"Alright, everyone! A toast to today's victory!"
Since they were still in the middle of a war and confined to the fortress, the spread was modest, but Shana and the others held their victory party nonetheless. Even Rosalia joined in, her face beaming through the monitor.
"I must say, Shana-boy, that's an incredible haul of loot," Okka-san remarked, looking over the spoils. "If these are just the items you personally snagged, I can't even imagine what the total count looks like."
"The devs will probably tighten the drop rates soon, but for now, the GGO economy seems stable enough. Do whatever you like with the loot, Okka-san. Use it however you see fit."
"This will go a long way in funding support for the female players," she said, her face glowing with satisfaction. "I really made the right choice siding with you, Shana-boy."
In GGO, obtaining decent starting firearms was notoriously difficult. New female players, in particular, were often subjected to "requests"—unpleasant demands that danced just on the edge of harassment—in exchange for gear. Okka-san explained that this gatekeeping was a major reason why the female player base remained so small; she wanted to use these resources to provide them an alternative.
"I'm just glad we won," Shana said. "And without any casualties on our side."
"Though some of us are bound to get picked off eventually," Okka-san added pragmatically.
"It's war; that's the nature of the beast. But I'd like to keep that number as close to zero as possible. Even if dying in-game doesn't carry much real risk."
Okka-san turned her gaze toward Shana's companions, watching them relax. "Kurou... or rather, Kyurou... you've certainly gathered an extraordinary group of people around you."
"It's not quite like that, Okka-san," Sinon interjected. "At least for Pito and me... we only changed after we met Shana."
"Exactly," Pitohui added. "It wasn't that he scouted strong people; it's that we grew once we were together. My M is a prime example of that. Well, everyone except Shiz, anyway."
Okka-san watched Shizuka, who was currently laughing and chatting with Eve, Misaki, and Eva.
"Shizuka... she really is something else," Okka-san mused. "Beyond her skill, she has the air of someone born to lead. Much like you, Shana-boy. You're so young, yet you've clearly seen enough to grow into that role."
Shana's expression clouded slightly. "I did it out of necessity."
The answer seemed to amuse Okka-san. She let out a boisterous laugh. "Aha! Necessity? In a peaceful country like Japan, I can only think of one situation where such a 'necessity' would exist."
"...Pretty much."
"I see, I see. Well, I won't pry. You're a man after my own heart, Shana. I'd love to share a real drink with you once you've put some years on your bones. I suppose I'll have to wait a while longer, though."
"Actually, age-wise, I'm legal now."
"Oh? A bit older than you look, then. Though, if you're a student at that school, I suppose it makes sense."
Okka-san spoke with the knowing look of someone who had connected the dots. Shana didn't elaborate, and the conversation shifted to the future.
"So, Shana-boy, what's the move from here?"
"Anyone who can't reach this fortress is effectively disqualified. We're going to use our mobility to hunt down whoever is left. It'll be like a game of Whac-A-Mole."
"Didn't you think that was a bit cruel when you heard the rules?"
"I did," Shana admitted with a wry smile.
"Most will probably just forfeit," Okka-san noted.
"We won't know the final count of dropouts until tomorrow night. Until then, we wait and see. It's possible we're expecting two hundred squadrons, only for ten to actually show up."
Okka-san nodded, and with the tactical discussion over, she prepared to wrap up.
"Are we free for the night? What about the night-time defenses?"
"I'm having all the entrances sealed tight. No one gets in. They won't unlock until tomorrow evening, and I'm going to announce on the nightly broadcast that coming here before then is a waste of time."
"You... you even have editing rights for the Soleil broadcasts?" Okka-san stared at him, genuinely taken-back.
"Well... yes."
"Just who are you, really? No, never mind. If fate smiles on us, perhaps we'll meet in the flesh someday."
"I hope so."
Shana glanced around the room before turning back to her. "Actually, Okka-san, want to head up to the roof for a bit? The air is fresh, and it'll be a nice change of pace before we log."
"Hmph. The view from up there is exquisite. I suppose flirting with a younger man for a few minutes wouldn't hurt."
"Go easy on me," Shana joked.
As they headed up, Shana discreetly messaged Gloria to lock the path behind them. Once they were alone under the digital stars, Okka-san turned to him.
"So, what's the secret, Shana-boy? What can't be said in front of the others?"
"It's about Eve, Okka-san."
Okka-san blinked in surprise. "Ho? Eve, not Misaki? At your age, I figured you'd be more interested in Misaki's connections—especially if you were looking for a job later."
"No, I'm set on that front."
"I see... you really do have secrets, don't you?"
"Okka-san," Shana asked directly, "how much do you actually know?"
"I haven't done a formal background check, so it's all conjecture," she began. "But I know you're a prominent name among the SAO Survivors. I know you're in your early twenties. And seeing you in action today... I suspect you might be the one they called 'Hachiman of SAO.'"
"I see."
"I looked into that name once out of curiosity—long before I met you here."
"The SAO Hachiman? Not the ALO one?"
"But I couldn't find anything beyond the surface-level internet rumors. Your files seem to be under government lock and key. Are you actually someone important, Shana?"
