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Thinking back, I really hated going to the hospital when I was a kid.

Of course, I wasn’t the type to scream and resist violently, saying I didn’t want to go.

I grew up in a strict household where acting up would immediately result in five times the punishment.

If I sensed something off, I’d quickly run away or quietly hide in the closet—more of an escape artist.

After all, going to the hospital meant I was either sick or needed a vaccination.

If my instincts were sharp, it wasn’t that hard to pick up on the weird vibes.

But once I actually got to the hospital, I’d obediently get shots and take medicine without a fuss.

Why did I hate going so much back then? Looking back now, it’s honestly hilarious.

Maybe it was to deal with me, who would vanish without a trace at the mere mention of the hospital.

My parents’ coping skills started improving day by day… and one of their tactics was deception.

“Let’s go eat steak. I’ll buy you a toy. How about the amusement park? Let’s check out the festival. A celebrity’s in town…”

I fell for it so many times. The resentment is still deeply engraved in my heart.

“Ah, haha… Yuria, you don’t like pork cutlets much, right? H-how about sushi?”

“…”

Maybe that’s why. I could clearly sense something suspicious about Alice, who seemed awkward.

Wait, she’s supposed to be at the office right now… Her being here is already weird.

This definitely has some other purpose.

Thinking that, I didn’t approach Alice recklessly and subtly shifted my gaze.

That’s when I spotted Karen inside the shop, striking a pose as if cheering someone on.

Judging by the direction she was looking, she wasn’t cheering for me but for Alice.

So… they’re planning to take me somewhere I shouldn’t notice!

‘Since Alice likes me, I can probably trust her with anything. But hiding the destination is bothering me. …Still, I’ll play along for now. If it gets too weird, I’ll pretend to go to the bathroom and run away.’

After a brief moment of hesitation, I cautiously approached Alice.

If it were someone who usually treated me badly, I would’ve turned my back without a second thought.

But it had to be Alice, who always lets me win no matter what, so I couldn’t just ignore her.

Still, if it’s something unbearably weird, I’ll run away immediately!

Holding Alice’s hand, her eyes glistening as if moved, I stayed on high alert.

A pro at escaping should never let their guard down.

Right now, I was a wild cheetah.

The speed is really fast.

“Uh, then! We’ll be going now! Take care!”

“Goodbye! Take care of Yuria.”

“Take her away quickly. I can’t work because that guy is bothering me.”

“Yes! Hehe… Yuria, let’s go!”

“….”

Am I in the way or something?

I looked at Greg with eyes full of dissatisfaction, then quickly turned my head and left the store with Alice.

I just wanted to help, but to say such harsh words.

He was nothing but a terrible boss.

“Heehee, it’s the first time we’re hanging out together this early. Actually, Jin said he was too tired today and took a day off from the Fixer Office. So, I came here to take Yuria quickly as Greg asked.”

“….”

Huh, so the office is taking a break today.

Come to think of it… Raven must be really tired.

He also had a fierce battle and had to handle the aftermath without rest.

This morning, he was completely knocked out in bed without even eating breakfast.

It seems he plans to rest today and start working again tomorrow. Well, rest is important.

…What? So, Alice just came to hang out with me because she had a day off?

Was I just overthinking and imagining things because of my excessive self-consciousness?

‘Wait a minute. Thinking like that, Alice seems a bit different. Was she just worried about being rejected?’

Ugh, thinking like that suddenly made me feel embarrassed.

What a mess. I ended up making myself look like a weirdo.

I subtly closed the distance between Alice and me, which I had been keeping.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. It was the best apology I could manage without being able to speak.

Maybe she didn’t notice my inner thoughts.

Alice just widened her eyes and tilted her head.

Then, she smiled brightly and led me by the hand through the streets.

“Today, I’ll buy you anything! Pork cutlet? Sushi? Ah, raw fish might be a bit difficult?”

“…!”

“Sushi is okay? Hehe, then I know a regular spot! Let’s go there!”

Fortunately, it was a bit early for lunch.

