I was completely still at a lost from Yuuki's outburst.I've tried to contact her but she's never messaged me back.The others in her guild avoided all my questions and wanted me to
forget about them.But why?I asked Asuna and she got the same results.How could I forget?I contacted Kazuto and had him help me try to locate Yuuki.If there's anything he's better at than playing VR MMOS, it's working with electronics.I need to know why Yuuki and the other we're so keen on being distant.But i'm not stupid,chances are,it's a good reason and one that i'm probably not gonna like.
Rika:Y/N!
Y/N:?
Rika and Keiko ran up to me out of breath.
Rika:Morning!
Keiko:Morning,Y/N!
Y/N:You know i'm not a morning person,right?
Rika:Well,mornings with friends make it better,right?
Y/N:Hehe,that's true.
My phone began to ring.
Y/N:Give me a sec.
The call was from Kazuto so I decided to pick up.
Y/N:What's good.
Kazuto:I think I got something on Yuuki.Can you come to the roof?Asuna is already here.
Y/N:Yeah,be there in a couple of minutes.
Kazuto:See you then.
I hung up the call and faced Rika and Keiko.
Y/N:Got some business I need to attend to.Talk later?
Rika:You got it!
Keiko:Take care!
I nodded and headed to the roof.
.......
Kazuto:Alright.How's that?Can you see my face okay?
Yui:I can see you.But,it's a little blurry.
Kazuto:Hmm.....it's out of focus again.It's gotta be that.Give me a sec,Yui.
Y/N:Need help?
Kazuto:Yeah,can you adjust the focus real quick?
Y/N:Yep.........How's that?
Yui:I can see now!Thanks Uncle!
Y/N:No problem kiddo. Anyways,what did you have on Yuuki.
Kazuto:Oh,that's right.I believe I have the location on where she is.
Kazuto pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me.
Kazuto:I'm not sure,but it's the best i've got.
Y/N:Thanks.
I stood up and began to walk away.
Asuna:I'm going too!
Y/N:Ok then.
Kazuto:Guys!
Y/N:Yeah?
Kazuto:Just prepare yourself.You saw what's on the paper.
Y/N:Yeah,i'll try my best.......
Yokohama Hospital
Y/N:Excuse me.
Receptionist A:May I help you?
Y/N:Yes.I'm looking for patient,around fifteen years old,names Yuuki I believe.
Receptionist A:I need a full name sir.
Y/N:She was testing the Medicuboid thing?
Receptinist B:Pardon me,sir.What's your name?
Y/N:I'm Y/N L/N.
Receptionist B:Do you happen to have a nickname of some sort?
Y/N:A nickname?...I also go by Maverick?
Receptionist B:I see.Please have a seat.I'll get someone right away.
Y/N:Okay.
I sat down in the hospital as I took in the sights.My heart was pounding in anticipation as I mentally calmed myself down.Asuna took a deep breath as well.I turned to see a man in a white lab coat approach me.
Doctor:Hi.Sorry about that.I hope you haven't been waiting long.
Y/N:Not at all, Doctor.
Doctor:That's good.They told me you are Y/N L/N?Also known as Maverick?
Y/N:That's right.
Kurahashi:You must be Asuna then right?
Asuna:Yes,that's me.
Kurahashi:Great.I'm Dr.Kurahashi.I'm Yuuki Konno's primary physician.
.....
We sat across from Kurahashi in the cafeteria of the hospital.
Kurahashi:You know,i'm surprised you even found us.
Y/N:Judging by how the first receptionist's seemed confused.I'm guessing you've been keeping a low profile.
Kurahashi:That's correct.That being said,Yuuki warned someone going by Maverick and a girl named Asuna might try and pay a visit at some point.
Y/N:Warned?
Kurahashi:Uh-huh.She also said,she didn't tell where she was.So I said,don't worry about it,they're not gonna find you here.
He took a sip of his coffee.
Kurahashi:When reception told me you're in the lobby,I was shocked.
Asuna:Doc,has Yuuki said anything about us?
Kurahashi:I'll say.You're all she's talked about but it seems right after that she feels extremely guilty and sometimes she'll end up in tears.
Y/N:I see.......
Kurahashi:She's always been a brave girl,and never felt sorry for herself.She wants to see you.But can't bring herself to do it.
Y/N:A friend of hers told me that I should forget them and her.That it was for the better.Why?
Kurahashi:......For starters,I should tell you what the Medicuboid is about.
Y/N:Okay.
Kurahashi:Medicubold is the code name for the world's first medical full-dive machine.It's so revolutionary the government backed it's development.
