『Oi Har-bo, sorry to interrupt your fun, but it looks like preparations to receive you at the Sleeping Forest are almost complete, so head on over there, okay?』
At Argo's voice, which acted as a signal, the two of them abruptly stopped their bickering.
"Oi Argo, this geezer and I are not getting along at all."
"Indeed, indeed. We are like dogs and monkeys, as they say."
『For guys saying that, you seem perfectly in sync to me.』
Argo sounded exasperated.
They logged out along with Asuna and began discussing their plan going forward.
"Geezer, as you just heard, we'll be diving into the world where Kaede is waiting from the Sleeping Forest."
"Well, that's to be expected."
"No meals. You'll be sustained by IV drips."
"Right. I want to eat with Kaede inside, anyway. We'll ask Keiko-san to join us for that too. As for the cooking, I suppose it would be best for Kaede to learn from Keiko-san and Asuna."
"I'm not fond of anything other than Japanese food, though..."
"Whatever comes out, eat it happily without complaining, geezer."
Arriving at the Sleeping Forest, the three of them met with Tomomori and Keiko.
"Father, thank you so much for doing this for Kaede today."
"Keiko... This time, I... I..."
"Father is here now. That is enough, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry..."
Watching Kiyomori act so surprisingly meek, Tomomori spoke with amusement.
"I never thought I'd see the day the Old Man acted like this."
"Tomomori. If the surgery fails, I will take your head myself."
Unfazed by Kiyomori's borderline threat, Tomomori replied with a serious expression.
"I'll do my best. More importantly, I'm counting on you, Old Man. The most critical thing is the patient's own will to live."
"I know that."
"By the way, naming Hachiman-kun as your successor... you really did something drastic, Old Man. Is Big Brother okay with that?"
"He contacted me on my way here, sounding delighted. Said he's finally free from all the shackles and feels refreshed. He has a message for you: 'I'm going to America to immerse myself in research, so I leave things here to you. No hard feelings.'"
"Uwah, that's dirty..."
Tomomori held his head in his hands, depressed that things had turned out this way. Hachiman then piled on.
"Ah, Tomomori-san. If this damn geezer dies, I'll use my authority to appoint you as acting head of the family. So, having me as the nominal head is fine; I leave everything afterwards to you."
Hearing this, Asuna spoke to Hachiman in surprise.
"Hachiman-kun, even if it's just in name, I'm surprised you intend to accept that request. It's very unexpected."
"Well, I mean, if I don't at least listen to the geezer's dying wish, it'd be creepy having him stand by my pillow every night looking resentful, wouldn't it?"
"I told you, I won't drop dead that easily!"
"But when push comes to shove, you intend to make it your dying wish, right?"
"Ugh... well, I suppose..."
"In that case, it's way better to deal with it now than to have it sprung on me suddenly. Otherwise, Tomomori-san won't have enough time to solidify his footing."
(Actually, the real reason is to get him mentally prepared now so that if it really happens, it'll be easier for me to escape.)
Unaware of Hachiman's true thoughts, Kiyomori figured if he's willing to accept it, and quietly backed down. Hachiman smirked inwardly but kept a solemn face and nodded silently.
"Alright... let's go."
Hachiman said the word, and the three of them lay down on the specially prepared beds, logging into the world where Kaede waited.
Kaede was still in bed. Seeing her, Kiyomori shed a tear alone.
"Geezer, I said don't cry."
"I told you, this is sweat."
"In this world, you can't hold back tears. So, feel free to claim that, but control your emotions so you don't cry in front of Kaede, geezer."
"Is that so...? Understood. I will be careful."
While waiting for Kaede to wake up, the three decided to chat in the living room.
"Still, to think I'd end up sitting face-to-face and talking with the geezer like this."
"I suppose it was fate. Anyway, tell me about SAO."
"What is it, geezer? You interested?"
"Well, for what it's worth, I was worried in my own way."
As he said this, Kiyomori glanced at Asuna. Asuna caught his gaze and smiled brightly.
"Great-Uncle is just not very honest with his feelings, right?"
"Umu... When you say it like that, I want to retort, but this time, I truly have reflected. One must not lose sight of what is important. Being able to play with Kaede made me realize that painfully."
"Well, can't be helped. There probably wasn't a single person in the family, let alone among the affiliates, who could make the geezer listen by force."
"Ideally, I never thought the first person to achieve that would be, ironically, related to Shozo—someone I thought was just an upstart with no power. It is indeed ironic."
Kiyomori sighed as he said this, then looked at Hachiman.
"Well, his greatest achievement was successfully welcoming you into our clan."
"You're overestimating me, geezer. Besides, if we're talking about achievements, that's entirely Asuna's credit."
"True enough. So, how on earth did you two meet, and what kind of battles did you fight?"
