19 Chapter 18
A couple of days have passed since Eiharu’s first meeting with Kanryou. Summer is officially starting, and the scorching sun above the head prevents Eiharu from leaving the house. In a normal situation where he is unwilling to go, now he needs no excuse to blatantly refuse any chance of him stepping his foot out of the front door. At times like this, the usual delivery man helps him send the lunchboxes to the hospital. Oh, how he is super grateful to that man. He doesn’t care if Haruna complains about the money he spent on the kind old man; if he can pay someone else to do his task in return for staying in his room, he will without a second thought.
Around dawn, Haruna returns from the hospital much earlier than a few days prior. Eiharu was preparing dinner when she arrived, tiredly greeting Eiharu as she rushed to the bathroom. Eiharu hums without looking as always, focusing on the seared chicken he is cooking.
“Say, Eiharu. Have you and Yukisada-kun…” Haruna poured herself a drink, letting her words trail long enough to tick Eiharu’s curiosity.
“...what?”
“Have you two come in contact lately? You gave him your number already.”
“Mm.”
“Did you two text a lot?”
“Not really.”
“I see. Well, Yukisada-kun is super busy with that VIP patient, so I guess he doesn’t have that much free time yet.” Haruna nods her head while sipping her glass. Her eyes are a bit in a cloud. “It would be great if you two hang out more often, though.”
“We did.”
“What?”
“Hang out.”
“Huh?” Haruna sharply turns her head. “Wait, you two--! When??”
Eiharu didn’t pay attention to her questions and instantly regretted telling her that. He doesn’t mean to keep it a secret yet, but he knows Haruna would be too curious to keep her mouth shut, and he doesn’t really want to talk about the meeting yet. After all, their topic of discussion was quite sensitive. Eiharu needs time to digest and let his body calm down.
“Hey, don’t just stand there and tell me. When did you meet him?”
“Hmm… two days ago, I think.”
“How come I didn’t know you left the house?”
“You were working.”
“At work hours? You two met at work hours?”
“It was his day off.”
“Ohh…” Haruna ponders for a moment. “You left the house even though it was hot?”
“It wasn’t this hot.”
“Really?” Haruna is eyeing him suspiciously; he can tell. But he pretends like he doesn’t notice. “How come you didn’t tell me?”
“About what?”
“About the whole thing, what else? It’s so hard to ask you to leave the house in Summer, and not only you did, but you also kept quiet about meeting him.”
“I don’t have to tell you everything I did, do I?” Eiharu sighs, “Can you get me a plate?”
Haruna hands him the plate. “So? What did you talk about?”
“Stuff.”
“Yes, what kind of stuff? You’re super suck at keeping a conversation, so I can already imagine all the awkward silence between you two.” Haruna shakes her head. “You didn’t offend him or anything, did you?”
“I didn’t.”
“Yeah, I hope so. What do you think of him?”
“About what? By the way, I haven’t checked the rice cooker.”
Haruna immediately opened the lid and hummed satisfactorily before taking the whole pan out. “Do you think he is a good guy?”
“Well… he is not a bastard.”
“Hey, don’t say that. Yukisada-kun is a gem of our hospital, I tell you.”
“I’m sure he’s not the only young doctor working there.”
“True, but…” Haruna makes random gestures in the air. “But… he’s the on the top list.”
Eiharu looks at her with an eyebrow raised. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means he is The Most Desired Marriage Partner.”
Eiharu frowns. “And?”
“And… you’re lucky to befriend him.”
“What benefit do I get from that? Besides, we’re both guys.”
“Mom isn’t picky, Eiharu.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean??” Eiharu doesn’t hide his exasperation. The talk is getting weirder, and it freaks him out. “We only met once, and we’re both guys. You make no sense.”
“Ah… right, it makes no sense, eh?” Haruna laughs awkwardly as she notices she pushed too hard. “But… won’t you consider him as an option?”
“Mom, stop.”
“Listen, Eiharu. I admit I was sad when I found out about your preference the first time. But now, things have changed. As long as you’re happy, I won’t ask anything else. You can date a man if you want.”
“I don’t want to date anyone.”
“Oh, don’t say that. Who will care for you when I’m gone if you have no one beside you?”
Eiharu gives Haruna a look. In this household, the talk about death isn’t a taboo. Since he was little, Haruna already taught him about the concept. Since both experienced failed relationships, they know that no one stays forever. They have to be strong with or without someone. So, rather than feeling sad hearing her talking about her future passing, Eiharu is more weirded out by how she thinks he won’t last by himself. Understandable but still weird.
“Now you think being alone is a bad thing?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I want you to be happy and tough, but it doesn’t mean I’m not worried when I think I’m about to leave you alone someday.”
“I’m not a kid. I can manage.”
“But… you will still feel lonely, Eiharu. No matter how you think you’re used to being alone, it’s…”
“...I understand what you’re trying to say.” Eiharu inhales. “However, you took things too far about me and… Yukisada. We only met once and don’t talk often. The most we’re going to be are… friends.”
