In the hospital lobby before the elevators.
Konno Yuuki, clad in a hospital gown and frail in stature, clutched a sliver of hope as she gazed at the ordinary-looking Doctor Kurahashi.
"Can the medical full-dive machine cure my illness, Doctor Kurahashi?"
After asking this, before Kurahashi could respond, Konno herself laughed weakly:
"Probably not, right?"
"After all, what does virtual reality technology have to do with treating AIDS or cancer?"
Doctor Kurahashi, who had been about to speak, sighed with pity and regret at her words.
Though he'd long grown accustomed to life and death since working at the hospital, he couldn't help feeling sorrow whenever he thought of Konno Yuuki, the patient under his care.
Konno Yuuki had been born with HIV, contracted during an emergency blood transfusion when her mother suffered a haemorrhage during childbirth, unknowingly receiving contaminated blood from an AIDS patient.
This accident led to Konno's mother and her twin sister contracting the virus, though the hospital failed to detect it during the disease's latency period.
By the time the problem was discovered, it was already too late.
Not only the newborn twins, but even Konno Yuuki's mother and father had unfortunately contracted HIV.
The small family, which had just gotten back on its feet, instantly became a household of patients. Even though the hospital was willing to compensate and cover medical expenses, it couldn't undo such a tragedy.
Because of HIV, the Konno family's immune systems were being destroyed day by day. Due to their compromised immunity, the family had been battling illnesses constantly for 12 years.
Being sick, taking medication, and hospital stays had almost become the main theme of their lives.
Under these circumstances, what was once a relatively well-off family quickly fell into financial ruin. By the time Konno Yuuki turned 12, the family could be said to have been living in the hospital for all intents and purposes.
Yet even so, their physical conditions continued to deteriorate.
She was such a well-behaved and sensible girl, but the vast majority of her life had been spent in hospitals, fighting against illness.
Just witnessing such a life filled Doctor Kurahashi with despair.
Recalling how he'd seen Konno Yuuki writhing in pain on her hospital bed yesterday, Doctor Kurahashi couldn't help but think that perhaps letting her leave this world would be the greatest mercy.
But this cruel thought was fleeting. Out of compassion and professional ethics, Doctor Kurahashi could only try his best to alleviate Konno Yuuki's suffering:
"The medical-grade full-dive machine is a humanitarian treatment device recently developed by the Tokyo Institute of Technology."
Doctor Kurahashi explained to Konno Yuuki in an unsteady voice:
"To be honest, this machine doesn't actually treat diseases. It's classified as medical equipment because of how the virtual reality technology can block neural signals."
"...Just painkillers then?" Konno Yuuki murmured to herself.
Seeing this, Doctor Kurahashi added:
"Although it's newly developed equipment, clinical trials haven't actually begun yet. However, since it's not actual medication, the participation requirements are relatively lenient."
"Considering your physical condition, I'd recommend you try applying to participate in this medical dive equipment development."
"If the technology verification goes smoothly, perhaps... You could experience something resembling a normal life in the virtual world."
There were two reasons why Doctor Kurahashi suggested Konno Yuuki participate in the trial.
Firstly, the girl's painkiller dosage was already too high - continuing like this carried a significant risk of addiction.
Secondly, Konno Yuuki's parents had recently attempted suicide, though medical staff had intervened.
Doctor Kurahashi deeply understood how 12 years of battling illness could lead to such mental strain. That's why he wondered if virtual reality technology might help ease this family's frayed nerves.
At the very least, to let them suffer less before death came.
"Experience a normal life in the virtual world?"
"No wonder they call it humanitarian treatment equipment..."
After 12 years of fighting illness, even though Konno Yuuki had long grown numb to life and death, a flicker of anticipation still surfaced.
Though it would be fake, being able to run freely through grassy fields like a normal person... that might not be so bad.
Thinking this, Konno Yuuki curled her lips into a faint smile:
"In that case, please help me sign up, Doctor."
"Are you sure?"
"Although these experiments have safety measures in place, all risks are unknown. If an accident occurs, it'll be too late for regrets."
"Regrets?" Konno Yuuki smiled. "Rather than regret, shouldn't I be happy?"
"It's virtual reality, after all!"
"The technology dreamed about in science magazines and gaming forums, and I get to be among the first test subjects. Isn't that incredibly lucky?"
"And most importantly, this testing is free, right? The developers might even pay me for participating!"
"Isn't that an amazing deal?"
"...I understand."
Doctor Kurahashi gave the excited Konno Yuuki a deep look before nodding:
"I'll submit your name for the list later."
"Thank you, doctor."
As Konno finished speaking, she suddenly felt something odd and turned to look beside her. There, she spotted a handsome male doctor standing by a support pillar, studying her with curiosity.
Noticing this, Konno smiled at him and, under his surprised gaze, asked curiously:
"Doctor, is that doctor over there new?"
Konno noticed that the doctor was looking at her somewhat strangely. Moreover, having memorised all the doctors and nurses in the hospital, she'd never seen him before, which piqued her curiosity.
"...Probably?" Doctor Kurahashi glanced at Luo Shu uncertainly. "Several university professors are visiting the hospital today—he might be with them."
"I see."
Konno nodded in understanding, flashed Luo Shu another smile, then turned back to Doctor Kurahashi:
"Doctor, do I need to fill out an application form now?"
Upon hearing this, Doctor Kurahashi nodded at Luo Shu in greeting before replying:
"Today's rehabilitation session is almost done. I'll take you back to your ward first, and later, I'll bring the contract over."
Naturally, Konno Yuuki didn't refuse this suggestion.
As the two walked down the corridor together, Luo Shu, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully:
"A fully immersive medical device using virtual reality technology?"
"The R&D Department works surprisingly fast..."
"And more importantly..."
Luo Shu glanced at Konno Yuuki's retreating figure with a slightly odd expression:
"I wonder which world she originated from..."
"I'll investigate later."
Muttering to himself, Luo Shu turned and walked towards Kisara and Utaha, who had just stepped out of the elevator.