Kirito and Asuna rest on their porch in their cabin on Floor 22 of Aincrad. He reads a book and his wife leans on him. Kirito looks to his beautiful wife as she sleeps next to him. He then looks up to the sky, and the clouds cover the sun. An apple rolls off the table inside the house and suddenly, everything turns red and Asuna is disappears and Kirito is in his armor. The clouds move really fast and the cabin starts to disappear.
Kirito: Asuna?! Asuna!
He breathes heavily. Suddenly he wakes up from his nightmare in his room back in the real world.
Kazuto: It was all a dream.
He looks to his nervegear for a moment, then he gets out of bed and walks to his mirror clock. He starts to cry.
Kazuto: Oh Asuna, I've become a really big crybaby.
It is now January 2025. It has been 2 months since SAO was cleared. The two heroes, Kirito and Sonic the Hedgehog defeated Heathcliff, letting all players log out. So many players went through rehabilitation so they could get back to their normal lives. People are still trying to get used to living in the real world again. However, 300 players, including Asuna still haven't woken up. It is of course a strange case. People are trying to find out why this is, including the people from the government, but there is so far no clue. Kazuto Kirigaya spoke with a government official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Communications Task Force of the SAO incident in exchange for Asuna's location. She rests in the Tokorozawashi General Hospital in Saitama Prefecture. To the public's outrage, the conspiracy that Akihiko Kayaba started before disappearing still hasn't ended. And so, the SAO incident hasn't ended yet. Meanwhile, in South Island, Sonic and Tails run around fighting some of Robotnik's robots in Green Hill Zone.
Sonic: Man. Robotnik hasn't changed a bit.
Tails: I know. I'm surprised he hasn't done anything the past two years. Oh yeah. I remember after our adventure before SAO, he was transported to another dimension thanks to the Phantom Ruby.
Sonic: Oh yeah. Maybe he came back.
Tails: Who knows? Maybe he has a surprise.
Sonic: Guess so. Man, I can't believe it's been two months since SAO was cleared.
Tails: Yeah, and 300 players still haven't logged out, including Asuna. I wonder why that is.
Sonic: I have a hunch something's gotta be wrong. Kirito is still visiting her at a hospital. I mean Kazuto.
Tails: We keep waiting for her to wake up. But still no luck.
Sonic: Hmm. You wanna visit Kazuto in Japan?
Tails: Yeah. He sent me his address not too long ago. Let's take the Tornado there.
Sonic and Tails both hop into the Tornado.
Tails: Alright. Next stop, Tokyo Japan!
Sonic: Let's go!
Tails starts the planes engine and they fly off into the sky. Meanwhile at Kazuto's home, his sister Suguha, wearing kendo equipment, looks down into the pond.
Suguha: We really don't look alike, do we?
She stands up and takes a swing with her kendo sword. She gets a flashback of when the game started.
Suguha: Kazuto! I'm off to practice!
There is no response. She runs out of the house and off to practice She looks up to her brothers room as she leaves and doesn't see him. She figures that he's playing SAO. For every swing with her sword in the present, she gets a flashback of when Kazuto was trapped in SAO. She gets a flashback of when she saw him asleep in the hospital bed, wearing a nervegear and she cried at that time. As she swung her sword again, she gets the memory of when her brother woke up two months ago. Both her and her mother, Midori were very happy to see him, just as Kazuto was happy to see them. She stops swinging her kendo sword as the flashbacks finish. He looks and see's her brother.
Kazuto: Morning Sugu.
She starts feeling a little embarrassed.
Suguha: Uh. Morning!
Kazuto tosses a water bottle at her and she catches it.
Suguha: Jeez, Kazuto. At least let me know if you were going to watch.
Kazuto: Well, I didn't want to interrupt you.
Suguha: I wouldn't mind. It is part of my daily routine.
Kazuto: I see, you stuck with it after all.
He picks up a kendo sword.
Kazuto: It's light.
Suguha: What? It's made out of bamboo sticks so of course it is.
Kazuto: Oh yeah. Uh, I expected it to be heavier, maybe by comparison.
He opens up his water bottle and starts drinking it.
Suguha: In comparison to what?
Kazuto: So, how about we have a go?
Suguha: For what? A match? With the guards on and everything?
Kazuto: Yeah. We could just do it with no contact. I don't want to risk accidentally hurting you.
Suguha: Hmph.
Kazuto: We still have Grandpa's gear right? Let's do it in the dojo.
Suguha: Oh, well aren't you rather confident for someone who's been asleep for two years? Wonder if you could make me one of the top eight competitors in the nationals, and even break a sweat. Besides, are you sure you're up for it? You shouldn't overexert yourself you know.
