Episode 6 "Y's Secret/Seeking the Truth"

 "... okay? I've got the evidence of your wrongdoing. Argo and I will be heading over there, so tell them to be prepared... you can disappear now."

　

Mr. Sig was entrusting a threat and a message to the boss to Remain Light, the salamander who seems to be the boss earlier. After Sig-san's words, the Remain Light disappeared.

　

"Thank you very much, Sig-san, Klein."

"... No, I was also working. Don't worry about it... then I'll go. I'm going to go to that guild with Argo... I have to talk."

　

Saying that, Sig-san took out a transfer crystal from his storage, waved to us, and transferred...

It is an aside that I thought that I should never touch the words that I tried to say in the middle.

　

"Well then, shall we go home?"

"Oh"

"Sorry, Kirito, Klein... I'll wait here for Yuuki and the others."

　

I told Klein that I would stay.

　

"Ooh, I understand. Then, should Kirito and I prepare for a victory party?"

"... yes. See you later, Fong."

"Oh"

　

After saying that, I parted ways with Kirito and the others, and decided to wait alone in front of the boss room for Yuuki and the others.

　

　

　

30 minutes later...

Gon ! _

"...are you done?"

　

The door to the boss room was unlocked, and when I unlocked the concealment skill, I opened the door...

　

"Ah... von...!"

　

There, there is no boss, and there are Sleeping Knights and Asuna who enjoy defeating the boss.

　

""Ehehe!!""

　

Asuna and Yuuki smiled and sent V-signs, and I gave them a thumbs-up as well.

　

After activating the 28th floor, we returned to the 27th floor and decided to launch with Siune's words.

Asuna suggested that the venue be a log house on the 22nd floor, but...

　

「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」

"... Yuuki...?"

　

Yuuki's expression, which had been smiling until now, suddenly clouded over. She called out involuntarily...

　

"Um...I'm sorry, Asuna-san, Fon-san.

　

Yuuki grabbed Siune's hand and stopped her. Perhaps reading Yuuki's intentions... Siune stroked Yuuki's head and continued her words.

　

“Thank you, Asuna-san.

""............................""

　

Even though Asuna and I nodded, Yuuki's appearance just now made me at a loss for words.

　

　

　

"Heh... is this Asuna's house?"

　

When we arrived at the log house and went inside, Yuuki, who had regained his energy a little, said such an impression. When we approached the table to put down our luggage...

　

"... Well, there's already a treat."

""···eh?""

　

After hearing Yuuki's words, I looked at the table... There was certainly food and drink prepared.

　

"Fon-kun... this"

"...Kirito's guy."

　

There was a message card with two swords and a picture of Yui-chan saying "Congratulations on this" .

　

""""""""cheers!!!""""""""

　

Just like that, we cooked the ingredients we bought and started the banquet.

Each of them eats, drinks, and gets drunk... I'm a little worried about Tarken, who's been pouring sake into the seaweed... but it'll be fine.

　

“Even so, to think that four people could wipe out a single guild… are Fon and the others really monsters?”

"Oi oi... as expected, it's not terrible, isn't it?"

"But you also used 'Illusion Sword' and 'Two-sword style', didn't you?

“Asuna-san…!?”

　

Even though he refutes Yuuki's words, he receives the same treatment from Asuna, which shocks him a bit. No, I was certainly overwhelmed, but... I don't understand.

　

"And you've cut your magic... what is that?"

"Ah. 'Magic Destruction (Spell Blast)' and 'Spell Intercept'... is that..."

　

In response to Siune's question, I began to explain.

First of all, 『Magic Destruction』 is an anti-magic skill that uses attributed sword skills. To put it simply, destroying the core, which is the judgment part of magic, with a sword skill... It's easy to say, but it's a feat that Kirito can do because he's actually cut a bullet with GGO.

　

By the way, I also practiced with them...the success rate is about 50%.

　

"Hmm... then what was Fong using?...Spelled in..."

“'Spell Intercept'… this is a non-magic system skill that came up with the idea of ​​destroying magic with a sword skill with attributes.

To put it simply, it's a method of giving a weapon a contradictory attribute to the magic that is fired and destroying the magic core with a normal attack . at your own timing.

…Of course, a certain amount of power is required, and since it cannot be nullified unless it is a magic with an attribute advantageous against that magic, it has a weakness of not being able to deal with multiple magics.”

"...Still, no one would think of cutting magic..."

　

I came up with the idea based on my experience with GGO and my training with Kirito, but I was a little shocked by Siune's reaction.

