A/N: Version 2, revised the ending to smooth out the transition to the next chapter. Don't worry, details of the incident are coming very soon.

As if my unspoken question had summoned them, a nurse rushed in, followed by the last person I wanted to see- that villain in glasses, Kikuoka Seijirou. The government official stayed just in the doorway as the nurse tended to me. She remained silent while checking the various monitors and machines, dodging my impending questions by telling me that Kikuoka would explain everything.

"Are you currently feeling any pain?" she asked, finished with the machines.

Not sure what parts of my body should even be in pain, I mumbled a quick "No." Obviously, the ECG should have notified her of my awakening and panic attack. I guess there was my little fall to consider, though. I resisted the urge to ask her any questions, knowing that Glasses would be explaining.

Soon enough, the nurse tapped her last notes into her tablet and turned to leave. She made her way out the door, returning almost immediately pushing a wheeled chair to my bedside. She bowed to Kikuoka as she left. He thanked her with a nod of his head, moving toward the chair.

Finally, it was time for some answers.

"Where's Asuna?"

"Straight to the point, are we? That's very much like you." Kikuoka's bureaucrat smile only pissed me off. "What do you remember of last night?"

So, this was about GGO after all. "What does that have to do with her?"

Kikuoka smile slid off his face. "You see, I was hoping you could shed some light on the situation. Frankly, aside from the easy facts, we're at a loss. Did something in happen in GGO?"

Now very confused, I asked, "Wait, what happened to me outside GGO?" There was too much disconnect in our conversation.

Kikuoka sighed. "Because of the time-sensitive nature, I'd rather not have to explain, but I do suppose you need some gaps filled in before you can help me." Adjusting his glasses and leaning in closer, his expression became grave. "Late last night, you and Miss Yuuki were the targets of a traffic accident. Hit-and-run. It can hardly be called an accident in that light, I suppose."

I felt like a spear of ice stabbed me in the spine, forcing a wave of cold sweat to bead on my skin. I was struck absolutely speechless.

"From the limited eyewitness testimony we've acquired, it seems like the two of you were hit by a small utility van. The police are investigating further, of course, but they need time. When the culprit is found, rest assured that I will do everything I can for your sake. You were acting in a government contract, after all. In the meantime, I suppose you want to know about Miss Yuuki's condition?"

Unable to speak, I nodded hard.

"Given your previous panic, I assume you've seen your own… condition." He coughed lightly. "Miss Yuuki sustained injuries more internal than yours. The doctors and surgeons are running into complication after complication, but she is fighting. Again, time will tell how she does." Kikuoka looked straight into my eyes. "It was a very good thing you were both wearing helmets. I can only imagine neither of you would have lived otherwise."

I could feel tears behind my eyes as my throat closed off. Clutching my heart, I fought to keep breathing. Flashes of the incident starting coming to my mind. Emotions, images, flashes of pain. Headlights and screams, squealing of tires.

"As I mentioned before, time is our greatest constraint. I do hate to press you after delivering such news, but I believe a report of your initial findings inside Gun Gale Online may shed light on this situation."

Something happened inside GGO to make this happen. That's what Kikuoka was saying. As I began clearing my mind, trying desperately not to think about my injuries, the events of the BoB preliminaries solidified in my memory.

"I registered for the tournament and made it through the preliminaries," I said slowly, thinking as I talked. "I was approached by Death Gun."

Kikuoka leaned far forward in his chair. I had his full attention now.

"He knew who I was. Or, rather, he knew my name. He asked if I was 'the real Kirito.' After that, I cleared the preliminaries and logged out. I think… knew him. From SAO."

Glasses nearly fell out of his chair. "Are you sure he's from SAO?"

"I don't know his identity. But I'm sure he's an SAO survivor, from the murder guild, Laughing Coffin."

After a moment of contemplation, Kikuoka spoke up. "That's the kind of vital information we need. That gives us a point to begin a deeper investigation. It's just a shame that Zaskar won't let us access server logs to investigate from the server-side."

Heaving one more heavy sigh, he steepled his hands in front of his face. "This is the hardest part. I hate to ask you to keep going in the face of what's happened to you, but I desperately need your cooperation. All I can ask is that you push aside your loss and finish the job you've started. Of course, I will take utmost care of you and Miss Yuuki regardless of your answer. I only ask you, if you need closure, to keep moving forward and participate in the GGO tournament. Please think of those who may meet a worse fate if Death Gun is allowed to move freely."

Hatred for Glasses flared up inside me. "I don't even remember what happened to me right now! Do you seriously expect me to ignore this-" I brandished my right arm at him - "and work for you again, to find an old SAO player? True, he used to be a murderer, but we both agreed that killing is impossible through the AmuSphere! GGO isn't my business any more. For all I know, this is because you got me and Asuna involved." I turned and stared out the window. Kikuoka started to stand. "I'm leaving the responsibility to you." I tried to make my parting words as scathing as possible, redirecting my fear into anger at him.

The silence seemed to last several minutes. I fought back the small tears forming in the corner of my eyes, bringing my left hand to rest on my stump arm.

"Very well," Kikuoka replied, after the long pause. "Please forgive my insensitivity. I will have a nurse escort you to Miss Yuuki's room to see her. I pray for your and her recovery." He moved to leave, but stopped in the doorway. Without looking back, he said one last thing to me before stepping out.

"I'm not giving up on you two, Kirito-kun. Don't you give up, either."