"I never imagined I'd wait over a year. I was about to contact you myself. Be honest, Hachiman-kun—you forgot about me, didn't you?"
"Uh, well... sorry, I did forget..."
"Good, honesty appreciated. We've only met once, so it's fine—don't worry."
Rinko brushed it off casually.
"So, remembering me now means something triggered it. Which is it...? Hey, Hachiman-kun, pass the phone to the police officer there."
Hachiman didn't catch the "which" but clarified no police were involved.
"No police notified. But a trusted government contact from the SAO case is here."
Rinko sounded surprised.
"Oh? I was tired of hiding and planning to turn myself in. Why no police?"
"It's beyond me, and calling them directly seemed too abrupt. Got him here secretly—the SAO investigator."
"I see. Put him on... no, speaker mode so everyone hears."
"Got it. Kikooka-san, please."
Hachiman switched to speaker.
"Nice to meet you, Kamishiro Rinko. I'm Kikooka."
"Nice to meet you. Were you looking for me?"
Kikooka smiled wryly.
"Searched high and low this year—zero traces. Never thought contacting you would be this easy. I thought I rated Hachiman-kun highly, but clearly underestimated."
"You talk like you really like him."
"Well, I'm in his ALO guild, after all."
Rinko paused—probably blinking—then laughed delightedly.
"Ahahaha! You get it. So no police tips from you."
"Can't betray my leader's trust."
"Interesting—or odd for a government guy. Sending coordinates to Hachiman-kun's phone. Come here, just you two? Add more if he needs."
Hachiman thought, then: "Asuna and Kirito."
"I know Asuna-san and Kirito-kun from Akihiko. Fine."
Prioritizing direct parties, he named them. Rinko agreed—group set.
Then Yōno interjected: "May I join, Kamishiro Rinko-san?"
Rinko paused, then: "...Who are you?"
"Yukishita Yōno. I'll explain why."
Muttering recognition: "You... Continue."
"You said you'd turn yourself in and contact Hachiman-kun first—meaning business with him before. Could've right after the incident, but didn't. Why? Your 'which'—Kayaba or Medicuboid. You used this time to near-complete Medicuboid research, delaying surrender."
"...Close, but not quite. Still, not grounds for you joining."
Yōno pressed: "You planned entrusting results to trustworthy Hachiman-kun post-arrest for continuation after release. Restarting from zero is tough—you wanted to avoid total loss. That's where I come in: lab and funding. I'm Soleil Corporation president."
"Soleil..."
Wary tone; Yōno reassured: "No stealing—our next president is already Hachiman-kun."
"Him? I see. Approved. You were the omiai with Akihiko, right?"
Yōno faltered: "...Yes."
"Knew the name rang a bell. He called you charming, intelligent, yet resigned. How about drinks, us dumpees?"
"I dumped him first—effectively."
"Fine by me. Deal?"
"...Looking forward."
Rinko chuckled: "Me too. Hachiman-kun, arrange it. Akihiko's body is cryopreserved—come see him soon."
"Got it... Hold on."
Hachiman coordinated: school skip for him, Asuna, Kazuto; Kikooka prioritized; Yōno cleared schedule.
"Rinko-san, tomorrow."
"Quick decision—impressive. See you."
Call ended; visit set.
"Where?"
"Coordinates: deep Nagano mountains."
"Tomorrow by Kit. Prep up. Asuna, call Kazuto—plans changed, dinner invite. Rika welcome."
"On it."
To Shōzō and Kyoko: "Sorry for the rush. Postpone dinner?"
"Of course. Good news awaited, Hachiman-kun."
"Be careful."
"Will visit again."
They saw them off; dinner now with Asuna's brother Kōichirō.
Kikooka drove off; Hachiman dropped Yōno, then Kit to meet Kazuto's group.
Kazuto eyed Kit: "Whoa, Hachiman! Awesome! Gullwings?!"
"Embarrassing—cut it."
"But Rika, look—suuuper cool!"
Sigh: "Still such a kid..."
Mischievous, Hachiman to Kit: "Kit, this is Kazuto, this Rika—my best friends."
'Nice to meet you, Kazuto, Rika. I'm Kit. Pleasure.'
"Car!?"
"Talked!?"
Shocked; Rika, who teased Kazuto, now patted Kit excitedly like him.
"Hey Rika, you're acting kid too—can't talk."
"Sh-shut up! Not that bad."
Still glancing; Asuna patted her shoulder, smiling: "Tough luck."
"Even you, Asuna! I'm not... ugh..."
"It's fine—Kazuto-kun loves that side too!"
"Really?"
Staring; Kazuto: "Obviously! Who wouldn't geek over this?!"
"Yeah, totally normal."
They patted Kit together.
"You two, too hyped. Let's go—serious talk."
Boarded Kit to reserved spot: Saizeriya.
"Perfect for students."
"I love Saize."
"Me too."
Seated, drinks, orders; food arrived.
Hachiman: "Explanation time."
"Wasn't it dinner at Asuna's? What happened?"
"Listen—no freakouts, loud voices."
They nodded tensely.
"Rika, sorry—borrowing Kazuto tomorrow, maybe day after. Kazuto, Nagano mountains with us—to see Akihiko-san."
Despite warning, they nearly yelled; Asuna muffled them.
"W-what? Explain!"
Hachiman detailed the day; they understood.
"I'm out—home guard."
"Yeah, sorry. Could've called Nezha, but less Heathcliff ties. Speed first."
"Fair."
"Forget that—eat! Starving."
"Yeah!"
They dined, reminiscing, enjoying rare quartet time.
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