The next day, Kazuto and Tails pay a visit to the Toto Institute of Technology to see a presentation for the Augma hosted by Tetsuhiro Shigemura, the developer of the Augma.

Shigemura: The most glaring flaw in the Full-Dive VR device, is the actual full-dive function itself. To be precise, the risks of cutting off one's physical senses in order to play a VR game are incalculable. Needless to say, applications of the full-dive tech aren't nearly limited to games. There's also communication, browsing, digital production, and more. In truth, they can be done with sight, hearing, and even limited tactile information. So instead of a rather dangerous full-dive device, one should choose a safe AR device instead.

Shigemura looks at the time on his watch as the presentation almost ends.

Shigemura: Any questions?

Kazuto and Tails both raise their hands.

Shigemura: Ok, you over there.

Kazuto stands up.

Kazuto: I have a feeling that AR devices contain dangers that aren't in full-dive machines like the AmuSphere. What do you think about that?

Shigemura: As in traffic accidents while wearing such devices?

Kazuto: That's not the case. Can the Augma run a scan through the brain, taking away memories of the user?

Shigemura: I will answer that question next time. That's all for today.

After everyone leaves, Kazuto and Tails visit Shigemura's office.

Kazuto: Let me cut to the chase. Do you happen to know a rank 2 player in Ordinal Scale named Eiji?

Shigemura: I'm not sure.

Tails: He is in your class, right?

Shigemura: I have lots of students in my class.

Tails: Then aren't you aware that SAO survivors are suffering from memory loss when using the Augma? Does the Augma have a hidden function that scans the user's memories while it's being worn?

Shigemura: I thought that Seijirou Kikuoka of the Ministry of Eternal Affairs told me you both just wanted to audit my seminar.

Tails: Pretty soon, they will know about this through security.

Kazuto: When they find out, they will ban the Augma from the public, just like they did with the NerveGear. So, do you really want to follow the same path as your student, Akihiko Kayaba?

Shigemura: I don't really know what both are talking about. Even if memory scanning was possible, how would that be a problem for the survivors losing their memories? There is this saying, blessed are the thoughtful, for they get the better even of their blunders. Wouldn't you both agree that the survivors wish to forget the terrible things that happened inside that game?

Tails: You may be right about that. But I'm sure they just want to forget the bad things, and not the good things.

Shigemura: Next time, you should both get an official appointment. Of course, that doesn't guarantee my schedule will be open for you.

Kazuto and Tails begin to leave.

Kazuto: You build robots here too, right?

Shigemura: We do, indeed. Not like Dr. Robotnik though.

Just as they go out the door, Kazuto catches a glimpse at a picture of Shigemura's daughter, looking just like Yuna from OS. When they head outside, Kazuto calls Kikuoka.

Kikuoka: It's true that Professor Shigemura has a daughter. Well, he had one. She died two years ago.

Tails: Yuna Shigemura, right? She looks just like Yuna the AR idol. But what exactly is he trying to do?

Kikuoka: It's like the professor said, it's probably just counseling for the SAO survivors.

Kazuto: But still, it's possible that the Augma has a dangerous function. Can't you just use your authority to shut down the service?

Kikuoka: But we're up against a huge project linked to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. We can't really do anything unless we find proof. It's going to take time though.

Kazuto: But there are lots of SAO survivors among OS players. If they get killed by the bosses from Old Aincrad, there will be more and more cases of memory loss.

Kikuoka: I'll do the best I can to look into it. Klein and his friends all had the same cases. But their injuries are another thing. So, Kazuto, Tails, if you can, try not to play OS. If you both lose your memories too, it could be a problem.

Tails: Not for me and Sonic it won't.

Kazuto hangs up.

Tails: I'll let Sonic know what's up.

Kazuto: Ok.

Tails starts flying away. Kazuto heads to his bike, while Eiji looks down from a high place. Kazuto gets a call from her wife, Asuna.

Kazuto: Hey Asuna.

Asuna: Hi. I just wanted to hear your voice.

Kazuto: Ok. I'm heading home right now, so I'll see you there soon.

Asuna: Ok. I'm a little scared to go outside right now.

Kazuto: Well, I'm in 00-Okayama right now. I'm just 20 minutes away.

Asuna: Ok.

Kazuto heads home.

Kazuto: Hey, I'm back.

Asuna: Welcome back, Honey.

They head upstairs to their room.

Kazuto: So, someone told me that the SAO survivors wanted to forget their memories of that time. That might be true.

Asuna: A lot of bad things happened back there. But those two years of SAO gave us precious memories who make us who we are now.

Kazuto: I agree.

Asuna: Anyway, I'm going to get something for us to drink.

Kazuto: Ok.

Kazuto waits for Asuna. He looks on top of the desk and notices Asuna's diary. He picks it up and reads the latest entry.

Asuna's Journal: To me of tomorrow. It's been a while since I've written inside this journal, but as I probably have forgotten what's happened since I've returned to the real world, I'm going to write about how I feel now. It's already been four years since I've met Kirito. All of my memories with him were like sparkling diamonds to me. Even if I lose more and more memories because of Ordinal Scale, I can still make new memories with both my husband and daughter. My calendar says that I'm going with them to the Saitama mountains to see starts soon, but I have lost my whole memory of the day we made that promise. I've re-read this diary and it says that Kirito will soon give me a present, but I wonder if he will forgive me for forgetting that promise. I want to give him something in return. I'll use the money I have saved up for to get him that gift.

Kazuto's eyes widened.

Asuna's Journal: My beloved Kirito. If I ever forget about him... If I lose all my memories or not make new ones... Just thinking about those thoughts really scares me. I pray that the me of tomorrow will never lose the feelings I have for him right now.

Asuna heads into the room and Kirito closes the journal.

Asuna: It's ok. You can read it.

Kazuto puts the journal back on the desk as Asuna puts the tea on the table. Kirito runs to Asuna and hugs her.

Asuna: Kirito?

Kazuto: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Asuna.

Asuna starts smiling.

Asuna: I love you so much Kirito. Even if my memories are gone, the feelings I have for you will never change, no matter what.

Kazuto: Me too, Asuna. I love you so much. And that will never ever change.

They both kiss.

Kazuto: I promise that I will get your memories back, no matter what the risks are. Just wait a little longer, ok?

Asuna: Ok. I believe in you, Kazuto.

Meanwhile, Tails meets up with Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, Mighty, and Ray.

Sonic: Any luck?

Tails: Shigemura said that the SAO survivors want to forget their memories.

Mighty: That does sound like a good reason to take away those memories. But...

Sonic: Maybe it's not just that?

Tails: I have a feeling that the Augma has another dangerous feature. It can probably kill the players just like the NerveGear did.

Sonic: Well, we have to get to the bottom of this, and fast. Tomorrow is Yuna's concert too.

Knuckles: I can't wait for that.

Ray: She's gonna be amazing.

Amy: I can't wait to hear her sing! I just can't!

Knuckles: You sure are a big Yuna fan, huh Amy?

Amy: Of course I am! She's a star!

Sonic: Well, we need to find a way to get back Asuna's memories.

Mighty: Maybe if we keep fighting the old SAO bosses, we might be able to solve this entire problem.

Tails: Yeah! You said it!

Sonic: Then let's go to tonight's events and show those old bosses what we're made of!

Everyone: Yeah!