We didn’t have to wait in line and could enter Alice’s regular sushi place.

Alice is a big eater, like a food fighter.

Since I started using telekinesis, I can eat as much as an average adult man.

So, we devoured sushi at an incredible speed, quickly stacking plates on the table.

“Ohhh…! Does that pink-haired beauty have a black hole in her stomach or something? The sushi just keeps disappearing into her endlessly!”

“That masked kid over there is eating pretty well too, huh? What a rare sight!”

“Phew, I guess that’s enough for today… Hey, I’ll take the bill.”

“Haha, alright. Thanks as always, miss.”

Though eating is always fun, when it comes time to pay the bill after the meal, it’s always a painful moment.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in shock at the unbelievable amount for just the two of us.

But Alice seems to have the mindset that you can’t falter in moments like these.

She finished the payment as if it were routine and confidently walked out of the sushi place.

It was a truly admirable, very mature sight.

“Ugh… my wallet got thinner again today…”

“…!”

“Huh? W-was that cool? Hehe…”

Well, it was a hefty amount to pay upfront, so it seems she put on a bit of a show.

But still, sliding the card between her fingers and handing it over was pretty cool.

I gave her a thumbs up and praised her, saying she was the best.

After finishing lunch, we wandered around Night Haven, having fun.

Suddenly, she wanted to buy me some clothes, so we stopped by a department store and tried on various kids’ outfits.

Even though winter wasn’t over yet, we stumbled upon a swimwear section and took a look.

By the way, Alice was in a blue bikini that matched her pink hair and voluptuous figure.

I was in a black one-piece swimsuit with frills all over, the kind kids would wear.

Thankfully, what she picked out didn’t look much like swimwear, so it was less embarrassing.

Though I have no idea if I’ll ever get the chance to wear it.

“Ha, that was fun! So, let’s wrap up the department store shopping here… Shall we go somewhere else?”

“…?”

“Where to? Hmm… well, I don’t have a specific place in mind. Oh, want to go look at dolls? I noticed Yuria’s room is too bare. It needs a big teddy bear in the corner or something!”

“….”

Hmm, dolls aren’t really my thing… but well, having one wouldn’t be so bad.

I nodded in agreement and obediently followed her lead.

The doll store Alice mentioned seemed to be quite far from the city center.

We had to take a bus all the way to the outskirts and then walk for a while.

But I didn’t mind. I didn’t know much about dolls anyway.

Thanks to Alice chattering away beside me, there was no time to get bored.

But with clothes and swimsuits in my arms…

Hugging the envelope filled with luck, I walked forward in a daze and only felt something was off after entering a building.

‘Huh, this smell… alcohol? Why does a doll shop smell like this?’

Whoosh whoosh.

I straightened my back, stopped walking, and quickly looked around.

It was a purely instinctive move, sensing that something was seriously wrong.

But maybe it was already too late.

Before I knew it, Alice, who had let go of my hand, grabbed my shoulder tightly from behind.

“…?”

“Y-Yuria… sorry. I had no choice, I was asked to…”

“…!”

Alice pushed me forward as if pressing down on my back.

Still clueless about the situation, I had no choice but to walk forward in confusion.

You said we’re going to a doll shop? But here, it doesn’t seem like there are any dolls…

That utterly perplexing feeling soon revealed its true nature.

Because someone with a bizarre appearance walked out from the clean, well-maintained building.

It was a man with a very unique hairstyle.

A 7:3 part, one side blue, the other white—a distinctive hairstyle.

And a spotless white coat, with a large scar sewn up like stitches at the corner of his mouth.

His gaze gave off a chilling vibe, as if he could easily slice through people.

In every way, he looked suspicious. He looked down at me, held by Alice, and spoke.

“…Oh my, is this little lady today’s scheduled patient? Oh my, my, she’s wearing such a cute outfit. How is her proportion so perfect?”

“….”

His voice sounded like a man forcing a feminine tone.

Based on my knowledge of the original, I quickly realized his identity as a doctor.

…I’ve been tricked again.

I take back that apology from earlier, seriously.

 

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