Eiji sat on his hospital bed, gazing at the sky visible through the window.
Four days had passed since he first opened his eyes in this VIP ward. His body, initially weak and powerless, was slowly recovering, faster than expected. This even surprised Dr. Maruo when he saw the latest examination results.
Besides emotional manipulation, Eiji found his eyes unusual. They were not just beautiful like a clear blue sky, but possessed special abilities that normal eyes shouldn't have.
"Seeing several kilometers with incredible clarity, no blind spot in 360°, still able to see even with closed eyes, receiving a lot of information just through sight, and other extraordinary abilities... Who am I really? Why am I different from others?"
Touching his eyelids, Eiji became more curious about his past. He could confirm there were no superpowers or supernatural phenomena in the world, at least on the surface.
"Maybe there are special existences hidden behind ordinary society? This possibility does exist. My only source of information is TV, so it's not very accurate. If supernatural things are kept secret, it's unlikely they would appear on TV broadcasts."
Eiji still wasn't sure if this was just an ordinary world. Then why did he have superpowers?
He wasn't arrogant enough to think he was special and there was no one else like him in the world.
As he was lost in thought, the hospital room door creaked open, and a nurse walked in.
"Excuse me, Kamiki-san. It's time for rehabilitation." She said softly.
Eiji turned to the nurse, and although he knew his body was healthy enough, he knew rehabilitation was an important part of his recovery process.
"Understood."
They headed to the rehabilitation room, a place that was starting to feel familiar to Eiji.
The room was filled with other patients undergoing physical therapy, some struggling to walk with the help of devices, while others were doing exercises to regain their muscle strength.
Eiji was doing the same, and every time he appeared there, many people, especially women, couldn't help but notice him.
"He's the new patient in the VIP ward, right? He's even more handsome than the rumors I heard." One nurse whispered to her friend.
"Yes, but he seems cold. He hardly ever talks to anyone. But maybe that's what makes him more attractive." Her colleague replied with a faint smile.
"You like cold men."
"Of course, that's my type."
The two nurses talked in low voices while secretly glancing at Eiji.
In fact, most of the female patients or even staff who happened to pass by always looked at him. Some of them even seemed stunned, and whispers were common among them.
Eiji had become popular in the hospital, not only because of his rapid recovery but also because of his handsome appearance. Every time he entered the rehabilitation room, someone would glance at him or whisper about him, but he seemed indifferent to all the attention.
❀❀❀
After the rehabilitation session was over, Eiji returned to his room.
When he got back to his room, he saw Nino waiting for him on the chair next to the bed.
For some reason, Nino had become a regular visitor, almost every day she came bringing food or just to chat.
"How was rehabilitation today?" Nino asked with a smile, sitting on the chair next to the bed.
"..."
Eiji looked at her for a moment, slightly confused by the girl's constant attention.
"Isn't this troublesome for you, Nino-san? Managing the restaurant every day must be tiring, but you always make time to visit me."
Nino smiled stiffly, trying to cover up her true feelings.
"Ah, no, not at all. The restaurant is running well. I can manage my time well."
The answer sounded reasonable, but deep down, she knew it wasn't entirely true.
Actually, she always asked Yotsuba, her other twin sister, to replace her whenever she went to visit Eiji.
Yotsuba was always willing to help, never questioning it, even though Nino never explained the reason in detail.
Of course, Nino kept this a secret from Eiji. After all, she wasn't entirely sure why she cared so much about the man who was a few years younger than her.
She looked at Eiji, and in her heart tried hard to convince herself.
'I just feel sorry for him. He's alone, without family, without identity. Who wouldn't feel sorry? That's right, it must be! My feelings for Fuu-kun haven't changed...'
However, the more often Nino visited, the harder it was for her to fully believe that reason.
"Nino-san? Are you alright? You're spacing out. If you're tired, you don't have to come visit me."
Sitting on the bed, Eiji noticed Nino's absent-mindedness.
Nino flinched and chuckled, trying to hide her anxiety.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
"..."
After that, the atmosphere became silent.
Eiji wasn't a talkative person and tended to be quiet. Nino had learned this after interacting with him over the past four days.
Realizing the silence, she decided to change the subject.
"By the way, you don't have to worry about the hospital bills. My father has taken care of everything. Since you're considered an abandoned child without an identity, the government will cover the costs and you'll receive social security."
"Is that so? Glad to hear it, I don't have to look for loan sharks to pay the hospital bills."
"You were planning that?! No way, borrowing money from loan sharks is very dangerous, they charge high interest and most of them are involved with the Yakuza. Kamiki, don't do anything stupid, okay? If you need money, I can lend it to you."
Hearing Eiji say that, Nino was startled and stood up from her chair.
"Nino-san, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Eh, why are you suddenly asking that? I'm still single."
"Really? The men around you must be blind, how can they let a beautiful and kind woman like Nino-san be single."
"Your compliment doesn't match your flat expression at all."
Nino blushed and turned her face away so Eiji wouldn't see her current expression.
Her heart felt sweet like honey. She couldn't remember the last time a man had complimented her.
During her university days, she wasn't short of suitors. She had often faced the persuasion and temptations of men. Only, none of them could touch her heart that was already occupied by Fuutarou. Nino didn't expect to be happy being praised by Eiji.
'Could I be liking a younger man?'
Thinking about this, Nino felt even more embarrassed.
"..."
Meanwhile, Eiji could sense Nino's complex emotions.
'Should I take advantage of this girl? But... She's been so kind to me, my conscience would feel guilty.'
He hesitated whether he should use emotional manipulation on Nino and use her as a tool for himself.