episode_0107

Episode 107. Thanksgiving Dinner (1)

****

The procedure went well. I took Amy back to the ward. I wish Amy had seen the Thomas cast.

Because I might see a patient with a broken leg in the future. No, I definitely will.

“Hello, patient.”

“Yes.”

“Move your toes. All five.”

The patient wiggled his toes. Fortunately, there seemed to be no nerve damage, as all of his toes were moving.

“Are your legs feeling okay?”

“No.”

Well, it wouldn’t have gotten better overnight, right?

“Did you get your medicine?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Painkiller was administered.”

“It still hurts a little.”

“It’ll probably be about that much after taking painkillers.”

“Is it always this painful?”

I nodded slowly. I wish I could use more painkillers, but there are also side effects like bleeding and kidney damage.

It is right to stop administering painkillers when the pain is moderate. At least for the time being.

“Yes. If it had been another doctor, of course, he might have put the splint on properly, but he might have also cut off the leg or just left it shortened.”

“Oh. I see.”

“I am proud to say that I did the best treatment possible. I did not pull the leg bones to set them, nor did I open the leg to operate.”

“Okay.”

“Yes. That’s the plan now.”

“Ah. Are you discharged?”

The goal of treatment is to return to normal life. You should be discharged as soon as possible. I nodded to the patient.

“You will be able to return to your daily life in about two weeks, but it will probably take several months to completely remove the cast. It will take half a year to completely return to normal.”

“Can you do it too?”

“But I can’t guarantee how much of the leg’s function will return. That’s something that will only be known after some time has passed.”

“I see.”

If we could do an X-ray, we could know. But since we can’t, there’s nothing we can do.

Amy lifted the staff from the side.

“Healing Light.”

It would be nice if this could shorten the patient’s recovery period even a little, but it was difficult to be certain that it would.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Doctor too.”

I have to stay away from the hospital for at least two days starting tomorrow, so I hope everything goes smoothly during that time, right?

Istina, Amy, and me.

After a long time, all three of them gathered in the lab.

“Look.”

“Yes.”

I drew a picture of a Thomas splint on paper. It is a device that holds the thigh and shin in place with straps that pull and straighten the leg.

“Have you seen this? It’s the one used to stretch the patient’s legs.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve probably seen patients. When you hurt your leg, it often turns or becomes shorter. This device was created to straighten that out.”

This is something I’ve said many times before.

The two graduate students nodded.

“Do you understand up to here?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Here’s what you have to do. Record the case of the patient who broke his femur this time. Record what was uncomfortable, what was wrong, and what was good.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“You can see it too. This patient’s case is not one that relies on my technique or a special medicine. It’s a method that other hospitals and other medical staff can easily imitate.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s why I’m trying to record it better. The Thomas splint itself, and how to use it. It’s a method that can be applied relatively simply.”

So I saw it as a more special case.

“So please write it down better.”

“I guess so.”

The Thomas splint was a revolutionary way to reduce patient deaths and complications. It was something that should have been in every hospital in the empire.

“I have to go on a business trip tomorrow… … .”

I’m busy, I’m busy. The royal banquet is already tomorrow. I thought it would never come.

I was a bit anxious about leaving the ward to someone else, but I don’t have two bodies. I guess I have no choice but to trust them.

****

Istina scratched her head.

I understand that Professor Asterix usually has a hard time, but is it right for a graduate student to be locked in the lab while the professor is dating the princess?

Well, rather than a question of right or wrong, it couldn’t help but be a tragic irony. If I could just get a doctorate, would my life be a little easier?

I didn’t think that would happen.

****

And on the day of the Thanksgiving banquet.

Mint was waiting for me outside the lab door, wearing a dress and with her hair tied up.

I stared blankly at Mint for a moment. I could see Mint’s pure white neckline beneath her pastel yellow hair that was tied up.

It was so unbelievably pretty.

The princess’s dress was dark blue with gold thread decorations. Her shoulders were exposed, but not too revealing.

Rather than being flashy, be modest. Of course, there was no need to dress up in flashy primary-colored clothes. Isn’t the face the completion of fashion?

Mint smiled brightly as soon as she saw me.

“How about the dress?”

“You’re so pretty.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

I got into the carriage first, then grabbed the princess’ hand and pulled her up. Mint followed me into the carriage, laughing heartily.

Mint lightly pressed her lips to my cheek and held my hand tightly, interlocking her fingers and rubbing her thumb against the back of my hand.

We sat in the carriage for a long time, quietly. In reality, only a few minutes had passed, but it felt like an eternity.

Is it because I’m nervous?

“I’m nervous. It’s my first time going to an event with Mint. I feel like I might make a mistake.”

“Is there even a reason to be nervous? We often went to the palace together. You even worked at the palace.”

Mint looked at me with a puzzled look. Actually, that wasn’t the problem. She was worried about going to the event with the princess.

“Still.”

“That’s right. I have something to explain.”

“What is it?”

“Social circles are ultimately a means of governance and communication, so they have to follow their own rules. So I asked the prince?”

“What did you say?”

“This is what I’m worried about.”

Mint played with her hair with her left hand, as if she was thinking about something.

“I’m listening.”

“I’m not a social person, and you’re not that kind of person either. Since we’re two newbies to the social world hanging out together. I think we can get away with it a little with your words, teacher… … .”

I shook my head slightly.

I didn’t think I was very eloquent. There were just a lot of times when I was right and others were wrong.

I saw it as a different problem from speech.

“You should not rely on words.”

“Really?”

“You have to say the right thing.”

“I don’t know if that’s something a teacher should say.”

“I think it’s the opposite.”

“Why are you being so humble?”

“I’m not good at speaking. Rather, I just say the right things, and no matter what I say, everyone listens to me with tears in their eyes. Because what I say is right.”

I’m not sure how it sounded to Mint, but that’s what I really thought.

Mint tilted her head. Her hair and ribbon were tilted to one side. It was really cute, I don’t know why.

“Hmm. Now that I think about it, maybe so.”

“Fighting with others, winning, and acting like a madman is not rhetoric. Isn’t rhetoric talking with others and compromising to achieve the best result even when what the other person says is wrong? Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“It’s a surprisingly deep sound.”

“You should know the amount of mint.”

“Effort is important, right? It’s the teacher’s fault for having a weird personality… … . Of course, that could be true. But I’m glad he seems to be aware of it.”

“Yes.”

“Just follow me. Don’t worry too much. If you do well, it will work out.”

If you think about it, that’s true.

Mint is a princess, so in terms of status, she’s higher than most of the people there. I’m not a noble to begin with, so I’m a bit distant. I don’t really have much to do with the gossip in high society.

“As I said earlier. The teacher is already famous as the best healer in the empire, so most people will just think of it as a genius’s eccentricity.”

“That could be the case.”

“This is the important thing. Of course, I really like you, sir, but it’s also true that I have to convince the royal family. If I want to convince the royal family a little easier, I’d better stock up a bit, right?”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry for making you suffer for nothing. It’s my family’s problem.”

I shook my head. It didn’t seem right. Even if you were to adopt a dog, wouldn’t the person giving it away feel uneasy?

It’s not because she’s a princess, that’s true. It’s something that happens to everyone, just to a different degree.

“Other people will experience similar things. Don’t you think your daughter’s lover is a punk, parents? It’s the same for everyone, that’s it.”

Mint stamped her feet, hugged my arms tightly, and rested her head on my shoulder.

“Oh, but.”

“Yes.”

“Teacher, you know. Are you really going to the banquet with me? ”

“Of course.”

I answered right away. It was just a reaffirmation of what I already knew, a really obvious statement. Was he just wanting to hear my answer?