Drawing the Future
"Oh? Where did that cute little doctor go?"
The grandmother standing before me now was, according to her chart, someone who did her rehab at home. She came in regularly to have Hanamana check her condition and get her meds and rehab program.
"If you're looking for Director Hanamana, she looked exhausted, so I told her to rest. I'll be handling your appointment today."
"Oh dear, that's worrisome."
"I understand your concern, but I'm a rehabilitation specialist from the Nodun Kingdom, here to inspect the facility, so no need to worry too much."
"It's not that I doubt you, Doctor... It's just that tiny doctor of ours has me concerned."
Whenever I told patients that I'd let Hanamana rest, they all reacted the same way. She truly carried the worries of the entire world on her shoulders.
"That doctor always doubts herself and stumbles over her words, but she's so diligent~ How does someone so small have that much energy? I heard she adventured with the hero once, but I always hoped she wouldn't push herself too hard. Anyway, it's a relief she's resting. We're in your debt, Doctor from the kingdom. Thank you so much."
The grandmother bowed her head deeply in thanks. I had no idea how many such greetings I'd received today. Hanamana was the one who'd handed her work to me and gone to rest, yet it was the patients—not her—who kept thanking me. Strange, but touching.
Anyway, after handling the backlog of patients, I headed to the rehab gym to oversee Sion and the others' exercises.
"There you are, Dr. Hope."
"Hm? What's going on?"
Sion was surrounded by patients and staff. Was she motivating them as the hero, just like back in the kingdom?
"We were listening to Hanamana's adventure stories."
"Ho ho."
Like the center in the kingdom, most patients here at the Praine Holy Nation Rehab Center were former adventurers. And with the staff mostly being priests, tales from the hero party's priestess would naturally pique their interest. Especially since it was the heyday adventures of their accident-prone, cute elf director.
I could understand the appeal, but...
"Everyone, back to your exercises. Staff, please manage the patients."
"Yes, Director."
"Got it."
"Thanks for the hero stories!"
If Sion and the patients' rehab didn't progress, it would be a problem, so I gave the order to disperse. They greeted Sion and returned to their spots. I worried I might be ruining the good vibe, but they all complied without fuss.
Back in the kingdom, patients flocked to Sion and wouldn't budge, but the atmosphere here felt different. Come to think of it, as the pope had said, these patients had come seeking the Holy Nation's renowned healing even before rehab medicine gained fame. Many had since gone to the kingdom, but those here were the holdouts—perhaps more serious about treatment.
"People here really love Hanamana's stories."
Sion must have sensed the same vibe from the patients as I had during consultations.
"The clinic patients were all talking about her too."
"Really?"
"I got tons of thanks. For letting Hanamana rest, apparently."
"See? Everyone thinks so. Dr. Hope, you're kind and wonderful."
"I never said I wasn't. I just don't want to be a bad guy."
"Still so shy."
Sion giggled again. Before coming here, the weekend incident had left her a bit down, but yesterday and today, she seemed brighter. Meeting an old comrade must have lifted her spirits.
"Anyway, let's get started. I'll buff you up."
With no Mirei around and the staff busy with other patients, this was the first one-on-one rehab session with Sion in the month since we started—our first in ages.
I cast the strongest buff she could handle without strain to help her stand, then extended both hands toward her in the wheelchair.
"Buff's on. Grab my hands and stand."
Today, we were starting parallel bar walking training. Her muscle strength had just barely hit the threshold, so this was the moment we escaped sitting/lying exercises for proper rehab—the first real step.
Sion reached out and clasped my hands.
"Dr. Hope."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever been to a ball?"
"A ball?"
Sion gripped my hands with all her might, stood on her legs, and looked up at my face.
So close...
The sudden question, combined with our locked hands and eyes, stole my focus—I missed my cue to reply.
"I thought not. You've devoted your life to rehabilitation medicine."
With no answer, she supplied it herself.
"You know me well. Have you been to one, Sion?"
"Yes. Once. After everything ended, at the victory celebration in the empire. I was the guest of honor."
Post-ending content. A celebration after defeating the Demon King—makes sense.
"But I didn't dance that day. I sat by Nao's side the whole time, watching everyone laugh and twirl below. Waving to those who came to greet me."
"Sion..."
"I smiled the whole time, basking in the cheers, but my body was already too weak to stand without Zero Resistance, and the triumph of driving back the Demon King couldn't drown out the grief of losing Iri. I wasn't in my right mind."
A dark tale. Usually, she'd bow her head when sharing these, but today, despite the sadness, she looked straight into my eyes.
"But do you know what's more important?"
"More important?"
"The real reason I didn't dance."
"......"
Beyond her broken body and mind? What else could there be?
"No idea."
"No one to offer their hand, like this."
Like this...?
Ah...!
She must have recalled the ball from me extending my hands to help her stand.
Her out-of-the-blue comment suddenly made sense.
"Usually offer both hands?"
"It's double the invitation."
"Didn't know that etiquette."
"Right? A lifetime studying rehab means you're clueless about party manners... Whoa!"
"Sion!"
She'd been standing steady, but suddenly lost balance. I released and caught her as she fell toward me.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, but my legs..."
Her legs gave out; she clung to me to avoid collapsing. The buff was still active—too soon for it to fade.
"No strength in them?"
"Seems like."
"You're at the point where you need every ounce of focus just to stand. Letting your mind wander did this."
"......"
She couldn't stand anymore, so I guided her back to the wheelchair. She sat as I led, but her expression soured.
"Wandering thoughts..."
She mumbled, head down, dejected. Had I upset her? I'd meant to caution her—distraction mid-training was bad—but in context, after dredging up painful memories, my words landed harshly.
We couldn't proceed without addressing her mental state...
"Sion."
"Yes?"
"Sorry for calling them 'useless' thoughts."
"No, it's fine. You're right."
Apologize first. But words alone wouldn't fix it... What could reignite her rehab drive here? Obviously this.
"That... ball."
"Yes?"
"About the ball."
"......?"
"When you're fully recovered, I'll offer my hand then too."
Her gaze lifted from the floor, eyes widening in surprise. Bewildered, even.
"It'd be reason enough to throw a party when you can dance again."
"You mean..."
"I'll have healed you, so I'll be a star too. Dancing together should be fine, right?"
"......"
She blinked her wide eyes silently a few times, then slowly nodded, gaze dropping.
"Of course. When that day comes..."
To make that possible, I extended both hands again.
"Let's really start now. Focus this time."
"...Yes. Got it."
Sion clasped my hands slowly. But... was she still dazed? She seemed focused on standing, but who knew what ran through her mind.
All I could do was hope she finished today's session safely.