"I've already cleared it with Asuna. You can log in from here, Kurisu."
"…I have to ask, Hachiman. Why exactly is there a dedicated 'Asuna's Room' in your house?"
Kazuto leaned against the doorframe, offering a sympathetic shrug. "It's better if you don't think too hard about it, Makise-san. It's just how things are here."
Hachiman crossed his arms, looking deeply weary. "It's not like I had a choice. My parents are… desperate."
"Desperate?" Kurisu echoed.
"Apparently, they've convinced themselves that if they let Asuna slip through their fingers, I'll be single for the rest of my life."
"No way!" Kazuto interjected with a laugh. "That's a bit extreme, even for them."
"I wish I were joking. My parents are so obsessed with her they basically built this shrine to her by themselves."
Kurisu scanned the room, her expression deadpan. "So, they didn't just fill the outer moats—they've completely paved over the inner ones, too. You're trapped."
"They were more than happy to do the paving themselves," Hachiman muttered.
"Why don't you two just get married already?"
"Hey, we're still students. Slow down."
Kurisu gave him a long, skeptical look. "…And why exactly are you still a student? You're clearly operating on a different level."
"Shut up. I'm making up for my lost youth, alright?"
"Hmph. Well, as long as you're enjoying yourself."
Kurisu sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Excuse me then."
"That mattress costs more than my entire bedroom set, apparently."
"It is incredibly comfortable," Kurisu noted, running a hand over the sheets. "Maybe I should stay over sometime and sleep here with Asuna."
"Sure. Feel free to teach her some science while you're at it."
Hachiman kept his tone casual. He knew that building a bridge between Asuna and a world-renowned researcher like Kurisu could only benefit Asuna in the long run. Meanwhile, Kazuto, feeling a bit awkward staying in Asuna's private space, had already retreated back to Hachiman's room.
"Alright, I'm heading to the starting point while you set up your name and race. Just tell me what race you're picking."
Kurisu paused, a rare look of indecision crossing her face. "…Be honest. What race do you think would suit me?"
"Huh?"
"It's a difficult choice! If I pick something like a Cait Sith, I know for a fact that Okabe and Faris will never let me hear the end of it."
Hachiman didn't even blink. "Well, there's your answer."
"What?"
"When in doubt, go with the first thing you mentioned. That is the choice of Steins;Gate."
Kurisu blinked, then huffed. "You've spent way too much time around Okabe…"
Realizing how silly it was to overthink it, she finally told Hachiman she'd go with the Cait Sith.
"Got it. Kazuto and I will be there to pick you up in no time. If anyone gives you trouble, just tell them you're a new member of Valhalla and that Hachiman and Kirito are on their way. That should shut them up."
"Oh? So it's like flashing the Shogun's crest? 'Bow down before me!'"
"Or the cherry blossom tattoo of Toyama no Kinsan," Hachiman added.
"My, you're quite well-versed in old period dramas."
"I'm a humanities student. I've got a soft spot for history."
"Hobbies don't care about your major," Kurisu teased.
"Yeah, yeah."
After Hachiman left, Kurisu adjusted the Amusphere and dived into the world of ALO.
"Whoa… seeing videos is one thing, but actually being here is a different world entirely."
"You're late!"
The moment Krishna materialized, Hachiman and Kirito were already standing before her. Having seen their avatars in videos, she recognized them instantly.
"S-Sorry! I got caught up reading every single word of the tutorial… nya."
"Why would you do that? Never mind. I'll show you how to fly—"
"I already mastered the theory from the tutorial… nya."
Hachiman stared at her. (Why the hell is she adding 'nya' to everything?)
He glanced at Kirito, who looked equally bewildered. Hachiman shrugged and turned back to her.
"Mastered the theory, huh? Fine. Try to follow us."
"Understood! Leave it to me, nya!"
That was it. Hachiman couldn't ignore it any longer. He and Kirito exchanged a look before turning back to the red-headed cat-girl.
"Okay, I have to ask. Why have you been saying 'nya' at the end of every sentence?"
"I thought I misheard it at first," Kirito added, "but you're definitely doing it on purpose."
"Wait, what!?" Kurisu's voice went up an octave in pure shock.
"…'What' what?"
"But… Yukino-san told me! She said, 'It is the unwritten law that anyone who chooses the Cait Sith race must speak with a nya suffix!'"
Hachiman buried his face in his hand. "That woman…"
"Classic Yukino…" Kirito groaned.
"Wait… she lied to me?"
"Listen, Krishna," Hachiman said, his voice flat. "Yukino is a cat fanatic. When cats are involved, her personality undergoes a total systemic collapse."
"Last time we went to a cat cafe," Kirito whispered, "she threw a tantrum and refused to leave. Hachiman had to practically drag her out of the shop while she was clinging to the furniture."
"I… I had no idea…"
Krishna replayed her last few minutes of dialogue in her head. Her face turned a shade of red that matched her hair. Without warning, she swung a punch at Hachiman.
"Ow! What was that for!?"
"..."
"Come again?"
Kurisu was trembling, her voice a tiny, mortified squeak. Then, losing all composure, she screamed:
"I SAID FORGET IT!"
"Forget what?"
"Ugh…!"
"Hey, Hachiman," Kirito said, seeing the mischievous glint in his friend's eye.
"No, no, Kirito. I'm trying to be a good friend and forget, but I just can't remember what it is I'm supposed to be forgetting. What was it? Come on, Krishna, tell me… nya."
Hachiman floated up into the air, hovering a few meters up with a smug grin. Krishna's eyes narrowed. She took off after him with surprising grace, lunging for his neck.
"Hold still! I'm going to kill you!"
"Whoa! How are you flying so smoothly already!?"
"I told you, I mastered the theory!"
"Damn, she really is a genius… Kirito, run for it!"
"Wait, Hachiman—hey!"
"We're heading for Aincrad!"
"Right!"
"Get back here, you jerk!"
The three of them streaked across the sky, gaining altitude rapidly. Suddenly, the massive, floating iron castle of Aincrad came into view. Krishna came to a dead stop, her jaw dropping.
"That's Aincrad," Hachiman said, his voice softening. "Krishna, welcome to ALO—and to the Castle."
He reached out, taking her hand and guiding her toward the entrance. As they landed on the threshold, Krishna looked down and felt a wave of vertigo.
"Whoops. You okay?"
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