Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 27 Then Just Go Along with Her

beep beep-

The alarm clock was unusually loud in the small apartment, which was only about ten square meters.

Kiryu Kazusuke reached out and pressed it away, rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed.

Even after sleeping for more than eight hours, my brain was still extremely foggy, as if I had just been pulled out of formaldehyde.

This is the price of working 24-hour shifts.

It was pitch black outside the window.

After finishing his shift this morning, he dragged his heavy body back to his apartment.

Therefore, Kiryu Kazusuke had no idea what had happened at the hospital that day, nor did he know that Suzuki Shinya's recovery had terrified the rehabilitation and radiology departments.

When I got back to my apartment building, I ran into Saionji Mina, who was on her way to work.

The two simply nodded to each other, which was their greeting.

Although in traditional Japanese society, it is customary to bring soba noodles or sweets when moving to visit neighbors, this old Showa-era custom has long been forgotten in these studio apartments.

Everyone is busy trying to make a living, and no one has the extra energy to cultivate neighborly relations.

Not disturbing each other is the highest etiquette in interpersonal relationships.

Kiryu Kazusuke went into the bathroom, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on his face.

The confusion in my mind has finally subsided somewhat.

When I looked up at the mirror, I noticed that my face was a little pale and there were faint dark circles under my eyes.

This sub-healthy state is the norm for every medical trainee.

After quickly tidying up, Kiryu Kazusuke prepared to leave for the hospital to begin his shift.

Tonight I'm helping out at the emergency room, so I don't have to work a full night or day shift.

He grabbed his coat, intending to go downstairs to the Lawson convenience store to buy a bento box for dinner.

His total assets now amount to more than 200,000 yen. Although he is much better off than before, he is not yet at the point where he can squander money recklessly.

It's because they were terrified of being poor.

Kiryu Kazusuke put on the dark gray hoodie and pushed open the door to go out.

Just as he locked the door and was about to turn around and go downstairs...

boom--

A muffled thud suddenly came from room 301 next door.

"what!"

This was followed by a short gasp.

Kazusuke Kiryu stopped in his tracks.

Normally, he would probably choose to ignore it.

But the thud sounded like a heavy object falling or a person tripping.

dong dong dong-

Out of his professional instinct as a doctor, or perhaps simply out of basic concern as a neighbor, he went over and patted the iron gate.

The room immediately fell silent.

"Hey, are you alright?"

But it seemed like he didn't hear any footsteps coming to open the door, so Kiryu Kazusuke patted it again.

"Coming... coming right away!"

Several seconds passed before the girl's reply came from inside, sounding somewhat flustered.

The door was opened a crack.

A girl who looked nothing like an office worker, but more like a high school student skipping class, peeked her head out from behind the door.

She was wearing loose loungewear, her hair was a little messy, and she still looked a little shaken.

He looked quite disheveled.

Saionji Mina asked timidly, "Um... is there something you need?"

"I heard a lot of noise inside just now." Kiryu Kazusuke pointed inside the house. "Are you alright?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing!" Saionji Mina waved her hands repeatedly. "Um... I was cooking, and I accidentally messed it up."

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she opened the door.

Then, under Kiryu Kazusuke's confused gaze, he bowed deeply, saying, "I'm so sorry! Did I disturb you? I'm really, really sorry!"

This is an aspect that the Japanese have no choice but to appreciate.

Even if their own house catches fire, their first reaction is to apologize to their neighbors, saying they've caused them trouble.

"It's good that you're alright."

Seeing that she could still speak and her limbs were moving normally, Kiryu Kazusuke didn't want to ask any more questions.

Since it was just noise from cooking, it has nothing to do with him.

He turned around and prepared to go and fill his stomach.

beep beep-

However, an alarm suddenly went off in room 301.

It's the smoke alarm going off.

"Ah! Pizza!"

Saionji Mina's expression changed drastically. She screamed and turned to run into the house, completely forgetting to close the door.

Kazusuke Kiryu immediately pushed open the door and followed him inside.

Now that we've seen it, we can't just watch the fire next door start burning.

This is a studio apartment with a similar layout to his. There is a narrow corridor at the entrance, and at the end of it is an open kitchen.

The kitchen was now filled with smoke.

Mina Saionji stood frantically in front of the oven, waving her hands helplessly, trying to dispel the smoke, but too afraid to touch the oven that was emitting black smoke.

He could only jump up and down in frustration.

"Unplug the power!"

Kiryu Kazusuke gave a low shout and strode forward.

He bypassed Saionji Mina and reached out to unplug the power cord from the wall.

Then, he picked up a damp cloth from the countertop, yanked open the oven door, dragged out the unidentified object that had turned to charcoal, and threw it into the sink.

Nourishes—

When cold water is poured on it, a puff of white smoke rises up.

At that very moment, a familiar light red tinge appeared in his eyes.

[Saionji Yanna: I set the temperature and time, so why is the timer stuck? I can't turn it off! I want to smash the alarm, I want to smash this damn oven, ahhh!]

[Can converge world lines]

[Fork in the road 1: Play the role of a kind and considerate neighbor, comforting her and helping to clean up her mess. (Reward: A good sense of self-worth)]

[Branch 2: If you keep suppressing it, she'll break down. She's already like this, why don't you just give in to her? (Reward: Improved physical fitness - slightly)]

Kiryu Kazusuke looked at the words on the screen, his lips twitching slightly.

When I first met this neighbor, she acted like a fleeing rabbit, but her inner thoughts were just as volatile.

Such an unwavering persona.

On the surface, he appears timid and shy, but inside he is extremely irritable.

He quickly scanned the two options.

Fork 1: The reward is "a good feeling about oneself".

To be honest, he felt it was a bit unnecessary. After all, a warm-hearted man doesn't need a reward; he would naturally have a good self-image.

That being the case.

Kiryu Kazusuke's gaze fell on the second fork.

Although it only slightly improves physical fitness, this is the real benefit.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, doctors are a high-risk group for death from overwork, especially resident doctors like him who are at the bottom of the food chain.

In this high-intensity work environment, a strong physique is the greatest asset for survival.

Since she wants to smash the world.

What else is there to say?

Then let's smash it.

Kiryu Kazusuke turned to look at the oven that was still emitting black smoke: "Do you still want this?"

Saionji Mina paused for a moment.

She looked at the appliance, which was burned beyond recognition. Inside, there was a black charcoal mass emitting a pungent burnt smell. The circuit board was obviously destroyed.

Saionji Mina shook her head: "It's already broken like this, it's definitely unusable, and I've long felt that its heating is uneven, so I wanted to replace it with a new one..."

As Kiryu Kazusuke listened, he took a step forward and said, "Move aside and cover your ears."

Saionji Mina was confused, but she still subconsciously took a step back to the side.

boom--

A loud bang suddenly erupted in the kitchen.

Kazusuke Kiryu raised his foot and delivered a powerful side kick to the side of the oven.

(End of this chapter)