Another Time, Another Kiss - Chapter 11

Doctor Yamada’s phone was ringing when he entered his office. His assistant was holding the door for him because he was very engrossed in one of his patients’ health record.

“Michi-san, can you help me get the phone?” Doctor Yamada requested, while he used his body to stop the door from swinging back to its closed position.

“Moshi moshi.” Michi said, looking at Doctor Yamada. After a moment, she swallowed hard and put her hand on the mouthpiece, “Doctor Yamada, Kotoko is on the line and she wants to talk to you.”

“Tell her I am still not in my office yet.” Doctor Yamada dictated. “Go on, “he urged, “and make it sound a little more truthful than the previous one.”

Michi took a breath and did what Doctor Yamada had suggested. “Sumimasen, Kotoko. But Doctor Yamada is not in his office right now.”

That wasn’t really a lie, Doctor Yamada thought. He wasn’t exactly IN the office yet.

“Pardon me for being nosey,” Michi started after placing the receiver back, “When are you going to tell Kotoko about this?”

“I will speak to her when I know how I should break the news to her. Give me a little more time.” Doctor Yamada pleaded and let out a short sigh. Of course, he was aware of Kotoko's current feeling. Who wouldn't be worry when his or daughter had been in coma for three days and yet they received no specific reasons from their doctors?

“Fine, I will try to stall as long as I can.” Michi agreed but not without her usual sighing and frowning.

Even though Michi hadn’t been very fond of Kotoko since their days as classmates and co-workers mainly because she was tired of looking out for Kotoko's potential mistakes. She adored Kyoko very much like her own. In her eyes, Kyoko was always the smart and diligent lady who knew her what she wants, unlike her mother.

“Kyoko has chosen her genes well.” Michi would always say to Kotoko during their routine gathering, so many times that she was loosing count.

“If there’s nothing else, I shall go out.” Michi said.

“Thank you.” Doctor Yamada proceeded to his table and immediately fell into his arm chair. When the room was completely empty and quiet, Doctor Yamada knew he couldn’t keep the tears from escaping his lids anymore.

“Takashi…buddy...” Doctor Yamada muttered to himself, his tears were cold, tears of fear rather than tears of sorrow.

“And you once told me you don’t believe in retribution.” Doctor Yamada continued, picking a piece of paper that was attached with one of the health reports and stared blankly into it. He then started shaking his head and stopped, shifting his eyes guilty away from the paper.

“I should have stopped you, but I didn’t just because we were best friends and I’ve always thought you were right about everything.”

Doctor Yamada shook his head vigorously again; the tears flew off his cheeks.

“BUT YOU WERE WRONG THIS TIME! AND SEE WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO YOUR NEXT GENERATION?”

Doctor Yamada declared and fixed his glance back to the piece of paper.

“Retributions do exist.”

On it were some scribbled numbers and the name ‘Doctor Irie Naoki’.

To be continued...