"Ah, good morning my annoying patients. Did you enjoy your sleep?"
Koto entered the room holding a hot cup of coffee in one hand.
Ann (voice shaky):
"Koto…-chan…"
Koto (sipping her coffee, raising an eyebrow):
"What?"
Ann (face completely red):
"Please… untie us… I… I need to go to the bathroom!!"
Koto (freezing for a second, then laughing mischievously):
"Oooh? Is nature calling you? What a shame—you're tied to this handsome guy right here!"
Steve (nervously, blushing):
"Don't joke about this! We're completely serious! This is… a crisis!!"
Koto (laughing, tilting her head):
"Crisis? No, no—this is a self-control exercise. Great for the nerves!"
Ann (squirming, pulling at the rope):
"Koto-chaaaaaaan!!! I'm gonna lose it!! I don't want to—"
Steve (shouting as he kicks the bed):
"Koto-san!! This is NOT funny!!! If you don't untie us now… we'll die together!!!"
Koto (placing her coffee cup on the table, approaching them, hand on her chin like she's thinking deeply):
"Hmm… okay, I have a solution."
Ann & Steve (in unison):
"Really?!"
Koto (grinning wickedly, pulling out scissors from her bag):
"I'll cut the rope.
But if either of you tries to run or act like a child again…
I'll tie you to the wall. Got it?"
Ann (nodding rapidly):
"Got it, got it!! Just save meeeee!"
With one quick motion—
"CHAAAK!!"
The rope was cut!
Both of them fell to the floor and rolled in opposite directions, then bolted toward the door like lightning.
Ken (sighing as he closed his eyes):
"This is pathetic."
Koto (looking at Ken, holding the cut rope):
"And now it's your turn, Mr. Rebel.
Do you need the bathroom too?"
Ken (opening his eyes slowly):
"Shut up and untie me."
Koto (chuckling, twirling the scissors):
"Oh, no need to worry, I'll free you now… but on one condition."
Ken (narrowing his eyes):
"A condition?"
Koto (leaning closer, whispering in his ear):
"Promise me… you won't smoke for the rest of the day."
Ken stared at her for a long moment—as if time itself had frozen.
Ken (cold, flat voice):
"That's a stupid request."
Koto (placing her hand on her hip confidently):
"Oh? So you can't do it?"
Ken (raising an eyebrow):
"I didn't say that."
Koto (leaning even closer, whispering challengingly):
"If you're really a man… accept the challenge."
Her words struck like a spear—filled with pride, provocation, and daring.
Silence followed for a few seconds…
Then finally, Ken blinked slowly and gave her a cold, sharp look.
Ken (with icy arrogance):
"Fine… one day only."
Koto (smiling triumphantly, cutting his restraints):
"Perfect. That was easier than I thought… Mr. Iron Will!"
Ken (sitting up, rubbing his wrists slowly):
"If you weren't a doctor, I'd have buried you somewhere by now."
Suddenly, they heard Steve yelling from outside!
Steve:
"You little devil! Get out! This bathroom is mine!!"
Ann (screaming):
"I was yelling before you, you loudmouth!!"
Steve (angrily):
"This isn't fair!!"
After a few minutes of chaos, Ann and Steve returned to the room.
Ann (loudly, waving her arms):
"You're the most annoying person alive!! How dare you knock while I was still inside?!"
Steve (arms crossed, flat voice):
"The time you spent in there breaks every law of human logic.
I was about to file an international missing persons report."
Ann (eyes flaring, hands on hips):
"Oh, sorry, Mr. Detective!
But some of us care about hygiene more than just washing our hands!"
Koto (in the background, hand on her forehead):
Sigh…
"You two turn every little thing into a full-blown drama.
Can't you just be grateful you made it out alive?"
At that moment, Ken returned quietly to the room.
He walked over to the three beds on the other side, where Akio, Akira, and Nyoro were still unconscious.
He first approached Akio, stared at him for a moment.
Akio's breathing was steady, and strangely, his hand was still tightly gripping Sanguinis, like he was dreaming he was still fighting.
Ken (soft, half-sarcastic):
"Even in sleep, you cling to your dreams."
Then he moved to Akira, who was lying with half his face buried in the pillow, his mouth slightly open, letting out a faint snore.
