As the excitement and glory of the county tournament gradually subsided, the Shohoku Basketball Team's training remained relentless.
Although the national tournament is still some time away, the opponents are formidable teams from all over Japan and should not be underestimated.
Anzai's training plan is even more rigorous.
Kawamoto Kazuki, on the other hand, continued to maintain a routine of going between school, training, and part-time work.
The convenience store was dimly lit late at night, with few customers.
Kawamoto finished proofreading the translation of the last chapter of " The Ode to Gallantry ".
He closed his notebook and rubbed his slightly sore eyes.
The shop door was pushed open with a ding-dong.
Welcome.
Kawamoto habitually looked up to greet him, but paused slightly when he saw who it was. He then quickly stepped out from behind the cashier, bowed, and said, "Good evening, Dr. Kitakura."
The visitor was Dr. Kitakura of Cardiac Surgery at Kanagawa General Hospital.
He was in his early thirties, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and was a doctor with a refined yet capable demeanor.
He looked at the young man before him, who seemed even more composed than when they last met, and felt a mix of emotions.
He clearly remembered the calmness beyond his years when the boy came to the hospital alone and inquired about his mother's condition.
" Kawamoto- kun, good evening. Have you been working at this convenience store all this time?"
Dr. Kitakura walked up to the shelf and casually asked a question, his gaze sweeping over the thick notebook and the book "The Ode to Gallantry " beside Kawamoto.
"Yes, I'll come over after school on school days."
Kawamoto replied, his attitude still respectful. "I am very grateful for your continued concern regarding my mother's affairs."
"Don't mention it, it's my duty."
Dr. Kitakura shook his head, his tone gentle.
He took a bottle of mineral water, hesitated for a moment, put it back, picked up two cans of black coffee, and walked to the cashier.
The two chatted casually about their recent situations, Dr. Kitakura mentioned the news of Shohoku winning the championship and Kawamoto winning the MVP award, his words filled with admiration.
Kawamoto simply expressed his gratitude calmly, without much excitement.
When it came time to pay, Kawamoto insisted on using his employee discount, which Dr. Kitakura gently but firmly refused.
He paid, but left both cans of coffee on the table, pushing one of them toward Kawamoto.
Kawamoto hesitated for a moment, then thanked him and accepted the offer.
He pleaded with Dr. Kitakura, "I'm not sure if I'm bothering you, but I have some questions I'd like to ask."
Dr. Kitakura said there was no problem, and the two sat down on high stools by the window in the convenience store.
Night had fallen outside the window, and the streets were deserted.
After a moment of silence, Kawamoto, holding the slightly cool coffee can, finally spoke, asking a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.
His tone was as calm as ever, but Dr. Kitakura could hear the solemnity hidden within it.
" Dr. Kitakura, I'd like to ask you, in the United States —where is the best hospital for treating heart disease?"
Upon hearing this, Dr. Kitakura's expression also became serious.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "In terms of the authority and overall strength of cardiology specialties, the United States has several world-class institutions."
"The three generally considered best are the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio; the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts."
He paused, looking at Kawamoto's focused gaze, and continued to explain in detail, "These three companies all possess top-notch teams and technology."
"However, for the follow-up treatment and long-term management of your mother's complex congenital heart disease, my personal suggestion is to give priority to the Cleveland Clinic."
"Oh? Why Cleveland?"
Kawamoto pressed further.
"Because its Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute is one of the world's largest and most renowned heart centers, especially in complex congenital heart disease, heart transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, and the development of new technologies, it has always been at the forefront of the world, possessing very rich experience and an extremely high success rate."
Simply put, they are more targeted; they are specialist champions in heart disease.
Dr. Kitakura's tone carried the certainty of a professional. " Mayo and Massachusetts General Hospital are undoubtedly top-tier comprehensive medical institutions, and are powerful in every aspect."
"But in terms of the depth and pioneering nature of cardiology alone, the Cleveland Clinic is generally considered a leader in the field, thanks to its numerous groundbreaking techniques and accumulated reputation over the years."
