Chapter 7
Hiyori Hospital is located in the suburbs of Tokyo, occupying a vast area. Its clientele consists mainly of the elite and wealthy. It is rumored that behind the hospital stands a powerful financial conglomerate with immense influence and control over the medical industry, spanning medical equipment, drug research, and production—almost monopolizing the entire nation.
Today, the sky was clear and cloudless, a deep oceanic blue stretched overhead. Bright sunlight bathed the earth, imbuing all living things with the radiance of life. A breeze stirred the leaves, making them sway as if stretching lazily.
Inside a spacious, exquisitely decorated room filled with artistic and modern design, a finely crafted desk made from high-grade wood stood polished and smooth. On its surface rested the latest technology—computers, printers, and more. Priceless paintings adorned the walls. A coffee machine was tucked into a side cabinet, accompanied by several jars of coffee beans and even some tea. The atmosphere was comfortable, elegant, and luxurious. Without knowing, one might mistake this for a private club or a wealthy individual’s home rather than the office of a hospital director.
Kenzo Terasawa sat in a premium leather executive chair, savoring a peaceful midday moment.
With a gentle blow to cool the steaming tea, he raised the cup to his lips just as the phone rang.
Setting the cup down, Terasawa reached for the receiver.
“Hello.”
“Someone’s asking for me? Who is it?”
“Mitsuishi?! Understood. I’ll come down immediately.”
In an instant, Terasawa’s relaxed demeanor vanished. He hurriedly rose and left the office, taking the elevator down to the ground floor.
*Ding dong.*
The elevator doors slid open. Terasawa stepped out and immediately spotted a man standing by the reception desk. A smile spread across his face as he quickened his pace toward him.
“Special Assistant Nagakawa, what brings you here?” Terasawa said, then glanced sharply at the front desk nurse. “What’s going on? Leaving a guest standing—hurry and bring some tea.”
Having scolded his staff, Terasawa turned back to Nagakawa, his face bright with a smile. “I apologize, our staff training is lacking...”
Nagakawa Shuu interrupted, “I told her not to bother.”
Instead of feeling offended or angry at such a rebuke, Terasawa only turned back to the nurse to apologize.
The nurse dared not let the leader apologize to her and quickly replied, “It’s nothing.”
“Let’s discuss this in your office,” Nagakawa said.
“All right, please follow me,” Terasawa responded humbly, leading the expressionless Nagakawa back to the elevator.
*Ding dong.*
---
The elevator doors closed.
The tense front desk nurse finally exhaled, a cold sweat breaking out along her spine. She was burning with curiosity. “Who is that man the director is treating with such respect?” she wondered, feeling as if a cat’s claws were scratching inside her mind.
A female doctor, glasses perched on her nose and hands tucked into her white coat pockets, emerged from the office. She had intended to come out earlier but paused upon seeing the scene, waiting until the two men left.
“That is the Chief Assistant from the Mitsuishi Group,” she explained.
“Dr. Yukie!” the nurse called affectionately. “Mitsuishi Group... that sounds so familiar, but I can’t quite place it.”
“All the hospital’s equipment bears the Mitsuishi logo,” the doctor replied.
“Ah! That’s right!” the nurse exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.
“You can think of Mitsuishi as the parent company; the hospital is just one of its many enterprises. The man you were curious about is the Chief Assistant, working directly under the Chairman of the Board. His rank and power surpass the director.”
“Even higher than the director?”
“Heh, although ‘Chief Assistant’ sounds like a mere aide, he is directly responsible to the Chairman. He is practically the Chairman’s trusted confidant. If Nagakawa Shuu suggests replacing the director, Kenzo Terasawa would be out by the next day.”
“That’s incredible!”
“Enough chit-chat. Give me the list of last week’s appointments,” Yukie Mori said, stopping by the front desk and tapping the counter.
“All right!” The nurse quickly opened a drawer, retrieved the form, and handed it to her.
---
Sixth Floor.
Kenzo Terasawa welcomed Nagakawa Shuu into his office and invited him to sit. Terasawa then moved toward the cabinet to prepare tea.
This time, Nagakawa did not stop him but instead cast a keen gaze around the office, seemingly taking everything in.
Terasawa soon finished brewing the tea and placed the cup before Nagakawa. “Please help yourself.”
Nagakawa lowered his eyes briefly but made no move. Instead, he lifted the briefcase resting on his lap and set it on the desk.
“This is...?” Terasawa asked, puzzled.
“You admitted a patient yesterday,” Nagakawa replied calmly.
Terasawa’s mind raced. He remembered—the patient had been in critical condition. The patient’s friend had paid a hefty sum, insisting the patient’s life be saved at all costs. Remarkably, the patient ultimately recovered on their own—a true medical miracle. Terasawa wished he could have examined the patient in greater detail.
“The patient’s information must remain strictly confidential. The Chairman demands that everyone who knows keep silent. Can you manage that?” Nagakawa stated matter-of-factly.
Terasawa understood the implication immediately and hastened to pledge his loyalty. “You have my word! It will be done, absolutely!”
Nagakawa nodded, entered a password, and opened the briefcase.
Inside were neatly stacked bundles of U.S. dollars.
Terasawa instantly realized this was hush money. His breathing grew rapid.
“When it’s done, the benefits won’t stop there. If it isn’t...,” Nagakawa’s tone stretched out ominously, a rare smile flickering on his austere face.
A surge of dread washed over Terasawa. He swallowed hard, convinced Nagakawa’s unfinished words meant he would be silenced permanently, buried in cement and thrown into the sea. Confronted with mortal danger, reason overrode greed. Suppressing his fear, Terasawa spoke resolutely, “Rest assured, I will see it through!”
---
The taxi kicked up dust as it sped away.
Hiroshi Gennai led a boy still clad in hospital clothes through the open iron gate. Not far ahead, a European-style villa rose amid a lush garden, flanked on both sides by dense trees.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Only the main road, free from any cover, was bathed entirely in golden light, resembling a stairway to a divine realm.
The boy walked beneath the radiant glow, his skin pale and translucent, hinting at illness. Yet his striking features softened the effect, evoking a fragile, delicate beauty that stirred sympathy.
The cosplayer withdrew his gaze, eyes settling on the young man leading the way, his expression shifting with thoughtful reflection.