Hearing the knock, Konno Yuuki turned from the window towards the door and called out:
"Come in."
As her voice faded, the door opened gently. A nurse with a ponytail, reddish-brown hair, and a serene, elegant demeanour entered:
"Ah, is Yuuki taking a nap? Sorry to dis~turb you."
Hearing the familiar nickname, Konno Yuuki exclaimed with delighted surprise:
"Sister Nanase!"
The visitor was Ren Nanase, a nurse who had previously taken great care of Konno Yuuki.
Watching Nanase enter with a blue folder in her arms, Konno couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Sister Nanase, didn't you get transferred from Infectious Diseases to the Immunisation Department as head nurse? How do you have time to visit me now?"
After changing departments, Nanase had visited before, but always after work hours. This was the first time during working hours.
At Konno's question, Nanase approached, first handing the girl a thermometer to hold under her tongue, then picking up a notepad with a smile:
"Speaking so much at once – does Yuuki not welcome me today?"
"Of course not!"
Konno immediately raised her voice in protest.
Seeing her flustered reaction, a complicated expression flickered across Nanase's face, quickly masked:
"Today, besides visiting you, there's something rather special."
Here, Nanase paused, looking at the frail girl on the bed before continuing:
Hearing this, Konno looked puzzled.
Ward rounds? Hadn't Doctor Kurahashi already accompanied Chief Inokashira on morning rounds?
Why schedule additional rounds now?
At this point, Sister Nanase paused and looked at Konno Yuuki's face with a serious expression:
"Little Yuuki, if you trust me, no matter how exaggerated the things you see later might be, you must stay calm. Discuss the treatment plan seriously with the two directors, think it through carefully, and only then give your answer."
Hearing Sister Nanase speak so solemnly, Konno Yuuki couldn't help but speculate.
She was no stranger to new HIV drugs developed by international pharmaceutical companies. She and her family had even participated in clinical trials for several new drugs, which was why she immediately thought of this possibility.
Hearing this, Sister Nanase said as gently as possible:
"It's more exaggerated than clinical trials. Little Yuuki might become the first person in the world to try this new treatment method."
"New treatment method?"
Konno Yuuki had long accepted that her condition was incurable, but she couldn't help feeling a surge of hope.
"Yes, a new treatment method. Though the content might be... somewhat beyond conventional understanding."
Nanase gave an awkward smile at this point:
"That's precisely why the development company sent me to give you a heads-up first, so you wouldn't disbelieve such a treatment method exists."
"I see." Konno Yuuki finally understood. The company was worried their treatment might be mistaken for a scam, hence sending a nurse she was close with to prepare her.
"I understand, Sister Nanase. I'll listen carefully to the doctors' explanation."
"That's good." Sister Nanase smiled and held out her hand. "Now, spit out the thermometer."
After retrieving it, she checked the reading: "36.8 degrees. Normal temperature."
She then reached out and stroked Konno Yuuki's dry, brittle hair, smiling:
"Listen carefully to the doctors, okay?"
"I will, Sister Nanase."
"I'll take my leave now. The weather's turning colder lately, so keep yourself warm."
"Alright~"
Sister Nanase waved towards the room, closed the door, and, clutching a blue folder, headed straight for the directors' office.
...
"You've worked hard, Nurse Nanase."
Nanase turned towards the office sofa. Upon seeing the figure seated there, she immediately bowed:
"The honour is mine, Director Luo."
"Thank you so much for agreeing to treat that child."
Hearing this, Luo Shu didn't respond directly, merely stating impassively:
"Don't thank me. The only reason I'm intervening is because Konno Yuuki has demonstrated excellent compatibility in certain aspects."
"Rather than letting her die in bed, I'd prefer to make use of her innate talents."
As for what Luo Shu meant by "certain aspects" or "innate talents", these were merely excuses.
The real reason was Luo Shu's reluctance to be constantly approached by people begging for treatment.
By making his criteria deliberately subjective, he could freely reject others.
Unaware of Luo Shu's thoughts, Nanase took his words at face value, genuinely believing Konno Yuuki possessed extraordinary talent. Even knowing the girl might face life-threatening dangers after recovery, she expressed gratitude again:
"Please don't misunderstand. The fact that you're willing to step in and give Yuuki a chance is something I must thank you for."
Luo Shu glanced at Ren Nanase but did not explain, merely stating calmly:
"Save your thanks. Is everything prepared over there?"
"It should be ready by now." As she spoke, Ren Nanase stepped aside to clear the path.
At this moment, Luo Shu stood up and addressed Faust and Utaha sitting on the adjacent sofas:
"The groundwork is laid. Let's go make the final confirmation."