Chi Feichi put the phone back in its place.
Wait... did he suspect my parents have psychological issues?
"Dr. Fukuyama, the hospitalization costs here aren't exactly cheap..."
"So there really is a history of hereditary mental illness?" Fukuyama Tomoaki's expression grew solemn as he advised, "If there's a problem, it must be treated promptly..."
"No, what I mean is," Chi Feichi said in his usual calm tone, "Please let them off. If the whole family gets admitted, who's going to pay the hospital bills?"
Fukuyama choked on his words, paused for a moment, and then continued. "It doesn't necessarily require hospitalization. We can also resolve things through communication. Besides, that might actually be beneficial for your recovery."
"I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but I am a bit curious. Is seeing everyone as problematic an occupational disease?" Chi Feichi countered.
"I suppose so." Fukuyama thought for a moment, not denying the occupational hazard. Suddenly, he asked, "Mr. Chi, what is tomorrow's date?"
Chi Feichi glanced at the calendar on the wall. Today was August 21st.
"August 22nd."
Fukuyama corrected him. "Tomorrow is August 11th. It seems there are still some issues with your time perception."
Chi Feichi: "..."
He hesitated for 0.01 seconds between flipping the table and not... Forget it. Aside from his slightly excessive professional quirks, Dr. Fukuyama is actually a very responsible and good doctor.
"Hmm... but there's no need to rush, and no need to avoid it," Fukuyama comforted him while taking notes. "Take it slow, it will get better."
Chi Feichi: "..."
Expressionless Face × 2...
"Alright," Fukuyama finished his notes and looked up with a smile. "We'll try again tomorrow."
Chi Feichi really wanted to say, "Take me away, give up, there's no cure." But he estimated that if he said that, he'd just be force-fed another pot of rich, comforting 'chicken soup for the soul.' So, he simply changed the subject.
"I'd like to request permission to go out."
"Is there something you need?"
"To buy two books."
"I'll need to know the content of the books. That's not a problem, right?"
"What time do you plan to return? I'll log your outing for you."
"5:00 PM."
"The forecast says rain today. Remember to bring an umbrella."
Going out required a fixed return time and a chaperone.
This was Chi Feichi's life in the mental hospital.
The chaperone was a male doctor named Kitagawa Adachi.
He was very young, dressed in a neat black suit, trying to look serious and unsmiling. However, this instantly exposed him as a rookie who had just joined the hospital.
"Dr. Kitagawa, are you nervous?" Chi Feichi asked casually as he carried his selected books to the checkout counter.
Kitagawa Adachi immediately retorted, "No."
Chi Feichi silently slapped a 'Rookie' label on him. He was far behind an old hand like Fukuyama, who could smile at any moment. "Don't be nervous. I won't attack anyone, and I've maintained my rationality."
Kitagawa secretly breathed a sigh of relief. only then did he notice the books Chi Feichi had chosen.
On the left pile:Introduction to Psychology, Personality Measurement, Abnormal Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Psychometrics...
On the right pile:Murphy's Law, The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, Studies on Hysteria, The Interpretation of Dreams, Contributions to the Theory of Sensory Perception, Crime and Personality, Telling Lies...
Kitagawa Adachi: "!"
Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
What do you want to do? What are you trying to do?!
"Just these," Chi Feichi had already paid. He set two books aside, wrote his address on a label, and handed it to the clerk. "Pack the rest in a box and deliver them here. If no one is home, just leave them with the uncle at the apartment reception."
"Certainly!" The clerk took the slip with both hands. "We can have them delivered around 3:00 PM this afternoon!"
Chi Feichi nodded and walked out with only the two books he had picked out for himself: The Interpretation of Dreams and Introduction to Psychology.
Kitagawa hurriedly followed him out. "Ahem, Mr. Chi, buying these books..."
"Are these types of books forbidden?" Chi Feichi asked calmly.
"Not exactly, but..." Kitagawa hesitated. "Hmm... I'm not sure either. I'll have to ask Senior Fukuyama when we get back."
Chi Feichi nodded, then focused on waiting for the green light at the intersection.
Kitagawa Adachi was weeping internally. We're standing side by side, and I'm even wearing a more formal suit while he's just in casual wear. So why does it feel more like I'm Chi Feichi's little henchman?
Is this what they call 'aura'?It's unscientific. Absolutely unscientific. I'm the doctor here...
Suddenly, drizzle began to drift down from the sky.
"Eh? Is it raining?" A passerby waiting for the light reached out to catch a drop.
The green light turned on. Behind them, a couple walked past quickly, complaining to each other.
"I told you it would rain today, but you didn't bring an umbrella." "Didn't you forget yours too?"
"Fortunately, Senior Fukuyama reminded us..." Kitagawa sighed with relief, digging two umbrellas out of his bag. "Mr. Chi, since my bag is empty now, let me hold the books for you."
"Sorry for the trouble," Chi Feichi withdrew his gaze from the sky, took the umbrella, and handed the books to Kitagawa.
