2

Prévia do material em texto

The elevator door slid open with a cute chime. The system's electronic
voice reverberated among the bustle of the crowd. "―― Number
thirty, please proceed to reception for payment."
The first floor was the hospital's entrance. Rows of chairs were lined
up in front of the reception desk, where patients sat as they waited to
be called. It was crowded as usual: about eighty percent of the seats
were occupied. As it was the only general hospital in the area,
however, that was to be expected.
In a way, the crowd provided an opportunity. They say that if you want
to hide a tree, put it in a forest. With this many other people around,
Sarina didn't have to worry about being noticed.
Letting out a quiet breath, she gripped the handrails of her
wheelchair. With a tug of both hands, she propelled herself forward at
a brisk pace, moving as quickly as she could in order to avoid
suspicion. Keeping her expression level, Sarina passed by the
reception, making sure not to draw attention to the backpack on her
lap. Even so, the well-worn wheelchair creaked with every push,
causing her heart to pound.
Stealthily, Sarina moved down the hallway towards the hospital's back
entrance. As she pushed her wheelchair forward with bated breath,
she saw a large woman walking towards her.
"Oh, what's the matter, Sarina-chan?"
Sarina's heart skipped a beat, and her back broke out in a cold sweat.
The nurse approaching her was one she knew well: a plump lady in
her forties with a reputation for being quite the talker. She always had
fun stories to tell whenever they met, whether it was about the latest
tasty treats in the store or tales of the new nurses’ mishaps.
Right now, though, even she made Sarina nervous at the prospect of
talking to her. She wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.
"Um, well…I'm a bit thirsty, so I thought I'd go buy some juice…"
"Oh, really? Well, can't blame you in this heat..."
Seemingly without a hint of doubt, the nurse waved a casual goodbye
to Sarina, as she returned her attention to the clipboard in her hands.
"You have an IV scheduled for 1 PM, so come back to your room by
then, okay?"
 "Got it!" Sarina responded as cheerily as she could manage.
Return to her room by 1 PM. Considering what Sarina was planning to
do, that was practically impossible. Lying to the kind-hearted nurse
made her feel awful, but sometimes you had to choose your battles.
For Sarina, there was something much more important than the IV
waiting for her.
She snuck through a narrow corridor, making her way to the back
door. Just as she had expected, the route passing by the pharmacy and
warehouse was less crowded. This way, she had a better chance at
slipping out of the hospital unnoticed.
"...Alright, I made it."
Sarina closed her fingers around the doorknob, pushing it open with a
click. The bright light that streamed in through the door forced her to
squint. The warm summer air enveloped her body, bringing with it the
scent of the forest.
Now that she thought about it, she realised it had been a while since
she last went outside–maybe around a month. The world felt strangely
refreshing without air conditioning.
Sarina let out a sigh of relief. "That was close, but somehow it worked
out…"
She rested her hands on the wheelchair's handrims. At last, she could
escape from the confines of the prison she called her hospital.
"Just a little further from here! Wait for me, Ai...!”
Now, onward to freedom! Sarina thought. With a great swell of
triumph, she turned the handrims. However —
“...Huh?"
Despite her efforts, the wheels stubbornly resisted movement, and the
handrims refused to turn. What was happening? Had something
jammed the wheels?
Abruptly, Sarina turned around, only to discover an unfamiliar man
standing there, peering down at her from behind the wheelchair.
"What are you doing?"
"Gyaaaaah!" Without meaning to, Sarina let out a strange scream. She
hadn't anticipated someone to be standing so close.
"That was loud. You startled me."
It was a young man in a white coat who was looking down at the
frozen Sarina, grimacing; Sarina’s scream must have caught him off
guard. Tall and slender, he wore square-framed glasses that
complemented his well-defined features. He wasn't exactly flashy, but
he emitted an air of intelligence and refinement. You could just about
call him handsome…if you liked that sort of thing.
She couldn't quite place his face, but the white coat indicated his
affiliation with the hospital. He seemed to be a bit young for a doctor,
maybe in his mid-twenties, and the name tag on his chest identified
him as 'Resident Amamiya Gorou'.
"Um... a resident?"
"It’s like a doctor-in-training. I've been training at this hospital since
the beginning of the year."
To his response, Sarina nodded and said, "Oh, I see."
It seemed that the young man had recently graduated from university
and was currently undergoing medical training.
"Becoming a doctor seems pretty tough, huh…well then."
Ending the conversation on that nonchalant note, Sarina turned back
around. Right now was no time to be chatting with a prospective
doctor.
However, the wheelchair she was sitting in refused to budge. From
behind, the resident, Gorou, let out a frustrated sigh.
"Are you planning to go outside in a wheelchair? That's against the
rules, you know."
He had a firm grip on the handles at the back of Sarina's wheelchair,
 halting her escape.
"You're a patient here, right? I can't just let an escape attempt slide."
"N-no, it's not like I'm trying to escape or anything," Sarina instantly
flashed a rueful smile. "I just wanted to grab a drink or something
from nearby."
"There are vending machines inside the hospital, aren't there? Why do
you need to go outside?"
"Oh, um, well...sometimes, I just need a little fresh air."
"If that's the case, you could head to the rooftop observation area. You
don't need permission from your attending physician to go there."
"Uh, you see…the roof was kind of packed, so I had no choice but to
come here."
Doubtfully, the resident muttered, "Hmm," and shifted his gaze to the
backpack in Sarina's lap.
"In the first place, what's with this big backpack? Do you really need
something like that just for some fresh air?"
"Well, it's just...you know..."
"Even from an objective standpoint, it seems like you're quite
determined to go out right now."
“Ugh…”
Struck by his ruthless logic, Sarina could only manage a faint sigh. He
must have been aware she was trying to escape from the very
beginning. By the look of things, superficial acting wouldn't suffice
with this resident.
"Anyway, um, Amamiya-sensei... is that okay? Or should I call you
Gorou-sensei?"
"Whatever."
His disinterested response matched his seemingly indifferent attitude.
Sarina had a feeling that he might lean more towards being an S than
an M.
"Okay, then I'll go with 'Gorou-sensei.' So, what’s a doctor like you
doing in a place like this?"
"Me? Ah, just slacking off."
Gorou responded without a hint of remorse. It was such an
unexpected reply Sarina couldn't help but ask, "Slacking off?"
"The director here always goes off on some long-winded tangent
whenever he sees me. So, I decided to skip the training and hide
somewhere he wouldn't find me."
"Hide... um, are you supposed to do that?"
"No, technically it's not allowed, but... you know, sometimes you just
need to let off some steam."
Gorou's expression softened a bit into a small smile. Sarina had
initially taken him as the uptight sort, but he seemed surprisingly
approachable…
"Yeah, everyone needs a bit of stress relief, don't they?"
"Well, that's true."
"In that case, it should be totally okay for me to blow off some steam
outside, right?"
As Sarina said this, Gorou furrowed his brows.
"Huh? No, it's obviously not allowed."
"Come on, it's not a big deal. Isn't it unfair if Sensei's allowed, but I'm
not?"
"It's not about fairness. If it's discovered that I let you go outside
without permission, I'll definitely get a lectureup inside her,
Sarina turned to Gorou.
"Thanks, Sensei! I'm so happy with the ticket! It's the best Christmas
present in my entire life!"
Indeed, for Sarina, this was her first Christmas present ever. However,
it turned out to be her last one.from the director."
Gorou shook his head with a thoroughly disgusted expression. It was
evident he really didn't get along with the director.
"Anyway, go through the proper procedures if you want to go outside.
Get permission from your attending physician, or get better soon. It's
one or the other."
"Well, I can't do either, so I'm in trouble, right?"
"Looks like it. Either way, it’s not my problem."
Sarina pouted, "Mrrrg…"
She disliked overly logical people. Given the circumstances, though,
she had no choice but to persist. Sarina clasped her hands in front of
her chest and bowed her head.
"Hey, Sensei, pretty please! Just this once, can you let it slide? It's a
lifelong wish! I'll owe you big time!"
"’Big time’? What exactly could you owe me?"
