The 'Medical Integration Organization' is not an ordinary hospital, but an experimental organization jointly established by several medical universities, with the ambition of promoting medical progress and improving the unhealthy atmosphere within Japan's medical community.
—Or so goes the official statement.
In reality, over these years, Japanese medicine has been stagnant and conservative, with corruption and nepotism becoming extremely serious issues. This has caused their core competitiveness to decline steadily, and their operational status is also setting like the western sun. To prevent foreign capital hospitals from entering the market and dominating the scene, they urgently needed to produce research results shocking enough to convince the government to increase its support.
Therefore, when Akihiko Kayaba approached them for cooperation, hoping to select volunteers from among their patients to test certain data, the Medical Integration Organization agreed decisively, recognizing the potential of this project at a glance.
The final cooperation plan reached was that the Medical Integration Organization would fully support Akihiko Kayaba's research, providing him with volunteers and legal permissions on the medical front; it could be described as a win-win for both parties.
Considering that although the patients were being used, they also received help from it, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a triple-win.
And after Kayaba failed to launch the death game and all his projects were intercepted, the Medical Integration Organization's partner naturally switched to the pharmaceutical enterprise under the Kuse family, while Akihiko Kayaba became a symbolic figurehead without any decisive real power.
Of course, Kayaba didn't care either; his research focus wasn't on medicine, which was merely a means to an end. Now, that man is wholeheartedly focused on virtual space, TPC, and unknown creatures, having long since forgotten his original projects entirely!
Nowadays, the ones representing the Kuse Group in liaising with the Medical Integration Organization are Kōjiro Rinko and Higa Takeru. They are extremely interested in this kind of public welfare research project and are also quite admiring of Ryu.
After all, the young master of the Kuse family could make easy money just by developing games, yet he scatters his energy to drive medical projects that show no substantial return in the short term—if this isn't a saint, then what is?!
So, upon receiving the news, these two were very happy. Also, out of a small desire to show off, they came directly out of the laboratory to the rooftop helipad to welcome Ryu, unable to wait to take him to see the latest research results.
When Lucy came along, the two took an extra glance at the silver-haired girl, but they were merely surprised at why she was wearing such thick clothing on such a hot day:
Before boarding the helicopter, Ryu had someone find a tracksuit for Lucy to hide the traces of modification on her limbs and neck.
"Mr. Kuse, please, you and... your female companions... this way."
Higa Takeru was not very good at socializing; a single sentence made Ryu feel awkward all over.
This man with glasses clearly lacked self-awareness. While leading everyone on a tour of the laboratory, he constantly introduced various models of medical pods and helmets targeting different diseases, his words filled with passion.
Unknowingly, he completely ignored the people around him and began to happily talk to himself, not caring whether others could understand. Kōjiro Rinko stared at him with a very helpless look from the side, then smiled at Ryu as if to apologize.
"Please don't mind it. A researcher behaving like this shows they are throwing their whole heart and soul into it. On the contrary, I feel very gratified; I indeed did not misjudge you two." The young man nodded with warmth and magnanimity, causing Rinko to feel quite emotional.
She didn't know what sins she had committed in her past life to have met an iceberg like Kayaba. No matter how she hinted, she never got a response—she was less attractive to him than games. What a failure... Why couldn't she have had a handsome junior like Kuse Ryu during her student days?!
Fortunately, Ryu and his group were not ordinary people. Although Higa Takeru's narration was extremely technical, everyone could understand the general meaning.
"Virtual reality... Medicuboid..."
Lucy suddenly realized: "Is this machine the source of the [Braindance] materials?!"
[Braindance]?
Both Ruri and Kōjiro Rinko looked at Lucy in confusion.
Ryu nodded: "Exactly. Strictly speaking, it comes from the sick children. You must have seen them on your way here, right?"
"...Yeah."
Lucy nodded with a heavy expression.
The patients admitted to this medical institution were almost all those unable to survive in the outside world alone—the most severe category—and there was a tendency to admit adolescents and young children. So, passing by the wards and sterile rooms along the way, the group saw quite a few children being carefully tended to by caregivers.
The specific situation was hard to explain simply, but even Ruri, whose mind was entirely focused on Ryu, couldn't help but feel low-spirited, feeling sadness for these poor children.
This was even more true for Lucy; it even triggered her distant memories:
When she was a child, she had been 'adopted' by the Arasaka Group along with other children because of her extraordinary talent. In reality, they were trained as hackers, having to risk their lives every day to breach offensive firewalls.
Although she eventually escaped, very few of her little companions survived... Lucy became misanthropic because of this, believing that a world where even children were treated as firewood was simply hell!
Although the Kuse Group was different from Arasaka, and the Medical Integration Organization was not persecuting these children but rather doing their best to care for and treat them, just seeing so many children in suffering was enough to make Lucy feel sad inside.
"This is all thanks to Mr. Kuse."
Kōjiro Rinko spoke up at this moment, filled with respect: "Most of these children come from ordinary families unable to bear the heavy medical expenses and subsequent recuperation costs. Generally speaking, even if they could survive, most would lack the ability to take care of themselves... The probability of living to adulthood is infinitesimal.
"Although the hospital applied for the 'Public Welfare Assistance Program' for them, the quota and metrics given by the government have always been extremely limited. Those who can get help are ultimately just a small fraction.
