With a deep, controlled breath and fluid motions, Shiro drew back the arrow and fixed his eyes with determination on the target ahead of him. It was a lone target, for an archery competition. As he began his exhale, he loosed the drawn arrow which sharply pierced dead center of the target ahead of him. He had finally gotten it down to a science after so long. He wondered, would his older sister and favorite neighbor be proud of him? Would Shino and Kazuto be happy he continued practicing archery and kendo after they fell victim to Sword Art Online?
Two more repeats of the perfect draw, and Shiro landed them perfectly into the target. Having finished, the crowd for the competition applauded him as he returned to the seating area for the competitors.
"Tch. Must be cheating..."
Shiro had gotten used to it and grew mature from everything he had been through since Shino and Kazuto had left. They met before SAO had claimed them regularly for archery and kendo, but Shiro hadn't had his inspiration to do his best because he stood no chance at reaching the pinnacle Shino and Kazuto always displayed. An unreachable pinnacle.
The archery tournament finally concluded an hour later with Shiro placing first, able to move on to regional level.
"I bet...you're both still managing to do your best there. You're definitely not letting that game beat you. It's...been nearly half a year since I last even saw you awake."
Shiro whispered those words to himself while their parents drove him home, excitement filling them that Shiro had accomplished first place in something. Pride.
"Is there anything you want to get on the way home? Somewhere you want to go?"
The question from his father who was driving made Shiro smile.
"I would like to go visit Shino-nee and Kiri-nii."
"Sounds good. Anything to snack on on the way, since it'll be a while until we get there?"
Shiro nodded. He liked having the kindness of their parents to himself after he started working on getting better. They treated him much better, but maybe it was also earned, he thought. But he also felt bad that it took so much to get through to him.
Doing better in school, doing better at archery and kendo, he just wanted his trapped family back safe and sound. He was confident that they were definitely going to beat SAO and return home some day. It was impossible to know how far along they were in the journey through the game.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Shiro returned to the present instead of thinking of memories they had together. The trip up to where Kazuto and Shino were admitted along with Suguha and a few other victims of the game on the same floor was quick. Shiro spent a lot of time remembering teasing Shino and Kazuto about their compatibility when he spent time visiting each of them. He remembered how well they treated him, even if sometimes they teased and returned his teasing on him.
Shiro felt bad about always treating Kazuto as a girl back then, but recalling, he genuinely believed that the feminine personality he showed and the way that he acted most of the time was as much or more than every girl he had met. To the day, Shiro hadn't met someone much more feminine than his memories of Kazuto. If he was honest with himself, Shiro felt he had a crush on the memories of him. But that wasn't fair to Shino because he knew she loved Kazuto. He was more than willing to let go of his feelings for Kazuto and Shino being happy.
Virtual life had become appealing while also staying terrifying after the release of SAO. Shiro was curious about the virtual life experience, but he didn't want to frighten his parents, and he was scared enough that he would also be trapped to leave the curiosity alone.
"I believe in you. Please come home safe soon, Shino-nee."
Having spent a while in Shino's room to visit, Shiro made his way to Suguha's room which had Kazuto's between them, and stopped in his tracks hearing an unfamiliar voice in Kazuto's room.
"...the one who was hacking into your information server?"
Shiro hid against the wall to listen in on the conversation.
"Yes, it was definitely that device owner. Can you place the AR tabs on her temples?"
Shiro was sweating hearing the mechanical voice speaking to the person in the room.
"Are you certain this won't be dangerous to the victim's health?"
"Yes. I've already confirmed and pulled out three people safely. Trust me. I need answers."
His eyes widened and he gasped at the mention of three people being pulled out of the game. Was it true? Who was the person that pulled out the people from SAO? Why wasn't it in the news? Why weren't more people being pulled out of the game? Was it a robot?
Shiro felt the need to look in and see what was going on in the room, figure out what they were doing to Kazuto. Maybe it would be possible to pull out Shino and Suguha if he did the same thing to them.
