Kazami Yusei sighed. With one arm, he held Shiro close, and with the other, he grabbed Kaguya's hand.
"Let's go quickly. I was afraid this would happen."
...
In the real world, at the Shinomiya Residence.
Hayasaka knelt on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, looking at the Young Mistress lying on the bed, with helmet on, lost in slumber. Her heart was filled with immense regret.
Standing beside her were Kaguya's parents and the head of the Shinomiya Family, Shinomiya Koken.
Koken's face was dark as he looked at his granddaughter on the bed, his eyes full of distress. Then he turned his gaze to the attendant beside him.
"Still no news from over there? Is there any way to breach it through data?"
The attendant was sweating profusely, his voice fearful.
"N-No... It's impossible. They said all the data was completed independently by Kayaba Akihiko alone. He left no backdoors at all. We can't hack into it… we can't fix it."
"In other words, within the SAO World, only Kayaba Akihiko has control."
Bang!
Koken slammed his fist against the nearby wall, leaving a dent.
"Stupid company!" Koken gritted his teeth.
The 'stupid' here naturally referred to the game company that released SAO.
The moment the SAO Incident happened, Koken had swiftly used his connections to acquire the entire company.
His goal wasn't profit, but to find a way to rescue his granddaughter.
But the answer he got was that the company knew nothing about what Kayaba had done.
It was no exaggeration to say SAO was developed by Kayaba alone. He had merely used the company's equipment and funds.
"Father, please mind your health," Kaguya's father said, equally worried about his daughter.
"I'm fine. Keep looking for a solution. If there's truly no other way... then we can only rely on Kaguya herself."
Koken sighed and looked at Hayasaka, who was still kneeling on the floor.
"Get up. The Shinomiya Family rewards and punishes fairly. This matter is not your fault."
Was Hayasaka responsible for this? Strictly speaking, not really. After all, it was Kaguya who wanted to play the game to relax and train in a world of swords.
Hayasaka had only told Kaguya about the game, her original intention being to help her unwind.
Having grown up with Kaguya, Hayasaka was like a half-granddaughter in a way.
"First, move Kaguya to the Shinomiya Group's dedicated hospital. Have the Shinomiya Group's medical staff provide care." Koken issued commands swiftly and decisively.
The people waiting for orders nearby quickly acknowledged and went to make arrangements.
After giving the orders, Koken seemed to age several years in an instant. He let out a sigh, but just then, the door to the adjacent room was suddenly pushed open.
"Shinomiya-sama, it's terrible! The young master, Yusei, whom you asked us to keep an eye on... it seems he has also entered SAO."
"What?!"
Koken, who had just caught his breath, widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at the person before him.
"You're saying Kazami Yusei is in there too?"
Seemingly intimidated by Koken's fierce demeanor, the black-clad bodyguard shrank back and nodded.
"Y-Yes... He and his younger sister, Kazami Shiro, both entered the game."
Koken's face turned extremely grim. He sat down in a nearby chair.
"Arrange for Kazami Yusei and Kazami Shiro to be moved to the same place as Kaguya for care. As for the Kazami Family... I will go and speak to them personally."
Kaguya's father naturally knew about his father taking on another Kendo prodigy. He didn't oppose it and had even been having people observe the situation.
He understood his father's intentions somewhat, so observation was necessary.
"Let me handle it, Father. You should rest for a while."
"No." Koken shook his head.
"Kazami Yusei is my disciple. I must go myself."
…
The Kazami Household.
Kanako, who had long been crying her eyes out, looked at her two children on the beds. Beside her, Yusei's father, Akira remained silent, but his face was full of pain and despair.
He instinctively glanced towards a katana stand in the corner of the room. On it rested a beautiful sword, the prize won at the Kendo Tournament.
He was proud of his child, but why did this have to happen...
What wretched misfortune was this?
Knock, knock, knock.
The door to the Kazami Home sounded. Before the couple could react, the room door opened, and a sturdy old man in a kimono walked in, followed by doctors in white coats.
"Forgive the sudden intrusion. I am Kazami Yusei's Kendo master, and also the Chairman of the Shinomiya Group."
"My name is Shinomiya Koken. I am here to take Kazami Yusei and Kazami Shiro to the Shinomiya Group's internal hospital for care. Do both of you agree?"