"Huh...? Is this... the Forest of Sleep?
I see. So, I've ended up back here after all..."
Kaede, assuming she had merely been sleeping in her own bed at home, misunderstood her surroundings. She whispered the words with a heavy, sinking heart.
"I decided I was going to live... was that all just a dream?"
The thought brought tears to the corners of her eyes, but she bit her lip, desperately holding them back with a heartbreaking display of strength.
"No. I decided I would fight alongside everyone. I can't be crying. I won't."
The moment she renewed her resolve, the door to the room burst open. Kiyomori rushed in, gasping for breath.
"Kaede!"
"Grandpa!"
Without a second thought, Kiyomori scooped Kaede into his arms and began to weep openly. Surprised, Kaede patted him gently.
"Grandpa, why are you crying? I promised in the dream, didn't I? I'm going to fight this illness properly. So please, don't cry."
"You're wrong. You're wrong, Kaede. You have already fought magnificently. And you won. You've finally beaten the disease."
"Eh...?"
At first, Kaede tilted her head, unable to process what she was being told. But as the meaning of Kiyomori's words began to sink in, her eyes widened. Large, heavy drops of tears began to spill down her cheeks. Realizing she was crying, she panicked.
"H-Huh? Grandpa, I'm sorry. I decided I wouldn't cry anymore, but... for some reason, the tears won't stop..."
"It is fine, Kaede. These are tears of joy. At times like this, you may cry as much as you wish. Cry for all the sadness you have endured until now. Let it all out."
"Grandpa!"
Kaede buried her face in Kiyomori's chest and wailed. It was the same physical situation as before—crying in his arms—but the emotion was the polar opposite of the terror she had felt when she screamed that she didn't want to die. These were tears of pure, unadulterated life.
Kyoko and Tomomori watched the scene with gentle smiles. Meanwhile, Hachiman and Asuna, feeling this should be a moment for the family, had tactfully waited in the lobby. They didn't speak, but their expressions were ones of quiet satisfaction.
Eventually, Kiyomori came to retrieve them; it seemed Kaede was asking for them. As they passed each other, Kiyomori murmured to Hachiman.
"I've located the scumbags who planted those poisonous thoughts in Kaede's head."
"Is that so? What do you plan to do, you old geezer?"
"I intend to teach them that there are places in this world far more painful than death."
"Just what exactly are you planning...?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just a mandatory one-year enrollment in the Yuki Cram School."
"Hah? What's that?"
Hachiman looked blankly at the unfamiliar term. Asuna leaned in and whispered into his ear.
"Um, it's apparently a facility designed to... 'correct' people with behavioral issues. I've only heard rumors, but they say that anyone who enters that school, no matter how bad they were, comes out a year later as docile as a house cat."
"He runs a place like that too?"
"Well," Kiyomori grunted, "honestly, I wanted to sanction them with my own hands. But the hazing there is supposedly worse than dying, so let's call it a compromise."
"Well, to be honest, I didn't have much confidence I could suppress my own murderous intent if I saw them. If you're going that far, I'll leave it to you."
"Aye, leave it to me. Now, you two go on. Kaede is waiting."
"I'll swing by your place later to discuss future plans."
"Right. I'll be waiting."
The two headed to Kaede's hospital room, where they were greeted by her beaming smile.
"Big Brother! Big Sister!"
"Kaede!"
"Kaede-chan!"
Asuna took Kaede's hand, sharing in her joy, while Hachiman gently patted the girl's head.
"Did I... did I manage to fight properly alongside you two?"
"Yeah. Having you there gave us heart. You were incredibly brave."
"Kaede-chan, you were really strong. You did great. You're amazing."
"Really? I did it... I did it, Big Brother, Big Sister!"
"You sure did, Kaede!"
"You did it!"
Soon after, Tomomori arrived to take Kaede for a series of tests. Hachiman watched them leave, then turned to Kyoko with a troubled expression.
"Kyoko-san, about the plan to move the sleeping facility to Tokyo... if we do that, we'll be separating Kaede from the old geezer, won't we? I'd like to avoid that if possible. What should we do..."
"Oh, that won't be a problem. Father has decided to retire completely from public life and spend the rest of his days in Tokyo with Kaede."
