Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 03
"That's What GENE is For." ...Seriously, What the Hell is GENE?!
Two days have passed since I was admitted to this hospital—or, more accurately, since I regained consciousness. Not that I've been doing much. Outside of daily checkups, I'm just lying in bed. They've removed the full-body, cast-like thing that was holding me down, but I'm incredibly weak... no, that's not it.
Before I was sent to the other world, I didn't do any strength training. But even so... I feel way too thin. Hold on. My body... Isn't it... weird?
I mean, right before I blacked out... Our passenger car was in a head-on collision with a truck that didn't even brake. I was in an accident that bad, but when I checked myself out in the bath... my body is completely uninjured.
The raccoon cub... Miyoshi-san... said I was brought here five days ago. That means it's only been five days since the accident. I was in a full-body cast, and yet I'm uninjured. No broken bones, uninjured. Yeah... I really don't get it.
And as for my parents, who were in the accident with me... ...I still haven't been able to ask. Neither Dr. Saitou nor Miyoshi-san has said a single word about it... so... I guess that's the answer.
But, you know... As long as I don't know... I can still hold on to hope, even if the chances are almost zero... right?
The truth is, ever since I woke up, I've been terrified of being alone. So, on the night I woke up, when it was time for lights-out... I called Miyoshi-san.
"Um, I know this is childish for a guy my age... but... can I be a little selfish?"
"Selfish...?! Eh?! A boy's selfish request?! Is that... is that something I'm even allowed to hear?!"
"Ah... you know what? Never mind. I'll ask another nurse. Check, please."
"Why would you say something so cruel?!"
"Because you're breathing all heavy, it's gross... wait, a nosebleed! Your mask is turning red!"
"I-I-I-It's fine! I'm just a little excited, that's all! So! Go on! Your selfish request! Kashiwagi-sama's desire! Don't hesitate! Unleash it on my own 'wagamama' (selfish) body!"
I quietly pressed the nurse call button.
As if they were waiting right outside, three nurses rushed in and dragged Miyoshi-san out.
"I'm so sorry. Our idiot (Miyoshi) is... I'm just so sorry."
"No, it's fine. She's... an interesting lady. She's actually helped keep my spirits up a lot."
She gets super creepy on a regular basis, but... I want to believe she's a good person at heart.
"...Kashiwagi-sama, you're a very broad-minded person, aren't you? So, I heard you had something you wanted to discuss... Is there anything you need?"
"No... well... This is embarrassing, but... I'm scared of being alone. So... I was wondering if I could get a sleeping pill. And... maybe... have someone stay with me until I fall asleep... or... maybe... hold my hand... is that... too much?"
"Guhh?! How is that... so cute...? Eh? I-I'm allowed to stare at your face until you fall asleep?! And... on top of that... I'm allowed to hold your little hand?! Is that what you're saying!?"
"Ah, yes... sorry to bother you when you're so busy..."
"B-B-B-Bother?! This is... this is a REWARD! Thank you! Thank you so much!!"
I quietly pressed the nurse call button.
Anyway, here I am on my second day of being awake.
"At 2:00 PM today, a 'Knight' from 'GENE' is scheduled to visit you."
What kind of name is that? It sounds like a secret UN task force. And what's a "Knight"? I'm guessing from the nuance that it means the knight knight, not the night night...
"Um... what exactly is this 'GENE'?"
"Ah, of course. For people living a normal life, especially minors, it's probably an organization you've never heard of. GENE... Governmental Entity of National Eugenics. Is it easier to understand if I say it in Japanese: the 'National Male Gene Management Agency'?"
I'll say it again. What kind of name is that? It sounds like a secret UN task force. I've never heard of it in Japanese, either.
Wait, Gene Management Agency? Like... a sperm bank? Are they here for... my "superior genes"...? ...Yeah, no way.
I like to think I'm reasonably athletic, but even then, I'm just 'above average' for my age. My brain's strictly bargain-bin. My face... well, in the right light, maybe a 70/100? Ah, but my d*ck might be a bit... impressive! (Source: The bath on the middle school field trip.)
Look, I'm old enough to... I've noticed something is wrong with this whole situation, okay? I mean, for the past two days, the way the nurses and the doctor have been acting toward me is just... blatantly weird.
At first, I thought maybe it was because of the accident, and my parents... you know. Like they were pitying the "kid left all alone." That "handling with kid gloves" feeling, that sense of distance. If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't know the "right" way to act, either.
And yet, the moment I talk to them, they get all happy... no, beyond happy. They get 'over-the-top friendly.' It makes no sense.
And that's not the only weird thing. For three days... I haven't seen a single other male, young or old. I heard there were no male doctors, but this is... too weird, right? And now, on top of all that, this incomprehensible 'GENE' organization.
This hospital itself is weird. A private room like a hotel... Who the hell is paying for this? I can even get drinks and snacks via room service in here, you know?
No matter how you slice it, I need to start gathering information. Pretending to have amnesia might have worked if I'd done it right when I woke up, but now it's a little... yeah.
I don't really see any benefit in refusing to meet this person from a shady-sounding organization. It's probably all downside. So I just told Dr. Saitou, "I understand."
After lunch, Miyoshi-san guided a woman into my room. She looked to be in her early twenties, with long blonde hair, and was dressed in a tight, black pantsuit that gave off a cool, professional vibe.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Nakatsukasa Shouko of GENE, and I have been assigned to your case, Kashiwagi-sama."
The woman bowed perfectly, her movements precise. I don't know... her words are polite, but I can feel a distance. I can tell that, at the very least, she doesn't like me. I mean, I know it's weird to expect a stranger to like you on sight... but after dealing with the staff here, it's kinda... you know?
"Thank you for the polite introduction. I... um... I'm... I... I'm Kashiwagi Yuugiri. As you can see, I'm just a normal kid, so you can drop the '-sama'... Please, just call me Yuugiri, if you don't mind."
"Okay, Yuugiri-chan!"
Raccoon cub, I wasn't talking to you. Besides, you've been calling me by my first name without permission since day one, haven't you?
Also, the cool, professional lady is just staring blankly, like she's shocked by something. It's... actually kinda cute.
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