Sword Art Online: Faithful Hymn

Chapter 65: Loss

March 30th, 2026

"...What am I still living for. Yuna is dead. Yuuki is dead. I also, wish to be dead."

March 31st, 2026

"Yuuki's funeral will be held in 3 days from now. Should I come? Do I have the stomach to come? It sure is not the distance of the location I fear. I live in Saitama, and the funeral will be held in Yokohama. It is quite the distance, despite the journey being around 90 minutes long. So why am I still doubting this?

April 1st, 2026

"...Of course I will come. Asuna won't stop texting me, and I can't help it but to feel hollow. I am sure that Asuna herself has trouble dealing with Yuuki's death as well, though she keeps convincing herself that she will see Yuuki someday again. Yuuki's soul will continue to live on in both of our hearts. 

So she is right. I will see Yuuki again."

April 2nd, 2026

"The emptiness deep inside of me won't disappear. Asuna told me before that company would do me some good, but I think we can both agree that clearing my head after Yuuki's death is an impossible thing to achieve. No matter with who I would be right now, there is no way he or she could help me recover from this despair. 

Asuna must be thinking the same thing. I wonder how she is doing right now."

April 3rd, 2026

It is Yuuki's funeral today. More than 100 people attended the funeral, with the majority of these people being Yuuki's ALO friends. Of course, this involved every single member of The Sleeping Knights as well. 

Once the funeral was over, everyone gathered for a chat afterwards. This even got Shoji talking with a variety of peopl around the christian church where the funeral was held.

His most important chat of them all however, was together with Asuna, Kazuto, Siune and doctor Kurahashi. Shoij actually interrupted the four people who were discussing about matters regarding the Medicuboid.

"-Maybe An and the rest will be able to use the Medicuboid soon as well..."

The last parts of Kurahashi's words were said to Siune, but as he finished his words, the doctor widened his eyes and hurriedly continued.

"I-I'm really sorry. I should have said the following right from the start. Congratulations on your discharge, An. I am sure that Yuuki... would be very happy for you..."

In reality, Shoji had no idea that An was Siune in ALO. He could tell from her appearance and attitude alone that it would be her, and no one else. 

"Thank you. I may not be in need for the Medicuboid right now. But I am happy, knowing that I can leave a data of my memory to bless many people fighting with illnesses..."

Once Siune said that, everyone then noticed that Shoji joined their little conversation. Since everyone has met Shoji already before Yuuki's funeral started, there was no need for everyone to introduce Shoji to one another. After Siune said this on the other hand, the doctor continued nodding.

"Indeed. As the Medicuboid's first tester, Yuuki's name will live on forever. I really wish I could reward her with this prize, as well as her external providers who came up with the initial design."

"I bet that Yuuki wouldn't have wanted the prize. She might have said that prizes couldn't be eaten."

Siune's words caused everyone to laugh. As the laughter subsided, Shoji grew curious regarding some words that doctor Kurahashi spilled, and decided to question him further about it.