Chapter 344
But as much as he wanted to adopt a defensive attitude, he was a doctor. His professional ethics wouldn’t allow him to give the Guardian false hope.
“We’ll be working with the best rehabilitation specialists to help with the patient’s recovery, but in the worst-case scenario… walking might become permanently difficult.”
“……”
Claude, who had barely been holding it together, finally broke down at those words.
He squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face in his trembling hands. His jaw, still visible, was clenched so tightly that the muscles bulged.
The hesitant doctor finally added cautiously,
“I usually don’t mention this, but… the silver lining is that the patient has a bright personality and is highly motivated for rehabilitation. In cases like this, the recovery process tends to be better than otherwise.”
“……”
“What I’m saying is, you need to stay strong. Feelings of anxiety can easily spread to those around you. If you’re struggling this much, the patient will pick up on it, too. Stay positive and be her biggest supporter.”
A long silence passed before Claude finally spoke.
“……Please.”
“……”
“Rose can’t stand staying still for even a moment. Even though she seems lazy, she’s always running around, causing trouble. If she can never walk again… I… I just couldn’t bear it….”
“As I said, we’ll do everything we can.”
The doctor replied, and Claude had no choice but to leave the consultation room.
Standing in front of Rose’s hospital room, he tried to calm himself, just as the doctor had advised, but it wasn’t easy. His mind kept replaying a scene he would never forget.
Rose, trusting only him, had leapt toward him without looking back. Hermann, cornered and desperate, had targeted her as a last resort.
Before he could protect her, she fell, blood spurting everywhere…
Humans are truly selfish. He had prayed to every god he didn’t even believe in, begging them to just let her live.
But now, even after hearing she would survive, he found himself resenting those gods.
Why does it have to be Rose and not me?
If he could take her pain instead, he’d gladly sacrifice both of his legs right then and there.
“……”
It was unbearable, but he had to bear it. It was the only thing he could do for her now.
He steadied his breath, composed his expression, and calmed the trembling in his hands. Only then could he finally open the door to the hospital room.
***
“Hey, do you want to hear a bit of hopeful news, pipsqueak?”
“No.”
“Well, here it is anyway. You’ve always been so short you were practically glued to the floor, right? So whether you’re lying down, sitting, or standing… it’s all the same, isn’t it?”
“……”
“So even if you can’t walk again, it won’t make much of a difference, right? How’s that for some comfort?”
“How about you hold your breath and die right now, Oscar? Whether you die now or later of old age, it’ll be the same in the end, don’t you think?”
“Ack—”
At my threat, Oscar yelped.
I expected him to be busy flirting with Guides and not care at all about my condition, but here he was, visiting me in the hospital with a bouquet.
Since my name is Rose, most people bring roses, but Oscar? He had no such basic sense. So he showed up with an absurd bouquet of azaleas. Azaleas. Of all things.
I should have kicked him out as soon as I received the flowers, but I hadn’t expected him to visit at all, so I let him in, and now he had been babbling nonsense since then, driving me mad.
As I was thinking of ways to get rid of him, something cold suddenly touched my lips. Instinctively, I opened my mouth and bit into it, and the crisp, sweet taste of an apple burst forth.
“Oh, it’s sweet. The apple’s sweet, Irene.”
“Want another?”
“Yeah. Oh, and I want the drink in the fridge too. Can you get it for me?”
“……Here.”
“And the straw.”
“……Fine.”
“Put it in for me.”
“……”
Is this lil sh-t serious?
Irene gave me a burning glare with eyes that clearly said, Are you kidding me?
Discussion
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Athena67
Kikimimi
What book?
HeathBar