"Well... um, like becoming your girlfriend or something like that?"
Initially taken aback, Gorou swiftly retorted, "I'm good, thanks,"
without hesitation, sporting a grave expression. Her pride was more
than a little stung.
"No, no, no! 'You’re good'!? Can you think about it a little!? Or at least
pretend to consider it!?"
"Of course not. After all, you're a child."
"I-I'm not a child…"
"Then how old are you?"
"Twelve."
Upon hearing Sarina's words, Gorou shook his head lightly. His
expression clearly said, "I’m not even going to humour this."
"By the way, where did you plan on going once you left here?"
Sarina looked up at the sky as if pondering her response.
"Oh well… Somewhere kinda far?"
"Far? Don't tell me you were planning on going all the way to the city
or something."
Perched on a small hill, the hospital stood far from any bustling city
areas. The surroundings were adorned with lush forests and valleys,
and a slender prefectural road wound its way towards the nearby
town. Which made sense - it aligned with the hospital's concept that
Sarina had learned from the nurse: 'to provide the best medical care
surrounded by the tranquil nature of Takachiho.'
Certainly, the tranquillity and fresh air made it an excellent
environment for healing. However, when it came to accessing the city,
the situation was less than ideal. People had to depend on cars even
for quick shopping trips. For wheelchair users like Sarina, it was
beyond inconvenient. It almost felt like being trapped in a natural
prison.
Gorou continued with an exasperated expression.
"You weren't planning to go down the prefectural road in that
wheelchair, were you? It would take hours just to get to Takachiho
Station. That would be absurd."
"Oh, no, it wasn’t the station I was heading for.."
"Then where were you planning to go?"
"Well... to Tokyo."
Upon hearing this, Gorou's eyes widened.
"Huh? Tokyo... No way, that's just ridiculous."
His mouth agape, Gorou wore a stunned expression. Despite his
initially aloof demeanour, it seemed he could be unexpectedly
emotionally expressive.
In response, Sarina tilted her head with a small "teehee."
※
"...So that’s it?"
Back in room 201 of the hospital ward, which belonged to Sarina,
Gorou stood wearing a stern expression.
Sarina's escape plan, unfortunately, hadn't succeeded. Gorou had
firmly gripped the wheelchair handles and forcefully brought her
back to the hospital room. Now, she was sitting on her familiar bed,
undergoing a thorough interrogation by him.
"You're telling me you were trying to get to Tokyo for an idol concert
or something?"
"Yeah, that was the plan," Sarina replied proudly. "I could catch a bus
to the airport if I could get to Takachiho Station. Then, I could just hop
on a plane and zoom over to Tokyo!"
"And how would you plan on zooming?!" said Gorou, seemingly
astonished. "Heading to Tokyo in a wheelchair is no walk in the park,
and doing it solo... It's excessively reckless."
"Is it really? Well, you wouldn't know unless you try."
"Excuse me! You're a patient, and this is a life-threatening situation. Is
it really worth jeopardising your life just to see those idols, A-Komachi
or whatever?"
"No, it's not A-Komachi, it's B-Komachi! How many times do I have to
say it?"
Even as Sarina raised her voice, Gorou simply brushed it off with a
nonchalant, "Yeah, yeah."
This had been the undertone of their entire conversation. No matter
how passionately Sarina expressed her desire to go to Tokyo, Gorou
just didn't get it. Sarina couldn't help but pout.
"They're debuting a brand-new song at their concert tomorrow. I just
had to see it in person!"
"If that's the case, you could have just gotten permission for a
temporary leave from the attending physician. Then, contact your
parents to pick you up. There are plenty of ways to handle it."
"I've already tried that. If it were easy to get permission to leave, I
wouldn't have even thought about sneaking out."
"That means you must rest. Just listen to what the doctor says."
"No way! I really wanted to go! It's a live concert!"
"Give me a break…" Gorou shrugged, wearing a half-astonished
expression. "Maybe I just don't get it, but if you want to see idols, why
not just watch them on TV or something? This B-Komachi... Aren't they
on music shows or something?"
"If they were, I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble."
Sarina sighed. He might not be familiar with the circumstances in the
idol industry. It might be necessary to thoroughly explain it to him.
"Sensei, B-Komachi are underground idols."
"Underground idols?"
"They don't really show up in the media; they mainly focus on live
concerts."
As Sarina explained, Gorou nodded, "Hmm", without much interest.
"So, in short, they're unpopular idols."
"It's not that they're unpopular; it's that they're going to be popular in
the future!"
"So, they're not popular right now."
"Ugh, keep saying that, and all the B-Komachi fans worldwide will get
mad at you!"
In the cutthroat underground idol scene, B-Komachi was slowly but
surely making a name for themselves. While their performances were
currently limited to live houses around Tokyo, Sarina had a gut feeling
they'd soon be recognized nationwide.
"Hey, you gotta understand, B-Komachi's magic is all about that
freshness! Every member's in middle school, and when they sing and
dance, you can just feel the energy bursting out! They're so full of
potential, always getting better with every single song they drop! It's
like you're watching them grow right before your eyes! Every time
they release a new track, the excitement just keeps mounting, and
their live shows just get me like 'Wooooo!', right in the feels!"
Despite her impassioned speech, Gorou remained entirely unmoved.
His only response was a half-hearted 'hmm,' indicating he wasn't
paying much attention.
A life without B-Komachi hardly seemed worth living. As such, Sarina
was compelled to continue enlightening him.
"The centre, Ai, is like, seriously amazing! She's a pro at singing and
dancing, and her smile always sparkles. I've never seen such a cute
girl before! Honestly, she's so mature for her age... Even compared to
the other members who used to be models, she stands out, or better
yet, she's already a top-tier super cute girl! Ai is totally a future
superstar! Seriously! I can say that with absolute confidence!"
Sarina picked up aDVD case from the side table. It contained the debut
live concert of B-Komachi.
"Hey, Sensei, look here! The girl in the centre here is Ai! Isn't she the
cutest!?"
In the centre of the DVD cover was a girl wearing a crimson idol
costume. Her flowing black hair and sparkling gemstone eyes framed
a confident smile that outshone the sun. Among all the other members
of B-Komachi, there was no denying her overwhelming cuteness. Of all
the girls Sarina had seen so far, she could confidently say that B-
Komachi's Ai was number one.
"Hmm… Ai, huh."
Gorou's response was less than enthusiastic. He gave the DVD jacket a
quick glance, an indifferent expression on his face.
"I guess she's pretty cute."
It felt like a forced reply, and Sarina was instantly irritated.
"'You guess'? What do you mean, 'you guess'?"
"She seems a bit stiff, doesn'tshe? Like there's more to her than meets
the eye. It's almost as if she's putting on a front of being the perfect
idol to protect herself... or something like that."
Gorou's casual observation caught Sarina off guard. It mirrored a
vague feeling she'd also felt whenever she saw Ai. Gorou's insight,
evident with just a glance, seemed more impressive than she had
initially given him credit for.
"Well, I think being an idol can be tough in all kinds of ways. I’m sure
Ai has her own struggles too."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, that's how it is. Ai-chan’s amazing exactly because she never
lets her smile fade away, no matter what."
Sarina poured her heart into emphasising Ai's charm, but Gorou
appeared oblivious to her enthusiasm. No matter how passionately
she spoke, he met her fervour with a nonchalant "Hmm," seemingly
dismissing her words. She had a feeling he was seeing this all as mere
child's play, and it didn't sit well with her.
Gorou continued, "I mean, seriously, the faces of idols are probably
processed with CG anyway. Who knows if they're actually cute, right?"
That was almost blasphemy. Sarina exclaimed, "They wouldn't dare!
Ai's cuteness is completely pure and natural! She's like a goddess sent
down to us from above! No editing required!"
"That’s some confidence. But, Sarina-chan, have you actually seen this
girl in person?"
His words struck a nerve. Sarina was forced to lower her voice.
"Well, no... I mean, I haven't seen her properly."
After all, due to her illness, Sarina's outings were severely limited.
She'd had the chance to see B-Komachi only once, towards the end of
June, when her health was somewhat better.
