Sword Art Online - Volume 7 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Asuna turned her eyes to the paper in her hand, and checked that the handwritten name was the same as the one indicated horizontally on the wall of the large building.
Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture area. The building was located in a place surrounded by a lot of green hills. It didn't look like the metropolitan area here with the relatively short height, the design of the two wings, and the quietness of the surrounding hills. However, it really took Asuna less than 30 minutes from her house in Setagaya and down the East express line.
The building was new, bathed under the low sunlight of winter. The wall was dyed brown. It's really like the place I slept in for a long time, Asuna thought, as she put the note back into her pocket.
"Are you here, Yuuki…?"
She whispered. She wanted to meet her, but she felt that, on the other hand, it's best if the girl wasn't staying here.
After wandering around for a while, Asuna pulled the collar of her coat that was tightly clinging to her uniform, and hurried walked towards the main entrance.
It's been 3 days since «Absolute Sword» Yuuki disappeared from Aincrad.
At the final moment, she shed tears in front of that Monument of Swordsmen, and even till now, that image was etched in Asuna's eyes. She couldn't forget like that. No matter what, she wanted to see her again, to talk to her again. However, the messages she sent out were all replied with «the recipient's not logged in», and there wasn't any signs that they were read.
The members of the Sleeping Knights may know where Yuuki is, Asuna thought. However, two days ago, at the Lombard hotel where they would normally gather, Shiune was the only one who was there. She lowered her drooping eyelashes and shook her head.
"We couldn't contact Yuuki either. It's not just ALO. It seemed like she never FullDived again. And we don't know anything about her in the real world. And…"
Shiune paused at this moment, and stared at Asuna with a worried look.
"Asuna-san. I guess, Yuuki didn't want to meet you again. It's not about the others, but it's for your sake."
Asuna was so stunned that she couldn't say anything. After a few seconds, she finally managed to squeeze out a voice,
"Wh…why? No…I feel, Yuuki, Shiune, you guys, you don't have to break up your relationships with me. If I've been troubling you, I won't pursue this any further. But…I can't accept that if it's because of me."
"What about troubling us…"
Shiune, who had been keeping a calm expression, gave a rare pained expression as she shook her head hard,
"We were really happy to meet you. In this world, we were able to make such wonderful memories because of you, Asuna-san. Helping to defeat the boss, and even saying that you wanted to join the guild. We couldn't express our thanks enough no matter what. But…really, please, just forget about us."
Shiune paused at this moment, then moved her left hand to operate the window. A small trade window appeared in front of Asuna.
"It's earlier than expected, but I want to disband the Sleeping Knights here. The gifts to you are all here, Asuna-san, the items the boss dropped and our equipments…"
"No…there's no need. I can't accept this."
Asuna removed the window like she was shaking it off, and then walked over to Shiune.
"Are we really going to say goodbye here? I…I like, being with Yuuki, Shiune, everyone. I thought that we could still remain friends even if the guild disbands. But, am I the only one who thinks like this…?"
In the past, Asuna would never say such words. However, having spent many days with Yuuki and the rest, Asuna felt that she had changed somewhat. It's because of this that she didn't want to say farewell to everyone.
However, Shiune lowered her head, and merely shook it.
"Sorry…sorry, but this is for the best. It's better to separate here…sorry, Asuna-san."
Then, she clicked the button of the window as if she was trying to run away, and logged out.
It wasn't just Yuuki. Shiune, Jun, Nori and the other members never logged on to ALO after that.
Perhaps Asuna herself may be mistaken for thinking that a mere few days of interaction was enough to make them friends. However, the Sleeping Knights left a deep and indelible impression on her. She couldn't think about forgetting them at all.
The 3rd semester had already begun, but even though she managed to meet up with Kazuto, Rika and Keiko in the real world, Asuna's heart felt really heavy. On thinking about that, deep within Asuna's eyes and ears, Yuuki's smiling face would awaken in front of her. Nee-chan, that was what Yuuki called Asuna. Having realized this, she cried. No matter what, Asuna wanted to know that reason.
And yesterday, during lunch break, Asuna received a message from Kazuto saying, [meet you at the rooftop].

On the bare concrete rooftop that had cold wind bellowing through, Kazuto leaned on the thick pipe that was used for air circulation, waiting for Asuna.
