In the hospital corridor.
Luo Shu looked every bit like a real doctor.
Utaha, following closely behind Luo Shu with small steps, couldn't help but mutter under her breath:
"The nurses look at us as if we're yakuza bosses. Is this what adult society is like?"
"More precisely, it's Japan's seniority culture..."
With his deep purple lipstick and dark eye shadow, Faust chuckled softly.
At that moment, Luo Shu, who was walking ahead, spotted the special ward up ahead and reminded them:
"Let's end the chit-chat here. Prepare your emotions—don't lose your nerve later."
Hearing this, Utaha couldn't help but quip:
"Three adults teaming up to deceive a little girl... I can already picture the awkward scene."
Beside her, Faust pulled out a wrapped candy from his pocket and said cheerfully:
"I brought sweets."
"Kids behave when they get candy, right?"
Seeing this, Luo Shu took the candy and retorted, "They might behave, but you'd probably end up explaining your motives at the police station afterwards."
He then added, "Faust, the way you hold out candy really makes you look like a creepy old man."
"Eh?" Faust froze, as if unable to accept this reality.
Luo Shu didn't press further. Instead, he walked to the ward door and knocked.
"Come in."
After hearing Konno Yuuki's voice from inside, Utaha imitated the intern from earlier and opened the door for Faust, stepping aside after entering.
Luo Shu then calmly led the group into the ward, stopping by Konno Yuuki's bed and asking bluntly:
"Nervous?"
Konno Yuuki blinked, then rubbed her hands shyly. "A little."
"Here, have some candy. Low sugar." Luo Shu unwrapped the candy and popped it straight into her mouth.
"Mmm..." Konno Yuuki savoured the sweet, glancing shyly at Luo Shu's face before lowering her head in embarrassment.
Luo Shu remained composed as he asked:
"How have you been lately?"
"Okay, I guess...? I still have trouble sleeping, sometimes breathing's hard, and I get tired easily, but otherwise, it's normal?"
By the end, even she sounded unsure.
Meanwhile, Utaha held up a blue folder a metre away, displaying the diagnostic report for Luo Shu.
Luo Shu glanced at her, inwardly remarking on how quickly she'd picked up the routine, then skimmed Konno Yuuki's file and frowned.
"Last week, you were diagnosed with early-stage lymphoma, right?"
"...Yes." Konno Yuuki nodded, pressing her lips together in a complicated expression.
Faust, who had also seen the report, sighed.
"The condition isn't improving. It's just worsening."
Konno Yuuki stayed silent, her expression troubled.
Luo Shu studied the girl's frail frame, then cut straight to the point:
"Given your current state, conventional treatments won't help anymore. You must know that yourself."
Konno Yuuki gave a bitter smile but didn't argue.
The cruelty of HIV lies in its relentless erosion of the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to endless illnesses, forcing cells into a desperate, losing battle.
Now, despite strict dietary control, 12-year-old Konno Yuuki had still developed lymphoma. She knew she likely had three years left at most...
At this moment, Luo Shu looked at Konno Yuuki's bitter expression and calmly said:
"Have you ever read manga or light novels?"
Konno Yuuki was puzzled as to why Luo Shu would ask this, but still replied with flushed cheeks:
"Ah, I've read some. Doctor Kurahashi buys Weekly Shonen Jump every week, and when I'm bored, I sometimes borrow them to read. Oh, and there's that Magical Girl show on late-night TV about love and miracles... does that count?"
"It counts..." Luo Shu nodded, then said: "Since you're familiar with the concept, this will be easier to explain."
"Eh?" Konno Yuuki blinked in confusion, looking at Luo Shu with bewilderment: "Doctor, were you just talking about... magic?"
"You mean magic, right?"
"Yes." Luo Shu gave a slight nod. "Magic is just a general term. Simply put, it refers to Supernatural Power."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"Can magic cure my illness?" Konno Yuuki instinctively asked, her gaze fixed intently on Luo Shu's eyes as if seeking some guarantee.
At this, Luo Shu calmly explained:
"Based on current circumstances, the magical treatment methods we possess have a 90% success rate in curable cases."
'The remaining 10% are when the person is completely dead, where not even Calamity Absorption can bring them back...' Luo Shu mentally added.
A 90% cure success rate?!
Konno Yuuki looked dazed, taking a long moment to process this:
"So... is this what Sister Nanase meant by 'shattering my worldview'?"
Magic actually exists in this world? That would indeed shatter anyone's worldview.
But after the initial shock, what Konno Yuuki felt was delight—no, sheer euphoria.
Yes, if modern medicine can't treat her illness, then miraculous magic might offer hope, right?
"Don't celebrate just yet."
Luo Shu looked at Konno Yuuki and cautioned:
"Magic comes with a price!"
Hearing this, Konno Yuuki felt as if doused with cold water, instantly sobering up.
'Magic has a price...' Konno Yuuki pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, then looked at Luo Shu and asked:
"Doctor, what is the price?"
Luo Shu met her gaze deeply before replying:
"Freedom."
"And loyalty!"