Chapter 5
“How was Eiharu?”
“Eh? What?”
“Eiharu. Is he okay?”
Haruna blinks in confusion. The bite of tuna about to reach her mouth is stopped middle way and falls back to her lunch box. Good thing it doesn’t cause the soup to splatter around and dirty her attire. Still, she reflectively looks down and murmurs her apology.
Mutsuo smiles a bit as he finds Haruna’s clumsiness endearing at times. Love really makes people soft, he must admit. Though Mutsuo himself isn’t that kind of tough man, at least not one who loves showing his masculinity for no reason, he still thinks his love justifies his fondness towards the woman.
“You confuse me,” Haruna replies after she regains her senses, “though… to answer your question, I don’t know.”
“You didn’t talk to him?”
Haruna shakes her head. “I left early for a meeting. Besides, I don’t think he’s awake yet.”
“Is that so.” Mutsuo stares at Haruna for a long second. “Are you still angry at him?”
“Actually… no. I’m not sure. I don’t think angry is the right word.”
“Frustrated?”
“...yes, that.” She inhales. “I thought things between us have… changed for the better. Turns out, I was wrong. He still hates me.”
“No, I don’t think he hates you, Haru. Sure, his words are crude and rude most of the time, but his gestures don’t show any hatred, just discomfort.”
Haruna glances at the older man. Since Mutsuo works in the pediatric department, he is much more knowledgeable in dealing with children. While Haruna is unsure if Eiharu’s emotional state can compare to actual children, she must admit Mutsuo’s approach works better than her own parenting style. She doesn’t have enough patience for Eiharu, unlike Mutsuo.
“I’m sorry, Mutsuo-san.”
“What for?”
“You treat him better than his father, but he still sees you as a stranger.”
Truth be told, Mutsuo prefers if she keeps that jerk out of the picture, but he never says anything about it. “In a way, I’m not his father yet on paper.”
“Shall we…”
“No.” Mutsuo pats her shoulder. “You said it yourself; you can’t marry me unless Eiharu accepts me. I respect your decision as well as Eiharu’s thoughts. It’s okay. I don’t mind waiting.”
“But… it’s been so long already.”
“Eiharu is different. He’ll take more time to adjust.” He exhales. “I love that kid. He’s timid and defensive, but after spending some time with him, I know he means no harm. He just… struggling.”
“With what?”
“With himself.” Mutsuo smiles. “He didn’t have a good teenage life, Haru. he had no chance to explore himself. I wonder if… a friend or lover can help him find himself.”
Haruna raised her head when she heard the word ‘lover’. It makes her a bit uncomfortable.
“Well… he’s already at that age.” Haruna averts her gaze. “But if he can’t even make a friend, how is he going to… bring a lover?”
“Online, maybe? Isn’t that what kids do these days?”
“Eh, no way. He shouldn’t date any stranger through suspicious methods.”
“Shall we introduce him to someone we know, then?”
“Like who?”
Mutsuo thinks briefly. “There are a lot of young women in your department.”
“Can he even speak to a woman?”
“If a woman can’t do it, what about a man?”
“What?”
“That young Doctor who recently transferred and worked with you, what was his name? Yuki-something?”
“Yukisada-kun, you mean? No way, no way. He’s too good to be with Eiharu.” Haruna waves her hand frantically and then blinks in realization. “Hold on, Mutsuo-san. Are you saying… you’re okay if Eiharu has a relationship with a man?”
“Since the option is limited, I will accept anything as long as they are human.”
“That is… true.” Haruna blinks in incertitude. “But… If I were Yukisada-kun’s mother, I wouldn’t let him date an unemployed nerd like Eiharu. No way.”
“Ahem,” a voice from behind startled Haruna, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard my name being said, so…” Kanryou smiled sweetly despite the hint of awkwardness in his words, “is it alright if I join the conversation?”
While Haruna tries to hide her embarrassment, Mutsuo is more composed. This is his first time seeing Kanryou in person, as their shifts usually work differently. Like Haruna described in her stories, Kanryou really appears charming. Their greeting exchange flows naturally as if they were long-lost old friends instead of new acquaintances.
“I heard the footsteps but didn’t think it was you….” Haruna murmurs.
“I heard inaudible chitchat, but I also didn’t think it was you, Seishichi-san.” Kanryou chuckles. “I just heard my name barely mentioned.”
“We’re talking about her only son,” Mutsuo explains in Haruna’s place since she still looks bashful, “I think you and him will become good friends.”
“Ah… I only heard a thing or two. Of course, if he doesn’t mind, I also want to make acquaintance.”
“I think…” Haruna’s words trail. She ponders for a moment before shaking her head and smiling, “Sure, having a friend or two will never hurt. Since it’s you, Yukisada-kun, I’m sure even someone like him can….”
“Someone like him?”
“I mean, he’s a difficult child; I told you about it. So….” Haruna laughs awkwardly, “he probably will act rude on the first meetings. No, it’s not probably anymore, I’m sure he will act rudely. He even talked that way toward Mutsuo-san.”
“I surprised him, so it didn’t count.” Mutsuo shakes his head fast and defensively. “I’m sure if Yukisada-kun saw a delinquent appears in his living room unannounced, he would be surprised too.”
Kanryou only laughs but says nothing. He can’t openly comment about Mutsuo’s rough appearance, can he?
“Okay, okay. If we keep this on, Mutsuo-san will defend him further.” Haruna grumbles. “Anyway, as you know… My son doesn’t have a friend. I want him to socialize normally at least, so… do you mind, Yukisada-kun?”
“Not at all. But if we meet, I want him to be informed. I don’t want to startle him because… we planned such a thing behind his back.”
