Chapter 6

Extra Case File 6 The Immoral Doctor and the Immoral Patient

The newly emerged mysterious warrior, Timefire, caused a major sensation in the online world of Hoshikun City.

No one knew which brave soul had uploaded Timefire’s battle video, but within just three minutes, the video dethroned a renowned pianist, Ai Himemura’s new song performance from the top spot on the popularity charts, having held it for two months.

In addition, the second to fifth places were taken by “Timefire attacking Cure Yell and the onlookers,” “Timefire confronting a junior high school girl,” “Timefire insulting Cure Yell and the crowd,” and “Timefire summoning the V-Rex before vanishing through the light gate” videos respectively.

With one person dominating the top five, it was an unprecedented achievement that sparked intense discussions not only in Hoshikun City but throughout the entire internet, leading to a variety of opinions.

Most people in the first four videos felt anger toward Timefire’s contempt and attacks on Cure Yell and others, while also praising and admiring the courageous girls who stood up, with occasional confessions of shame from individuals who hadn’t mustered the courage themselves when they were present at the scene.

These comments dominated, while those few who found Timefire cool or attractive received backlash, either being drowned out by other mainstream remarks or facing severe criticism and even obliteration from Cure Yell’s online support team.

Regarding the fifth video, comments expressed fear towards the massive mechanical dinosaur and concern over whether Cure Yell could defeat it.

Certainly, neither of the involved parties had any inclination to browse the internet.

Both had more important matters at hand.

“Yeah, this should do it.”

Inspecting the sign in front of his clinic, putting on the white coat labeled Saint Capital Hospital, and hanging the stethoscope as a gift, Ash strode toward his newly opened shop, assuming a professional demeanor.

While someone was joyous, another person on the other side wasn’t as relaxed.

“Dad, Little Bird, I’m really okay, let me through. I’ll be late for work.” Looking at her serious sister and parents blocking her entrance, Kotori rubbed away the dark circles under her eyes, confirming she hadn’t hallucinated from exhaustion, then clasped her hands together in a plea to the trio before her.

“No way!” Wild Flower’s daughter, Kotori, stated the first; her panda eyes showed she’d been up all night watching a junior high student protect Cure Yell. Just remembering it made her unable to sleep. Recognizing him as a former junior from her school, her dreams were filled with scenes of Timefire’s applause.

This realization led to today’s events.

“Kotori, tell me honestly, how is your health?” asked Kotori’s stern and observant father, Moritaro, whose attempts to hide the truth behind a casual facade were futile.

“Eh, nothing much.”

“Then why did Little Bird hear you saying ‘it hurts’ last night?”

“Eh, um… how to put it?”

“I had a nightmare last night…”

She hadn’t lied—she truly had dreamed about demons of fire and dinosaurs.

“Not true, Sister. I heard the sound of lights turning on and footsteps coming down stairs. Can grown-ups like you still be sleepwalking?”

Kotori’s sister exposed her poor lie straightforwardly.

“A…”

“Kotori, tell us what happened.”

“Um…”

Kotori bowed her head in silence. Not only did she find it challenging to reveal the truth to her family, the pain in her waist demanded all her concentration.

Yesterday, Final Monster had punched her waist, causing multiple colliding buildings as retribution. Until now, her sides and stomach ached, and she’d spent the night tossing and turning without rest. Pills provided no relief.

“Then, if you don’t talk, don’t expect to leave the door today. I have prepared to take time off from work to keep you company—hey, Sister!”

“Ah?!”

Kaiho’s scream jerked Kotori out of her groggy state. Her right side felt icy and hard as she turned her head and noticed she was leaning against the wall.

“Kotori, go to the hospital; you are worrying everyone.” Her younger sister, Jinsuke, raised her limp body, concerned.

“I…”

“If money is a worry, Mom will cover it. You really should check yourself at the hospital.” A thick stack was placed in Kotori’s hand; she looked down to see an envelope containing at least two hundred thousand yen.