Asuna:A VR rig for hospitals?
Kurahashi:Yes.For example,let's say you're a patient with a visual or hearing disability,this machine can give you back those senses.You know how with that Amusphere rig,images and sounds get sent in electric pulses to your brain?Well,transmitting signals isn't all it does.The Amusphere has the ability to cancel out physical sensations,too.Back here,it is that spot with the electro-magnetic pulses,so it temporarily numbs the nerves.It's....kind of like a general anesthetic.
Y/N:There's a limit to how much pain the Amusphere can block out.Is this Medicuboid able to limitlessly block out pain?
Kurahashi:Exactly!You hit the nail right on the head!The Medicuboid enhances the electro-magnetic pulse.Plus,it's built in the bed so there's more coverage,the brain, spine....everything.Once it hits the market,it'll change the course of medicine as we know it.The Medicuboid has incredible potential!You could say, with the camera,and all the functions,the patient gets real world images,in real time.
Y/N:From how you describe it,it sounds like a miracle.
Kurahashi:Yes.In a way,it is a miracle....
Kurahashi's voice dropped as he took off his glasses.
Kurahashi:Even so...curing illnesses is something it can't do.The Medicuboid is making an impact,though,we hope....in terminal care.
Asuna:Terminal care?!
Kurahashi:Yes,it's helping patients who are dying.
Y/N:Then that means.......Yuuki's dying.
Kurahashi:Yes.Yuuki told me that....if you really wanted to hear about what's going on with her,I could go ahead and tell you.
Kurahashi put his glasses back on.
Kurahashi:But,I have to warn you,it's not a pleasant story.Do you still want me to tell you?
Y/N:Yes.I need to know.I want to see her.
Kurahashi:Very well.
We left the cafeteria and Kurahashi began to talk about Yuuki's past.As we reached a door the doc opened it with his ID card.
Kurahashi:This way.We have to keep the room on the other side of the glass a medically sealed zone,this is the closet you can get.I hope you can understand.
The doctor activated a console as the lights turned on in the room on the other side of the glass.
Asuna:?!
Y/N:......
I could see her.An emaciated girl,laid on the bed with a huge machine covering her eyes.Asuna placed her hands on the glass in disbelief.
Y/N:Doc,what illness does Yuuki have?
Kurahashi:Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS for short.
Asuna:Yuuki.....
Kurhashi:It's caused by the HIV virus.It's scary but,there's hope,because not everyone who has it develops AIDS.If you can treat HIV early,you can live a long life.In her family's case,the virus was difficult to treat.It's a drug resistant strain.When the mother found out,she got upset over her children's fate.She actually considered the killing of her whole family along with herself.But she changed her mind and decided to fight the disease instead.
Y/N:She did it for her kids....
Kurahashi:Yes.Soon after they were diagnosed,Yuuki was put on the multi-drug course therapy.But it was hard for a child to have to take many different medications,and keep taking them,the side-effects are one thing.The other being people who shun her because they didn't understand her condition.Still,Yuuki was a trooper.She believed her and her family would get better eventually.However when she was in the fourth grade,her immune system suddenly collapsed.And then,she was brought to this hospital,and that's when she was diagnosed with AIDS.But like I said,she's a trooper.She never once lost optimism.
Y/N:What made her use the Medicuboid?
Kurahashi:I guess,you could say that it all started back when everyone was panicking over that NerveGear incident.They
had just completed the first prototype of the Medicuboid.The electro-magnetic pulses it put out,were many times stronger than the NerveGear's.That was a problem.Since no one knew what the long time effects of exposure were.Because of that,they couldn't find the patient willing to take the risk,so it's trial run was daunt.When I found out,I thought of Yuuki's situation,I contacted her parents.If she were the test subject,she'd be moved to the Medicuboid.She'd run less risk of getting infections.I told them that it was a great opportunity......At least that's what I thought.Still,I don't know if I was right to suggest it.But I think the world of unknown,the virtual world,was the deciding fact for Yuuki.So,that brave little girl agreed to be a test subject,and they moved her in.She's lived inside the Medicuboid,ever since.
Asuna:She's never come out?!
Kurahashi:No,she hasn't.Yuki stays logged in,and rarely spends anytime in the real world.She's always in a lot of pain.But,thanks to the Medicuboid's sensation canceller,she can block it out.
Y/N:How long has she been in the Medicuboid?
Kurahashi:For three years now.
Y/N:I see.......Regardless
of her situation, I'm glad I got to see her again. As long as she's in there she'll be fine,right?
Kurahashi:We are doing everything we can for her.But even if they're sterile,there's no way to eliminate the virus that's inside her.
