Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"But Miura-san, why are you also...?"

“It’s no different than setting up celebrity wallpaper!”

"That Miura-san actually compared Hikigaya-kun to a celebrity..."

The six of them stared at the screen, a new fighting spirit in their eyes.

"It's too early to give up now, Yuigahama."

“There’s really no reason to back down.”

"Senior, please be prepared when you return!"

"Maybe my sister has a chance too?"

"Having an autistic guy as a boyfriend... doesn't seem like a bad idea, does it?"

"There are more candidates for the role of sister! But seeing a brother like this... what should Komachi do..."

From then on, the six people who often stared at their phones and grinned foolishly began to be looked at strangely by those around them. Kawasaki, who completely missed the scene, even received a photo from Komachi and his silly grin on the phone even attracted a worried email from his younger brother Taishi - but that's another story.

SAO : Chapter 74: A Walk for Two

"Asuna, do you want to go for a walk today?"

"Okay, I've been a bit lazy lately, so let's go for a walk today!"

After sending Argo and Silica away, at Hachiman's suggestion,

The two decided to take a stroll on the 22nd floor after a long absence.

This floor, surrounded by forests and flowing water, is still full of tranquility.

Even though the front line has been advanced to the 75th floor and many towns have been opened, this place still attracts a large number of visitors.

"Yue/-*Yi~First//Post#Hmm~~The weather is so nice today."

"Yeah, after living here for so long, I've become accustomed to it. But when I go out for a walk like this, I can really appreciate the beauty of this floor."

“But there is one thing that worries me.”

"Hmm? What are you worried about?"

"If you get used to a climate where it's spring all year round, will your body be able to adapt to Japan's changing seasons when you return to the real world?"

"Ah... Indeed, in SAO, climate change can basically only be experienced by moving around on the floors."

"Even for us who have experienced different climates on multiple floors, the recovery process will probably be even more difficult for those who have stayed in the Town of Beginning."

The two of them strolled leisurely while chatting.

"Ah Hachiman-kun, there's a beautiful river in the distance. It looks like there are people there, but I can't see clearly."

"Come, Asuna, I'll carry you up and let you see."

"I might be a little heavy, huh?"

"How can Asuna be heavy? She's as light as a feather!"

"Really, really?"

"If you're lifting it with one hand, you do need to worry about your strength, but if you're just carrying it on your shoulder, it's totally fine."

"Well, thank you for your kindness..."

Asuna was carried on Hachiman's shoulders and looked towards the river again.

"Wow, it's so high!"

"How is it? Can you see clearly?"

"Hmm! It seems that people on the river bank are fishing."

"Fishing... should we try it next time?"

"Okay, then let Liz make the fishing rod."

"Does she even know how to make a fishing rod?"

"I think I helped Klein before."

"Klein actually knows how to fish. Let's go find Liz next time."

The two walked towards the river.

The angler who noticed them waved, and Asuna waved back happily, while Hachiman also waved back a little shyly.

Hachiman was a little surprised by the elderly male angler - people of this age are also playing this game?

"Hello, are you two taking a walk?"

"Yes! We just got married and wanted to go out for a walk today!"

"Is that so? Congratulations."

"Thank you!"

Hachiman felt that the man's face and voice were somewhat familiar.

After looking at it carefully, a name suddenly came to mind.

"Um... could it be Mr. Nishida?"

"Hey? Hachiman-kun, do you know each other?"

"Hmm? Hachiman, Hachiman-kun? Could it be Hachiman-kun?"

"Yes, long time no see, Mr. Nishida!"

The two had met several times in real life.

While working part-time, Hachiman once met this employee of a telecommunications company who was assigned to do line maintenance in the cafeteria.

"Mr. Nishida, why are you here? I guess your job is line maintenance, right?"

"Ah, I logged in to see the results of my maintenance work with my own eyes."

"I see......"

"I've been staying in the Town of Origin. I heard there were no monsters on this floor, so I mustered up the courage to come here. I didn't expect to find such a beautiful river. I couldn't help but start fishing."

"I remember Mr. Nishida said he loved fishing the most."

"I was planning on waiting for the game to be completed in the Starting Town, but I can't hold back my fishing enthusiast blood."

"Haha, that's it."

Nishida laughed heartily, and Hachiman introduced Asuna to him.

"Mr. Nishida, this is my wife, Asuna."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Nishida."

"You just said you were newlyweds. Are you happy now?"

"Yes! Skirt chat suspicious ghost① Seven dead dance long rampant lie."

"certainly"

"It's great that the work I'm involved in hasn't brought misfortune to anyone. That's really great."

"Mr. Nishida..."

"Haha, today is a great day. I get to meet Hachiman-kun again and see how happy you are. Now all I have to do is wait for the game to be completed."

"We are now affiliated with the Blood Alliance Knights and are currently on vacation."

"Frontline...ah! Could it be that Miss Asuna is 'Flash' Asuna?"

Asuna, known as Flash, twisted her body shyly and nodded.

"The top player traveling with Asuna... Could it be that Hachiman-kun is the 'Silver Shadow'?"

"Wow, even Mr. Nishida knows this title. I just heard about it recently."

“I just heard it from others.”

"We'll definitely beat the game anyway, so please enjoy fishing, Mr. Nishida."

"But leaving you to fight alone is really..."

"We can only give our best if we have someone to protect. And the smile of the person we are protecting is the best way to boost morale."

"That's right! My husband is very capable, Mr. Nishida, don't worry!"

"I see... Hachiman-kun, Asuna-san, I'm counting on you."

"Keep it on us!"

Nishida held their hands tightly with tears in his eyes.

They smiled and nodded in response.

"By the way, Mr. Nishida, is this place suitable for beginners to fish?"

“No problem, I started here too.”

“We were just talking about trying it.”

"I just happen to have an early stage fishing rod for you guys."

"Is that okay? Thank you so much."

Nishida took out a fishing rod from the warehouse.

Under his guidance, the two enjoyed fishing.

When you are ready to take a break after catching a few fish,

Nishida took out a certain prop.

"This is a campfire cooking tool. Originally it could only be used to sell fish, but now it can be used like this... Look."

"Wow, it really feels like grilling fish over a campfire."

"I just bought this with the money I saved from selling fish. It's very romantic, isn't it?"

"Asuna, it's time to show that."

"Yes, it's time for the secret weapon to appear."

"Secret weapon?"

"Mr. Nishida, Asuna's cooking skills are at max level."

"Ms. Asuna is good at cooking. Hachiman-kun has found a treasure."

"Yes, this is my proud wife!"

Asuna, her cheeks flushed, began to cook.

After a busy moment of taking out the seasonings from the warehouse,

Hand the grilled fish to Nishida.

"Please use"

"Thank you... This is..."

“It’s soy sauce.”

"Soy sauce...it's soy sauce...it's so delicious..."

Nishida ate heartily with tears in his eyes, and the effect of the soy sauce was immediate.

"Asuna, are there still soy sauce and miso in stock?"

"Um"

"Mr. Nishida, these seasonings are for you."

"Really? Thank you so much."

“Just consider it a thank you gift.”

Nishida insists that "the best taste is to eat freshly caught fish".