Shiro peeked in, and saw the agent in a full business suit pull a tiny thick disc from their chest pocket. They placed the disc on the table beside Kazuto's head and unscrewed the top. Two circular tiny black plastic or rubber or some kind of flexible material items were taken out of it, and reached into the Nerve Gear helmet to place against Kazuto's temples.
"Good, I'm connected. Give me a few minutes. The user may not allow me to extract them given circumstances within the game, so forgive me if I do not wake them."
"It's okay, Eya-san."
Shiro stepped into the room and looked at Kazuto's face through the helmet. Kazuto's sleeping face was as beautiful and peaceful as usual. There was a stray strand of hair from the disturbance of the person in the suit, but it was something that would be quickly fixed.
"Hello, are you family of Kirigaya-kun?"
Shiro shook his head but smiled.
"We're like family. We grew up together. At best we're friends though. I really hope they clear the game soon so they can come home."
"Indeed...how is the progress coming along, Eya-san?"
The robotic voice didn't respond for around half a minute.
"Eya-san?"
"Kirit- Kirigaya-kun has admitted to hacking into my less protected server. When I asked if it was okay to pull him out, he told me not unless I could pull everyone out. Apparently Kirigaya-kun has become essential to the clearing effort. I hold no grudge against the hacking, and unfortunately I can't pull everyone out within a reasonable time frame, so we might as well leave Kirigaya-kun inside."
The agent in the suit sighed in frustration.
"I thought we finally had our answer when such a genius contacted us. But now we have a way to figure out how far along they are inside. Right, how far through the climb are they now?"
Shiro looked over the agent to see if there was any indicator for who the person was, what company they worked for. A visitor card hanging from his neck stated that he was part of the support network for the victims of the game. Kikuoka Seijiro was his name.
"They are currently resting after clearing floor 26."
Kikuoka nodded his head and wrote it down in a notepad.
"Regardless of the unfortunate case that we can't get more information now, it is a blessing that you reached out to us. I would very much appreciate your help with further information inside of the game along the way through Kirigaya-kun. Knowing the situation inside is a big part of the battle on our end after all. Would you be interested in working with us in the future?"
Beeping of the monitoring machines filled the silence in the conversation.
"I would still like to consider business partners at some point in the future. After all, inventions and moving toward the future has been denied in this part of the world to my frustration. At least to the extent my inventions go. I hope that the world can move forward through working together with those who work on things such as virtual reality in Japan."
Shiro was surprised the more he heard from the person on the other end of the call, which he realized as actually a person very far away. It may not be their actual voice, it might be computer generated considering the lag between responses, but for the person on the other end to be able to influence the virtual reality world at all currently was insanely impressive.
"Thank you for, what was so important that you needed to ask Kirigaya-kun about hacking you? Too confidential to share? Oh, keep in mind that I have another visitor in the room with me, a friend of Kirigaya-kun."
"Hmm...yes I can share that. I was concerned that Kirigaya-kun would have found information on my artificial intelligence project. Also, nice to meet you, friend of Kirigaya-kun. Feel free to join to conversation, ask questions if you like. I have plenty of time to chat."
Kikuoka rubbed the back of his head and sighed. He wondered why this particular genius was eccentric in such a way.
"Hello, Eya-san. I'm Asada Shiro. It's an honor to meet a genius such as yourself. I heard something about AR before? What kind of device was it that Kikuoka-san put on Kazu-nii?"
The identified lag took place and the computer voice of Eya responded.
"Very nice to meet you Asada-kun. Please, don't call me a genius though. I'm still learning every day, just like you very likely do. The AR device that was mentioned is the latest and most complete version of an augmented reality device. It interacts safely with the brain of the person it's attached to through controlled electric currents, measuring brain activity to connect to a home computer. For Kirigaya-kun, this would be connecting to me across the ocean so I will be disconnecting until I need to check in again. I will likely be setting up a schedule with him to check up regularly on the situation inside of the game. As far as functions of the AR device, it can do everything that a computer can as far as functions. The next thing would be to add virtual games to it or augmented reality based games. I have ideas but am not yet ready to release a game. I have been more focused on hardware instead of software with my inventing."
