Emerging from the Gliding Cube, Ryou settled a substantial bill of 30,000 yen for his journey. Exiting the cube station, which facilitated inter-city travel, he embarked on a stroll towards Sapporo, the distinguished capital of Hokkaido. This city held significant personal history for Ryou, having previously attended high school here and following the untimely demise of his mother and sister, he also sought to move in this urban place.
Upon reaching Sapporo, Ryou found himself perplexed and astonished. "Hmm. What the hell, was Sapporo used to be like this 12 years ago?" His exclamation was loud enough that passerby look at him like they were looking at a fool.
Sapporo, once a familiar landscape to Ryou, now appeared unfamiliar and markedly different. In certain areas where future renovations were anticipated, the skyline boasted fewer and smaller structures. While the boulevards and walkways retained their essence, the avenues and gliding paths, earmarked for numerous remodelings in the coming years due to past accidents and subsequent technological advancement, were scarcely recognizable in his past or future version of Sapporo from Ryou's views. However, even if he doesn't remember this city scape well, he still could navigate to the Hospital, his destination, by the Gliding Cube's GPS navigation, which prompted him to walked to a Gliding cube stop.
In his modest hometown, Gliding Cubes were relatively underutilized, providing Ryou with an abundance of scarcely used Cubes for expedient travel. However, Sapporo presented a stark contrast, where locating a stationary Gliding Cube amidst various stops was a daunting task to him, much less finding a non utilized cubes. Vacant Cubes were even scarcer, prompting Ryou to resort to an old mode of transportation – a taxi.
After taking the taxi, he directed the driver to halt in front of an electronics shop. There, he procured a barely usable 1.5 million New World's gaming helmet. Subsequently, he re-entered the taxi and instructed the driver to navigate towards Shinoda Cyber Hospital.
During the taxi ride, Ryou observed that, while the year 2100 lacked the advancements of 2112, the technological landscape was not far behind. The cityscape was adorned with 3D advertisements on skyscrapers, shop signs, and billboards, even gracing the tops of taxis, showcasing the latest innovations ranging from neuro chips, necro chips, and silicon chips to cyber tech and nano tech.
When it comes to medicative technology and cyber technology(a domain dedicated to augmenting human internal and structural capabilities), Shinoda Hospital stood out as the premier institution in Hokkaido. Its reputation extended beyond the region, garnering recognition throughout Japan. Ryou, despite any lingering grudges with the Shinoda family heir, Sora, stemming from past life experience and grievances that may or may not manifest in this existence, wasn't inclined to let his personal matters overshadow the opportunity for his sister to receive treatment at one of the finest hospitals in Hokkaido.
Upon arriving at Shinoda's Cyber Hospital, Ryou, after settling the fare with the cab driver, with his gaming helmet in hand, he proceeded through the entrance gates. Before him stood one of Hokkaido's most distinguished medical institutions—an expansive, robust structure, stretching lengthwise. The building's facade comprised exclusively of glass as pristine as milk, reflecting the afternoon sunlight off its sleek surfaces. The architectural composition featured a stern and orderly architectural design on both sides, resembling interwoven steps. However, the central segment of the building lay flat, adorned with the bold inscription "Shinoda's Cyber Hospital" emblazoned by red, sparkling lights that glimmered even in the daylight. The imposing presence of the hospital conveyed an air of significance and cutting-edge sophistication.
Rather than immediately proceeding to the hospital, Ryou initially sought out his mother, who was waiting in the medication center. When he talk with his mother he learned, to his dismay, that the 5 million yen he had diligently earned might prove insufficient to sustain his sister's treatment for even a week.
In their conversation, Ryou learned from his mother that his sister required a daily regimen of micro nanobot injection medication. This potent injection aimed to eradicate invasive and detrimental cells in her spinal and brain tissues, each dose commanding a substantial fee of 300,000 yen. This was merely the tip of the financial iceberg, as the ensuing expenses encompassed a spectrum from essential vitamins to energy medications.
Beyond pharmaceutical costs, the financial burden extended to include a plethora of necessary equipment—ranging from monitoring devices to various supportive apparatus. Furthermore, the imperative need for a private room within the hospital compounded the already considerable expenses. Collectively, the cumulative total projected a formidable and burdensome figure.
Faced with the new found urgency for financial requirements for his sister's treatment, Ryou immediately run to his sister's private room within the hospital, skipping midway from the conversation with his mother.
Donning his gaming helmet, he logged into New World, where his wealth as a skilled player allowed him to address the pressing need for funds.
Within the game, Ryou ventures to Blackwater’s auction house to convert his accumulated items from to coins. He meticulously listed an array of valuable loot to the auction manager, his items included herbs, monster materials, and various equipment, and ordered the manager on the auction house to make it available for every player in the Lunar kingdom to peruse and buy, to maximize his profits. From the bounty acquired in Wood End, he set a minimum asking price of 10 silvers for each piece of equipment, while even materials and herbs were set for no less than 4 silvers.
