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❟❛❟ CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ❟❛❟
AKAME GLANCED UP AT THE imposing building in front of her, a paper bag clutched tightly in her hand. Fujitani Hospital, where her uncle on her bàba's side of the family worked as a doctor. She could count on one hand the number of times she'd visited—usually to deliver something from her mother or to check in on her uncle when requested.
With a resigned sigh, Akame stepped through the hospital doors, her feet taking her through the maze of corridors. She passed several wards and clinics until she reached the psychiatric ward, which was surrounded by a serene garden. It was oddly beautiful, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere within.
"Excuse me, I would like to see Dr. Akame," she said to the nurse at the front desk.
"Oh, Dr. Akame! Are you here for a consultation?" the nurse asked with a polite smile.
"No," Akame replied, holding up the paper bag. "I'm his niece. I'm just here to drop this off for him."
The nurse's face lit up with recognition. "Oh! You must be Yukie-chan, right? Wow, you've grown so much! I remember when you were just waist-high. How old are you now?"
Akame managed a small, awkward smile. "I'm fifteen now."
"Fifteen! My, how time flies! High school already," the nurse mused. "Do you need to see him, or can I take the bag for you?"
Before Akame could respond, a familiar, loud voice echoed down the hallway.
"Yukie-kun!!!!"
She turned her head towards a tall man a few meters away from her. The man had dark brown wavy hair with bangs that slightly covered his eyes. He was wearing a doctor's robe and a stethoscope hanging around his neck. What made him look strange was the bandages that covered both of his arms up to his wrists and around his neck.
Making everyone wonder whether he is a doctor or a patient in this ward.
"Dazai-san," Akame greeted, her voice tinged with mild annoyance.
Dazai immediately swept her into a dramatic hug, rubbing his cheek against hers. "Yukie, my dear niece! It's been so long! How could you neglect your favorite uncle like this?"
"We saw each other a month ago," she deadpanned, trying to extricate herself from his grasp.
"A month is an eternity!" Dazai exclaimed theatrically. "Come, let's catch up in the garden!" Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand and led her toward the gazebo outside.