The rain fell harder and harder, and the already gloomy sky grew darker.
Pedestrians without umbrellas hurried past with their heads down, their quickened steps splashing in the accumulating water on the road.
As they walked, fewer and fewer people remained on the street. On the side of the sidewalk, a small figure wrapped in an ill-fitting lab coat, head down, was holding onto the wall, walking barefoot, staggering slowly.
Chi Feichi saw the figure and stopped.
Kitagawa followed his gaze in confusion. "That child..."
In the next second, the small figure tripped over the hem of the lab coat and fell into a puddle. Dirty water splashed onto her already soaked tea-colored hair.
Chi Feichi sighed inwardly and walked toward Haibara Ai.
Seeing the little loli fall awkwardly into the rain with his own eyes was quite heart-wrenching...
Haibara Ai struggled to stand up, wiping the rain from her face with a soaking wet sleeve. Just as she prepared to continue walking, she found her path blocked. She looked up.
In the rain, two tall, thin men stood before her, holding black umbrellas.
One looked more mature, wearing a neat black suit and white shirt, with black hair in a buzz cut and a serious expression.
The other—who seemed to her to be the dominant one—looked significantly younger and was also dressed entirely in black.
His black windbreaker was zipped up high, the loose collar standing up and partially obscuring his face. His short black hair fell softly, and a pair of pale purple eyes stared down at her with calm indifference.
Are they from the Organization?Was... was I found?
Haibara Ai's face went pale. She froze in place, staring up at Chi Feichi in a daze, her eyes filled with panic and vigilance.
Chi Feichi noticed the Loli-Ai's mood was off. He looked down at his own clothes, then turned to look at Kitagawa Adachi. Going out today really is interesting. Two guys dressed in all black.
He crouched down, looking Haibara Ai in the eye. "Where are you going? I'll take you."
Haibara Ai: "..."
Stare of vigilance.
That calm tone, that cold look... Asking where I'm going might be genuine, but saying he'll 'take me'... he's actually mocking my pathetic state, isn't he?
Beside him, Kitagawa Adachi, who had been putting on a "don't mess with me" front, softened his expression slightly. He coughed dryly and reminded with a smile, "Mr. Chi, you seem to have scared her. You should smile at children, don't just keep a straight face."
Haibara Ai: "..."
Continued stare of vigilance.
These two guys... are they deliberately mocking me?
"Oh... is that so?" Chi Feichi remained noncommittal. He could guess that right now, Haibara Ai trusted no one except Kudo Shinichi, who shared her experience of shrinking and had a grudge against the Organization.
Not to mention they were dressed in all black, clearly stimulating Loli-Ai's nerves at her most sensitive period...
Haibara Ai reached her limit. I'm going to die sooner or later, so why accept these guys' mockery?
She took a deep breath. Although her body was weak, her voice was filled with coldness. "If you're done mocking me, just carry out your mission. You..."
Chi Feichi, who was singled out by her gaze: "..."
"You're not an Outer Member, are you?" Haibara Ai looked at Chi Feichi. She couldn't read minds, but she could vaguely feel the threat radiating from him. Combined with the disposition that matched those cold eyes, it was unlikely he was a mere expendable member of the Organization.
Is he... a Code Name member? Who is he?
"But it doesn't matter anymore," Haibara Ai's expression calmed. "Do it."
Kitagawa Adachi was completely lost. "Uh, little sister, what are you saying? Wait! Mr. Chi, you..."
Chi Feichi had already picked Haibara Ai up, holding the umbrella in one hand and the person in the other. "She told me to do it."
"No, but..." Kitagawa was at a loss for words.
She tells you to 'do it,' so you actually 'do it'?!
"Haven't you noticed yet? Her physical condition isn't right." Chi Feichi reached out and touched Haibara Ai's forehead. "As expected, she has a fever. It's better to take her to a hospital."
Kitagawa became serious too, taking out his phone to search. "I'll check where the nearest hospital is... Little sister, where is your home? Do you remember your parents' phone number?"
Haibara Ai was stunned. Did she... misunderstand these two people?
However, the Organization's people might be searching nearby. She had to get far away from this area...
"N-No..." Haibara Ai grabbed Chi Feichi's sleeve tightly with her right hand, looking up at him with eyes that were frighteningly serious. "We can't go to the hospital!"
Chi Feichi understood. It's probably not far from where she escaped. "Then, go to my place?"
"No!"
"No!"
Haibara Ai and Kitagawa Adachi spoke in unison.
Haibara Ai fell silent. I can't drag others into this.
Kitagawa said sternly, "Mr. Chi, your authorized outing is only until 5:00 PM. We only have a little over an hour left. You must go back. It's better to take her to a hospital. And we should contact her family; they'll be worried if they realize she's missing... Little sister, do you remember your home contact number? Uh, little sister?"
Chi Feichi held the now unconscious Haibara Ai. "She passed out."
Kitagawa Adachi: "..."
Was I talking too much?