-1601- Reunion

The General Communications Infrastructure Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Advanced Communications Network Promotion Division.

Within the Ministry, it is referred to as the Communications Network Virtual Space Management Section, or simply "Virtual Division."

In essence, this is a national organization established under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to monitor the chaotic and disordered state of the VR world.

The man standing before Rozen, named Kikuoka Seijirou, is a senior civil servant in the Virtual Division's second group, working as a government agent specializing in cyberspace operations.

On November 6, 2022, following the public beta launch of the massive VRMMORPG Sword Art Online (SAO), which tragically turned into a death game, the Advanced Communications Network Promotion Division swiftly established an emergency response team for the SAO incident.

Kikuoka Seijirou was one of the team leaders of that emergency unit.

It was he who organized the transportation of SAO players—still immersed in the virtual world—to nearby hospitals upon receiving news of the deadly situation two years ago.

Thanks to Kikuoka's efforts, many players were able to survive until today. Even Rozen was taken to the hospital under his coordination, transported by his personnel in an ambulance.

Naturally, Kikuoka knew the special role Rozen had played within SAO, understanding that Rozen had saved all the trapped players. He was also aware of Rozen's mysterious two-month disappearance, which was why he had come to see him now.

Rozen eyed the bureaucratic smile on Kikuoka's face, glanced briefly at the hand extended toward him, but did not shake it. Instead, he spoke directly.

"I heard from Kirito that it was you who gave him information about Asuna—Yuuki Asuna's condition. You also told me that she was staying in this hospital, didn't you?"

Rozen asked bluntly.

"Yes." Kikuoka maintained his smile without any hint of embarrassment, retracted his hand, and replied, "Given that you're the hero of SAO, I had no choice but to fulfill your request once I learned from my team that you needed this information."

"Don't give me that," Rozen said coldly. "You helped me only because you want me to cooperate with your investigation, isn't that right?"

Hearing this, Kikuoka's expression stiffened momentarily.

He then adjusted his attitude, scratching his cheek with a look of resignation.

"As expected from the hero who saved thousands of lives and led the front-line assault team to clear the game—looks like I underestimated you. I thought you'd be easier to manipulate because of your age."

Kikuoka admitted frankly, clearly realizing that pretense wouldn't work on Rozen.

"Given your exceptional status and unusual experiences, the Ministry is very concerned about your situation. We hope you can provide us with critical information."

Kikuoka explained further.

"Based on testimonies from other SAO survivors, you and Kayaba Akihiko—the player known as Heathcliff—were the only ones forcefully transported elsewhere during the final battle. No one but you knows what happened between you two during that confrontation."

Because of this, the Ministry had sent Kikuoka personally to meet Rozen, hoping to obtain vital information about the last moments of the SAO incident.

"Your cooperation could help us find a way to awaken the 300 remaining comatose players, and possibly lead us to Kayaba Akihiko, allowing us to bring him to justice."

Kikuoka adjusted his glasses as he spoke seriously.

Given that Kikuoka's subordinates had failed to extract useful information from Rozen, Kikuoka himself had no choice but to step in.

In response…

"I understand your terms." Rozen replied calmly. "Take me to see Asuna, and I'll tell you everything about the final battle with Kayaba Akihiko."

Hearing this, Kikuoka's expression relaxed.

"In that case, please follow me."

With that, Kikuoka turned and began walking toward the hospital.

Without hesitation, Rozen followed him.

Thanks to Kikuoka's official capacity and connections, he was able to arrange a visitor's pass for the hospital.

Without Kikuoka's intervention, Rozen—who had no familial connection to Asuna—would never have been granted permission to see her. Nor would he have learned where she was being held. Without this information, Rozen would have had to find her on his own and visit her in secret.

Now, however, with Kikuoka's introduction, much of the hassle had been avoided.

"I've also informed Asuna-san's family in advance," Kikuoka added as they arrived at a room. "They agreed to let you visit, possibly hoping that your presence might wake her, even though they know it's unlikely."

Kikuoka stopped at the door, took out the visitor's pass, and scanned it on the door's authentication panel. The door unlocked with a soft beep.

"Asuna-san is inside. Please go in."

Upon hearing Kikuoka's words, Rozen gave a slight nod and entered the room.

With a soft hiss, the electronic door slid shut behind him.

A light floral scent filled the room, drifting into Rozen's nose.

He lifted his gaze and looked ahead.

The spacious room was divided by a curtain.

Rozen walked forward and pulled the curtain aside.

In the next moment, the scene inside came into view.

In front of Rozen stood a state-of-the-art automatic care bed.

The bed was made of soft gel material and covered with a spotless white blanket, reflecting a faint glow from the sunlight streaming through the window.

On this bed lay a young girl.

Her lustrous chestnut hair spread out across the mattress.

Her pale, delicate skin looked nothing like that of a typical patient.

Her cheeks held a faint blush, and she wore a simple hospital gown that concealed her slender, graceful figure.

She lay there, just as beautiful as Rozen remembered seeing her in SAO.

However, the fierce determination and strength she had possessed in SAO—qualities that had earned her the nickname "The Flash"—were now gone.

All that remained was a fragile, ethereal presence, as if she might disappear at any moment.

She slept silently, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

On her head rested a deep blue NerveGear helmet.

The three LED lights on the helmet glowed blue, occasionally flickering like stars in the night sky.

This was proof that the NerveGear was still functioning normally, receiving signals as intended.

In other words, although most players had returned to the real world, Asuna remained trapped in the virtual world, unable to wake up.

Looking at the girl sleeping quietly before him, Rozen was momentarily lost in thought.

He seemed to see a vision from long ago—standing in front of the log cabin on the 22nd floor of Aincrad's forest, where Asuna, wearing casual clothes, smiled warmly and waved at him.

"Rozen!"

Her voice echoed in his mind, as if from a distant memory.

Rozen clenched his fist.

"Asuna…"

After so many years, he had finally found her again.

Though not in the way he had hoped.