Miracle Summoner

"I had already heard about the matter from Mr. Kikuoka in advance. During this past week, Yuuki also mentioned the situation and said that you all would likely come to visit, so I've already made preparations."

Dr. Kurahashi spoke to the group.

"Anyway, let me take you to see Yuuki. Her hospital room is on the top floor of the Central Building. It's a bit far from here, so it's good to take some time to prepare yourselves mentally."

With these somewhat unsettling words, Kurahashi led the way.

Rozen and Asuna exchanged a glance, one with a calm expression and the other with an anxious one. Despite their differing emotions, they tightly held hands and followed behind Kurahashi.

Kikuoka Seijirou, having already completed his task, also followed behind Rozen and Asuna, seemingly intending to observe the entire situation.

The group then walked toward the elevators at the Central Building's lobby, heading for the one on the far right marked "Staff Only."

Kurahashi scanned the card around his neck on the panel next to the elevator, and the door opened with a soft chime. After everyone entered, the elevator began to ascend without a noticeable sound or change in speed.

According to Kurahashi, the top floor, the 12th floor, was completely off-limits to outsiders. Thus, when they exited the elevator, they faced a heavily guarded door.

Kurahashi scanned his card again near the door's scanner, placed his hand on the panel for biometric authentication, and only then did the metal barrier drop with a faint metallic sound, allowing them to pass.

The strict security suggested that without a representative like Kikuoka, it would have been nearly impossible to enter without clearance.

Unlike other floors, there were no windows here. The hallway, covered in smooth white panels, extended straight ahead and then split into two paths at the end.

Kurahashi led them down the left path, passing several nurses in white coats, and entered a corner where an automatic door stood to the right, accompanied by a metal panel.

The sign on the panel read: "First Special Measurement Room."

Kurahashi scanned the card again, and the door opened with a soft beep.

Inside was a narrow room with a door on the opposite wall, similar to the previous one. The right side contained a control panel with several screens, while the left wall had a long window, but the glass was black, making it impossible to see inside.

Kurahashi stopped here.

"Behind this glass is a sterile room controlled by air conditioning. It's off-limits."

He then approached the black window and operated the control panel below it.

A few seconds later, the window's color began to fade slightly with a soft vibration, eventually becoming clear, revealing the interior.

Both Rozen and Asuna could clearly see now.

Behind the glass was a room. Though spacious, it looked smaller at first glance.

The room was filled with various instruments, from large and small to simple rectangular ones and some with complex shapes. The center of the room had a gel bed.

"...!"

Asuna almost pressed her face against the glass.

The reason was simple.

On the gel bed, a petite figure seemed to be half-submerged in the blue gel, lying on it.

The white bed sheet reached up to her chest.

Her exposed shoulder looked painfully thin.

Various tubes connected to her throat and arms, linking her to the surrounding machines.

A white cube, integrated with the bed, covered her head, obscuring her face, leaving only her pale lips and sharp chin visible.

The white cube matched the one Asuna had seen in the picture earlier in the car.

In other words, it was the medical submersion machine—.

But the one using the machine was a tiny, pitiful girl.

That sight made Asuna's heart ache in a way she couldn't explain.

Rozen's expression also changed.

It was because the scene before him stirred painful memories from his own past.

In the past, Rozen too had been like this, lying in a white hospital room, connected to various machines.

Even Mash had collapsed after the Fifth Singularity, her body having issues. She was probably still in such a sterile room now.

This scene naturally triggered a sense of unease in Rozen.

And Asuna had confirmed it.

"Is that... Yuuki?"

Asuna's eyes were full of bitterness.

Yes.

That was Yuuki, or rather, Konno Yuuki.

Yuuki was her character's name, while Konno Yuuki was her real name.

And she was the subject of the experiment, a genuine patient in critical condition.

"In May 2011, Yuuki's mother decided to undergo a cesarean section due to complications during childbirth. Although it can't be confirmed from the medical records now, at the time, due to an accident, Yuuki's mother suffered severe bleeding, prompting the doctor to perform an emergency blood transfusion to save both of them."

Without warning, Kurahashi began his explanation.

"Unfortunately, the blood used was infected with a virus."

His words made Asuna turn her head to look at him.

"Infected blood...?"

Asuna's eyes widened.

"Yes," Kurahashi nodded, his voice filled with sorrow. "Normally, human blood is tested for viral infections. But during the 'window period'—the ten days after infection—even a nucleic acid test cannot detect the virus. This is called the 'window period.'"

"During this period, even if the blood used for transfusions is infected, it can't be detected. As a result, even though the chances of infection from a single transfusion are extremely low—just tens of millions to one—modern science can't completely eliminate that risk."

The implication was clear.

"Yuuki's mother mistakenly used infected blood, which ultimately led to the virus spreading to the entire family."

Upon hearing this, Asuna's heart raced.

"...What disease did Yuuki... Konno-san contract?"

Asuna asked in a hoarse voice.

Kurahashi lowered his eyes and answered.

"Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome."

"Also known as... 'AIDS.'"