Lord of the Heat Haze #10 Chapter 3: Spiritual Disturbance ②

Chapter 3: Spiritual Disturbance ②

　I had come to the largest general hospital in the area. The waiting room was overflowing with people.

　At this rate, it didn't look like my turn would come anytime soon.

　I could feel my condition worsening even as I sat there.

“Are you okay, Takumi?”
“...I'm fine, Sacchan. Don't worry.”

　I patted the hand of my girlfriend, who was on the verge of tears. The sensation of the pat only traveled to my own thigh, but it was reassuring not to be alone while sick.

　While feeling her presence beside me and staring blankly at the outpatient lobby, a group of doctors came bustling by.

　The imposing atmosphere was just like something out of 'The White Tower,' even though this wasn't a university hospital.

　Then, the white-haired doctor leading the group stopped in front of Takumi.

　The doctor, exuding an arrogant and haughty air, looked down at Takumi for a moment.

“You look like you're in a lot of pain. Shall I examine you? Hey, have him go into room 5.”
“But Director, your schedule after this...”

　The doctors beside him were flustered.

“That meeting can be handled however. The patient suffering right in front of me takes priority.”
“But...”

　...The director? Why would the director of a major hospital suddenly help out with fever consultations while passing through the outpatient clinic?

　Between the fever and everything else, I couldn't quite process it, but it was lucky that my examination would be moved up.

“Excuse me, the director will be examining you, so could you please go into examination room 5 and wait?”

　One of his entourage urged Takumi forward with a look that suggested he was resigned to the situation.

“Y-yes...”

　I stumbled into the designated examination room, and a nurse entered immediately after, hurriedly beginning the virus test.

　I've never liked the nasal swab, no matter how many times I've had it done. Sachiko, beside me, seemed surprised by the testing method she was seeing for the first time, covering her face with both hands and watching the situation timidly.

“Ugh.”
“Alright, that's it. Please wait here until the test results come back.”

　After finishing the test, the nurse left the examination room.

"Did it hurt?"
"Yeah. I'm just not good at nasal swabs no matter how many times I get them..."

I forced a smile for the worried Sachiko and nodded with teary eyes.

After a while, the director entered the examination room, presumably with the test results.

He performed a medical interview, auscultation, and palpation, then nodded as if satisfied.

"Both influenza and COVID are negative. Your lung sounds are fine too, so based on your symptoms, it's likely gastroenteritis. Would you like to get an IV drip if it's too painful?"
"Y-yes, please."

I didn't have diarrhea or feel nauseous, but since the director of a large hospital said so, it must be correct.

After that, I was moved to the treatment room and given an IV drip. It seems it will take about an hour and a half to finish.

Once we were alone, Sachiko immediately peered at Takumi.

"Takumi, are you really okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm starting to feel sleepy for some reason..."
"Don't worry about me and get some sleep. It must be the result of staying up late the night before last."
"But, talking with you is so much fun, Sacchan."
"Oh, honestly..."

As Takumi slowly closed his eyes, Sachiko gently held her hand over his eyes as if to comfort him.

It seems times have changed and medicine has advanced quite a bit.

I am very worried about him, but as I watch his sleeping face, a feeling of happiness gradually wells up inside me.

I love you, Takumi.

I never imagined that 80 years after my death, I would fall in love for the first time.

I love him so much, I want to touch him, and although I think it's indecent, I can't help but want to kiss him.

Since we became lovers, I have cursed my situation many times, wondering why I am a ghost.

But it is a fact that because I became a ghost, I was able to meet him at that bridge.

If I hadn't died back then, I would never have met him, and we wouldn't have become lovers like this.

After all, the realistic age gap between him and me is over 80 years.

As I was snuggling up to him, doting on his sleeping face, the door suddenly opened. The person who entered was that director.

"Hmm, it seems he's asleep. Did the medicine work?"

Huh?

I am shaken.

The director, having confirmed that Takumi was asleep, was undoubtedly staring at me.

"You don't need to be so surprised. I've been able to see them for a long time."

The director snorted and sat down heavily on a folding chair nearby.

"I wanted to hear in detail why you are possessing this person. The treatment method changes if it's a spiritual affliction."

The director glares at me.

"...Isn't he suffering from gastroenteritis?"

Sachiko felt offended and glared back slightly.

However, even though she was a ghost glaring at him, the director didn't seem to care and carelessly shoved both hands into the pockets of his white coat.

"There's nothing wrong with him. Gastroenteritis was just an excuse for the IV drip. His physical strength is significantly low, so I've administered nutrients and a sleeping pill."
"Eh...?"
"The cause is you."

I am stunned by the director's remark.

Me... the reason Takumi collapsed...?

Next story Lord of the Heat Haze #11 Chapter 3: Spiritual Disturbance ③ | Kyo

Previous story Lord of the Heat Haze #09 Chapter 3: Spiritual Disturbance ① | Kyo

Prologue Lord of the Heat Haze #01 Prologue | Kyo