Kazuto: It's fine. I've been working out in the gym every day. I'll even prove it to you.
He crushes his empty water bottle and Suguha was just confused. Then, they both head into the dojo in their backyard. They put on the kendo equipment, bow their heads and stand up getting ready to fight. Suguha gets in her normal fighting stance from kendo training, while Kazuto gets in his fighting stance from SAO and she begins to laugh at that.
Suguha: What kind of fighting stance is that?
Kazuto: It's just my style. That's all.
Suguha: His head is wide open. I'll take a strike right there.
She takes a step forward a little.
Suguha: Huh? I can't see any openings for some reason.
Her brother charges at her with his sword. The fight begins. They strike at each other with their swords. At the end, Suguha hits Kazuto in the head.
Kazuto: Oww.
Suguha: Oh! Are you alright Kazuto?!
Kazuto: You're really strong Sugu. Even Heathcliff doesn't hold a candle to you.
Suguha: But are you alright?
Kazuto: Yeah. Let's call it a day.
He sheathes his sword on his back but it turns out he remembers that there is no scabbard there. Suguha notices that being wierd.
Kazuto: Uh. Oh boy.
Suguha: I didn't hit you too hard did I?
Kazuto: What?! No! It's just an old habit!
A minute later, they start to rest.
Kazuto: Besides footwork, my attacks are the problem. Guess I can't remake sword skills without the system assist after all.
Suguha: You know, you surprised me. Have you been practicing?
Kazuto: More or less. But it's kind of fun. Maybe I'll try kendo again.
Suguha: Really?! You mean it?!
Kazuto: Yeah. Will you teach me?
Suguha: Yeah! Let's train together again!
Kazuto: Yeah. Once I'm better in shape.
He strokes her head for a brief moment.
Suguha: You know, Kazuto...
Kazuto: What is it?
Suguha: Actually, nevermind. Forget I said anything.
Kazuto: What?
They both head inside the house.
Suguha: So, what are you gonna do today?
Kazuto: I'm... going to the hospital.
Suguha: Oh, I see. You're gonna visit Asuna, right?
Kazuto: Yeah. That's all I can do after all. Well, it's my turn to make breakfast today. So you can go ahead and take a shower first.
He takes his bike to the hospital to visit Asuna. He swipes his ID card to get into her room.
Kazuto: Asuna.
A few seconds later, Asuna's father, Shouzou Yuuki, enters the room.
Shouzou: Oh, I didn't know you were here Kazuto. Thank you for visiting so often.
Kazuto: Sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Yuuki.
Shouzou: It's no problem, you're free to visit anytime. My daughter would love that.
?: President.
Another man comes in.
Kazuto: Who is he?
Shouzou: Oh, it's your first time meeting him. Let me introduce. This is Nobuyuki Sugou, the man in charge of our research institute.
Sugou: It's nice to meet you.
Kazuto: My name is Kazuto Kirigaya.
Sugou: Oh, so you're the hero, Kirito.
He goes and shakes Kazuto's hand.
Shouzou: Oh, my apologies. Inside information regarding SAO was classified, right? Anyway, Sugou is the son of a good friend of mine, so I always considered him as close as family.
Sugou: Oh, and President, regarding that, I would like it if you made a decision now.
Shouzou: Oh, that's right. But are you sure? You're still very young. You have your whole life ahead of you.
Sugou: It's fine, I have made up my mind long ago. While Asuna still sits here as her beautiful self, I would love to see her in her wedding dress.
Kazuto gasps when he heard those words.
Shouzou: I guess you're right. It might take time for me to make a decision.
He looks at the time.
Shouzou: Oh, I apologize for leaving so soon, but I have a meeting to attend. Let's finish this discussion another time. Let's meet again, Kazuto.
He leaves the room. Kazuto and Sugou are still there.
Sugou: So, you and Asuna were lovers inside the game, right?
Kazuto: Yes.
Sugou: That is unfortunate. I guess we now have a complicated relationship.
He takes a bit of Asuna's hair and sniffs it. Kazuto starts feeling disgusted by it.
Sugou: So, we were discussing about the marriage of me and Asuna.
He licks his lips and Kazuto starts feeling more disgusted.
Kazuto: As if you would.
Sugou: That is true. We can't file for an official marriage. But instead, I'll be adopted by the Yuuki family as their son. To be honest, she never really liked me. But her parents are oblivious to that, but if the subject of marriage was ever brought up, chances are she would reject it. So to me, this situation is extremely convenient.
Kazuto grabs Sugou's arm.
Kazuto: Stop.
Sugou gets his hands off of Asuna as Kazuto lets go.
Kazuto: You can't do this. You can't take advantage of Asuna when she's in a coma.
