Miyazaki Prefecture, renowned as a famous tourist destination in Japan, boasts a forest coverage rate of 76%. With its warm climate and long hours of sunshine, it has earned the nickname "Land of the Sun." However, for Gorou Amamiya, who has lived here for twenty-five years, the surrounding scenery has long lost its charm. At this moment, he stands on the rooftop of a hospital nestled in the mountains, leaning against the railing and gazing at the endless expanse of forest, sighing deeply.
After graduating from a six-year medical program, Gorou Amamiya returned to his hometown and became a proud intern in the obstetrics and gynecology department of the local hospital. Yet, in less than half a year, he has already come to understand the workplace hierarchy. In a field that values seniority above all else, as an intern, he is at the bottom of the ladder, tasked with all sorts of miscellaneous chores.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh air on the rooftop, Gorou Amamiya barely has a moment to rest before his phone buzzes with a message from the department head, summoning him to the office immediately.
Rushing to the department head's office, Gorou Amamiya is surprised to find the hospital director, vice-directors, and other high-ranking officials already seated, their expressions serious. As he enters, one of the vice-directors confirms with the department head:
"Is this the youngest intern in our hospital?"
"Yes, he just graduated six months ago."
The department head gestures for Gorou Amamiya to come closer. He quickly bows to each of the officials. After receiving confirmation from the department head, the hospital director, who had been stern-faced, smiles kindly and stands up, patting Gorou Amamiya on the shoulder:
"Good, young and promising. Fresh blood like you is always a good sign."
With the director's approval, the others nod in agreement, leaving Gorou Amamiya somewhat bewildered. He can't help but think to himself:
"Although Miyazaki is a famous tourist destination, compared to Tokyo, it's just a remote countryside. Talented medical students wouldn't willingly come to such a place. If it weren't for the fact that I'm a local and for some other reasons, I probably wouldn't have chosen to work here either."
After a few routine pleasantries, the director suddenly changes the subject:
"Amamiya, there's a challenging task that's perfect for a young and energetic person like you."
Knowing that the director is about to get to the point, Gorou Amamiya straightens up:
"Please, go ahead."
As Gorou Amamiya wonders if he's about to be assigned a difficult patient or more tedious chores, the director suddenly smiles and says:
"Would you be interested in playing a supporting role in a movie?"
"——?"
Gorou Amamiya is completely stunned, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He glances at his own white coat and then at the director's, confirming that he is indeed still in the hospital and that he is still an intern. He forces a smile:
"Are you joking?"
"Although it's hard to believe, it's true."
The director hands him a prepared document from the desk, his expression earnest:
"This is a major public welfare project. I went through a lot of trouble to secure it. The city hall, the tourism bureau, and the Red Cross are all involved. If you do well, I'll personally approve your permanent position!"
Thirty minutes later, a dazed Gorou Amamiya stumbles out of the office, only to find a group of nurses gathered outside. Seeing him, they excitedly and curiously ask:
"Dr. Amamiya, is it true that Kitagawa is coming to our hospital?"
Gorou Amamiya stiffly glances at the document in his hand and nods stiffly.
The nurses, having received confirmation, immediately burst into even more enthusiastic discussion.
"I can't believe he's coming to such a remote place... It's unbelievable."
"I heard it's for a public welfare movie. He's definitely the lead."
"Can we get his autograph? My daughter loves his morning dramas."
"Megumi, you're the one who wants it, right? I've heard you say countless times that you want to be his mother."
Listening to the nurses' chatter, Gorou Amamiya looks down again at the photo on the first page of the document. It's a boy of about seven or eight years old. Though his features are not yet fully developed, he has already transcended the usual description of children as "cute" and can be described as "handsome" or even "beautiful."
Moreover, he looks very familiar, definitely a face seen on TV.
Below the photo is a list of achievements so impressive that even Gorou Amamiya, an outsider to the entertainment industry, is astounded.
[Orphanage background, adopted at the age of three by famous stage actor Kitagawa Susumu, and began systematic acting training from then on. Debuted as a child actor in the entertainment industry at the age of four, receiving widespread acclaim from industry insiders within a year and turning the LALALAI theater group from loss to profit, making it one of the most famous theater groups in the country in recent years.]
[At the age of five, he gained significant popularity by guest-starring in the morning drama "Asa-dora," which led to his entry into the film and television industry. He subsequently starred in numerous morning dramas and "Getsuku" dramas. A year later, he starred in the movie "Home Alone," winning gold awards at domestic and international film festivals, topping the domestic box office for thirteen consecutive weeks, and ultimately ranking third in domestic film history. In the same year, he won first place by a landslide in the "Most Desired Child Star to Be a Mother To" ranking.]
(Getsuku dramas: Fuji TV's Monday 9 PM dramas, equivalent to CCTV's prime-time dramas at 8 PM.)
