Chapter 146 Tennis 34
"Have you been waiting for a long time, Yukimura-kun?" Kurikawa Sana asked with a smile.
She had already settled down at the hotel she had booked in Kanagawa, thinking she would definitely not see Yukimura today. She was surprised to hear he suddenly invited her out to see the Wind Chime Festival.
At the same time, Yukimura also gained 5 points of favorability. She didn't know what kind of psychological process he had gone through. She couldn't figure out every rise and fall of his favorability.
Did Yukimura-kun and Niou-kun say something after she left? Kurikawa Sana fell into deep thought.
And Yukimura... he looks so handsome in his outfit tonight!
This was the first time that Kurikawa Sana saw Yukimura Seiichi wearing private clothes other than the Rikkai University uniform. The boy wore a simple white T-shirt as a base, and a light blue thin shirt on the outside, which matched the color of his hair and brought a bit of literary style.
Contrary to his appearance, Yukimura Seiichi's figure is not slender. He has broad shoulders and good proportions, and his height and long legs are pleasing to the eye.
With his godlike face, everything seems even greater.
"Kurikawa-san." Lord Tenshin spoke.
"Um?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, what's the problem?"
Beneath the five-colored wind chimes, Yukimura Seiichi lowered his eyes to gaze upon the black-haired girl. She smiled sweetly, bright and cheerful. It was hard to imagine that such a woman could be so seriously ill that she could be fatal at any moment.
"When I mentioned meeting at the hospital tomorrow morning last night, you looked a little reluctant," Yukimura Seiichi asked. "I could sense that you, Kurikawa-san, were very reluctant to see a doctor, yet you actually agreed to my invitation to come to Kanagawa for treatment. Why?"
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment.
…ah?
I really didn't expect Yukimura to ask this.
Of course she came here to capture the game! She also agreed to go to a hospital she didn't want to go to for the same reason, but how could she possibly say that out loud... Why would Yukimura care about this?
Seeing that the girl was obviously stunned and did not respond for a long time, Yukimura Seiichi continued: "If you don't want to answer, you can pretend that I never asked. I just don't want to force you to do something against my will."
"From my perspective, I believe everyone should cherish their health and strive for even the slightest hope of recovery. So I hope you don't give up, Kurikawa-san."
“……!”
Kurikawa Sana opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Following the surprise came a warm current that slowly flowed through my heart.
…So that’s how it is.
Although Yukimura didn't say it explicitly, she could understand the meaning behind the other person's words.
Yukimura was worried that she only agreed to go to the hospital because she had feelings for him, and he didn't want to use this to force her into doing something she didn't like.
The reason why he advised her to go to the hospital was because of his respect for life.
Perhaps Yukimura was so insistent on her going to the hospital because he himself was also suffering from a serious illness. Therefore, he didn't want to watch her do nothing and just quietly wait for death to come.
For a moment, Kurikawa Sana was filled with emotion.
Kurikawa Sana: [System.]
System: [What's wrong?]
Kurikawa Sana: [Suddenly, I feel like Yukimura-kun and I... are just two fellow patients running towards each other! ]
She sympathized with Yukimura who was suffering from acute radiculitis, so for a long time she subconsciously gave up her plan to conquer Yukimura and did not want to come to Kanagawa to bother him.
Yukimura, on the other hand, worried that she would give up on herself and refuse treatment, so he urged her to come to the hospital, even though he only had a slight affection for her at the time. Isn't this the kind of sympathy between two fellow patients?!
system:【………】
Her train of thought has always been good.
After regaining her composure, Kurikawa Sana looked up at the other person and said softly, "I didn't force myself. I was indeed afraid of going to the hospital because every treatment plan was painful... and ineffective."
It wasn't that she didn't want to fight, but in the real world, she had tried every possible method of modern medicine, but to no avail. Besides, this was the world the system had brought her to, and treating her body here wouldn't heal her real-world body, so why would she go to the hospital on her own initiative?
Throughout the three worlds, Yukimura was the only one who was so persistent in taking her to the hospital.
[Yukimura Seiichi, favorability +2. 】
Hearing her say that her treatment process was painful, Yukimura Seiichi's deep blue eyes flashed with a hint of complex emotions.
"I understand that feeling."
"If it were me, I'd give it a try, even if it was painful," Yukimura said. "I can't imagine not being able to play tennis anymore. For me, that would be even more painful than the treatment itself. So no matter how difficult or painful the treatment, I will overcome it."