It's been more than a year since they were released from SAO, but Kazuto in the real world didn't seem to gain any weight. His younger sister Suguha would tell him to eat more, so he shouldn't be worrying about his nutrition. Maybe the calories that were taken in were all used up by jogging and the sports gym, or maybe the intense battles in the virtual world would use up the calories in the real world.
The buttons of his blazer were undone, his hands were placed in his pockets, and the somewhat long fringe was blown by the wind. His outfit and height changed, but he still looked the same, like he was in old Aincrad. Asuna looked like she was attracted as she walked over to him, and leaned her forehead against Kazuto's shoulder as he looked up.
Asuna wanted to express all the intense emotions in her heart in one go, but she couldn't express them in words. She closed her eyes, endured the sobbing feeling that was welling up in her throat, and felt the gentleness of Kazuto's hand patting her back. At the same time, a voice rang in her ears,
"Do you want to meet that «Absolute Sword» no matter what?"
These words probably encompassed all of Asuna's wishes. Yes, just once. That's because Asuna believed that Yuuki hoped for this as well.
"They told you it's better not to meet again, right? Even like this?"
Asuna told everything to Kazuto, about the 27th level boss conquest battle, the unexpected farewell after that, and Shiune's words when she last met her. This question was probably asked after he made a conclusion from those words. At this, Asuna nodded hard again.
"Un, even so, I want to. I want to meet her to talk to her again. I have to."
"Is that so?"
With that simple answer, Kazuto put his hand on Asuna's shoulder and nudged her slightly away, pulling out a piece of paper from the pocket of his blazer.
"Maybe you can meet her if you go there."
"Eh…?"
"It's just a possibility…but, I feel that «Absolute Sword» is there."
"How…How do you know this, Kirito-kun…?"
Asuna blankly asked as she received the piece of paper that was folded twice. Kazuto turned to look at the sky, and whispered,
"That's because that's the only clinical test area of the «Medicuboid»."
"Medi…Cuboid?"
As she repeated this inexplicable term she had never heard of before, Asuna opened the paper.
Written in small words on it was the name [Yokohama North General Hospital] and the address.

She went through the twin-layered automatic doors that were polished clean, went through the entrance hall that was brightly lit, and the whiff of a memorable disinfectant smell floated about.
There were mothers carrying children and old people in wheelchairs moving by. Asuna went by the silent area and headed for the reception counter.
She filled in her name and address in the form placed at her window, and stopped at the moment she was about to fill in the name of the person she wanted to visit. Asuna only knew about the name Yuuki, and she didn't know if it was the real name or not. From what she heard from Kazuto, even if she was here, it's hard to tell if she could check this or even meet her. But she couldn't just give up here after coming all the way. Asuna decided to take the form and handed it over to the window.
On the other side of the counter, the nurse in white uniform noticed Asuna approaching, and lifted her face.
"Are you going to meet someone?"
Asuna could only blankly nod her head as she faced this smile and question. She handed over the request form that was partly blank and said
"Errm…I want to meet her, but I don't know her name."
"Yes?"
As the nurse raised her eyebrows in surprise, Asuna desperately tried to find her choice of words.
"I think it's a girl about 15 years old. Her name may be «Yuuki», but I may be mistaken."
"There's a lot of patients here. It's hard for me to know when you say that."
"Errm…I want the person who's testing the «Medicuboid»."
"As for the patient's privacy…"
At this moment, a senior nurse inside the counter lifted her face and looked at Asuna. Then, she turned to the nurse who was talking to Asuna, seemingly whispering something.
The nurse before blinked about it and again looked up at Asuna. She used a thoroughly different voice, a delicate one.
"Excuse me, what is your name?"
"Ah, that, I'm Yuuki, Asuna."
Asuna answered and handed the form over. The nurse received the form, looked at it, and then handed it to the colleague inside.
"Can I check your identification?"
"Ok, okay."
Asuna hurriedly took her wallet out from the inside of her blazer and drew the identification card for her to see. The nurse cautiously compared the face on the photo and Asuna's face, nodded her head, told her to wait for a moment, and took the phone receiver beside her.
She used the internal line to call someone, whispered 2,3 words, and turned back to Asuna.
"Please look for Doctor Kurahashi of the 2nd medical department. Take the lift at the front side to the 4th level, head right, and show this to the reception counter."
Asuna received her student pass and a silver card from the tray that was handed out, and bowed.
After waiting for about 10 minutes on the bench at the reception area of the 4th level, Asuna noticed a white-cloaked figure walking over quickly.
