Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Yuria and the Strange Doctor (2)
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Come to think of it, I really hated going to the hospital when I was a kid.
Of course, I wasn’t the type to scream and violently resist.
I grew up in a strict household, after all, where any mischief was met with swift punishment.
If I sensed something was off, I was the type to run away quickly or hide quietly in a closet—more of a flight than a fight response.
Ultimately, I only went to the hospital when I was sick or needed a shot.
With good intuition, it wasn't that hard to notice when the atmosphere felt strange.
And yet, once I was actually at the hospital, I’d get my shots and take my medicine without a fuss.
Why did I hate going so much back then? Thinking about it now, it was truly ridiculous.
Perhaps to counter me, who would vanish without a trace at the mere mention of a hospital, my parents’ methods for dealing with me grew more sophisticated by the day.
One of them was outright deception.
Let’s go get steak. I’ll buy you a toy. Want to go to the amusement park? Let’s go see the festival. A celebrity is there…
I can’t even count how many times I fell for it. The resentment is still etched deep in my heart.
“Ah, ahaha… I guess you’re not a fan of tonkatsu, Yuria? H-How about some sushi?”
“…”
Maybe that was why. A suspicious air wafted off the awkward Alice.
No, in the first place, she should be at the agency right now… The fact that she was here at all was strange.
There was definitely some other motive.
With that thought, I kept my distance from Alice and subtly shifted my gaze.
Then, I spotted Karen inside the shop, striking a cheering pose.
Considering the direction she was facing, she was cheering for Alice, not me.
In that case… she planned to take me somewhere I wasn’t supposed to recognize!
‘Since it’s Alice, who likes me, I can probably trust her with anything. But the fact that she’s hiding our destination bothers me. …Still, I should probably pretend to go along with it for now. If things get too weird, I’ll just pretend I have to go to the bathroom and make a run for it.’
After a moment of deliberation, I cautiously approached Alice.
If it had been someone who was usually mean to me, I would have turned my back without a second thought.
But it was Alice, who always let me have my way, so I just couldn’t bring myself to ignore her.
Still, if it’s something I really can’t stand, I’m bolting immediately!
My guard raised high, I took Alice’s hand as her eyes grew moist with emotion.
A pro at escaping must never let their guard down.
Right now, I was a wild cheetah. Very fast.
“W-Well then! We’ll be on our way! You guys work hard!”
“Bye! Please take good care of Yuria.”
“Just take her already. I can’t get any work done with her distracting me.”
“Okay! Hehe… Let’s go, Yuria!”
“…”
What was that supposed to mean? That I was being a nuisance?
I shot a disgruntled look at Greg before whipping my head around and leaving the general store with Alice.
I just wanted to help, but he had to say something so mean.
He was a truly terrible boss.
“Heehee, I think this is the first time we’ve gotten to hang out this early. Actually, Jin said he was too tired today, so he decided to take the day off from the fixer agency. That’s why Greg asked me to come and get you early.”
“…”
Oh, so the agency was closed today.
Come to think of it… Raven certainly had every right to be exhausted.
He’d been through a bloody battle with one of the Seven Extremes, after all, and then had to handle the aftermath without any rest.
He hadn’t even eaten breakfast and was completely passed out in bed.
It seemed he planned to rest today and get back to work tomorrow. Well, rest is important.
…Wait. So Alice just came to hang out with me since she had the day off?
Were my worries just a delusion born from my runaway ego?
‘Hold on. Thinking about it that way, Alice looks a little different now. Was she just genuinely anxious that I’d refuse?’
Ugh, the thought made a wave of embarrassment wash over me.
What did I mean, she was up to something troublesome? I was the one making a fool of myself, jumping to conclusions and making an innocent person look weird.
I subtly closed the one-step distance I had put between myself and Alice.
Sorry for misunderstanding. It was the best apology I could offer without being able to speak.
Perhaps she didn’t pick up on my inner thoughts.
Alice’s eyes just widened as she tilted her head in confusion.
Then, with a bright smile, she took my hand and led me down the street.
“I’ll treat you to anything today! Tonkatsu? Sushi? Ah, maybe raw fish is a little much for you?”
“…!”
“Sushi is okay? Hehe, then I know a great spot I go to all the time! Let’s go there!”
