"What... What did you just say?"
At this moment, both Yuuki Shozou and Sugou Nobuyuki stood frozen, their earlier unease forgotten.
However, Rozen remained expressionless, repeating himself calmly.
"I said, since you're worried about whether Asuna might suddenly pass away or when she'll wake up, and you want to marry her off to make up for that regret in her life, then let me marry her."
Though his voice was calm and steady, it carried a firm decisiveness that left no room for doubt.
Yuuki Shozou was momentarily stunned.
As Asuna's father, he had never imagined that someone would suggest marrying his daughter in her hospital room. And not Sugou Nobuyuki, but a boy the same age as his daughter—possibly even younger—whom he had just met today.
If Shozou found it hard to believe, Sugou was even more astonished.
Yet Sugou only chuckled, clearly dismissing the statement.
"A surprising turn of events," Sugou said with thinly veiled sarcasm. "I didn't expect you, Kirigaya-kun, to say something so unrealistic."
It was evident that Sugou didn't take Rozen's words seriously.
But Rozen didn't even glance at Sugou. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Yuuki Shozo.
"Mr. Yuuki, since you've already learned about me, and you understand Asuna's situation in SAO, then you should know that my relationship with her wasn't ordinary, right?"
Rozen's words made Shozou hesitate, but he couldn't deny the truth.
Everyone familiar with SAO knew that the connection between Rozen and Asuna was special.
While they hadn't officially announced a relationship or married in the game, the frontline players knew that their bond was far deeper than typical friendships.
Moreover, Asuna had even lived with Rozen in the forest cottage on the 22nd floor of Aincrad.
Though only a handful knew about it—larger guilds like Crimson Wing and Knights of the Blood Oath had heard rumors, though never confirmed them.
With many players now awake, Shozou, as Asuna's father, could easily find out these details.
That's precisely why, when Sugou brought up marriage, Shozou had instinctively glanced at Rozen—because he knew the boy had a deeper connection with his daughter than Sugou was acknowledging.
"I didn't come here to see Asuna out of some sense of duty or responsibility to save the three hundred players still trapped in SAO," Rozen said frankly.
"I came here for one reason—to wake Asuna."
He laid his intentions bare.
Rozen had come to this hospital, made his demands, and taken these steps solely for Asuna.
"If not for Asuna, I'd be at home with my family right now, enjoying the reunion. I'm not some saint with a burning need to save everyone."
In the game, Rozen had used his strength and status to help lower-tier players and maintain order. He protected those who fought alongside him in the frontline clearing because it was his responsibility.
But responsibility wasn't the same as obligation. Rozen had no desire to play the hero unless necessary.
He was now making it clear to Shozou: his actions were purely for Asuna's sake.
"I suspect that Sugou-san brought up marriage while I was still in the room so I'd overhear it, knowing full well about my connection with Asuna."
Rozen didn't look at Sugou as he spoke, though the sharpness of his words made Sugou's face darken.
It was obvious why Sugou had chosen to discuss marriage in front of Rozen: to deliver a subtle warning, a reminder that he was the one in control of Asuna's fate.
But Sugou had made a mistake.
With anyone else—faced with two influential corporate figures discussing marriage—the boy might have backed down.
But Rozen wasn't just anyone.
"I only have one thing to say, Mr. Yuuki," Rozen said, meeting Shozo's eyes.
"I am the one Asuna chose."
"Even though she's unconscious now, in SAO, she fought with her will—and with that same will, she chose me."
"If you truly want someone to marry her, that person must be me."
Then Rozen smiled faintly for the first time.
"Of course, if you're not trying to fulfill a regret but are more interested in a political marriage, aiming for an ideal match in these circumstances—then I might have to change my approach."
Shouzou couldn't quite understand what this sentence truly meant.
However, the content of those words did make Shouzou expression darken.
Then at that moment, he fell silent.
Sugou, however, was visibly growing anxious.
Sugou couldn't help but speak up.
"With all due respect, Kirigaya-kun, have you considered reality?" he said with a sneer. "No matter how close you and Asuna were in the game, this is the real world."
"And in reality, Asuna is still unconscious, and you're just a student. Even if Mr. Yuuki wanted to grant your wish, do you really think you could cover the medical expenses and provide her with the treatment she needs to recover?"
The costs were astronomical—far beyond what a student could manage.
"This is one of the best private hospitals in the country. The daily medical expenses alone are outrageous. Even with government support, you wouldn't be able to bear the burden."
Sugou smiled slyly.
"For Asuna's sake, please don't indulge in unrealistic fantasies."
His words were not only meant for Rozen but also for Shozo, who seemed to be contemplating them deeply.
Rozen, however, glanced at Sugou with a look of complete disdain—like he was looking at a clown.