"Pervert Hospital" Episode 12: Mosquito Night. 《Creative Awards 2025 #Workplace Novel Category》

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　　　　Episode 12 Mosquito Night

　The impact of the typhoon, which felt like all the rain in the world had been condensed, was spreading across various regions.

“It’s terrible rain tonight, isn’t it?”

　I open the curtains, intentionally letting in the sound of the raindrops, and speak to Mr. Yoshii, who is hospitalized in a private room. There is no reply from Mr. Yoshii, who is lying on the bed. It’s not that Mr. Yoshii cannot speak or move.

　It’s just that his illness has gradually progressed, his physical strength has declined, and he is in a state of somnolence almost all day long.

　I continue to talk to him.

“I’ll turn on the recorded baseball game for you. Or would you prefer NHK?”

　Only my voice echoes in the quiet room.

“Let me wipe your sweat a little. It’s humid even with the dehumidifier on. Mr. Yoshii, how is the air conditioning?”

　I place the TV remote by his pillow, adjust Mr. Yoshii’s blanket, and check the speed of his IV drip.

　Bzzzzzz.

　Suddenly, a small creature darted across my field of vision. It was fast. The annoying, high-pitched sound ringing in my ears insisted that it was still very much active.

　It’s a mosquito.
　Yikes! I exclaimed.

“Mr. Yoshii!! There’s a mosquito!!”

　I run around the room, clapping my hands.
　Tsk. That fast little thing.

　When I look at the bed, feeling a gaze upon me, I see Mr. Yoshii’s sharp eyes. His eyes are open for the first time in a while.

“Did you get it?”

　Mr. Yoshii’s voice is low, small, and gravelly.

“I am terribly sorry, it got away.”

　Mr. Yoshii sighs and closes his eyes again.

　I must take down that “mosquito”.
For Mr. Yoshii’s sake. I felt that strongly. I press the button on my chest.

“Emergency. Found a mosquito in Room 401. Someone please find me a mosquito coil.”

　Click.

　At my workplace, we use intercom headsets. The kind you often see at McDonald’s drive-thrus. All the staff wear them. Although I was resistant at first, they are much more efficient for work than medical smartphones.

“2nd floor, understood.” Click...
“Sakuma, searching immediately.” Click...
“3rd floor free, with pleasure, rushing over.” Click...

　In an instant, the responses become a chaotic mess. Five minutes later, the three people who responded to the intercom were gathered in front of Mr. Yoshii’s room.

“Eri. Sorry, this was all I had.”

　The caregiver from the 2nd floor is holding a can of Goki-Jet (cockroach spray). That’s way too extreme. Rejected.

　The other two couldn’t find a mosquito coil and say they will fight unarmed. One man says he will spread his arms and cast ‘Auto-Heal’. What good is healing going to do…?

　Four warriors had gathered.
　We are the Mosquito Busters.

　Knock, knock, knock.

　I knock and we file into Mr. Yoshii’s room. Mr. Yoshii glances at us. His eyes widen significantly.

“We have come to take down the mosquito.”

　We saluted.
　Mr. Yoshii smiled contentedly and returned the salute. It was just a gentle, fun night.

　Mr. Yoshii would occasionally open his eyes slightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling.



　About five days later, Mr. Yoshii passed away, quite suddenly.

　Knock, knock, knock.

　I enter Mr. Yoshii’s room.
　The rain had completely stopped, the typhoon had disappeared somewhere, and the world had returned to normal.

　The end of summer is just around the corner.
　The wind swept through my bangs, and Mr. Yoshii’s sweet scent tickled the back of my nose. Along with the memories of that time.

　I try placing my hand on the bed.
　The thin shoulders and arms that saluted me.
　The eyes that were straight and full of light.

“Thank you.”

　A whisper, a voice only I could hear.
　I strain my ears, a precious time for just the two of us.
　That sound, where a gentleness still quietly remains.

　Was my nursing care the right thing to do?
　In the empty room, my voice falls silently to the floor. The light in Mr. Yoshii’s eyes is covered by his eyelids.


　Sometimes, there are nights when I want to cry.
　With a voice as small as a mosquito.