No matter how many times you look at it, it's a spectacular view.

The twilight sun stained the sky red, and the huge steel floating city continued to hover, but instead of collapsing, it gradually turned into white points of light from the very bottom and dissipated into the clouds.

Standing at the apex of some supreme place, a girl in a white hospital gown had a satisfied smile on her face, and a metallic ring of data floating in her hand seemed to collect something.

Probably restoring the current appearance of the body, the short hair that was originally shoulder-length has also become waist-length long hair.

“…… It's really surprising that someone can get ahead of me in just the theory I imagined. ”

An abrupt voice sounded from behind the girl, and the young man in the white lab coat put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly to her side.

"Rather, you really dare to try, should this be said to be a miracle caused by 'life'?"

Kayaba Akihiko, who had recovered his original appearance, said this while calmly looking at the gradually disappearing floating castle, but there was not much regret on his face.

Perhaps, this is also the ending he is looking forward to.

In the world that was finally stopped, in the black and white data grid space, he was deprived of all permissions like a defenseless child.

He descended here in a way that he could not fully comprehend, and reigned like a god over the whole of "Ayn Grant".

According to Kayaba's estimates, he guessed that Yuki's appearance probably took the same idea as him, releasing ultra-high-power scanning signals to his brain, and converting all his memories and thoughts into numerical codes.

Although the possibility is slim, it is possible to turn into a real 'computer' that exists in the network.

It's just that the girl seemed to guess his thoughts after hearing that emotion.

"Life isn't such a simple thing, and you should know that."

"Dead life is destined to disappear, and this is indeed the unchanging benchmark law of every world."

Yuki, who said this, looked sideways at Akihiko Kayaba and smiled mysteriously.

"However, this 'world' has an interesting hypothesis, which is the 'quantum light' with the soul message."

"I just put those things back together, and that's it."

Although Yuki said it lightly, Akihiko Kayaba's face showed a stunned expression for the first time.

“…… Is that really something that a human being can do? ”

"Well, it's okay not to be 'human.'"

“…………”

Looking at the immature face that smiled heartily at him, the brains of this premier scholar could not turn for the first time.

But soon, the man recovered, and seemed to sense something from Yuki's words, and covered his forehead with a sigh that he didn't know whether to count it as excitement or a wry smile.

“…… Hehe, haha...... Is there still a mystery in this world that I haven't been able to touch......"

Then, as if he had discovered a new continent, the man continued.

"You know what? Since I was a child, my dreams have been occupied by that castle, and even now, I still believe that there really is such a floating city in some other world, and your appearance has convinced me of this. ”

The floating clouds moved slightly faster, as if reflecting the mood of the kayaba at the moment.

Yes, all he did was dreaming.

The so-called "Ayn Grant" is actually the abbreviation of An Incarnatin Radius. Roughly speaking, it is a world that materializes the hopes of the player and the Kayaba.

There is nothing inherently wrong with pursuing his dreams, but unfortunately he has taken the most extreme approach.

But there is probably no point in talking to a paranoid genius scientist about reason.

"Then, as a loser, I should also quit with interest, and seeing you like this, I shouldn't need anything like that."

Looking at the data ball in Yuki's hand, Akihiko Aoba shook his head slightly, and then looked at the sky with a steady expression.

"The next time should be the time you specially set aside, so I won't bother."

Finding that the figure that had been lying beside Yuki had signs of sobriety, Kikihiko Kayaba, who had turned around, walked into the distance.

“…… Ahhh ”

"Congratulations on beating the game."

The figure gradually disappeared with the wind, leaving only the last words of congratulations.

……

*********************************************************************************************************************

"Hmm......"

Trying to open her heavy eyelids, Lanzi, who woke up, looked at it for the first time and found herself in an incredible place.

"Good morning, Sister Lan."

“……！”

Then she heard a greeting voice that haunted her.

“…… Xiaoyu! ”

Sitting up from the clouds with a wall of transparent air, Lan Zi trembled and reached out to touch the existence sitting beside him.

It wasn't her delusion, it was a real figure there.

"Great...... It's really wonderful......"

With a glint in his eyes, Lanzi kept whispering.

"Sorry to worry you......"