Unfortunately, her condition took a nosedive during the trip. Despite
managing to make it to the venue, her deteriorating health kept her
from actually attending the concert. The doctors had to escort her back
to the hospital for care. She'd only been able to try her luck at the
merchandise gacha once that day. In the end, she'd been unable to
fulfil her dream of witnessing Ai's live performance. Even now, it was
a bitter memory.
"Even if I haven't seen her in person, I can tell you Ai-chan's cuteness
is out of this world. Sensei, if you watch the video, I'm sure you'll be
blown away."
"I doubt it…"
Gorou sternly raised his glasses, fixing his gaze on the DVD case in
Sarina's hand.
"Anyway, I don't really get the appeal of idols. I mean, what's so
enjoyable about watching young girls singing and dancing?"
"What? You really can't understand?"
"Idols are basically just chirpy young girls singing chirpy songs, right?
If I had to invest time and money in entertainment, I'd rather read a
novel."
Hearing his perspective on idols had Sarina holding her head and
sighing. "Geez. That's terrible, Sensei. Absolutely terrible."
"Terrible? What's terrible?"
"Your sense of taste has completely withered away."
When Sarina told him, Gorou tilted his head and said, "Huh?" It
seemed like he hadn’t quite caught on. It was up to her to fill him in.
"I saw this funny video feature on TV once. Nowadays, even dogs are
dancing to idol songs. So, if that's the case, Sensei's taste is worse than
a dog's."
Her blunt remark clearly hit home. His eyes behind the glasses
narrowed, showing irritation.
"Who's worse than a dog? ... I mean, I find people obsessing over idols
even weirder."
"Weirder?!"
"Idols are performers who heavily rely on visuals, for better or worse.
The songs they sing often lack artistic value, especially in recent years.
It's all about making money by catering to fans through events and
such. It's almost a disrespect to musical culture."
"Oh, look at you being all high and mighty. As if you even know
anything about idol songs."
Her provocation got a sour expression out of him, suggesting that
she’d hit the nail on the head.
"Well... I haven't really listened to them. Frankly, it never really
crossed my mind to give it a try."
She began to piece together her understanding of the resident,
Amamiya Gorou.
As Sarina saw it, he seemed somewhat narrow-minded, confined to a
limited view of the world. A typical trait among intellectuals,
especially doctors, who staunchly believe in their own prowess and
tend to disregard anything beyond their expertise. The most efficient
way to broaden their perspective was to expose them to the world
firsthand.
"Alright, I got it."
Sarina handed the DVD case to Gorou.
"Here, I'll lend you this DVD, so watch it."
"Huh? Even if you say that... Honestly, it's a bit of a bother—"
Sarina pushed Gorou, who was hesitant. "Come on, give it a try. If you
watch it, I won't spill the beans to the director about you slacking off
earlier."
Gorou's face twitched as soon as the director was mentioned.
"Sarina-chan, you're quite cunning."
"Don't worry, it's a really great song. It'll definitely touch you."
Gorou looked down at the DVD case, saying, "There's no way that's
true."
He gazed at the idol's million-dollar smile with an indifferent
expression, a face that seemed unable to comprehend her greatness.
Sarina couldn't help but wonder how someone with such a closed
mind would react to Ai's song.
"And hey, if, by some chance, Sensei's heart doesn't budge even a
millimetre after listening to Ai-chan's song, I'll bow deeply and
apologise to you."
"In that case, that bowing is a sure thing." Gorou reluctantly placed the
DVD case inside the pocket of his white coat.
Sarina mentally cheered, "Yes!" as she sensed the first flicker of
enlightenment taking root within Gorou. Now, all that remained was
to await his reaction.
Though today's escape plan had failed, she'd stumbled into a new
source of enjoyment instead. Sarina couldn't help but wonder how he
would react after hearing Ai's song. If he ended up becoming a B-
Komachi fan thanks to Ai's influence, it would certainly work to her
advantage. If she wanted to try leaving the hospital again in the
future, his help would be invaluable.
Engaging in idol-stanning activities while confined to the hospital
presented numerous challenges. Sarina had always yearned for a like-
minded companion in her pursuits. If she could sway Sensei to her
side, it'd definitely help her along. A newfound excitement coursed
through Sarina and filled up her heart.
※
Following their talk, Gorou returned to her hospital room much
sooner than Sarina had anticipated. Through the window, towering
thunderheads blotted the sky while the cicadas persisted with their
chorus. It was evening, a week after she'd lent him the DVD.
"... Their singing skills seem amateurish, and to be honest, I didn't feel
any depth in the song."Gorou sat arrogantly on the chair next to the
bed, continuing his pompous critique with a self-important look on his
face. "'We are your idols, the sign is B' – what does that even mean? It's
completely incomprehensible, not conveying any clear message to the
listener. In the end, idol songs seem to be just about what I expected."
If he went and posted a comment like that online, chances were good
he'd be met with a flood of backlash. Not only would B-Komachi fans
be riled up, but the entire idol fandom might set their sights on him
too.
But Sarina didn't mind listening to him. For as prideful and incessant
as his impressions were, his expressive face told a different story.
"But, you know, I did feel a bit odd."
"A bit odd?"
Sarina tilted her head, and Gorou followed suit by doing the same.
"I've never experienced anything like this before, so it's difficult to put
into words... I wonder what it's called... When I see the smile of that
lead vocalist, it's like I'm shaken to my core. It's that kind of feeling."
"Ah, I see. I get it," Sarina nodded vigorously. "Ai's smile has a certain
power, you know. Once you see it, you can't forget it."
"Power?"
"Yeah, I think there's this magical charm in those sparkling eyes.
Despite what you say, you've totally fallen for it."
Gorou furrowed his brow and crossed his arms, a thoughtful
expression playing across his face.
"I wouldn't sayI've fallen... I might have felt a strange fascination with
that video."
"In other words, you fell for it."
"Wait a moment, Sarina-chan. That conclusion might be a bit
premature."
His retort was paired with a curious expression. It definitely seemed
like he'd developed some interest in B-Komachi, which was all good in
Sarina's eyes.
With a dismissive "Well, whatever," he adjusted his glasses. "I suppose
more investigation is needed. Watching a couple of videos isn't enough
for meaningful analysis. I should delve deeper into the research."
"So, you mean you want to listen to more of B-Komachi's songs?"
"Simply put, yes."
"Well, why didn't you just say so in the first place?"
She couldn't keep herself from giggling a little. This doctor was kind of
funny.
She reached into the side table drawer and pulled out four more of B-
Komachi's concert DVDs that she'd bought online. "Here you go,
Sensei. Enjoy them."
Gorou accepted the DVDs, saying, "Don't get me wrong. I'm not
watching it just for enjoyment. I'm listening to assess how the concerts
of this idol, Ai, might impact the human mind. Perhaps there could be
applications in medical practices or something..."
It was odd to see him coming up with justifications to keep listening
given how hard he'd come down on idol songs just moments before.
Maybe he was embarrassed to be changing his mind so easily. The
troublesome type, it seemed.
"Oh, by the way," Sarina added, "Since you're at it, take Ai's talk
highlights too."
"Talk highlights?"
"Yeah, I cut out the interesting talk scenes from her official net radio.
It's all compiled on a USB, about two hours in total."
Sarina opened the drawer again and retrieved a USB drive. It was a
meticulously crafted treasure, the fruit of her time and effort.
When she handed it to Gorou, he furrowed his brow and exclaimed,
"Seriously? Two hours is quite a lot. It's like a whole movie... Did you
edit this yourself, Sarina-chan?"
"Exactly. It's so much fun that time flies when you listen."
"Is that so? I can't imagine finding it interesting to listen to an idol just
talking for two hours, especially when it's not on stage."
As expected, Gorou remained critical.
Sarina playfully wagged her index finger at him.
"You just don't get it, Sensei… Talk shows are like the second stage for
idols. In casual conversations, especially, that's where you can find Ai's
cuteness in its purest form."
"Hmm... Well, if I find the time, I'll give it a listen."
With that, Gorou tucked the USB stick into the pocket of his lab coat.
