SAO FB: Scars

Final Words

Takamine was sitting in her room reading a book when Kaito knocked on her door. She turned her gaze to him. He wore a gray shirt, blue jeans and a backpack. In his left hand was his motorcycle helmet. He lied about going on a quick trip to the office. Takamine listened to him leave the apartment and waited for a few minutes. She walked over the window and saw Kaito leave the parking garage and turn toward the city. Takamine placed the book on the marble counter and approached his room. The door was slightly ajar and cool air came from the gap. When she opened it, there was a chaotic scene of loose papers and notebooks on the desk. She stepped inside and started to organize the papers. A bright yellow slip of paper fell out of the stack. Takamine bent down and picked up the paper. Once she saw the first word, she realized that Kaito left a note for her. Takamine read the note carefully.

"I figured that you'd be in here. You were always concerned about my health even when I was a kid. Takamine. I'm sorry for what I've done the past few days," Takamine muttered. "I realize that it was wrong to keep you from knowing what my past is. This last fight though, it's probably best that you stay out. I'll talk about Lobo. Lobo, once he tastes blood in the water, he will stop at nothing to confirm his kill."

Takamine turned around and saw a small board of photos and strings. In the corner, flight details and a ticket was labeled to Denver, Colorado from Tokyo-Narita dated a year prior. On the post-it note, it stated that he was here. Takamine lifted the note and read the remaining part of the note.

"He knows where I am. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I lose you, especially to him. I'm sorry, but this is my fight, not yours. I'll love you to the end of time. Kaito"

She pocketed the note and quickly ran over to a set of hooks and grabbed the keys to Kaito's car. She opened the door and quickly locked it behind her. She sprinted down the halls while fumbling with her Augma. Once she saw the HUD, she quickly opened her navigation tab and tried to search for Kaito's location.

Near the town's center, Kaito checked into a hotel room. In the backpack was the Amusphere and connection cord he planned on using. He stepped up to the front desk and took out his wallet. The hotel attendant was checking his computer before asking, "What can I do for you sir?"

Kato replied, "Can I a room please?"

"Sure. How long?"

"One night."

They quickly made arrangements and Kaito was in his room overlooking a nearby baseball stadium. He sat down on the chair by the desk and took the notepad inside of the room. He scribbled down a short will and apology in case worse came to worst. He took the slip of paper and tucked it under his wallet. As he emptied his pockets, his phone unlocked and he saw a photo of himself and Takamine. He thought about everything that had led to this point. They started to get along as a couple. They spent time together. Everything seemed to unravel for them once he experienced that panic attack and the subsequent actions of leaving her alone to pursue Lobo. He heard a knock. Kaito tucked the phone away and walked over to the door. As he looked through the peephole, no one was standing outside.

"It can't be him," Kaito thought while returning to the bed.

Kaito plugged the Amusphere into the wall and took a seat next to the bed. He opened a small book and started to scribble his thoughts as they passed his head. Whatever he knew about Shu and Epsilon came through. Kaito looked at his wrist and saw the time approach in Japan. He walked over to the bed and laid down in the silk sheets. He placed the Amusphere over his eyes and a low hum filled his ears.

He muttered, "Link start."

Near the hotel, Takamine quickly pulled on the e-brake to place the car in park. She went into the lobby and asked the concierge if Kaito had been here recently. Seeing Takamine's worried face, she quickly admitted to Kaito's presence and handed her the room card. Takamine quickly grabbed the room card and ran to the elevator. The panicked clicking of the call button confused many of the patrons in the lobby. As the door opened, Takamine shuffled inside and rapidly pressed the floor button.

"Come on. Come on," she thought while waiting for the doors to close.

The doors closed and the elevator shuddered as it started to go up the shaft. She watched as the numbers slowly ticked up. The unbearable feeling of not knowing Kato's condition filled her mind. When the doors opened slightly, Takamine started to push through the doors and made her way into the central area. She flipped open the paper card holder and read the room number. She ran to the signs and compared the numbers. After finding the correct corridor, she ran along the doors reading every room number. Multiple residents were poking their heads out due to the disturbance. Many would shout at her to be quiet, but those calls fell on deaf ears. Takamine reached the room and pressed the room key on the card reader. The light showed red multiple times before Takamine took the time to press the card on the reader for a couple of seconds. The light blinked green and the deadbolt was unlocked. She pulled down on the handle and opened the door. She stepped inside and locked the door behind her.

"Please be alive. Please be alive," she begged in her mind while she rounded the corner to the bedroom.

The beds were neatly made. On the far bed was Kaito with an Amusphere covering his eyes. She traced the the silver ring and black wire into the wall. Takamine approached the bed and saw his chest rise and fall calmly. She reached for his neck and felt his calm heartbeat and cool skin. She walked around the room for a bit before seeing his wallet and keys on the nightstand. She picked up the wallet and a slip of paper fell out. Takamine unfolded the paper and read the note.

"It was pretty stupid of me to do this," Takamine read. "Going off to try and settle things by myself is wrong. Lying to one of the many people that care for me. I'm sorry for all of the pain that I've caused."

Takamine looked back on Kato's unconscious body before continuing on with the letter.

"I've messed up a lot of things in the past few days and I'll live with that regret for the rest of my life. Whether it be only a few hours after I write this note or I live on. I'm sorry to Takamine. I shouldn't have ignored you the past few days or lied to you. I hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me. And if you don't, I won't be mad."

She sat down next to Kaito's body and held his hand. His skin was cool to the touch. He wasn't dead, but it felt like he was to her. His slowed and faint heartbeat didn't reassure her at all. She was angry that he lied to her, but she's at least glad to know that he was sorry about it. She followed the Amusphere wire to a blackbox. It was most likely the server bypass. She was tempted to unplug him from the game. It would save him from the pain that he's about to endure, but will it really save him from anything? Shu was a relentless killer who wouldn't stop until Kaito was dead. All she could do is sit and wait for the fight to be over.