Warmth flooded her heart.

“… Alright, Mom.”

Without hesitation, she nodded and slipped the money into her pocket.

“Won’t come with us?”

“No, I can go on my own.” She declined with a shake of her head, pulling a coat around herself and promptly leaving.

She wouldn’t go to the hospital to inspect. She understood her current condition well enough. The free comprehensive checkups arranged by hospitals would reveal her long-held secrets.

When that time came…

No, stop thinking. Kotori couldn’t take anymore scares.

Shaking her head, she gritted her teeth and headed away from the hospital. She needed a small clinic, preferably equipped minimally and avoiding free full-body checks. If the doctor was unreliable, that would be even better. This way, she could swiftly obtain the necessary proof to buy painkillers elsewhere, allowing her to manage a period of relief.

She had always managed this way before, believing it would remain unchanged this time.

The only issue was finding a new one every few visits since increasingly poor health could not be hidden from doctors.

This was one of the rare times she hoped doctors weren’t so diligent.

A new private clinic…

Remember, there haven’t been any nearby. But could she find one?

In her journey through Hoshikun City, the intense abdominal pain made her increasingly weak, and her face, already pale, grew hotter with beads of cold sweat.

Every step demanded immense exertion, and with trembling legs, she sweated profusely across her face. If she didn’t find aid soon, she might collapse and get rushed to the hospital, uncovering her long-concealed condition.

“Clinic, clinic…. Got one!” Checking shop signs, the distinctive white marking revived her.

It hadn’t existed here yesterday… no matter!

It’s a clinic; she hadn’t visited it before!

[TOMORROWRESEARCH] — the name of the clinic.

Without lingering, she clutched her waist and walked in.

No doubt a new establishment. However, it felt more like a mini-hospital.

Her unease deepened upon seeing various advanced medical equipment inside, surpassing those in Hoshikun’s public hospital.

“Hopefully, no additional tests…”

Praying, she approached the number dispenser, her ticket bearing number 1. Lucky, she entered the examination room.

“Have I seen this person somewhere?” wondered Kotori as she spotted Asu fiddling with a Gundam model on the office chair.

“He looks so young; can’t he be younger than I am?”

She glanced around the room: an office board displayed pictures of Asu, a cabinet held assorted tools and toys unknown to her, and another held countless Gundam models related to Asu.

Feeling this could be her opportunity, she believed the young doctor might easily deceive.

“As a mature woman, I’ll handle this…”

Kotori aimed to bewilder the inexperienced doctor and gain his trust.

“This lady, you may enter now.”

“Ah!”

Unsurely lifting her head, she realized she was still outside. Feeling unbalanced after moving her foot, something tripped her.

Hands caught her, saving her from injury.

“There’s a threshold. I assumed you saw so didn’t warn you.” The doctor was suddenly at her side, somehow responding instantly.

Though suspicious, Kotori’s mind dwelt on self-condemnation due to her clumsiness, ignoring the anomaly.

Sighing internally, she thought maturity and charm were no longer within reach.

“Sit.”

Asu guided her to a chair, returning to his spot.

“You ask, I answer.”

Was this an interrogation? Where’s the pork cutlet?

Before she could ponder,

“What part of you is hurting?”

“The low back recently; morning stiffness…” Repeating the routine, she clutched her lower back, her actions signaling the doctor’s naivety.

Almost done with her request.

“What else?”

“Also, I need some painkillers…”

“What else?”

Asu supported his chin, bored.

I’m not blind though I lack practical experience, but your hesitant steps show clear signs of distress.

He blinked, sensing something wrong—a feeling too familiar and almost sickening.

Death was near.

Cradled in her chair, Kotori felt drowsy, and then everything blurred.

I wish I could sleep…

Just thinking, the lower back pain subsided.

Good, can I rest now?

“Hey! Something’s off—”

Lost beyond hearing.

“Sorry, I’m troublesome…”

“Hey!!!”

These were the last thoughts she harbored before falling into unconsciousness.