Gorou Amamiya doesn't read further. He tucks the document under his arm and, taking advantage of the nurses' ongoing excited discussion, walks past them and heads down the corridor towards a certain ward.
He suddenly remembers something: a child recently admitted to the hospital for treatment seems to be a fan of this child star named "Kitagawa Ryo."
The child's name is Sarina Tendouji, diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma. What left an impression on Gorou Amamiya is that her parents have hardly ever visited, as if they have abandoned their daughter in the hospital.
As a newly hired doctor, Gorou Amamiya hasn't yet become accustomed to the life and death, joys and sorrows that his more experienced colleagues have grown used to.
Right now, he's only thinking one thing:
If this child, already struggling to get out of bed due to her illness, hears this news—
She should be a little happier today.
In fact, a long time ago, Sarina Tendouji didn't quite understand what illness she had. She once caught a glimpse of her medical records, which mentioned something like "astrocytoma," reminding her of the beautiful stars embedded in the night sky.
But the reality was:
"There's a tumor growing in her brain!"
This was what her mother had shouted at her father.
Then, at the age of twelve, she was admitted to the hospital, confined to a white ward.
"Today's examination is over, Sarina."
Perhaps due to years of experience, Sarina's attending physician never showed any cracks in his demeanor. Sarina herself couldn't glean any useful information from his expression. Over time, his face, like the white walls, the pale ceiling, and the white coat, lost its distinctiveness and gradually blurred in her eyes.
The white coat walked out, closing the door behind him, leaving the relatively spacious ward quiet once more.
If it were like any other day, for the rest of the day, Sarina would be allowed to engage in other activities, such as watching TV—the remote control was in the first drawer of her bedside table—or playing on the computer. Her father had specially provided her with a desktop computer, a thoughtful gesture that also seemed to foreshadow her long stay here.
Or she could go for a walk, though only within the confines of the ward. It would take her ten minutes to walk from her bed to the window ten meters away. Opening the window, she could see the northwest corner of the hospital's courtyard. To see the southeast corner, she would have to go into the corridor, though this was usually not allowed. On nights when she couldn't sleep, she could try to slowly make her way over by first holding onto the bed, then the cabinet, and finally the wall, though it might take twice as long.
After some serious thought, Sarina Tendouji decided, as usual, to first watch the "Kitagawa Ryo Fan Edit" she had saved on a video website. She reached out to grab her phone, which was fully charged and placed next to her bed. Beside the phone was a small, stylish alarm clock with a Q-version of a prince-like character on the back. This was a limited-edition reissue she had bought when Kitagawa Ryo starred in his debut play, "Hamlet."
In fact, if it weren't for the hospital's rule against patients decorating their rooms, Sarina would have already covered the white walls with posters of his performances, not forgetting the ceiling, so she could see them as soon as she opened her eyes in the morning.
Just as Sarina unlocked her phone, the ward door opened again.
Entering was the youngest intern she had met when she was first admitted.
Then, Gorou Amamiya walked up to Sarina and, though he had come on his own initiative, spoke in a casual tone:
"That kid you're a fan of."
"He's coming to our hospital... oh."
The doctor deliberately drew out his words, smiling as he watched the girl's reaction, her surprise turning to disbelief as she repeatedly tugged at his sleeve for confirmation.
He couldn't cure her illness, and as a young doctor, Gorou Amamiya felt a sense of loss.
So he sincerely hoped that this child star, Kitagawa Ryo, could provide her with some spiritual comfort.
If he could do that, then he might as well become a fan too!
With this thought, Gorou Amamiya couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation for this child he had yet to meet.
"Yes, I understand. Please rest assured."
"What... that's great news!"
A burly man in his early fifties, with neatly trimmed facial hair, hung up the phone. Sitting in the passenger seat, he turned to the boy in the back seat and said:
"Ryo, Mrs. Keiko has been to the hospital today. It's confirmed—she's pregnant."
"Just as you said on the phone earlier, Mr. Izaki, it's great news, isn't it?"
Kitagawa Ryo rested his chin on his hand, looking out at the scenery rushing by, his face showing no emotion, as if the news was of no importance.
"But..."
The old man referred to as Mr. Izaki hesitated.
"There's no 'but.'"
Kitagawa Ryo withdrew his gaze, stretching his arms and yawning. His eyes didn't belong to a seven or eight-year-old child; his dark, deep pupils were like black holes, swallowing everything.
"This is indeed good news."
The Mrs. Keiko in their conversation was Kitagawa Ryo's adoptive mother. A former idol, she had married the renowned stage actor Kitagawa Susumu, but after more than a decade of marriage, they had no children, which led them to adopt Kitagawa Ryo from an orphanage. However, not long ago, Kitagawa Keiko suddenly showed signs of pregnancy.
