Chapter 487

That doctor was too optimistic. In my opinion, you wouldn't even survive past junior high school graduation.

In other words, she should be fine for the next six months.

"Really? That's a sad story."

"..."

Despite the astonished look in Makinohara Shoko's eyes, as if she had misjudged him, he remained completely unmoved.

Even with his considerable moral character, he wouldn't feel guilty about it—after all, her illness was very easy to cure.

It's just a heart transplant, right? We can just find her a heart to donate.

However, this sounds simple, but it's actually the biggest problem. The reason she hasn't received treatment yet is because she hasn't found a source of heart support.

The number of organ donations is far from meeting the demand, which is a problem in every country.

If you're just queuing, it's very difficult to get a turn before you die.

But this wasn't a problem for him at all.

However, he had no intention of using his financial resources and connections to save her.

Call it hypocrisy if you will, but if he intervenes and brings her a heart, does that mean another patient who didn't receive a heart will die?

Although there is a distinction between close and distant relationships, since he came with the intention of saving and helping people, it is naturally inappropriate to use a life-for-life approach.

Fortunately, besides this method, he had several other ways to save her life.

For example, right now, he could take out his own heart and give it to her, and then heal himself... What kind of heart-to-heart relationship is this?

Just thinking about it made him shiver and hug his arms.

Of course, blood type compatibility is required before a heart transplant, but he is not worried about that at all.

After all, she's someone who has received transplants from three different people, and all of them were successful!

Is it really true that she would survive regardless of who donates to her?

Therefore, it must be because she has type AB blood, which allows her to receive organs from any blood type.

This is probably a stroke of luck amidst misfortune...

The food was served quickly; in no time, both of their meals were delivered.

Seeing her furtive, slightly apprehensive glances, he smiled knowingly but didn't pick up his chopsticks.

"Shoko, do you know Santa Claus?"

"Yes, I think everyone knows..."

Do you think Santa Claus really exists?

"I think only elementary school students still believe in his existence—but I hope he does."

"I see. So what kind of children do you think Santa Claus likes?"

"Hmm? Probably an obedient, well-behaved, kind, honest, helpful, and incapable of lying child?"

Makinohara Shoko looked at him, puzzled, stirring her pasta with her fork without putting it in her mouth.

"That's not right,"

Himemiya Chihaya shook her index finger, her face serious as she opened her eyes. "What I like are children who have their own personality, who don't easily give up in the face of difficulties, who persevere and never give up on their dreams."

"... Chihaya- nii, aren't we talking about Santa Claus?"

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Makinohara Shoko's lips.

"Santa Claus is just a title; of course, whoever delivers the presents is the one who becomes Santa Claus."

"How realistic."

"That's just how society is these days—remember that, keep trying and don't give up, and you'll definitely see Santa Claus, I promise you!"

"Hmm... So, you're trying to comfort me? That's really going in circles."

"Just assume it's like this, how about it, want to try agreeing and see? Anyway, you have nothing to lose."

"Alright, since Chihaya- nii says so..."

"Good Child, Good Child ~"

"..."

After having dinner with Makinohara Shoko and handing over his contact information, he immediately changed clothes and headed to his next location.

Upon arrival, he was greeted with a barrage of lectures.

"You're so slow! Why didn't you wait until I got off work?!"

As soon as Ogura Asahi stepped into RiNG's coffee shop, Shiina Rikki's angry and dissatisfied voice came from not far away.

He glanced around; apart from that table, there wasn't a single customer—this shabby coffee shop was doomed to fail sooner or later!

"How dare you make the lamp wait for you, you..."

"..."

So the reason is still the same. Next time, you might as well focus on the important points upfront.

He sighed inwardly, walked towards the four people, and said in a measured tone, "If you wish, it's not impossible next time..."

"You bastard!"

Wearing dark work clothes, Shiina Rikki slammed her hand on the table, making the porcelain cup creak.

From the side came Chihaya Aine's complaint, "Oops~ the tea is splashing out! Be gentle!"

"Hey~ Hey~ Have you finished your weekend homework? Do you want me to teach you?"

He took off his bag and placed it on a chair at another table. Smiling, he walked behind Takamatsu Akari, put his arm around her shoulder, and whispered in her ear, "Akari-chan, have you kept me waiting? Sorry~!"