　

“'Spell Blast' huh… I wonder if I can do it too…”

... About one person was next to me who was motivated, but ...

　

And then we started talking about boss battles, battles with guild members, the skills Kirito and I used, and the VRMMOs that Yuuki and the others had adventured up until now.

　

"So, the VRMMO that was definitely the worst was America's 'Insectite'."

"Oh, that's..."

"Hee...what kind of guy?"

"Insects! All insects! If monsters are insects, I'm an insect too!"

　

Asuna's face turned pale as she listened. Come to think of it, insects were useless... Asuna.

　

“Even so, I was still a two-legged Arinko… something like Siune!”

"Wow! No, don't say it!"

"A huge caterpillar! Pyu thread from your mouth!"

　

Siune's face turned bright red at Yuuki's revelation and she laid down.

Both Asuna and I burst out laughing at that reaction.

　

"...that's nice. We've traveled to many different worlds together."

"What about Asuna?"

"eh..."

"VRMMO history seems to be quite long, but..."

"Wow, I..."

“Basically, ALO is the only game I play.

Wasn't Asuna only ALO ?

"Uh, yeah...! I was desperately saving money to buy this house."

　

I will follow Asuna, who is reluctant to talk about SAO, and speak for her... but,

　

"Eh, but..."

「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」

"I see. That's right."

　

Yuuki, who felt uncomfortable after meeting me, raises a questioning voice, but he seems to have figured it out by looking at my troubled expression. He changed the topic to Asuna's house.

　

"But this house is really comfortable. It reminds me of the old days."

"That's right. I feel relieved when I'm here... ah!!"

"What's wrong, Siune?"

　

Everyone paid attention to Siune's words, who suddenly remembered something.

The words that came out of his mouth...

　

"I'm sorry, I forgot! Speaking of money, when we asked Asuna-san for help, we promised to give you something dropped by the boss, didn't we?"

""""Ah!"""""Ah..."

　

Come to think of it, there was such an arrangement... Both Sleeping Knights and I had completely forgotten about it.

　

"That's right... I completely forgot...! Oh..."

"No, no, no!"

　

Asuna told Yuuki, who forgot about the promise, not to worry about it.

　

"In exchange, I have a request."

"...please?"

"Well, the contract is over... but I... want to talk more with Yuuki... I have a lot of things I want to ask..."

　

Saying that, Asuna cut off her words for a moment, then made up her mind and continued.

　

"Can you put me in the sleeping nights?"

"eh...?"

""""...!"""""

　

Yuuki, everyone in Sleeping Knights, and myself were surprised by that remark.

I wondered if Asuna had something on her mind during this short time... As I was thinking about that, for some reason Yuuki began to speak with a depressed expression.

　

"You know... you know, Asuna... we're Sleeping Knights soon...

I'm going to break up around spring.From that point onwards, it's hard for everyone to get into the game..."

“Yeah, I know.

　

I asked that, but Yuuki made an even sadder expression while saying,

　

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry, Asuna...I'm really sorry...!"

I'm sorry, Yuuki, I asked you to do something unreasonable!"

　

Unintentionally, the air became heavy... I clapped my hands and made a loud noise to change the atmosphere.

　

bread!

"""""""!!!""""""""

“It's a great launch.

"...I agree"

　

Asuna seemed to understand what I said when I clapped my hands and forced the topic to change.

　

"that...?"

"You forgot the most important thing. I think it's time for the update to be reflected..."

"There's a monument to the first-tier swordsman."

　

Asuna and I answered Siune's questioning voice.

　

"Oh, okay! Let's go, let's go! Let's take a picture!"

"Sounds good!"

"Oh, let's go!"

　

Apparently everyone at Sleeping Nights agrees .

　

"Hey, let's go, Yuuki?"

"...yes"

　

Yuuki also answered my invitation with a slight smile.

　

　

　

Just like that, we came to the swordsman's monument on the first floor...

　

"Ah! ... there was ..."

　

The names of the members of the Sleeping Knights and Asuna's name were definitely engraved on the 27th floor walkthrough.

　

"There it is... it's our name...!"

""... (Cock!)"

　

Asuna and I conversed with eye contact while watching Yuuki mutter deeply.

　

"Hey! Let's take a picture!"

　

In Jun's words, I tried to leave so as not to get in the way, but...

　

“Let's enter, Mr. Fong!”

"Eh, but...!"

"It's okay, it's okay! If it wasn't for Mr. Fong, we would be in danger!"

"...then I'll bother you."

　

I was also persuaded by Siune and Nori to appear in the photo.

