Meanwhile, in the hospital, Oshitari Eiji had already made all the necessary preparations for Koku’s arrival after receiving the call. As Koku’s attending physician, he had been responsible for Koku’s recuperation in Japan and was well aware of Koku’s unique physical condition. So even though he had just recently visited the Tezuka household for Koku’s routine check-up and confirmed that his condition was okay, Oshitari Eiji still didn’t dare to be careless when he received the call from Tezuka Koku. He and his team were on high alert at the hospital, awaiting the arrival of the Tezuka family.
As soon as the Tezuka family’s car arrived at the hospital, Oshitari Eiji’s team quickly transferred Koku to his private ward and immediately began a series of physical examinations.
“Did Koku eat a lot today?” During the body scan, Oshitari Eiji unexpectedly discovered a large amount of food accumulated in Koku’s stomach. He glanced at Tezuka Ayana, who was by Koku’s side, looking extremely worried, and asked carefully, “There seems to be a lot of food in his stomach, and it’s quite abnormal.”
“But you don’t need to worry too much. It’s possible that Koku’s fever was triggered by this.”
“Koku did eat a lot today, but I gave him some digestive tablets when we got back.” Oshitari Eiji’s words made Tezuka Ayana start to reflect on herself. Was it that the digestive tablets she prepared were ineffective for Koku, or did Koku not take enough of them?
At this moment, she regretted not allowing her younger son to take a few more digestive tablets earlier.
“The effect of digestive tablets isn’t as significant as imagined,” seeing Tezuka Ayana’s regret, Oshitari Eiji quickly reassured her, “If Koku’s intake exceeded his stomach’s normal capacity, even taking digestive medicine would have little effect. Even normal adults often come to the hospital due to digestive issues. It’s normal for Koku’s stomach to protest.”
“Moreover, Koku’s body is inherently weaker than the average person. Previously, he was taken care of too meticulously, so suddenly letting him eat freely would inevitably lead to this situation.”
After understanding Koku’s situation and carefully examining his stomach, Oshitari Eiji had basically determined the cause of Koku’s fever. However, to be cautious, he waited for the other test results to come out before explaining Koku’s specific condition to the worried Tezuka family.
“Koku’s body is not in any serious trouble. It’s just a stress response caused by indigestion, leading to a fever. You don’t need to worry too much.”
“I’ll prescribe some antipyretic and digestive medicine for him, and after an IV drip, he should recover.”
“That’s good,” hearing that his younger son’s body was not in serious trouble, Tezuka Koku finally breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully patted his friend’s shoulder, “Thank you so much, Eiji. If it weren’t for you these past few years, who knows what would have happened to our Koku!”
“You’re being too formal. What kind of relationship do we have!” Having known Tezuka Koku for so many years, Oshitari Eiji had watched Koku grow up, so he didn’t find it troublesome to take care of his friend’s child.
Moreover, because he often interacted with Koku, he genuinely liked this obedient and well-behaved child and had long regarded him as his own. If it weren’t for Koku’s dislike of hospitals and doctors in white coats, Oshitari Eiji would have already asked him to call him “godfather.”
Thinking of Koku’s scrunched-up face every time he saw him, either getting an injection or taking medicine, Oshitari Eiji couldn’t help but chuckle, “It’s a good thing Koku is asleep today. Otherwise, if he saw me at the hospital, he would probably make a fuss again.”
“Hahaha, indeed.” Thinking of how the usually obedient Koku would avoid Eiji, Tezuka Koku couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t know why, but out of all the doctors in the hospital, Koku only targets you. Every time he sees you, he makes a fuss!”
“Maybe it’s because I’m the one who always gives him injections, so when he sees me, he thinks he’s going to get another shot!” Oshitari Eiji speculated, then thought of another question.
“By the way, I heard you recently let Koku go to school? Which school did he go to? How’s the medical setup there?”
“He went to Seigaku. Koku insisted on going to school with his brother.” Talking about his child’s schooling, Tezuka Koku sighed.