Haruna and Mutsuo exchange look. It was merely an off-hand comment, so they didn’t think Kanryou willingly took part in making Eiharu socialize.
“Won’t… won’t he be against it?” Haruna can’t hide her insecurity.
“If we did without him knowing, he would become more upset. I want to avoid that.”
“That’s… true.” Haruna purses her lips, still a bit unsure. “Alright. When he comes to deliver the nurses’ lunch, I’ll try to hold him for a bit so you two can meet.”
“I understand.” Kanryou stands and bows at them. “Since I don’t want to disturb your time, I’m heading back first. See you two later.”
Haruna and Mutsuo stare at Kanryou’s figure until he disappears in the corner, and his footsteps no longer echo. The two then exchange glances, still in disbelief.
“Did we just…” Mutsuo whispers, “unconsciously matchmake Eiharu with him?”
“What are you saying, Mutsuo-san? It’s just and friendly introduction, nothing more.”
“But every lover started from being friends.”
“That’s--! No, there are enemies to lovers too.”
Mutsuo squints his eyes. “Don’t bring up the drama troupe you love to watch.”
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Kanryou has a lot of privileges working in this hospital. Thanks to his close relationship with the owner’s son-in-law, he got a recommendation without much trouble. Rather, he was personally invited as soon as his recommendation letter reached the hand of the owner. Of course, Kanryou will not let that opportunity get wasted. He fled immediately as soon as he finished his apprenticeship.
He has been working here for half a year. While the pace is different from the university hospital he was working at, he immensely enjoys the hectic schedule. Though, thanks to it, he has to stay working even on weekends. So far, he hasn’t found anything worth stressing about aside from hard-headed patients.
While munching on his sandwich, Kanryou thinks about the last conversation with Haruna and Mutsuo a few minutes back. As he said, he doesn’t mind trying to get acquainted with Haruna’s son since he always favors his connection to other people. But he knows someone like that--like how Haruna described--isn’t easy to get along with.
-If I remember correctly, Seishichi-san’s son is a NEET, isn’t he?-
Truthfully, he has no friends from that group of people, so he is pretty interested to know any of them better. Society rejects them like an outcast, he learned a bit about this social structure when he was in college, but since it was a minor subject, he didn’t pay attention much. He didn’t have enough knowledge or research about them since it wasn’t part of his major, to begin with. And out of his duty as a medical student to learn as much as possible about his patient’s behavior, he just loves to listen to other people’s stories.
-Come to think of it-
When Kanryou was in high school, he was a part of the health committee and often heard many stories from students who stayed in the infirmary. The more reserved the students at school, the more the stories they kept near their hearts. Kanryou had never wanted to be their psychologist or something, but he is a good listener. He loves hearing them. That’s why many students are also fond of telling him their unsaid words.
Among those students, there was one who frequently visited the infirmary, yet Kanryou barely met him. Kanryou’s memory of that person is a bit vague now as it was a decade ago. But he remembers how that person always tried to avoid people, including him, who was part of the health committee. That student left an impression because he avoided Kanryou a lot.
-I wonder how he is right now. I heard he moved to another school because of the big trouble he created, but I didn’t believe it-
Aside from that student Kanryou can’t recall the face anymore, he remembers another person who left a more profound impression in his heart, but not in a good way. These two guys were classmates, Kanryou's upperclassmen.
Kanryou frowns. Back then, he was still a kid, so it was natural that the teachers wouldn’t tell him anything. As he rethinks what he remembered, what happened between those two wasn’t as simple as the teachers said.
-That person was bullied, I know. What was his name again? Seichi? Seki?-
The first guy was a poor upperclassman who didn’t seem to have a single friend and often spent his time in the furthest bed of the infirmary. Most of the time, Kanryou only caught a glimpse of his back because he was always lying on his side facing the wall. Kanryou only remembers his wavy brown hair and that skinny body with a pale complexion. Kanryou couldn’t determine his appearance as the long bangs covered most of his upper face.
On the other hand, the second guy also pretty much the bully, was easily identified. Like most bullies, he stood up confidently as if all the spotlights existed only for him. Though, unlike typical bullies, he wasn’t a troublemaker. Kanryou remembered him as a brilliant student whom teachers favored.
-Yet he had a sickening hobby of picking the weak-
Kanryou is an opportunist and won’t hesitate to take advantage of others to gain something. However, he dislikes being mean. He can justify self-defense and petty payback depending on the situation, but he immensely dislikes bullying. A bully who has everything yet chosen bullying as a hobby is someone he despises the most. That person was the first he openly showed malice to.
-I hope their fates are switched. That poor guy didn’t deserve to be treated that way. No one was-
If Kanryou can choose, he would rather remember the victim than the bully. But negative events are always hard to forget. Kanryou’s dislike of the bully made him remember that person more; from his voice to his tone, even his appearance. The striking redhead he can see even from afar makes him biased toward red hair in general. However, as a decade has passed, his memory of that bully's overall appearance has blurred somehow. But Kanryou hasn't forgotten his disgusted feelings about that person.
-I shouldn’t think about him anymore. Right, Seishichi-san’s son… I really can’t wait to meet him-
It's natural if Kanryou barely meets his acquaintances. With his packed schedule, it's hard to match with his friends' time, so he rarely hangs out with them. If he can talk to anyone out of his workplace to chat about anything not related to work, he would be delighted to do so. If he thinks about the effort he needs to make, it will probably tire him out mentally, but also worth trying. He shouldn't generalize unless it's proven Haruna's son is that stereotypical NEET he knows of.
In his mind, he already pictures Haruna's son having this big tummy from eating too much junk food, speaking rudely towards anyone, having bad hygiene, and being unhealthily obsessed with animated characters.
Kanryou immediately shakes his head, trying to erase that image from his head.
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