　

“Look, Yuuki, smile!”

"eh...?"

"It's a special commemorative photo... I think it's better to laugh, even if it's crying or laughing, right?"

"···yes!"

　

Asuna and I said that Yuuki's depressed expression finally broke into a smile.

As it was, I took a picture with the timer function operated by Jun.

　

"You did it, Yuuki."

"Yeah... I finally did it, sister."

"Fufu. Yuuki, you're saying it again."

"eh...?"

"I'm your sister...you said that in the boss room too?"

　

(...Is that so... Maybe Yuuki has an older sister...? But then why aren't we doing VRMMO together...?)

It was when I saw Yuuki that I felt such doubts... I saw it.

　

"Yu, Yuuki...?"

　

The expression on Yuuki's face as he held back his mouth and shed a large amount of tears...all of the emotions that had been stored up suddenly came out...that was the kind of expression on his face.

　

Asuna also notices Yuuki's anomaly, but...

　

"A, Asuna... Bo, I...!?"

　

Just like that, Yuuki operates the menu...

　

“Yu, Yuuki!?” “Wait, Yuuki!?”

　

Asuna and I shook off our restraints and logged out.

　

　

　

Three days later...

Both me and Asuna kept sending messages to Yuuki, but...

Yuuki didn't seem to be logged in at all. Asuna also tried to see if she could meet Yuuki through Siune, but she apparently had no contact with the members of the Sleeping Knights, and she was stopped by Siune instead.

　

I was taking classes at school, thinking that there was nothing I could do about it, but I didn't hear anything about the class at all.

　

(... Yuuki...)

　

Before I knew it, I was only thinking about Yuuki.

Rika was worried and called out to me, but I didn't even remember how I responded.

It was lunch break in no time, but I didn't even have an appetite, so I was on the roof looking at the sky.

　

(……………………I don't want to see you, huh?)

　

I remember what Asuna said to Siune.Just like Siune said, Yuuki may not want to see us anymore.He also knows in his head that he should respect that feeling.But ...

　

(...nevertheless...)

　

When I closed my eyes, memories with Yuuki revived. We met in that special dungeon in SAO, miraculously met again in ALO, and fought...

　

Now that I think about it...it was the first time I've ever met a girl who was so happy to be with me.

On top of that, he's strong enough to defeat Kazuto...

　

(A child of the VR world, huh...)

　

When I remembered what Kazuto said, my smartphone vibrated .

The sender was from Kazuto.

　

　

　

“…Are you here, Ren-kun?”

"Oh... no doubt about it."

　

after school

Asuna and I went to the place that Kazuto told us about...Yokohama Kohoku General Hospital...the hospital I was in when I was in SAO. I nodded at Asuna's words after confirming them, and decided to head to her reception for the time being.

　

"that..."

"Are you visiting?"

"Yes... but the other person's name is 'Konno Yuuki'... Eh? "

"Yuki Konno... If there is someone named Yuuki Konno who uses Medicuboid, would you like to meet him?"

"Hey, wait a minute... Excuse me, Konno-san, if you'd like to meet...!?"

　

The woman at the reception panicked at my words and started contacting someone.

I was calm because I had expected that situation, but Asuna next to me was confused.

　

“R-Ren-kun, who is that person?”

　

It was when I tried to explain to Asuna, who had finally regained her composure.

　

"You guys... can I have a minute?"

　

When I was called and turned around, there was a man in a white coat standing there.

　

"Maybe you are 'Fon-kun' and 'Asuna-san'?"

"Yes... you?"

"My name is Kurahashi... I heard from Yuuki that you guys might come here...

Then, I heard from the receptionist that someone who knew Yuuki-kun's real name had arrived, so he flew away in a hurry..."

“Yuuki… could it be…?”

“Yes.

　

A doctor named Mr. Kurahashi introduced himself as such.

　

　

　

Dr. Kurahashi took us around the hospital.

　

"You've figured this out well... I heard from Yuuki-kun that maybe Asuna-san or Fon-san might come..."

"... Yuuki?"

"...But you said you didn't tell me about the hospital...then, I said there's no way I could understand this place...but if you're the one...Otomairen... you"

「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」

　

I didn't respond to Kurahashi-sensei's words...Asuna was perplexed by me silently smiling wryly.

It seems that Kurahashi-sensei remembered me... well, it would be strange if someone related to this hospital didn't know about me.

　

“Even so, I was really surprised that the two of you, who I often hear about from Yuuki-kun, came to this hospital together.”

"Umm... Yuuki-san, what about us, teacher...?"

