Kouhei, injured by a bullet, seems to be hospitalized.
“So? Did Amemiya believe what you said?”
Fumiyo, who came to visit, skillfully peeled an apple. I wonder if this is the masterful technique of peeling an apple in one continuous strip?
“Halfway.”
“Halfway?”
If she’s half convinced, then it’s halfway, right?
“The other half will be filled soon.”
Just as I said that, Amemiya arrived at the hospital room.
“Amakake, permission to enter.”
“Ah, please.”
Amemiya entered the private room with a subtle expression and broke into a smile upon seeing Fumiyo.
“Fumiyo-san was here. Was I intruding?”
“What are you saying? I’m a man who was abandoned by Fumiyo long ago.”
“Please don’t say such unpleasant things.”
“Then, was it that you ran away?”
“Even if I lacked self-control, didn’t you do enough to make me want to run away?”
Memories of his past, of being engrossed in work to fulfill his ambitions and treating her like a housekeeper, resurfaced.
No matter how good I am at convenient assumptions, unfortunately, there’s no way to defend myself.
“I have no words. So, Amemiya, how did it go?”
Amemiya returned the magatama to me, and I hung it around my neck. I feel calm with this magatama. It’s like a charm.
“I asked a friend who majors in geo-chronology to investigate, and it turns out that the magatama is made of a substance not found on Earth, even including meteorites. Just as Amakake said, it was an unknown new substance. They begged me to let them investigate further, but I somehow managed to talk my way out and return.”
“It was just as I said, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. … Does Fumiyo-san believe Amakake’s story?”
“Of course, I believe him.”
“Then I’ll believe it too.”
Well, well, I don’t seem to have much credibility. …Considering my past actions, that’s natural.
“So, with that said. Amemiya, I need your cooperation.”
“What kind of cooperation do you need?”
“Just like my father, if my soul is transferred to Planet Terra, this body will be in an irreversible brain-dead state. Please make arrangements so that Fumiyo and the others are not inconvenienced.”
“So, when you use that ‘Soul Transfer Art,’ I need to secure Fumiyo-san’s alibi?”
I’m glad she’s perceptive. If there are any questions about my death, Fumiyo, who inherits the estate, would be the one suspected.
“Also, I’d appreciate a death certificate. If there are any usable organs, please use them for someone. I’m not coming back to Earth anyway. If there’s a life I can save using this body, please save it. Though, no one might want a body afflicted with Chimera Syndrome.”
“That’s not true. Please sign the donor forms later.”
“Understood. And please provide all possible life support as a doctor. Any extra time will increase the possibility of going to Planet Terra.”
“That goes without saying. I’ll buy you time using every means possible.”
“Thank you. Speaking of which, what happened to Airi?”
“She seems to have been shocked by that incident. She’s running a fever and is bedridden.”
“Then you shouldn’t be visiting me, you should be by your daughter’s side. Go home quickly.”
“Yes, yes. I’m a failure as a mother anyway. Airi said, ‘Thank you, Uncle Kouhei.’ She said Uncle Kouhei is Superman who shielded her from the bullet.”
If Airi says so, I’m fine with being Superman’s cousin, not Batman.
“I’m responsible for what happened with Tomabechi. I apologize for getting you involved.”
Despite my failure from underestimating someone, I still haven’t learned. Tomabechi, whom I thought of as timid, turned out to be a murderer.
But he’s already in detention and heading to prison. It’s impossible for him to harm Fumiyo and the others.
It was a painful experience, but now I can rest easy. I’m truly glad that Airi, who gave me a hint for going to Planet Terra, is safe…
Wait a minute? Airi was the one who told me the magatama contained Nenshin Power.
This means she can sense Nenshin Power… Didn’t she also say she heard the last message from her father who died in the Middle East? …Doesn’t that sound similar to Tenshindo, which Princess Mikoto can use?
If that’s the case… it means Airi possesses exceptional Nenshin Power!
“Fumiyo! Bring Airi to this hospital immediately!”