"Right. I guess I have to tell you a few things, since you are the current head of the family."
"That phrasing suggests there are things you cannot tell others."
"Well, a few."
"Ah, I'll go get some tea ready."
Saying that, Asuna stood up and left the room.
"She is a considerate, good girl. And she smiles often."
"I'm surprised you are the one saying that, considering you never noticed until now."
"Well... if you say my eyes were clouded, then yes, they were. But whenever that family stood before me, I always sensed a servility about them. To me, they were an irritating bunch. Thinking back, perhaps the problem lay with our clan, placing too much importance on tradition and formality."
"I see."
"That is why, from now on, I intend to eliminate useless customs and explore the form of an open-minded clan that doesn't shut out various possibilities."
"I'm really counting on you, geezer."
"Aye. I will accomplish it before I die."
Hachiman re-evaluated Kiyomori, thinking that despite being a stubborn old man, once he reflected on something, he could become surprisingly flexible. With that in mind, Hachiman made one request.
"Hey geezer. It seems that when the younger members of the clan come to inspect the Sleeping Forest, they often treat the patient children with a pretty poor attitude. So, even if you're reforming things, make sure you tighten the screws where it counts."
"Hmph."
"I suspect that Kaede's mindset might have been influenced by people like that. For example, maybe she overheard them saying things casually in passing."
"Do you have something specific in mind?"
"Not exactly, but I had a chance to talk to another patient by coincidence. Those sisters spoke about their own death as if it were natural, just like Kaede. But all I felt from Keiko-san and the staff was a passion to save the patients no matter what. I can't think of any other reason for such a discrepancy to arise."
Hearing this, Kiyomori seemed to ponder for a moment, but eventually, his thoughts coalesced.
"I see... that certainly makes sense. I will have it investigated immediately. Depending on the results, I will personally correct or purge them myself."
"Well, try to be gentle. Also, geezer—sorry for asking for forgiveness rather than permission—but we're moving the Sleeping Forest to Tokyo."
"What did you say?"
"Two reasons. One, the facility for test-operating the Medicuboid in Tokyo will be completed soon. And two, to protect the patients from the heartless attitudes of the idiots in your clan."
"I see. You had already made moves in case I didn't change my attitude."
"Well, tighten up the clan like you said. Eventually, we might build a similar facility in Kansai too."
"Understood. Leave it to this old man."
Just then, Asuna returned with the tea. Kiyomori took a sip and asked Asuna with a surprised expression.
"Delicious... How on earth did you..."
"I just used the tea leaves that were prepared, so I think maybe Keiko-san advised on the flavor settings, Great-Uncle."
"I see... so this was Keiko's doing... It is a nostalgic taste."
Kiyomori murmured deeply, then turned to the two of them.
"Well then, now that we've settled in, let's hear your story."
"Ou."
Kiyomori listened to Hachiman and Asuna's story, sometimes nodding, sometimes surprised, but seemingly enjoying himself. However, when the conversation turned to Laughing Coffin, his expression tightened.
"To think such people existed..."
"Yeah. So, because of that, I did indeed kill people with my own hands."
"Your nerves of steel... I suppose they came from such a background."
"In the end, I finished without killing anyone, but I will spend my whole life helping him carry the burden he bears."
"I see... Truly a daughter of our clan. Still, to think I didn't notice that nature in you... my eyes truly were knotholes."
"I think there were problems with our attitude as well, so please don't let it weigh on you."
"Even if you say that..."
"Just make up for it from now on, geezer."
"Indeed. If you ever need anything, feel free to rely on me."
"Yes, Great-Uncle."
Asuna smiled happily.
Finally, the story reached the final battle.
"What...? So the greatest ally was the greatest enemy?"
"Yeah. Don't tell anyone about this, geezer. The government told us to keep it a secret."
"However, to think that thanks to that enemy's technology, we are now at a point where we might be able to save Kaede... it gives me complicated feelings."
"That's why I just can't bring myself to hate that person. Meeting Asuna like this is, in a sense, thanks to him too."
"Indeed... But today, I heard a good story. Now I have a souvenir story to tell Grandma in the afterlife when I die."
Hachiman started to say something to Kiyomori, but at that moment, a sound chimed indicating that Kaede had woken up.
"Looks like Kaede is awake. Let's go, geezer."
"Umu. There is one last thing I must tell you. My wife... Grandma actually passed away from the same illness as Kaede. That is why this is also a battle to avenge Grandma."
"Is that so..."
Hachiman lowered his eyes at the revelation. Then, he raised his head and looked straight into Kiyomori's eyes.
"In that case, geezer, we absolutely have to save Kaede so Grandma can praise you."
"Yes. We will absolutely win this battle, boy."
Kiyomori nodded powerfully at Hachiman's words.
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