Though subtle, it seemed like his resistance to Sarina's
recommendations was beginning to wane.
Alright, that should do it. With Gorou slowly being drawn in by the
concert footage alone, completing the course with Ai's talk highlights
might just seal the deal.
"Fufufu..." Sarina couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Her plan to
increase Ai's followers was going surprisingly smoothly.
"Feel free to drop by again, Sensei."
※
"―Ai is one heck of a character, isn't she?"
That was the declaration Gorou made upon entering Sarina's hospital
room, his expression severe. It had been just three days since his last
visit. With a plastic bag containing bread and milk in hand, he casually
took a seat by the bedside. It looked like he was planning on having
lunch there.
"On the trip to sample the new orange sweets, she stunned everyone.
With a dead straight face, she went, 'Oh, this tastes like oranges!' That's
a whole other level of airheadedness."
"She confused the inn’s garden pond for a hot spring during a hot
springs show, and she dashed to the roadside yelling, 'There's a black
cat over there!', only to discover it was just a black garbage bag. And
she did it twice... Every episode is comically absurd. It makes you
question her ability to lead a normal life. It's quite concerning."
By the sound of things, Gorou had not only listened to the DVD, but he
had gone through the compilation of Ai’s radio talk show on the USB as
well. Surprisingly, he seemed to be quite conscientious about these
things.
Munching on his bread, Gorou continued matter-of-factly, "What's
truly unsettling is how Ai is fully aware of her airheadedness but
cleverly turns it into a weapon. She never interrupts or shuts down
other members' remarks.  Instead, she seamlessly follows the
conversation, adding quirky remarks at just the right intervals. Dare I
say it, I get the impression that while the things Ai says make it seem
like she can't read the room, she has a perceptive awareness of
everything happening around her."
"Right, Sensei? I've been feeling the same way! She's always been
hilarious, but this summer? She's taken it to a whole new level."
As Sarina nodded approvingly, Gorou readjusted his glasses with a
satisfied, “Yeah”,
He continued, "I don't think Ai calculates these things consciously. She
instinctively grasps the flow of conversation and responds naturally. It
feels like an innate talent."
Gorou openly praised Ai. Strangely, Sarina felt as though she herself
were receiving the accolades, and it brought her immense joy.
"I'm not well-versed in the idol industry, but I highly doubt there's
another twelve-year-old out there who can pull off such feats."
"Yeah, Ai's a genius. Nice to see you're finally on the same page,
Sensei."
"Well, whether I become a fan or not is a different matter, but one
thing's for sure – that girl is special."
He'd acknowledged Ai was unique. For Sarina, that alone was more
than enough for now.
"So in other words, that means you enjoyed both the DVD and the talk
compilation, right?"
"Well... I suppose. It turned out to be a good way to kill time."
He averted his gaze a little sheepishly. Despite his pompous words, the
atmosphere suggested he was more satisfied than expected. Sarina
struggled to suppress a smile.
"You're pretty fun, Sensei."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Never mind."
Thinking about it, Sarina realised that she had never before spent such
a long time discussing a single topic with someone. Visitors were rare
in her hospital room, and to the doctors and nurses, she was just
another patient. It wasn't an environment where she could freely
discuss her hobbies. Yet, Gorou proved to be an exception. He
genuinely engaged in conversation with Sarina and thoroughly
watched the B-Komachi media she provided him.
This realisation stirred within Sarina— this person was genuinely
kind.
As Sarina stared up at his face, Gorou tilted his head, "Hmm? What's
up, Sarina-chan? Even if you give me that look, I won't become a B-
Komachi fan so easily."
"Well, let's see. I wonder how long you can keep saying that. Ehehe."
Sarina flashed him a mischievous grin.
There was something oddly satisfying about introducing her favourite
idol to Sensei. Once burdened by illness, she was surprised to realise
how much lighter her body suddenly felt.
Looking back, it must have been around this time when Sarina started
to feel that Gorou was more special to her than anyone else.
※
Since then, Gorou made frequent visits to Sarina's room. During these
visits, they would chat about the CD borrowed from Sarina on some
days, while on others, he'd play B-Komachi's live concert DVD and
share his unique insights on Ai's dancing.
"Sarina-chan, you're right. Meimei is technically superior in dance.
However, I feel there's something beyond mere skill in Ai's dancing."
"Oh, you think so too!?" Sarina smiled at Gorou sitting beside her as
they watched the DVD. Through their conversations, she'd begun to
realise something. This doctor might have seemed overly rational and
bothersome at times, but he indeed offered a unique perspective. He
saw more of Ai's merits than what Sarina had initially expected.
"Oh, right, this part. It's this turn."
Gorou pressed the button on the remote, halting the DVD. On the TV
screen, Ai, with an outstretched hand, froze in time, wearing a radiant
smile.
'Ai looks picturesque even when she's still,'Sarina thought. The idea of
transforming her into a statue,with a name like "Dynamic Angel,"
struck her as an artistic notion. Meanwhile, Gorou remained fixated
on Ai's frozen image, his gaze intense.
"Look at this. From her core to her fingertips, there's a solid
consistency."
"Hmm, I see."
"She's got a keen grasp of what she needs to express. For her, singing
and dancing might be more of a cohesive performance."
"I see, a performance…"
Gorou had a unique way of observing things, which often caught
Sarina off guard.
Whenever she watched Ai dancing, Sarina couldn't help but get caught
up in the emotions of it. Seeing her dance to a song about first love
made Sarina's heart flutter, while a farewell melody brought profound
sadness. It was just like the rollercoaster of emotions she experienced
while watching the best TV dramas.
"Yeah, Ai is likely exceptionally skilled at acting. By taking on roles that
suit the situation, she can adapt to any scenario. Her talent in that
aspect is pretty intimidating, even more so than her looks."
Gorou spoke about Ai so passionately. Just listening made Sarina
happy.
"I've said it before," he added, "but it's like wearing a mask as an idol,
right? During the debut single, there was a hint of stiffness in her
smiles, but as time went on, that unease seems to have vanished
completely. Recently, it seems like she's completely mastered her
mask."
"Yeah, yeah. Ai-chan's so expressive. Even in the MV, she effortlessly
switches between smiling, crying, getting angry..."
Ai was a master of deception. There had to be numerous challenges
she faced behind the scenes, hidden from the fans, yet she never
revealed them in front of the camera. That's what made her
incredible. Secretly, Sarina wished to be the same way.
She just wanted to keep smiling forever, no matter what challenges
came her way. Learning how to express herself like Ai had become her
goal, so that she wouldn't burden her loved ones.
"Ah." As she mulled over those thoughts, something occurred to her. "If
that's the case, I'm curious, could Ai handle not just being an idol but
also trying her luck in acting or something?"
"Acting, huh? Yeah, that could definitely work," Gorou crossed his
arms as if pondering. "Considering the potential she has at just twelve,
she might even aim for the Academy Awards."
"Amazing! That's our Ai!" Sarina unintentionally exclaimed, clapping
her hands. "But, you know, as someone who's been a fan since her
debut, I also want her to thrive as a B-Komachi member... It's a bit of a
dilemma."
"Considering her, she could handle both acting and being an idol. She
appears to have that potential." Gorou nodded significantly, saying,
"Hmm." It was evident from his expression that he wanted to keep an
eye on Ai-chan's growth. Sarina was thrilled to know that Gorou felt
the same way she did.
"Heh, despite what you say, Sensei, you seem completely captivated by
Ai."
Gorou shook his head with a somewhat embarrassed look, saying, "No,
it's not like that. I'm just keeping a neutral stance, sharing an objective
viewpoint. Idols and all that stuff don't really interest me to begin
with."
"Not interested, huh… and?"
"And nothing. I really don't have any interest."
"Oh, got it. Well, I suppose there's not much I can do. So, it looks like B-
Komachi will be dropping a new track next month. But does it really
matter?"
"Huh? Seriously?" Gorou widened his eyes in surprise behind his
glasses.
His reactions were so easy to read. Sarina thought they were like
textbook tsundere behaviours. Playing with Sensei was genuinely
enjoyable for her. At that moment, Sarina cherished the times he came
to visit her in the hospital room more than anything else.
