Kirigaya Kazuto slowly opened his eyes, the bright sunlight creeping into the hospital room. His hand moved instinctively, lifting the NerveGear off his head. The cool touch of reality settled in, and a sense of relief washed over him. It was over. He was free.
He glanced around the room. Empty. The cool breeze fluttered through the curtains, carrying with it the scent of freedom and a sight he'd missed—the blue sky. Kazuto sat up in the bed, staring at the sky for a moment longer, breathing in deeply, as if to savor the feeling of being alive. A light tube was still attached to his arm, but for the first time, he felt... at peace. He whispered to himself, "It's over… I made it."
Several months later, Kazuto walked calmly along the streets, his mind lost in thought. Life had resumed its pace, but something inside him had changed forever. He found himself stopping in front of a small flower shop. The doorbell chimed as he entered, and after a few moments, he came out, holding a bouquets.
With steady steps, Kazuto walked to the bus stop. As he sat in the waiting shed, his mind wandered through memories, both beautiful and haunting. The bus arrived with a soft screech, and he got on. Even as the bus carried him forward, his gaze seemed distant, lost in the sea of memories that filled his thoughts.
The bus came to a stop, and Kazuto stepped off into a quiet road lined with flowers. He stood there for a moment, taking in the tranquility before he began walking. His feet took him toward a place he had both dreaded and longed to visit—the cemetery.
The wind was still as Kazuto entered the cemetery. His heart beat faster with every step, but he pressed on, stopping before a familiar grave. Akihiko Kayaba
With a deep breath, he knelt, placing a bouquet on his grave. His voice, soft but filled with sorrow, broke the silence. "I'm sorry… I couldn't save you," he whispered. "Sleep well"
The air felt heavy as he bowed his head, offering a prayer for his soul. The rain began to pour, drenching the world around him, yet Kazuto stood still, eyes closed, immersed in memories of those he had lost.
A familiar voice broke the quiet moment. "Kazuto, you'll catch a cold standing there."
He didn't need to turn around to know it was Suguha, holding an umbrella over him. Her presence was a comfort he had come to rely on.
Together, they walked away from the cemetery, leaving the flowers behind as their final tribute. The rain poured heavier, but the umbrella kept them dry. Waiting by the roadside was a sleek black car. As they reached it, Suguha stopped.
"Are you ready?" she asked softly.
Kazuto nodded. "Yeah. I'm ready."
Suguha opened the door, and inside the car sat a woman dressed in black, with blonde hair and pointed ears, resembling an elf from a fantasy world. Kazuto blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sight of someone so otherworldly. She turned to him, her eyes hidden behind dark glasses, and said, "Get in."
Though confused, Kazuto felt a strange sense of familiarity as he climbed into the back seat. Suguha took the front, and soon the car began moving forward, picking up speed as they left the cemetery behind.
Kazuto stared out the window, the rain blurring the world outside, his thoughts drifting once again to the world of Sword Art Online, to the people he lost and the future ahead.