Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"Yukino-chan, hold on from the other side!"

"Okay, I understand, Yui-chan."

(Yui-chan!? Did Yukinoshita just call her "Yui-chan"?)

While Hachiman was in a state of confusion, he was carried back to the bed by two people. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and the two of them also took a deep breath.

"......puff"

"hehe"

"Ha ha ha ha"

The three of them smiled at each other and greeted each other solemnly.

"Long time no see, you two."

"Yeah, two years."

"Xiaoqi!"

"Uh... I don't know where to begin. Anyway, I'm back."

"Welcome back!"

"Welcome home!"

The two men took advantage of the situation and sat on the edge of the bed with Hachiman between them, hugging him from both sides.

(Sigh...let them be...)

Hachiman silently put his arms around the two men's backs, and when he was about to let go after a moment, he was hugged even tighter.

"Ah... maybe it's time to let go? We can't have a proper conversation like this."

"Do not"

"Never!"

"Hey..."

"We've been worried for two whole years, so at least we should be patient for two hours."

"I'm really sorry"

"But Xiaoqi is not shy at all."

"Oh, oh, I have grown up."

“Is this a good direction for growth?”

"Has Xiaoqi become a playboy?!"

"At least use the euphemism 'more tolerant'."

"But I can't explain you're like this to Miss Asuna."

"Gu... Come to think of it, you know about Asuna."

“After all, there are photos on the wall.”

"By the way! Why are you posting pictures like this?"

"To tease Xiaoqi!"

"Huh? Seriously? Is that the reason?"

"Only those who still love you every time they see this photo are qualified to continue this relationship."

"What kind of logic is this..."

Yukino and Yui looked at each other and nodded in tacit understanding.

"Hikigaya-kun, I like you."

"Xiaoqi, I like you the most."

"I am very touched by this thoughtfulness, but I..."

"We all know this, but for Hikigaya-kun, this is also a necessary ritual."

"Is it like putting an end to something?"

"No, this doesn't mean giving up or giving up. Yumiko said there's no need to suppress your feelings."

"Even if there's a high probability that I won't be chosen?"

"Well! Even if you're not chosen, self-improvement is never in vain. Yumiko said that this might lead to encountering new beauty."

"That's it..."

"Just keep thinking about Miss Asuna. We will only strive to become the existence that you feel is excellent."

Hachiman sighed.

“This also applies to men.”

"That's right. If you slack off, even Miss Asuna might leave."

“It is true”

“So let’s work hard together from now on.”

"it is good"

"Then let's exchange our experiences from the past two years."

"Great! I have so much to say!"

"Until then, let go..."

"Do not"

"Um~no!"

"Forget about Yui-chan, but Yukinoshita has completely changed..."

"I'm just not who I used to be. Listen to us first. Your story must be very long."

"Oh, oh, please."

The two took turns recounting their experiences of protecting the Service Club, and Hachiman smiled with relief upon hearing that the club would survive.

"I see. The Service Club persevered to the end."

"Yes! We have special permission to not recruit any more members. Yumiko and Himena are helping out too!"

"I have to thank you very much."

"And this is the message book that Hayato-kun collected from everyone for Xiaoqi!"

"Ye Shan he..."

"Hayato-kun and the others will be here tomorrow!"

"Thank you later."

"We should also thank Yuigahama-san."

"Oh yes! Yukino-chan!"

The two of them showed off the same hairband.

"Hmm? ...Could it be..."

Only then did Hachiman remember that he had bought this pair of hair ties before.

"Um...did I buy that? I totally forgot about it. Sorry."

"It's okay. Komachi handed it over to me."

"If Xiaoqi delivers it personally, I will definitely remember it."

"So it was Komachi who discovered it."

"Can we think of it as something specially prepared for us?"

"certainly"

"Xiaoqi, thank you again!"

"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you. You've always cherished me."

“This is our spiritual support.”

“I feel motivated every time I see it!”

“I have to thank Komachi.”

“Now it’s time to hear your story.”

“Although I will try to keep it brief…”

However, Hachiman's account was far more thrilling than one might have imagined. His nonchalant manner was bewildering, yet it was clearly a life-or-death adventure. Upon realizing this, the two men were forced to acknowledge his profound transformation.

"It's a bit cliché, but I really went through a lot of hardship."

"It's okay, I got used to it later."

"He's definitely changed...especially his eyes."

"What have you become without looking in the mirror?"

"The eyes are no longer rotten!"

"Uh...I see..."

“It’s not a bad thing.”

"yes"

"The news says nearly 4,000 people died."

"Some of them were killed by me."

The two people who had anticipated this still felt suffocated.

"That's it..."

“This is the cross I will carry throughout my life.”

“Although I won’t be held accountable.”

"Even so, I will never forget that I took the lives of others in order to survive."

"I may never be able to fully understand this feeling...but I must say one thing: Thank you for fighting so hard to come back alive."

"Thank you for coming back safely, Xiaoqi."

The two of them suddenly began to tremble, and when Hachiman realized that they were crying, he found that he was already in tears.

"Hey, stop crying."

“You’re crying too.”

"Xiao Qi... We haven't been able to cry since you disappeared... We agreed to cry our hearts out when we meet again."

"That's it"

“Finally, I can fulfill my promise.”

"Um"

"I'm sorry for making you worry for two years."

"It's been a long time coming, but here you are now."

"Finally the three of us are reunited"

"yes"

The three of them hugged each other and cried. Two hours later, Hachiman noticed someone peeping through the half-open door. After recognizing who it was, he chose to ignore it. At this time, the two of them calmed down and prepared to leave.

"It's time to go back"

"Come back tomorrow, Xiaoqi! I still have a lot to say!"