Daizen looked sheepish. "Sorry. My bad."
"It's fine as long as there aren't any outsiders around. I've got my own 'circumstances,' so it's better if that name doesn't get out."
"Got it... Well, it'd be bad if I slipped up by trying to use two different names, so I'll just stick to Mai-chan from now on."
"You're so serious, Daizen-kun. I really wonder why you aren't more popular with the girls."
"S-shut up! Mind your business!"
"Ahahaha!"
"I've brought the plants."
"Oh, thank you for your hard work. Come in."
Bara called out from inside and opened the door to the secretary's office. It happened to be a full house; Minami and Kurusu were also there, meaning Hachiman's entire roster of "candidate secretaries" was present.
"Right then, I'll just put these—" Kazuto started, then froze as he made eye contact with Bara. "...Wait. Rosalia?"
Bara's face went pale. "Eh...? Ah... K-Kirito-san..."
It was their first meeting since the clearing of SAO. Bara shrank back, looking terrified, but Kazuto simply offered her a calm, easy smile.
"Whoa, don't look so scared. Was this how you acted when you ran into Hachiman, too?"
"I... yeah. Honestly, I think I was even more scared of him."
"Man, really? He's that intimidating, huh?"
Kazuto's smile softened into something more genuine. "Look, the past is the past. You're working hard here now, right? If Hachiman forgave you, then that's all that matters. Don't sweat it."
"I... okay... But what I did... it's not something that can just be forgiven..." Bara whispered, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Kazuto reached out and gave her shoulder a firm, encouraging pat.
"Then just spend your time from here on out doing work that helps people. If we're talking about past sins, I'm in the same boat as you. We shouldn't forget what happened back then, but we shouldn't let it chain us down forever either."
"Right..."
"Besides," Kazuto added, studying her face. "You look much better now than you used to. Like a completely different person. Back then, just looking at you was enough to put me in a bad mood."
Bara pouted slightly, a hint of her old spark returning. "H-hey! Don't say that! I know it was bad, okay?"
"Hahaha! There's the spirit. You can treat me normally, just like you do with Hachiman. I'm Kazuto—Kazuto Kirigaya."
"Okay... Thank you... Kazuto."
Kazuto then turned his attention to Minami and Kurusu. "And who might you two be?"
"Oh, I'm Minami Sagami. Hachiman's former classmate. I'm... well, his secretary-in-training, I guess."
"I am Kurusu Mamiya," the other girl said with a formal bow. "I am Master Hachiman's... what am I?"
"Don't ask me!" Minami sighed. "How about just 'subordinate'?"
"That feels lacking... Hmm. Servant? Slave? Concubine, if possible?"
"K-Kurusu! You're being way too blunt!" Minami cried.
"I still feel like those terms don't quite capture the gravity of my devotion."
"Just say subordinate! Please!"
"Ugh... Fine. I am his subordinate."
Kazuto let out a dry, weary laugh as he looked at Minami. "Sagami-san... I think you've got your work cut out for you."
"Yeah... Both Bara-san and Kurusu like Hachiman a little too much," Minami sighed.
"I-I don't...!" Bara stammered.
"Master Hachiman is my God. That is an immutable fact," Kurusu added.
Kazuto gave Minami a sympathetic look. "I mean this from the bottom of my heart: Good luck. You're gonna need it."
"Th-thanks..."
Kazuto turned back to Bara one last time. "I'll probably be joining the company eventually myself, so I'll be in your care when that happens, Rosalia."
"Yeah. I'll be waiting."
"And stop being so stiff! You're a beautiful girl with a great figure—stand tall and have some confidence."
"B-beautiful? Ah... thanks..."
Bara's face flushed deep red at the compliment. Kazuto frowned, noticing something unnatural about her color. It wasn't just a bashful blush.
"Hey... for just being complimented, you look a little too red. Are you feeling okay?"
"Oh, I... yeah. I've just felt a little off since this morning..."
"Don't push it. If you need to rest, rest."
"I can't. I have to lead the school tours after this."
"I see. Well, I'll mention it to Hachiman. Once the tours are over, go home and get some sleep."
"Thanks, I will."
"Right. Good luck."
It would be only moments after Kazuto relayed this concern to Hachiman that Bara would finally reach her limit and collapse.
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