Kurikawa Sana opened her mouth slightly and was stunned for a moment.
What a tough person.
It turns out that tennis holds such a special place in Yukimura's heart. This is no longer just an ordinary love, but an existence that is almost as important as his life.
Compared to Yukimura-kun, she lacked this kind of spiritual support. Kurikawa Sana couldn't help but wonder, if she also had a support that she loved to this extent like Yukimura, wouldn't she be stronger?
The system said: [It's different, Sana, you are already strong enough. Only when you survive can you pursue other things.]
…Too.
Kurikawa Sana lowered her eyes and said softly, "I understand the reasoning, Yukimura-kun, don't worry. I'm just a little scared about going to the hospital. It's a physiological reaction ingrained in me. Even if you hadn't suggested it, I would have had the same reaction when I went there on my own. It's okay, I'll just see what the doctor says tomorrow."
"Is that so? I understand." Yukimura Seiichi looked at her. "If you're afraid of hospitals, I have a few methods. For example, distraction and post-event rewards are good options. I think they'd be perfect for Kurikawa-san."
"Distract yourself, like listening to music or reading? I've tried that, but it usually only works on the way to the hospital," Kurikawa Sana asked curiously. "As for the post-treatment reward mechanism, does that mean rewarding yourself after seeing the doctor or receiving treatment? That's a bit interesting. What kind of rewards does Yukimura-kun set for himself?"
Yukimura Seiichi: "I'll reward myself with a game of tennis."
Kurikawa Sana: "..."
Okay, this is a really luxurious reward.
"Just kidding." Yukimura Seiichi looked at her with a hint of smile in his eyes, "Do you feel a little relieved?"
"Eh? So you were joking because you were worried I was feeling down?"
"Um."
Kurikawa Sana looked at him intently for a long time, and suddenly said, "I'm so happy."
"…Um?"
"Yukimura-kun actually cares about my feelings."
Yukimura Seiichi was slightly stunned.
"My answers to all the questions Yukimura-kun asked just now are 'no'... However, there is one thing that is true."
The black-haired girl changed the subject, and a very beautiful smile bloomed on her face.
"I came to Kanagawa because I really wanted to see you."
“…”
The young man paused holding the wind chime, and his purple-blue hair blocked the expression on his face.
[Yukimura Seiichi, favorability +5. 】
The summer evening breeze whistled past, the tinkling of wind chimes masking the throbbing sound of something. The pink carp skewer, a symbol of good fortune in marriage at the Wind Chime Festival, seemed to smile under the warm light.
"Um."
Yukimura Seiichi only heard himself respond softly.
The question I was thinking about yesterday seemed to have an answer at this moment.
…
*
The next day, Kanagawa Tsuchiya General Hospital.
"Ms. Kurikawa, the ultrasound shows you have tricuspid atresia, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary valve stenosis—an extremely complex congenital heart disease. If you don't actively cooperate with treatment, you could die from hypoxia at any time. This is a ticking time bomb. Don't let your guard down just because you appear to be living a normal life now. The last time you fainted and were admitted to the hospital, your lips were already severely cyanotic, a very dangerous condition."
The person who was speaking was Dr. Fujita, the chief physician of the cardiology department of Tsuchiya General Hospital. He was holding the ultrasound report of Kurikawa Sana's heart in his hand, and his expression was serious and solemn.
In the clinic, Seiichi Yukimura stood next to Sana Kurikawa. After hearing the doctor's conclusion, Seiichi Yukimura's face changed slightly.
The last time she fainted and was admitted to the hospital was when she came to the beach to find him and was hurt by his cold words.
At that time, he... didn't know that she was in such a physical condition.
"So, doctor, what treatment plan does Tsuchiya recommend?" asked Seiichi Yukimura.
"Our recommendation is to prioritize surgical treatment. First, we perform a Blalock-Taussig shunt to increase pulmonary blood flow and improve hypoxia. Then, we perform a bidirectional Glenn procedure to connect the superior vena cava to the pulmonary artery to reduce the burden on the heart. Finally, we perform a Fontan procedure to connect the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery to further improve blood circulation."
Dr. Fujita continued, "During this period, we also recommend interventional treatment, namely balloon atrial septostomy to enlarge the atrial septal defect and increase atrial shunt. We can also consider pulmonary valvuloplasty to relieve pulmonary stenosis."
