Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Page 691

Hiroi Kikuri sat in the chair, her lips pursed nervously. Behind her, Nekoyashiki Haru placed her hand on Hiroi Kikuri's shoulder and kneaded it gently.

"... "

The white-haired doctor looked up at the two of them, then lowered his head again.

"The recovery is going very well."

"!"

Hiroi Kikuri's pupils contracted slightly, then she looked up at Nekoyashiki Haru, who was also smiling.

"Great."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled.

"So, does that mean I can drink a little bit of alcohol from now on?"

Kikuri Hiroi looked at the doctor and asked.

The doctor gave Hiroi Kikuri a disapproving look, then looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"We can't let her drink alcohol. The dead liver cells are irreversible, and for her now, any alcohol, regardless of its strength, is harmful."

"Eh?"

Hiroi Kikuri was taken aback.

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded seriously.

"I understand, I won't let her touch alcohol."

"One...one drop of beer mixed with a bottle of mineral water..."

Hiroi Kikuri whispered.

The doctor glanced at Kikuri Hiroi with surprise.

"...This level is indeed negligible...but it's no different from drinking water directly, right?"

"...But at least I can convince myself that it's alcohol..."

"...If it's just for psychological comfort, then it's fine."

The doctor nodded helplessly.

Hiroi Kikuri breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's hand that was on her shoulder.

...

……

.........

"I thought we could drink it now..."

Walking among the supermarket shelves, Kikuri Hiroi muttered a complaint under her breath.

"I'm looking at the shopping list on my phone," said Haru Nekoyashiki.

"You've already used up all your drinking in the past, so you should honestly quit drinking."

“…Ugh…”

"I'll give you a tiny sip occasionally, that's the limit."

Nekoyashiki Haru looked at Hiroi Kikuri with dissatisfaction.

"Also, didn't you say something like I'm your 'best wine'? If that's the case, then don't keep thinking about other wines."

"...?"

Hiroi Kikuri was stunned, then the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

Are you jealous of other alcoholic beverages?

"...What kind of strange statement is that?"

Nekoyashiki Haru put the matcha cookies into the shopping cart.

"I just don't understand what's so good about alcohol. If it's about escaping the future, then there's no need to escape now, is there?"

"Well... that's what they say, but I guess it's just that I'm not used to it."

Kikuri Hiroi sighed.

"After all, I used to drink from morning till night, and I've only been away from alcohol for a year..."

"Aha…"

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed, then walked up to Hiroi Kikuri and reached out to touch her hair.

"Look, your hair is so much smoother than before."

Nekoyashiki Haru then rubbed Hiroi Kikuri's cheek.

"He's also got more meat on his bones than before."

Suddenly, he reached out and snapped his fingers near Hiroi Kikuri's ear.

"I'm no longer afraid of sudden noises."

Nekoyashiki Haru withdrew her hand, put one hand on her hip, and continued in a slightly dissatisfied tone.

"I've taken good care of you this year, haven't I?"

"...Indeed, indeed..."

Kikuri Hiroi nodded.

"So stop thinking about the alcohol. Look at what it's done to you, and look at what I've done to you. I'd rather you think about me than about the alcohol."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said."

"...I have a feeling you're really jealous."

Hiroi Kikuri whispered.

"Think what you want..."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head.

What do you want to eat tonight?

"fish."

Kikuri Hiroi said.

Nekoyashiki Haru pushed the cart, leading Hiroi Kikuri towards the seafood section.

What kind of fish?

"Uh, anything is fine?"

"Then I'll just pick whatever I like."