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TL: ALT
Chapter 223 – Devotion for No Reason Part 3
“Please don’t come back.”
The boy’s mother said this with a tight lip as she pulled me out into the hospital hallway.
It was after lights out, and the hallway was dimly lit.
It was similar to the inside of a dungeon in that it was a square room, and there was no way of knowing what lay ahead.
It was also similar in that it was a place where death and suffering were a normal part of life.
“What do you mean, don’t come? What about his treatment?”
“Of course, it’s not possible! It’s a nuisance for me and for his future to have you involved any further.
I had expected to be told this.
She had withheld information about my current situation from her son.
That meant she felt it necessary to hide things about me.
“How am I supposed to explain to my husband and doctor that you’re here like this?” [T/n: She called her husband “shujin” (主人), which means “husband” or “master,” essentially referring to the head of the household, and while it is considered a polite way to refer to one’s husband, some may find it somewhat problematic due to its historical implication of a hierarchical relationship between master and servant].
She told me in a cold voice.
I immediately rebelled against her words.
“Husband? Your spouse is not your master.”
“So what? Everyone knows that! What else should I call him to make you happy?”
“Well, there’s ‘husband,’ ‘spouse,’ etc.” [T/n: Otto (夫), Haigusha (配偶者)]
“Those are not words that people use in everyday life, are they? If I used such a high-minded phrase, I’d stand out among the other mothers. It’s a good business, isn’t it, to get paid just for picking on people’s words?”
“I don’t do it for the money.”
“I’m sure that’s true. But the fact is, that’s how you get your funding. But ordinary people have to live their lives. There are many things we have to endure, swallow, and make peace with, even if they seem absurd.”
“I want to change this situation…” She said.
Ignoring my attempt to argue, she continued.
“My company isn’t that big, but discrimination against women has really decreased. The benefits for women have also improved. They’re not enough, but they’re getting better. In my case, of course, they take special care of my son…”
“Of course, that’s a good thing, but in the end, it’s just a way of covering up the real problems and trying to win over women…”
“So what do you suggest we do? Do we wait for management to reform and say, ‘We’re sorry, we’ve changed our minds,’ after holding a women-only strike? Even though the management is already relatively enlightened and working to improve the way women work while protecting the company’s profits?”
“Even if they are enlightened, they are still men, aren’t they? But that doesn’t matter.”
She let out a weary sigh.
She was my junior in college.
She comforted me when I was forced to leave my research lab.
When I heard that her child had a rare disease, I wanted to do whatever I could to help.
I wished her child hadn’t been a boy, but I still bent the rules and worked on the treatment because I felt so indebted to her.
“Don’t you understand? In this country, if you don’t do the same things as everyone else, you will be ostracized. You’ll be embarrassed, you’ll lose, your child will be bullied, and so on. How can you, who don’t have children, understand this, Senpai?
“Whether you have children or not is irrelevant. We shouldn’t make divisions between women based on whether they have children or not.
“There are things I can relate to in what you’re saying, Senpai. I’ve also had many unpleasant experiences just because I’m a woman. But I don’t want to fight the world to eliminate discrimination. There are so many things I have to protect. I’m already fighting to do what I can within my own reach. Please don’t bring politics or ideology into this. It’s really impossible. Please tell people who have more time to spare about such things.”
“It is not a question of having time to spare. The problems that need to be solved have to be solved whether you have time to spare or not. Of course, I think that people who have time to spare should take the lead and make things happen.”
After another sigh at my words, she said,
“To be honest, there are other people besides you, people who approach children born with ‘poor’ disabilities and their parents and try to use them to promote their own activities.”
“I’m not like that! I’m actually trying to heal him…”
“I’m grateful, of course.”
She stopped me from getting too excited.
“If possible, I wanted you to be Akito’s hero, just as you were the object of envy for female researchers in the past.”
“Then.”
“But what will happen to us if it becomes known that Akito was treated by a wanted criminal? I heard that you conducted human experiments in the dungeon, didn’t you? How much will Akito be hurt if he finds out that he survived thanks to the results of such inhuman experiments…”
“B-but if we leave his illness untreated…”
“I don’t think we can keep him under treatment forever now that you’ve become like this. The police are not stupid. I’m sure they’ll soon find out where you’re hiding.”
“Even if there are a lot of male policemen around now…”
“Are you going to kill or injure policemen every time you come to treat Akito? Will you let Akito see that?”
“W-well…”
“Those who oppose your own sense of justice must be eliminated by force… what is the difference between that and what the ‘men in power’ you speak of do?”
“…The right end justifies all means. If you have no choice but to take extreme measures, then you must do so without hesitation.”
“Please turn yourself in, Senpai.”
“Huh?”
“Please turn yourself into the police and admit your guilt. If there is a trial, I will testify on your behalf. The judge’s impression of you will surely change when he sees how much you care for Akito.”
“Of course, that’s impossible! The other side is the judiciary, the running dog of male power. I don’t want to be lenient with a court that still doesn’t even allow married couples to have separate surnames!”
“Isn’t it about life? I can’t share your ideas, but I can see that you really believe in them. If you live, you might be able to go out into society at some point. Even from prison, you can send out your ideas. I’m sure you have allies who will support you in this kind of activity, right?”
Her words silenced me for a while.
Her words certainly showed consideration for me.
But at the same time, I could see that she didn’t want to get into any more trouble.
If I obediently went to prison, there might be a way for me to continue treating Akito.
Since I am the only person who can treat his incurable disease, there is a possibility that some special measures will be taken.
More than that, I can’t doubt her feelings that she doesn’t want to increase Akito’s mental burden by letting him know that I’m a criminal.
“I guess so…”
I’m tired, and that’s the truth.
Thinking back, my life has been a constant struggle ever since that professor stole my research results.
I thought I had won that battle, but after my defeat in the Umihotaru Dungeon, the police suddenly pursued me.
No matter how high my status as an explorer, it’s not a good idea to make the whole country my enemy.
Even if that person helps me, I don’t think he can completely control the police.
I’m sure I won’t lose every single battle, but if I have to repeat this month after month, week after week, my spirit will inevitably become exhausted.
…No, if that social outcast, former reclusive explorer named Yuto Kurashiki comes out, there’s no guarantee that I’ll win this time.
The thought of living as a fugitive from now on, constantly on the run from the police and under the threat of surprise attacks from Yuto Kurashiki, is enough to make anyone feel depressed.
Depending on the outcome of the ‘mission’ that person gave me, I might be ‘freed’ from such worries forever…
Just as I was about to sigh and give up,
“Hey, hey, Sensei. You’re not going over there, are you?”
Out of the darkness of the hospital ward appeared a handsome young man in his twenties, with a somewhat rough but also refined air.
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