Yukimura Seiichi frowned. The scale and intensity of this operation were extremely large.
Kurikawa Sana sat opposite the doctor, listening quietly and obediently to the other party's long list of professional terms.
Seeing she didn't respond immediately, Dr. Fujita said gently, "Is there anything you don't understand? Don't worry, I can explain it to you one by one, including the risks associated with these surgeries."
Kurikawa Sana shook her head. "I understand, doctor. I want conservative treatment."
It's not that she didn't understand. On the contrary, she understood every word Dr. Fujita said and every surgical method.
Because these were all surgeries she had personally experienced in the real world, all of them.
Precisely because she has tried them all, she knows better than anyone that doing so is useless and will only increase the pain.
Hearing her rejection without hesitation, Yukimura Seiichi frowned even deeper.
Dr. Fujita was stunned for a moment. "Ms. Kurikawa, I understand your perspective, but avoiding it isn't a good solution. You'll have to face it sooner or later. Are you sure you want to choose conservative treatment?"
Kurikawa Sana nodded, "I'm sure."
"...I understand. As a doctor, I respect the patient's decision." Dr. Fujita sighed. "For conservative treatment, I will prescribe digoxin, nitroglycerin, and metoprolol. These are all cardiotonic drugs used to dilate blood vessels, enhance cardiac contractility, and prevent heart failure. I will also use prostaglandin E1 to keep the ductus arteriosus open and ensure adequate pulmonary blood flow."
"Thank you, doctor."
"You're welcome. Miss Kurikawa, it's best to insist on regular follow-up visits and come to the hospital for regular cardiac ultrasounds and electrocardiograms. Also, take anticoagulant therapy to prevent blood clots. Remember to take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor, and it's best to get vaccinated. Otherwise, even a mild case of the flu could potentially lead to endocarditis. You shouldn't be complacent with your health..."
Listening to Dr. Fujita's earnest advice and the sincere concern in his words, Kurikawa Sana couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.
Dr. Fujita reminded her of the real-world medical team who cared deeply for her and tried every possible way to save her. She was afraid of hospitals, but only of the illness itself, not the angels in white.
"Thank you, Dr. Fujita. Thank you very much."
…
*
Two hours later, in the clinic.
"Yukimura-kun? Why are you back?" Dr. Fujita looked at the boy in surprise. "Where's Miss Kurikawa?"
"She's receiving anticoagulation treatment." Yukimura Seiichi stared at him closely. "Dr. Fujita, I want to know what the consequences will be if she doesn't undergo surgery?"
Dr. Fujita sighed. "As I said earlier, without aggressive surgical treatment, she could die of hypoxia at any time. However, surgery also carries a high degree of risk, and she could even die on the operating table. Therefore, it's difficult to say whether surgery or conservative treatment is better."
"As a doctor, since she has chosen conservative treatment, I need to respect the patient's wishes. But no matter what, her visit to the hospital today is still necessary. After all, taking medicine is better than not taking medicine."
"...Is there really no other way?" The young man clenched his fists tightly.
"No, at least not for the time being. So she chose conservative treatment, trying to maintain her current situation, living one day at a time—that's what the look in her eyes told me."
“……!”
Yukimura Seiichi's deep blue pupils contracted violently for a moment.
……What?
Live one day at a time?
"...So, how long can she live?" Yukimura Seiichi heard his own hoarse question.
"I can't give you an accurate answer to this question. After all, there is very little clinical data to support your judgment. Besides, Ms. Kurikawa didn't ask this question just now. As a doctor, since the patient didn't ask, I don't need to tell her proactively," said Dr. Fujita.
"I want to know, Dr. Fujita, please." The boy's voice was very soft. "...I won't tell her."
“………”
Dr. Fujita also fell into a long silence.
After an unknown amount of time, Dr. Fujita slowly said, "Maybe, less than a year."
“……!!”
Yukimura Seiichi suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief.
"Her pulmonary artery stenosis has developed to a severe stage, with a noticeable heart murmur, severe atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. With conservative medication alone, she only has less than a year left to live, perhaps six months, or even a few months."
"Of course, this is just my personal prediction. Miss Kurikawa's case is rare worldwide, let alone a successful cure. No doctor can guarantee an accurate prediction of her remaining time. But the only thing I can be sure of is that she doesn't have much time left."
