As Ryu and Isao were enjoying their meal, a figure approached them in the cafeteria.
"Mind if I join you, gentlemen?" Yuki Sarutobi asked the two, enjoying their meal. She gracefully interrupted their exchange.
A broad smile spread across Ryu's face as he spoke, "Mother Yuki, By all means, please join us." He gestured to the empty seat opposite him. "We could use the extra company, and the more, the merrier, right, Mr. Isao?"
Isao nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely, Dr. Yuki. Your company is always welcome."
Yuki smiled warmly at both of them. "Thank you, both. It's refreshing to see both of you are mixing well."
Isao shuffled to make space. Yuki, with her neatly tied hair and bright eyes, sank into the seat with a grateful smile. "Thank you."
After a series of polite pleasantries regarding the day, Yuki asked, "How is your work progressing? Have any of the unusual experiments you have been carrying out in the temporary laboratory you set up in the library produced any encouraging findings?"
Ryu mumbled, "Ahh," as he chewed his food. "We have completed our preliminary work. Tomorrow, we may verify the results. It might save lives if it works."
Yuki leaned forward, intrigued. "Save lives, you say? That's quite a claim, Ryu. Can you elaborate without compromising your research?"
Ryu hesitated, choosing his words carefully, and said, "Let's just say we're exploring new frontiers in combating infections. Even though the project is in the initial stage, there is a lot of potential in our work."
Yuki smiled at his response and then continued, "Speaking of work, I can't help but overhear whispers about the unconventional diagnosis you made the other day right here in this cafeteria. It's causing quite a stir among the staff and patrons, including myself."
Ryu's expression changed a little, showing a hint of surprise mixed with modesty. He said, "Oh, that. It was merely an observation that caught my attention, and I shared it with that person."
Yuki countered his modesty with a reassuring smile and said, "Observations others failed to make, surpassing even the skills of professional doctors in numerous hospitals."
After a pause, she continued, "Well, it appears your 'observations' are gaining quite a reputation around here; it's the talk of the town. about how you diagnosed Mr. Hashimoto. The man who stumped every department?"
Surprise flickered across Ryu's face. "News travels fast, huh?" he commented with a hint of amusement.
Ryu said, "I did not mean to cause such a stir. I just wanted to help."
"And help you did," Yuki confirmed, "but it has caused a lot of people to take notice, Ryu. Everyone wants to know more about you.
Yuki found herself lost in thought as she tried to shake off the weight of the conversation she had with Hiruzen earlier that day.
But as she shifted her focus to Ryu, a newfound sense of intrigue sparked within her. She was seeing Ryu in a new light. She was earlier sceptical of how Ryu would be able to treat himself, which even she, as a professional doctor, has failed. But now she was trusting him a little.
Yuki focused on Ryu and said, "You see, I admire a good mystery. But attracting too much attention, especially of the wrong kind, could be detrimental to your research."
After a moment of reflection, Ryu looked up at Yuki and said, "I thought that too, but would you have hesitated knowing you could alleviate a man's suffering?"
He continued, "Don't you have a sacred oath to treat your patients with the utmost care?"
Yuki retorted, "I am a doctor; I am bound by the principles of medicine, but you are not. What compelled you, someone not bound by such obligations, to offer your help?"
Ryu, his earnestness shining through his words, confessed, "I couldn't turn a blind eye. Initially, I doubted that anyone would believe my findings, so why bother? Yet the man's agony was palpable, and I had the power to change that."
Yuki, taken aback by the young man's seriousness, leaned forward, her gaze intent. "Tell me, Ryu," she prompted, her voice gentle yet laced with a thirst for understanding, "how did you arrive at your diagnosis?"
Taking a deep breath, Ryu set his fork down with a soft clink. "Mother Yuki," he began, his voice gaining momentum, "the problem with traditional medical diagnostics is that they sometimes have blind spots. Mr. Hashimoto was a perfect example. The tests revealed nothing amiss, yet he was clearly suffering because everyone ."
A flicker of understanding crossed Yuki's face. "So you looked beyond the results," she mused, her interest piqued.
"Exactly!" Ryu exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with a passion for this unconventional approach. "I call it the art of holistic diagnosis. It's about considering all the external factors—the patient's environment, their daily routines, even the things they might not think to mention. Sometimes, the key details lie outside the realm of standard procedures." He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, "It's about looking beyond the obvious, thinking outside the box."
Yuki nodded slowly, her mind racing with the implications of Ryu's unconventional approach. She said, "It's an intriguing approach, Ryu. However, it's also highly subjective. How do you ensure accuracy?"
Ryu leaned forward and replied, "That is, Mother Yuki, where the medical examinations come into play. We use these observations as a starting point, then verify with targeted tests. It's a blend of intuition and hard evidence."
As Ryu elaborated, Yuki listened intently, and Ryu next explained how he came to the diagnosis to her.
"The old man had subtle changes in skin tone, barely audible wheezing, and a faint aroma clinging to Mr. Hashimoto's clothes. Each detail, when pieced together, formed a picture invisible to standard tests. Although everyone was aware that something was wrong, the cause could not be identified in the end." He then paused, a grin on his face, and continued, "Until you look at his shoes, you wouldn't believe the crucial role they played in the diagnosis."
"When I looked at his shoes, covered with fine white dust from a new house near Quarry, the pieces started to fit together."
Yuki asked, "What's the connection between Quarry and his illness?"
"Everything," Ryu replied. With a smile, he went on, "There was once an old limestone mine. It was the cause of his illness. He used to go for walks early in the morning before sunrise, and the dust entered his body through his skin and lungs without immediate allergic reactions.
Ryu then continued, "He returns home when the light is dim. He then continued with his day. He takes a bath and washes away all evidence of skin contamination. However, he gets a severe allergic reaction when he walks outside in the intense sun, and his blood tests revealed nothing, and his perspiration erased all of the evidence."
Ryu chuckled and said, "I almost believed he was a vampire before; anyone would. But it was just a simple double exposure that triggered a severe allergic reaction. There was no mystery there."
Yuki's eyes widened in amazement, and she said, "That's... remarkable, Ryu. The level of detail, the connections you've made... it's incredible."
Isao, who had been listening silently, also said, "I had never seenanything like it. It's like you're a detective and a doctor rolled into one."
Ryu replied, "It's not that special, really. It's just about paying attention and connecting the dots."
He said that, but he knew deep down that his sharp mind could draw those conclusions because of his abilities. His [Peripheral Awareness] and [Improved Eyesight] were to thank for it.
"But that's precisely what makes it special," Yuki countered. "The ability to see those connections where others don't. It's a rare gift, Ryu."
Yuki found herself captivated by Ryu's innovative thinking and meticulous attention to detail. His ability to decipher the unseen connections between symptoms and surroundings showcased a blend of intuition and scientific acumen that challenged the conventional boundaries of healthcare practice.
Yuki was left speechless by the depth and breadth of Ryu's knowledge, combined with his unconventional approach, showcasing the profound impact of his methods on her.
"Ryu," she began, a mixture of awe and concern in her voice, "you are a fascinating mystery."
Ryu shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "I'm just trying to help, Mother Yuki. That's all."
A/N:
Thank you, Monkey D. Murda and Yann Schurmans, for supporting me on Patreon.