※
"From the day we first met,
 ♪ I've been curious about you ♪
Your shy smile
 ♪ and the fluttering feeling in my chest
 ♪ just won't stop ♪ ♪ ♪"
With a clenched fist, Gorou passionately belted out the lyrics. His song
of choice was the b-side track from B-Komachi's second single, 'First
Love☆Memory'. His white coat collar was soaked with sweat, a
testament to the effort he was exerting.
Today, Sarina's hospital room had been transformed into an
impromptu concert venue. The background music came from a mobile
phone resting beside the pillow, while a disinfectant bottle served as
his microphone. With the bed light adorned with coloured film, the
room exuded a psychedelic atmosphere.
"I don't even know what's happening
 ♪ but my heart is beating ♪
Longer than usual
 ♪ look into the mirror
 ♪ polish yourself
 ♪ and go to meet… ♪ ♪ ♪"
Brimming with energy, Gorou threw himself into dancing to the music
video, mirroring Ai's moves. His hands waved, his hips swayed, and he
even twirled his white coat with a spin. The hours spent watching and
studying DVDs together each day clearly bore fruit, evident in the
impeccable timing of his dance.
"Hahaha!" Sarina couldn't contain her laughter, impressed by the
precision of his moves.
"The miracle of first love
 ♪ uncontrollable feelings are overflowing now—"
As Gorou passionately began to sing the chorus, the hospital room
door was forcefully opened. "―Hey! Keep it down there!"
"Oh!" Sarina quickly shut her mouth.
Gorou seemed utterly taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He
stood frozen like a statue, still pointing at the ceiling with his right
hand.
"I can hear singing echoing down the corridor! Do you two not
understand that this is a hospital room, not a karaoke joint?!"
The one who barged into the room, shouting, was Sarina's attending
physician, Toudou. A man of around fifty, his wholly receded hairline
and prominent veins on his forehead emphasised his stern, by-the-
book attitude. From the start, Sarina had never felt comfortable
around him due to his earnest and rigid nature.
However, they might have crossed a line this time; performing a live
act in a hospital room could be viewed as a breach of etiquette.
"Um, sorry about that."
Complying with a bow, Sarina absorbed Toudou-sensei's sigh of
annoyance, accompanied by a terse, "Be careful."  The reprimand was
surprisingly lenient, implying that Gorou, rather than Sarina, bore the
primary weight of Toudou's frustration. Toudou punctuated his
displeasure with a stern look at Gorou.
"Geez, Amamiya… The director's been complaining about you dodging
clinical training, and now I catch you creating a commotion with the
patients. What are you thinking? Are you just fooling around?"
"Hahaha, there's absolutely no fooling around here. I am dead
serious." Gorou stood his ground in front of Toudou, still holding the
disinfectant bottle like a makeshift microphone, and not a hint of
remorse in sight. "Sensei, I am currently conducting a kind of clinical
trial with Sarina-chan."
"A clinical trial?"
"I'm looking into the medical effects of idol songs. You're familiar with
the stress-relieving power of beautiful music, aren't you? So, my
theory is that not just listening but also singing and dancing to these
songs could enhance those effects. Consider how serotonin released
through singing contributes to both mental and physical well-being.
It's scientifically established. And when you sing songs by an idol
you're passionate about, wouldn't the effects be intensified? I call it the
'Health Theory of Stanning,' for lack of a better term."
"Are you kidding me?"
"No, I'm not joking. I truly believe that supporting someone else brings
happiness—that's my theory. After I document this experiment in an
article, I'll present it at a conference." Gorou earnestly declared to
Toudou.
Watching him, Sarina found it hard not to burst into laughter. Sensei
sure had a talent for cooking up elaborate excuses. He'd praised Ai as a
"genius at acting" once, but it seemed like he was pretty good at it too.
"Isn't that right, Sarina-chan?” Gorou shifted his gaze towards Sarina.
For now, it seemed best to go along with the conversation. Sarina
nodded in agreement and responded, "Exactly. It's all part of the
'clinical trial'. Sensei wasn't doing anything wrong."
"Not doing anything wrong?Come on…" Toudou visibly frowned. His
glare at Gorou seemed to scream, "What on earth are you letting this
kid say?"
Feeling it was unfair for Gorou to shoulder all the blame, Sarina
persisted in defending him. "It's fine. I haven't laughed this much in a
while. I think the experiment is a great success."
Toudou started to object with a "That's not the point…," but he fell into
silence, perhaps utterly exasperated by Sarina and Gorou's
collaboration. Eventually, he sighed and conceded with a disgruntled
expression. "Well, whatever. I'm not endorsing Amamiya's theory, but
in reality, your recent exam results haven't been all that bad. As an
attending physician, I'd say staying in good health is a positive
outcome."
"Yeah, I feel pretty good too." Sarina responded with an emphatic nod.
Toudou sighed, muttering "Good grief," as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Just try not to disturb other patients."
"Okay," Sarina and Gorou responded in unison with cheerful voices.
The attending physician let out a deep sigh, turned on his heel, and
exited Sarina's hospital room without another word. His strides were
huge as he made his way down the corridor. Once the sound of his
footsteps had faded, Sarina and Gorou exchanged glances.
"Haha, we really got scolded, didn't we?"
"Yeah." Gorou chuckled too, his expression relaxing. Sarina looked up
at him, and they shared a laugh together. It felt as if they had been
partners in mischief, like siblings, and now they were being scolded by
their parents. Sarina couldn't help but wonder if having a big brother
would feel the same.
"It's because you were singing so loud."
"Sarina-chan, if you're going to point that out, your pitch was all over
the place. That could've been what drew too much attention."
"Huh? Was I really that bad at singing?"
"Well, in terms of good or bad, you're definitely in the bad category. To
be honest, you're quite tone deaf."
His blunt response got a pout out of her. "That's so mean. You
shouldn't talk like that to your favourite idol, you know?"
"My favourite idol?"
"Yeah, you know, you told me before, Sensei. You said if I became an
idol, you'd support me."
"Did I really?"
Although Gorou looked confused, Sarina remembered what he'd said
the other day: "When you get discharged, you should become an idol
or something. If you do, I'll be your biggest supporter."
Though there might not have been any deeper meaning to his words,
Sarina had been deeply touched. The idea of becoming an idol had
never seriously crossed her mind before, especially given her long
history of hospitalizations. For Sarina, life had revolved around living
and dying at the hospital, with little consideration for what the future
might look like after she was discharged. But now that the idea of
becoming an idol and taking to the stage herself had entered her head,
it filled her with a sense of joy and vibrancy she had never
experienced before.
Sure, she knew it was an unattainable dream. But dreaming itself was
free. Gorou had helped her realise that, and the sense of joy it filled
her with was like the exhilarating rush of first love.
Whether he genuinely forgot or chose to feign ignorance, Gorou
responded with a nonchalant "ha-ha", attempting to downplay the
situation. "Well, either way, if you're going to debut as an idol, vocal
lessons are a must."
Gorou set the bottle of disinfectant on the table and settled into the
chair beside the bed, which had become his personal spot. "And don't
forget about dance lessons. Plus, with idols making more appearances
on variety shows these days, you'll need to work on your conversation
skills too."
"Yeah, you're right. Plus, maybe practising autographs too."
"Autographs aren't that important, are they?"
"No, it's essential. What if someone suddenly asks for your autograph
on the street? Oh, there's so much to do!" As Sarina gazed at the
ceiling, she felt a deep sense of enjoyment while dreaming about a
future with Sensei. The mere thought of it gave her hope that someday,
this dream might become a reality.
"You're still young, Sarina-chan. If it's you, you can definitely do it."
Sarina smiled back at Gorou and replied, "Yeah, you're right."
Deep down, she knew she probably didn't have much of a chance
anymore. However, mentioning that would be awkward, so Sarina
continued teasingly, "Ah, and by the way, I should start thinking about
marriage with you."
"That again?" Gorou chuckled, "I did say I'd think about it once you
turn sixteen."
