arc2 · 040-ch40

Chapter 40: Save Mom

I made it home safely, clutching the high-grade potion, and immediately called my little sister Umi to the living room. Umi had been making dinner and came out from the kitchen wearing an apron.

"What's up? You look pretty happy about something, Onii-chan."

"Umi, take a guess what this is?"

I placed the expensive-looking box on the rickety old table that creaked when I set it down.

"Huh? What is this? It's a pretty fancy box—is there cake inside or something?"

"Nope! It's not cake!"

Heheh. Once Umi finds out what this is, she'll be over the moon. I opened the box and carefully took out the contents.

"Wait, is that... maybe!?"

"That's right—I got my hands on a high-grade potion! We're going to the hospital with this now!"

"Ehh?! For real?! You're the best, Onii-chan!"

Whoops, danger! Umi came flying at me and I almost dropped the potion.

"Alright, get ready! We're going to the hospital!"

"Yeah! I'll get ready right away!"

While Umi was getting ready, I finished making dinner, covered it with plastic wrap, and then we took a taxi to the hospital.

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"E-e-excuse me. I-I'm S-Soramine S-Sota, s-son of E-Eri Soramine, wh-who's ad-admitted here. Is the d-doctor in p-please?"

The hospital receptionist was a young woman, and I was so nervous I could barely get the words out. Behind me, Umi was holding back laughter, which was frustrating.

"Yes, Mr. Soramine. The attending physician is... Dr. Sasaki. No problem, he's here. He's currently examining a patient, but we'll call you when it's your turn. Please take a seat in the lobby and wait."

Thank goodness, Dr. Sasaki was here. Umi and I followed instructions and sat in the lobby chairs, waiting to be called. I was so anxious about the potion I was holding on my lap that I kept looking around nervously, and Umi ended up laughing at me for acting like some country bumpkin.

We waited about thirty minutes, chatting the whole time, until my name was called at reception. Following the attendant, we entered the examination room, where Dr. Sasaki was sitting in a chair.

"Hello, Mr. Soramine. I heard you didn't come to visit your mother today, but had business with me instead? What can I help you with?"

Dr. Sasaki probably never expected I'd obtain a high-grade potion this quickly. He was looking at me with a slightly puzzled expression.

"Um, I managed to get this."

I took the box out of my backpack and removed the high-grade potion to show him.

"Huh!? Wait, this is!? A high-grade potion!?"

Heheh. As expected of a doctor—he immediately recognized this as a high-grade potion. It felt a little like playing a prank on him, and it put me in a good mood.

"Doctor! Will this cure Mom?"

Umi couldn't hold back and asked Dr. Sasaki directly. But that's exactly what I wanted to know too. I waited without moving a muscle for Dr. Sasaki's answer.

"Of course. With this, she'll definitely recover. I never expected you to obtain one this quickly. You did great, Mr. Soramine."

Dr. Sasaki extended his hand, so I grasped it firmly with both hands.

Then Dr. Sasaki told us he had an opening right after, so we'd be able to give Mom the potion immediately.

Both Umi and I suppressed our excitement and followed the doctor.

"Cough, cough. Oh, is the doctor with you today too? Did something happen?"

When we entered the hospital room, I saw Mom coughing. But it's okay—I'll heal her right up. The other patients in the room were looking our way, wondering what was going on.

After drawing the curtain around the bed so the other patients couldn't see, the doctor handed the potion to Mom.

"This is a high-grade potion that Sota here obtained for you. If you drink this, Eri-san's illness should recover all at once. Now, take your time—slow and steady is fine, just make sure you drink it all."

Surprised by what the doctor said but urged on by him, Mom drank the deep red potion bit by bit. Then, Mom's body began to glow softly.

"Oh, my body... it feels light! I'm not having trouble breathing anymore!"

Mom's complexion kept getting better and better, and her skin looked all glossy and healthy too.

"Mom!"

Unable to hold back, Umi threw her arms around Mom.

"Mr. Soramine, it appears she's made a complete recovery. Just to be safe, we'll run another examination tomorrow, and if the results are good, she can be discharged right after."

The examination is necessary, but just looking at her, Mom seems to be in good shape. The doctor said it's fine too, so she'll probably be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.

The doctor said he'd schedule the exam and left the hospital room.

"You there, potions are pretty expensive, aren't they? How did you get your hands on something so valuable? You didn't get involved in anything dangerous, I hope?"

Now that she'd recovered, Mom started energetically pressing me for answers. Ah, there she is—same old Mom. Umi was having fun watching this too.

Then I explained to Mom about starting my cameraman work using drones and returning to university. At first Mom was only half-convinced, but with Umi joining in to explain, she finally accepted it. Though what's with her trusting an elementary schooler's story more than a university student's?

Well, regardless, I'm genuinely happy that Mom's cured. All my hard work paid off. After chatting happily for a bit longer, we left the hospital room.

▽▽▽

After leaving the hospital, Umi and I took a taxi home. That said, I've been taking taxis everywhere lately. I have plenty of money so it's fine, but I need to be careful about how I spend it.

"Onii-chan, I'm so glad Mom got better!"

Even back at home, Umi was in an incredibly good mood. Watching my sister like that, a thought crossed my mind. For all the talk, I've really put Umi through a lot too. That's right—even though she tried to put on a brave front, she's still a fourth grader. For all the trouble I've caused her, I want her to live a happy life from here on out, even if just a little more.

Alright, first things first—let's buy a house. I have enough money, so I should be able to buy a safer, nicer home. I just told myself to be careful about spending money, but this is a good use of it, right?

"Oh, that's right—Umi, I have a present for you."

"Huh? A present?"

I went back to my room and brought out six autograph boards. These were autographs from everyone in Hyakka Ryouran. There are three from Himehana alone. Umi had wanted them, after all. I don't need them, so I'll give her all of them.

"Ehh?! You actually got them for me?! I'm so happy! Now I can thank everyone!"

Oh, so Umi didn't actually want them for herself. I thought it was a bit weird, but it looks like she was asked by a friend. Well, if something like this helps her get along better with her friends, I'm grateful.

Mom's back to health, Umi's happy—today was a good day.

We proceeded to enjoy our thoroughly cooled dinner with excellent appetites.