Very quickly, Yuuki Asuna understood what was going on.
Inside the spacious classroom, one of the visiting participants had already changed into kendo gear. He stood in the center of the classroom together with a male student dressed as a maid, both holding bamboo swords.
When Yuuki Asuna saw the boy's appearance, she couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing softly, then turned back to glance at Kirito.
They were both crossdressing, so why was the difference this huge?
Kirito clearly noticed Yuuki Asuna's gaze as well. He immediately gave an awkward smile before fiercely glaring at Sato.
Sato shrugged.
If you want to blame someone, blame the fact that you're not an executive committee member.
The two girls watched the match inside with great interest. The male student dressed in maid clothing wore only simple protective gear, since full kendo armor couldn't fit over the maid outfit. The visitor, however, wore a complete set of armor.
Still, there was nothing inappropriate about that. One was a kendo club member, while the other was simply a beginner trying it out.
Beside the visitor, someone was teaching him proper kendo etiquette.
The two bowed to each other and moved to opposite sides.
Considering the difference in strength and the fact that this was meant to be a fun experience for visitors, the student side would not actively attack first.
After putting on the kendo armor and picking up the bamboo sword, the visitor seemed to feel as though his swordsman spirit had awakened. His entire aura changed.
With a fierce glare at the student opposite him, he gripped the bamboo sword in both hands, let out a strange yell, and charged forward. The bamboo sword in his hands was raised high above his head before slashing down with a whoosh.
Clang!
The male student quickly blocked the strike, and the two bamboo swords collided with a sharp sound of impact.
Yuuki Asuna, however, shook her head.
"If it were me, he'd already be dead."
As one of the top players in SAO, a game so realistic it hardly felt like a game at all, both Yuuki Asuna and the low-presence Katou Megumi beside her actually possessed rich combat experience.
Seeing this, Sato smiled.
"After all, this is an experience hall. We have to make the visitors feel like it's worth the money."
Perhaps that male student wasn't particularly skilled at kendo, but he still possessed basic combat awareness. The moment the visitor raised his bamboo sword high overhead, he could have counterattacked immediately.
But he chose not to.
Everything was for the sake of the visitor's experience.
If they simply defeated the visitor instantly, not only would the visitor fail to enjoy the experience, it would also embarrass him. That wouldn't be good business at all.
After an intense "battle" inside the classroom, the visitor lost regretfully, but his face remained full of smiles.
Finally, after receiving a cup of coffee brought by a maid and hearing a sweet "Master, thank you for your hard work," he completely lost himself in the atmosphere. Then, under the maid's enthusiastic persuasion, he bought an expensive slice of cake and sat alone in the corner of the classroom enjoying it...
Perfect!
The mastermind behind all this, Sato, wore a broad smile on his face.
That slice of cake alone added another eight hundred yen in experience fees!
"Satoshi, can I give it a try too?"
"Of course you can, but you'll still have to line up and..."
"Pay, right? How much?"
Yuuki Asuna quickly understood what Sato meant. She also knew this was a class group project, not something Sato could decide by himself.
"Kendo experience fee is 1,500 yen. Maid service and coffee are 500. Desserts range from 300 to 800 yen."
"Wait a second."
Yuuki Asuna lowered her head and took out two 1,000-yen bills from the small bag she carried with her, handing them to Sato.
Sato didn't take the money. Instead, he waved toward Nishimiya Shouko not far away.
"Shouko!"
Nishimiya Shouko walked over carrying the donation box. The moment she saw Yuuki Asuna standing in front of Sato, her body unconsciously stiffened.
Behind her, Isshiki Iroha also hurried over after hearing the commotion.
The instant she saw Yuuki Asuna, a trace of amazement flashed through her eyes, followed immediately by suspicion. She turned toward Sato and asked:
"Is this your friend?"
Just where exactly are you finding all these beautiful girl-type friends from?!
"Uh... she's an online friend!"
Damn!
That's even more outrageous! If you said you met a beautiful girl like this in real life and became friends, I could still understand it. But how are even your online friends beautiful girls?!
Isshiki Iroha's subtle gaze landed on Sato, carrying an indescribable meaning.
"Give her a number tag."
Yuuki Asuna placed the money into the donation box Nishimiya Shouko was holding, then turned to look at Sato.
"Can I spar with you, Satoshi?"
Satoshi?
They're already calling each other that intimately?!
Someone silently stared at the two of them.
Meanwhile, Sato looked at Yuuki Asuna in surprise.
"Spar with me?"
Yuuki Asuna took a deep breath, then pressed her lips together and nodded firmly.
"Yeah."
Sato looked at her somewhat unexpectedly and said meaningfully:
"This isn't like the game. To be honest, I'm much stronger in real life than I am in-game."
Yuuki Asuna looked at Sato resolutely.
"I know. But I just want to see exactly how big the real gap between us is."
"You've practiced before?"
"I know some kendo."
The two continued exchanging questions and answers like this. Aside from the people who knew the inside story, everyone else listening felt as though they were hearing some incomprehensible code language.
There were three people ahead of Yuuki Asuna in line. After those three finished their experiences, it was finally her turn.
Sato agreed to her request. He had the student currently on duty step down, then changed into kendo protective gear together with Yuuki Asuna.
In an instant, the previously relaxed atmosphere completely changed.
It became a genuine kendo duel.
Not only did the crowd of spectators fail to disperse, it actually grew larger.
After all, both Yuuki Asuna and Sato possessed exceptionally attractive appearances, so naturally a confrontation between the two excited many people.
Meanwhile, Kirito stared at Sato's figure with a serious expression.
He had never once seen Sato fight in real life, and he was extremely curious about Sato's actual combat ability.