Chapter Text
A big sigh was released from the mouth, Toru has returned and his sisters welcome him. Though it sounded that he was tired from school activities, it was more than just that. Oh how he wished that man could actually redeem himself through him. But the doctor's method was enough, efficient even. Making him very much aware of his adult decision when his future comes. It’s a valuable lesson, he wouldn't forget. Though he really wishes that the image would quickly go away, he doesn't want to waste the good food his doctor made after all. But, is the story appropriate for his younger siblings?
His parents were puzzled and the brothers had a different idea. But since that stalker incident that was caused by his family worn off, he should be able to trust them with this story. If, however, the last shenanigan ever repeats. He will never do this assignment, no matter how much they plead for it. So he started by not allowing to eat chikuwa for a week or two, just to be safe. They were concerned but agreed to the odd request, then warned them about their latest action. Toru waited for a few more moments, seeing that his family was done preparing some snacks. He, too, brought his own from the shrine and bought it as a gift. Another form of business for the doctor to peek at potential patients. But he was grateful enough that there wasn't an eye on his bag case.
The middle started with a man that looks like a yankee, he came with a hospital recommendation. He read the paper stating what was said, his lower half became a chikuwa. All male of the Kuromori family except for Toru, shiver at the statement. The sisters were unaware because it was censored by adults. It started as just a recommendation, then he actually became the doctor's patient. He asked for him to see the Chikuwa before anything else, making fun of him along with the simple explanation. Dr. Ramune seems to know what was going on long before the patient does. However, they deny anything about being aware of the cause.
“So, in other words, they don't want to be treated.” said Kurage, thinking of how he would actually beat the blonde boy. Aware of the thoughts, he corrected his assumption. “The patient wants to fix it quickly, since he is expecting to date a girl. However, since the doctor was telling him that the treatment may go fast by a week or last to a year.” Toru explained, making his family understand their kin's medication. The mother was very serious and calm, before asking the question. “So, what happened next?” then accompanied with expectation.
Toru explained the outrage the patient felt when he was told about the treatment. Until he asked for a temporary fix, giving the iconic smile that they would regret. “Wait, Wait! Are you telling me that he is willing to play this as the client likes?!” the father asked. “Sensei was and is willing to comply with their needs of treatment, may it bring good or harm to their own self.” he answered, but on his thoughts. ‘Though his way of things were drastic, it did bear a good ending.’
He resumes his story as to fetch a certain item, a mysterious item cloth. He made a small demonstration by writing his arm, then covered by the furoshiki and it looks like it hadn't been written on. The doctor explains that it was an item that could hide everything with a lie, but he left some words. Seeing an excited expression from the client, he asked for their consent and the other agreed. They immediately called the number and left the building with the rented item.
“I don't think that is a good way to treat him.” told their father, then with a booming voice. “He should be beaten to death!!!” making his brothers agree. “I told him that as well, but.” he thinks again. Remembering the time that he got stuck starving and unable to get enough sleep from his prison. The same bruises that happened to Ramune's arm, are the same color as the day he was rescued. Like a jigsaw puzzle that is being piece together, he knew how his face became on that fateful day. “But he said that he'll be back, so we only have to wait.”
They ate at the dinner that had a waitress with a ring. Upon further investigation, she was also taken by the same person that they met. Both did their order and let his doctor investigate their client, he then left some specific information on how. When he gave his own statement on their patient, he was answered with the most brutal truth. “The patient had seven rings, he was seeing seven different girls including the waitress.” The eldest wanted to say something else but was cut off by the creaking sound. Their mother crushed an empty cup and his sisters were deadly calm. “So that's why his lower half became a chikuwa. And will that cloth get him cured?” Toru shakes his head, not trusting his voice when it comes to his mother. “What a drastic route to help him,” she said with a smile. He then started on the next day, another patient that was related to their Chikuwa patient. She had a geta attached to her feet, she was also a referral too. Making the eldest son perk, when asked something wrong he shook his head.
The situation was just like their first one only, she lied about the cause of her distress. He was confused, why would the doctor agree to help her? But the answer was simple, they are in denial. And just like before, they investigate the truth without the client knowing. Fan was still untouched since he noticed the doctor's gaze fell to the item. Then, the doctor confirmed that some of them were one of the seven girls. Making the Chikuwa patient the perpetrator and the geta feet patient victim. “It was unfortunate because I didn't know how much the doctor was able to be there for her. But I guess it's okay to skip on her next visit.” when everyone groans at the skipped tale. One spoke up. “I think… I can help you with that.” said the eldest. Surprising them at his own involvement. But Toru was curious as to why his older brother followed the doctor, so he let him.
Hotate started about going to hang out with his friend when he noticed Ramune was shopping. Coming out of the shop with a backpack and umbrella on hand, he quickly followed him. It started to rain when he stopped for some odd reason, following the gaze of a woman that was leaning to a corner and breaking down. The doctor sheltered her and asked to help him with something, he then proceeded to grab some tacky outfits. Odd enough, the girl also calmed down. He did go inside the store just to hear them talking, just trivial matters. Then, the conversation comes to shoes and feet. The girl wanted the shoes that were displayed but could get them for some other reason. The mention of geta feet confused him greatly but let it play, then about the boyfriend that wouldn't allow her to wear it. It became a bit comical that the two were fighting like siblings instead of a regular doctor and patient. He then heard all the complaints that came from a woman's voice, the eldest doesn't need to be near for the volume. Then, he stopped his story.
