I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

The ring on his hand was gone.

So, is he really going to dedicate the rest of his life to this hospital, to the cardiac surgery department here?

Aki Tomoya subconsciously thought to himself, but at this moment he pretended not to have noticed anything. He would treat Yoshida Aoba the same way he used to.

He wasn't entirely unsurprised to discover that the ring on the other person's hand was missing, but since he had suspected it before, he wasn't too surprised at this moment.

According to other people in the department, Yoshida Aoba moved into the hospital long before they came here as trainees and never went back.

Even after two years of being with them, he still couldn't save his failed marriage.

Everyone has unspeakable secrets, or rather, things they find hard to talk about, a thorn in their heart.

Aki Tomo didn't want to know what happened to Yoshida Aoba's failed marriage, because if he knew, he would definitely sympathize with her.

Based on his own understanding of Yoshida Aoba, he hated it when others pitied him.

Just then, Yoshida Aoba seemed to remember something and said with a smile, "Oh right, starting today I have to change how I address you. I'll call you Dr. Aki!"

Aki Tomoya, Majima, and Nishikino have completed their medical training programs.

By this time, they are officially recognized doctors, and their medical licenses are more convincing.

Although it ended a month ago, there hasn't been time to change the subject yet.

At this time, Yoshida Aoba congratulated Aki Tomoya first.

"Dr. Anki..."

He murmured in a voice only he could hear, and when Aki Tomoya heard Yoshida Aoba address him, his eyes flickered slightly.

Yes, Dr. Aki.

My rotation at Kanto General Hospital has ended, and similarly, my cardiac surgery rotation, which was originally scheduled to begin at this stage, ended more than a year ago.

Since the supervising doctor, Aoba Yoshida, has acknowledged it, there is absolutely no problem with calling him "Dr. Aki".

I had a strange feeling in my heart.

Chapter 470 I Feel Like You're Trying to Trick Me

"Work is hard, don't neglect your girlfriend."

Yoshida Aoba spoke earnestly.

As someone who's been through it all, I suppose this is a well-intentioned reminder.

Don't end up like him, having a failed marriage.

Although he had a lot of worries in his heart, Yoshida Aoba did not show them on his face.

It all happened in the last couple of days, and there's no chance to undo it.

Because of this incident, Sasaki Ichiru came to comfort him again. Perhaps because he was really upset, Yoshida Aoba gave him a rare kind look.

However, their relationship doesn't seem to have improved, and it seems they can't become friends anymore.

"Dr. Yoshida, you're not completely too busy, why don't you find some time to go out and about?"

Whether at work or on vacation, during his two years of inpatient training, Aki Tomoya rarely saw him leave the hospital.

And every time he went out, it was to solve a series of troublesome problems.

Using work to numb herself like this, as an adult, Yoshida Aoba has many unspeakable secrets.

"What, are you worried about me?"

Yoshida Aoba looked at Aki Tomoya with amusement, then suddenly felt a little pathetic.

She actually needed someone more than ten years younger than her to comfort her.

However, since Aki Tomoya was practically his disciple, he didn't feel any anger, just a kind of inexplicable frustration.

It wasn't directed at Aki Tomoya, but at myself.

He's quite assertive at work, but when it comes to relationships, he's like a coward who only knows how to run away.

But now I feel relieved, as things have been mostly settled.

"I know that Dr. Yoshida doesn't need anyone's concern."

This statement sounds like it has a hidden meaning, and it also has a kind of suggestive, sarcastic tone.

Yoshida Aoba's expression became somewhat subtle.

He really wanted to agree with that statement; he genuinely didn't like others caring about his affairs.

But now I feel that this matter is like a thorn in my side. Every time it is mentioned, it feels like my tail has been stepped on, and I get a little angry.

This reminded Yoshida Aoba of Sasaki Ichiru, who liked to meddle in his affairs.

However, Yoshida Aoba did not feel ashamed, because he really did not like the current Sasaki Ichiru.

They used to be able to talk about anything in the university hospital, but now they are in different positions and have different perspectives on things.

To put it simply, everyone has changed, and it's not surprising that relationships have deteriorated, but it's still rare to be able to maintain this distance.

"Dr. Aki, never follow Dr. Sasaki's example. If you abandon your conscience, you are nothing."

Seemingly recalling what happened more than a year ago, Sasaki rejected Yoshida Aoba's idea by refusing to get involved in the university hospital's affairs, which made Yoshida Aoba even more dislike him.

Of course, it didn't lead to a complete falling out, since the head of the Department of Materials was also looking forward to seeing the university hospital make a fool of itself.

The lawsuit lasted quite a while, about a year and a half, until the deceased's family, under pressure, had no choice but to settle out of court.

Suing a major hospital without backing is extremely difficult.

Even if many people are willing to help them, the people involved simply don't have the energy.

"Dr. Yoshida, please don't call me that, it feels a little strange..."

Aki Tomoya replied softly.

The other person's words just now sounded somewhat mocking.

"Then you'd better get used to it. It's not like I'm the only one who calls you that."

Yoshida Aoba shook his head, seemingly lost in thought.

Before they knew it, it was time for morning rounds. Reminded by Aki Tomoya, they quickly got ready.

After lunch, Aki Tomoya didn't rest but instead used the time to continue preparing for the exam a few months later.

"Aki, are you preparing for the graduate school entrance exam?"

Mashima looked at Aki Tomoya with surprise after noticing what he was doing.

It's not uncommon to pursue graduate studies, especially in the medical field.

Majima had also considered pursuing graduate studies, but he certainly wouldn't start preparing as early as Aki Tomoya; it would be at least two more years.

Now, judging from Aki Tomoya's current appearance, he is already preparing to enter graduate school, which makes Majima feel very strange.

Going to graduate school at this time is way too early!

"Are you ready to go back to the University of Tokyo Affiliated Hospital?"

Majima thought about it and could only come up with one possibility: the professor behind Aki Tomoya was already preparing to send him back to the university hospital.

"But isn't this too early? Are you really planning to leave cardiac surgery temporarily?"

I still lack work experience.

Given his status, returning to the Department of Cardiac Surgery at National Dongda University was already somewhat sensitive; if he only had two years of medical training experience, his situation would be even more awkward.

Moreover, it was the Department of Cardiac Surgery affiliated with Tokyo University.

Without accumulating sufficient work experience, it is quite difficult to become a surgeon in a university hospital.

Choosing to leave Kanto General Hospital now and return to the University of Tokyo Hospital is not a wise decision.

"I'm going to graduate school, but why do you assume I'm leaving?"

Aki Tomoya looked at Mashima Shin with a half-smile.

Majima guessed correctly; he was indeed preparing for the graduate school entrance exam.

But entering graduate school doesn't mean you have to leave here.

As a clinically-oriented talent, he was nominally enrolled in graduate school but completed his graduate studies at the hospital on his own. He was also nominally mentored by Professor Yano, who would give him preferential treatment.

Therefore, Aki Tomoya can also achieve the best of both worlds.

You can obtain a degree and also gain work experience in the cardiac surgery department of a major hospital.

Upon hearing this, Majima suddenly realized what was going on, and then, still unable to hide his surprise, he looked at Aki Tomoya.

“Ever since we were in the medical school, I’ve felt that you’ve quietly taken a big step ahead of us. Now it seems that you’ve reached a position that Takagi and I can hardly catch up with.”

As Majima spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head, his eyes filled with emotion.

Did Aki Tomoya perform well in university?

They weren't too high-profile; they just did what they needed, but quietly accomplished a lot.

Now, with a professor in the medical school as a backer, it seems like her future is already planned out.