Haruna puts away her glass. Despite not reacting much, deep down, she feels sad hearing Eiharu’s lack of response. Eiharu is always pessimistic about his life, and she believes she is the leading cause of Eiharu’s passiveness. For years, she tried to nudge him to be out more, socialise more, and do something productive and fun more, but so far, none has come to fruition. It frustrates her as much as it annoys her. Although she didn’t mean to get angry at him for it, she often came out angry.
-How long is he going to keep up like this?-
Above everything, she is just apprehensive about him.
“Okay, then. It’s good enough if you two become friends.” Haruna puts on a smile as she turns around to face him. “Come to think of it… do you remember him from… um… school?”
Eiharu blinks. But his attention is quickly on the stove, so he doesn’t reply immediately. “What about it?”
“When you left the hospital that day, he asked me about your school as he felt familiar with you. He told me he was an alumnus.”
“Oh.”
“Do you remember him? Was he attending the same school as you?”
Eiharu hesitates, but it’s not a secret anyway. So, he unwillingly nods his head.
“Yeah… I remember him.”
“Does he know about…”
Haruna stops. She can’t openly say the words. Her face turns solemn whenever that subject is brought up; she dislikes talking about it unless she has to.
“About the incident?” Eiharu tries to speak about it lightly, not showing particular emotion. “No, he doesn’t know about that. But he knows about what happened at school.” Eiharu ponders. “It can be said… only he knew the truth.”
“Really? He wasn’t one of the little bastards that… uh…”
“He wasn’t. He was the only one who didn’t do such a thing.”
Haruna fell silent again, unsure of what to say. With the topic being extremely delicate, she constantly threads the conversation carefully. Too careful, even. But Eiharu understands why she is acting that way.
“It’s okay, Mom. It’s been too long, isn’t it? Weren’t you the one who said not to remember it anymore?”
“But… it’s not something that is easily forgotten, Eiharu. Because of them, I almost lose you.”
“But I’m not dead yet.” Eiharu forces a faint smile. “I don’t remember most of it anymore. Don’t worry.”
“...are you telling the truth?”
“Mm.”
-Of course, I will never forget that. But I don’t mind being a liar if it stops you getting sleepless nights out of worry-
“...okay, I believe you.” Haruna smiles as well and gently squeezes EIharu’s arm briefly. “I’m glad to know that… Yukisada-kun was a good guy in his younger days.”
“Mm, he was.”
“I hope it stays like that.”
“Mm.”
“Okay, let’s stop talking about this. Is the dinner ready yet? I’ll prepare the table.” As Haruna puts on the plates, a lightbulb suddenly appears in her head. “Say, Eiharu. Why don’t we invite Yukisada-kun for dinner some day?”
“No way.”
“Oh, come on.”
=====
“Congratulations on your discharge, Sir. Here’s the document you requested. Sir Yonehara already approved it.”
“Thank you very much. Have a nice day.”
With a smile, Toshiya bids the smitten receptionist goodbye. He puts away the files into his bag before coming to Raizou, who’s waiting for him at the nearest bench along with other visitors. Raizou’s eyes are seemingly devoid of emotion even though he looks rather upset in Toshiya’s observation.
“What is it?”
“...nothing.” Raizou averts his gaze. “If there is nothing else, let’s go.”
“No, I still have an unfinished business.”
“With that doctor?”
Toshiya lets out a vague smile. “You’re getting better at reading me, it seems.”
“No, you’re just not trying to hide it. Besides, he’s the only guy you pester in this whole hospital.”
“Oh, don’t say it that way. You make it sound as if I’m bullying him.”
“Aren’t you?” Raizou squints his eyes but waves his hand and stands. “Go do whatever you need. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Can you walk there by yourself?”
Instead of answering, Raiouz snorts and walks away. Toshiya observes how Raizou walks first to see if the guy will wobble around, but he looks fine. He doesn’t look like a recently discharged patient at all. With a satisfied nod, Toshiya turns around and heads towards Kanryou’s office. On his way, when he had just entered the corridor, he found the one he was looking for right away.
“Doctor Yukisada, do you have time right now?”
Kanryou was already smiling, but when he saw the one asking for his time, his smile disappeared faster than it showed.
“No.”
“Oh, please.” Toshiya smiles as he stands before the man. “Won’t you entertain me at all?”
“No. I am still working. Though I will struggle to refuse if you want to talk business.”
“Then let’s talk business. Is your office good?”
Kanryou inhales. He was thoroughly delighted when Raizou was finally discharged from the hospital. It means he doesn’t need to see Toshiya’s face loitering around the ward anymore. Who would have thought the man would appear in front of him so naturally, like a ghost he often heard mentioned by scaredy-cat patients and workers alike?
-Well, in this case, seeing the ghost is surely a better option-
“Five minutes, no longer than that.”