"Yaa, excuse me, my apologies, sorry to keep you waiting."
Apologizing in a strange manner and nodding his head was a short and somewhat plump male doctor. He was probably in his early 30s, his shiny forehead was combed in a 3-7, and he had thick glasses on.
Asuna hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply,
"It, it's alright. I intruded suddenly on my part. Well, it's alright for me to wait."
"No no, I wasn't on duty in the afternoon, so it was perfect timing. Then, Yuuki Asuna-san, right?"
Smiling as her narrowed his slightly drooping eyes, the male doctor tilted his head slightly.
"Yes, I'm Yuuki."
"I'm called Kurahashi, the main doctor treating Konno-san. I didn't expect you to come and visit her here."
"Konno…san?"
"Ehh, her full name's Konno Yuuki, written as 'Cotton' and 'Season'. I've been calling her Yuuki-kun…she's been telling me all about you, Asuna-san. Ah, sorry, my bad. I blurted this out because of Yuuki-kun."
"It's alright, just call me Asuna."

Asuna smiled as she answered, and Doctor Kurahashi smiled back in an embarrassed manner before pointing his right hand to the lift.
"We can't really talk well like this. Let's head to the lounge upstairs."
Asuna was led to the wide space deep inside the lounge and sat down opposite the doctor. Through the large glass window, they could see the large yard of the hospital and the surrounding greenery. There were very few people around, and only the rustling of the air-con could be heard moving the air.
Asuna wondered which doubts she should raise. However, Doctor Kurahashi broke the silence first.
"Asuna-san, you met Yuuki-kun in the VR world, right? Did she tell you about this hospital?"
"Ah, no…that's not it…"
"Oh, then it's amazing that you managed to find this place. Well, Yuuki-kun once said that a lady called Yuuki Asuna may be coming, and wanted to greet you at the reception area. I was really shocked and asked her whether she told you about the hospital, but she said that she didn't. So I said that she couldn't possibly know about such a place. However, I really got a call from the reception counter, and I was really shocked."
"Well…Yuuki-san, did she mention me to you, doctor…?"
Asuna asked, and the doctor nodded his head hard 2, 3 times.
"Of course. During the past few days, she would always tell me about Asuna-san when we talked to each other. However, Yuuki-kun would start crying after she talked about you. She's normally not a kid who would reveal her own weakness."
"Eh…bu, but why…"
"She said that she wanted to befriend you more, but couldn't do so. She wanted to meet you, but may not be able to do so. It's not like…I can't understand those emotions…"
At this moment, Doctor Kurahashi let out a rare pained expression. Asuna took a deep breath and decided to ask,
"That Yuuki-san, and her friends all told me this when they bid me farewell in the VR world. Why? Why is it that we «can't meet again»?"
The fear that began the moment Asuna saw the name of the hospital continued to expand, and she tried her best to quell his uneasiness and leaned her body forward. Doctor Kurahashi was wordlessly stunned for a moment, turned his eyes at his hands that were cupped together on the table, and then calmly answered,
"Then, let's start explaining things from the «Medicuboid». Asuna-san, you're an AmuSphere user too, right?"
"Eh…ehhh, yeah."
The young doctor nodded his head, lifted his face, and said something completely unexpected,
"It may be ill-suited to say such words to you, but I felt that it was regretful that FullDive technology was used as a form of amusement at first."
"Eh…?"
"The research of that technology should be funded by the government for treatment. In that case, the current state can be continued for another 1, no, 2 years."
Asuna felt weird about the unexpected change in the direction of the conversation, and the doctor lifted a finger.
"Please think about this. The environment brought about by the AmuSphere would be an effective function in the medical field. For example, that machine would be a gospel to those people who are visually or hearing-impaired. Those people with congenital brain dysfunction are sadly excluded, but even if the eyeballs or visual nerves have abnormalities, the image can be input directly to the brain if the AmuSphere is used. The situation is the same with hearing. Even those who didn't know about light or sound as they grew up can use that machine to interact with a real landscape."
Asuna could only nod her head as Doctor Kurahashi said that enthusiastically. The wide range of uses of the AmuSphere wasn't a new thing in such an area. One day, the headgear can become smaller, and with a specialized lens combination, those visually impaired will be able to live like those who see.
"Also, what is useful isn't just the fact that it can convey signals, but that the Amusphere has the function to cancel the senses."
The doctor used his finger to tap his throat.