"Yeah. That's enough... Especially Fon-kun... I've been listening to Otoya-kun's story since then. More recently..."

"···That time?"

"... (...Is that so? From that time on, Yuuki... then...)"

　

Kurahashi-sensei's words reminded me of what happened at this hospital.

　

"But... after talking about Otoya-kun and Yuki-san, she always has a gloomy expression. She never complains about herself...

I want to see you guys, but I'm afraid that if I see you any more, I won't be able to see you anymore..."

「「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」」

"Oh, this room. Here you go."

　

We arrived at the hospital room where we followed Dr. Kurahashi, the "First Special Measuring Equipment Room". Following Dr. Kurahashi and entering the hospital room...

　

"Huh? Excuse me, could you wait here for a while?"

　

After saying that, Kurahashi-sensei went into the back room. When he got stuck and looked to the side...it was there.

　

"Um... Ren-kun. How did you know Yuuki's real name? Besides, what did Kurahashi-sensei say...?"

"... that's right... I'll tell you everything, Asuna."

　

I gave up on those words and said.

　

"This hospital...is the hospital I was in when I was in SAO."

"····e?"

"... To be precise, I was accidentally involved in SAO when I was being treated with this machine... the medical full-dive device 'Medicuboid'."

"...!!"

"And... maybe I met the real Yuuki here."

"····eh!?"

　

Asuna couldn't help but be surprised at my confession.

　

Gachan!

　

The door of the hospital room I entered opened,

　

"Kurahashi-sensei, I'm sorry. I'm late... eh...?"

　

There, a girl with short hair and a headband was staring at me.

　

"... Yuuki...?"

　

Asuna and I knew instinctively that she was Yuuki Konno, also known as Zekken.

I'm surprised that Yuuki seems to recognize me and Asuna...

　

"...!?"

"Wait!"

　

Yuuki tried to run away, but Asuna's words stopped him.

　

"... that... Yuuki, right?"

"...yes"

　

Without looking back, Yuuki answered Asuna's question.

　

"...he really came, both of us...we didn't expect that...

But... I didn't want them to know..."

“…Yu, Yuuki?”

　

Asuna couldn't help but bewildered by Yuuki's words, which were about to cry.

But I...

　

"Hey... this is the second time we've met in the real world, Yuuki."

"... well... von... I remembered lotus too."

"Ah... so why don't you tell me? Why did you disappear from ALO?"

「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」

"Wh-what's going on...?"

"Asuna. This Medicuboid... is the world's first medical full-dive machine, and it's terminal care... it's intended for end-of-life care."

"...!?!?"

"...Fo, phone...? Why do you know...!?"

　

This time, Asuna was at a loss for words at my words.On the other hand, she had an expression like she couldn't believe Motoki.

　

"...It's a simple story. I've used this Medicuboid before."

　

Hearing those words, Momenoki was at a loss for words.

　

　

　

"Well... where should I start...?"

　

Kurahashi-sensei, who came back, was surprised that Momenoki was there and that our atmosphere had become strange, but he urged him to take a seat and began to speak.

　

"Um... are you okay?"

“What is it, Asuna-san?”

“Um… Yuuki is hospitalized here for some kind of illness, and is he receiving treatment with this… Medicuboid?”

"... To be precise, I'm asking for a clinical trial with this Medicuboid."

"... so, that..."

　

Kuraishi-sensei replied to Asuna's words. Asuna tried to put her words together, but she seemed at a loss as to what to ask.

　

"... about my illness?"

"Huh?... Uh, yeah..."

“…Isn’t it fine, Sensei?”

“…If you like Motoki-kun, I won’t object.”

"...Asuna, Von...I...had Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome...I was infected with AIDS."

"...!?"

　

Both Asuna and I were at a loss for words at those words, and we couldn't help but be surprised.

From there, Professor Kurahashi explained. The fact that the blood transfused at birth was contaminated with HIV, that the virus was drug-resistant, and that I developed AIDS when I was in the fourth grade of elementary school... that's what I am I listened silently.

　

"...Motoki-kun was always smiling and desperately continued to fight against the disease. At that time, the news came that a specific medicine that was effective against drug-resistant AIDS had been completed in the United States. There was."

　

Kurahashi-sensei continued his words while staring at Motoki with gentle eyes.

　

“However, that drug had only been tested on mice, and clinical trials on humans had not yet been decided.

Medicuboid prototypes 1 and 2 were completed..."

"...well then..."

“Yes.

At the same time, he also decided to enter the Medicuboid, which is installed in the sterile room... even if the magic bullet doesn't work, you can avoid an opportunistic infection."

