New World, New Reality

#37: Towards A New Beginning

August 4, 2025

Game cleared. You can now all log out. In 4 hours, the game will be abolished.

Shira remained lying down the duel area. "You heard it, the game already ended", Rin pulled her arms and assisted her to stand. "Its not the real world but I feel tired like my feet are going to be detached from my body", Shira said with a soft voice. Everyone rushed to her and hugged her.

1000 players remaining.

"Why arent they logging out?", Shira weakly asked. Rin gave her a piggy back ride. "Lets go back at our Zone", Shira whispered. Aika, Rin, Akame, Aris, Fye, and Shira stood in front of their guild zone. "We'll be missing this", Shira had a weak smile. Fye gave her a slap in the back. "I forgot to tell you, we are all from Tokyo and also nearby district", Fye informed. "Let's meet in the real world. We have a lot to do together and also a lot of people to visit", Aris reminded. "Rin, contact me when we get back", Shira said while getting off Rin's back. "Where is Kuro?", Aika asked. "He's contemplating", Akame answered. "So this is where we all say our farewells", Aris opened his line. "Our family must have missed us so much", Aika also did. "Lets do this together. 1-2-3", they all logged out except of Shira.

200 players remaining.

Shira walked around the place and watch it fall apart. There was a call for her.

Akashi: Why are you still here?

Shira: I would ask you the same question.

Akashi: the Council decided that we are to let all the players log out before  we do.

Shira: Akashi, it happened in an instant. I cant leave like this.

Akashi: Dont you feel pity for your family. They are also waiting for you.

Shira: When I log out into this game, I will wake up from the reality.

Akashi: I'm headed in your area.

Akashi used the portal and stood behind Shira. "You've done well Shira. You saved the lives of the people stucked in this place. I have no right to say this but... leaving this game means... you also have to slowly leave the memories behind. Most especially the painful ones", Akashi placed his hands on Shira's shoulder.

10 people remaining.

"That would be us, let's go", Akashi invited. "I will be the last to log out", Shira smiled. "Why?", Akashi asked. "Maybe... I will hear his voice just like what happened in the last battle. The reason why I was still able to stand on my feet was because of Shiro's voice. I would like to hear it for the last time", Shira explained. Everyone already logged out except Shira. She stayed at the mountain top. She heard footsteps. "Sorry for your loss", Shira said while looking at the buildings and ruins being destroyed. "Yeah. Lossing him is more painful.than watching this", Reishi sat beside her. "Go back now. Someone's waiting for you", Reishi said. "My mom might be dying to see me. My dad could be preparing to feed me", Shira chuckled with tears flowing on her eyes. "You created a wonderful world, Reishi. I hope to see more of these in the future. I just hope that Saruhiko wont appear again in those games", Shira looked at him. "I will suffer the consequence of what my brother did. Until then, could you wait for some time?", Reishi asked. Shira nodded and opened her line. She gave a last glance into the horizon and then finally got out.

Shirayuki Sai's POV

I am so afraid to open my eyes and remove my nerve gear. I am so afraid to wake up into reality. My hands tremble as it reaches the nerve gear. I can hear my Mom crying. She assisted me in removing the nerve gear. She cried more when my eyes and hers met. "Thank you for being alive, Sai", she gently hugged me. My whole body is aching. The simulation in the game seems to affect it. My chest still hurts and I can feel the sword stabbed on mine. Father was also weeping. This was my first time to see him crying. The doctor came in an instant and checked on me. He told us that I should be getting a lot of rest and also start to eat solid food after few days. "Mom, do you have your phone with you?", I asked. "Why are you asking that? Shouldnt you first tell us about how you miss us and the like... this child", she cried more. I looked at Dad and he seemed to pick up. I dialed a number which I remembered. Before leaving, I asked Rin for a contact number. He gave me one and I memorized it. "Who is this?", a grumpy voice asked. "I am a friend of Rin. Could I ask where is he right now?", I asked. "He's at the hospital. Dont bother me with him. He's already been bought by someone else", the call ended. Mom grabbed the phone and pushed me down the bed. "Didnt the doctor tell you to rest", Mom raised her voice. I sighed. "I miss you. Mom and Dad... you asked me how much I miss you. I struggled. I struggled a lot to survive, Mom", I forced a smile even if I know it was an ugly one.

Somewhere in my mind, I was looking for someone inside this hospital room. I was expecting someone to congratulate me and give me a pat on the head even if I hated that. Being alive like this will hurt me for sometime. I just cant wait to get rid of this feeling.

The Next 3 days.

Sai tried her best to walk on the riles beside her bed. "You are not yet fit to do this", her father, Rei, assisted him towards her wheelchair. "I have to look for someone, Dad", Sai said with determination. "Cant I do that for you?", Rei asked. "I promised this person that I will look for him. Dad. He might be here in this hospital", Sai grabbed on her father's shoulder. "Wait for another week, Sai. I will accompany you", Rei informed. "Dad, I cant be at peace like this. If ever those thugs are going to bother him again...", Sai bit her lips. "This hospital would do background check on whoever will take the patient out. Your cases are special. After a month, you are all going to be gathered at an institution to be rehabilitated. Both physicL health and mental", Rei explained. "Thank you for telling this to me", Sai calmed down and looked outside the window. "There is wind in here", Sai suddenly said. "Why... are there no wind in that game?", Rei asked. "Why are you asking me about the game? You should be aware that patients shouldnt be stressed out", Sai pouted. "Because Sai is different from other people. Sai is strong", Rei gave his daughter a hug. Kazuki entered with a lot of foods to eat. Sai just smiled and climbed up the bed.

The night already came. Kazuki and Rei are already sleeping. Sai used her IV stand to walked outside the hospital room. She checked the name outside the doors. "They're not as stupid as me to use their real names in the game", Sai held unto one doorknob and accidentally opened it. The lights were open. She saw a patient reading a book. Life. Her eyes formed tears and walked towards her. "Shira?", she asked. "Aika... you're here. You're just so close all this time. 2 rooms away from me", Sai sniffed and sat at the edge of bed. "There are a lot of us in here", Aika answered. "By the way, my name is really Aika", she smiled and reached out her hands. "Mom went home to get more clothes. After a week, we are going to an institution. See you there", Aika smiled. "You look ugly right now", Sai commented. "You also do", Aika gave a weak slap on her back.

End...