"Wait, seriously?" The male half of the couple at the bar suddenly turned around, his eyes wide. "I need details on that story."
Miyu realized then that the man was also one of the "family."
"Man," the man grumbled, "I was going to introduce myself and surprise you later, but that comment just blew our cover." He laughed. "I'm Ryotaro Tsuboi—better known as Klein. Nice to meet you, Fuka-jiro."
"Oh! You're Klein-san! I'm Miyu Shinohara, aka Fuka-jiro. Nice to meet you! And does that mean the lady next to you is... Silent-san?"
"Yes," the woman replied. "I am Shizuka Hiratsuka, also known as Silent. It's been a while, Fuka-jiro-kun."
"I knew it! I heard you two were dating!"
After the round of introductions, Karen and Miyu placed their orders. True to her word, Miyu left the choice entirely up to Agil.
"Just bring me meat! Anything with meat!"
"I'll have the same then," Karen added.
"Coming right up. Just sit tight."
As Agil disappeared into the kitchen, Karen turned to Ryotaro. "Um, is Agil-san the only one who works here?"
"At this hour, there aren't many customers. During peak times, he usually has part-timers or his wife helping out."
"I see."
"Now then," Ryotaro said, leaning in. "While we wait... let's hear that story in detail."
"Ah... ahaha..."
Karen gave a sheepish explanation of how she met Hachiman and their recent reunion.
"...So, you see, it wasn't like he was 'hitting' on me. Really."
"I mean, technically, sure... but Shizuka-san, what do you think after hearing that?"
"I don't recall ever teaching him how to woo women in my classes," Shizuka said dryly. "Perhaps a hidden talent has finally bloomed."
"A talent? For what?"
"The talent to make women fall for him without even realizing he's doing it."
"Oh, I get that. I totally get that," Ryotaro said, nodding vigorously.
"So you're saying Leader is a 'Natural Gigolo'?!" Miyu cried.
"Precisely. Fuka-jiro-kun, you'd best be careful too."
"This cute little Fuka-jiro came here specifically to fall for him!"
"...I see. Too late then."
"I'm just a little annoyed Kohi beat me to the punch!"
"I-I told you, it's not like that!"
Just then, Agil returned with the food. "Here we go. The Agil Special."
"Ooh! Meat! Time to dig in!"
"It's just a roast beef set..." Ryotaro muttered.
"Think of it as a celebratory first meal. It's on the house."
"Thanks, Agil-san!"
"You're welcome. And here is yours, Karen-san."
"Thank you! It looks delicious."
As they began to eat, Agil polished a glass and joined the conversation. "You guys seem to be having a good time. What's the topic?"
"We were just discussing Hachiman's newly awakened talent for being an accidental lady-killer," Ryotaro explained.
"Newly awakened?" Agil raised an eyebrow. "That kid has been popular since the SAO days."
"Wait... really?"
"Um... excuse me," Karen asked tentatively. "Are you all... SAO survivors?"
Agil nodded calmly. "Yeah. Us, Hachiman... in our group, there are eight of us. No, wait—if the rumors about Rosalia being a non-official member are true, that makes nine."
"I had no idea..."
"But listen, Karen-san," Ryotaro said, his tone turning a bit more serious. "Hachiman isn't exactly 'normal.' You should probably be prepared for that."
"Not normal... in what way?"
"His circumstances, the women around him... the whole environment."
Karen nodded. "I've heard a little about that. It's okay."
"It's okay, huh?"
"Well, if you can say that, you'll be fine."
"Yes!"
Karen, remembering something that had been on her mind, looked at Agil. "By the way... does this have anything to do with Hachiman-kun being the President of Soleil?"
"Oh, you even know about that? Yeah, that's the gist of it. As for the details... if Hachiman thinks it's time to tell you, he will."
"I understand."
Karen hoped that, one day, they would have a relationship where he could tell her anything.
Then, Agil spoke up, bringing up a piece of Hachiman's past that perhaps only he remembered.
"Hey, Klein. Do you remember... the 'Diva'?"
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