Chapter 83 Tranquil Days
"Here we go, Thea!"
"I won't lose...!"
With sparks flying as we exchanged fierce glances, Thea and I faced off.
Raising our fists, we thrust them out with all our might──
"Rock, paper, scissors! Scissors! Scissors!"
We played rock-paper-scissors together.
After quickly switching our hands and taking 3 consecutive rounds, we raised the same number of fingers as the rounds we won.
"Hmm, Thea wins!"
"I won...!"
"I lost!!"
And this time, the one who had the wrong number of fingers raised... was me.
I hung my head in disappointment, while Thea raised her fist in joy.
Monica, who happened to pass by, noticed our contrasting expressions.
"What game are you two playing? I thought it was rehabilitation time?"
"Oh, Ms. Monica. This is a hand game devised by Doctor Seius that also serves as rehabilitation. It's quite fun, so why not join us, Ms. Monica?"
It has been a month since I could walk a little and Thea's prosthetic arm reached here.
Both Thea and I were recovering steadily.
The hand game we're doing now is being played with my limited-use right hand and Thea's prosthetic right hand, and I think we're managing it reasonably well.
It's not perfect yet, but at this rate, I should be back to my original condition soon.
"I see, then, I'll join you."
Monica smiles and joins in the hand game we're playing.
Monica has always been a good girl, but since she came here and started taking care of Thea, she's become even better.
Looking at her like this, she looks like Thea's mother or older sister.
...That's what I thought.
"Yeeeaaah!! I lost again!! Let's play again!! "
Her innate competitive spirit was ignited by her successive losses to us 2, and she was more absorbed in playing with her hands than we were in the middle of rehabilitation.
Even Doctor Seius had a bitter smile on his face.
"Come on, Ms. Thea, let's go!!"
"Uh, uh, yeah..."
Pushed by that momentum, Thea is dealing with Monica.
Thea's new arm, which operates with a magic tool.
While watching the metallic hand move its fingers busily with a clatter, I walked over to the doctor with a bit of a bounce.
"Doctor, Thea's arm seems to be working well. Is there no problem anymore?"
"Ah, it should be fine. It was tough right after it arrived, as I didn't really understand how it worked."
Recalling that moment, Doctor Seius starts chuckling, "Ha ha ha."
Yes, Thea's prosthetic arm was delivered from the Ortria Kingdom, but surprisingly, due to the absence of engineers, we ended up having to figure out the details ourselves.
Why is that!?
I thought, but well, there are some unavoidable circumstances regarding this... To begin with, it seems that most of the technology related to such mechanical devices was owned by the Neithardt family, and it appears that very few engineers remained due to the Great Purge.
The delay in the arrival of the prosthetic arm was not due to new arm production or development, but rather the time spent re-examining the functions of a prosthetic that had been previously researched, to grasp the minimum details.
And ultimately, it was sent here somewhat unresolved, under the thought, "Since it's a prosthetic made with a magic tool, wouldn't the Belmont family, who are experts in magic research, know more about it?"
Monica and Duke were really furious, saying, "Don't confuse magic with magic tools, you outsiders!!", but still, they properly analyzed it and attached it to Thea, so they are truly impressive.
"The last thing is the appearance. While I think that a rugged, mechanical arm is cool, since Thea is a girl, I would prefer a more cute design."
Her prosthetic arm is working properly, and it's not interfering with her daily life anymore.
But it's not enough to just live her daily life.
In any case, let's think of a fashion that will make Thea proud of her mecha girl(?) attribute, not something to be ashamed of!
"Hmm, it would be reassuring if Ms. Manila were here at a time like this... Should we perhaps exchange letters? It will take some time, though."
If I try to exchange letters from Euphemia to Ortria, it would take at least 2 weeks.
The communication magic tool that was still usable during the voyage seems to no longer work because the distance is too great; it's quite a hassle.
As I let out a sigh, I felt Doctor Seius's hand gently placed on my head.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just that it's been over a month since we've been seeing each other daily, and I can't help but think you really haven't changed at all. If my grandson were as kind as you... well, that might be asking too much."
"...? Your grandson was a good person, you know?"
Over this past month, I've made quite a few beastman acquaintances.
Among them, of course, are your children and grandchildren.
Well, even that grandson is more than ten years older than me, though.
He brought some gifts for Thea and me, who are recovering at this hospital.
That rice cake was delicious.
I want to eat it again.
"There's no doubt he's a good kid, but even after I've told him countless times to take my place, he refuses to do so. Honestly, how long do they intend to keep making this old man work?"
"Haha, everyone trusts that you will make this country a better place, Doctor."
I heard a secret that Doctor Seius has also been the longest-serving chairman of the Council of Beasts.
Isn't it okay to stay with this person?
There are also opinions like this, which shows how much trust the Doctor has.
Well, it seems he wants to quit his job as a politician as soon as possible, so let's keep it a secret.
"It's a blessing in disguise... Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. The grandson asked me to send him some cold medicine."
"Oh, you have a cold?"
It seems he's not a grandchild, but a great-grandchild.
Since he's half White Ape, it's rare for an Emerald Cat not to have any abilities.
Well, it sounds like he just has a slight cold with a bit of a runny nose, so there's no need to worry.
It seems that when beastmen of different tribes have mixed offspring, they're usually born inheriting traits from one of their parents' tribes.
However, the Doctor's great-grandchild is indeed an Emerald Cat, but instead of the healing abilities expected of an Emerald Cat, he has inherited the physical abilities of a White Ape, making him a rare type.
"In that case, would it be alright if I went to deliver it? Since it also doubles as rehabilitation, I'd like to try going on a little trip soon."
I already went around saying hello in Euphemia before, but at that time, I had to rely on everyone to assist me during the trip.
Now that my leg is healing, I want to walk outside the hospital using my own strength.
"Hmm? That's true; it's probably about time for that... Alright, I understand. I'll leave it to you. However, you mustn't go alone. Bring your usual maid along."
"Yes, thank you very much!"
"Yumie, are you going out? If so, I'm coming with you..."
"I'll go too! I won't accept letting you sneak away without me!!"
Listening to my conversation with the Doctor, Thea and Monica also offer to join.
That's helpful, but Monica, about this sneaking away... does that mean she never won even once...?
Seeing the unexpectedly clumsy Monica, I quietly looked at her with warm eyes.
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