Chapter 1 - Part 8
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Unusually, Chiaki wasn't playing any games.
Um, how are you Chiaki?
....
...Good.
O-Okay....
You want to hang out?
I guess we could play some games together. You know how to play the games here, right?
Hmmm....
Yep, that's definitely a rare item. I'll keep this in my stash for sure.
Your present received a Great rating.
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H...Hello? You there!?
...Ah, sorry. I was thinking.
Actually, you were falling asleep!
Um... what were you thinking about?
Hm... Well, have you ever experienced that thing where you become aware of your own breathing?
Is... is that supposed to be her answer?
You really start forcing your breathing. But I guess that’s okay. Sometimes I forget to breathe.
Is that really okay!?
H-Have you considered phoning a doctor about that?
If not, we can ask Mikan! She’s probably around here somewhere...
...I don’t know how to phone the doctor.
You don’t? Do you always leave the job to your mom or something?
No.
...
She seems irritated... Did I say something wrong?
But I’m just being honest... It’s strange for someone her age to not know how to make phone calls.
Could it be she’s shy? With all the gaming she does, she might not interact with people often.
Do you go out and visit places a lot, Chiaki?
Not really. I usually just game.
So I was right... Jeez, that’s not good at all!
You know, it’d do you some good if you socialised a little more.
Hmmm. Well, sometimes people say hi to me while on their way to the restaurant...
That’s not what I mean... Being social is more than just returning people’s greetings.
Is it? The world sure is a mysterious place.
In what world is basic etiquette mysterious?
In any case, I feel like I should help Chiaki open up.
She’s so isolated... If I think hard, I should be able to figure out something that’s right for her!
Ah... um...
Is there a reason you’re here? Have I done something wrong?
N-Not at all. I just wanted to see how you were going.
R...Right. I’m sorry...
Hey, I was planning to take some photos of the beach. Do you wanna join me?
O...Of course, if that’s what you want... I’ll make sure not to get in the way...
Well, I wouldn’t really mind if you did...
You’re... giving this to me?
I can’t remember the last time someone got me a gift... Thank you so much...
So, Mikan...
Huh? You still remember my name?
...Yes? Is that weird?
O-Of course! My name is so boring and forgettable... not even my coworkers know it, and I wear a nametag!
...Coworkers?
U-Um... I work part-time at my city’s hospital...
Really? Can I ask what it’s like?
U... U... Um...
W-Well, you treat lots of different people... Young and old... Female and male...
...These descriptions aren’t telling me much.
M-Most people usually come in for minor ailments: broken bones, sprains, flu shots...
But every now and then, you do encounter the more dire situations...
I see...
I-It’s not all doom and gloom, though!
Whenever I treat my patients, I always wear a smile on my face...
Because... not only do I want to see them smile...
But... it feels good knowing I’m the only person they can depend on.
For my patients, I’m what stands between life and death...
W-Wow. I never expected Mikan to say something so upfront.
My patients mean everything to me... I even try to imagine what it would be like if I experienced their pain.
Regardless of how their pain came to be, I want to live it.
T-That can’t be very pleasant, can it?
I-It’s not, b-but pleasure isn’t the point.
I want to feel my patient’s despair so I can understand them better. Empathy is vital to being a nurse.
I’d even go so far as to say empathy is vital to being human.
A-Ah! I’m sorry! What right do I have to dictate how other people live their lives!?
O-Oh no, what have I been saying? I-I started speaking without thinking!
I-I’m sorry you had to hear that. Would you like to whip me across my backside?
Eh!? What makes her think I’d do something like that!?
I... I think I might actually be a little offended!?
Oooh. I messed up again, didn’t I?
I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry!
It’s not....! You didn’t do anything wrong, Mikan...!
