst onto the scene, followed by another rushing to stop them. A third trailed behind, scanning the room with curious eyes.
"Hey, hold up, this is a bad idea!" the first figure shouted.
"What? Staying quiet now would totally kill our rep!" the second protested.
"Maybe, but if they find out we're here, we're toast!" the first shot back.
"We're already busted, so who cares?" the second laughed.
"It's your fault we're in this mess! Ugh, Chief, help me stop her!" the first pleaded.
"I'm just here for the show, yo," the third replied nonchalantly.
"Yo, I'm here as promised!" the second figure called out, spotting Hachiman.
"Uh… no, it's not like that…" the first stammered, meeting Hachiman's gaze.
The third smirked, watching the chaos unfold. Hachiman sighed, wondering why trouble always piled up like this, and addressed the trio.
"What do you mean 'as promised'? And why the hell are you guys here?"
It was Elsa, whom they'd just parted ways with, Rose trying to rein her in, and Argo, who rarely ventured out. What was supposed to be a simple reunion was spiraling into absolute chaos.
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