Asuna:What are you saying?
Kurahashi:Yuuki doesn't have that much time left.And most likely, that's the reason why she tried cutting ties with you the way she did.
Asuna face went pale as Kurahashi explained the situation while I turned towards Asuna.The room was silent only things being audible were her tears hitting the floor.My heart ached.I was enveloped in a feeling of hopelessness.I gritted my teeth in annoyance at the idea not being able to do anything.Asuna continued to weep as wrapped her in a hug.She clutched onto me tightly.
Don't cry,Asuna!
Asuna stopped weeping as I looked around and noticed a monitor on the Medicuboid showing that Yuuki was talking.
Y/N:Y-Yuuki?Can you hear me?
Yuuki:Yeah,I can hear you.I can see you,too.Wow...you look exactly like you do in the game!Thanks for coming to see me....Same to you,Asuna!
Y/N:Yuuki I......I don't know what to say.....
Yuuki:Hey doc?Would it be okay if Maverick used the room next door?
Kurahashi:Sure.Why not?I kept an Amusphere in there so I can visit her.Go ahead,it's all yours.
Y/N:Thanks.Are you gonna be okay,Asuna?
Asuna:Yeah....thanks,Y/N.
Y/N:Hey,it's what I'm here for.
I gave Asuna another hug and went into the other room.
Yuuki:The ALO start up menu is already pre-loaded on there.After you log in,come to the place where we first met ok?
I nodded closed the door behind me.
In ALO
I made it to the tree as the sun began to rise.
Maverick:Yuuki?
I heard a noise and turned around and she was standing right there.
Yuuki:I knew it.I don't know how you did it,but I had a feeling you'd find me in the real world...somehow. And,I was so careful not to say anything, thought I had you fooled.....Looks like it didn't work.You found me anyway.I must be a psychic,because my prediction's never come true....but i'm happy,really.
Maverick:Is this why you guys tried to be distant towards me?Towards Asuna?
Yuuki:Yeah.You remember when I said I did it for my sis?
Maverick:Yeah.
Yuuki:She played VRMMOs with me.In fact,she was the first leader of the Sleeping Knights ever had.There was originally nine of us,but my sis,Clovis,Merida,they're all gone.We promised each other that if we lost someone,we'd end it.Not to mention,Asuna reminds me of my sis.A little too much.I'm sorry, Maverick. That's why I couldn't tell you.The Sleeping Knights won't be around anymore by this Spring.But it's not cause we'll all be too busy to play anymore,it's 'cause little while ago,two of us got the news from our doctors.....They gave us three months.
Maverick:?!
Yuuki:You see?That's why we were all so fired up on having one last big adventure together in this world.We wanted to leave some kind of proof we were here.On that big,old monument,where everyone can see it. One last run that was so cool,we could brag about it to my sis and the others. But....nothing was going right for us.So,we decided the best way to get there,was to get someone tough enough to help.I'm sorry....we all are.Forget about us......it's probably for the-
Maverick:Are you kidding me?!
Yuuki jumped at my outburst.
Maverick:How am I supposed to forget you?!After hearing all this,I could never forget you even if I tried!Hell,i'm not gonna forget you,ever!
Yuuki:.....Ehehe,i'm really glad I got to meetya.Hearing you say that makes it worth-makes it more than worth it.That's enough for me...I'm good.
Maverick:Isn't there still anything you wanna do?Anymore virtual worlds?
Yuuki:For the last three years,I've got to go on tons of adventures and go to other worlds.But I want my very last memory,to be the one I got to go on with you,Maverick.
Maverick:C'mon,there's gotta be something you still wanna do?
Yuuki:...I don't know.I guess...maybe go to school again?
Maverick:Really?
Yuuki:Nah,forget it,just kidding....I'm happy you wanna help,but don't sweat it.It's cool.I had an awesome life,really.....
Maverick:But perhaps you can.
Yuuki:Wait,what?
Maverick:I might be able to have to go to school.
Yuuki:How?
Maverick:You just leave that to me.Is there anything else?
Yuuki:Well.....
Yuuki looked away from me before she turned back to me with a blush.
Yuuki:Would you go out with me?
Maverick:You wanna go out with me?
Yuuki:Y-yes.
Maverick:Well.....didn't expect that one. Sure, i'll go out with you.
Yuuki's eyes lit up as she ran up and hugged me.
Yuuki:Thank you Maverick!
Maverick:It's Y/N.
Yuuki:Huh?
Maverick:Y/N,that's my real name.
Yuuki:I like it.
I returned the hug Yuuki gave me as the sunrise became visible.