"Mmm...Fhhhh."
'Thump-thump-thum-----'
"...how...could this be...."
Just as Ichinose was about to ask another question, Ms. Kurosaki told me to breathe again, albeit slowly than last one.
Stethoscope on my chest.
Bam! Hey, you are a doctor, how come you are breaking school prope----
What's with that look? Disbelief? Anger? Expressions, emotions are really complex to identify here....
"Kuso...! This is unacceptable." She whispered loudly, might be just to prevent hearing from some boys cleaning beds.
That's reassuring, I was doubtful, where were male doctors....
Her eyes are really wide, maybe it will reach her eyebrows.....
(Apparently, I have started to make jokes to relieve my own pysche....)
"Your left lung-it's severely damaged! This is gone beyond bullying, for how many years is this going on, Kujou-kun?!"
"....."
"If this had gone untreated it would have collapsed some of the alveolis near your right lung! W-with your vision-blind in one eye, blurry in the other-you're in no condition to handle the stress of this school!"
That really made me stop breathing if damage couldn't.....I went silent as her words sank in. Apparently, that was why I wanted to eat cloudy air, tasty tasty oxygen....
So, reason of pain....
"Cough...Cough."
"Give him water!"
"Mzzzhm....Thanks." I cleared my throat first, and drank from this small wooden cup, I was offered.
I don't like the taste, even if I drink two more, I don't think my thirst will ever go away...will have to visit the grocery shop.
Shit.....
"I think you're taking this joke too far...I know it's April Fool's day. But still this is too much!"
It seems that Ichinose herself still couldn't come to terms with reality, even though she looked nervous, with a sense of when you... that's called foreboding.
"What?! Do you think I am joking?"
Ichinose's body turned straight, and her face became even more white, no it should be pale, she tried to grab my right palm, but I put it away before she could.
"That can't...that can't be right. How could this happen to Kujou-kun?!"
Ichinose cried, damn it, fans would really kill me, if they found out what I did here....
Voice breaking as she let out a shaky.
"....Hiku hiku~!"
Her tears are now slowly dripping over the bedsheet, can you stop shaking me, what would that do?
"Baka! Why didn't you tell me you were in so much pain?! I was making you run around all over, ne~!"
...why am I in the wrong here? It's not my fault I was forced to come into your world!
Akari, who was clearly flustered, raised her voice in a way that was unlike previous behaviour, "It's true... It's not a mistake."
Ms....no, Doctor Kurosaki adjusted her glasses, her expression darkening as she typed on the computer.
"I'm filing a complaint against your parents immediately. This level of neglect is criminal-leaving a child in this condition without proper care! They should've-"
She stopped mid-sentence, her brows furro---whatever it is, as she stared at the screen.
What the fuck is it now....?
"Nani...? There's no record of your parents, Kujou-kun. The only signature on your documents is from a police officer....how did Chairman Sakayanagi enroll you here?"
Ichinose's head snapped up before I could say anything, her watered face twisting into a mix of angerfusion.
"Ehh?! A police officer?! Dame yo! That's so suspicious, ne~!"
But Doc---I should use, Dr...Kurosaki, you just exposed Sakayanagi Arisu here! Can you please behave?~!
Apparently, in her anger she didn't provide any more data, which made Ichinose frustrated and she turned towards me again.
"Grrr~!"
So, this is what they call, hissing, and spitting venom...
"You even lied to me about your name before. Kujou-kun, you can't keep hiding things like this!.....!"
Me? Hiding?
What do you think will happen if I tell you are just a light novel heroine who got nerfed after a few volumes?!
I glared at her, that's right!
While we just argued with our gazes,
Dr. Kurosaki sighed heavily, running a hand through her black hair with a tired....
"Haa~...Given your condition-you absolutely cannot stay in a high-stress environment like this school. I strongly advise transferring to a special school with medical facilities, Kujou-kun."
She stopped clicking on her keyboard, and laid out the matter of crux before me.
"They can monitor you better, and ensure you have the support you need. Staying here could be life-threatening."
Her tone is stern but laced with concern....
"I will ask Chairman to write you a fee waiver. If that's what you might be worried about...."
This...I can't argue. Ryuen didn't even spare Karuizawa, and in fact used it to break her trust in so called "X", he really wouldn't hesitate to go all Rooftop on me.
Not to mention Sakayanagi, it's not just from readers' perspective as one of the waifus, but...she has a bad personality.
Loli might even accuse me of raping one of her classmates, or even herself in a 'heartbeat,' with all "real" evidences to boot.
....I better get out.
It's just Ichinose shook her head vehemently, her tears falling faster than even my brother's notification of killing one more player, "Halt! Halt! I won't let Kujou-kun leave this school!"
"Waa~!" She turned to the doctor, I won't be surprised if she complains about neck pain tomorrow.
"I'll take care of him, ne~! I'll make sure he's okay every day-I'll handle his daily needs. He doesn't need to go anywhere."
No, no, no you little Miss Power of friendship, don't bring your shonen bullshit here!
This place is no good for me. Dr. Kurosaki's request is already too kind, I don't think any employer would hire me, since I have no degrees, skill to show for myself.
With my condition here... It's just giving me more reasons to.
"No, I can't stay...I need to disappear."
~O O ?!
Apparently, that came out wrong.
"Kujou-kun....."
"Suicidal thoughts. It might be school dress, but for me you look too thin. It should be malnutrition. Can you please remove your shi---
"No." I severely denied it, I haven't seen myself completely, no way, even if you bring a male doctor, I won't.
"Damn it....Of course, you..."