“What’s the sudden urgency? It’s just shock. She ate her breakfast properly, and we’re just being cautious…”
“Just bring her! Amemiya, prepare for a detailed examination!”
“Ah, ah. That’s fine, but what’s going on?”
“Fumiyo, you said Airi was the one who told you about the magatama’s secret, right?”
“Yes. She’s always had something strange about her since she was little…”
“Airi also received a message from her father who died in the Middle East. This means she might have extraordinary Nenshin Power! Chimera Syndrome is caused by Nenshin Power!”
“N-no way! Airi too!”
“That’s what we need to confirm. Bring Airi here and let her undergo examination. If nothing is found, then it’s fine.”
“Understood. Amemiya-san, please prepare for the detailed examination.”
Fumiyo hurried out of the room.
Please, I hope this is just my overthinking!
“To get straight to the point. Chimera Syndrome, Stage 1.”
Amemiya’s voice was somber, and my vision went dark. No way! How could this happen! It’s too unfair!
Chimera Syndrome is supposed to manifest no earlier than the late thirties!
“Amemiya, is there any possibility of a mistake?”
“None. I wish there was a mistake too, but everything I’ve cultivated as a doctor tells me there’s no mistake.”
“No! Airi! Airi…”
Fumiyo broke down in tears. I wanted to comfort her, but I didn’t know what words to use.
“If it’s Stage 1, it’s not life-threatening, right?”
“Of course not. We can remove a small portion of the liver and it will be fine. However…”
That’s right. It might be fine now, but what about the future?
Manifestation of Chimera Syndrome usually occurs around my age. It’s when the life force supporting Nenshin Power begins to wane.
However, Airi, who possesses Nenshin Power incomparable to mine, is already at risk of developing it at this point.
…No, she has already developed it.
“Even if it’s manageable now, won’t the risk of developing it increase? …Does this mean Airi won’t live long?”
Fumiyo asked Amemiya, but Amemiya couldn’t answer.
“Fumiyo, if she gets frequent detailed check-ups, it can be detected early. It doesn’t mean she won’t live long.”
“Even so! She’ll have to live her life in fear of the shadow of illness, undergoing surgery every time it’s found… Will Airi have to live like that! No, will she even be able to live long with multiple surgeries at such a young age… Ah, what should I do!”
“…Amemiya, if the cause of Chimera Syndrome is as my father hypothesized, can she live long with repeated surgical removals?”
“…If the discovery is as early as this time, the burden on her body will be minimized. I believe she can live a long life too.”
“You believe so? Without sugarcoating it, give me your opinion as a professional. Please.”
“If excessive Nenshin Power causes Chimera Syndrome, your Nenshin Power can be estimated to be quite strong. I’ve been keeping it to myself, but Ai-chan is exceptionally the youngest in terms of Chimera Syndrome cases. At least among those confirmed to have it.”
So, there are no people of Airi’s age who have developed it, or if there are, they died before confirmation.
Airi won’t live long like this. Namihei also seemed to have a risk of developing it, but the situation is more serious here.
Fumiyo must have thought the same. She covered her face and began to sob.
“…There is a way to save Airi.”
At my words, Fumiyo looked up, her face wet with tears.
“There’s a way? What kind of way? Tell me!”
“It’s the same method as me. Chimera Syndrome doesn’t exist on Planet Terra.”
“!!”
“The procedure is as follows. First, I will go to Planet Terra and prepare a clone body for Airi. Then, if Airi cannot live long on Earth, or if she wishes to go to Planet Terra rather than live in fear of illness, I will summon Airi from Planet Terra.”
“………”
“………Think carefully and decide. We still have time.”
“………Understood. Please give me a little time.”
“Amemiya, I’m counting on your surgery for Airi.”
“Leave it to me. Fumiyo-san, let’s go to Airi-chan’s room. She wants to see you.”
Fumiyo was led out of the room by Amemiya.
This is Fumiyo and her daughter’s problem. A third party like me shouldn’t interfere…
But if Airi decides to go to Planet Terra, I’ve also made up my mind.
For now, I will wait for their answer. Whatever answer they give, I intend to respect it and agree with it.
