New World, New Reality

#38: We Can All Move On

Reporters swarmed at the hospital to interview the players who got stucked in the game.  Most especially, Sai got all their attention and asked how she was able to complete the game.

"I know that this will give you some painful memories to remember... but can you please give us more details about the game?", one reporter asked.

"You are right. Asking that question brings back painful memories",  Sai said while looking down. She looked straight into the eyes of the reporter. "I cannot really talk a lot about anything but then... I want to apologize the family of those who lost their children, brother, sister, wife, and husband, friend, and even lover. I also want to thank these people who sarcificed for us. If not because of brave people like them, we were not able to survive", Sai answered.

"How did you feel being given the pressure to finish the game master?", the reporter asked.

"The game master was the first friend I made when I entered the game", Sai answered. The reporters looked at one another and bit their lips. "Did you feel any regret when you finished him off?", another asked. "Who wouldnt?", Sai replied. "But neverthless. We thank and congratulate you for-", Sai cut his words. "I regretted killing the first friend I have. That was the very first time I killed a human being and I probably would carry that out until I die", Sai answered and stood up to leave the reporters. Sai peeked into Aika's room and saw her crying while being interviewed. Sai became distant from people after we logged out from the game. She was lost, looking for something that cannot be found.

Aika visited her in her room. "Arent you going to talk with the other players in the hospital?", Aika asked Sai who covered herself with blanket. "I am not yet ready", Sai answered. "A lot of reporters are asking us what happened. I heard you were hard to interview", Aika opened. "Thank you, Shira", Aika smiled. Sai removed her blanket and sat straight. "Why do you still call me by that name?", Sai asked. "I was just hoping that it would bring you back to that strong and confident woman", Aika smiled. "I know partly why you are acting like this. I watch you walk back and fort looking at the names of the patient. Rin's still unconscious, maybe because he's a bit unhealthy", Aika informed. Sai held Aika's hand. "You know where he is?", Sai asked. "Tachibana Ryounuske. That's his name. He's at the ward area", Aika answered. Sai rushed to walk down to the ward even with her weak knees. She looked for him and finally saw him with an oxygen mask. Sai got weak on her knees and cried with her face on the ground.

The Next Month...

All the players were given a privelege to make up with the almost 2 years of their lives. Students are given accelerated study in the rehabilitation institution. The working ones are to stay for a month for psychological health maintainance.

Sai entered the gate and had a long sigh. "Arent you going in?", a familiar voice asked. She looked behind and was startled to see Akashi. "You dont have heteromatic eyes!!!", she pointed at his eyes. "That was just another feature of the game", Akashi flicked her forehead. Behind Akashi was Akame. "You're really tiny in real life'", Sai teased. "Getting you head big, arent you?", Akame walked ahead. "Its good to see you able to kid around", Akashi gave a smile and also walked with Akame. "Are they?", Sai had a great smile hearing that voice. "Aris!!!", Sai gave him a hug. "Woah! You never did that in the game. Geez, this girl", Aris chuckled and hugged her back. "My name is Mikoshiba. Now I am really old", Aris lets go of Sai. "Lets go inside, the rest might be waiting for us", Aris led the way. They saw people gathering around. They were also curioused and checked on it. It was Esdeath wearing her casual clothes. "What is she... a model?", Aris chuckled. A hand dropped on Sai's shoulder. "We have a raid after 2 hours", the voice whispered. Sai had teary eyes and hugged the guy again. "You're no longer pure if you keep doing that", Aris got irritated. "Thank you for being alive, Fye", Sai wiped her tears. Fye caressed Sai's back. "Shall I introduce myself?", Fye saif while gently pushing Sai to sit at the cafeteria. "My name is Hiruki Natsume", Fye informed. Aris and Sai jawdropped. "You're the owner of the known pastry shop!!!", they both said in unison. "Here comes the surprises", Fye said. The Council walked inside together meeting with Esdeath. "Spare me with names but I heard what their occupations are. Kanda, the calligraphy expert. Archer is a medical teacher. Akashi is a school director. Esdeath is an actress", Aris informed. "Everyone, here is our hero", Aris announced. Sai bit her lips and prepare to run but she was caught in the barrier of people thanking her and also asking her whereabouts.

They gathered up in a table. "This really feels different. I can feel your presence oozing from the inside", Sai lowered her head. "Shira... I mean.. Shirayuki. Have you heard of the Game Master?", Esdeath asked. "I prefer being called by that name. Also..  can I call you with your game name? I havent yet memorized your names", Sai asked. They all nodded. "I heard he was house arrested until all has been cleared. All we need to do is to sign up that he wasnt the culprit", Sai said. "That bard boy... how is he?", Esdeath asked. "Rin is still in the hospital. He has a weak body thats why we can wait for him", Sai answered. "Aika, I see that you are already a middle High School Student. I can be your science teacher", Archer volunteered. Everyone went with their own rehbiliation program.

Sai and others in her age are inside a classroom. The teacher started discussing the rehabilitation program which will get their heads back to being a student. Sai happened to sit beside Akame. "I envy you, Shira", Akame said while scribling on her notebook. "Erina.. isnt it? I prefer to call you Akame. You cant be envious of me. I am living a scary nightmare", Sai answered. "I know you are. You are also... still in the process of accepting things. A month passed but we are all still scarred. I dont think that's abnormal. Thats why we are all here to get healed", Akame stopped scribbling. "About Enomoto. I visited his grave before coming here. I gave thanks in your behalf", Akame informed. Sai patted Akame's head. "I'm sorry for your loss", Sai closed her eyes.

The day ended and everyone has their free time to wander at the institution. Sai walked around and saw her fellow players talking and laughing with each other. Some were crying and comforting each other. "Whatever happened might never really truly heal. It might leave scars on our chest and also nightmares in our dreams. Nevertheless, we should be thankful that we are alive. The only thing we can do for those that died before us is to live. Live to the fullest. If brother was here, he would have said that", Kuro walked beside Sai. "My name's Kurosaki. Thats why you can still call me Kuro", he chuckled. "That's why. Stop blaming yourself, Shira. Start accepting... we might not be able to understand why things happened but at least we have to accept them", Kuro pinched Sai's face to make her smile. "I know a lot of people already told that to me.. but then...", Sai knelt down. "Can you allow me to cry for a while? Just for a while", Sai had tears falling on her eyes.

"I said I dont want to leave if you have that kind of face... smile"

End.