"Hard to say. I just did what I had to do."
"Well, thanks to what you did, my daughter was saved. I should take this chance to thank you properly. Truly, thank you, Shana-boy... or should I say, Hachiman."
Shana froze, his mind racing to process her words. "Wait... what?"
"My daughter told me she met you once," Okka-san continued.
"She did? If you don't mind me asking... what was her name?"
"In the game, she went by Sasha. She spent her time playing sister in a church."
Shana's eyes widened as the memory surfaced. "Wait! Sasha-san?! That Sasha-san? Shoulder-length hair, looked great in glasses?"
"You do remember her. Then it's true... and your real name is Hachiman Hikigaya, isn't it?"
"How do you...?" Shana was stunned. She had just told him his info was blocked.
"Heh, simple enough. My daughter is currently a teacher at your alma mater. One of her senior colleagues told her there was once an SAO Survivor by that name at the school. She wondered if it was the same person and asked the teacher to introduce her, but the teacher refused, citing privacy concerns. You had a good teacher looking out for you, Shana-boy."
"Ah... yes. I have a lot of respect for her." Shana made a mental note to send Shizuka Hiratsuka a gift. (I'll ask Klein for advice... and I should go visit Sasha-san.)
"We got off track," Shana said, refocusing. "As I was saying, it's Eve I'm interested in, not Misaki. I'll be blunt: is she trustworthy?"
"I met her at an offline gathering once," Okka-san said. "I got a bit tipsy and started talking about my daughter. The girl pulled out a laptop right there and then, started accessing all sorts of secure nodes at lightning speed. Then she looked at me and said, 'Sorry, Okka-san, the encryption is too tight.' That sobered me up real quick. I reached out to a contact I have in the government, a man named Kikuoka..."
"Wait, wait. You know Kikuoka?"
"Of course. He helped me with my daughter's transition back to reality. I assume you know him too?"
"Yeah... something like that." It made sense, Shana realized. Kikuoka was the head of the SAO task force; of course he would know the parents of the survivors.
"Kikuoka's answer was this: 'The government is monitoring her, so don't worry. We're actually hoping to hire her ourselves eventually.' But apparently, the girl hates the idea of a stiff government job. So, I figured I'd see if you were interested."
"I see. So she's government-vetted. That works for me."
"Well? Will you take her under your wing?"
"Yes. I'll guarantee her a position at my company."
Okka-san tilted her head. "At the company you're going to build?"
"That part is a secret. But if you're worried, you can ask Kikuoka if my name carries enough weight to make that promise."
"Just who are you?" Okka-san laughed again. "Fine. I'll leave her in your hands."
"I accept the responsibility."
With the deal struck, Shana decided to act immediately. "Okka-san, could you send Eve up here?"
"Moving fast, I see. I'll send her up."
When Eve arrived, she was fidgeting nervously. "Calling me out to a deserted place like this... Shana-sama, you lecher..."
"I'm used to that routine, Eve; it won't work on me. Misaki taught you that, didn't she? Sit down, we have serious business to discuss."
"Uugh, Misaki lied... she said it worked every time." Eve immediately bounced back to her usual cheerful self. "So, what's up, Shana-sama?"
"I'll give it to you straight. Do you want to work for me?"
"Wait, you have a job? In the real world? In a field that needs a hacker?"
"I'm still a student, but the company I'm joining needs your skills."
Eve didn't hesitate for a second. "I figured you were a man of mystery! Okay, I'm in. I'll go wherever you are, Shana-sama!"
"That was fast! Don't you want the details?"
"Eh? Why? If anything happens, I know you'll protect me. This whole war is proof of that, isn't it?"
"Fair enough. Where are you located?"
Eve blinked, her playful side returning. "Wow, you're aggressive! I'm at home... wait, are you calling me out right now? Shana-sama, you're so bold!"
"Sooner the better. Give me a location and I'll come get you."
"U-Uh, okay! Meet me in front of the Radio Kaikan in Akihabara!"
"Why there?"
"Because it's the easiest landmark near my house!"
"Fine. I'll send you my number. When you see someone who looks like me, call it."
"Got it!"
Shana quickly messaged Rosalia, telling her to stay at the office with Argo. The party wound down shortly after as the Genji Army logged out, spirits high for the days to come.
As soon as Hachiman logged out and returned to the real world, his phone buzzed with an unknown number.
"Hello? Shana-sama? It's Eve."
"That was fast..."
"I had to make sure the number was real!"
"I guess that's fair."
"So, when can you get to Rad-Kai?"
"I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Okay! See you then!"
Hachiman got ready and headed toward Akihabara in his Kit. His phone rang three more times on the way—all from Eve. Her excuse? "I saw a handsome guy and I really hoped it was you, so I had to check!"
"Good grief," Hachiman muttered.
As he pulled up to Radio Kaikan, his phone rang again. "I'm here."
"Yay! Jackpot! You're perfect!"
Hachiman felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find a beautiful girl with short black hair, dressed in elaborate Gothic Lolita fashion, standing there with a triumphant grin.
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