Chapter 122 – Saying No to Orthopedics
"Enter"
Hearing Suguha's response from inside the room, Kazuto nervously pushed the door open. Suguha sat on the edge of the bed with her head lowered, not looking in his direction at all.
"...."
"Hmm."
Kazuto tried to say something but couldn't continue. Suguha remained silent as well; only time quietly passed between them.
Realizing they couldn't stay frozen like this, Kazuto desperately searched for the right words, but Suguha broke the silence first with a heavy tone.
"Hey, brother."
"Hm?"
"You're going to put on the NerveGear again, right? Aren't you afraid?"
"Well, to say I'm not afraid at all would be a lie, but honestly, I have no hesitation. Rather, it's more like the joy of finally being able to take a step forward."
"Joy....."
"Because we finally found a clue to save our comrades."
"B..."
Suguha silently wondered if she was included in the "comrades" Kirito mentioned.
How different am I from that Lisbeth? With a nervous heart, Suguha mustered the courage to ask:
"To you, brother, what kind of existence is Lisbeth-san?"
"Huh? How do you know that name? I don't think I ever mentioned Lisbeth to you."
Kazuto was somewhat flustered by Suguha's unexpected question.
"No, I just heard you mumbling about Lisbeth in the hospital room before."
"Oh, I see. So I must have been muttering her name back then."
"Yeah, so... what exactly is she like to you?"
"To me, Lisbeth is like a sunflower."
"Huh?"
"Lisbeth is like a sunflower. Me and Klein and the others, how should I say it, we all have a bit of a shadow hanging over us, right? A shadow? Or darkness."
"Hmm, I think I understand."
"In contrast, she's like a sunflower that always faces the sun."
"I see."
Kazuto's face involuntarily brightened as he talked about Lisbeth.
"So, do you have any problem with Lisbeth?"
"..."
"Hm?"
Suguha, knowing this question might cross a line, asked anyway:
"If I were the one who fell unconscious after clearing SAO, what would you do?"
"Of course, I'd save you by any means necessary."
"Th-then, if both Lisbeth-san and I needed rescue at the same time, who would you save first?"
"There's no order. I'd save both of you."
Kirito answered without hesitation.
"Whether it's Lisbeth, Klein, or you and Klein, I'd save everyone. Isn't that obvious?"
"Obvious, yeah, that's right."
"That's right."
"S-sorry for asking such a weird question."
"Since you're my only sister, I guess it's okay."
When the word "sister" slipped out, Kazuto didn't notice the subtle change in Suguha's expression.
After hesitating for a moment, Suguha finally spoke clearly:
"Brother, actually, I know everything — that we aren't related by blood."
Only then did Kazuto realize this wasn't just about Kirito and Lisbeth, but a reality that Kirigaya Kazuto and Kirigaya Suguha must face.
"Is that... something Mom and Dad told you?"
"Yes. Actually, I've liked you as a man since I was little, but I repressed those feelings with the brother-sister relationship.
When I saw you becoming more and more haggard after being trapped in SAO, Mom and Dad told me the truth. Since then, I've been thinking maybe I could keep liking you.
Later, when you came back safely, I was confused about how to face you, then Kirito appeared before me. It was only natural I was irresistibly attracted to Kirito, because you two are actually the same person."
"Suguha..."
"I should have only liked you, but I also came to like Kirito. Knowing you had feelings for Lisbeth made my feelings even stronger. Maybe I'm just running away, and that's why I'm being punished like this."
"No, that's not true!"
Kazuto immediately denied Suguha's words that sounded like a confession.
"Maybe I'm not the right one to say this, but liking someone is not a crime, and you shouldn't be punished!"
"Is that really true?"
"Maybe I have no right to say it, but it's definitely wrong for you to blame yourself."
"What does brother like about Lisbeth?"
"I don't know."
"Huh?"
"I just want to be with her simply. Maybe it's about timing and compatibility."
"Timing and compatibility, huh."
"I know it sounds strange, but I really can't find a better way to express it."
Pfft
Suguha suddenly burst out laughing, leaving Kazuto a bit at a loss.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just funny watching my brother who doesn't understand love try so hard to explain it."
"I know I'm not good at this."
"That's not what I meant. I just realized you really are my brother."
"What do you mean?"
"The way you always give your all, even after going through so many dangers in SAO, your essence hasn't changed. But…"
Suguha propped up her chin and seriously added:
"You have matured a lot, though. I who've always watched you know better than anyone. Although the foundation hasn't changed, you really have grown into an adult."
"I don't really understand, but hearing that makes me feel relieved."
"Yeah."
"That's good."
Seeing Suguha smile again, Kazuto finally relaxed. Then Suguha said firmly:
"Brother, I want to fight alongside you too. We absolutely have to rescue Asuna-san and Lisbeth-san. But when this is all over, I want to personally investigate if Lisbeth-san is worthy of you."
"Isn't Lisbeth the one who should be prepared?"
"From your description, she should easily pass. But I'm not willing to lose, so I plan to tell Lisbeth this —"
Suddenly switching to a playful tone, Suguha said:
"Since you and I aren't related by blood, if you dare betray brother, I'll snatch him away."
"Please go easy on me."
"Hehe, let's do our best together, brother."
"Thank you, Suguha."
"No need to thank me. Maybe in the end I'll have one more outstanding sister. That would be good for me, too."
"That would be best."
"You can't be so unconfident! You have to say it'll definitely happen!"
"Got it, it'll definitely happen. So fight alongside me, Suguha!"
"Yeah!"
This conversation peacefully came to an end.
Though uncertain how their relationship would develop in the future, at this moment, sleeping side by side, they resembled children who fell asleep in each other's arms after playing hard in their youth.
After this turbulent day ends, what awaits them is tomorrow's final decisive battle.