Chapter 6: Criticism Stems from Deep Concern, Arrow Wound Not the Issue as a Bell Suddenly Rings

A few minutes earlier…

The hospital corridor reeked of disinfectant, its walls stark white.

The man before her had a piercing gaze, his words laced with reproach as he faced the girl.

“After hearing you got in trouble again, I swapped shifts to check on you. And what? You dragged a stranger into this? You think that’s right? Didn’t I teach you not to pull others into your messes?”

Faced with his words, Shizuku Sakurai could only frown, head lowered, biting her lip, staring shamefully at the hospital’s cold, pristine walls.

Unfeeling, meticulous, like unyielding stone, oblivious to the world.

Like a pebble in a sandpile, out of place.

To the patrolling officers, her father’s behavior was odd.

He’d arrest people relieving stress on the streets or nab weirdos in overcoats with nothing underneath at night.

Colleagues didn’t get him.

Neighbors didn’t approve.

They thought he lacked “humanity.”

Like an old-school, orderly patrol bot, his chastity alarm blaring at the sight of debauchery, urging him to catch “criminals.”

But to Shizuku Sakurai, her father carried an insurmountable burden.

She understood him, thought he was good.

If only he’d let her be as good as he was.

“I’ve told you so many times—don’t jump in to help others on a whim. You think you’re saving the bullied, but at what cost? Have you considered the consequences?

A moment’s impulse only feeds your ego, but it takes endless energy to fix the fallout. I’ve been a cop so long, seen so much—this is my experience talking, daughter.”

He lectured her earnestly.

But honestly, even with his scolding, he seemed out of steam.

Shizuku Sakurai, one shoe raised, leaned against the wall, clearly uninterested.

She moodily twirled her cherry-dyed hair, biting her lip, twisting strands around her finger, ignoring her dad’s lessons.

Because no matter how much he nagged, she’d do it again next time.

“But I at least indirectly helped those being bullied, didn’t I?”

She looked up, meeting her father’s eyes, forcing a smug smirk.

His next words shattered her grin.

“So you’re saying that boy owed you, that he deserved to get hurt?”

“I!” Shizuku Sakurai tried to argue.

But glancing at the boy’s bandaged hand, her argument turned into a weak apology.

“I… I’m sorry for him.”

The dim sunset cast a guilty shadow on her face, her once-proud head now bowed, her cherry-dyed hair dimmed by gloom.

She had dragged someone else into this.

An undeniable fact.

Her fault, her carelessness, caused his injury.

All the blame was hers.

If she’d been stronger… more careful, stronger still, would he have been spared?

Blood gushed from the wound, the rusty stench filling her nose, his frail body in her sight, her mind buzzing as if a wire snapped.

She’d begged him to wake, kneeling, clutching his warm hand, praying he’d open his eyes.

…Unforgettable.

Sunset dust settled in her brown, jellyfish-like hair.

Shizuku Sakurai lowered her gaze, about to let the sunset-tinted tiles sink her into melancholy, when he stepped forward, carried by the cool evening breeze.

That familiar voice echoed again.

It was him.

“Hi, I’m Su Buyu, Shizuku Sakurai’s classmate.”

She looked at his broad shoulders, a strange feeling stirring in her heart for the first time.

***

After some talk, Shizuku Sakurai’s father relaxed, a smile breaking through.

“Haha, I see, I misjudged Shizuku.”

“I thought she got into a fight and hurt someone, landing in the hospital.”

Hearing Su Buyu’s explanation, he understood what happened.

He’d assumed his daughter beat someone up, causing injuries that brought them here.

But now, he owed this boy thanks.

If not for his quick action, his daughter might’ve been at the mercy of those thugs.

Shizuku Sakurai’s father glanced at his daughter apologetically, rubbing his stubbled chin, chuckling awkwardly before turning to the boy.

Upright features, sharp nose, fiery eyes, a hint of defiance in his brow.

His face seemed cold, but so far, this boy was trustworthy.

Especially since he saved his daughter from villains.

Looks like he owed this kid a favor.

But why was it so noisy?

Where was that drill sound coming from?

This wasn’t orthopedics or dentistry, right?

“Oh? You noticed too? It’s the doctor over there relieving stress!”

Seeing her father’s surprise, Su Buyu quickly explained the noise’s source.

But to his shock, the man moved to stop the improper behavior.

“No way! With all these patients, even a doctor should relieve stress at their station!”

Su Buyu grabbed him, explaining.

“But if other patients aren’t bothered, it’s probably fine. Stopping her now, in this setting, might get you kicked out as a weirdo.”

He instinctively reached out.

But Su Buyu forgot something.

“Hiss—ow…”

The pain in his palm reminded him of his injury.

Wincing, he tried to continue, but Shizuku Sakurai rushed over, grabbing his arm, glaring at her father.

“Dad, you’re scolding me? You’re doing the same thing! Your whim just got someone hurt too.”

She carefully checked Su Buyu’s wound for new damage.

Her father, called out, fell silent.

He looked at the boy sheepishly, apologizing.

“Sorry, sorry, my bad. Didn’t mean it.”

He stepped forward to check the boy’s injury.

But his daughter had already expertly unwrapped it, confirmed it was fine, rebandaged it, and sighed in relief.

“Jeez, who’s the reckless one here?”

Shizuku Sakurai stuck out her tongue, grumbling at the careless adult.

He could only laugh awkwardly, turning to the sunset outside.

Sigh.

Time to rein in his temper.

But his phone buzzed sharply in his pocket.

A patrol call.

The colleague’s voice was urgent, panting, like he was hurt.

“Hey! What happened? Report your location! I’m coming!”

“I… I got… argh…”

“Arrow? An arrow wound?”

“Yeah… arrow wound. I can’t move! My thigh hurts like h*ll! Something’s… slipping away…”

“No… no way… arghhh!!!”

The breathing grew heavier, a dazed cry cut off, and the call ended.

Shizuku Sakurai’s father sensed trouble.

From the call, his colleague was badly hurt, likely by an arrow!

And that final scream meant the attacker was still at it.

No time to waste—he had to go!

A life was at stake!

Not a minute to spare!

After getting the location, he hung up, gave Shizuku a quick word, and rushed off.

Night fell.

The corridor held only Shizuku Sakurai and Su Buyu, their long shadows stretched by dim lights.

The green glow of the emergency exit flickered, the corridor’s lights stark white.

The drill’s buzz stopped.

As if reaching some spiritual peak, the doctor, satisfied, eyed the two awkward figures outside, tossing out a remark.

“What? Doing it here? Want me to take you to the suturing room? Easier to operate there.”

“That’s just operate and operate, right?”

Su Buyu’s quip made Shizuku Sakurai laugh.

She tried stifling it, but soon burst into giggles, tears glistening as she wiped them with her sleeve, her laughter fading into a hungry stomach growl.

“Wound recovery needs nutrients.”

“To thank you, I’ll treat you to dinner!”

Her words reminded Su Buyu he hadn’t eaten all day.

He’d arrived at noon, and now it was evening.

He was starving.

Having a girl treat him felt off, but since she offered, he couldn’t refuse.

“Cool, what’re we eating?”

“Obviously… katsu-don!”

“Oh, katsu-don’s great, with katsu and… wait… huh???”