「・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・」

"At that time...a high school student involved in an accident was brought to this hospital...that was..."

"It was me..."

"Oh"

　

I accepted Kurahashi-sensei's words and answered.

　

"You may have heard from your parents that Otoya-kun was involved in a traffic accident and was taken to this hospital."

"...accident"

"It seems that he protected the cat that jumped out of the truck...

However, it seems that he hit his head on the side road when he was protecting the cat.

"...therefore, the doctor in charge made a proposal...a treatment method where Otoya-kun would dive into a VR using a Medicuboid and awaken his consciousness there."

"...Is that possible?"

"To be honest, it seems that the current situation is that you won't know until you try... but I'd rather risk the possibility of being as few as possible than never wake up like this for the rest of my life ... That's what my parents thought. And that plan worked...

But..."

“That day was the day SAO officially started its service, and I got caught up in SAO when I was in the crowded Medicuboid… right?”

"... Ah. There was no problem with Motoki-kun, who was operating the Medicuboid earlier than you, but... Otoya-kun's consciousness has been in SAO for almost two years since then, and he's been caught by ALO. Became"

"...perhaps what the commander meant at that time..."

"Oh... I guess I said that because I logged in using Medicuboid, not NerveGear."

　

I replied to Asuna's words... I only told Kazuto that I came from a parallel world. To be honest, I was in SAO when I realized it, so it was quite a while before I knew about it...

By the way, it's a digression that I don't remember well the memories before and after the accident.

　

"And it's been about two years since we started using the silver bullet and Medicuboid...

That was a few days before SAO was cleared...when the results of the regular medical check-up on the first day of the month came out...the HIV virus completely disappeared from Motoki-kun's body."

"···that's!?"

"... Yes. It meant that the silver bullet was effective... Even before that, the numbers were improving little by little, but... I didn't expect it to be so effective all at once. I didn' t even think about it...so I gave him permission to go out of this sterile room as part of his rehabilitation."

　

Kuraishi-sensei drank coffee, which must have been cold, to take a break.　

　

"And then, SAO was cleared... Rekto's problem was solved... Otoya-kun, who was captured by SAO, returned to the real world, and he also started rehabilitation at this hospital."

"...Yes. That's when I happened to meet Yuuki..."

"...I was surprised too! Because there was a person in the real world who looked just like the one I met in the game cave...I couldn't believe it was the same person...!"

　

Kurahashi-sensei asked me to talk about it, and when I told him that I met Yuuki for the first time in the real world, Yuuki replied with a little excitement.

　

"Eh... wait! Could it be, Yuuki... have you met Fon-kun before that?"

"Huh?...Yeah. At that time, I was a fairy like light..."

“During the SAO days, in a certain trap dungeon… Now that I think about it, I was logged into this hospital's Medicu Void, so maybe Yuuki got caught up in that too…”

　

That's how I answered Asuna's question.

　

"... I was really surprised and chilled when I heard the story from Motoki-kun...

Even she went to SAO...and from that time on, Fon-kun, I started listening to Otoya-kun's story."

"S-Sensei!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...!

And the fact that a specific medicine for the HIV virus has been proven to be effective in humans has been communicated to research institutes in the United States... That medicine will also be announced to the world in April this year. ...

Then, in September of last year, it was decided that Motenuki-kun would be discharged from the hospital at the end of March this year.”

"...from there. I don't understand...why did Yuuki disappear from our sights...? If you..."

"That's why, Otoya-kun."

"···eh?"

　

My question was hesitant by Kuraishi-sensei, who had a sad expression on his face.

　

"that is..."

"Teacher... I'll speak from there."

"Momenuki-kun..."

"...I thought I had to talk to Fon and Asuna...but it's a bit difficult to talk here...can we change places?"

　

Saying that, Yuuki pointed at the Medicuboid.

Asuna and I read her intention and quietly nodded.

　

　

　

Next time: SAO ~Phantom War Demon~

　

“Don't be silly…!”

　

“Yuuki… Fight me now!!”

"Why...!? Why!"

“Hon-kun, calm down!”

　

"Answer me! What do you really want to do!!!!"

"...I am...!?"

　

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!"

…… Gang !

　

"What was he so angry about?"

　

　

　

---

In the next notice, there will be a sudden turnaround...

I hope you can wait until the next time for the answer.

By the way, having two medicuboids and being completely cured of the disease of the cotton season... these will become important factors later.
Well, it's not an immediate story, so please remember it to the extent that you keep it in your memory.