Sugou: Take advantage of? No, of course not. It's my legitimate right. Oh, and Kazuto, do you know what happened to Argus, SAO's developer, afterwards?
Kazuto: They have dissolved.
Sugou: That's correct. On top of development costs, the company had to compensate the victims of the incident, and was run into ground by debt. The servers of SAO were then entrusted to the CEO of RCT, Shouzou Yuuki.
Kazuto: No way.
Sugou: I'm also the director of RCT's full-dive research department. So it wouldn't be wrong to say that Asuna's life is sustained by me.
Kazuto: W-What?
Sugou: Don't I deserve a little compensation when considering that? I'm not sure what you promised the girl in the game, but I'd like you to never come back here again. And stay away from the Yuuki family while you're at it. The ceremony will be held in one week in this hospital room on January 26th. I only regret that this isn't a traditional auspicious wedding date. Feel free to come, you are invited. Make the most of your last meeting with her, hero.
Sonic and Tails were listening from the outside of the room and quickly make it look like they walk past as soon as Sugou walks out. When walks out of the halls and into the elevator, Sonic and Tails head into the room.
Tails: Kirito?
Kazuto: Hmm? Sonic? Tails?
Sonic: We just overheard your conversation.
Kazuto: What are you guys even doing here?
Sonic: We just came to visit you. It's been a while.
Kazuto: Yeah, it has.
Tails: Who was that guy? And is it true that he's gonna marry Asuna when in a coma? He can't do that!
Kazuto: Well, I have to go guys. I'm heading home. My sister is probably waiting.
Sonic: Umm, alright. We'll get going as well.
At Kazuto's home...
Suguha: Kazuto. The bath is free.
There is no response. She opens the door and enters his dark room.
Suguha: Kazuto, if you're here, at least answer. It's kind of chilly in here. You ok?
Kazuto: I'm sorry. I want to be alone for a bit.
Suguha: But it's cold...
She notices her brother looking depressed
Suguha: Huh? What's wrong?
Kazuto: It's nothing.
Suguha: But you're cold. You should take a warm bath.
Kazuto: Who am I kidding? Even though I resolved never to show weakness in front of you no matter what...
He begins to cry.
Suguha: Did something happen to Asuna?
Kazuto: She is far away, at a place I can't reach. I'm afraid I'll never be able to see her again.
Suguha hugs her big brother.
Suguha: Hey, don't give up. You should never give up on the one you love so much.
She looks up to the moon.
Suguha: I can't lie to myself...
She gets a flashback of when Kazuto was asleep in the hospital bed.
Midori: I remember when Kazuto suddenly asked about his real parents. He was only ten years old, and he discovered the deleted records on the Resident Registrations Network all on his own.
Suguha: Hahaha. That sounds like something he would do.
Midori: I can't believe I let my guard down. So I told him that my older sister and her husband were his real parents.
Suguha: Hey, Mom.
Midori: What is it?
Suguha: Don't you think it's related to why Kazuto started playing online games all day once he got to middle school?
Midori: Of course not. When he was six, he started building his own machines using spare parts. He must be really into computers just like me. At least on a mental level. Well, I'll head back home first. Don't stay here too late alright?
Suguha: Alright.
As Midori leaves the room, she looks back at her son.
Midori: Happy Birthday, Kazuto.
She leaves.
Suguha: It's still not clear that me and Kazuto are cousins.
Back in the present, Kazuto falls asleep, and his younger sister goes to sleep with him.
Suguha: His heart already belongs to her. Well, goodnight Kazuto.
She falls asleep with a bit of tears in her eyes. The next morning Kazuto pokes Suguha's cheek making her wake up.
Kazuto: Hey, wake up, Sugu. It's morning.
She tries to sleep some more. He pulls her cheek making her wake up.
Kazuto: Come on, you're starting to lose time for morning practice.
She opens her eyes and sits up.
Suguha: Oh, morning Kazuto.
Kazuto: Good morning.
She looks around the room a little and gasps.
Suguha: Um! Oh my gosh!
She quickly runs out of the room.
Kazuto: Oh boy.
He gets a flashback from last night of when she told him to not give up.
Kazuto: She's right. I shouldn't give up. Thank you, Sugu.
He gets an email from Agil on his computer.
Agil's Message: You might want to check this out.
Kazuto: No way!
He see's a picture of what looks to be Asuna trapped in a cage.
Kazuto: Is that, Asuna?
Meanwhile, Sonic and Tails wake up at the room they rented at a hotel.
Sonic: Wonder if Asuna will be alright.
Tails: I hope so. Oh! I just got a message from Agil. I mean, Andrew Mills.
Sonic: What is it?
Tails: No way!
They look at the picture of Asuna in a cage.
Sonic and Tails: Asuna?!