He knew it wasn’t realistic to keep Koku at home forever, so when Koku expressed his desire to go to school, even though the rest of the family was worried about Koku’s health, as a father, he persuaded them to fulfill Koku’s wish.
Because as children grow, it’s normal for them to yearn for the outside world. However, Tezuka Koku didn’t expect that just after they let Koku participate in normal social activities, he ended up in the hospital today.
Did they overestimate Koku’s current physical condition? Should they let Koku stay home and recuperate for a few more years, and only let him go to school when he’s older?
“Eiji, tell me honestly, can Koku go to school with his current health condition?”
“If not, I’ll have him stay home and recuperate for a few more years.”
“There’s no need,” Oshitari Eiji said as he took out Koku’s medical report, “Koku’s condition is actually quite stable now. I wanted to suggest last year that you let Koku go to school. Interacting with peers and exercising more would be beneficial for his health.”
“Today’s situation seems to me to be an isolated incident and doesn’t affect Koku’s overall condition. Just be more careful in the future and don’t let him overeat like this again.”
“Really? If that’s the case, then I’m relieved.” Oshitari Eiji’s assurance somewhat alleviated Tezuka Koku’s worries about Koku’s health, so he dismissed the idea of arranging for Koku to take a leave of absence from school.
Since Eiji said that going to school is beneficial for Koku’s health, then let Koku continue attending school!
However, they must not let Koku eat out like today again, even if Kunikazu is with him! Kunikazu is still not mature enough!
Tezuka Koku thought to himself.
Meanwhile, outside the ward, Tezuka Kunikazu, who had gone out to complete the hospitalization procedures for his brother, ran into a familiar face.
Having smoothly completed the procedures, he was about to return to the ward when someone suddenly called out to him.
“Tezuka, what are you doing here?”
At this time, Atobe Keigo didn’t expect to run into Tezuka Kunikazu at the hospital. However, he didn’t think much of it, assuming Tezuka had some business at the hospital. So when he saw Tezuka Kunikazu, he approached him to greet him.
Then he noticed the hospitalization certificate in Tezuka Kunikazu’s hand, “Is someone in your family sick? Do you need me to have a word with Uncle Oshitari?”
Although Atobe Keigo knew about the Tezuka family’s situation, out of friendship, he still offered his help, “If you need anything, you can use the Atobe family’s name.”
“Thank you for your concern, but there’s no need.” Tezuka Kunikazu responded calmly to Atobe’s offer. He knew Atobe Keigo genuinely wanted to help, but Koku’s situation didn’t require his assistance.
“Dr. Oshitari is already in the ward. He’s Koku’s attending physician.”
“I see,” hearing Tezuka Kunikazu’s explanation, Atobe Keigo understood. Since the attending physician was Uncle Oshitari, there was no need for his help. However, he was still curious about who this “Koku” was.
He had known Tezuka Kunikazu for years but had never heard of anyone named “Koku.” It was truly intriguing.
“May I ask…” Who is Koku?
“Atobe-kun, my family is calling me. If there’s nothing else, I need to return to the ward.”
Just as Atobe was about to ask about the mysterious Koku, Tezuka Kunikazu received a text from his father. Already busy with his brother, Tezuka Kunikazu unconsciously ignored Atobe Keigo’s question and politely bid him farewell, “I won’t disturb you any longer. See you.”
“Yeah, see you.”
Although his question was interrupted, Atobe Keigo wasn’t upset. Instead, his curiosity about “Koku” grew. Who exactly was this person that could make the usually disciplined Tezuka come to the hospital late at night to handle hospitalization procedures, and whose mere text could easily capture all of Tezuka Kunikazu’s attention?
Once Tezuka Kunikazu was out of sight, Atobe Keigo instructed the butler who had accompanied him, “Check the identities of everyone admitted to the hospital today, especially those with the name ‘Koku.’ Pay special attention.”
“Yes, young master.”