Shiro was stunned as he heard the extent of the device. One that could let the user safely interact with virtual reality. An idea came to mind pretty quickly.
"Would it be possible to safely send someone into the game then? If there was a download of the game, would you be able to load it onto your AR device and send people in safely?"
Eya laughed a little before responding.
"Yes, that's actually something I'm working on. I would like to help send in some help. Some people with military experience to help them clear the game. It may be too late and take too much time to level new additions in there, and they would be limited to real life constraints. I believe that the people who have been fighting to keep so many of their comrades alive inside can be trusted with taking care of clearing the game, but some more people who aren't in danger of dying could help with scouting, for example. Are you volunteering to go in, Asada-kun?"
Shiro genuinely thought about it for a minute, but shook his head when he remembered that his parents were waiting for him to finish visiting. That he had people who needed him to be around.
"I appreciate the offer, Eya-san. If I go in though, my family will be sad that I'll be spending even less time with them. Please, do everything you can to bring the rest of my family home."
"Of course."
Shiro had one more question on his mind that was bothering him.
"Eya-san, how is my sister – how is Asada Shino doing?"
"Oh right! She's a member of Kirigaya-kun's guild in there. They have another 6 people in their guild and they all get along very well. They also have a companion AI who appears to be Kirigaya-kun's daughter. Only one blatantly male character in that group...it's quite interesting."
The mention of the companion AI left both Kikuoka and Shiro stunned.
"Kazu-nii...is a parent?"
"Yes, at least as far as the AI is concerned. She considers Kirigaya-kun as her mother. I didn't have the chance to check further into it, but I'll be collecting more information through the guild as we go forward."
Shiro sighed and imagined what must be going on in there for Kazuto to become a mother...to an AI.
"Eya-san, you have mentioned AI a few times since...what kind of AI is the one with Kirigaya-kun?"
Kikuoka's flustered question made him feel less professional than he had so far.
"Yui is a mental health counseling AI which broke down due to the systems of the game deactivating a number of the AI, so they watched on and broke down. Yui apparently broke while analyzing Kirigaya-kun, and took on his appearance traits when she spawned in as a communicable character in the environment. She is considered an immortal object, but she has no real power within the game unless she risks her existence at a console. Not an NPC within the game, not a player character, but an AI managing to coexist with that guild as the child of the leader...it's very interesting. Since she's a broken AI, she's actually more advanced than most AI technology. I have to admit it's quite impressive. The only way an AI can be more advanced is through development from the bottom, raising the AI in a controlled environment like a normal human. It's quite a lot of work to do something like that. Then again, advanced AI development is outlawed pretty much globally because of fear of something out of science fiction becoming real. Which wouldn't if created properly."
Kikuoka was surprised at how quickly Eya explained. Shiro was a little confused. He didn't understand everything coming through since a little English came through during the explanation he didn't understand.
"Would it be possible to commission you to create some AI for us? Bottom up?"
"That depends. At any rate, let's take this conversation somewhere more confidential if we're discussing something so sensitive. It was a pleasure to meet you, Asada-kun. We will continue putting forward our best work to help those inside with getting out."
Shiro took a step back, took a full look at Kikuoka as he faced him finally, and bowed.
"Thank you for your help."
After Kikuoka and the terminal riding on his shoulder left the room, Shiro was shaking from the strange situation he just experienced. He looked back to Kazuto and fixed the strand of hair which was misplaced before. His heart fluttered at the sight of the face he knew being so close. He squeezed shut his eyes, an attempt to control his thoughts, and looked again. Kazuto's feminine features became more enticing. More interesting and appealing.
That figure, became a mother inside of a virtual environment. Was he a good parent? Of course he would be was Shiro's first thought to that. Kazuto had always given the impression of good parent. Between the instincts and the habits that Kazuto always showed when interacting with Shiro, a parental feeling, like a stern or supportive and caring parent were the impressions which lasted.
"I miss your voice, Kazu-nii. I hope you make it back soon. You're a quarter of the way there...please come home soon."
