Bai Chuanxia's new project quickly caught Hashimoto Arina's attention.
"Oh my, drawing a new story already?" Hashimoto Arina walked over with a cheerful smile, a patient chart tucked under her arm. She leaned over the bed, looking at the manuscript he was working on. "This time it's not one of those fighting plots?"
"This is a story about youth and first love," Bai Chuanxia said, picking up a stack of pages and handing them to her. "Arina-sis, you can take a look."
"Are you sure I can?" Hashimoto Arina asked, taking the drawings. "I don't know much about the manga industry, but isn't the first draft something that should be strictly confidential?"
"It's fine," Bai Chuanxia put down his pen and smiled. "I don't plan to publish this story. I'm just drawing it for myself."
"Then I'm even more curious." Hashimoto Arina opened the manuscript. She paused when she saw the female protagonist, who looked eight parts like her when she was in junior high, except the chest was much smaller. But she quickly resumed her smile, sat by the bed, and started reading.
Bai Chuanxia secretly watched her expression out of the corner of his eye. Her smile changed with the ups and downs of the plot, and she was clearly immersed in the story. This was completely different from how she quickly skimmed the hot-blooded manga he had drawn before.
After finishing the entire manuscript, Hashimoto Arina closed it, turned to Bai Chuanxia, and looked at him strangely.
"Arina-sis, why are you looking at me like that?" Bai Chuanxia asked curiously.
"You really are a genius." Hashimoto Arina looked him over again. "I honestly don't know how your brain works. Talking to a mortal like me under pressure is tough." She clasped her hands over her chest in a gesture of prayer. "God, did you forget to add intelligence when you created me?"
Bai Chuanxia couldn't help but laugh at her exaggerated performance. Glancing at her chest, he thought, God is fair; he probably just added it somewhere else.
"I don't even want to see the ending," Hashimoto Arina pouted. "This kind of pure, innocent love should stop when it's most beautiful. If I saw a tragedy, I'd definitely get depressed."
"No tragedy," Bai Chuanxia chuckled. "The hero and heroine will live happily ever after."
"After all, happiness is the main theme of love."
Hashimoto Arina's expression momentarily froze, then she reached out and tousled his hair. "Honestly, stop acting like an adult." She stood up and began helping Bai Chuanxia straighten his bed.
Bai Chuanxia secretly took out his phone and checked the app. The Affection Level had risen by two points, reaching 78 from 76. It was just two points away from 80. It seemed his plan was working; this was the first step. Next, he had to use this as an opening to increase their time together.
The slight increase of two points was expected. Affection, after reaching a certain threshold, naturally becomes harder to raise.
Hashimoto Arina had started tidying the nightstand and casually tossed a few crumpled tissues into the garbage. After removing the tissues, a small card lay quietly on the table. It featured a小姐姐 (young woman) in an indecent nurse outfit posing provocatively.
Hashimoto Arina paused, then looked down at the tissues she had just thrown in the trash. An awkward silence filled the air. He had forgotten Mizukui left that card yesterday. "I had a bit of a cold last night."
"Remember to drink more hot water," Hashimoto Arina said, her expression unchanged. She tucked the long hair that had fallen forward behind her ear and continued tidying the cabinet, ignoring the card.
Her lack of embarrassment made Bai Chuanxia feel awkward. His only worry now was that the hard-won Affection Level would drop.
Hashimoto Arina carefully finished tidying around his bed, stood up, clapped her hands, and smiled. "Alright, another cheerful day." As she left, she deliberately poured Bai Chuanxia a full thermos of hot water.
Bai Chuanxia watched her retreating back, feeling emotionally drained. He pulled out his phone, expecting to see how much Affection had been deducted. But the big 82 on the screen made him wonder if he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes, looked again, and confirmed it was 82. He felt terrible. Why did all his hard work and careful thought only yield a 2-point increase, while seeing a small card inexplicably added four points?
Women's hearts are as deep as the ocean. Bai Chuanxia couldn't understand it.
But now, an Affection Level of 82 was very high. If he confessed, he might have a chance of her agreeing. Bai Chuanxia closed his eyes and tapped the bed with his finger. He still needed to wait for an opportunity.
A week passed. Bai Chuanxia used the manga as a starting point to chat frequently with Hashimoto Arina. Their conversations gradually expanded to cover all aspects of life.
