Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"Oh, can I ask why you didn't come later?"

"Yeah. Actually, this is where Hikigaya and I had a conversation not long before that incident."

Takizawa said this and turned to Ryotaro.

"At the time, Hikigaya, who had been asked by Student Council President Isshiki to help organize a joint Christmas event with other schools, was struggling alone to make the event a success.

That was also the time when his relationship with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama became a little delicate. In my eyes, Hikigaya was like a piece of glass that could shatter at any time.

So I brought him here and talked to him for a while, and maybe those words worked, and Hikigaya improved his relationship with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, and completed the event brilliantly.

Shortly after that, Hikigaya... disappeared."

“Is that so…ah…”

Ryotaro imagined how Takizawa felt at that time, and felt a pang of pain in his chest.

"Since then, whenever I come here, I can't help but feel sad and, at the same time, angry."

"Angry?"

Ryotaro was a little confused when he heard the word "anger", but after hearing what Takizawa said next, he understood.

"Yes, at that time I couldn't help but think, why would the gods hinder Hikigaya from achieving happiness?

What evil thing had Hikigaya done? Only at that moment did I feel genuine anger towards the so-called God of Fate, who should not have existed.

"Um……"

“I came back a few more times by myself, but eventually, I stopped coming.

Although this place was once the most peaceful and favorite place for me.

But whenever I get here, when Hikigaya looks up at the sky after listening to my advice before leaving, that indescribable expression of confusion yet relief will appear in my mind, and I can’t suppress the anger and sadness no matter what I do..."

Takizawa paused here, looking directly into Ryotaro's eyes, and continued:

"I guess, in the end, I couldn't bear the pain of staying here, so I chose to escape.

Even the blind date activities that I used to be so enthusiastic about have become completely uninteresting."

"Ms. Takizawa, um..."

Takizawa shook his head.

"And then, Hikigaya finally returned to us on his own. Even in such a harsh environment, Hikigaya grew up remarkably well.

After being able to clearly confirm this today, I suddenly thought: What would I feel if I came here now? But I was still a little scared, so I asked Ryotaro-san to come with me, and finally I mustered up the courage.

"I see... So, how does it feel?"

Takizawa put away his previous serious expression and said with a smile:

"I really want to complain to the gods. Although the result is good, isn't this test a little too harsh?"

"Haha, well, that's true. For us, it's an extremely harsh test."

"Also, although I feel a little sorry for Hikigaya and Ryotaro-san, I also want to say thank you."

"Thank you? What a coincidence, me too."

Then, they both said this at the same time:

"It's great to meet Ms. Takizawa!"

"It's great to meet Mr. Ryotaro."

When the two heard each other's words, their eyes met. Although they were a little shy, they smiled at each other.

Ryotaro thought, if he can't express his feelings clearly in a place like this, is he still a man?

So he made up his mind and said to Takizawa:

"Ms. Takizawa, you just said 'ran away', right?"

"Ah, yes..."

“Personally, I think there are times like that.

But if Miss Takizawa feels that this is not possible, then from now on, I will support Miss Takizawa and prevent you from running away.

What might be difficult for one person to bear, two people together can definitely bear. Of course, it is best not to let such painful things happen again.

Oh, sorry, I got a bit off topic."

Hearing this opening remark, Takizawa seemed to be aware of what Ryotaro wanted to say, and looked quite nervous, unable to utter a word. He just stared at Ryotaro's face with a flushed face.

"I'm still a newcomer in the company, so I might make Ms. Takizawa suffer a little, but in exchange, I will definitely protect Ms. Takizawa's back.

I saw Ms. Takizawa's true self throughout the whole day today, but even so, my feelings for her have not changed.

I need you, only you.

Ms. Takizawa, I like you very much. Are you willing to date me with the intention of getting married?"

The expression "guarding the back" may be a little subtle and inappropriate in this situation, but for Ryotaro who survived SAO, it is a very important expression.

Takizawa, who noticed this, was so overwhelmed with joy that he was speechless for a moment.

Soon, Takizawa began to shed big tears, and seeing this, Ryotaro became quite panicked.

