HS Chapter 19: The hopeless sister talks to the doctor.

30 minutes on a shaky and slow train. The clinic is located a little bit in a corner of the urban city that we’re living in.

“…I always think about it, but this place is really trendy.”

“That’s right, Nee-sama. It’s a very beautiful place that makes you want to go there.”

“Right? The doctor really has a nice taste…. Not good. There’s no time for admiring. It’s about time, so let’s go, Koma.”

“Ah, okay, Nee-sama.”

The clinic has labels “Ogawa Otorhinolaryngology Clinic” and at first glance it gives the impression of a stylish cafe. The doctor who’s in charge of Koma’s dysgeusia works here.

Me and my beloved little sister Koma walk through the entrance while admiring the appearance.

“Good day, I’m Tachibana and I’ve an appointment today at 10:00…”

“Yes, Tachibana Koma, right? I’ll confirm it. Please have a seat and wait.”

(thanks to my photography session that started all of a sudden) We arrived at the hospital just before the scheduled arrival time, and I was a little worried that we would have to wait if there were other patients… It seems we were lucky since there were no other patients here other than us Tachibana sisters.

Thanks to that, when we finished the reception, within a few seconds we were called “Tachibana-san, please come to the examination room.”

*Knock* *Knock*

“Yes, you can come in.”

“”Excuse us.””

I knock lightly on the door of the examination room and I immediately hear a soft voice. In response to it, I opened the door as quietly as I could…

“Mako-chan and Koma-chan. Welcome.”

“”Good day to you, Dr. Chiyuri.”

With a gentle smile on her face, a very beautiful female doctor with a different vector than Koma welcomed us in.

Her name is Dr. Ogawa Chiyuri

This doctor is also one of the few people who knows about Koma’s peculiar constitution and about six years ago… That’s right, she’s been the doctor in charge of Koma and her dysgeusia since Koma developed it, and who along with my aunt and me, has been watching over her and dealing with this peculiar constitution of hers.

She’s the same as six years ago, she’s still working as hard as always to cure Koma’s dysgeusia and is one of the few adults I respect and admire… Aah, coincidentally, before coming here she used to work at the university hospital where Koma was hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery, and now the doctor is working independently at her stylish clinic.

“I’m sorry, doctor. Am I a little late?”

“Au… I’m sorry. It’s because I got over excited and started the photo session…”

“Uun, you came right on time. Both of you are good girls that are punctual♪ Now, now, don’t just stand there and come in.”

We’re about 5 minutes late but she doesn’t seem to mind it at all and welcomes us inside with a huge smile.

Ooh… A mature response. Unlike a certain nearby adult who’s a useless member, the doctor is really mature!

“Fufu, you’re both cute as ever!”

“Isn’t she! Koma is getting more beautiful with each day passed. I’m proud to be her older sister!”

“Right! Nee-sama’s cuteness continues to increase. I’m proud to be her little sister!”

“Fufufu♪ Also, the two of you are close as usual.”

In addition, she seemed to enjoy listening to our small talk (or perhaps it was more of a skit?)… Doctor is really a nice adult.

…If it was Aunty she definitely would’ve said “Don’t enter into a world with just the two of you. Include me in it, too.”

“Doctor. I have a message from Aunt that she sends her best regards to you.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you. I wonder if Miyano-san is also well? She didn’t come with you girls today?”

“Yes, she’s super well. Just that… Aunty has been slacking off so much that she works even today. I’m sure you’re amazed by her too, doctor.”

“Is that so. Fufu♪ Miyano-san is the same as ever. Do you have other amusing stories?”

“That’s right. Etto… Last month, aunty said that she wanted to go flower viewing…”

The doctor who’s a good talker and listener asked us a lot of things, and even though the main focus of today was a medical examination, we were having a lot of fun and talking like we were old friends. 

…Doctor is really amazing. Talking like this as usual before Koma’s medical check up, it relaxes me and relaxes my worry for my companion. I’ve always felt comfortable around her at medical check ups and I think she’s a very experienced doctor.

“So it was like that. I’m glad you enjoyed that… Now, shall we get started? Okay, Koma-chan. First, let’s look at your tongue. Open wide.”

“Yes, doctor.”

When the tension came apart the doctor ended the small talk and began the examination. After a series of questions, the examination begins as usual.

“Then, we’ll do the usual filter paper disk and electro-taste test. After that… I’m going to do blood tests.”

“Yes. Please treat me well.”

“Same here. Okay, Sayuri-chan, can you take Koma-chan?”

“I understand, Dr. Chiyuri. Then, Koma, please follow me.”

The doctor instructed Koma and then the nurse who checked us in.

Filter paper disks, electricity, blood tests… I’ve heard a lot of words that sound scary and I don’t know the meaning of them, but Koma after six years has gotten used to it and follows the doctor’s instructions without a worry.

“Koma. Can you do it on your own? Would you want me to tag along with you?”

“I’m fine, Nee-sama. It’s the usual thing. Nee-sama can just relax and wait patiently for me.”

