The siblings stepped onto the crowded bus. The closer they got to their destination, the more Leonard's anxiousness grew. Not just for Yukki's condition, but also their financial situation. Just this visit alone delayed the purchase of his bike.
And if misfortune strikes and Yukki truly has something wrong with her and needs costly treatment, be it medicine or surgery… Leonard looked back down at his hands.
'Looks like I'll have to overwork myself again…'
Leonard thought back to what Elder Zhou told him yesterday. That he needed to learn to take care of himself better. It was true, but...
Leonard looked back at Yukki's pale face and sighed, 'Hopefully It's not anything major… Sorry Elder Zhou, but my sister needs me. I simply have no other choice. I wouldn't work this hard if I did.'
The bus came to a halt at a bus station near St.Bernards Clinic. They got off the bus, and as they walked towards the clinic, Yukki looked at Leonard and said, "Leo… you looked really worried on the bus. I swear I'm fine!"
"Let's hope so," Leonard replied.
"Leo… I know you're worried about me, but I'm worried about you too! Almost every day, you leave home for so long, probably something like ten hours, and you always come back tired and with some sort of injury on your body. I'm worried that you won't be able to keep such a routine up, both physically and mentally!"
Leonard stopped when he heard this, and looked at Yukki. He had a serious look on his face as he slowly opened his mouth, "Listen, Yukki. Our situation is really bad. I hate having to do such grueling work every day for minimal pay. My body aches as we speak, but there really is nothing we can do about it right now. But we still have things to appreciate, we still have a place to live, food to eat, and great neighbors who care about us. Most importantly, we still have hope for the future, that hope is you!"
"Me?" Yukki frowned. "Leon… you always speak to me about how education will get me a good job, I try really hard but... " Yukki grew silent.
Leonard frowned, "But what?"
"There are some things I don't understand…how the stuff they teach will help me get a job?," Yukki replied.
Leonard was relieved it wasn't anything more serious, "Then...how about once we get all this doctor stuff figured out I will explain it to you, that sound fine?."
"Ok!" Yukki replied. As she said this, they reached the St.Bernards Clinics doors. They walked to the receptionist. She was a young woman with long straight brown hair and soft eyes, but Leonard's eyes were drawn to a nametag on her chest that read, Kokoro Soujun.
"Hello, do you have an appointment?" Kokoro Soujun asked the siblings.
"Indeed," Leonard replied, "My name is Leonard Ameno, we have a 10 am appointment for Yukki Ameno.
"One moment…" Kokoro replied, "Yes, there is an appointment for that time. The doctor will be with you shortly."
"Thank you," Leonard replied as he led Yukki into the waiting room.
After some time….
"Yukki!"
Yukki's name was called, and the doctor was ready to see her. Leonard held Yukki's hand, "Let's go."
…! Leonard suddenly missed a step as an intense headache assaulted him! "Augh" Leonard held his head in pain. The edges of his vision briefly pulsated with darkness, before it all went away as if it never happened.
Looking up at Leonard who was in a daze, Yukki was concerned. Perhaps the stress of work had gotten to him, Yukki thought, but Leonard very quickly readjusted himself, leading Yukki into the doctor's office.
As they walked into the office, the doctor looked at the two before briefly frowning, but quickly going back to a smile.
"Greetings, I am Dr. Anatoli." He looked at his computer screen. "It says Yukki Ameno has been suffering a general sense of unease for at least three weeks now."
After listening to Yukki's symptoms, the doctor said as he looked back at his screen, "These symptoms… we will have to conduct a blood test for more information, are you ok with that?"
"Yes..." Leonard replied, "When would we be able to get that bloodwork done?"
Dr. Anatoli started, "I can set up an appointment for you for a bloodwork test, but the next available slot is in two weeks. It would be very difficult for me to find an opening any sooner than that." Dr. Anatoli looked at Leonard with a knowing gaze.
Leonard frowned. This was why he would rather not go to a doctor unless he had no other choice. They would do everything in their power to suck him dry out of money, at least the effectiveness of their work was good, but it's only good for those who can afford it.
This was a world that exploited where those in power exploited the weak. This country… Everyone is corrupt.
Leonard forced a slight smile. "Surely, you could find us a slot sooner?" Leonard rummaged around in his pocket, and passed over some money to Dr. Anatoli.
Dr. Anatoli smiled, and said, "Well, it would be very difficult to get one tomorrow, but a slot in five days just opened up." After that, he took a card and a pen, pretending he was going to start writing.
Leonard cursed in his heart. Anatoli clearly wasn't satisfied with the amount of money and wanted more! His heart was bleeding as he took out some more money, but what could he do? Report the doctor? Change doctors? Hah! Leonard wasn't stupid, and neither was Anatoli. Leonard had no choice but to cough up the cash, for Yukki's sake. Leonard stopped Anatoli, "I'm sure you could get one tomorrow, right?"
Anatoli took the cash from Leonard and smiled. "I'll do my best." He then set up a bloodwork appointment set for tomorrow morning and gave Leonard the relevant paperwork and cards.
Leonard held Yukki's hand as they left the clinic. Yukki frowned, "Leon! What was that? Why'd you give him so much money?"
Leonard sighed, "This world is a scam. It's not like I can report him, and we already paid for the visit, we couldn't just leave. I was expecting this, anyways. These days, you have to expect to pay to have a reasonable time." Yukki was on the verge of tears, she felt very guilty for being the reason Leonard spent so much money, "What if nothing is wrong with me? Wouldn't everything have been a waste?"
"Shhh'' Leonard crouched down and picked up Yukki. "Just trust in me, alright?" Leonard spoke in a soft, loving voice. "You can barely run from our home to the corner without running out of breath and gasping for air, how could nothing be wrong? Don't worry, money is made to be used. You are the most important thing in my life, this is money well spent! You give me the will I need to wake up every morning..."
"Tomorrow I'll take you to have your blood drawn. We should get the results not too long after that. When we get home, I'll prepare more soup for you to enjoy."