"No, Kirito-kun wants to look at items, so I'm about to guide him through the shop."
"Got it. I'll head over."
"Alright."
(This is getting interesting...) Sinon thought with sheer schadenfreude as she stepped inside the shop where Kirito was waiting.
"This one and this one?"
"Yeah. I'll teach you how to use them later."
"Thanks, that helps."
Kirito and Sinon were smoothly picking out their supplies.
(Timing-wise, he should be here soon... Ah, there he is.)
Spotting Shana's arrival, Sinon alerted Kirito. "Kirito-kun, Shana's over there."
"Oh! Saved me the trouble of looking for him. Alright..."
Kirito marched straight over to Shana and stood resolutely in front of him.
"Yo, Shana."
"Ah."
"Take this first. I'm paying you back in full."
"Oho?"
Shana looked surprised as Kirito shoved a pouch full of credits into his hands.
"H-How did you earn all this?"
"Over there."
"Over there?"
Shana followed Kirito's pointing finger and immediately pieced together what had happened.
"Are you serious...?"
"Hmph." Kirito puffed out his chest proudly. "I couldn't stand being indebted to a pervert like you!"
(P-Pervert...? Still treated as a pervert, huh...) Shana thought internally.
"Looks like you're entering the BoB too. If we get matched up, I'm definitely going to kick your ass!"
"Uh..."
Uncertain how to respond to the sudden declaration, Shana glanced awkwardly at Sinon. Seeing Sinon desperately trying to hold back her laughter, Shana understood the situation.
(I did tell Sinon to keep quiet, but man, it turned out like this... Well, if he picks a fight with me in public like this, it helps build his reputation as Kirito. Guess it can't be helped...)
Accepting the premise, Shana decided to take Kirito's bait.
(If people see him opposing me, it might also lower the chances of anyone realizing Kirito is that Kirito.)
Shana reasoned—unaware that Kirito's bizarre decision to not use guns in GGO would allow Sterben to immediately see through his identity during the BoB, rendering this effort entirely in vain.
"Think you can actually pull that off?"
"Piece of cake."
"Is that so? Then challenge accepted!"
Watching the confrontation, the surrounding players began cheering and making noise.
"Hey, look! That little girl just challenged Shana!"
"She's got guts! She's gonna lose, though!"
"Do your best, girlie!"
"Shana, go easy on her!"
Hearing the commotion, a woman who happened to be nearby came over and leaned heavily against Shana. It was Misaki.
"My, Shana-sama, leaving me aside to fawn over a child like this?"
"M-Misaki-san..."
"You were looking so passionate just now. I would love to feel that intensity directly~ Actually, I'm participating in the BoB as well. So, as a send-off party, feel free to drop by my place tonight if you'd like~"
Noticeable glare from Sinon in his direction, Shana tried to gently decline.
"Ah, well, tonight is a bit..."
"Ufufu, then I'll be waiting for you another day."
Saying that as if a promise had already been made, Misaki glided away. Seeing this display, Kirito frowned.
"You really have no restraint, do you?! My best friend is insanely popular too, but even among popular guys, you're the complete opposite of him!"
"Who's this best friend?" Sinon cut in with an amused expression.
"Why, Hachi—uh, no, never mind! Anyway, my best friend!"
(Kirito, that's ME! I'm that best friend!)
Shana's internal scream didn't reach Kirito, who gave Shana one last glare before calling over to Sinon.
"Alright Sinon, let's go. Show me how to use these items."
"Ah, right."
As Kirito walked off, Shana murmured to Sinon as she brushed past him.
"You... better remember this later..."
"My, if you'd like, you're welcome to drop by my place tonight," Sinon replied, mimicking Misaki's tone perfectly.
"Wait, what...?"
Without waiting for his answer, Sinon made a quick escape.
"She's picking up all the wrong habits..." Shana sighed. "Still, I need to hear her report... Guess I have no choice. I'll drop by her place briefly after visiting the Sleeping Knights..."
With that, Shana logged out and woke up back in his bed.
"Welcome back, Hachiman-kun!"
"I'm back. Everything quiet here?"
"Um, it looks like XaXeeD-kun is calling for you."
"Got it. I'll head over there next."
"You're really busy today," Meguri said with a soft chuckle.
"Well, days like this happen once in a while. I'm off."
Saying goodbye, Hachiman headed back to Ai and Yuu.
"Phew! Let's call it a day for now."
"Agreed. Overdoing it isn't good either."
"Yes! Thank you, Instructor XaXeeD, Instructor Shana!"
"Review everything we did today in your head. See you tomorrow."
With those words, XaXeeD stepped through the door and returned to his home base.
"How was XaXeeD?" Shana asked the twins.
"His teaching was really easy to follow."
"He wasn't as weird of a guy as you made him out to be, Hachiman."
"Is that so...? Guess finding himself in a situation like this gave him some kind of wake-up call."
Bidding farewell to the two, Hachiman logged out for the day.
"Now then... time to drop by Shino's place..."
Hachiman set off toward Shino's house.
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