“Is that so? I’ll take your word for it… I’ll be waiting patiently for you while chatting with the doctor—”

The nurse led Koma out of this room to another for Koma’s examination. If possible I wanted to go along with Koma, but… As expected, I’ll become a nuisance in Koma’s check-up. Therefore, I waved Koma off, feeling a bit sad.

Koma also smiled at me (Oh my god, it’s a small gesture yet unbelievably cute!) and then waved to me as if to reassure me of ‘I’ll be okay so don’t worry, Nee-sama’.

My little sister is a real angel… Okay, just as I was going to appreciate Koma’s cuteness.

“Well then, shall we begin too, Mako-chan?”

“Yeah. Please treat me well, doctor.”

Just when Koma left this room, me and the doctor started to report on the current situation.

… Now, I know it’s a little late to be talking about this, but originally, it isn’t necessary for me to go to the regular checkups, let alone my aunt who is our guardian. Truthfully told, Koma alone is enough for the examination and tests, and I’d just be a nuisance.

So, why did I tag along with Koma… Or rather, have I been escorting her? That’s because I’m such a siscon that wants to be Koma anywhere, anytime— Naturally, that’s one of the reasons, but it’s not the only one.

As I’ve said previously, Koma’s constitution and my existence are inextricably linked. For that reason, the doctor who’s trying to heal Koma’s constitution wants to hear more from me, Koma’s sister, than from Aunty, who is her guardian, and asks me things that are difficult to ask Koma herself. 

I wondered how I should treat Koma. It’s been helpful to be able to talk to the doctor about how to treat Koma.

That’s why. For the past six years, while Koma has been undergoing tests like this, me and the doctor have been having status reports and consultations on how Koma can overcome her taste disorder.

“I’ll get right to it… Mako-chan. I’ll be frank. How does it feel when you kiss Koma?”

The doctor asks that question with a serious face after opening Koma’s electric dossier. Fumu… My impressions on kissing Koma?

“That’s right. Kissing Koma… It fills me with happiness.”

“Unun… Un?”

I’m a bit embarrassed to talk about it with people, but this is also needed to cure Koma’s dysgeusia. I have to explain everything properly without being shy.

“Koma’s beautiful lips are so fresh and glossy that they are out of this world and wouldn’t lose to any piece of art. When they meet my lips, I feel a softness, sweetness, and comfort that I can’t find anywhere else in this world! And then, when my tongue meets Koma’s lovely, alluring, bewitching tongue behind those lips—-”

“Fufu♪ Hey, Mako-chan. That’s just your impressions on the kiss–”

“…Huh?”

While in the middle of explaining, the doctor tells me to stop while she giggles. Hm…? What’s wrong?

“I’m sorry, Mako-chan. Whether the duration of the kiss on the mouth with Koma has changed or something doesn’t feel right… I wanted to ask if there had been any changes from the past when I asked ‘How does it feel when you kiss Koma?’… I’m sorry about my question.”

“….Ah!?”

Am I an idiot!? If I think about it normally, isn’t that what she asked!? 

Aah, how embarrassing. I’m so glad that the doctor is understanding, normally people would be shocked by what I said…

“I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Etto, You were asking about the duration of the kiss and stuff, right? *Cough*… The time it takes to restore her taste is unchanged regardless of her condition, and it takes about 10 minutes. If apple juice is used as a catalyst, I’d still be able to save almost five minutes.”

“Un, un. Please continue.”

“After that… The duration hasn’t changed either. It’s a perfect one hour. After that one hour, she’s not able to taste anymore.”

“…That’s how it’s been always. I wonder if there’s anything that has changed or something different you have noticed?”

…Something else? Etto… Is there anything else?

…….Aah, now that I remember. I suddenly remembered the certain day in April where something I didn’t like happened.

“… About that. This is something that happened recently.”

“Oh my. What happened?”

“Yes! That’s what I want you to listen to, doctor! Aunty, you know, she took Koma’s lips as an experiment…”

“Miyano-san took Koma’s lips? Also… she experimented?”

Oh no, now that I’m remembering I’m slowly getting angrier at Aunty, you… How could you take Koma’s lips!?

“Yes, exactly! Without my, or Koma’s permission and without any explanation she took the beloved lips of Koma… She selfishly took them, gngn… Damn that, BBA! I’ll never forgive her! Next time she does that, I’m gonna put her away for a whole month without food, that hag!!!”

“Mako-chan, Mako-chan. You’re starting to deviate again. Also, Mako’s cute face is slowly turning into a scary Hannya-mask.”

I was about to forget myself in anger but the doctor gently stopped me again. This is not good… I’ve done it again…

“I’m sorry for making you repeat yourself, doctor. I got a little heated…”

“I’m the one who’s sorry, Mako-chan. I’m sorry for making you feel uncomfortable… But, can I hear more of that story?”

“Aah, *Cough*. Etto, the other day, aunty said “Maybe kissing someone other than Mako will bring her taste back”. So as an experiment, Aunty forcefully took Koma’s lips.”

“Hee. That’s extremely interesting. What was the result?”