Shortly after, Shiro left the room and visited Suguha as well. Shiro didn't know how to feel about everything after experiencing such a strange meeting with a person working on the relief effort and a crazy skilled inventor. Shiro wondered if that inventor was an important person yet, or if they would become an important person soon due to their involvement in saving the people inside of SAO.
After everything, Shiro just wanted to work harder. Kazuto, Shino, and Suguha were all working together in the same guild leading the clearing effort. It was something to be immensely proud of. He didn't want to fall behind them. He wanted to be able to support them when they would get out of the game, since they would take time to recover after getting out of the game, especially getting back the strength they once had. They weren't just wasting the time inside though if his knowing them was accurate. They were learning, becoming stronger and more well rounded people. If they were still alive and leading the charge, they would be back to their old selves, or likely even better. They got past the tragedy which left them emotionless husks finally.
As much as he didn't like that SAO took Shino and Kazuto away from him, Shiro had to thank it for returning the life to them. They didn't become people who hung back and waited for other people with more determination to clear through the game. They wanted to return home.
When Shiro got back home with his parents, after a celebration dinner to top off his excellent performance in the archery competition, he got to work on planning out some more activities he could do so that he would be more athletic, more actively self defensive training. He wanted access to virtual or augmented reality in order to practice and become stronger against powerful enemies without involving others in his effort.
After a while searching, well past his normal time getting in bed, he found the only person he could think was Eya, as an author on a blog. He sent a direct message introducing himself again and asking if she would be willing to let him work for her as an augmented reality tester. Maybe help her with other things. Helping inside of SAO wasn't going to be much of an option since he was too busy with school, archery and kendo to have any chance at catching up, but getting a bit of time once in a while to work on his reflexes and such for real combat scenarios.
The reply came very quickly, Eya confirming with a picture that Shiro was himself through a picture she had managed to take during their conversation earlier. The confirmation was needed through a video call. During the call, Eya revealed her true self. Her true self was mute. Her eyes looked empty to him. But she was wearing a strange headset which didn't cover her ears but interestingly wrapped around them.
"Yes your video reception is confirmed and you on the other side of the camera right now is the you I met today in Kirigaya-kun's room. How are you doing now, Asada-kun?"
Shiro smiled hearing the familiar robotic voice.
"I'm doing okay. I just reconsidered the offer from earlier today a little more, and want to do what I can to help the people most able to make a difference in there, to make it easier for them. I want to be able to support them when they get out too, so being strong for them and being able to defend them if the need is there is a requirement...if that means that I work with you and get some time once in a while to fight in a virtual or augmented environment, then I might get the experiences I need in order to do what I need to do when they get out."
The beautiful, yet haunting face on the other side of the screen nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. I would hire you for work right away but it's inappropriate on the time in your part of the world right now so I suggest you get some sleep. I'll write up a contract for you and your family to go over and send it over in a few hours. That should give you the chance to fall asleep, so turn off any notifications to ensure my message doesn't wake you. I'll have Kikuoka-san deliver your AR device tomorrow afternoon your time if you accept and submit your filled contract in a reply email. The contract will be very short and easy to get through, so don't worry about having a lot to read. As far as using the AR device to visit a VR environment, it will be possible. I have downloaded several VR games into the AR server. This also means if you change your mind, you will be able to visit your family inside of SAO. But you should keep in mind to do so the first time late at night when people wouldn't be walking the roads. If someone would notice you, you would need to play off your appearance as teleporting."
Eya was enchanting to listen to, hearing the robotic voice was so strange compared to the beauty who was performing the same words in sign language. She had the appearance of a western beauty, with long blond hair, bluish green eyes and a face which reminded Shiro of Kazuto, but was obviously western. It was strange that her beautiful eyes gave the empty blind person stare. It only made her all the more enchanting though.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Eya-san. I look forward to working with you."
She gave a warm smile and her empty stare brightened a little.
"I look forward to working with you as well. Now get some sleep. You will have a busy day tomorrow."
With a happy nod, Shiro waved to Eya and closed the call. A part of him felt embarrassed that he had done the call in bed. Another felt excited about the future working with Eya. A final part of him was too tired to think anymore and thankful she urged him to get to sleep.