"It'll come sooner than you think. There's a lot to decide before
marriage, like the venue, honeymoon, how many kids you want, and
all that."
"Isn't it more important to get your parents' approval first?"
Gorou's words rang true. In respectable households, parental consent
for marriage was typically expected. However, in Sarina's family—the
Tendouji family—it wasn't quite the case.
"I think we'll be okay. We're more on the hands-off side of things."
Gorou tilted his head, "Is that so?"
Sarina nodded, "Yeah, my parents aren't really the type to make a big
fuss over their daughter."
"Come to think of it, I’ve hardly ever seen your parents here, and they
don't seem to visit often."
"Well, yeah. My parents live in Tokyo, for one. They're tied up with
work, so they can't make it over here much."
Sarina's grandparents lived in Takachiho and took care of her in place
of her parents. But due to their age, they didn't get very many chances
to visit.
"Hmm," Gorou frowned. "That must be a bit lonely."
"It's not a big deal. It's been our family's way for ages. Plus, I get a good
amount of pocket money in return. Thanks to that, I can go crazy
buying B-Komachi goodies and CDs online."
Sarina smiled at him, but Gorou seemed somewhat unconvinced, as if
he had some thoughts about the distance between Sarina and her
family.
"Well, I guess every family has its own circumstances… Sorry for
asking weird stuff."
Gorou apologised and shifted his gaze out of the window. The outside
world was fully embracing the approaching autumn season. A crow
flapped its wings under the high autumn sky, letting out a sharp caw
that echoed in the air. Perhaps, like in a children's song, the crow, too,
was singing, expressing thoughts for its offspring.
"Sensei, you're really kind, aren't you?" Sarina reached out and gently
took hold of Gorou's hand.
"Hmm?" Gorou appeared surprised for a moment, but he didn't pull
back his hand from Sarina's grip. Instead, he held her hand tightly and
tenderly, transferring warmth to her palm. That warmth made
Sarina's cheeks soften naturally.
"I wish this moment could last forever..." she thought.
※
Miyazaki's December boasts an average temperature of about 10
degrees Celsius, which is, according to the weather forecast,
comparatively milder than other regions. Nevertheless, for Sarina, this
winter feels considerably colder than usual. Despite having heating
and a freshly laundered, fluffy comforter, her hands and feet quiver at
the slightest relaxation.
Is it possible that the cold is caused by the "most intense cold wave in
ten years", as the TV weather presenter put it? Or could it be due to the
recent deterioration of her health? Or, perhaps, because the person
who usually used to be in this room was absent that day.
"...Sensei didn't come today either."
The seat next to the bed had been unoccupied for quite some time. For
some reason, Gorou had entirely stopped showing up lately.
"I wonder what happened. He used to come every day."
She gazed vacantly through the window of her hospital room. The sun
dipped below the horizon as the clock struck past 5 PM. The sky was
tinted with a faint shade of crimson, and the stars had begun to
twinkle.
Sarina let out a deep sigh as she gazed at the starry night sky above
her. She tried to connect the shining stars, forming triangles or
squares with her eyes. Although she didn't know much about
constellations, creating random patterns was amusing. This simple
task helped her kill time.
Sarina suddenly rememberedsomething she had heard on an
educational TV program she had watched before. The distance
between stars, which appeared to be just a few centimetres apart, was
actually vast and seemingly endless. Moreover, this distance was said
to gradually widen over time. It struck her that perhaps people's
feelings could drift apart in a similar manner.
She found herself somehow lost in deep contemplation of these
thoughts. Despite Gorou's kindness, he was still a resident doctor, and
there were many things he needed to learn on his own. Sarina knew
he had a lot on his plate and couldn't always be there for her. There
would be days when he just wouldn't be able to visit her in the
hospital, and that was just the way it was. Lost in her contemplation,
she was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door of her hospital
room.
"It's dinner time."  Just as usual, the room's door creaked open, and a
nurse, a kind, old woman, gently entered the room, pushing a cart
with Sarina’s dinner. The air was perfumed with a delightful aroma of
grilled fish. Today's main dish appeared to be grilled saury.
"Thank you as always, Nurse-san."
As Sarina conveyed her gratitude, the nurse responded with a
doubtful expression.
"Hmm? Sarina-chan, you weren't in the mood for fish?"
"No, it's not like that."
"But you seem a bit down."
Maybe Sarina's face had given away her sad state of mind. The nurse
looked at her with concern etched on her face.
"Do you think so? It's really nothing."
The nurse looked perplexed as she started to prepare the meal, saying,
"Well, if that's the case."
She arranged a bedside table, placing a tray filled with dinner upon it.
The main dish was a grilled entree, complemented by a salad of
steamed cabbage and simmered taro. The menu was naturally health-
conscious, which was completely expected for hospital food.
"Oh, by the way, about Amamiya-sensei…"
"Huh?"
As the nurse suddenly mentioned a name, Sarina couldn't help but
widen her eyes in surprise.
"You know, the resident Amamiya-sensei who often visited you."
"Oh, yeah, I know. What about Sensei?"
"Well, you see, it seems he has been out of touch lately."
"Out of touch?"  Sarina was taken aback by the unsettling words. What
could have happened to him? She pressed the nurse, "What do you
mean?"
"Everyone at the nurse's station is worried, too, but it seems like he's
somehow involved in some trouble with women.”
"Trouble with women…"
 
According to the nurse, a phone call had been made to the hospital's
administration office two weeks ago. A young woman said in an
intense tone, "Put Amamiya Gorou on the phone!" Gorou was
apparently quite surprised upon receiving the call. Immediately after
that, he told the director, "I'll take some time off," and swiftly left the
hospital.
"I'm sure this is some love-related trouble. Maybe he's being targeted
by a stalker woman or something. Amamiya-sensei is quite popular in
that regard, you know."
"Is that so?"
As Sarina asked, the nurse started explaining, for some reason, with a
cheerful tone. "Yes, indeed. There were a few young girls among the
nurses who were trying to approach him. And he didn't seem
completely disinterested each time either."
"What… Really? Sensei got involved in things like that?"
Sarina couldn't believe her ears. The fact that Gorou had a hidden side
that she wasn't aware of surprised her. Sure, she knew he was an
adult with his own past and present circumstances that he might not
be able to tell her about, and she understood that logically.
Nevertheless, discovering this truth was something she honestly didn't
want to come across.
"Perhaps he got involved with various girls, and things got out of
hand... something like that."
"No way..."
Amamiya Gorou, the rumoured playboy. It was news to Sarina, but the
more she thought about it, the more it made sense. After all, with his
good looks and bright future as a successful doctor, he was
undoubtedly a highly sought-after guy. She could imagine him
charming girls with ease and having fun with them. As a result, it was
understandable that he might find himself in situations where he had
to take responsibility for his actions.
"So, did sensei run away somewhere?"
Sarina asked, and the nurse nodded.
"That might be the case. Because, you know, the woman found out his
workplace contact information, right? In that case, it wouldn't be easy
for him to continue his training like before... Maybe he's even fled
overseas until things cool down."
The nurse's expression was bland, as if she were a commentator on an
entertainment show. For her, the misfortunes of others seemed to be a
source of amusement. Though it may have been an interesting topic
for those not involved, Sarina found it anything but funny.
"Overseas... so, Sensei might not be coming back?"
"Well, it's just a rumour, you know. Hard to say." The nurse turned
around and walked away from Sarina without saying another word.
She pushed her cart with a loud clatter and added, "Well then, make
sure to eat properly," before leaving the hospital room. Sarina couldn't
help but wonder if the nurse was going to spread more gossip about
Gorou in other hospital rooms. Left alone, she let out a sigh.
"Sensei, what are you up to now..."
She glanced down at the grilled fish on the table. It had definitely been
emitting a mouth-watering aroma just a few minutes ago, but that
scent had now vanished into thin air.
※
A day passed, then two days. Still, Gorou did not show up. With his
sudden and complete disappearance, genuine concern began to creep
in. The nurse's words kept crossing her mind: "love-related trouble,"
"stalker woman," and "overseas." She couldn't stop thinking about it,
and her preoccupation was so intense that she couldn't even focus on
Ai's songs.