"The electromagnetic pulse that is sent here will temporarily numb the muscles. In other words, it would have the effect similar to total body paralysis. For example, anesthetics. Even if it's used, there's a small but rare risk. If we use AmuSphere in operations, we can avoid having to use anesthetics. That's what I think."
Asuna was already engrossed with what the doctor said. She nodded her head, but immediately noticed something. Though it was like showing off in front of an expert, she still whispered out her doubt.
"…But, it can't work, right? The AmuSphere's interference ability can only limit the senses to the minimum to ease the pain when the scalpel is inserted into the body. I think both the AmuSphere, or even the first generation machine—Nerve Gear can't do it…even if the medulla is blocked, the nerves inside are still active, so spinal reflex is still there, right…?"
"Yes…that's correct."
Doctor Kurahashi first widened his eyes in shock, and immediately nodded several times, as if Asuna had struck the bulls-eye.
"It's just like you said. The AmuSphere's electromagnetic pulse output power is weaker, the CPU is power-efficient, which would cause some problems with the processing speed as it isn't powerful enough. It's possible to do a real dive into the VR world, but the specs would be inefficient when it comes to lens matching in real life, into the so-called «Alternate Reality». Thus, the world's first medical FullDive machine that's developed at the state-level—«Medicuboid»."
"MediCu…boid."
This term most likely combines the term Medical and Cuboid. Asuna digested this term in her mouth, and the doctor smiled before explaining,
"That's just a coined name. The most important thing is that it strengthens the output of the AmuSphere, increases the density of the particles several fold, increases the processing output and is integrated with a bed, from the head to the spinal cord. It looks like a white box…if this can be used, with the many equipments in the hospital, there would be a drastic change in treatment. Most operations would not require anesthetics then, and it may be possible to talk to patients in a «Locked-in state»."
"Locked-in…?"
"It's a state known as the Locked-in Syndrome, a state where even if the brain's thinking process is normal, the body's handicapped in its control on its parts, and the patient can't express his thoughts. If we use the Medicuboid, we can connect directly deep into the brain, and even if the body doesn't move, it is possible to return to society through the VR world."
"I see…in other words, compared to the AmuSphere that's only used for playing VR games, this is really a dream machine in its true sense, isn't it?"
Asuna inadvertently nodded. However, Doctor Kurahashi, who looked like he was dream-talking, immediately shut his mouth as he heard this, seemingly dragged back to reality. His expression darkened a little, and he took off his spectacles, closed his eyes, and took a long sigh.
Then, he shook his head and smiled in a somewhat sad manner.
"Ehh, it really is a dream machine. However…a machine has its own limitations too. The most anticipated area of use for the Medicuboid…is «Terminal Care»."
"Terminal care…"
Asuna repeated the English term she had never heard of like a parrot, and the doctor silently explained,
"In kanji…it's written as 'Dying Treatment'."
Those words poured down on Asuna like cold water. She widened her eyes and couldn't say anything. Doctor Kurahashi put on his glasses and showed a look of comfort, saying,
"You may feel that it'll be better to stop here if we consider things later. Nobody would blame you even if you make that decision. Whether it's Yuuki-kun or her friends, they were all thinking about you."
However, Asuna never hesitated. No matter what sort of truth she would be told, she wanted to face it straight on, and she believed that she had to do so. Asuna lifted her face and clearly stated,
"No…please carry on. Please. I came here for this."
"Is that so?"
Doctor Kurahashi smiled again, and nodded his head significantly,
"Yuuki-kun once said that if Asuna-san is willing, I am to explain everything to her. Yuuki-kun's ward is at the highest level of the central ward. It'll be rather far, so let's talk on the way there."
The doctor walked out of the lounge and head towards the lift. Asuna followed him from behind, and her mind continued to think of the same term.
Terminal. The meaning of this term couldn't be any clearer. However, she continued to deny herself. It just couldn't be like that. Even if she had to declare that, he didn't have to use such a direct term.
The only plain fact was the truth that's to be shown next. Asuna had to accept it directly. It's because Yuuki believed that Asuna could do this that she allowed Asuna to enter her reality.
There were three lifts lined up in the lobby of the central building, and the rightmost had the tag «Staff Only» on the door. The doctor used the card that was hanging from his neck to slide it down the panel beside it, and a calm beeping sound was heard as the right door slide aside.
Both of them entered the white box, and the lift started to rise as the sound and acceleration couldn't be detected.
