Chapter 8

September ended and turned to October. Toshio tore off September's page from the calendar.

There was a call from Ishida that morning. Yesterday, Takemura Michiko from Monzen died. Just before noon, Hirosawa Toyoko who lived in Naka-Sotoba had come. Her color was poor and he was taciturn. Toshio had seen that face and realized it was that.

He askind into his patients history thoroughly. That was how he came to be told that her son had died recently, one named Takatoshi.

(Did she catch it from her son---considering that possibility, that's quite an interval...)

Toshio peered into Toyoko's face, telling her that there was something bothering him, so he would run in-depth tests, and that he wanted her to come in for certain tomorrow to hear the results of those tests.

"Haa."

Toyoko, like all the others who had it, gave a vague nod.

"I'm thinking it'd be better to see how this progresses. I'm making you an appointment and will keep that time open, so don't make that a waste. Tomorrow, I'd like to have you be absolutely sure to come in for me."

"But... I think that I am just tired, though? My son died, my energy is just..."

"That's why I'm worried. It'll be at your convenience. If the morning is inconvenient for you, noon, evenings, even at night is fine. If you prefer I'm not even opposed to a house visit, so can you be sure to come for me?"

Toyoko at last nodded.

Toshio nodded, exchanging looks with Kiyomi who was at his side and giving her instructions. Take her vital signs, blood and urine samples, bone marrow samples and an EKG, a chest and abdomen XP. Kiyomi gave an understanding nod and pressed Toyoko to please come with her.

On the brink of the noon break one more person, an elderly person who lived in Mizuguchi, came in with the expected symptoms. The patients were many, and while the morning patients weren't yet all in order, a request for a house call came in. It went without saying for Toshio, and even the nurses didn't have the time for a break.

When Ritsuko finally was able to eat lunch it was past three in the afternoon. The afternoon examinations would run late, and the time to return home was slowly being pushed back.

"It's become a real hassle, hasn't it." Yasuyo spoke of it while laughing.

It really has, Kiyomi laughed, cleaning up her boxed lunch leftovers and bringing her tea cup to her mouth. It was now the season where teas hotter than barley tea were most satisfying.

"But at least we can take a break like this. The doctor won't have any breaks this evening or tomorrow, it's a hassle."

"Uhm," Ritsuko gazed into her teacup as she spoke. "I'd like for this not to be taken the wrong way but...."

Turning a doubtful gaze to Kiyomi and Yasuyo, they gave her a weak smile.

"I am thinking of asking the Doctor if we could be allowed to come into work on Saturday afternoon and Sundays. I.... think that it's just too much for the doctor to do alone."

Kiyomi and Yasuyo exchanged looks. Ritsuko quickly added on. "I know that Nagata-san and Yasuyo-san have households to run. If you don't have a weekend it will be a hassle, won't it? But, I don't have anybody whom I have to take care of, and my house is nearby. So, if even I'm here at least, I think the doctor might be able to have a small break now and then. So, I was thinking of asking, like..."

Kiyomi gave a light burst of laughter. "Well, that's! We were thinking the same thing. ---Right?"

Kiyomi looked to Yasuyo.

"That we were. Ricchan, you've caught it from us, haven't you!"

"Eh?"

"Because you know? I was saying the same thing to Kiyomi-san. That wouldn't it be better to have the hospital open on Sunday too. The Junior Doctor is surely considering our feelings and not saying anything so, it might not be a bad idea if we all here are the ones to put the idea out there, like."

"....My."

Kiyomi smiled.

"The doctor's that kind of person so unless the circumstances are extremely dire, he won't say something like don't take a day off, come in. But on the other hand, the doctor himself's going to get worn down. He really hasn't had any break in all of this, driven all night until dawn."

"Yes... he is, isn't he."

"So that's why, I think we here need to remember that we're supposed to be like some type of angel of mercy for him too. I was saying that to Yasuyo-san. But, if we did that, what about Ricchan? Yuki-chan and Sato-chan live far away so it's natural that they couldn't come, but it's not like that for Ricchan. But, there's the matter of interfering in a young girl's chances at dating, too."

"Uhm..." They turned to face Yuki and Satoko. "We were talking about that too, actually."

"Well, oh my."

Ritsuko and the others looked to the two young nurses.

"I mean, really, the doctor's in having a hard time, though. Lately, doesn't he look tired and all tense? There are this many nurses, and since the hospital is closed over the weekend, there are people who won't bother the doctor and don't get a doctor's care at all."

"Right, so. We should try talking it over with the doctor, we said. Should we come in on the weekends too? In exchange, please make arrangements for us to use a hotel in the village. Even Towada-san is renting an apartment from the doctor, so it isn't something he can't do is it? If it comes down to it, there are at least the sick rooms. If we do that, it'll be closer, it'll be easier on us...."

"I'd get to try living on my own too," Yuki said fleetingly sticking out her tongue "My parents know it's busy right now, so I thought they'd let me go. I want to try living on my own but they absolutely won't allow it."

"That's just like Yuki-chan. How calculating you are."

"Hehehe. So like, we were talking about trying to talk to him."

The one whose quiet voice spoke up was Shimoyama. "If the Doctor will accept those conditions, I might try having a talk with him, too."

Ritsuko's mouth popped open. "But, doesn't Shimoyama-san have a wife and child..."

"That's what I mean. I don't want to bring anything strange home. Either way it probably won't last that long anyway. Once the doctor gets the data together, if he can get the administration to take action for us, there won't be any more of a rush for me to do anything. Changing posts to leave my family behind until then wouldn't be so bad."

After the consultation, Ritsuko and the others called in Toshio and stated their conditions. Toshio was for a moment wide-eyed as he looked around at the faces of all who had gathered.

"Oi, oi. Are you all trying to bankrupt me?" Toshio said with his habitually abusive tone. "Even if you're not, what about the exams for over-time examinations? Living expenses and allowances'll make me declare bankruptcy."

So he said, but looking at his face it was clear that wasn't his true sentiment.

"It might be best for you to go ahead and do that."

Told such by Yuki, Toshio wore a broad smile.

"But, Shimoyama-san will be a problem. I'm gonna end up strangled to death by his wife."

"Then, it's good that you're prepared to be strangled to death. If you need help, please say as much."

Shimoyama smiled, Toshio laughed, and then lightly bowed his head.

"---Thank you."