Dr. Fujita's tone was filled with indescribable regret.
After he finished speaking, Dr. Fujita saw the young man's usually upright figure sway slightly. Even when he first diagnosed the young man with acute radiculitis, Dr. Fujita had never seen him look like this.
At that time, Seiichi Yukimura's face just changed, he clenched his fists, repeatedly confirmed the impact of the disease on his tennis career, and finally calmly accepted the fact and cooperated with the treatment.
But now, he looked stunned, as if he was frozen in place, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
Dr. Fujita sighed deeply inwardly.
From what he could see, Ms. Kurikawa and Yukimura Seiichi were not in a relationship. But even as an ordinary classmate, it was quite normal for Yukimura to be shocked and unable to accept the sudden discovery that someone he knew in real life only had less than a year left.
Furthermore, Ms. Kurikawa looked so dazzling, as beautiful as a blooming flower. It was unimaginable that such a wonderful person would only have less than a year left to live. It was truly heartbreaking.
"Yukimura-kun, I understand how you feel. But besides worrying about Ms. Kurikawa, you also need to take care of your health. Dr. Nakamura from the neurology department asked me to remind you that you've been experiencing decreased sensory nerve sensitivity, a lack of noticeable touch when pressing on certain parts of your body, and increased pain. These are all symptoms of a more advanced form of acute radiculitis."
"Both the MRI and CT scans show that your nerves are significantly compressed. I'm afraid you'll need a laminectomy and spinal fusion to relieve the nerve root compression."
“………”
The young man was silent for a long time before he slowly squeezed out a few difficult words from his throat.
“…I understand. Thank you, Dr. Fujita.”
Seeing Yukimura Seiichi disappear at the door, Dr. Fujita fell silent.
What kind of pain are these two people, Yukimura-kun and Kurikawa-san? One has acute radiculitis that threatens to incapacitate him at any moment, while the other suffers from a complex heart disease that threatens to kill him. Both are suffering from illness at the prime of their lives.
God, please have mercy on us and please don’t make things difficult for this little couple.
Dr. Fujita couldn't help but sigh and shook his head.
…
*
"Yukimura-kun! You're back!"
Seeing Yukimura Seiichi's figure, Kurikawa Sana's eyes lit up and she ran towards him, "Where did you go just now? I looked for you for a long time and couldn't find you."
The girl's expression and actions were lively and cheerful, showing no signs of depression or sadness at all. But he had clearly asked the nurse about it earlier, and she said she was trembling all over during the injection, but in the end she cooperated and finished the injection obediently.
Yukimura Seiichi felt like something was stuck in his throat and he wanted to say something but couldn't.
——Less than a year left.
The doctor's conclusion just now echoed in his mind like a spell.
Did she know about this? Did she choose conservative treatment because she had already known the outcome at another hospital? Even knowing all this, could she still live every day with such a smile?
Or...she doesn't know?
Her condition had become so serious, but her parents and family never showed up, and she had never even answered a phone call.
In a trance, Yukimura Seiichi remembered what his good friend Yanagi Renji had said before.
——"Perhaps Kurikawa did that simply because she wanted to get as much love and emotional value as possible within the limited time she had."
“………”
Seiichi Yukimura couldn't describe his feelings at this moment; it was a mixture of various emotions.
Even his own body began to surge with pain, the sharp, stabbing, burning sensation of acute radiculitis, starting on one side of his spine and radiating into his arms and thighs.
"Yukimura-kun? Yukimura-kun?"
Seeing that he didn't reply for a long time, the girl's somewhat nervous voice sounded, and his eyes focused back.
Yukimura Seiichi's deep blue pupils reflected the girl's worried face. He paused, clenched his fists tightly, and suppressed the sharp pain.
Then he smiled at her gently, the first real, gentle smile.
"I'm fine."
Yukimura Seiichi helped her get a large bag of medicine that had just been prescribed and asked, "Are you going back to Tokyo?"
Eh?
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, still immersed in the smile in front of him, "It's only Saturday morning now, I might... go back tomorrow night?"
"Okay." Yukimura Seiichi looked at her with a calm gaze, "Then, can I accompany you?"
“?!”
Kurikawa Sana opened her eyes wide in surprise, almost unable to believe her ears.
At the same time, there was a "ding" sound.
[Yukimura Seiichi, favorability +30. 】
“………”
Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"
Ahhh, what happened?! ! !
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