Ken:
"Idiot."
But when he reached Nyoro, he paused.
The boy's face was flushed, dripping sweat, and he was breathing hard. His body trembled.
Koto (from behind):
"His fever spiked suddenly.
Looks like his body's still in shock…
It's his first time taking that much damage.
He'll be okay, if the meds keep working."
Ken sat on the chair beside Nyoro's bed.
He grabbed the damp towel from the table and gently placed it on Nyoro's forehead.
Koto (while preparing another injection):
"Thanks."
Ken (quietly):
"Bring me some water."
Koto nodded without comment.
She grabbed the cup from the table, filled it from the small jug on the medical cart, and handed it to him.
Ken took it calmly, tilted Nyoro's head slightly, and let a few drops fall into his mouth.
Nyoro swallowed with difficulty.
Ken gently returned his head to the pillow.
Koto (filling the next syringe):
"Akio's muscles are still tense from battle. He'll need a mild sedative.
Akira just needs rest and some ointment."
Ken:
"Give me the sedative."
Koto paused, staring at him, eyebrow raised.
Koto (half-joking, surprised):
"Are you sure you're Ken?
Or is someone wearing his face?"
Ken (expressionless):
"I don't need to be a doctor to hold a syringe."
Koto (handing it over, smiling):
"Oh no, it's not about the syringe…
It's about you.
Since when do you care enough to help?"
Ken took the syringe without replying and walked over to Akio's bed.
Koto watched him with wide, curious eyes.
Koto (whispering to herself):
"Well, well… the ice man handing out water and treating patients?
Is this a dream?"
Ken (without turning around, pressing Akio's arm):
"Stop acting like I did something big."
Koto (hands on hips):
"For someone like you, it is big."
Ken inserted the syringe into Akio's muscle with swift, clean precision, then covered the spot neatly.
Ken (as he stepped back):
"If you were a better doctor, I wouldn't have had to help."
Koto (annoyed):
"Haah?! Are you doubting my medical skills, you arrogant punk?!"
Ken:
"I've never seen a doctor keep patients tied up for ten straight hours."
Koto (arms crossed):
"That was disciplinary action, not treatment.
And you deserved it the most."
Ken didn't respond.
He gave her a side-glance and sat back in the chair.
The room quieted.
Koto scribbled medical notes in her notepad.
But Ken was different…
He sat still, staring into space, his gray eyes unfocused, and his left hand trembled slightly—without him realizing it.
He didn't feel okay.
He was starting to crave nicotine—badly.
He tried convincing himself it wasn't important…
But the truth hit harder than he expected.
Ken (thinking to himself without moving his lips):
"Only 10 hours… it's only been 10 damn hours… This is ridiculous."
Koto glanced at him and noticed the faint tremble in his hand… the emptiness in his eyes.
She stared for a few seconds, then quietly closed her notebook.
She walked over and stood directly in front of him.
Koto (looking at his face, smirking slightly):
"You look like you're about to eat someone alive."
Ken (pretending to stay calm):
"What are you talking about?"
Koto (leaning down a little):
"Oh no…
Looks like the heavy smoker is cracking from withdrawal."
Ken (tense voice, very soft):
"I'm fine."
Koto (holding something out to him):
"Take this."
Ken looked at her hand.
She was holding a medical tongue depressor—the kind used to check throats.
It was long enough to hold in his mouth…
like a fake cigarette.
Ken (raising an eyebrow slightly):
"Really?"
He hesitated for a second… then slowly reached out and took the stick from her hand. He looked at it, then silently placed it in his mouth. A few seconds passed… then finally, he exhaled deeply and leaned back in the chair.
Ken (closing his eyes slightly):
"Well… it's better than nothing."
Koto (with a small smile):
"If you want another one, I'll deduct it from your salary."
Ken (glancing at her from the corner of his eye):
"I don't work for you."
Koto (pointing at him with her pen):
"That's weird, because you've been acting like my medical assistant."
Ken didn't reply. He just kept the stick between his lips.
More seconds passed in silence…
Then suddenly, without noticing, Ken raised his left hand and lifted his index finger. A small flame lit up at the tip—
An unconscious habit he had whenever he wanted to light a cigarette.