"Ehhh?"
"Seriously...?"
Hachiman couldn't hide his shock.
"That old man... he certainly takes action when he wants to."
"Well, you can just visit him occasionally, can't you?"
"I was the one who suggested the move in the first place, so I guess it can't be helped..."
"Fufu, I'm sorry about that. I'll make sure to confiscate his katana, at least."
Hachiman decided to stay a little longer to discuss the future with Kyoko. Asuna, however, had to return to Tokyo soon, so she headed out with Haruno to go shopping for souvenirs for their friends.
"Asuna, I'm leaving that side to you. For the guys, just get some random food."
"Yup, leave it to me!"
"Oh, and I already bought something for Shino, so don't worry about her."
"Eh? Is that so... Hachiman-kun, aren't you a little too sweet on Shino-non?"
"No, look, she explicitly told me to choose something myself last time. I didn't have a choice..."
"Mmm... Shino-non really is the one I can't let my guard down around... Alright, I'm off!"
"Counting on you."
After Asuna left, Hachiman received the data on the patients scheduled for transfer from Kyoko. He took detailed notes on several precautions. He confirmed the logistics—housing for the three of them once they moved, securing specialized staff—and just as he finished, he felt a gaze fixed on him.
He looked around nervously.
"Oh? Is something wrong, Hachiman-kun?"
"No, I just felt like someone was watching me..."
"Ah, if that's the case, perhaps it's them."
Kyoko pointed out the window. Through the glass of another room, two familiar faces were pressed together, looking out.
"Those two, huh..."
"Fufu, it seems they've become quite attached to you."
"Is that so? Well, better than being hated, I guess."
"Hachiman-kun... about those two."
"Ah, yes."
"They might look energetic right now, but the truth is, their condition isn't very good. Well, it's the same for the other children too."
"I... see."
Hachiman listened with a heavy heart, resolving to do whatever he could.
"That is why, once we relocate to Tokyo and preparations are complete, I want to keep all the patients here permanently connected to the Medicuboid."
"Permanently...?"
"Yes. By doing so, we can reliably suppress the progression of their diseases to a certain extent."
"I see..."
"So, I was wondering if we could create a space where they can live a 'normal' life within virtual reality."
"Understood. I'll consult with some people about it."
"I'm sorry to rely on you for everything..." Kyoko looked genuinely apologetic.
Hachiman shook his head and spoke with conviction.
"As long as the Medicuboid is in our hands—sorry if this sounds callous—an upfront investment like this can be recouped immediately. And someday, when Medicuboids are installed in hospitals all over Japan, this kind of environmental setup will be absolutely necessary. So please, don't worry about it."
Hearing his words, Kyoko smiled.
"Fufu, the next Head of the family is truly reliable."
"Please don't tease me, Kyoko-san. I'm fully intending to push that role onto Tomomori-san."
"Since meeting you... how should I put it? It feels like the path ahead has suddenly cleared. Like I can see hope in the future. Hachiman-kun, thank you, truly, for Kaede. I will repay this debt someday, without fail."
"Debt? Please don't talk like that. We're practically relatives now, anyway."
"That's true, isn't it? Make sure you invite me to the wedding."
"Everyone except the geezer, definitely."
"If you do that, Father will absolutely crash the ceremony."
Kyoko laughed happily at his response. Hachiman prepared to head toward Kiyomori as planned, but Kyoko stopped him.
"If you don't show your face to those two before you leave, they'll probably sulk for days."
"That's true. Ah, Kyoko-san, before that... could you tell me the details of their illness?"
"Yes, of course. Their condition is..."
After listening to the details of their condition, Hachiman headed to the girls' hospital room.
"Yo. Did I keep you waiting?"
"You're late, Hachiman."
"Geez, we were tired of waiting."
"S-Sorry..."
Hachiman apologized honestly under their scrutiny, causing the two girls to break into smiles.
"Fufu, just joking."
"It's a joke, Hachiman. By the way, is it true you cured Kaede-chan's illness?"
"Yeah, it's true. Well, it's not like I cured it, though."
"Wow... Hachiman really is amazing."
"I wonder if it's the power of the Medicuboid?"
"No, well, that's certainly part of it, but... it was a lot of things."
