"Asuna and Yōno want next to Hachiman, right? I'll drive."
Next morning, Kazuto declared. Hachiman center back, Asuna right, Yōno left; Kikooka passenger. All knew Kazuto just wanted to drive—watched warmly, but adults stayed silent.
'Let's go.'
Belts on, Kit rolled.
"Wonder how it'll go..."
Kikooka: "Talked details with Rinko after. You just face Kayaba's body."
"Really?"
"Yeah, quick rundown."
Explained:
"SAO start, she rushed to his hideout—where we're headed. He let her in. Later asked: join SAO, care for body. In exchange, use as research sample, provide NerveGear theory. Advanced Medicuboid greatly."
"Ah, Akihiko-san joined mid-way."
"With his skill, front-lines from floor 1 wouldn't surprise."
Kikooka nodded, continued:
"Yōno's guess partly right, but missing. Feared research halt—no contact. But also, Kayaba 'threatened' her."
Hachiman shocked: "Threaten? No way..."
"Impossible."
Wink: "Exactly. 'Collar' to protect her from charges."
"NerveGear collar version?"
"Yes—his word, believable."
"Perfect excuse."
Nodded.
"Function irrelevant—recorded words convince police of threat."
"Clever self-staging."
"Unlock needs your fingerprint."
"So planned for me to meet her."
"Yep."
Rinko deleted contact but memorized; excuse for staying post-death, fearing activation. Research near-done, wanted freedom—your call timed perfect. Hachiman bitter laugh.
"Could've gone to police right after death or his dive."
Kikooka amused: "True—he'd never know in-game. Help freely available. But she hated inconsistencies. Planned: collar activates on police entry. Saved hassle—glad, she said."
"Ahaha, sloppy outside research."
"Maybe. I'll fudge for plausibility, no charges. Token questioning—local police prepped."
Hachiman: "I unlock collar, done."
"Yōno guarantor. Protect her and tech quick."
"Government not leading Medicuboid?"
Serious: "Soleil Japanese—fine. Government invites pressure. Company-led benefits nation. Officially SAO cleanup: body found Nagano mountains. Caretaker 'victim'—privacy, no details. Maybe collar photo."
"Impressive, un-bureaucratic."
"Need a few like me or suffocate."
"True."
Laughed, left details to him.
"Nearing. Dr. Kamishiro awaits."
Deep mountains, no homes, unpaved—rare visitors.
Kit turned; dead-end ahead. Hachiman: "Stop."
'Understood.'
"Dead-end? Right path?"
Kit: 'Sensors detect no obstacle. Hologram. Path continues.'
"Seriously..."
"Overkill!"
"Amazing!"
Hachiman stunned, Kazuto shocked, Asuna impressed. Yōno, Kikooka groaned.
"Proceed."
'Understood.'
Braced for impact—none. Passed through; modern building appeared. Woman waving.
"Reuniting with Heathcliff."
"Kayaba-san sleeps here."
"His gravestone."
"Finally complain directly."
"Shoulders lighter."
Exited; Rinko approached.
"Fancy ride—cool."
'Honored. I'm Kit, Dr. Kamishiro.'
Eyes sparkling to Hachiman: "Talking car!? Explain? Dissect?"
'Help, Hachiman—disassembly!'
"Haha, no. Unlock collar first."
Rinko offered neck. Hachiman pressed sensor.
Familiar voice:
'You've come far, Hachiman-kun. Cleared the game—congrats. I'm gone; sad no more meetings. Rinko was threatened—defend her if possible. Thanks. Rinko, sorry... thank you.'
Collar clicked off, fell.
Overwhelmed, Rinko squatted, cried.
"Knew my feelings, yet 'scan brain.' Dead—pointless. What meaning?
Cruel man..."
"Rinko-san, he died right after clear?"
Wiped tears: "Yes. Smiling, apologetic—thanked, scanned brain, died. Body cryopreserved."
"I talked to him two months later. He gave me The Seed."
"What...!?"
"Thought incomplete... You completed? Impressed another genius."
"Already complete when received."
Shocked: "Finished post-death, gave you...?"
"Yes."
All shuddered. Genius Kayaba, genius even dead.
Rinko muttered "Typical," to Hachiman:
"His consciousness lingers somewhere. Scan not wasted."
"Yes—might reappear casually."
"...Good for now, right?"
"Yes!"
Satisfied, Rinko greeted:
"Nice to meet you—Kamishiro Rinko. Now, to Akihiko."
Expression: not fully accepting death, but brightly smiling.
-------------------------------
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