Chapter 3: Discharged
Two hours later, two police officers arrived at the hospital to question Akishin in detail. Akishin stuck to his story: he was just passing through, got mugged for no reason, and lost his wallet and phone. Because of the heavy rain, he hadn't seen the culprit's face clearly.
This time, Akishin displayed the perfect amount of fear and a sincere hope that the police would catch the criminal and bring him justice.
The two officers exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes. These cases were the biggest headaches—zero useful information, not even a specific street where it happened.
Furthermore, Chiba had suffered severe damage from the storm the previous night. The police force was stretched thin. They were only there as a formality and didn't have the resources to follow up immediately.
Finally, the police noted down his name, age, occupation, and address, took a photo for the record, and prepared to leave.
As they reached the door, one officer said, "Mr. Chishima, there's very little to go on here, so it might be very difficult to catch the culprit. However, we will do our best. Just be prepared; we might call you in at any time."
Akishin let a look of disappointment cross his face, but he forced a smile. "I understand. Thank you, officers. I appreciate your hard work."
Seeing Akishin's smile, the questioning officer shook his head slightly. He felt sorry for the guy—everything robbed, stabbed three times, left for dead in a storm. He must hate the culprit, yet he had no way to bring them to justice.
The officer handed him a business card. "My name is Sato Kamikawa. This is my card. If you remember anything new, feel free to call me."
Accepting the card, Akishin replied sincerely, "I'll keep it in mind, Officer Sato."
As Sato and his partner left, Akishin breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around the room, a slow grin spread across his face.
He had actually been worried they might check his ID card or something similar. Unfortunately, he didn't have one. There might be something at the house on Konishi Road, but not here.
Honestly, Akishin had also worried his face might be different from the original Akishin Chishima. But then again, the System wouldn't make such a fundamental mistake.
In fact, Japanese people don't have a mandatory national ID card.
Generally, they use a driver's license, national health insurance card, passport, student ID, or teacher ID as proof of identity. There is no uniform national ID system, so Japanese people rarely even know their own ID numbers.
If they want to open a bank account or verify their identity online, they just send a copy of their license or health card to the bank. For in-person errands, they just show the original. Because of this, most Japanese people carry their health insurance card or license everywhere.
Actually, after WWII, many Japanese cabinets had tried to push for a national ID system, but they were always shut down by fierce public opposition.
The Japanese have a very strong sense of caution and rejection toward ID cards, rooted in painful memories of the war...
The police only needed his name, address, occupation, and a photo. Once back at the station, they could use the Metropolitan Police Department system to verify Akishin Chishima's info without him needing to present a single document.
At 5:00 PM, Shizuka Hiratsuka returned, carrying a bowl of ramen for him.
Watching Akishin devour the noodles, Shizuka sat in a chair and pulled out a cigarette—though she didn't light it. She asked curiously, "Didn't you eat lunch?"
"I didn't. Thank you so much for the ramen, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Akishin gave her a small smile before returning to his meal. He was genuinely starving. He hadn't eaten a thing since yesterday. Even with the glucose IV, the hunger in his stomach was undeniable.
"Nothing?! The hospital didn't send you food?"
"Nope. The police came by earlier, then the doctor looked in once, the nurses twice, and they changed my IV once."
"Sorry, I forgot to tell the staff."
Shizuka tapped her forehead, realizing she had left in such a rush that morning that she'd forgotten to arrange meals for him.
Akishin waved it off. "No, it's fine. Hiratsuka-sensei, you already saved my life. I haven't even properly thanked you yet, and here you are bringing me noodles."
Pointing at the delicious meal, Akishin looked at Shizuka with a genuine smile.
Caught in his gaze, Shizuka felt a bit awkward. It was clearly a friendly look, but she felt like there was some other meaning behind it—she just couldn't put her finger on what.
Truth be told, the bowl of noodles wasn't exactly a grand gesture. She'd just finished eating her own ramen and felt she should check on him, so she'd picked up a takeout order on the way.
And after returning to school, she had indeed checked up on him. It was true; he was the new P.E. teacher transferred to Sobu High, and the photo in the files was an identical match.
Her face flushed slightly. Shizuka stood up and said, "I'm going out for a smoke. When you're done with the noodles, just leave them there. I'll talk to the hospital about bringing you meals from now on." She didn't plan on pretending anymore. Since they'd be colleagues, he'd find out her real personality sooner or later anyway.
"Understood."
Without much fuss, Akishin nodded. Shizuka's kindness toward him was already immense; he'd have to repay it eventually, and words weren't enough. As for her awkwardness just now... well, Akishin was starting to get some ideas.
After giving him one more thorough look, Shizuka opened the door and headed for the smoking area.
Ten minutes later, she returned smelling of tobacco. Akishin had finished his meal.
Catching the scent, Akishin reminded her, "Hiratsuka-sensei, smoking isn't good for your health. You should really cut back." Judging by the way she handled herself, she was clearly a heavy smoker.
"It's my only hobby, and here you are trying to ban it."
Not seeing any disgust on his face, Shizuka spoke with her usual bluntness.
