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Chapter 244: Mother-Daughter Tension?
🕑 Added 2025-03-31 06:08:01 +0000 UTCShortly after Minami Shouji left, Karasawa Yuka's hospital room—
"Unbelievable… This is truly unbelievable."
Holding a data sheet in his hands, Dr. Takahashi, Karasawa Yuka's attending physician, let out an astonished murmur.
All of Karasawa Yuka's health indicators were now within normal range for an average healthy adult.
Dr. Takahashi could hardly believe it.
Just yesterday, during her full-body check-up, her condition had been dire—a decline so rapid that the hospital had called in Shinjo Akane to be by her side, fearing there wouldn't even be time for consent signatures if things worsened.
But today's results…?
Dr. Takahashi rubbed his eyes.
For the third time.
They had already checked the equipment, there was no malfunction.
If repeated scans wouldn't further harm her, he'd be sending Karasawa Yuka for another full exam.
Because this situation—
"It's unheard of! Miss Karasawa, how did this happen? What did you do to recover like this?!"
Dr. Takahashi asked excitedly, unable to contain himself.
Facing his barrage of questions, Karasawa Yuka sat dumbfounded, frozen in place.
She—someone who had effectively received a death sentence from the doctors—was suddenly hearing, "You're healed, what do you want to do now?"
Already dazed from just waking up, her mind became even more chaotic.
But thankfully, she was a composed adult.
Though her thoughts were scattered, her mind began to piece together what had happened.
Seeing the doctor's ecstatic expression, she immediately thought of one person—
Minami Shouji.
That young man who had appeared suddenly, and vanished just as mysteriously.
In her memory… she had taken medicine he gave her, fallen asleep… and upon waking, she heard this otherwise composed doctor speak in such an excited tone.
"I'm not joking."
"Just consider it being tricked—take this."
Karasawa Yuka fell silent.
She had never expected…
"So he wasn't lying to me after all…"
She murmured in disbelief, raising her head.
Yes.
Minami Shouji had not deceived her.
He had truly cured her illness.
Karasawa Yuka could feel it.
Her body, once frail, where even light movements left her breathless, now felt light and full of vitality.
The shortness of breath was gone, like it had never existed.
It shocked her deeply.
Her body was overflowing with energy now.
And even the Tokyo Metropolitan General Medical Hospital, famed for its elite facilities, hadn't been able to accomplish this.
Minami-kun… just who are you…?
Karasawa Yuka recalled the black-haired girl who accompanied him.
The girl who looked so much like Shinjo Akane, with short black hair.
She had called herself Minami Shouji and Shinjo Akane's daughter from the future…
At the time, Yuka had laughed it off as a joke.
Because anything involving "future" sounded absurd.
But now…
Feeling her body completely restored, Yuka began to wonder—
What if everything Mirai said was true…?
She really could be from the future.
Minami and Akane's daughter.
As Karasawa Yuka was lost in thought—
"Judging by the current indicators, Miss Karasawa, you seem to be in excellent health now," Dr. Takahashi spoke again, trying to restrain his excitement.
"However, I recommend staying for observation for a few more days, just in case any complications arise. Your case is unprecedented worldwide."
"…Alright."
She nodded, not refusing.
Her mind was still foggy, unable to process everything.
Standing nearby in the room was someone equally dazed—
Shinjo Akane.
Even though she didn't fully understand the doctor's medical jargon, she could tell why he was excited.
Karasawa Yuka's health had apparently improved.
This news was beyond joyful.
Even now, Akane was still immersed in happiness.
She only snapped out of it when Dr. Takahashi finished speaking with Yuka.
"Excuse me, Dr. Takahashi, is Yuka-san's condition really improving?"
"Yes, judging by her metrics."
He smiled.
"But we can't be careless—observation is needed to see if anything changes."
"…I see…"
Dr. Takahashi's words still made it sound like the situation was serious, but just from the relief in his tone, Shinjo Akane could tell — Karasawa Yuka's condition had truly improved. There was no longer any need for deep concern.
"Well then, that concludes today's examination. Ms. Karasawa, please make sure to rest well."
Leaving these words behind, Dr. Takahashi took the collected blood samples and left the room.
Inside the room, Shinjo Akane and Karasawa Yuka exchanged glances.
And then—
"Yuka-san!"
With no outsiders present, Shinjo Akane no longer had to suppress the joy in her heart.
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms tightly around Karasawa Yuka, lying in bed.
"I knew it! I just knew it! Yuka-san was going to be okay all along!"
Joy overflowed from her heart, emotions she had never felt so deeply.
Karasawa Yuka wouldn't have to part from her in sorrow like she once feared.
They still had a future together…
Just this alone was enough to make her want to leap with happiness.
However—
Shinjo Akane felt something odd and instinctively looked up.
She could clearly feel that Karasawa Yuka wasn't as elated as she expected.
Instead, Yuka's brows were slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.
"What's wrong, Yuka-san?"
Shinjo Akane sat back in her seat, a little worried.
She thought maybe her enthusiastic hug had accidentally hurt Yuka, whose body had only just recovered.
But noticing Akane's concern, Karasawa Yuka raised her head and smiled, shaking her hand.
"It's nothing, Akane. I'm just thinking about something."
She was pondering Minami Shouji.
There were still so many things she didn't understand about that boy.
