Chapter 43

Extra Case File 43 Meeting the Parents

Being a doctor, one can treat any disease and charge an exceptionally high fee, even have their own exclusive patient…

It’s really quite reminiscent to talk about this. Tezuka Osamu, I’ve read his works before after all, they’re not too bad, right?

“Hmm.” Reflecting on his current situation, Ash, holding his chin, started reminiscing like an old man. “Nowadays, I’m slowly starting to understand Dai’s feelings. If you can truly appreciate this kind of vibe, it’s indeed quite interesting.”

“What? What’s going on?”

Facing Norika, who was curiously leaning in like a child, Ash was ready to gloss over the matter with a “you don’t know,” but seeing her somewhat concerned expression, he proceeded regardless. He already knows what she likes.

Like now, he takes out some high-end treats from a cabinet behind him that Norika would never normally enjoy, and her slightly curled bangs covering one eye swayed slightly upon seeing them. The other eye was wide open, and he could hear the sound of her swallowing saliva.

As for why Ash has snacks in his collection, it’s because the villains’ banquets often end halfway either due to discord or sudden attacks by righteous protagonists, wasting the chefs’ hard work.

Following the principle of not wasting food, Ash gladly stores clean food into his timeless system inventory.

“Ash Doctor?” Sniffing the sweet aroma, Norika’s words stumbled as she became overwhelmingly enticed by the treats. “What are these for?”

These peculiar items in Ash’s collection were leftovers from the Gorgla family’s banquet, where bandits targeted Lupa treasure but overlooked Ash grabbing some gifts along the way. Now, he’s using them to feed “Patient Number One.”

“They’re just some trivial things.” Ash showed no concern as he pushed the sweets toward Norika. “But they do have good effects. For the inhabitants of the other world, they’re mere snacks, but for humans, they strengthen the body.”

“Ash Doctor is saying something strange again… But, they taste good!”

Although Ash sounds strange, Norika naturally has no doubts about him.

Watching Norika joyfully declare, “This is good!” and “This is also good!” her face smeared with food, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster’s chewing, Ash felt a subtle sense of pleasure.

He started to slightly understand those people who adopt pets… Maybe I should adopt one too?

No, thinking about it is enough; besides, I’ve already adopted “one” and adopting another would be troublesome.

The V-REX on top, disguised as a DX toy, saw its owner indulging in feeding and shook its mechanical dino head silently.

After finishing the feeding, preparing for the usual check-up, Norika took out a wrapped package from her bag.

“Oh, speaking of which—Ash Doctor has been helping me this entire time, I feel really guilty about it! So…” She smiled sheepishly and placed the package on the table; Ash noticed oranges through the tilted bag. “These are gifts my mom prepared for Mr. Ash, and…”

“Would Mr. Ash like to visit our home?”

Ash stopped tapping the corner of the table happily and looked confused, tilting his head sideways.

————–

“N-Norika…!”

Seeing the deeply purple potion emitting an eerie smell, so thick that even flies and fish seemed to die, Norika displayed fear rivaling battles against the final monster, Grandmon.

Her mind screamed silently like Jerry seeing Cousin Itt fly past, or a Gotham thug seeing a giant bat—a scream of horror.

This…thing called “Kusunokijuice”…is it even something humans drink?!

This potion, far beyond mere “disgusting,” left Norika, who dislikes bitterness, with an indescribable psychological shadow. But every time Ash brought forward convincing reasons she couldn’t refuse, he enjoyed watching her gulp it down with a mysterious smile.

What sort of hellish scene is this… Already tasted enough, take it away quickly. (Sigh)

“I’m a doctor; this is medicine.” Ash usually spoke with an expression so justified it would make anyone agree, staring at Norika with a scowl, refusing to give in.

After all, his sense of taste is abnormal, so he doesn’t find it distasteful. Why should he care about her discomfort?

“Then, how about sugar…”

Underneath Norika’s endless hope, Ash took out a sugar packet.

Under her intense longing, Ash cut open the packet.

And under her utmost despair, Ash threw the packet into the trash.

“I think you should get used to this taste, plus…you’re already 22. You shouldn’t be someone who likes sweets anymore. Time to grow up?”

“I-I’m certainly grown up!” Pierced by Ash’s remark, Norika couldn’t avoid biting the bait of provocation. She looked down at the bubbling potion below and clenched her jaw. With a resigned heart, she opened her mouth and swallowed the potion. As expected—

It really tastes so awful! My tongue is numb with no taste—puke, puke…

Seeing Norika grimace in pain, Ash’s smirk turned sinister.

Norika, you sure fulfill your role as entertainment well!

“So, you invited me to your house. What’s the reason?”

Hmm, there was a time before when I was invited, let me think. The last time—

When he remembered being lured into a trap by the justice group and beaten up until unconscious, his face darkened.

Perhaps I should be more cautious in the future.