Kawamoto silently memorized this information, especially the name of the Cleveland Clinic.
He nodded. " Cleveland —I'll remember that. Thank you very much, Dr. Kitakura."
You're welcome.
Dr. Kitakura took a sip of coffee, looked at Kawamoto's young yet unusually resolute profile, and sighed inwardly.
The young man's inquiry to a top United States hospital revealed the determination behind their efforts and the difficulties they would face; one could roughly guess what it entailed.
"If you have any specific questions in this regard, such as contacting hospitals, selecting specialists, or even just getting a preliminary understanding of costs and procedures, please feel free to contact me. By the way—"
He smiled, took a simple business card from his pocket, and handed it to Kawamoto: "I'm no longer at Kanagawa General Hospital; I transferred to Kitamura Private Clinic last month."
Kawamoto took the business card, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes as he saw the different organization names on it.
Dr. Kitakura seemed to sense his confusion, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and explained in a calm tone.
His words carried a subtle weariness and a sense of relief. " Kanagawa General Hospital is, after all, a large public hospital with a complex system. Sometimes, what determines whether a patient receives the most timely and appropriate treatment is not only the illness and medical judgment, but also the budget..."
Bed turnover rate, inter-departmental coordination—well, even some less-than-official rules.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze behind the lenses appearing somewhat detached. "There, trying to simply be a doctor, sometimes you feel—your hands and feet are tethered by invisible threads, and even breathing isn't so easy."
He didn't elaborate, but Kawamoto immediately understood.
He recalled overhearing nurses whispering among themselves when his mother was hospitalized, and the long waits and complicated procedures involved in applying for certain tests or medications.
Bureaucratic rigidity, departmental barriers, and perhaps a delicate balance shaped by vested interests.
These intangible things can sometimes be more disheartening and suffocating than the disease itself.
"Although Kitamura Clinic is small, its advantage lies in being a private institution."
Dr. Kitakura's tone became clear again, even carrying a hint of new expectation. "But precisely because of this, many things are actually more straightforward. There aren't as many meetings that need to be reported up the chain of command, and there aren't as many interpersonal relationships that need to be balanced."
"The equipment is state-of-the-art, and we can more flexibly choose the most effective medications rather than the most affordable ones. Treatment plans can also focus more on the individual patient rather than a bunch of forms and indicators."
"Although the number of cases we handle may not be as large as those in general hospitals, medicine itself should be able to be more focused and pure."
He looked at Kawamoto with a frank expression. "Of course, the fees are also higher, and the services are often for a specific group of people."
But for me, at least at this stage, it's more important to be able to focus more on the medical skill itself in a less restrictive environment and to establish a more direct and deeper connection with patients.
"The feeling of having to compromise or even experience delays due to non-medical reasons is truly unpleasant."
Kawamoto listened quietly. He could understand the pursuit of purity in Dr. Kitakura's words, as well as his helplessness and alienation from certain deep-seated problems within the system.
He glanced at the Kitamura Clinic on the business card again, and his respect for the doctor deepened even further.
At least, this is someone who is still striving to uphold the principles of a doctor.
"I understand, Dr. Kitakura. Thank you very much for your guidance, and congratulations on your successful work in your new place."
Kawamoto said solemnly.
Dr. Kitakura waved his hand, finished the rest of his coffee in one gulp, and stood up. "Alright, I won't disturb your work anymore."
"Young people should also pay more attention to their health. Whether playing sports or working, don't overexert yourselves."
"Your mother's regular check-ups are crucial and cannot be neglected."
"Yes, I understand. Please take care."
After seeing Dr. Kitakura off from the convenience store, Kawamoto lowered his head and gently stroked the high-quality business card with his fingertips.
My gaze drifted to the deep night sky outside the window.
It's as if we're trying to pierce through the vast distance and look towards that place called Cleveland on the other side of the ocean.