As the doctor entered the room with a bright smile, her words echoing in my mind, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confusion and disbelief.
"Hero? So they know me! I knew it!!" I repeated incredulously, the word hanging in the air like a surreal echo.
Glancing at Aria, who slept soundly beside me, I searched for any sign of recognition or understanding, but she remained blissfully unaware of the doctor's proclamation.
The doctor chuckled softly at my bewildered expression, her eyes sparkling with amusement behind her glasses.
"Yes, indeed! You, my dear, are a hero—a true beacon of hope and courage in our world."
Her voice was filled with genuine admiration, as if she truly believed every word she spoke.
I blinked, trying to process the information as my mind raced with questions. "But... how? Why?" I stammered, struggling to make sense of the doctor's words.
The woman's smile widened, her gaze warm and reassuring.
"You see, Ryu," she began, her tone gentle yet authoritative, "you're not just an ordinary person. You're a legend—a hero whose bravery and selflessness have inspired countless others to stand up against darkness and despair."
As she spoke, memories began to stir within me—flashes of battles fought and victories won, of friends and allies standing by my side in the face of overwhelming odds.
I remembered my last fight against the demon lord, all the people shouting out my name...
It was just one second ago...
Though the details remained hazy, there was a sense of purpose and destiny that lingered in the recesses of my mind, waiting to be unearthed.
"But... I don't remember any of this," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
I still had to fake my amnesia.
Maybe this doctor was an enemy.
The doctor nodded understandingly, her expression sympathetic.
"That's to be expected, considering what you've been through," she said softly. "But rest assured, Ryu, your legacy lives on in the hearts of those you've touched, whether you remember it or not."
As her words sank in, a wave of emotion washed over me—a mingling of awe and disbelief, gratitude and humility.
"I'm sorry... Doctor... But i still don't know why you're calling me hero. I don't remember fighting against monsters or saving the world." I asked, faking a sadness.
"Well, you see, darling, your illness was the most horrible disease that a human could get." She spoke with a reassuring tone. "You're the first survivor of this world from this disease." She added.
So that was what she meant.
She didn't know who i am, she used the word "hero" as a compliment for my survival.
Her answer froze my heart again.
I was really sent into another world and a very mysterious one.
"Oh... Really? What kind of disease is this?" I asked the doctor while faking a shocked reaction.
"Mmm... It's complicated to explain, but let's say that this disease puts you into a vegetative state where your organs slowly stops to work one after the other.
You were lucky because you had a loving girlfriend who paid for all of your medical assistance. She worked a lot, you know?" The doctor smiled at me.
"There is no sign of recovery and modern medicine cannot heal something like this. Nobody has ever healed after catching this disease. All that medicine can do against this disease is merely keep you alive in a vegetative state."
As the doctor spoke, a knot formed in my stomach, a mix of guilt and confusion swirling within me.
The image she painted of my illness was horrifying—a slow and agonizing descent into darkness, with no hope of recovery in sight.
"And my girlfriend... she stood by me through all of it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The thought of someone sacrificing so much for my sake was both humbling and overwhelming.
The doctor nodded, her smile warm and reassuring.
"Yes, indeed. She never left your side, Ryu. Even when the doctors had given up hope, she remained steadfast in her belief that you would pull through. She always hoped and she knew that you would've come back."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring feelings of gratitude and admiration for the woman who had stood by this "Ryu" through the darkest of times.
Though I didn't know Aria, I knew that she must have been someone truly special to inspire such unwavering loyalty and devotion.
"I... I don't know what to say," I murmured, my voice choked with emotion, but this time for real. "To think that someone would care for me so deeply... it's truly humbling."
Nobody in my old world cared this much about someone and yet, this girl worked day and night to keep her lover alive.
The doctor placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, her eyes filled with empathy.
"You don't need to say anything, Ryu," she said softly.
"Just know that you're not alone. You have people who care about you, who believe in you, even when you can't believe in yourself."
Her words brought a sense of warmth and reassurance, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume me.
Though I still had many questions and uncertainties swirling in my mind, I knew that I could find solace in the knowledge that I was not alone—that there were people who cared for me or, to be specific, to this "Ryu"; even if I didn't know them.
"Who is this Ryu? Why do people think that i'm him?!" I kept saying to my mind.
"Thank you, doctor," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for everything."
She smiled warmly at me, her eyes shining with kindness.
"You're welcome, Ryu. And remember, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help you in any way we can."
With those words echoing in my ears, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me—a deep and profound appreciation for the kindness and compassion shown to me by this stranger.
As the doctor left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the strange and mysterious world that I found myself in.
My mind was racing with a painful mix of emotions: anger, delusion, anxiety... but also hope.
Aria was still peacefully sleeping peacefully beside me.
She looked so vulnerable in that moment.
"Now that i see her better... She's really beautiful. Maybe she'll be one of my wives..." I said to myself.
I took a better look at her.
She had some eyebags, covered by a strange thing on her face, maybe it was the make up of this world?
Aria was really tired, i could feel it, and all of her emotions and word were true.
"I don't want to imagine what she'll do when she'll find out who i really am... She'll surely be heartbroken. I need to be a good actor from now on." I said to myself.
While hearing her little and soft snores, i couldn't help but pet her head.
So my hand slowly reached her soft and black hair.
Her body twitched a little after being touched but, after a second, she immediately relaxed.
She kept snoring while my hand was slowly caressing her hair as soft as silk.
I could see a little smile on her face.
"R-Ryu... i love you so much... let's get married..." She mumbled in her sleep.
Only pure and genuine love was coming from her mouth.
Her soul was speaking for her.
I blushed at her words despite knowing that they weren't mean for me.
"P-p-please don't leave me... don't die...!" Suddenly, her voice became a chocked sob and i could feel her trembling in my hands.
"Ryu... I love... y-you..." She kept mumbling, while her hands were searching for mine.
She grabbed my left hand and held it very tight.
Then , she calmed down and started smiling.
"Don't ever ever leave me..." She said, while getting my hand close to her face.
Once again, i felt deeply connected to this girl, without knowing why.
I felt like a sense of Deja vu.
I felt like i knew her since a lot.
My journey into this new world was just at the very beginning but... if this worlds needs a hero, a hero i will be.
Suddenly, the door opened again but Aria was still sleeping.
The doctor from before entered again.
"Hello, Ryu-Kun." She said while smiling again.
I smiled at her.
"It's time for a control visit, okay? Stay still, i'll be gentle." She added.
I nodded while a sense of danger was echoing deeply into my soul.
Aria gently woke up after hearing the "Stay still, i'll be gentle".
"W-What are you going to do to Ryu?" Aria asked with a worried tone.
The doctor reassured her. "Nothing, it's just a control to see if he's healed correctly or not."
She then wore some strange, white gloves.
"Aria-Chan , can you please wait into the waiting room outside?" The doctor asked gently.
She nodded and stood up.
She gave me a small kiss on the cheek and said: "I'll wait you. I'll come here later, okay?".
I nodded while blushing really heavily. I wasn't used to all of this affection in my world.
To be more specific, i never had the time.
Aria then gave me a beautiful smile and walked out of the room.
She clearly didn't want to leave my side.
"So, Ryu-Kun, remove all of your clothes." The doctor said.
"EEH? WHAT?!?" I shouted softly.
"Do it, now. Or we can't proceed." She said with a threathning tone.
I gulped and nodded.
"This is not going to end well." I thought.