Kanryou opens the door to his office and Toshiya happily follows after. The latter casually sits on the sofa, looking around as if this is his first time entering the place, humming, probably making unnecessary comments inside his head; Kanryou doesn’t know and doesn’t care.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“First, let me express my gratitude for saving my colleague... It was a great deal for me, and I can never thank you enough.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just doing my job.”
“No, no. It’s not only about your professionalism. I believe in your skill, Yukisada-kun. However, that integrity isn’t something most people have. You can simply delegate your work to someone else, and I believe the thought occurred, yet you didn’t.”
“Like I said, I’m just doing my job.” While leaning on the door with legs crossed, Kanryou inhales. “Sir Raizou has nothing to do with my distaste towards you. He got admitted as a patient, and I am doing my best to help him recover as a doctor should.” Now, Kanryou crosses his arms as well. “Complimenting my work ethic won’t change my view about you.”
Toshiya laughs. “Yes, that’s what I like about you. Such integrity is… something hard to find these days.”
“Coming from you sounds like an insult, so please, stop. On the other hand, I will accept your gratitude.”
“Alright, that’s good enough.” Toshiya nods in agreement. “If it was me needing treatment, would you still act like this?”
“I don’t need to like all my patients, do I?” Kanryou tilts his head and averts his gaze, looking disinterested. “If you come to my ward as a patient, I will treat your illness and injuries like I treat others. However, how I treat you as a person is entirely a different matter. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it.” Toshiya leans on the sofa. “But I hope the day I enter the ward will never come.”
“Then I pray the ward you come into is not mine.” Kanryou inhales. “I won’t pray for your safety.”
“That’s good enough.” Toshiya chuckles. “It’s hard to entrust my life in your hand, after all.”
“Is that all you want to talk about?”
“The last time we spoke about it wasn’t good. Do you still remember him?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Toshiya gives him a vague smile. Despite his lips curved upward, the shape doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Seishichi would be sad to know you no longer remember him.”
Kanryou involuntarily returns the gaze. He wanted to pretend clueless if Toshiya didn’t say Eiharu’s name. But since it comes to this, playing a fool in front of Toshiya is a foolish move in itself. As much as Kanryou doesn’t want to admit it, Toshiya’s intelligence isn’t something he wants to challenge out of spite.
“I’m surprised you still remember him, actually.” Kanryou walks towards the sofa and sits across the table. “What’s the point of bringing him now?”
“I know you would be interested.” Toshiya’s smile changes almost instantly. “For the record, I didn’t even remember his existence before I met you.”
“Don’t shift the blame on me now.” Kanryou sighs. “What do you want to talk about? I know nothing about him, so asking me is pointless.”
“I’m just wondering how he is now.”
“How should I know?”
“With my connection, just mentioning his name is sufficient to look for his entire data, including the recent ones.”
“...so what?”
“Aren’t you curious about what he does now?”
“No.”
“Oh.” Toshiya curves his lips, disappointed. “I didn’t expect that answer.”
“It’s been so long. A successful attorney like yourself still hung up on a kid you bullied back in high school? Now I’m curious whether the old mischief was caused by something deeper than… a common mischief.”
“Oh, please. We were all young back then. A little bit mischief here and there was natural, no?”
“Not an excuse to justify your action.” Kanryou’s words sound cold. “You think what you did was a little mischief? A mishap on your part because you were a kid? What about him? He was a kid, too. Why do other kids have to deal with your mess? What makes you think they deserve that?”
“...you’re not going to listen, eh?”
“I never intend to listen to you; not now, not back then, not in the future.” Kanryou taps the table lightly. “Next time you bring him up in front of me again, I will respond the same way as always, probably more than a simple warning.”
Toshiya raises an eyebrow. “It’s been so long, and you are still so overprotective towards him. Is it your professionalism as a doctor speaking, or your actual heart? I’m curious.”
“Probably both. I despise someone like you the most, after all.”
“I’m flattered.” Toshiy’a smile softens. “But… you don’t need to be so hostile. I simply want to know whether he is healthy or not, or if he leads a good life.” Kanryou squints his eyes suspiciously but says nothing, so Toshiya continues, “Because, as you said, it’s been so long. After disappearing on us back then, I’m kind of hoping for a piece of good news. Maybe he has changed, maybe not. Maybe he becomes brave, or maybe he’s still… a coward.”
“Why don’t you mind your own business? Someday, that nosiness will bite back at you.”
“Ah… Rai warned me the same thing.” Toshiya chuckles and stands. “Since it seems we won’t have a mutual understanding, I better stop here. Thank you for your time, and let’s talk again in the future.”
Not waiting for Kanryou’s response, Toshiya walks out of the office and heads straight to the parking lot where Raizou is waiting. Inside the car, as soon as the door opens, Raizou gives Toshiya a look. Toshiya’s rare shift of expression is noticeable.
“What did you two talk about?”
“Just reminiscing a bit.” Toshiya turns on the engine. “Let’s celebrate your discharge. What do you want to eat? My treat.”