"Have you heard of the term «Window Period»"
Doctor Kurahashi suddenly asked, and Asuna started to search through her memory.
"I remember…health class taught of it before. It has something to do with virus…infections, right?"
"Yes. For example, if someone was suspected to be infected with some sort of virus, there would be a blood test. The methods of testing them are as follows. The «Antigen test» that tests the antibodies against the virus in the blood, and the more sensitive «NAT check» that uses the DNA and RNA of the virus as part of the investigation. However, even when using the NAT check, It's impossible to detect the virus after infection for about 10 days or so. This period is called the «Window Period»."
The doctor stopped at this moment. Then, as the slight decelerating feeling was felt, the door opened along with the sound of a bell.
The highest level, level 12 seemed to be prohibited to outsiders as there was a large gate right in front of them as they exited the lift. The doctor again placed his card on the sensor beside the door, and a soft electronic sound came from it. The metal bars were all lowered, with the doctor waving his hand to prompt her, Asuna quickly moved through the door.
Unlike the lower levels, this level didn't seem to have any windows. The smooth white paneled path extended out straight, and there were 2 paths in front of her, left and right.
Doctor Kurahashi, who was walking in front of Asuna again, veered to the left. The inorganic path that was full of warmth and white light continued to extend forward. They went by a few nurses, and the noises from outside couldn't be heard at all.
"—Because of that «Window Period», something must have happened."
Inadvertently, the doctor again said with a calm voice,
"That was the contamination of blood that was donated. Of course, the chances were low. There's only a rare 1 in 100,000 chance of infection through blood transfusion. However, it's impossible in modern science to drop that value to zero.
He sighed. Asuna even felt a faint anger and helplessness from him.
"Yuuki-kun was born in May 2011. Due to dystocia, a caesarean section was done accordingly. At that time…we couldn't confirm it, but an accident caused a large amount of bleeding, so emergency blood transfusion was implemented. The blood used was, unfortunately, contaminated."
"…!"
Asuna couldn't say anything. Doctor Kurahashi glanced at her, and immediately looked down before continuing,
"Until now, we couldn't understand how it happened. However, it was likely that Yuuki-kun was infected the moment she was born. The father was infected within that month. The virus infection was confirmed during September, by the follow-up blood test taken by the mother after the blood transfusion. By then…the whole family had already…"
The doctor sighed heavily and stopped.
There was a sliding door on the right wall of the passage, and a metal panel was set beside it. On the panel there, the words [First Unique Design Machine Room] were lined on it.
The doctor took the card and slid it down the panel. The electronic sound rang, and with a swoosh, the door opened.
Feeling that her heart was being bounded tightly and painfully, Asuna followed Doctor Kurahashi through the door. Inside it was a long and strangely narrow room.
The wall facing them had a door that was similar to the one they just passed through, and there's a control panel on the right side which had many devices. The wall on the left side had a large glass window, but the glass was dyed black, so it's impossible to look inside.
"In front of us is a sterile room with air control. Please understand that we can't enter."
As he said this, Doctor Kurahashi walked to the black window and operated on the panel below. With a slight rumbling sound, the color of the window became lighter, and then became transparent, showing the image.
It was a small room. No, it was actually rather large. At first glance, it looked like the room was filled with all sorts of machines. There were tall and short ones, simple square-ish ones mixed with those complicated shapes. Thus, it took her a lot of time to notice that there was a bed in the middle.
Asuna forcefully brought her face to the window and stared at that bed.
There was a petite body seemingly half-asleep in the bed. The white blanket was covered to her chest, and she could see the bare skinny shoulders that looked really depressing. The throat and shoulders had all sorts of tubes attached to them, linked to the machines nearby.
It's impossible to see the face of the bed's owner directly as it was covered by a white-cuboid object, integrated into the bed, that nearly swallowed the entire head. What could be seen were thin, almost transparent lips and a sharp chin. A monitor was embedded into the side of the cuboid facing them, and indicators in all sorts of colors pulsed through it. Above that, the word [Medicuboid] could be seen, represented as a plain logo.

"…Yuuki…?"
Asuna used her trembling voice to mutter. She was finally here, with Yuuki in the real world. However, the final few meters were obstructed by the thick glass she couldn't pass through no matter what.
With her back facing the doctor, Asuna squeezed out the voice,
"Doctor…what exactly is Yuuki's condition…?"
The answer was brief yet heavy.
"«Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome»…AIDS."