"But Mr. Kuse changed all of that!
"The special fund you established for integrated medicine can cover every single child. Besides promoting project research, it also provides them with the best environment, nursing, and recuperation. Even their families can receive certain subsidies..."
"Raising such children is very hard work. That they haven't gave up but persisted until now is proof enough that they possess the responsibility of parents. There is no need to demand excessive effort from them."
Ryu shook his head: "I haven't done anything amazing. All I can provide is money. To change this world and truly bring good news to these children, we still have to rely on scholars like you."
"You really are..." Kōjiro Rinko didn't know what to say, seeming unable to find suitable vocabulary to praise this young man who was only in high school.
Young achievers are often arrogant and defiant—but this saying seemed to be reversed in Ryu's case.
These two classmates of Akihiko Kayaba were also the type to have pride in their bones, but after witnessing a series of Ryu's actions, they were already willing to work for him, even hating themselves for not being geniuses like Kayaba, as otherwise, they could satisfy Ryu even more.
"You did all these things?" Lucy's tone was dazed as she couldn't help but look at Ryu.
On the way here, seeing that Ryu had so many subordinates, she had already guessed somewhat. Facts proved that his identity was indeed not simple.
She found that the internet in this world was still operating normally and information retrieval was particularly simple, so she had investigated via the wireless network while on the helicopter... The result was that Kuse Ryu was a huge celebrity here; a search for his name yielded dozens of pages of non-repeating news!
Not only that, the weight of this Kuse Group here was simply the parallel world's Arasaka!
But everything she had seen and heard on this trip convinced her that the man she had set her sights on was definitely not an unscrupulous capitalist like Arasaka.
Quite the opposite—he was the savior of these children!
"I just do what I can."
Ignoring the presence of others, Ryu directly took Lucy's hand and looked into the girl's eyes.
"But one person's strength is limited. I am not some amazing figure, and I can't attend to every aspect.
"So, can you lend me your strength?"
"Of course..." Lucy didn't have time to think at all; her mouth spoke on its own.
Strictly speaking, even her waist was a bit weak right now. If Ryu's attitude were a bit more forceful, she probably would have agreed to even the most absurd things.
Yet she was also very confused: "Is there... anything I can help you with?"
"There is a lot."
Ryu paused, looked at Higa Takeru and Kōjiro Rinko, and said directly without evasion: "I want to establish a new company, mainly responsible for the development of [Braindance]—as for what exactly this is, I will explain to you later."
"In short, this is a technology based on virtual reality. I have the complete technical reserves here, so theoretically, there are no obstacles."
Ryu turned his gaze back, speaking seriously to the thoughtful Lucy: "The net profit of this company will be entirely used to set up a public welfare fund. I plan to invest it into 'cyberware development' and 'environmental protection'."
Environmental protection and cyberware? Do those go together?
The other three were a bit dumbfounded, but Lucy instantly GET the point!
Yes, this proved that Ryu was absolutely not one of those hateful capitalist corporations!
Feeling the force coming from Lucy's hand, the corner of Ryu's mouth moved slightly, and then he said sternly: "Lucy, these children can rely on the Medicuboid medical pods or helmets now to experience a normal person's life, and in the future, they can also use this to treat diseases related to the nervous system. But there are some diseases we are ultimately powerless against, do you know that?"
"You mean?"
"For example, ALS, AIDS, congenital functional deficits... current medical technology cannot cure them. We can only provide a relatively comfortable environment for these children.
"If we want to truly save them, we must use cybernetic modification technology!"
Ryu's tone was certain: "To give the sufferers new bodies and let them regain the right to live on as humans—this is the mission of the new company!"
"Ryu..."
"Lucy, do you still feel like you don't fit into this world?"
Ryu shook his head: "Cybernetic modification is proof that one has struggled hard; there is nothing to be ashamed of. Otherwise, could it be that these children also have original sin?
"Stay and help me, Lucy!
"In the new company, I want you to serve as the Information Security Supervisor.
"On one hand, I don't want the technology used to treat children and save disabled people to become a killing weapon on the battlefield in the future. On the other hand, I am also worried about not being able to control the capital under my command. To prevent it from growing into an evil dragon, I hope you can help me monitor it, serve as my eyes and ears... to ensure it does not violate the original intention of its founding.
"Moreover, if they can communicate with you, those children won't be afraid of the unknown cybernetic modifications anymore, right!
"To them, you are the big sister who brings courage, aren't you?"
"Your request... how could I refuse..."
Lucy's voice trembled, and she stood on tiptoe to kiss Ryu under the astonished gazes of the crowd; time seemed to freeze for a moment before flowing again.
"I feel like... I can try to love this world—and you."
"..." Ryu was truly stunned for a moment by the sudden attack.
After a long while, a voice trying its best to remain calm sounded out; it was Ruri.
"L-L-Lord Ryu!
"Please... cough, may I ask what the new company will be named? I will have someone register the trademark and corporate name first."
As expected of a professional, she could still maintain a smile!
"The name? Let me see..."
Ryu looked thoughtful: "The newly established company uses the development of [Braindance] as a means of profit, but at the same time must balance cyberware development and environmental protection... In many artistic works and religious contexts, the blue sky is seen as symbolizing the yearning for a beautiful life, which also happens to fit the 'environmental protection' theme.
"In that case, let's call it the [Blue Dream Group]!"
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