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Ryou, when he was with Namika, had wisely avoided the topics for direct transactions with her, as she too, possessed similar items from Wood End. He recognized the challenge of negotiating a favorable price with her and directly opted for the broader market of the auction house, where competitive bidding could potentially yield higher returns.
After efficiently finalizing the arrangement of auction items in the virtual gaming world, Ryou swiftly logged out, leaving the virtual realm behind to immerse himself in the real world of his sister's private hospital room. Adorned with an intricate network of wires and catheters, his sister lay in repose, tethered to an array of monitoring and life-sustaining apparatus. Positioned on one side of the bed, Ryou's mother was already there, maintaining a vigilant presence, while he occupied the opposite flank.
In the hushed ambiance of the room, his mother, Miyako, broached the subject with a measured hesitancy, her gaze fixed upon Ryou, softened by a tender smile. "Ryou-kun, with school set to start next week, would you make time for your academic pursuits?" she suggested, delicately conveying her concern.
Financial prosperity had become an easily surmountable challenge for Ryou; even when ensconced in his sister's private hospital room, he would effortlessly accumulate millions of yen again within a mere few hours after he sold the coins from the lucrative proceeds of the auctioned spoils from his gaming exploits, a revelation he had shared with his mother in a prior conversation before logging in the game. He had also indirectly conveyed that he wants to, and would become a professional gamer
However, Ryou could understand the rationale behind his mother's insistence on his reintegration into the academic sphere. Reflecting on his past, he recalled acquiescing to his mother's wish to graduate high school, a decision that had led him to Sapporo for formal education, rather than remaining in his hometown, pursuing an assortment of part-time jobs. He made the decision because of his sister, Remi, who wanted to see him graduating from High School. So, despite harboring reservations about the perceived futility of high school, Ryou in his past life, driven by his sister's fervent desire for him to complete his education had graduated high school with average marks.
In this life, though he anticipated potential frustrations amidst the company of what he deemed "obnoxious, pretentious, pom arrogant and ignorant kids," he resolved to fulfill his sister's wish, going to high school once again in this chapter of his life.
"Don't worry, Oka-san, I will finish high school," Ryou reassured with a gentle smile. "That's why I brought you all to Sapporo – my school is here. We'll live together, and there's no need for you to go back. When the time comes, I'll buy a house here with the money I'll make," he stated matter-of-factly, his hand tenderly caressing the gaming helmet at his side.
Miyako's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Ryou. Overwhelmed with emotion, she began, "You've grown so much, Ryou-kun – your speech, demeanor, and your thought process. How could I forget to notice that my son has matured? I'm sorry I didn't notice your growth my sweet darling, I also apologize for letting you bear all the burdens." Her words were interspersed with sobs, accompanied by a guilty smile.
Ryou rose from his seat, walking to his mother's side, enveloping her in a warm and prolonged embrace. Both mother and son shared tears, and amidst the embrace, Ryou whispered, "I'll shoulder all the burdens and face every problem, Oka-san. Don't worry; I am your son after all. I am strong-willed and as persevering as you." The tender moment of reassurance brought forth more tears and sobs from Miyako.
In his recollection of his past life, Ryou vividly remembered his mother toiling day and night, and he observe her health visibly deteriorating with each passing holiday encounter. He too, concealed numerous hardships, including his frequent truancy to undertake multiple jobs, the weighty school fees, and the torment of bullying. He didn't want to burden her more than what she was carrying, so, to his mother, he projected an illusion of well-being, masking his internal struggles while counting down the days until he could liberate himself from the financial burden of academic pursuits.
Only upon graduating did he realize the significance of his sacrifices, witnessing his sister's genuine smile.
The enduring memory of that smile in his past life made Ryou consider the value of his high school years, realizing that bringing joy to his sister had made it worthwhile and Ryou, wanted to bring that smile again in this life as well.
Interrupting the emotional embrace, a weak and groggy voice emanated from Ryou's side. "I want to hug as well," Remi said, her voice still recovering. "What's the occasion? Is it someone's birthday?" she inquired, observing the shared warmth between Ryou and their mother.
"Nee-san!" Ryou exclaimed joyfully as he looked at her.
"Ryou-chan, I want to hug as well, but I feel tired and can't muster any strength, so come hug your nee-san," she declared, quickly contradicting her earlier claim of weakness by raising her hands eagerly.
With a cautious eye on the wires connected to her hands, Ryou leaned in slowly towards her, mindful of his sister's frail body. However, it was Remi fast movement who embraced him tightly, exclaiming, "Ryou-chan, you are also strong-willed and persevering because you are my younger brother, not just because you are Mom's son." Her cheerful, lively voice echoed in the hospital room.
"Yes, Nee-san, you are my true inspiration, my hero," Ryou expressed, tightening his embrace consciously.
The memory lingered vividly in Ryou’s mind – Remi, enduring immense pain from her illness yet mustering a radiant smile when Ryou presented his graduation certificate.
"Mama is right, Ryou-chan; you've become quite good with words," Remi said, her voice tinged with tears.
As the heartfelt moment unfolded, Ryou sensed the warmth of his mother joining the embrace, completing the familial circle. In the quiet hospital room, the trio shared a warm embrace that lasted for a long time.