Once the door opened, the scene inside made Shichen's heart tremble. On the hospital bed lay a woman, emaciated to the point of being skin and bones, face pale as paper, instantly drawing all his attention.
Even though he was prepared for this, seeing the state of Aiba Asagi's mother, he couldn't help but frown deeply, feeling heavy-hearted.
"Shichen-sensei, please come in." Aiba Asagi's tone also became somber.
"Mm…"
Walking into the ward, Shichen noticed a man standing by the window.
That man turned around, revealing a stern face. He looked at Shichen and gave a slight nod.
"Shichen-sensei, this is my father," Aiba Asagi introduced.
"Aiba-san, hello, I'm Shichen, Asagi's teacher."
"I know who you are already. Shichen-sensei… can you really save my wife?" Aiba Sensai couldn't wait to ask, his solemn face showing keen anticipation.
Shichen glanced at the skeletal woman lying on the bed but did not immediately promise anything. Instead, he said, "Do you mind if I examine her condition first?"
"Of course, please do—I beg of you!" Aiba Sensai suddenly bowed deeply.
"Shichen-sensei, please, you must save my mom too." Aiba Asagi bowed right after him.
"I'll do my best."
Shichen pursed his lips and stepped toward the bed, taking a close look at Aiba Asagi's mother.
Her complexion was as pale as paper, but her facial features hadn't changed much. You could vaguely see how Asagi would look when she grew up. But beneath her loose hospital gown, her exposed wrists and hands were nothing but skinny, withered limbs.
The woman was quietly asleep. She looked so frail that it was a wonder she was still breathing. Perhaps advanced medical equipment was keeping her going, or maybe she was clinging to life through sheer willpower.
There was no trace of any magic or curse on her body; it was purely an illness that had worn her down to this state.
Just then, the calm, feminine voice in Shichen's mind spoke:
[Use a Divine Fragment to heal her?]
Shichen let out a small sigh of relief—so he could heal her.
"Shichen-sensei, how is it? My wife… can she be saved?" Aiba Sensai asked anxiously, tension visible on his face.
"Shichen-sensei…" Aiba Asagi also looked at him with eyes full of hope.
Shichen broke into a gentle smile. "Don't worry—I can save her."
"Really?" Aiba Sensai froze for a moment, then grew overjoyed.
"Shichen-sensei, is that true?" Aiba Asagi couldn't help stepping closer, gripping his hand, not daring to believe it.
"Of course it is." Shichen gave her head a little pat. "In that case, I'll begin the treatment."
"Shichen-sensei, do you need us to leave?" Aiba Sensai asked, cautious.
"No, you can watch."
"Understood."
"Shichen-sensei, please save my mom." Aiba Asagi let go of his hand, placing hers together in front of her, as if in prayer.
"Mm, leave it to me."
Shichen moved closer to the bedside, pressing his right hand to his chest. Instantly, a radiant golden glow appeared, exuding an inexplicable aura.
That light filled the entire ward with a sacred, bright energy that soothed the mind and purified the spirit.
Aiba Sensai and Aiba Asagi, overwhelmed by the brilliance, couldn't keep their eyes open. Yet they felt their long-held worries and anxiety melt away into calmness.
They couldn't see what was within that radiance, but Shichen could see quite clearly: inside was a fragment—a fragment he'd originally taken from Tohru.
Yes, it had happened during that "forced" moment of him becoming a dragon knight.
Of course, right now wasn't the time to be recalling how it all went down. Shichen held the Divine Fragment, letting it slowly move toward Aiba Asagi's mother.
The fragment seemed to have a consciousness of its own. Floating from Shichen's hand, it drifted above her chest and slowly sank into her heart, leaving only a bit of golden glow.
The golden glow in the ward suddenly vanished, allowing Aiba Sensai and Aiba Asagi to open their eyes again.
The moment they opened their eyes, they instinctively looked at the hospital bed. And there, to their astonishment, they saw that the woman's once-deathly pale cheeks now had a rosy tinge. Though her exposed arms and legs were still quite thin, they were no longer shriveled—her skin looked dewy and radiant.
Now, her body exuded vibrant life.
"This is..."
