[Novel] For Risako | 050 | Ten, Ryosuke (7)
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“Ah... I said it...”
Dr. Tanaka had a subtle expression on his face, as if he were regretting his own words or perhaps feeling a sense of joy, and he covered his mouth with both hands.
It was a gesture that looked almost like a young girl's.
For a few seconds, Ryosuke searched for the true meaning behind the words this doctor had uttered.
...Did he say kiss? Did this person just say kiss?
“No, um, that is...”
Ryosuke took a step back, unable to find the words to answer.
If I refuse here, will this person stop cooperating? No, but this is an unacceptable request...
“Ah, ahaha, that’s right, isn’t it? You wouldn’t want to kiss a man...”
Dr. Tanaka looked awkward because of Ryosuke’s rejection, but for some reason, his body leaned forward and he moved closer to Ryosuke.
Ryosuke took another step back and racked his brain, trying to find a way to refuse without offending Dr. Tanaka.
“No, it’s not because you’re a man or anything like that... Actually, I have dated men before... It’s not that; it’s just that this is an inappropriate request that isn’t worth the price, so I can’t really...”
Dr. Tanaka seemed to be listening to this response.
“Detective Motomura, you really are an interesting person. By any chance, would you have agreed if I had asked for a reasonable amount of money or something equivalent? You took my demand for a kiss as an unfair request that took advantage of your weakness, didn’t you?”
Since that was exactly the case, Ryosuke remained silent.
This doctor seems capable of resolving things on his own. It’s better not to provoke him unnecessarily.
“...It’s much better than being rejected because you have a partner, Detective Motomura. It’s fine, it’s very fine. That makes sense. You really are wonderful. I knew it from the moment you first appeared. That you were no ordinary person. You are so beautiful and dazzling that I thought a god or perhaps a devil had descended.”
Dr. Tanaka took another step closer, so Ryosuke took a step back.
“It’s fine. I understand. I will withdraw my previous request. Let’s rescue Risako. I will cooperate fully.”
Ryosuke felt relieved and shook Dr. Tanaka’s hand while thanking him. Dr. Tanaka gripped his hand tightly in return.
“Then, I will go and sound out the possibility of Risako’s discharge. I have no idea what Dr. Yagisawa is thinking at the moment, but he is a person who extremely dislikes trouble. He might have changed his mind.”
“So, won't this put Dr. Tanaka in a bad position?”
“I am honored that you are concerned for me. I have already advocated for the discontinuation of Risako-san's investigation several times, and it will be natural to say that you strongly demanded her discharge. It should only look like I am doing my job as usual.”
“I see... And what if she can't be discharged after that?”
“Then we will deal with it when the time comes. Let's hurry. If we dawdle, someone will beat us to it. Detective Motomura, please return to Risako-san's room and stay by her side. The nurse who was in the room earlier is trustworthy.”
With that, Dr. Tanaka walked quickly down the hallway.
Ryosuke also hurried back to the hospital room.
Risako was sleeping just as she had been before. The nurse whom Dr. Tanaka said was trustworthy was still in the room, checking Risako's blood pressure and other vitals.
“Did anyone come by while we were away?”
“No one has come. Dr. Yagisawa is also speaking with the police after his examination, so he shouldn't be coming for a while.”
The nurse volunteered information about Dr. Yagisawa's usual routine without even being asked.
Ryosuke pulled out a chair for visitors, sat down, and watched what the nurse was doing for a while. After a short time, the nurse gave a small bow and left.
Risako was sleeping with steady, soft breathing. Her complexion had improved significantly. The cold sweat that had plastered her hair to her forehead seemed to have subsided as well.
The machine by the bedside was making a rhythmic clicking sound: beep, beep, beep, beep. This was likely Risako's heartbeat. The monitor displayed various values simultaneously, such as an electrocardiogram, respiratory waveforms, and blood oxygen levels.
As Ryosuke watched these signs of Risako's life, he thought about what he should do after he was able to take her home.
He might not be able to continue his job anymore. If Risako came home, it would be impossible to work the way he had until now.
Ryosuke had no lingering attachment to his police work at all. He had also lost interest in whoever killed Angoro Kitayama. Perhaps Ryosuke had become a detective for this very moment. His duty was done.
As he was thinking about this and that, Dr. Tanaka returned.
“For the time being, the investigation into Risako-san has been called off. Three doctors have diagnosed that the investigation cannot be continued, so this is final. The rest is up to her discharge, but since there is no investigation, the hospital cannot force her to stay any longer if it is the family's wish.”
And so, it was arranged for Risako to be discharged.
When he told I-Three, who had awakened from her sleep, she jumped for joy, wrapped her arms around Ryosuke's neck, and squeezed. I-Three also pounced on Dr. Tanaka and squeezed his neck as well. This was her greatest expression of affection.
Dr. Yagisawa never showed his face until the end.
About five hours after that nightmarish moment when he witnessed Risako hanging.
Ryosuke was leaving the hospital, holding the hand of Risako—no, I-3.
Dr. Tanaka had taken care of all the necessary procedures.
It would be hard to kiss him, but Ryosuke thought he should properly thank him later.
Supporting I-3, who was still unsteady on her feet, they got into a taxi and returned home.
When they opened the front door and entered the house, I-3 had switched with the <<System>> without him noticing.
The <<System>> sat on the sofa as if it had been living in this house all along, looking relaxed, and instructed Ryosuke to sit next to it.
"I am currently performing the final optimization process to awaken Risako."
"Risako? She's going to wake up?"
"Yes, in a few more minutes. And now, I have a request for you. It's a simple one."
Ryosuke swallowed hard and waited for the next words. The <<System>>'s requests were never simple.
"Risako and you may live here, but no sexual intercourse."
He was told something unexpected once again.
Ryosuke had been told nothing but unexpected things lately, and he was utterly exhausted.
"Wait, why?"
"Risako's actual age is 26, but her primary personality has been asleep for ten years. Treat her as a 16-year-old girl. She is still unstable and incomplete. She will explode. It will be the end of the world. You must not do it. If you want to do it, do it with someone else."
"Yeah, okay, I got it, that's enough. I won't do it."
"It's a promise. Oh, Risako is waking up. Risako is awakening. Are you ready? Tell her which Ryosuke you are."
"Wait, hold on."
The <<System>> closed its eyes. Ryosuke was not mentally prepared.
Even though he was about to meet the real Risako, he had forgotten everything he had thought about saying when they met.
Ryosuke stood up and sat down several times in a panic, unable to settle, and finally, steeling himself, he sat down firmly beside Risako.
Risako opened her eyes.
She had a look of surprise on her face.
"Wait! I still don't understand anything!!"
Risako screamed and stood up.
Ryosuke gently held Risako's shoulders to calm her confusion and sat her back down.
"Risako, calm down. It's okay, it's going to be okay."
As he spoke softly, Risako's eyes locked onto Ryosuke's.
Risako's eyes widened.
He could see her pupils moving back and forth at an incredible speed.
This lasted for a few seconds.
Then, once her gaze steadied, Risako's hand slowly reached out and touched Ryosuke's bangs.
"...Ryosuke? Is that you, Ryosuke?"
Risako said.
When Ryosuke nodded, tears welled up in both of Risako's eyes and then spilled over.
Without a word, the two of them held each other in a tight embrace.
Ryosuke also shed tears and wept.
Before long, as their emotions settled, Risako said this:
"Hey, which Ryosuke are you?"
(To be continued)
[Novel] For Risako | 051 | 10. Ryosuke (8) →