Koto (raising an eyebrow):
"Hey, wait, what are y—"
But before she could finish, Ken had already brought the flame to the tip of the wooden stick in his mouth!
"FSSHHHH!!!"
The smell of burning wood filled the air immediately.
A trail of gray, choking smoke rose as the end began to burn slowly with an awful taste.
Ken froze for a moment… then—
"Kkhhh!! Khghh!!"
He pulled the stick out of his mouth and started coughing violently, his face expressionless, but his eyes wide with irritation.
Koto (covering her nose and laughing):
"What's wrong?! It's obviously not a real cigarette! You just literally lit wood and inhaled it!"
Ken (in a cold voice, full of suppressed rage):
"Damn it…"
And then… things got out of hand.
"BOOOOOOM!!"
With a single slap of his hand, Ken knocked over the side table with all the medical supplies! Syringes, bandages, and notebooks flew in every direction!
Koto (shocked):
"W-What the—!!"
"CRAAAASH!!!"
Ken kicked the chair over, grabbed the curtain, yanked it down with force until the rod clanged to the floor!
Ann (from afar, opening the door):
"What's going on he—"
"CRAAAAASH!!!"
The lamp on the table shattered with another kick from Ken!
Then he stormed toward the door with heavy, furious steps!
Steve (appearing behind Ann, staring):
"Dear god… are we in a war zone?!"
Koto (screaming angrily as she ran after him):
"Ken!! Stop!! You can't destroy everything over a cigarette!!!"
But Ken wasn't listening.
He slammed the door behind him so hard the wall shook!
Then came a new wave of destruction.
"BOOM!!!"
Ken smashed the first vase near the hallway!
"CHAAAAAK!!!"
He accidentally lit a fire in one of the rooms while shouting:
"To hell with this place!!"
"CRAAAASH!!!"
He threw a chair at the wall—it broke right through it!
"BOOOM!!!"
He kicked the kitchen door clean off its hinges!
"CRAAAAASH!!"
He shattered another vase—
But this time, a shard of sharp glass sliced into his left palm!
"Tsssshh…"
He paused and looked at his hand.
Blood started to drip slowly—
But Ken didn't even flinch.
He gritted his teeth, closed his bleeding fist… as if nothing had happened.
Steve (from a distance, voice low):
"He's completely lost control…"
Koto (sternly, trying to hide her worry):
"We need to stop him before he burns down the entire palace!"
But before she could take a single step—
"BOOOOOM!!"
Ken kicked the main palace doors with all his strength!
But they didn't open—they were locked tight.
The blow was so strong, even the wall shook—like the gate itself feared his fury.
Koto (rushing toward him, reaching out to his shoulder):
"Ken! Listen to me! You're bleeding! A—"
But before she could touch him, he turned suddenly!
He raised his right hand, and flames started rising from his palm.
His gray eyes were burning with silent fire—
Like a volcano about to erupt.
He raised his fist toward her… as if he was going to punch her right then and there!
Ann (gasping):
"Koto-chaaaan!! Get back!!"
Steve (whispering):
"That's… not the Ken we know…"
But in the next moment… Ken froze.
His hand stayed raised… the fire still burning,
But his eyes trembled slightly.
Then he slowly lowered his arm and exhaled harshly—
As if trying to stop himself from doing something… terrible.
He turned away from them without saying a word,
And stormed off toward the nearest bedroom.
Koto (calling after him, worried):
"Ken!!"
But he didn't look back.
He opened the nearest door violently,
Then SLAMMED it shut with a sound that echoed through the whole floor.
Then—click—locked it from the inside.
Silence.
Ann (softly, staring at the door):
"Ken-san…"
She approached and gently placed her hand on the door.
Then whispered faintly:
Ann:
"Ken-san… are you okay?"
A reply came…
Ken (from inside, voice low but filled with tension and inner explosion):
"Leave… me alone."
Ann's hand slowly slipped off the door…
She stepped back, her eyes full of worry.
Koto (muttering in disbelief):
"Damn… who knew quitting smoking for one day could start a war…"
At that moment, inside the infirmary…
Akio's body stirred slightly in his sleep.
His small face was sweating, his eyebrows furrowed with worry.
His breathing grew faster—something was happening inside him…
Inside the dream…
Akio stood in a pitch-black forest.
