Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 73 isn't right, is it?

Everyone took their seats.

The seating arrangement was extremely particular.

Professor Nishimura naturally took the head seat, while Secretary Kobayashi sat in the guest seat.

Next were Assistant Professor Mitsuma Mizutani, several senior lecturers and specialists, with Ori Imagawa sitting in the middle section near the front.

Specialized medical practitioners like Takikawa Takuhei could only be ranked last.

As for medical training?

See the lower seat closest to the door? Just sit there, so you can easily get up to call the waiter or urge the order to be served.

Secretary Kobayashi raised her glass and, without any preamble, got straight to the point.

"To celebrate Mr. Okawara's successful surgery, and to express our gratitude to all the doctors in the First Surgery Department for their excellent medical skills."

"Cheers."

"Cheers!"

Everyone responded in unison and downed their beer in one gulp.

The banquet officially started.

Maids dressed in kimonos filed in, bringing out one exquisite dish after another.

Prepayment, slurping, sashimi, grilled food...

One after another, exquisite kaiseki dishes were served.

"So this is the Matsuno family..."

"Look at that lacquerware, it looks like real Wajima lacquer."

"And that wine jug, it's pure silver, isn't it?"

Kenji Tanaka knelt on the cushion, his eyes darting around restlessly, and he sighed softly.

"Don't act like you've never seen the world before."

Sitting next to him, Takikawa Takuhei whispered a rebuke.

"Yes, yes..."

Kenji Tanaka quickly shrank his neck and shut his mouth.

Kazusuke Kiryu poured himself a cup of hot tea.

The atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Junior doctors began lining up to toast their senior doctors.

This is also a traditional practice of university medical departments, using alcohol to verify loyalty.

Mizutani Mitsuma, holding a wine glass and blushing, moved closer to Secretary Kobayashi.

"Mr. Kobayashi, the success of this surgery is all thanks to Professor Nishimura's brilliant command."

"Our entire team worked day and night, without daring to slack off in the slightest."

"Especially regarding the use of C-clamps, which has undergone repeated demonstrations and discussions..."

He went on and on about his achievements, trying to make a deeper impression on the other person.

Once you can establish a relationship with them, it will be an extra advantage in applying for research funding or running for professorship.

Secretary Kobayashi simply smiled faintly, nodded occasionally, and took a sip of wine.

His glasses reflected light, making it impossible to see his eyes.

after awhile.

Secretary Kobayashi put down his wine glass, took out a silver cigarette case from his pocket, took out a cigarette, and tapped it lightly twice on the table.

"Professor Mizutani is right."

"Teamwork is certainly important."

"But I heard that there was a young doctor in the emergency room that night who really stood out."

With a snap, the lighter's flame shot up and lit the cigarette.

Mizutani Mitsuma's smile froze for a moment, and he subconsciously glanced at Imagawa Ori sitting not far away out of the corner of his eye.

"Ah, you mean Dr. Imagawa?"

"Indeed, Imagawa is the youngest specialist in our department, and his skills are very comprehensive."

"She rushed to the hospital as soon as she received the call that night..."

He was preparing to take the opportunity to push Imagawa Ori forward.

After all, Imagawa Ori was his subordinate doctor, so her credit was basically due to Mizutani Mitsuma's excellent teaching.

"No way?" Secretary Kobayashi suddenly interrupted him. "The name I heard isn't Dr. Imagawa."

Grayish-white smoke drifted between the two of them.

Mizutani Mitsuma paused for a moment.

Secretary Kobayashi's gaze, peering through her glasses, passed over everyone and landed on Kiryu Kazusuke, who was sitting closest to the door.

"I heard from the emergency team that the doctor on duty at the time was a younger one."

"That night in the emergency room, facing a certain death situation that even Dr. Minamimura dared not attempt, the one who proposed a blind C-clamp procedure and preperitoneal packing... what was it called again?"

"Oh, I think his name is... Kiryu?"

After saying that, he put down the cigarette in his hand and took a sip of red wine.

"Ah... this..."

Mizutani Mitsuma opened his mouth and stammered.

According to standard practice, the contributions of the resident physician are usually disregarded.

So when the secretary came to deliver the condolence money a couple of days ago, Kiryu Kazusuke was indeed on the list, but he was listed last as a "participant".

He had already polished the surgical records and press releases.

The main credit goes to the professor for directing the operation, while the specific execution is carried out by Imagawa Ori. As for Kiryu Kazusuke, he was merely handing over the pliers on the sidelines.

These have been unspoken rules in medical institutions for many years.

As a member of parliament's secretary, Secretary Kobayashi couldn't possibly be unaware of these things, nor could he be so bored as to care about a medical trainee.

Unless... he did it on purpose.

Mizutani Mitsuma stole a glance at Professor Nishimura beside him.

Professor Sumika Nishimura, who was seated at the head of the table, put down her chopsticks and gently wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Kobayashi-san's information network is really impressive."

"Indeed, Kiryu-kun performed very well that night."

"Although he is a newcomer, he studies very hard and his performance that night was indeed somewhat beyond our expectations."

"However, surgery requires teamwork."

"Without Dr. Imagawa's precise operation and the cooperation of the anesthesiologist, the resident's son could not have been saved by a resident doctor's flash of inspiration alone."

With just a few simple words, the incident was characterized as an exceptional performance by a newcomer, while also preserving the dignity of the First Surgery Department.

"That's natural, that's natural."

Secretary Kobayashi smiled and didn't dwell on the topic.

The banquet continued.

A geisha in a kimono entered the room, and the sound of a shamisen began to play.

Everyone toasted and exchanged drinks.

Mizutani Mitsuma also did his best to liven up the atmosphere, telling harmless jokes and occasionally pouring drinks for Kobayashi's secretary.

After several rounds of drinks...

A faint blush rose on Secretary Kobayashi's face, suggesting she might be a little tipsy.

"It's a bit stuffy inside."

He unbuttoned his suit jacket and loosened his tie.

"Professor Nishimura, if you don't mind, would you like to come with me to the courtyard for some fresh air?"

"Of course, please."

Professor Nishimura stood up with a smile and straightened his coat.

Now we need to get down to business.

The courtyard was bitterly cold in the depths of winter.

The dry landscape garden, illuminated by the night lights, exudes a somber and desolate atmosphere.

Secretary Kobayashi did not actually walk into the depths of the courtyard, but stopped on the extended wooden corridor, with her back to the hustle and bustle of the banquet hall.

He took out the exquisite silver cigarette case from his pocket, tapped out a cigarette, and handed it to Professor Nishimura.

Professor Nishimura waved his hand, declining.

Secretary Kobayashi didn't seem to mind and lit a cigarette himself.

Unlike the typical greasy and slick image of a politician's secretary, Secretary Kobayashi was very thin, even gaunt.

"Professor Nishimura."

"Regarding next year's healthcare budget, I have reviewed your application."

"The total budget for the new MRI machine we want to import, and the expansion projects for two key laboratories, is about 300 million yuan, right?"

Secretary Kobayashi exhaled a puff of smoke, the white vapor immediately dispersed by the cold wind.

(End of this chapter)