Virtual Hell (Sword Art Online X Male Reader Remake)

Level 15 - My Secret, Your Secret

The treadmill's hum was the only thing I could hear. My feet shuffled along the belt, slow, unsteady, and weak. My hands gripped the sidebars tightly, the knuckles pale from the strain. Every step felt like dragging my legs through quicksand, my body sluggish and foreign. The physiotherapist stood beside me, her voice a steady stream of encouragement.

"You're doing great, Y/N. Keep it steady. One step at a time," she said, her tone calm and reassuring.

I didn't feel great. My legs wobbled with each movement, my knees threatening to buckle. The room felt too bright, the walls too sterile. My breaths came heavily laboured, and with each one, I could feel my strength draining away.

"Just a little longer," she encouraged.

But I couldn't.

The treadmill slowed to a stop as I released the bars, stumbling slightly. My physiotherapist quickly steadied me, her hands firm on my arm.

"Alright, let's take a break," she said gently, guiding me to the chair nearby.

I sank into it, my legs trembling uncontrollably. A glass of water was pressed into my hands, and I stared at it for a moment before attempting a sip. My fingers shook so badly that the water sloshed over the rim, dripping onto my lap. I managed only a few sips before setting it down on the small table beside me.

I stared at my hands, my fingers curling into fists. They felt alien—weak, useless. In Sword Art Online, I'd been unstoppable, cutting down bosses leading parties. And now? I couldn't even hold a glass of water.

The physiotherapist knelt beside me, her voice soft. "I know it's frustrating, but these things take time. You're adjusting, Y/N, and you're doing better than you think."

Her optimism felt like a slap to the face. I wasn't "adjusting." I wasn't "doing better." I was falling apart, piece by piece.

"Time," I muttered bitterly, barely loud enough for her to hear. "I'm not even sure if I care about taking time."

Her expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, offering me a small, sympathetic smile.

"Have they heard anything from my mom?" I asked, my voice hollow.

Her smile faded, replaced by hesitation. That pause said more than words ever could.

"...Oh," I said softly, staring down at my lap.

"She's a very busy woman," the physiotherapist said quickly, trying to fill the silence. "Between the funeral, moving, and you coming back, there's a lot on her plate right now."

My chest tightened. "Rei's funeral," I murmured, the words catching in my throat. "I missed it. My own sister... and I missed it."

The physiotherapist hesitated again, clearly unsure of what to say. After a moment, she asked, "Have you been talking to your therapist about it?"

I nodded faintly, forcing a weak smile. "Miss Hina is nice. She understands me. She doesn't push too hard to talk about... everything."

The doors to the therapy room opened, and a tall man in a crisp suit walked in. His footsteps echoed against the tiled floor as he approached us.

"Good afternoon," he said with a polite smile. "Y/N L/N, I presume? I'm Mr. Kanoi, your new therapist."

I blinked, confused. "New therapist?"

The physiotherapist looked just as surprised. "I thought Miss Hina was handling his sessions," she said, glancing between us.

Mr. Kanoi gave a brief, practised smile. "Miss Hina had an opportunity down south. She was eager to start right away. I'll be taking over your care from here on out."