Sarina gazed up at the sky and let out a sigh. Her breath, visible in the
December air, dissolved and disappeared. She wished that the fog in
her heart would fade away just as quickly.
She was at the hospital's rooftop observation space that had a small
garden attached to it. Sarina, seeking a change of pace, thought it'd be
a good idea to take a breath of fresh air and decided to make the
journey in a wheelchair.
Under the gloomy clouds, the cold wind howled past. Even though
Sarina was wearing a coat, she still felt cold, and even her heart began
to tremble.
"Was it all a lie when he said he would stan me?"
When she had heard those words from Gorou, she felt a sense of
validation that she had never experienced before. As if she was just
like any other "normal" girl, entitled to have dreams. It filled her with
pure joy, causing her heart to skip a beat in excitement.
As she reflected on the past, Sarina wondered if Gorou's words were
simply a cleverly timed compliment. Perhaps he speaks that way to
girls, no matter who the other person is. He was likely just paying lip
service to capture Sarina's heart. When viewed in this light, many
things fell into place. Perhaps he was even trying to establish positive
relationships with his patients so that he would be well-respected as a
resident doctor.
"Why didn't I realise it sooner?"
Sarina let out yet another sigh. She was finding it difficult to keep
count of how many times she had done so today. If there were a
"Japanese Sighing Championship," she felt confident that she could
take home the gold medal with the sheer number of sighs she had
released.
"Stupid. Sensei, you are stupid..."
Where could Gorou be right now, and what is he doing? Maybe he
moved on to another place and was getting along with a different girl.
Well, he was just a regular guy at the end of the day. It was
understandable that he would choose to spend time with a woman
who was healthy and attractive, rather than someone like Sarina, who
was struggling with a serious illness–especially considering that
Sarina could barely move half of her body and relied on a wheelchair
to get around. Additionally, she had no hair due to the radiation
treatment. She lacked the charm of a typicalwoman.
Suddenly, an intense pain settled in her chest. It was a mixture of
sadness and frustration, and it felt like her entire world was falling
apart. In no time, tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks
from the depths of her eyes.
"Huh? Come on, why..." She thought it was too pathetic. She should
have moved on from such thoughts a long time ago.
Sarina had been battling an illness for as long as she could remember.
A life without dreams, hopes, let alone romantic love. Even her
parents seemed to have given up on her. Happiness would never come
to her life from now on. She should have realised this long ago. Yet,
after meeting Gorou and discussing Ai, she might have begun to hope
somewhere in her heart. Perhaps even she could be loved like any
normal person. "Gosh... I'm stupid. The stupidest one is me..."
Sarina discovered that having expectations could bring pain that she
could have done without. This pain, as intense as or even worse than
the illness itself, felt like a tight constriction around her chest. Her life
was already far from perfect, and this burden seemed like nothing
short of torture. Sarina suddenly looked towards the edge of the
rooftop. Beyond the 2.5-meter fence, the forest of Takachiho stretched
out peacefully under the cold and overcast sky.
An idea suddenly struck her mind–would things be simpler if she just
leaped off here? However, she couldn't even manage to climb over
that fence due to her frail body. That, too, was incredibly frustrating
and unbearable.
"What am I even living for..."
Sarina's damp face was brushed by the cold wind. She worried that if
she stayed like this, her wet cheeks and the area below her nose might
freeze. She reached into her shoulder bag to retrieve a handkerchief,
but her trembling hands made it difficult to manage.
"Ah!" As she took out her handkerchief, a small object fell out of the
pouch with a distinct crisp sound. It turned out to be her acrylic
keychain featuring a cartoon drawing of Ai along with the words 'Ai is
my star forever and ever.' She had won it as a souvenir from a gacha
machine while attempting to attend B-Komachi's live performance.
"What am I doing... seriously..."
Sarina felt helpless and directed her negative emotions towards
herself. Dropping her precious Ai-chan keychain, she realised it was
one of those days when everything seemed to go wrong. Upon a closer
look, Sarina noticed that the keychain had fallen on the right side of
her wheelchair, lying just beside the wheel. Sarina hoped it hadn't
gotten scratched. She twisted her body to reach for the keychain,
extending her hand towards the side of the wheel.
However, she couldn't reach it. Cartoon Ai was laughing just a few
centimetres away from Sarina's fingertips. It would be a lot simpler if
she could just reach out and grab it, but unfortunately, that option was
out of the question. If it were that effortless, she wouldn't be stuck in
this situation in the first place.
"Ugh, just a bit more...!"
Sarina held her breath and twisted her body to the left. She was so
close to reaching the keychain, but still three centimetres away. As she
stretched out her right hand, she felt her spine tighten. Just as her
index finger brushed against the acrylic plate, her vision suddenly
blurred. The sudden shift in her balance caused the left wheel of her
wheelchair to lift off the ground.
“Uh-oh, this is bad,” Sarina's realisation came too late. Her wheelchair
lost balance, causing her body to sway heavily to the right.
"Hyaaah…!"
Struggling to control her body, Sarina was unable to assume a
defensive position, leaving her at risk of hitting her head on the
rooftop. In anticipation of the impending pain, she shut her eyes
tightly and tensed her body as best she could, drawing on the hard-
won wisdom of a life spent in a wheelchair. It was a desperate
measure, but one that might offer her some small measure of relief
from the pain that was sure to follow.
'Please don’t hurt... ' she thought. Just a moment ago she had wanted to
die–it was rather pathetic to be this afraid of pain. But strangely, the
impact of the collision never came. Just before being thrown out of the
wheelchair, someone's hand firmly supported Sarina's body.
"...Phew, that was close, really close." At the familiar voice, Sarina
widened her eyes in surprise. "Sarina-chan, are you okay?"
The person standing in front of her was the one she had yearned to
see so badly. This person was aiding her from behind, seemingly
unaware of what was happening to her.
"...Sensei?"
"I was about to call out to you when you suddenly fell over. It scared
me."
Just as Sarina was about to express that she was the one who was
scared, Gorou did something even more surprising. He gently placed
his hand around Sarina's legs and effortlessly lifted her.
Bridal carry. This was the first time Sarina had ever been lifted by a
man in this manner.
"Well, it seems like you're not injured. What were you doing in a place
like this?"
Despite being asked, Sarina was unable to respond. Relief, confusion,
and an immense fluttering sensation all mixed together, leaving her
head in a complete state of disarray. Hence, the words she finally
managed to utter might have sounded nonsensical.
"Sensei, what about the overseas escape? And that stalker woman?"
"Huh?" Gorou tilted his head in puzzlement.
※
With Gorou's help, Sarina was escorted back to her hospital room.
Along the way, Sarina shared the gossip she had heard about Gorou
from the nurse. Upon hearing it, Gorou simply laughed it off, saying,
"What's that about? Love-related problems…? Do I really seem like I'm
playing around that much?"
"Yeah, kinda. You look like you have the capacity for two or three
relationships at once."
As Sarina responded, Gorou scratched the back of his head, muttering,
"Well, well…"
His failure to deny the accusation outright suggested that he might
have had some inkling of what was going on.
"Well, sorry for causing you worry. Honestly, I didn't think it would
take this long either. Got an earful from the director, too," Gorou
grumbled as he helped Sarina get comfortable in bed, before taking
his usual seat. It was a familiar scene that brought a sense of relief to
Sarina.
"So, Sensei, what were you up to after all?"
"I went to Tokyo for a bit."
"To Tokyo? Why? Not for work… I assume?"
"Actually, to get this."
Gorou reached into the white coat and pulled out two small sheets of
paper. The tickets displayed an adorable pattern, alongside the words
'B-Komachi Solo Live concert in Miyazaki.'
"Eh!? Eeeeeh!? Sensei, is this…!?"
"When I heard that B-Komachi is coming to Miyazaki soon, I went to
secure tickets. I was hoping to take you to their live performance."
Sarina couldn't believe her eyes. They widened significantly, and her
heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat. This was the most
surprised she had ever been in her twelve years of life. Gorou tilted
his head, saying,
"Huh? Your reaction... Could it be that you didn't know about B-
Komachi coming to Miyazaki?"