Shaking her head, Lanko hugged Yuki's arm as if she was afraid that she would disappear again.

The atmosphere fell silent again, and an invisible wind blew through the two of them.

“…… Xiaoyou, are you leaving......"

“……”

It seemed like a long time, and it seemed like only a moment, and Lanzi finally opened his mouth again.

As twins, Lanzi actually had a hunch that Yuki might be preparing for a long journey.

"yes, that's ......"

Although she didn't answer, she found the answer in Yuki's subtle changes.

"How strange...... I have a lot to say to you......"

“…… Haven't been to school together yet...... We haven't been to club activities together...... No family travelling together......"

"It's supposed to be a happy life on the horizon...... But nothing began, and it ended like this......"

Tears flowed endlessly, and Lanzi vented his emotions to the fullest.

“…… It's not over. ”

"Because I have people who support me, I can see where I'm going, I have a way forward, and then I can move on."

"So someday, I'll be back here."

In a somewhat hoarse voice, Yuki made a promise.

White light shrouded the two of them, and the end of the world was near.

“…… Well, I'll be waiting until that day comes. ”

“…… Ah, it won't keep you waiting too long. ”

"It's agreed."

Endless white light gradually overwhelmed the two of them, and the overlapping and interlocking hands.

……

************************************************************************************************************************

A month later, Konno House.

Dressing up at home, the girl with long bunched hair who opened the door trotted in a certain direction in the early morning sun.

On the way, neighbors kept greeting her, and the girl responded politely one by one, and soon arrived at her destination.

After passing through the automatic door and checking in at the hospital's pre-screening desk, she happened to see a familiar person as she passed through the aisle.

Smiling slightly, Lanzi waved his hand at the yawning young doctor.

"Good morning! Dr. Kurahashi! ”

“…… Well? Ah, good morning, Miss Lanzi, it's so early today. ”

"Hmm!"

Nodding, Lanzi 'smiled brightly'.

"Because if she's alone all the time, she'll be lonely."

“……”

Looking at the girl who passed by by by the staggered girl, the silent doctor's eyes couldn't help but show sadness.

A month ago, the players who survived that death game came to their senses one after another.

And from their mouths, everyone also knows who led them to success in the end.

It's the one who is currently lying in a hospital bed and the only player who hasn't woken up.

On that day, Yuki's vital signs had completely stopped, but after that, he unbelievably recovered. And all indicators are gradually leveling off.

Although it can't be compared with ordinary people for the time being, it is indeed developing in a better direction.

This unexplained phenomenon can only be temporarily classified as a medical 'miracle'.

It's just a pity that the girl's consciousness doesn't seem to return, and she is still in a deep coma.

There have been quite a few 'players' who have come to visit her, but it hasn't helped.

But as long as you are alive, there must be hope of awakening!

That's what everybody was looking forward to.

……

“…… Huh, Xiaoyu, you know what? Recently, at the medical network "Serene Garden", my sister met some very interesting children, although they all have various situations, they are all strong and optimistic, and you want to meet them. ”

"Also, everyone who left SAO misses you very much, and Naoba also said that if you don't go to the next national competition, she will be angry."

"And ......"

Holding the hand of the girl on the hospital bed, Lanzi whispered little by little what happened every day.

Because Yuki has already made an appointment with her, he won't let her wait too long.

So......

"So...... Wake up quickly. ”

Brushing up the hair of her ears and temples, she kissed lightly on the girl's forehead, and Lanzi prayed as always.

Uncontrollable tears slipped down the corners of her eyes again, dripping onto the 'princess's sleeping face.

One drop......

Two drops ......

“......”

“…… Sure enough, are fairy tales all lies? Why is my 'prince' kiss salty......"

“……！”

After a pause, the 'Prince' looked down at the bright eyes that had been slightly opened on the bed.

Then he desperately wiped the corners of his eyes, but he couldn't control it anyway.

A voice that can never be forgotten rings in my ears.

"I'm back, Sister Lan."

“……”

"Welcome...... Come back, Xiaoyu!! ”

hugged the figure on the hospital bed tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time.

It was true that he kept the agreement, and this time, Yuki didn't let Lanzi wait too long.

As for this "month", what she experienced in her 'coma', that is another "story".

……