"So, Arina-sis, did you become a doctor because of your father's influence?" Bai Chuanxia sat on a wooden bench beside the lawn. The sun was perfect today, making everyone feel lazy.
"Yes, because I grew up in this hospital," Hashimoto Arina said, looking at the hospital building, her eyes filled with various emotions. "My father often worked late because of surgeries back then, and I would wait in his office after school."
"That sounds tough," Bai Chuanxia said, looking at the hospital building, which had many renovation marks and a long history.
"Not at all~" Hashimoto Arina turned her head and smiled genuinely. "The nurses at the hospital were all so kind and would share their lunches with me. I've always considered myself a lucky person. Becoming a doctor has always been my dream, and now that dream has come true."
"Mmm." Bai Chuanxia secretly glanced at his phone. With his proactive efforts over the past few days, their Affection Level had reached 93. He had planned to confess when it hit ninety, but he hadn't found the right moment.
As they talked, an elderly white-haired gentleman pushing a wheelchair approached them on the lawn. A similarly white-haired elderly lady sat in the chair. The elderly lady beamed when she saw Hashimoto Arina and eagerly had the man push her closer. "Dr. Arina, thank you for what you did for my husband."
"Hehe, Grandma Tanaka, are you still feeling abdominal bloating?" Hashimoto Arina stood up, enthusiastically walked over, crouched down, and held the elderly lady's hand to ask. Bai Chuanxia was also touched by the smile. He had encountered this situation many times over the past few days. Hashimoto Arina was very popular in the hospital. She could accurately name every patient, remember all their symptoms, and talk about them offhand.
Out of curiosity, Bai Chuanxia had asked Hashimoto Arina how she did it.
"Of course, it's because I love it," Hashimoto Arina had said, her face glowing.
"Looks like the confession has to be postponed again," Bai Chuanxia thought, looking at the Affection Level of 93. If this were a game, this level would unlock all sorts of possibilities. But reality wasn't a game, and Bai Chuanxia was being cautious.
"What are you thinking so seriously about? I've called your name a few times." Hashimoto Arina stood by his side, calling out. "It's time to go back."
"Nothing," Bai Chuanxia smiled. He would wait a little longer, find the right opportunity. Boosting Affection was a relative term. Through their intimate conversations, he had gained a new understanding of this easy-going older sister: she was attentive, gentle, and strong. It would be a happy thing to date a woman like her.
"Let's go." Hashimoto Arina naturally supported his arm, slowing her pace to walk beside him.
The ward was on the second floor. As they entered the staircase, they ran into two nurses chatting there.
"Did you hear? Dr. Tanaka's punishment came down. It's a suspension, just as expected."
"I know. Going after a married patient—that's infidelity, isn't it? And making such a big scene. Even if he wasn't suspended, Dr. Tanaka would have to resign."
Bai Chuanxia pursed his lips. What a coincidence. These two nurses were gossiping about this Dr. Tanaka last week in the hallway. Now they were gossiping again, but this time the rumor was confirmed.
"Dr. Arina," the two smiled and greeted her when they saw her supporting Bai Chuanxia.
Hashimoto Arina smiled and returned the greeting. The information the two were gossiping about was already public via official notice, so there was no issue.
Hashimoto Arina brought Bai Chuanxia to his bed, made sure he was settled, and gave him a few reminders before leaving.
Over the next three days, Bai Chuanxia finished drawing Tsuki ga Kirei. The ending featured the hero and heroine getting married, having children, and standing with their family for a photo. Just as Hashimoto Arina had said, the love she yearned for was simple and pure.
Bai Chuanxia carried the manuscript to Hashimoto Arina's office. Walking was difficult for him now, but he didn't feel tired because he was in a good mood. He pushed open the office door and saw Hashimoto Arina slumped over her desk. Feeling the door open, she quickly sat up. In the instant she raised her head, Bai Chuanxia saw tears in her eyes, but she quickly covered them with her hand. "Sorry, sorry, I was just dozing off at lunchtime."
As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes. When she lowered her hand, she had already put on her usual smile. Seeing Bai Chuanxia holding the manuscript, she said, "Wow, the final chapter is updated! Is it a happy family ending? If it's not, I absolutely won't accept it!"