"No, I knew! I totally knew! I saw it on the internet!"
B-Komachi's popularity had skyrocketed, resulting in a nationwide
tour of ten cities, including Miyazaki. When Sarina discovered this
online, she was thrilled. However, it also brought along a sense of
sadness. Despite being a long-time fan of B-Komachi, she couldn't
attend the concerts due to her illness. Even though Ai-chan and the
others were nearby, the frustrating reality was that she couldn't go to
see them, leaving her with mixed emotions.
Nonetheless, Gorou casually handed her tickets to the concert, leaving
her mind struggling to catch up with the situation.
"Are these for me...? Why?"
"Well, it's almost Christmas. So, I thought of it as a present."
Upon hearing this, Sarina opened her cell phone on the bedside table.
The date on the display read December 20th. Now that he had
mentioned it, she realised that Christmas was just around the corner.
She didn't pay much attentionto such things in her hospital life, so it
had slipped her mind entirely.
"A Christmas present for me..."
Sarina had never received a Christmas present from anyone in her
life, not even from her parents. Therefore, receiving any gift was
enough to make her happy. However, when she discovered that the
gift was a ticket to B-Komachi's live performance, she felt like she was
on cloud nine. Sarina couldn't find the right words to express this joy.
Before she realised it, large tears were streaming down her eyes.
"U-ugh, uuuugh, uuuuuugh...!"
"Wha… W-wait, Sarina-chan." Gorou's expression turned to surprise.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not... okay... sniff, it's your fault, Sensei...!"
Gorou quickly grabbed some tissues from the table, and handed them
over to Sarina, who blew her nose with a loud, embarrassing sound.
But at this point, she didn't really care. The mere act of crying in front
of someone was already embarrassing enough.
"To receive such an amazing gift...! Oh... It's too amazing! It's so
amazing that I can't think of any other words besides 'amazing'...!"
"Seems like you've charmingly lost your vocabulary."
Gorou smiled warmly at Sarina and gently relaxed his lips. "Well, if it
makes you this happy, I guess it was worth going all the way there."
"By the way, Sensei, you went all the way to Tokyo... What's the story?
Couldn't you do it with an online reservation?"
"I could have bought regular tickets online, but I thought, why not go
all out…"
Gorou explained, shifting his gaze to the tickets in his hand. Upon
closer inspection, the tickets were labelled 'S rank Seat - Premium/Ai'.
Sarina once again doubted her eyes.
"Wh-what is this!?"
"Limited tickets for the front row. It seems you can also participate in a
special session after the live show. You can have a conversation with
the members listed there in the individual booths."
"Really!? I can chat with Ai!? That's amazing!"
Watching Sarina's eyes light up, Gorou continued somewhat proudly.
"These limited tickets were distributed through a lottery at the Tokyo
event venue. And there were only ten tickets given out each day. It was
quite a struggle to get them."
B-Komachi's popularity had reached the top, even among
underground idols. Gorou disclosed that to secure these exclusive
tickets, hundreds of fans had to queue up daily to participate in the
lottery. Gorou himself had also waited in that line until he finally got
lucky with his lottery.
"I had to keep participating in the lottery until I got the Premium ticket
for Ai and at the Miyazaki venue. It took more time than money."
After hearing the story, Sarina finally grasped the situation. Gorou
disappeared from the hospital to obtain these limited tickets.
"Amazing, it's too amazing! Sensei, you did a great job getting these!"
"It's a limited ticket that they didn’t make publicly, so fortunately, not
much information had circulated on the internet. If I hadn't heard
about it from a fan in Tokyo, I would not have been able to get it.”
"A fan from Tokyo... Could it be that woman who called the hospital
with a menacing tone?"
"Exactly," Gorou nodded. "We originally met on a B-Komachi fan
forum, but she's a really kind girl. She contacted me at work just to
pass on information to me as quickly as possible. Because, you know,
we can't freely use our phones in the hospital."
“I see,” it clicked in Sarina's mind. The person on the phone, who she
thought was a problematic stalker, turned out to be a helpful B-
Komachi fan. In her thoughts, she expressed remorse for her
suspicion.
"Anyway, thanks to her, I managed to get the tickets successfully,"
Gorou said, waving the tickets in his hand. Tickets for the front row
with a premium were rare and highly coveted items among all B-
Komachi fans. The mere pieces of paper seemed to emit a dazzling
light to Sarina. Attending B-Komachi's live performance and even
talking to Ai felt like a dream come true.
Sarina swallowed nervously and asked Gorou. "But, um, is it really
okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you see, I've hardly ever been granted permission to go out
before. And now, despite you putting in the effort to get tickets for me
if I can't actually go to the live performance—"
"It's okay," Gorou interrupted Sarina's anxious words, "I've already
obtained permission from both your attending physician and the
hospital director. You're allowed to go out on the day of the live
performance."
"Eh, really!?"
"Absolutely, for real. I've got the permit for going out all prepared."
Gorou calmly nodded, displaying no indication of insincerity or
humour.
"I can go...! I can meet Ai in person...!"
Her body was tingling with excitement, and she felt goosebumps rising
all over her skin. A torrent of emotions flooded her mind, ranging
from sadness to joy to surprise, making her feel as though her head
was about to burst.
"Woah! It's amazing! Woah! Woah!"
Sarina kept on exclaiming, showing no concern about the potential for
Gorou to scold her.
"Hey, Sarina-chan, you're getting too excited. You might get scolded by
the doctor again."
Despite Gorou's warning, Sarina had no intention of holding back.
Letting her emotions take over, she continued to shout, "Yay! Yay!" If
her legs were free to move, she would be running around the entire
hospital by now.
"Wow, but seriously, Sensei, it's incredible. I've never been allowed to
go out, no matter how much I requested before... What kind of shady
negotiations did you go through?"
"Shady? That's a bit harsh," Gorou frowned. "I just asked normally. I
said I wanted to take Sarina-chan to a live idol performance."
"What? Just that? And they approved it?"
"Well, it might be my good reputation."
Observing Gorou's smug expression, Sarina couldn't help but think,
"That can't be it." After all, there were even rumours going around that
Gorou had fled overseas due to love-related troubles. So, it wasn't
about his good reputation at all. However, Sarina chose not to mention
it.
Right now, meeting Ai-chan with Gorou is a million times more joyful
than dwelling on such matters. The suffering from illness, the
disappointment of her parents not visiting – all of those concerns were
completely blown away from Sarina's mind.
She felt a bit embarrassed about it, but she quickly retracted what she
had said earlier. Sarina felt happier than anyone else, and she knew
she was loved more than anyone. At that moment, she genuinely felt it
from the bottom of her heart.
"Really, it's even more exciting than if my birthday happened a
hundred times. All thanks to Sensei falling head over heels for B-
Komachi."
"No, I keep saying, it's not like that. I'm just neutral towards idols."
"You're still saying that? Going all the way to Tokyo to get limited
edition tickets, you're totally addicted to B-Komachi, aren't you?"
"That's not it. This time, it's for Sarina-chan."
Gorou slightly pouted and Sarina found it cute how he wasn't honest.
At first, she had intended to use him solely for her idol stanning, but
now, her feelings had evolved beyond that. Right now, she just wanted
to enjoy supporting Ai-chan together with Gorou. This was enough to
bring immense happiness to Sarina's life.
Upon examining the ticket, she noticed that the date was set for May
23rd. Even though the event was still about half a year away, it would
be a delightful and balmy season. The prospect of meeting Ai-chan,
her favourite idol, with her beloved Sensei was something that would
be etched in her memory for a long time.
Gorou gently smiled. "Since there's still time until spring, make sure to
take care of your health."
"Yeah, because I finally can meet Ai-chan. Just thinking about it makes
me feel healthier. I could even get discharged by spring.”
"That would be nice."
Sarina couldn't help but wonder how Gorou would react upon meeting
Ai-chan in person. She imagined that even his typically aloof and
neutral demeanour might crumble in the presence of Ai's goddess-like
beauty. Struggling to suppress the laughter that welled