Desperate to escape Asuna and the Chairman's embrace, Hachiman eagerly awaited Kit's arrival. When Kit appeared, he sighed in relief.
"Hey, Kit! Over here! Alright, you two, time to let go," Hachiman called.
"Aw, too bad," the Chairman said.
"Guess we're done recharging on Hachiman vibes, huh, Chairman?" Asuna teased.
"Fully charged," the Chairman replied.
"Good," Asuna said.
Hachiman ignored their banter, gleefully hopping into Kit's driver's seat—thrilled to escape the embarrassment and drive Kit. The car's striking gull-wing doors drew stares from students heading home. Girls admired Hachiman; boys envied Kit. Despite their different focuses, all eyes were on them as Hachiman helped Asuna into the passenger seat and started the engine.
The Chairman issued an order. "Kit, get them home safely."
"Yes, Mistress," Kit replied.
Students, shocked by the talking car, swarmed them.
Girls: "Hachiman-sama, let us ride in that talking car sometime!"
"Sama? Uh, this is kinda Soleil Corp's work car, so no can do. Sorry," Hachiman said.
"Work? So cool, Hachiman-sama!" they gushed.
"Thanks…" Hachiman muttered.
"Asuna, I'm so jealous!" a girl said.
"My awesome husband's awesome car!" Asuna beamed.
Boys: "Strategist! A talking car? Amazing!"
"You guys get Kit's greatness? It's the best, right?" Hachiman grinned.
"Totally!" they cheered.
"Vice-Commander! Get Strategist to propose with a ring today!" a boy teased.
"I want an engagement ring, but maybe a regular one first," Asuna said.
Watching, the Chairman felt certain Hachiman would elevate the Yukinoshita family, with Asuna's steadfast support. Hachiman signaled departure, dispersing the crowd, and drove toward Asuna's home.
"Quite the commotion," Asuna said.
"Kit's a showstopper," Hachiman replied.
"Indeed, I draw attention in town," Kit added.
"Probably 'cause no one's in the driver's seat," Hachiman quipped.
"I overlooked that," Kit admitted.
Chatting happily, they picked up Haruno and soon arrived at Asuna's home, where her parents, Shozo and Kyoko Yuuki, warmly greeted them.
"Long time, Shozo-san, Kyoko-san," Hachiman said.
"Sorry I haven't visited much," Haruno added.
"I'm home!" Asuna chirped.
"Welcome back, Asuna. Glad you're all here. Come in!" Shozo said.
They settled in the living room, reflecting their close bond.
"I've decided to make Hachiman my successor as president of our company," Haruno announced.
"Wow," Shozo said.
"While he's still a student? Bold move, Haruno," Kyoko said.
"If he messes up, I've got his back," Haruno replied.
"I'll… do my best," Hachiman said nervously.
Shozo and Kyoko smiled, while Hachiman tensed.
"Losing you was tough for our company, but it was the best choice. By taking over ALO's operations externally, you saved our reputation. Ending ALO's service would've branded us a criminal enterprise forever. Thank you, Haruno," Shozo said.
"All for him," Haruno said, glancing at Hachiman.
"That Hachiman inspires you and will be our son feels like a dream," Shozo said.
"No more nagging you to study, Asuna. Hachiman, call me 'Mom' anytime," Kyoko added.
"Uh, that's…" Hachiman stammered.
"Mom, too sudden! You're embarrassing him. And you're not the nagging education mom anymore?" Asuna said.
Kyoko countered, "With Haruno's news, it's natural. You'll be a president's wife. I don't need to nag as much. You caught a reliable man, freeing me from that pressure. My personality's bound to shift."
"You felt that much pressure?" Asuna asked, surprised.
"My family's just Tohoku farmers. The main family always mocked my low status, so I felt driven to raise you as an impeccable daughter," Kyoko explained.
"The main family?" Hachiman asked, intrigued.
"We'll talk later," Kyoko said.
"Yes, ma'am," Hachiman replied.
Shozo jumped in. "Kyoko, no fair! Hachiman, call me 'Dad' too!"
"Mom and Dad love Hachiman too much… but I'm okay with it," Asuna said.
"My parents are the same," Haruno laughed. "Didn't raise him to be such a charmer, though."
"Funny, I don't recall you raising me either," Hachiman shot back.
They all laughed. In the living room, Hachiman turned serious, addressing the main topic.
He explained Kuradeel's character objectively, detailing the plan to oust him for Elsa and other artists' sake, while proposing a partnership with Kura Agency.
"What a creep! Kyoko, I'm gonna take him out!" Shozo growled.
"I'm coming too. That stalker can't exist after what he did to Asuna," Kyoko added.
"Calm down! Hachiman already dealt with him!" Asuna interjected.
"Didn't let him touch Asuna and gave him a good thrashing," Hachiman confirmed.
"That's my son!" Shozo cheered.
"Impressive, Hachiman!" Kyoko said.
They calmed, sat, and continued.
"Kanzaki Elsa, huh? She's a rising star," Shozo said.
"Didn't know she was your friend. Small world," Kyoko added.
"More like a subordinate," Hachiman clarified, avoiding "minion."
"A subordinate? So, even after independence, you could secure a contract with her?" Shozo asked.
"Probably. She'd love singing for LECT's games. Not sure about appliances, though," Hachiman said.
"She's the hottest artist right now. A contract would be huge for us," Shozo said.
(She's just a pervert, though…) Hachiman thought, nodding.
"There's one issue," Shozo said.
"What?" Hachiman asked.
"The Yuuki main family might oppose it."
"Here's the main family again," Hachiman noted, recalling Kyoko's words.
Shozo frowned. "You know my name, Hachiman. Any thoughts?"
Caught off guard, Hachiman answered, "I've wondered… are you the third son?"
"Exactly. That's the problem. Kyoko mentioned her farmer roots. I have two older brothers, so I never expected to inherit. I lived freely, ignored by the rigid main family. They treated me as nonexistent, which I didn't mind. My brothers had arranged marriages with noble daughters, but I married Kyoko for love. I was grateful to be the third son."
"You're too much," Kyoko blushed.
Hachiman smiled at their bond.
"Then my brothers and parents died in an accident, so I had to take over. The main family, who'd shunned me, couldn't adjust to my sudden leadership. That strained dynamic persists," Shozo explained.
"I see…" Hachiman said.
"Befriending Kayaba and growing the company bigger than the main family hurt their pride. They've been throwing insults—calling us upstarts, low-class. Our company's practically the main family now, but cutting ties isn't easy since they still have influence," Shozo said.
"How's that tied to Kura Agency?" Hachiman asked.
"The main family runs Yuuki General Hospital in Kyoto, with many affiliates. They've long invested in major talent agencies. If we partner with Kura Agency, a mid-tier firm with no backing, they'll likely object fiercely," Shozo explained.
"Got it," Hachiman said, realizing the complexities of family ties—a problem soon to be his own. His instinct was to cut ties and crush them, but it wasn't that simple.
"What's Koichiro-san's take?" Hachiman asked about Asuna's brother, a LECT employee and likely next president.
"Koichiro feels the same—main family doesn't matter. But clashing with them impacts our company," Shozo said.
LECT, beyond gaming, dealt in medical equipment, making the main family a key client. Hachiman pondered solutions but found none easily.
"What do you think, Hachiman?" Shozo asked.
Hachiman replied bluntly, "Ideally, cut ties and crush or sideline them."
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