"I see. Anyway, that's great! That's really great!"
"Yes, truly wonderful news."
The two spoke with bright smiles. Hachiman looked at them with a serious expression.
"How are you both feeling lately? I heard you weren't doing so well."
"Hmm, my body does feel a little heavy, maybe."
"Yes, it's certainly not great."
"Is that so... I'll rush the arrangements so you can use the Medicuboid as soon as possible. Just hang in there a little longer. That said... this is a bit hard to say..."
Seeing Hachiman hesitate, the two exchanged glances.
"What is it?"
"You can say anything. At this point, nothing you say will surprise us."
"Well, when you go to Tokyo... to stop the progression of the disease, I think you're going to have to be permanently connected to the Medicuboid. I intend to set up the base so you can spend your time comfortably, but I wanted you to be mentally prepared."
Hearing this, the girls looked at each other again.
"I see. So, to focus on treatment, that's the better option."
"I don't know the medical details, but I think that's what it means."
Then, Yu asked Hachiman with piqued interest.
"Hey, Hachiman. What's it like inside the Medicuboid?"
"You mean inside the virtual reality?"
"Yeah, that!"
"Hmm, let's see... It's almost no different from reality. In some ways, it's even more convenient..."
"Is it okay to stay in there for a long time? Like, physically?"
Asked this, Hachiman decided to reveal a part of his past to reassure them.
"Well, I was inside for over two years straight, and I turned out fine."
"Two years?"
"Wait, Hachiman... are you an SAO Survivor?"
"Yeah. So my opinion is based on experience. You can trust it."
"Is that so... well, that explains why you're so strong."
The two seemed to accept his words naturally. Having seen the footage of his fight with Subtilizer earlier likely contributed to their acceptance.
Yu then turned to Ai.
"Okay then... Hey Ai, should we try playing lots of different games with everyone?"
"That sounds nice. That might be fun."
"Why not? Playing educational software isn't fun at all, right?"
"That stuff is practically torture..."
"Well, once in a while is fine. Very, very once in a while!"
"So, Hachiman, what games do you play?"
"Me?"
Hachiman hesitated, thinking of the Laughing Coffin complications, but decided to be honest.
"I mainly play two games: ALO and GGO. Though ALO is my main one."
"I see. In that case, Yu, let's save those two games for last."
"Ehh? But I want to play with Hachiman!"
"We're talking specifically about this ALO game. Let's play other games first. When we feel we've become strong enough to fight alongside Hachiman... that is when we will go to meet him in ALO."
"I see... Yeah. Okay, let's do that!"
"Alright. I'll be waiting in ALO, then."
"Yes, please look forward to it. Ah, but you have to come visit our base in VR sometimes, okay? Yu gets lonely easily."
"That's you, Ai!"
"I-I'm not..."
Seeing Ai fidgeting shyly, Hachiman shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah. As you wish."
"What is with that tone? You really don't know how to treat a lady."
"Now, now, Ai. Well then, we have a lot to research!"
It was time for Hachiman to leave for Kiyomori's place.
"The next time we meet, it'll probably be in Tokyo."
"Hachiman, you're going back to Tokyo already?"
"Well, technically Chiba."
"Ugh... when we get over there, you have to come see us properly, okay?"
"Yeah. It's a promise."
"Then, here is the seal of our promise."
Saying that, Ai leaned in and lightly kissed Hachiman on the cheek. Seeing this, Yu refused to be outdone and kissed his other cheek.
"Fufu, now the promise is absolute."
"Yup!"
"I-I wasn't planning on breaking it anyway..."
Hachiman stammered, flustered by the sudden double assault. As he turned to leave the room, the two girls called out to his back.
"We will keep the other promise, too. Absolutely."
"No matter what happens, we won't give up on our illness. Absolutely!"
Hearing those words, Hachiman turned back. He pulled them both into a hug.
"Yeah. Just like we promised, I'll do my best too. Absolutely. That's a guarantee."
"Yup. Absolutely."
"Yes. Absolutely."
Watched over by the two girls, Hachiman finally left the hospital room and headed, at last, to where Kiyomori was waiting.
-----------------------------
I've just uploaded up to 30 chapters in advance on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, please supporting me on Patreon!
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your amazing support!