Examination of the Heart
"Director, here's today's patient list."
"Thanks. Sion's on it, right?"
"Yes, I scheduled her just as you asked yesterday."
I took the patient roster from Mirei, our head nurse maid, and checked it over. The workday always kicked off with reviewing the list.
Hospitals typically didn't run on appointments alone, but the Nodun Kingdom Rehab Medical Center was the kingdom's only one of its kind. Even expanding the scope worldwide, there were just two—including the new one in the empire—so we couldn't accommodate walk-ins without reservations.
"Is this Sion? You two came in together?"
"Yeah. I'm keeping her at my place until we admit her later. She's an important patient."
"Oh, hello?"
Mirei stared silently at Sion, who bobbed her head politely from her wheelchair.
"Um... Director."
"What is it?"
"Her name's Sion Laurel, and if she's important enough for you to pay this much attention... could she be...?"
She'd caught on to something. No point hiding it now—Sion had said as much herself.
"That's right. The hero, Sion Laurel."
"No way..."
Mirei clapped her hands over her mouth in shock.
"Hero, what on earth happened? It must have been so hard for you."
"I'm fine, so please don't worry."
Sion lifted Mirei's hand from her knee and clasped it gently.
"We'll get you better for sure. Let's do this together, Sion!"
"Thank you."
"Mirei, enough chit-chat. We need to start treatments. Get Sion changed into her patient gown and bring her to the exam room."
"Right away! This way, Sion..."
The morning bustle had delayed us a bit, but the treatment schedule was underway. Sion was first on the list, naturally, so her exam kicked things off.
With the nurse maid's help, she changed into the center's patient gown for her stay and wheeled into the exam room, posture impeccable. I walked her through the rehab program I'd drafted until dawn.
"Sion, yours is extreme muscle loss, so we'll focus on exercise rehabilitation. Normally, this has a high success rate with few worries, but..."
Exercise rehab outperformed neural or injury recovery in success rates, but Sion's case was unique. It wasn't just atrophy—her body had been neglected for over three years, making outcomes unpredictable. She could barely handle daily tasks or basic movements, let alone training. The muscle loss alone qualified for a severe disability rating.
It reminded me of rare genetic disorders I'd only read about. But since her muscle generation and protein synthesis were fine, rehab was feasible if she could exercise. That was a relief.
"It's hard to say for sure in your case. That's why I'll handle it personally. Your schedule syncs with mine—check it out."
Usually, I spent most of my time diagnosing, while interns and nurse maids led the rehab sessions. But Sion's? That was mine. I'd brought her here for that.
Of course, I had solid medical justification. In this rehab center, I was the law and the truth. No one questioned my needs, but I wasn't fool enough to let that faith lapse without proper rationale.
"Director Hope, a question?"
"Fire away."
"Your exercise time is so short. Is it because you're busy? If you have to supervise for it to work..."
"Not at all."
I was busy keeping the center running, limiting my time with her, but that wouldn't compromise her rehab schedule.
"There are a few reasons, and with the next patient waiting, I'll explain during your first session."
"I see... Got it."
She said she understood, but her lips pursed in unease. More on her mind?
"Sion. Another question?"
"No. Isn't my exam done? You should see the next patient."
"......"
One minute fretting over my schedule, now pushing me to the next? We'd only known each other days, but I could already read her like a book.
"Sion."
"Yes?"
"Are you worried you're taking up my time?"
"Th-that's not..."
The Sion from the stories—the one I knew—was always putting others first. I'd chalked it up to her being the hero, the good one. But seeing it firsthand these past days? Her concern for others bordered on obsession.
"You're a really good person, Director, barely sleeping three hours to fix people. Is it okay for me to go first like this...?"
Same thought process as yesterday when setting admission order. Her worry that she'd harm others reached near-madness.
"Sigh... Sion."
"......"
I scowled and sighed; she shrank like a scolded child, expecting a reprimand.
"I'm not mad this time. Look up."
"Sorry. I know my treatment comes first, but..."
"No, it's my fault for making you worry needlessly."
"No way...!"
"Sion."
"Yes?"
This needed a new tack—yesterday's approach would loop forever. Her psyche was trickier than her body. Abnormal fixation on order and goodness, trauma-induced outbursts, mood swings from heroic to childlike... I'd have to tie it all together eventually, unearth the root, and heal it.
So treat this chat as therapy. Probe her with different angles, observe reactions.
"You told me yesterday: if you improve in two years, no problem."
"I did."
"I'll throw that back: I'll help your rehab and handle other patients without issue."
How's that land?
"......!"
Her crimson eyes widened, sparkling as they locked on me.
Whoa, that much?
"Director Hope..."
Unexpected, but I stayed composed, meeting her gaze.
"Thank you. For pushing yourself for me."
Sheesh... I thought I had her figured out earlier, but now? No clue why she's so grateful. Was that a bullseye?
"Anyway, focus on your rehab. Don't worry about me or anyone else. Got it?"
"...Yes. Got it."
Something clicked, origin unknown. I'd puzzle out her joy later.
"Mirei, follow the program listed. Take Sion, explain details, prep her."
"Yes, Director."
Time to dive into treatments and exams. I was one of the world's busiest, most vital people. I'd promised Sion no conflicts—wasting time wasn't an option.
Hope. Hope Harvey...
The regressor who'd appeared before her out of nowhere. Claiming to be her comrade from a past life.
The hero Sion racked her brain, repeating his name, hoping some prior-life memory might surface.
Nope, nothing.
No trace of reincarnation. She was the hero, born to destiny. Made to serve the world, act for others.
Act right. Don't disrupt order. Don't harm others. Don't rely on them.
Always strong, steadfast. No falling. No despair. No giving up. No tears.
Every time she broke, someone died or got hurt.
Leaning on others meant burdening them, demanding. The world-bearing hero couldn't be forgiven that.
But...
Nao, Iri, Hanamana.
Her comrades were different. People she could depend on, act spoiled with, be honest around. Those who'd chosen to share her fate.
That's why she could shine in the novel—always with them.
And Hope...
Was Hope Harvey truly her comrade?
She trusted him tentatively, thanks to his proof. But deep down? Not fully yet.
That one line just now, though...
He'd promised to push harder for her—like she and her comrades once did.
Sion, who rejected others' sacrifices, had instinctively thought it's okay when he volunteered more for her.
Since her body broke, she couldn't lean on anyone. Not even her comrades could fix this.
Three years alone.
But Hope...
Can I rely on him...?
If he could heal her, and he was her comrade...