My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 70: Deterioration

Episode 70: Deterioration  

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues through speaker, faraway voice, or telephone are in ‘……’.)

After finishing his explanation to Ayane, Rindou decided to take a break. The mental exhaustion from tackling his first portal and explaining his unique skill had caught up with him.  

“I’m heading to the hospital to see Kyouka now.”  

“Oh! In that case, I’d like to come along!”  

“You? Ayane?”  

Rindou tilted his head. He was surprised at Ayane’s unexpected request to accompany him.  

“Kyouka-chan is so adorable! I just want to see her again!”  

“Ah, yeah, she really is adorable,” 

Rindou replied, nodding in agreement without hesitation.  

“You two really bond over that, huh?”  

“”It’s the truth!!”” 

Rindou and Ayane exclaimed in unison. It left Kyousuke to chuckle awkwardly.  

“Well, in that case, let’s go together.”  

“Yay! Thank you so much, Rindou-san!”  

“I’ll head to the Association to report on the portal’s completion. Shall I have the rewards deposited directly into the Association account?”  

Rindou and Ayane both nodded in agreement.  

“Alright, I’ll contact you when the next portal exploration is scheduled.”  

“Thanks for handling everything, Kyousuke.”  

“It’s just the usual support from a senior player.”  

With that, Kyousuke parted ways with them. And Rindou and Ayane headed to the hospital where Kyouka was admitted.  

—

On their way, Rindou’s phone rang.  

“Huh? It’s from Dr. Ayase?”  

The call was from Kanna Ayase, Kyouka’s attending physician. Puzzled, Rindou answered the phone.  

“Hello, Doctor? What’s going—”  

‘Kyouka’s condition has taken a sudden turn! Please come quickly!’  

“What?! I-I’ll be right there!”  

Hearing the urgency in Ayase’s voice, Rindou took off running at full speed.  

“Wait, Rindou-san!”  

Ayane hurried after him, managing to catch up.  

“What’s going on?!”  

“Kyouka-san’s condition has worsened!”  

“Huh?! I-I get it!”

Upon hearing that Kyouka’s condition had suddenly worsened, Rindou ran off as fast as he could.

“Hey, Rindou-san!”

Ayane also ran out in a panic and somehow managed to catch up with Rindou.

“What on earth happened?”

“Kyouka’s condition has suddenly changed!”

“Wh-what?!”

There was no further conversation and the two of them headed straight to the hospital.

And then—Rindou  and Ayane arrived at the hospital drenched in sweat.

“Kyouka!”  

“Oh, Onii-chan!”  

“…You… You’re okay?”  

Rindou froze at the sight of Kyouka sitting on the edge of her bed. She greeted him with her usual cheerful smile.  

“Yeah! I’m fine! Sorry for making you worry!”  

“Ah… No, I’m fine, but…”  

Still confused, Rindou noticed Dr. Ayase standing behind Kyouka. She motioned for him to step outside with a serious expression.  

“Kyouka-chan!”  

“Oh! Ayane-san, you came too!”  

“I’m so glad you’re okay!”  

Ayane had peeked into the room behind Rindou. She exclaimed with relief as she entered. Seeing Ayane and Kyouka chatting happily, Rindou addressed Kyouka.  

“Kyouka, I’m going to talk with the doctor for a bit. Stay here and chat with Ayane, okay?”  

“Okay! But come back soon, alright?”  

“Of course.”  

Leaving the room with Dr. Ayase, Rindou moved to a private area in the corridor.  

—

“So, Doctor. What happened?”  

Recalling Kanna’s desperate tone in the earlier call, Rindou struggled to reconcile it with the current situation.  

“…Kyouka-san is putting on a brave face.”  

“What?!”  

“She doesn’t want to worry you, Rindou-san. She even made me promise not to tell you…..… but I couldn’t keep quiet any longer.”  

Kanna explained that Kyouka likely didn’t expect her symptoms to be revealed, as it was against medical ethics to hide such things. Normally, Kyouka would have realized this. But her resolve to shield Rindou from worry had clouded her judgment.  

“…So, it’s that bad?”  

“Yes.”  

“Damn it!”  

Just when Rindou had awakened as a player and glimpsed hope of obtaining an Elixir, this setback was a harsh blow.  

“For now, my magic is helping suppress her pain. But it’s becoming increasingly taxing. At this rate, I might not be able to manage it much longer.”  

“Which means we need to get the Elixir as soon as possible.”  

Though Kyouka had appeared cheerful earlier, Rindou now realized that time was running out.  

“……..…I’ll stay in Kyouka’s room tonight.”  

“While I’d appreciate that normally, it might be better if you don’t.”  

“Why?”  

Rindou was taken aback by Kanna’s rare opposition.  

“If you stay, Kyouka-san might push herself even harder not to worry you. Just for today, give her some space.”  

“…I see. Alright, Doctor.”  

Recognizing the wisdom in her words, Rindou reluctantly agreed.  

—

Later, Rindou returned to Kyouka’s room and stayed with her until she was satisfied. Before he left the hospital as Kanna had instructed.