"Thinking… about what?"
Still not grasping Yuka's train of thought, Akane tilted her head in confusion.
Sensing Akane's curiosity, Yuka wasn't sure how to answer.
Because right before she fell asleep earlier, she had heard Minami Shouji's request.
He had asked her not to tell Akane that he had come.
But…
As she looked at Akane's face, drawing ever closer in concern…
As she saw her confused and puzzled expression…
Karasawa Yuka let out a deep sigh.
I'm sorry, Minami-kun…
You told me not to say anything to Akane,
but in front of her, I just can't lie to her.
Apologizing silently in her heart, Yuka told Akane everything that had happened.
Including her conversation with Minami Shouji, and how she had taken the medicine he gave her…
This included even Mirai's appearance and her claim to be their daughter—
This entire sequence of events, filled with fantastical elements, was relayed to Shinjo Akane.
"I know this all sounds unbelievable, Akane… but it's the truth."
Considering that such a chaotic story might shake Akane's worldview, Karasawa Yuka added this final note after explaining everything.
After all, a daughter from the future…
A miracle drug that cured her…
No matter how you spin it, it sounded like something straight out of fantasy.
However—
"So it was Minami-kun who came… I see, that explains it."
Instead of the shock Karasawa Yuka had anticipated, Shinjo Akane simply rested her chin on her hand, wearing a look of total acceptance.
Her calm demeanor, her casual acceptance, left Yuka stunned.
"Akane… you're not even a little surprised?"
Seriously—
A future daughter named Mirai.
A medicine that could heal what the hospital couldn't.
Anyone would be floored by this, right?
And yet Akane just said "So Minami-kun came" and left it at that?
Karasawa Yuka couldn't believe it and asked directly.
"Of course it's unbelievable."
Akane quickly responded but then smiled.
"But once I think about it being Minami-kun, everything just feels... possible. Actually—"
She stretched with a soft sigh, her graceful figure outlined in motion.
With a dreamy tone, Shinjo Akane spoke with faint excitement:
"As expected of Minami-kun. He could even solve what the hospital couldn't... and for Yuka-san, no less. Aah, what do I do? I think I love him even more now."
She mumbled to herself, conflicted yet overjoyed.
Karasawa Yuka heard everything.
Watching Akane, brimming with joy like a girl in love, tapping her loafers—
Yuka understood.
Her adoptive daughter was utterly and helplessly enchanted by Minami Shouji.
And this love… it was probably incurable.
Even with a miracle drug.
That said… Karasawa Yuka felt relief.
Because she had met Minami Shouji in person, she understood just how outstanding he was.
If Akane was going to fall for someone, then at least it was a man like him.
...
"..." Minami Shouji was speechless.
Absolutely speechless.
Because not even two hours after leaving Tokyo General Medical Hospital, he received this message on LINE:
[The World's Akane: Minami-kun! Bring our daughter over immediately so I can meet her! (Attachment: Address Link)]
Great...
Minami Shouji thought back to Karasawa Yuka.
He remembered clearly asking her not to tell Akane about Mirai.
And yet, it seemed Yuka had zero intention of listening to him.
Within two hours, she told Akane everything.
Karasawa-san… aren't you spoiling Akane just a little too much?
Minami Shouji rubbed his temples.
Still, Mirai was also Akane's daughter.
As a mother, it was natural she would want to meet her child.
He couldn't exactly say no to that.
So he replied simply, "Alright, we're on our way."
Then, pulling along Mirai, who was staring at the nearby arcade with interest, they headed to the address Akane sent.
And now—
Now it had become like this—
"Hmph, I expected my mother to be quite beautiful in her youth, but in the end, not so much. Hard to believe Dad would fall for someone like you."
Smiling, Mirai sipped her coffee as she insulted Akane with ease.
"My, my, Minami-kun, our daughter's in her rebellious phase at only 21—what a handful."
In response, Akane's smile deepened, more smug, more sarcastic.
Both girls had angelic faces, with bright smiles that should have radiated warmth.
And yet, somehow, their smiles froze the air around them.
Minami Shouji simply sipped his coffee in silence.
Honestly, he didn't understand.
This was supposed to be a first-time meeting, with no reason for conflict.
This was supposed to be a heartwarming, tearful reunion across time.
Not… whatever this petty argument was.
Aren't you two supposed to be mother and daughter?
Why are you already at each other's throats?
Like meeting an arch-nemesis?
Minami Shouji truly couldn't understand it. So he gave up trying and just sat there watching them bicker.
First, he heard Mirai mock Shinjo Akane's legs, claiming they were too short and looked chubby in black stockings.
Then Akane retorted about Mirai's chest size, saying it was so underwhelming she'd probably starve her future grandkids.
In short—they were arguing like children.
What made it worse? They kept dragging Minami Shouji into it.
One side asked him to judge their figure, the other pressed him to comment on looks.
Minami Shouji had had enough.
"Starting now, neither of you are allowed to speak."
After paying for the coffee, under the astonished gazes of other customers, Minami Shouji grabbed both girls—one under each arm, and glared at them expressionlessly.
"Uhh…"
Seeing how serious he looked—genuinely annoyed—the two who'd been bickering nonstop just moments ago, Shinjo Akane and Mirai, obediently clamped their mouths shut.
No more arguing.
