Vodka had been about to extract some information, but just then, he received a diagnosis report recommending a follow-up visit.
Vodka looked at the diagnosis report in his hand, then at the worried-looking doctor across from him. "...?"
...Wait, what nonsense had this guy written? He had psychological problems? What problems could he possibly have!
And besides...
"Why does the doctor's signature here say 'Heishan'?!" Vodka suspected the doctor was the one with psychological issues. "Aren't you Shirai?!"
"Dr. Shirai had something come up and isn't here." The mild-mannered doctor lifted his thermos and took a sip of the hot goji berry water steeping inside. Smiling pleasantly, he said, "Please rest assured. Though it may sound boastful, my medical skills are no worse than his—I'm Heishan. Pleased to meet you."
"..."
As if struck by lightning, Vodka suddenly understood.
"No wonder I kept feeling like I'd overlooked something. Thinking carefully, on the way here, all my attention had been focused on 'how to see the doctor smoothly' and 'whether there might be a sneak attack from Uzo nearby.' But despite all my precautions, Uzo hadn't put any effort into either of those things... He just took away the doctor!"
For a moment, Vodka felt the absurdity of watching a street performer place a little ball beneath an overturned cup, shuffle three cups around the table, and then, just as he confidently prepared to point out which cup held the ball, have the street performer look up with a smile and ask, "Please tell me how many times I moved the cups."
"...Does he have no sense of fair play? Does he have no sense of fair play at all?!" Vodka flew into a rage, cursing inwardly. *And those middle-aged doctors in Lab Coats! Fine, their clothes all look the same—but