With the pregnancy confirmed, Kitagawa Ryo's status as an "adopted son" became somewhat awkward. Perhaps it was because of this that Izaki, Kitagawa Ryo's manager, felt concerned.
But what he didn't know was that the Kitagawa Ryo sitting in the back seat was not a child who would worry about losing his adoptive parents' favor. Within him resided a much more mature soul.
Having transmigrated into this world over seven years ago, Kitagawa Ryo, a former stage actor in his previous life, had already adapted to his new life.
"How much longer until we arrive?"
Changing the subject, Kitagawa Ryo asked his manager.
"Thirty minutes."
Izaki checked the navigation and answered, then pulled up the schedule:
"We can only stay here for half a month. That's the maximum we can manage."
"Otherwise, the movie's shooting schedule will fall behind."
"If one part gets delayed, the rest of the work will be affected too."
To pass the time, Kitagawa Ryo casually asked:
"Any interesting work next month? No variety shows, please."
"Mr. Kindaichi from the LALALAI theater group wants you to come back and lead a couple of acting workshops for new recruits. He's recently started a WorkShop and has recruited some promising newcomers."
Izaki flipped through the documents, then added with interest:
"There's a particularly beautiful girl."
Kitagawa Ryo smirked. In the past two years in the entertainment industry, he had seen no less than a hundred beautiful girls, all of whom, seeing his young age, would often hug him, ruffle his hair, take photos, and post them on social media, happily riding on his popularity.
But since Mr. Izaki mentioned it, Kitagawa Ryo casually glanced at the document, briefly noting the name "Hoshino Ai."
"But for now, we need to focus on this movie."
Kitagawa Ryo sighed, flipping through the script he had read countless times. This high-profile public welfare movie focused on medical issues. He played the lead role of a child suffering from a terminal illness, who, in his final days, still strived hard and remained hopeful for the future. The movie aimed to be a tearjerker, seemingly to raise social awareness for special patient groups.
For Kitagawa Ryo, this was indeed a challenge, as he had never played a similar role before.
This was also the reason he was heading to the hospital. To fully immerse himself in the role, he needed to conduct in-depth research and ultimately gain a thorough understanding.
Then, using his natural acting instincts, he would perfectly portray everything he had learned.
In fact, Kitagawa Ryo had already anticipated the grand reception in Miyazaki Prefecture. Prior to this, he had pretended to be a patient and spent considerable time in the intensive care units of various hospitals.
"But can this really... help them?"
Recalling the various stories he had encountered in the hospital wards, Kitagawa Ryo felt a rare moment of doubt. Turning others' pain and tragedy into fodder for his performance, then bringing it to the big screen, he even felt as if he were profiting from others' suffering.
"It can. There was a public welfare film focusing on heart disease patients that even changed public opinion and attitudes towards organ transplants."
Mr. Izaki answered calmly.
The car slowly came to a halt, nearing its destination.
They arrived an hour earlier than scheduled, a decision made by Kitagawa Ryo.
He put on a hat to conceal his identity and turned up his collar, hiding his face as much as possible, entering the hospital like an ordinary child accompanying his grandfather for a check-up.
As he passed by an open ward door, Kitagawa Ryo caught sight of a small alarm clock with his image on the bedside table. The patient sitting on the bed, wearing a knitted cap, was of indeterminate gender. Spread out on the blanket in front of them were several large promotional posters and stills, all featuring Kitagawa Ryo.
The patient seemed to have chosen a favorite poster and was struggling to put the remaining ones back into a poster tube. During this process, a breeze caused the carefully selected poster to fall to the ground.
Picking it up would be an easy task for even a three or four-year-old child, but the person on the bed seemed unable to do so.
They were slowly moving, or rather, shifting their legs out from under the blanket.
Kitagawa Ryo entered the ward, picked up the fallen poster, and handed it to the patient.
"Ah... thank you."
Sarina Tendouji was surprised and expressed her gratitude, but she immediately noticed the boy's eyes, which reflected her image like dazzling stars.
The girl looked incredulously at the poster in her hand. It was a promotional still from Kitagawa Ryo's debut play, "Hamlet." Beside the 'Hamlet' was a famous line from the play:
["He was the glass of fashion and the mould of form, the observed of all observers."]
This was a verse from Hamlet's lover Ophelia, praising her beloved, and it was also how Sarina Tendouji best described Kitagawa Ryo, who played Hamlet.
"Ryo?"
Sarina Tendouji's eyes widened in disbelief, and she leaned forward abruptly, causing the knitted cap on her head to fall off.
What was revealed was the baldness left by chemotherapy, ugly like tree roots...
But in the next second, Kitagawa Ryo quickly caught the cap, its brim adorned with delicate decorations, like the last vestiges of a love for beauty.
He placed the cap back on her head and pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.
"So cute."
Kitagawa Ryo spoke softly, his gentle voice like warm syrup.