"Takizawa-Miss Takizawa, I'm sorry! Did I say something I shouldn't have said?"

"No, sorry Mr. Ryotaro, that's not the case."

Takizawa wiped his tears and smiled at Ryotaro.

"I didn't expect that being needed would be so blissful. I was a little surprised, so..."

"Well, then..."

Then, Takizawa said to Ryotaro with the brightest smile of the day:

"Well, of course I accept, Mr. Ryotaro. I like you very much too."

"Ms. Takizawa."

"Mr. Ryotaro."

The two hugged each other tightly, looked at each other, and kissed each other gently.

After the kiss, the two were immersed in an atmosphere of great happiness, feeling each other's warmth.

At the same time, Ryotaro noticed the touch of Takizawa's lips just now, and he did remember it.

Then he said to Takizawa in a joking tone:

"This is the second time I've kissed Ms. Takizawa."

"Ah... you, you found out?"

"When I got here, I felt like my lips touched something. I didn't know what it was at the time, but the kiss just now made me understand."

"Ugh...Mr. Ryotaro, you have such bad intentions."

The moonlight gently illuminated the two playful people, as if blessing them.

In this way, Ryotaro's history of "not having a girlfriend" came to an end, and Takizawa finally put an end to her blind date activities.

ALO: Chapter 173 Argo's Bad Taste

That day, Asuna happened to come to Hachiman's house to play. She rolled around on Hachiman's bed and read the light novel recommended by Hachiman.

Looking at Asuna like this, Hachiman stood up and said to her.

"Sorry, Asuna, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay."

After saying this, Hachiman opened the door and walked down the stairs.

Asuna continued to roll around, immersed in the book, and at this moment, Hachiman's phone suddenly rang.

Asuna confirmed the name displayed on Hachiman's phone screen as if it was nothing new.

Then he pressed the call button with skillful movements and spoke to the person on the other end of the phone.

"Hello?"

"Oh, oh... Sorry, I dialed the wrong number!"

"Huh? You're right, Miss Argo."

"Could it be, Xiaoya?"

"Ah."

"..."

"Ms. Argo? What's wrong?"

The moment Argo confirmed Asuna's name, she fell silent.

Asuna felt strange and asked Argo about this, but Argo looked confused and asked Asuna instead.

"H-Hmm, Xiaoya, this number is Xiaoba's cell phone number, right?"

"Well, that's right."

"That's it"

"Ah! You meant to call Hachiman-kun, but I was the one who answered, so you thought you dialed the wrong number?"

Asuna then remembered that this was Hachiman's phone.

He said, "I see," as if he had suddenly realized something.

"Well, there's a slight deviation, but it's generally correct."

Argo's original question was why Asuna naturally picked up the call to Hachiman. But asking Asuna directly made her hesitate.

So Argo decided to ask Asuna what Hachiman was doing now.

"So, is Hachi over there?"

"He just went to the bathroom, by the way, and is now in Hachiman-kun's room.

Ah, I think I'm back. Please wait a moment. Hachiman-kun, it's Ms. Argo calling~"

There were footsteps and Hachiman's response from the other end of the phone, and then Hachiman picked up the phone.

"Oh, Argo? What's wrong?"

"Before that, I want to ask why Xiaoya answered the call to Xiaoba so naturally? Well, it's not really inconvenient for me."

"Oh? Oh, sorry, it's normal for you to feel weird."

Hachiman thought Argo's question was understandable, so he said so.

Hachiman then began to explain what had happened to Argo.

"To put it simply, all the contacts in my phone's address book are people Asuna knows."

"Uh-huh."

"That way, it's fine for Asuna to answer calls to my cell phone, right? So I'll ask her to answer them for me while I'm away."

Argo felt a little awkward after hearing Hachiman's explanation, but she still spoke.

"Well... is it manly?"

"Oh, praise me more. I rarely get praised."

Hearing Hachiman say this, Argo sighed and replied.

"Haa... well, I won't mention your limited circle of friends."

"Hey, you've already said it."

"Well, it means that although the scope is narrow, the relationship with girls is very close."

"How rude! There are boys here too, uh... excluding my family, there are probably about eight of them."

"Oh, much more than I expected."