Akishin didn't push further. He was a heavy smoker himself, so he had no right to judge. However, he thought to himself that once he started working, he'd find a way to get Shizuka Hiratsuka to quit.
A woman smoking... it just felt off.
But Akishin only bothered to advise people he cared about. For those he didn't, he wouldn't even lift a finger.
Was Akishin Chishima a good person?
Clearly not. His hands were stained with blood—both from his brief career as an assassin and the struggles of his life before that. He wasn't exactly a saint.
From a very young age, Akishin knew he was the type of person who was easily picked on: no parents, raised in an orphanage, malnourished, and physically weak.
And that was reality. In school, Akishin was bullied several times.
He knew he couldn't win a fair fight. So when he was ganged up on, he specifically focused on pummeling the leader. In the worst incident, he walked away unscathed while the other guy ended up in the hospital.
After that, basically no one dared to touch him.
The overly kind are bullied; the overly tame are ridden. Only by baring your fangs do you earn respect. Constantly avoiding conflict only invites worse treatment.
So, was Akishin Chishima a bad person?
In the eyes of others, perhaps. But in Akishin's own view, no. He had lines he wouldn't cross, a conscience, his own set of values, and he didn't indulge in mindless desire. The bad things he did were acts of necessity.
So he considered himself not a bad person, but he wouldn't label himself a "good" one either. He just acted according to his own heart.
This was why he chose Swordsmanship, Go, and Cooking.
Shizuka stayed until 7:00 PM before leaving, mentioning she'd be back tomorrow afternoon.
As he fell asleep that night, Akishin realized he was actually looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow.
He smiled and closed his eyes.
No more living in fear...
A week later, Akishin was discharged. Shizuka Hiratsuka was his only companion. During that week, Akishin had asked her to inform Sobu High about his situation. The school was understanding and allowed him to delay his report date.
During this period, Akishin checked the "Patch" several times, hoping to gain those three skills, but the prompt always told him his status didn't meet the requirements yet.
Akishin was baffled. To learn a skill via the system's brain-loading method, shouldn't knowledge be enough? What kind of "status" was required?
For some reason, Akishin had a bad premonition.
...
The sun was bright, and a gentle breeze played with Shizuka's hair. The weather was perfect. After a week of rescue efforts, the disaster areas in Chiba had mostly been handled.
To pick Akishin up, Shizuka had taken another half-day off. She was still in her professional suit, but her outer coat was now a long, flax-colored trench coat.
Following her out of the hospital, Akishin saw Shizuka walk toward a sports car—an Aston Martin. Akishin couldn't quite tell the specific model.
'Hiratsuka-sensei is actually a rich lady!'
That was his first thought upon seeing the car.
Shizuka pulled the door open, saw Akishin dazed in thought, and barked, "What are you daydreaming about? Get in, I'm driving you home."
Akishin snapped out of it and waved his hand. "Hiratsuka-sensei, that's not necessary. This is too much trouble. My house isn't far; I can walk."
"Stop talking and get in. I already took the leave, so I'm not going back to school this early anyway." Shizuka's tone was far from friendly.
Akishin gave a wry smile, walked to the passenger side, and climbed in. Over the past week, he had basically figured out Shizuka Hiratsuka's character: she had her flaws, but they weren't dealbreakers. More importantly, don't argue when she's doing something nice for you.
If it weren't in your best interest, she wouldn't even bring it up.
"Address?"
Shizuka asked as she set up the navigation.
Akishin pulled on his seatbelt. "Konishi Road, Number 77."
Shizuka punched the address into the nav, the engine roared to life, and the car sped off, drawing gazes from everyone nearby.
Inside the car, Akishin stole a side-glance at her. Her face was flawless, her gaze focused, and a stray lock of hair had fallen behind her ear onto her cheek.
Akishin almost impulsively reached out to tuck it back for her.
Noticing his gaze, Shizuka turned and frowned. "What are you looking at?"
"Ah! That's—"
Akishin looked away, feeling panicked for the first time. "I just wanted to ask, um... Hiratsuka-sensei, do you have a boyfriend?"
"..."
For some reason, Akishin felt the atmosphere in the car shift the moment he asked that. He actually knew she didn't have a boyfriend or a husband—have you ever seen someone let their partner watch over a total stranger in a hospital for a week?
He'd just asked out of nervousness, and it seemed he'd stepped on a landmine.
After a long silence, he finally heard Shizuka's displeased reply: "I don't."
"Oh."
He answered instinctively, not even realizing that the corner of his mouth was carrying a small smile. Shizuka glanced at him and let out a soft "Tsk."
She wasn't entirely sure why she was being so attentive to him. Not just bringing him to the hospital, but guarding him for a week and then driving him home.
She thought about it carefully, and the most likely answer was—the impression of their first meeting was just too deep. Now, whenever she remembered that rainy night, she couldn't help but feel that sense of "pity" in her heart...
I've maintained the descriptive, introspective style of a light novel while keeping the specific dynamic between the cynical but sincere Akishin and the "cool beauty" Shizuka Hiratsuka.
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