"Mom!"
Neither of them needed Shichen to explain. They immediately realized their loved one had been cured. It was nothing short of miraculous; they had only closed their eyes for a brief moment because of the blinding glow.
Yet in that moment, everything changed.
Aiba Sensai was deeply grateful he had trusted Shichen. Without Shichen, his wife surely would've been lost forever.
Truly worthy of being Minamiya Natsuki's younger brother.
Aiba Asagi now felt overflowing joy, her long pent-up misery finally released. Shichen really had saved her mother, after all.
This had to be destiny's arrangement.
"Mmm… Asagi…"
Just then, a faint murmur came from the hospital bed.
"Sumire?"
"Mom?!"
Hearing the voices, both Aiba Sensai and Aiba Asagi rushed to the bedside, brimming with excitement as they stared at Aiba Sumire.
Sumire slowly opened her eyes, glancing around in confusion. "Darling… Asagi?"
"This is wonderful! Wonderful!" Aiba Sensai shed tears of joy.
"Mom…waah…! You're okay—thank goodness, waaah…" Aiba Asagi burst into sobs.
"So… I'm all right now," Aiba Sumire gently clasped hands with her husband and touched Asagi's head, a gentle smile on her face.
Shichen, having retreated to the doorway, simply watched with a faint smile.
As expected, he much preferred the sight of a family reunited in happiness.
At that moment, the fragment that had lodged in Aiba Sumire's chest emerged again, floating over to Shichen. It vanished into his chest, unnoticed by both father and daughter.
…
It took quite a while for the family to settle down. Eventually, Aiba Sensai came over to Shichen again, bowing deeply.
"Shichen-sensei, thank you for saving my wife—really, thank you!"
"Aiba-san, it's all right, I'm Asagi's teacher. This is my duty," Shichen responded, trying to help him rise.
"No—you're our savior now, regardless of your connection to Minamiya-sensei. If you ever need help, I'll do everything I can."
"Aiba-san, please don't misunderstand. I didn't save her just to get your help."
"I realize that, but…"
"Dad, what are you saying? It's like you're wishing trouble on the teacher," Asagi scolded.
"Ah, right—I expressed that badly. I'm sorry, Shichen-sensei. I was just too excited and said the wrong thing."
"It's okay. I don't mind."
"But regardless, Shichen-sensei is now our family's benefactor," Aiba Sensai said solemnly.
"Aiba-san, truly, it's…"
"Shichen-sensei." Asagi cut in with a grin. "Just accept Dad's gratitude—he won't rest otherwise."
"Well then…" Shichen relented with a resigned shrug.
"Thank you, Shichen-sensei," Aiba Sensai repeated, bowing again.
"You really needn't be so formal," Shichen insisted, helping him stand.
"It's absolutely necessary."
"…"
This man was certainly stubborn, probably out of deep love for his wife.
Shichen had no choice but to accept. Once Aiba Sensai straightened, Shichen added, "Aiba-san, your wife should be fine now; she just needs rest and recuperation."
"I understand."
"Then I'll be leaving you to your reunion."
"Shichen-sensei, I'll walk you out—otherwise you can't get out," Asagi noted.
"Sure."
"Mom, let me walk Shichen-sensei out; I'll be right back."
"Alright, go ahead." Aiba Sumire smiled warmly at her daughter, then turned to Shichen and gave a slight bow. "Shichen-sensei, thank you for saving me."
"Aiba-san, you're too kind. It's simply what I should do."
Shichen waved it off casually, leaving the room as Asagi followed.
They retraced their steps out of MAR Research's facility in complete silence.
Asagi's mood was light, her steps brisk, arms loosely behind her back, smile upon her lips—an uncontainable happiness.
Seeing her in such high spirits brightened Shichen's own heart.
Once through the main entrance, Shichen climbed back into the same family car in which they'd arrived.
"Shichen-sensei…" Standing at the car door, Asagi leaned over so she could see him through the window, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Shichen smiled. "Anything else can wait till class. Right now, you probably want to spend time with your mom, right?"
"Yes!" Asagi nodded firmly.
"Take care then."
"Shichen-sensei, goodbye!"
~~~
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