Fortunately, it was still a little early for lunch.
We were able to get into Alice’s favorite sushi restaurant without having to wait in line.
Alice was such a big eater she could have been a competitive eater.
And ever since I started using psychokinesis, I could eat as much as an average adult man.
Thus, the two of us devoured the sushi at an incredible speed, rapidly stacking plates on our table.
“Whoa…! Does that pink-haired beauty have a black hole for a stomach? The sushi just keeps disappearing!”
“That masked kid on the other side is eating a lot, too, huh? What a rare sight!”
“Phew, I guess that’s enough for today… Excuse me, check please.”
“Haha, of course. Thanks as always, young lady.”
Eating is always a joy, but the moment the bill comes, it becomes an ordeal.
The total was an unbelievable amount for just two people, and I couldn't help but stare with wide eyes.
But perhaps Alice had the mindset that one shouldn’t hesitate in moments like these.
She paid the bill with practiced ease and walked out of the sushi restaurant with a dignified air.
It was a very mature display, one I truly wanted to emulate.
“Ugh… my wallet is so thin now…”
“…!”
“Huh? Y-You thought I was cool? Hehe…”
Well, it seemed she was putting on a bit of a brave face, as it was a daunting amount to pay so readily.
Still, the way she deftly held the card between her fingers and presented it was pretty cool.
I gave her a thumbs-up, praising her for being awesome.
After lunch, we had fun wandering all over Nighthaven.
At one point, she decided she wanted to buy me an outfit, so we stopped by a department store and tried on all sorts of children’s clothes.
Even though winter wasn’t over yet, we happened to pass by the swimwear section and decided to take a look.
For reference, Alice chose a blue bikini that suited her pink hair and voluptuous figure.
I got a black one-piece swimsuit covered in frills, the kind a little kid would wear.
Thankfully, the one she picked for me didn't look much like a swimsuit, so it was less embarrassing.
Whether a day would ever come when I’d actually wear it, I had no idea.
“Phew, that was fun! I think that’s enough department store shopping for now… Should we go somewhere else?”
“…?”
“Where are we going? Hmm… Well, I don’t have a specific place in mind. Oh, want to go look at some dolls? I noticed your room is too dreary, Yuria. You need a big teddy bear in the corner or something!”
“…”
Hmm, dolls aren’t really my thing… But I guess having one wouldn’t hurt.
I nodded in agreement and obediently followed where she led.
Was the doll shop Alice mentioned located far from the city center?
We ended up taking a bus to the outskirts and then had to walk for quite a while from there.
I didn’t think much of it, though. I didn’t know anything about dolls anyway.
And thanks to Alice chattering away right next to me, there was no time to be bored.
But as I walked blankly ahead, clutching the bag with my new clothes and swimsuit, a sense of unease finally hit me after we entered a certain building.
‘Huh? What’s that smell… Alcohol? Why would a doll shop smell like this?’
*Swish, swish.*
I straightened my back, stopped in my tracks, and quickly looked around.
It was a purely instinctual movement, driven by the feeling that something was very wrong.
But was it already too late?
Alice, who had let go of my hand at some point, gripped my shoulders tightly from behind.
“…?”
“Y-Yuria… I’m sorry. I was asked to do this, I couldn’t help it…”
“…!”
Alice pushed me forward, pressing firmly on my back.
Still unable to grasp the situation, I could only stumble forward in confusion.
Weren’t we going to a doll shop? But no matter how I looked at it, there were no dolls here…
That deeply puzzling feeling soon revealed its nature.
From inside the clean, well-maintained building, someone with a peculiar appearance walked out.
It was a man with a very unique hairstyle.
Parted seventy-thirty, one side was dyed blue, and the other was white.
He wore a spotless white coat, and a large, stitched scar ran from the corner of his mouth.
His gaze was striking, carrying a murderous aura that suggested he could slice a person up without a second thought.
Suspicious in every way, he looked down at me, still held by Alice, and spoke.
“…Oh my, is this little lady today’s appointment? My, my, what a cute outfit you’re wearing. And such perfect proportions, too.”
“…”
His voice sounded like a man forcing himself to imitate a woman.
Based on my knowledge from the original story, I immediately realized he was a doctor.
…I’ve been tricked again.
I take back feeling sorry for her earlier. I really do.