Eva—known in the real world as Saki Nitobe—and the rest of the SHINC members hadn't logged into GGO that day. They were buried in preparations for an upcoming tournament, a fact Hachiman was well aware of thanks to a conversation they'd had just a few days prior.
"Hey, long time no see."
"Oh! Shana-san, it's been a while!"
"""""Shana-san!"""""
Shana had looked on, genuinely impressed as the five girls echoed Eva's greeting in perfect unison.
"Your coordination is as sharp as ever. I take it the club activities are going well?"
"Yes! Ever since we started playing GGO, even our coach has been praising us!"
"Glad to hear it. That's what matters most."
"The tournament is coming up, so we'll be practicing late at the university again tomorrow. We wanted to get some dive time in today while we could."
"I see. Give it your all."
""""""We will!""""""
Recalling that exchange, Hachiman found himself heading toward the university where Saki and her team practiced. He had news regarding a Fortress Defense Battle that he needed to deliver in person.
"Let's see... they said they'd be practicing late. I wonder where the gym is... Oh, is that...?"
It was then that Hachiman spotted a notably tall woman.
(If I remember right, that's the friend Fuka mentioned—'Kohie,' was it? I have no idea what that's short for, though.)
Deciding it was worth a shot, Hachiman approached her to ask for directions.
"Excuse me, sorry to bother you."
"...H-huh? Yes! Me?"
The woman seemed utterly unaccustomed to being approached by strangers. After a brief, frozen silence, she spun around in a flustered hurry. When her eyes met Hachiman's, her expression shifted to one of pure surprise.
"Oh! You're the one who found my wallet that time..."
"I'm glad you remembered. Sorry to interrupt, I know it might be a nuisance, but I've lost my way to the gymnasium. I recognized you and thought I'd ask."
"Oh, I see. That makes sense."
The woman offered a small, relieved smile. Seizing the moment to confirm his hunch, Hachiman took a leap of faith.
"Forgive me, but... would you happen to be Kohie?"
"Eh?! H-how... how do you know that name?"
"Ah, so it is you. I heard it from Fukajiro—wait, what was her real name? I only heard it once... Right, Shinohara. Miyu Shinohara. I happened to mention you to her, and she shouted, 'That has to be my dear friend Kohie!'"
"Pfft—that sounds exactly like Miyu! I remember now. A few days after you returned my wallet, she called me. She told me that you had... ah, no, um... i-it's nothing!"
(I can't exactly tell him that Miyu grumbled about how he called me 'beautiful'...)
"Hmm? Is that so?"
She gave a bashful, evasive reply. Though Hachiman found her reaction odd, he couldn't recall exactly what he'd told Miyu to relay, so he simply gave a noncommittal nod. Suddenly, the woman's face lit up as if she'd realized something.
"I—I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm so sorry. My name is Karen Kohiruimaki. That's why Miyu calls me 'Kohie.'"
"So that's the shorthand. My apologies as well; I'm Hachiman Hikigaya. It's nice to meet you."
Hachiman extended a hand. Karen took it tentatively, her movements shy and cautious. With Karen acting as his guide, they soon reached the gymnasium without further issue.
"Thank you. You really saved me."
"No, not at all. It wasn't any trouble. But, Hikigaya-san... you aren't a student here, are you? What brings you by?"
"I have a message for some acquaintances. I heard they'd be here."
"Oh, I see."
Hachiman peeked into the gym and sighed.
"Still in the middle of practice, huh? Now what..."
Sensing his dilemma, Karen spoke up instinctively.
"Oh! In that case, there's a cafe right over there. You can see the gym exit perfectly from the window. It's the perfect place to kill some time."
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