Chapter 55: Oh No~ A Confession Blunder
Hachiman recalled the conversation with Kayaba; these past memories were now materializing right before his eyes.
'This name is basically just a direct translation of "Hachiman Fist" into German!... Though I'm grateful, Kayaba-san, this is way too half-hearted!'
"Ha ha..."
'Saying it's a "reward for gaining friends," sure, this kind of strange request can only work if you rely on friends, but just that probably isn't enough.
Could Asuna's existence be the key? Given the current state of my relationship with Asuna, Kayaba-san probably wouldn't object either; maybe he's watching me somewhere.
But that it's going this smoothly—I can only laugh.'
"Hachiman-kun?"
Asuna tiptoed closer, her worried face growing large before him.
"You look really strange..."
Unaware, Hachiman bowed his head and smiled to himself, which made the three of them think the equipment didn't meet expectations.
They began comforting or apologizing.
"Hachiman-kun, it's a pity it failed, but cheer up, okay?"
"Yeah, Hachiman, there's always next time."
Kirito came up and shook Hachiman's shoulders.
"Failure is the mother of success, right? Look at all the weapons I tried to forge before that just turned into fireworks."
"Sorry... Hachiman..." Lizbeth tugged at Hachiman's sleeve with a tearful voice.
"Huh? What are you all talking about?"
Suddenly looking up, Hachiman's face burst into a joyous smile.
"Hey Liz, why are you crying?"
"Because..."
"Oh, you thought it failed?"
Hachiman shouted a slogan while lifting Lizbeth under her arms and spinning her around.
"Amazing, Liz! You really are the number one blacksmith in Aincrad!"
"Put... put me down, you idiot!"
Lizbeth's face blushed as red as a glowing iron block.
"And why did you suddenly get so strong?"
After spinning her around a few times and putting her down, Hachiman turned and saw Kirito standing dumbfounded, then ran over and grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously.
"Kirito! We finally succeeded! This is exactly what I wanted!"
When Hachiman's eyes met Asuna's, his body acted before his mind could catch up.
Before he realized it, he had embraced her fully, the sweet scent of gardenias filling his nose.
"W-wait, Hachiman-kun?"
"Asuna, thank you! If it succeeded, it's definitely thanks to you! I love you!"
"Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh!?"
Time seemed to freeze. Kirito and Lizbeth were completely frozen, and Asuna was stunned by Hachiman's shocking words, the fine hairs on her neck visibly standing on end.
After a moment, Hachiman calmed down a little and started patting the three of their cheeks to try waking them up.
"Hey, stop spacing out, wake up, hurry!"
"Ah, ah..."
"Sorry, you two, I got a little too excited."
"No... it's just such a big contrast..."
"This is the first time I've seen this side of Hachiman—spinning me around like that."
"Uh, it's my first time like this too."
The two gradually recovered, but Asuna was still stiff, her face fully flushed.
"Hey Asuna, why are you the only one still frozen?"
"Because Hachiman..."
"You just told Asuna 'I love you.'"
"Wha?… Ah!"
Hachiman finally remembered what he said and plunged into unprecedented panic, stepping back as if shocked, bumping into a rack holding ore.
With the loud clatter of ore falling, Lizbeth suddenly pointed at Hachiman's ear and screamed:
"Hachiman! Steam's coming out of your ear!"
"H-Hachiman-kun just said..."
Asuna's voice was as faint as morning mist:
"That word was...!"
"No, no, Asuna! It's a metaphor! Like saying 'I love strawberry cake the most!' Yeah, it was a greeting! So please snap out of it!"
This finally brought Asuna's soul back to reality.
"Y-yeah. Although I've imagined this kind of scene sometimes, a surprise attack like this caught me off guard. On second thought, it's something to be happy about."
"Hey Asuna, stop talking nonsense. Anyway, calm down first."
"Asuna-san, your head is steaming, you know?" Lizbeth teased, smirking at her flushed cheeks.
"Hmm, it's fine, but you're really happy, so it means it worked, right?"
"Ah."
"You said this is what you wanted, right? Is this it?"
"That's right, Kirito. At first I couldn't believe it, but it really is."
"That's great... I did it..."
"Exactly, Liz, I'll say it again, you really are Aincrad's number one blacksmith."
"Thanks, I feel super happy."
"Hachiman, equip it quickly."
"Okay."
After equipping it, a silver shield-like object appeared on Hachiman's left arm.
Its stance was strangely harmonious, as if he had regained a lost half of his body.
"This part can actually slide back and forth with the opening and closing of the fist," Hachiman demonstrated the sliding of the shield component.
"Looks like it can switch between weapon and armor…"
"Though it has no attack power, this equipment on my left hand is for knocking away enemy weapons and attacks, and no matter how rough I am, it won't get damaged," Hachiman said as he caressed the gear.
"The previous Hachiman did all his attacking, blocking, and disrupting with his right hand."
"Right, the original form was to use the left hand equipment to block enemy actions and counter all attacks."
"All attacks..."
"..."
"Seriously?"
"Come on, Kirito, let's have a real fight and test it out."
Hachiman brandished the shield, looking at Kirito, who was eager to try, his eyes full of fighting spirit.
"I want to watch, but I have a strategy meeting soon..." Asuna said, indicating it was almost time for the planning meeting.
"Asuna, we'll watch later. Kirito, Liz, can you come to my place?"
"I'm good with that."
"I want to see what happens next! The shop's closed today!"
"Alright, let's go."
"Make sure to show me what happens next."
"Yeah, be careful on the way."
The three headed towards Hachiman's secret base.