No, not at all...

Takamatsu Akari's slightly aggrieved face flushed red. She glanced up at the other three, then quickly looked down again. "I'm so happy that Asahi- senpai is here..."

"Look!"

Ogura Asahi gave Shiina Rikki a provocative look, as if to say, "Even the person in question hasn't said anything."

"You...!"

Shiina Rikki Tatsuki clenched her fists, feeling like she was about to lose control.

"Ew~! Tou-chan! Rikki-chan is so scary~!"

He tightened his grip on Takamatsu Akari's arm, bringing the two closer together once more.

"Eh, eh?!"

Sensing the touch and fragrance emanating from the other, Takamatsu Akari's brain completely shut down, and he stood there dumbfounded, his skin, flushed with blood, steaming.

"Get away from the light!!!"

"Why?"

"Don't you see how bothered the light is?!"

"I didn't see her. She seemed to be enjoying it... You're not jealous, are you?"

"I...!"

Shiina Rikki glanced at Takamatsu Akari, her ears burning, and she was momentarily speechless.

"I'm so jealous that I can hug you so closely—I just can't do anything with you~ Come on, Rikki, let me hug you too."

"Who's jealous of that?!"

"..."

After a period of commotion, MyGO's (still undecided) routine meeting finally began.

The first to speak was Shiina Rikki, who had finally calmed down after being persuaded by Nagasaki Sōse.

"... That's roughly how it happened."

After explaining what had happened that day, she leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed, occasionally glancing at Ogura Asahi with a strong sense of murderous intent; she was clearly still angry.

Pshaw, so stingy.

Ogura Asahi pouted, sipping the Black tea he had personally mixed at the counter—because Shiina Rikki had refused to serve him.

Ha! You think this will make him submit? Don't you know what his profession is? How ridiculous!

I'll make it myself; my own blend will taste even better!

Once everyone else gets used to drinking your brewed tea, I wonder if you'll immediately lose your job! Then Rinrin-ko-jie will fire you, this waiter who refuses to serve customers and take orders!

"When the time comes, let's see if you'll be begging to come to my house as a maid..." After a moment of fantasizing in his mind, he revealed a somewhat cruel and sinister smile.

"Ah! This is so delicious! As expected of Senior Asahi's brewing, it tastes much better than someone else's!"

Chihaya Aine glanced at Shiina Rikki, taking the opportunity to settle a score for the arrow she had shot earlier.

"Really..."

Takamatsu Akari nodded tenderly.

"Seriously, this is the first time I've ever tasted such delicious Black tea... How is it brewed?"

Nagasaki Sōse stared in amazement at the crystal-clear tea, its steam carrying wisps of an extraordinary fragrance.

Even at the gathering of young ladies in the Tsukinomori, she had never tasted such delicious and mellow Black tea.

"..."

Shiina Rikki was speechless, but he knew that his cooking skills were indeed inhuman, so he didn't refute it.

"Thank you for the compliment!"

He glanced at Chihaya Aine with satisfaction. As expected of his disciple, she even knew how to help him fight against dissidents. His teaching had not been in vain!

"But,"

Nagasaki Sōse put down her teacup, clapped her hands, and steered the conversation back on track. "Popipa and Afterglow's live performance, Rikki-chan, you're amazing!"

As his gaze shifted, he inadvertently paid more attention to Chihaya Aine and him, and no one knew what he was planning.

"Eh,"

Chihaya Aine paused, then coughed, "Eek, isn't it a bit too fast for us to start a live performance like this?"

"Ha?"

Shiina Rikki glanced at him coldly.

"Is that so?"

Nagasaki Sōse remained noncommittal.

"Didn't you say before that performing live was a short-term goal?"

Shiina Rikki looked at her reproachfully.

"But we haven't practiced even once!"

"How about starting today?"

"Well."

"That's true!"

"Uh..."

A bitter look appeared between Chihaya Aine's brows.

"Oh, when is your performance?"

Nagasaki Sōse asked further.

"Ten minutes, I think I can sing two songs."

"Yeah, we haven't really coordinated well. Wouldn't it be better to focus on one song?"

"Wait, wait! There's absolutely no time!"