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#99 Force Vacation
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2024-11-04 07:02:02“Oh, it’s changed,” Akiko gasped as they arrived at Kenji’s house.
There were several changes due to Kenji's condition, especially in his bedroom. Kenji's bedroom now has a large bed. The modern design featured earth-toned bed linens and black cushions.
It didn’t quite match the atmosphere, but aesthetics weren't as important as Kenji’s comfort. If he had to get up from the floor every time, his body would struggle.
“Yeah, and thank goodness for that.”
Kenji walked with a cane and laid down on the bed slowly—very sluggishly. If not for his injuries, Kenji would have thrown himself onto it. He tossed the cane aside and sighed in relief.
Kenji was beginning to understand why the doctor had forbidden him from going home. His body felt utterly exhausted from the simple act of walking into the house. His chest ached when he took a breath.
“I’ll make some hot tea,” Akiko said,
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Akiko snapped out of her daydream as a cold drop of water landed on the back of her hand. She raised her hand and looked up; more drops followed. The spring rain had begun to fall.“He... is so perfect.” Akiko smiled and closed her eyes. She leaned back, letting the rain wash over her face. The teenagers who had been playing basketball earlier ran home to seek shelter, but Akiko remained seated.The rain was only a drizzle, but it was enough to cool her face and, of course, conceal how disheveled she looked.Akiko’s desire to hold back her tears and act normal was merely wishful thinking, because in the end, it took a long time before she could stop the tears.Her face was now swollen and red. For a while, the rain could hide that. She might have to clarify later why she opted to get wet instead of seeking shelter.“KIKO-CHAN!”Akiko flinched and opened her eyes, spotting Kenji running down the steps, coming tow
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"Is this going to be permanent?" As soon as Kenji and Hayashi left the room, he asked his question.Hayashi ran a hand through his white hair, and the lines on his forehead deepened."The answer is, I don't know." Hayashi gave his honest reply with a long sigh.If not for the fact that Hayashi had done so much to help Akiko recover, Kenji might have snapped at him for his unhelpful response.It was Hayashi's job to diagnose Akiko's condition, not to be unsure. It was Kenji's responsibility not to be in the dark."Maybe this answer won't satisfy you," Hayashi said, noticing how Kenji was struggling to contain his emotions."However, I am unable to provide a definitive response. The neurologist who worked with me on Akiko's case before diagnosed her as unable to function normally, but after therapy restored her motor skills, her ability to remember and understand things slowly returned. When it comes to Akiko's condition, nothing is set in sto
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Akiko followed Hayashi's flashlight beam, moving left and right with ease. There was no problem at all."What do you feel?" Hayashi asked with a friendly smile. Akiko looked at him. He was a kind and gentle doctor."Dizzy." Akiko had felt a sharp pain in her head when she tried to sit up earlier, but now it had eased significantly. That was her only physical complaint. As for her thoughts—Akiko couldn’t explain them."Of course you feel dizzy. You have a head injury."Akiko appreciated the doctor's warmth as he gently explained. She then touched the bandage on her head with a confused expression."What happened to me? Did I fall?" Akiko inquired, hoping for a quick explanation.But the doctor didn’t answer immediately. Akiko caught him glancing at one of the men standing on the opposite side of the bed. The man nodded.Akiko understood instantly that Hayashi had just sought permission. The doctor was seeking permissi
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Kenji's thoughts immediately pointed to her. Only Karin could have come up with such a cunning plan, with the intent to hurt Akiko.After all, who else knew about the relationship between him and Akiko besides Karin? Kenji doubted his father would resort to such cowardly methods. His father had already shown his way yesterday—an attack from the front, forceful if necessary."I think we were wrong. Karin isn't interested in the Nakamura fortune. She's doing everything she can to hurt Akiko." Kenji corrected his earlier assumption that Karin was merely being materialistic when she tricked him. "Everything she's done since the beginning has hurt Akiko.""Why though? Why would she hate her own niece?" Ryu scratched his head, looking confused.It wasn't a question that Kenji needed to answer. Aside from not knowing the reason, Kenji didn’t care. What mattered was that Karin had hurt Akiko.Before this, Kenji could still forgive everything Kari
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