“That is… It has to be me, apparently. It seems doing it with Aunty didn’t bring her taste buds back. In case you’ll ask, she has tried it only just with Aunty.”

Regardless, it was still a huge disappointment… It was a terrible result and Koma’s lips were stolen…

“…I understand. As expected, Koma’s taste buds will return only if it’s Mako…?”

“I can’t think of anything else. Ah, she’s taking all of the supplements that the doctor gave her.”

“Is that so…. Un. Thank you, Mako-chan. You’ve been very helpful.”

Where I finished my status report (useless and incomprehensible) the doctor summarized it in an easy-to-understand manner in the dossier.

“So, there hasn’t been any significant changes.”

“Uuu… Yes, it’s as you say…”

“Un, I wonder what’s wrong. Depending on what the test results say… I’ll have to switch up her supplements a bit. There’s traditional medicine… After that…”

The doctor’s statement “There’s no significant changes” pricked my heart a little. 

…That’s right. For years, Aunty, Koma and I have been trying hard to cure Koma’s dysgeusia…The doctor too has been doing her best and yet… There’s no significant change to Koma’s dysgeusia.

“…It’s my fault…”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“It’s my fault that… Koma’s dysgeusia can’t be cured… isn’t it?”

“What’s wrong suddenly, Mako-chan?”

I can’t help but let out words of self-mockery. The doctor, who was groaning as she looked at the dossier, rolled her eyes and stared at me at those words. 

“… I always think about it. I wish I hadn’t done anything unnecessary to Koma that time…”

“That time, you mean”

“It’s when I took Koma’s first kiss.”

“Mako-chan.”

This is my regret that has been eating me these six years. I didn’t have any bad intentions, but without much thought, I took away a girl’s precious first kiss. 

And because of my action, I made Koma think that her taste buds had been healed, even if it was only for a moment… In the end, she had to kiss her perverted sister every day for these six years.

“Maybe… If that time I hadn’t done what I did, Koma’s taste would’ve recovered naturally by now… It’s what I think.”

“……”

… I’m not good, am I?… As soon as I saw that Koma and Aunty weren’t around… weakly…Aaah, this is really hard, I’m really going to cry if it gets worse…

“Before I had done what I did… If the doctor had given me a scientific and proper treatment, I’m sure Koma would’ve been cured—-”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“….Eh?”

Just as I was about to wallow myself in a whirlpool of self-loathing like previously, the doctor caressed my head. Doc, tor…

“Koma-chan, don’t panic. And then… Most importantly, don’t blame yourself. It’s not Mako’s fault.”

“But… If I hadn’t done that then Koma might have recovered from her taste disorder as normal…”

“I did say earlier. I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I think Koma-chan got saved by Mako-chan.”

I saved her…? What do you mean?

“I didn’t. Even your aunt Miyano didn’t save her. Koma-chan was saved by Mako-chan’s kiss. That much is certain.”

“Etto…”

“Mako-chan seems to think that she made it worse, however… I think it’s the opposite. If Mako-chan didn’t kiss Koma-chan that time, maybe Koma-chan would’ve never been able to taste anything forever. I told you before, didn’t I? Koma-chan’s symptoms are caused by psychological reasons.”

“Ah, yeah.”

The shock of being abandoned by her parents while having a fever. The shock from nobody coming to help her. And then, the shock of wandering between life and death—The doctor’s analysis was that these reasons had caused Koma’s dysgeusia.  

“Enough to forget the previous ones, that’s how shocking was Mako-chan’s desperate kiss to Koma-chan. If there was no such shock… Probably, a miracle where she can get them back for a little bit of time like now wouldn’t have occurred.”

“Is… that how it is?”

Certainly, having your own older sister suddenly kiss you on the mouth is definitely too much of an impact…

“That’s right. Regardless of the form it took, Koma-chan got saved by Mako-chan. That’s why, Mako-chan, have more confidence in yourself.”

“But, both Koma-chan and doctor are working hard, but there has been no change…”

“No change means no deterioration. That’s how stable she is. I understand your feelings of panicking and worrying, but you don’t have to be so pessimistic.”

The doctor smiles gently to put me at ease. Is that so? So it’s like that…

“The current efforts of Mako-chan will save Koma-chan. Your tenacity will save Koma-chan, definitely. That’s why, don’t panic and do it patiently. Dysgeusia isn’t that which can be cured overnight. I’ll work hard, too. Koma-chan will do her best, too. And then… Mako-chan should also do her best!”

“Yes, Yes!”

“Un, that’s a nice response. Mako-chan is a persistent fighter~”

… I think she’s a really nice doctor. Koma’s treatment… She’s been caring for Koma in a different form than I and Aunty do. 

It’s because of this doctor, Koma, Aunty and I have been able to come this far.

“Now, shall we leave this dampy topic? Let’s do our best at what we can~”

“Yes!”

That’s right. It’s as the doctor says. There’s no point dwelling on it. I just have to do my best to help Koma.

….Thank you, Dr. Chiyuri. Work hard, me…