No light. No moon. No stars.
Only thick shadows and twisted trees.
Akio (looking around nervously):
"Where… am I?"
Every step he took made a strange sound—like bones crunching beneath his feet.
Thick fog surrounded him from all sides.
Then suddenly… a voice whispered in his ear from nowhere:
??? (deep and distorted):
"At last… you've awakened."
Akio froze. He spun around—
But there was no one.
Akio (trembling):
"W-Who's there?!"
The same voice returned… from another direction…
As if it was everywhere:
???:
"I… live inside you."
Akio (in a trembling voice, looking around): "Wh… who are you?!"
??? (slowly): "I am your heart."
Suddenly, someone emerged from between the trees… their body completely covered in torn black clothes, but their face was—Akio's own face! Same hair… same eyes… but the skin was deathly pale, and the eyes were completely lifeless!
Akio (screaming): "Who are you?! Why do you look like me?!"
The mysterious figure (smiling with a dead grin): "I'm the part you fear… the part you try not to use."
The figure began walking toward Akio with slow, heavy steps. With each step, the ground beneath him sank into blood.
Akio (backing away, gasping): "Stay away from me!!!"
But the figure didn't stop—he smiled even wider, then suddenly raised his right hand and plunged it into Akio's chest!!
"KRRRRAAAAAAHHH!!!"
A piercing scream shook the forest… Akio felt pain like never before! It wasn't just physical pain—it was as if his very soul was being torn apart from within!
The mysterious figure (whispering into his ear): "This is our first contact… It won't be the last, Akio."
Then, the forest began collapsing. The trees caught fire, the fog turned into blood, and the sound of a heartbeat grew louder and louder!
"Thump… thump… thump… THUMP!!!"
Akio (screaming at the top of his lungs): "STOOOOOOOP!!!"
Suddenly…
Akio woke up with a loud gasp!! He opened his eyes, panting, his body soaked in sweat and his hands trembling. He looked around anxiously—but all he saw were sleeping patients and the dim hospital lights.
Akio (whispering shakily): "What… was that?"
He placed his hand on his chest… right where the hand had pierced in the dream… his heartbeat was pounding, as if something had truly awakened.
Akio (softly): "Just a stupid nightmare…"
He slowly turned his head and saw Nioro sleeping beside him, his pale face drenched in sweat. Akio studied his features for a moment, then glanced to the other side… where Akira was snoring quietly in a deep sleep, a small bubble inflating and popping from his nose with each breath.
Akio (blinking in surprise): "What's that bubble?"
He leaned closer and began watching the bubble as it grew again… but he couldn't resist the urge to pop it!
Akio (quietly): "If it pops now, it'll be hilarious…"
He reached out his finger—
"Pffft!"
The bubble popped instantly, and Akira jolted awake with a start!
Akira: "What?! Who's attacking?!"
Akio (laughing softly): "No one… just your nose."
Akira (rubbing his head groggily): "You woke me up… to mess with my nose?"
Akio (grinning): "I couldn't help it, it looked too weird!"
Akira: "Great… now thanks to you, I won't be able to sleep in peace again."
Meanwhile, Koto was leaning against the wall near the room where Ken had locked himself in. Steve approached her, chewing on a piece of stale bread he'd found in the kitchen. Ann was walking beside him, carrying a piece of chocolate cake. Koto looked at them seriously and began to speak.
Koto (in a low voice): "I went to the ballroom this morning."
Ann: "So, were you cleaning up the mess?"
Koto (shaking her head slowly): "That's not why I went… I wanted to check Terrakula's body, to make sure she hadn't woken up."
Steve (stopping mid-chew): "Well… what did you find?"
Koto (raising her gaze, her voice sharpening): "I didn't find anything."
Ann (her expression freezing): "Huh?"
Koto: "The body… completely vanished. No blood, no clothes, nothing."
Steve (his eyes widening in shock): "Does that mean she… survived?"
Koto (frowning): "Maybe… or maybe someone took the body after she died. What's strange is… the place was too clean, like someone deliberately wiped every trace."
Ann (nervously approaching Ken's locked door): "Did you tell Ken-san?"
Koto (glancing at the closed door): "No. I don't think he's in a state to hear anything right now."
To be continued…