“I guess with all that cutting made her wear out.” Toru spoke, because he came to a conclusion that having her ties cut would wear the girl down. Be it big or small, ‘But would cutting a stranger's tie work?’ he thinks. But instead, the doctor's words came to him and chucked the idea out. Even though that's what she wanted to begin with, she wasn't even happy about the temporary fix. “Toru, those mysterious items that he kept lending. Are they truly safe?” Hotate asked with worry, surprising for a bit. But he was asked a question, so he needs to answer. “Sensei told me, ‘there isn't a safe mysterious item without paying the price. So we, who use it, must understand what price to pay for using them.’ I didn't understand it at first because I'm also a patient of the doctor.” he paused to see how they would react. “Do you?” When everyone didn't answer nor looked at him. He had his answer.
The eldest continued his story with a silent insistence from Toru. He proceeds when the doctor compliments that there is a real friend among the groups of fake. Even come up with a theory that she would use the fan on the specific person. “I really wanna hit him. Because it looked like he was making things up and the girl was on the verge of crying.” Hotate said as he clenched his fist, “But that would only make me look like an asshole.” he scoffs at his action. Kurage was about to encourage something until Toru said otherwise. “Sensei told me that there are people who didn't know the reason for his action.” He remembers the time when he kept approaching him about his symptoms. Trying so hard to cure him without asking for anything, but that was the outside perspective “I'm also like that as well.” he added. Yet, with all the times that Ramune lends him his study about mysterious diseases. The cure and treatment, he was able to understand even a little bit about himself. “But… if anything.” he started again. “He knows more human understanding than anyone I know.” he spoke proudly. In the end, the eldest continues his side of the story.
He saw how the girl broke down at two people that were hanging in balance, the doctor was patient to hear the answer. But hearing the same answer like before, he presumes that he'll leave and let her be. Until another person came in, she was drenched from head to toe and catching her breath. It was Toru's turn to perk up at the definition of such a person, even having the idea who it was. Hotate continues on how the girl threatened the doctor for someone else. But he didn't see any fear, just pain about the words that are being thrown out to him. Dare the eldest to say that Ramune was happy. The middle child made it click at what was happening, though his older brother didn't understand. So he explained immediately, “The doctor wants her friend to hear the words who truly value her. Making a right decision on who the patient should rely on.” The eldest was surprised, because the answer seemed to be fitting for what he saw. But Kurage was sulking, he wanted to deny it very much yet remained quiet. So the story continues, giving the truth about the cause of her getting feet. Ramune told her the truth about the fan, it was truly to help her cure the mysterious disease. And then left the area as the girls talked about buying new clothes and shoes.
“I didn't stay too long because the rain lifted up and walked my way home.” he finished. The second quickly grabbed the hem of the other's yukata and shook him vigorously, Toru was aware of his hatred to the doctor. But he quickly did his part on the other patient story, making both of his brothers stop and listen. He started in the afternoon when he was done with a few of his examinations. The doctor was grilling chikuwa at that time for snacks of course, yet his brother's face was anything but calm. The said dish was done, but that was also when the male patient came as well. Accusing the doctor of being unable to cure his mysterious sickness, though he remembers very well that didn't actually happen. Dr. Ramune told this to him, realizing his own mistake. He even explains the palliative fix that he gained by hiding his chikuwa, then the price he needed to pay for every lie that he spoke. “The man was devastated at the fact that his rod would fall off.” Toru spoke, making all men of the household shiver. The idea of their own becoming chikuwa and just falling off was a scary thing. This made them aware that Ramune knew what he was doing, begrudgingly.
“The patient agreed to fix his mysterious disease…” he paused, remembering the words that held heavily to him. “He said he'll do anything.” clicking his tongue while looking at the nothingness. He then added, “He shouldn't have said that.” It may sound cruel from his family’s perception… or some of them. But he continued his story nonetheless. The patient followed his doctor's instruction as he wore those rings, before the transfer even began. Seeing the man scream in pain was disturbing, especially when he screamed the second time. When it was done, the rotting chikuwa was now on his finger. “You have to tell the truth to each and everyone of them, that is the only way for it to be gone. That's what sensei told him.” Everyone was silent as if a storm was about to get loose. Fortunately, they were quiet and understanding throughout the rest of the story. He did leave a lot of information about the guy but it isn't his place to tell, so Toru moved the story back towards their female patient.
“The girl came back to our clinic, returning the item that was lent to her. We then see the visible change to her feet. Thankfully, she used it to the right person.” he started making the girls nod in approval. Continuing at the fact that Ramune did inform her of such good news of being able to wear any type of shoes. Gladen to the news, she even showed cute high heels with bows front and back. “The doctor compliments her choice of style, which was surprising.” he smiled at the childish act that happened after the girl left. However, he still chided his sensei as it was their daily banter. Over all, the patient is now happy at her own choice. So, too, is the doctor that watches over the two who chatted happily. Before leaving them to their own business, as they went to the store and chatted about their own day.