She pulled a document from a drawer.
"If you're serious about taking responsibility, Ichinose-san, there's a way to keep Kujou-kun here under strict conditions."
I had the urge to tear it, but it won't look good here. Definitely for later.
Regretting coming here, Ignorance really was a bliss.
Dr. Kurosaki placed the document on the table with a firm "Hora."
"This is a consent form. By signing it, you'd be agreeing to take legal responsibility for Kujou-kun's daily care-ensuring he rests, eats good food, takes his medications, and avoids overexertion."
"I'll submit the application to Chairman Sakayanagi for approval, but you need to understand the weight of this commitment. You'd be his guardian in school's eyes."
Ichinose's eyes lit up before I knew it, and she nodded her head vigorously, for something like this.
Does that mean she is not kicking me out of here?
While, Akari...Hey, where is she? Um, girl is over there, by curtain, probably to remove some eavesdroppers.
"Yoshu! I'll do it~! I'll sign it!"
She looks so excited while grabbing a pen being offered, no wait, damn it all, I grabbed her wrist before something goes permanent, "Ichinose, this is not some...You don't need to....I am fine with just leaving here."
It would really be a problem, if something happens to me alone in a room, and she got und----
"Hmph! You are thinking something bad, I know it. I'm doing this because I am selfish, bah-kah!"
"Don't baka me! We just met. Can you please no------"
"Mou... stop trying to push me away!" Ichinose quickly signed her name on the document, her hand trembling slightly as she let out a soft
"Ehehe~..." of nervous relief.
My words were used against me.
"Kujou-kun, you need to sign as well to acknowledge this arrangement. And I must insist-no participation in any kind of activities that needs more push than your body allows it. You need my clearance first, is that clear?"
"....Right."
"Start with light food. Meanwhile, I will think of a diet that needs to be maintained. Ichinose-san, if there is any lack from your side. This will be revoked, and I will either look for someone else, or transfer him. Is that clear to you?"
How much sway she has here? Is it bigger than homeroom teache---
"Yes, Sensei. I will do my best."
Danvers, get your shit together. What should I do...what shou---it's lying there in front of me.
I rubbed my palm over my face to do some thinking, shit shit shit, fuck it, fuck it all.
Damn you, I don't know how to write Kanji, hirana, whatever the hell it is. Damn everything, this entire day is fucked up. Nonsense....!
I am signing without looking, and then hand it over.
I didn't know if it was English, Malaysian, Thai or Japanese, I just wrote my name, no, Kujou's name.
It's done. Do whatever you want, and leave me alone in this shithole.
I want inner peace.
"....you're so stubborn, weird."
"However, keep it in mind. You did this on your own volition. Don't guilt trap me into doing things for you. Or I will quit voluntarily."
I pointed my second finger at her with a narrowed look that didn't want any funny ideas, "Otherwise. You and me. We are done."
She rolled her eyes at me. The sheer nerve of coc---!
"What do you think of me? I am a very kind person."
She looks anything to me but that, I really do have great doubts.
Besides, where did Dr. Kurosaki even get a consent form out of nowhere from a very suspicious looking drawer?
....Hmmm, it's not staged, right? This has started to make me doubt, even my own free will.
Could it be because of Sakayanagi...? Does she have a guard---Chairman, I forgot it's her own 'home school.'
"Next, it's past homeroom. So you need to find teach---Class B is it, for you both?"
"...Yes, I don't know abo---"
"We're in the same class, Sensei. It's better to not take his words at face value."
"Good, it's Chie then. She's a nurse. I will write two slips....Give this one to her in the faculty office."
I moved my hand to tak---Ichinose snatched it away from her palm, and stashed in her school uniform's right pocket.
My palm is now left hanging. It's really awkward...wait, she has two. I can take the second one.
"Ichinose-san, give the second one to Shop no 23, NewModel, Floor 2 in Keyaki Mall."
"Mall....?"
She also took this one while giving me an evil eye, she's smiling without showing it on her lips, I just know it.
I pretended to rub my own with second palm, generating warmth, even though I did this, everyone knows reality....But, it's the sentiment that counts.
It's not wrong to save your own face.
"Don't worry. Chie will explain. Second one, tell your salesperson it's for their boss."
...what is she doing? Are you promoting someone's prod----?
I tried to peek at what's written there, even though I know it's just symbols.
Um, alphabets of their own, but I know what it means...This is all very strange, before today I didn't even know more words than any person who uses subtitles to watch anime.
Ohayo
Gomenzai
Arigato
Hai Hai, Itai, Baka....
Kawaai
Anya's Waku waku~
Sugoi
Rentarou's Minna, I can understand these. I know it's pitiful, and besides they don't even write these words, just speak...yes, it's complex.
'Free services to both. Otherwise, your dinner will be served cold for rest of the year.....No miso soup either!'
There is a knife drawn next to it.
Is Ms. Kurosaki married?
Let's assume she is, but are you ordering him to run a non-profit business? Will he do it...?
I am not sure, but apparently Ichinose's face is going ripe after reading this, what? Did I miss something...is miso soup a really big deal here?
"Alright. Every two weeks. Sunday for checkups. Now leave, shoooo! I have paperwork to do."
She is really in a hurry to kick us out of medical room. We didn't even take more than a half step outside, when room was slammed shut behind us.
"....what's the deal with miso soup?"
"Eto...are you joking? You can't ask me someth---no, you really don't know. Then, then, I am not telling! Go, find it yourself~~~!"
xxxxxx
Author's Note
I wanna lock my door, and sleep. But can't---! 😶 Any comments?