"Masaki."
Chiba looked up and smiled, greeting Valenti. "What brings you here?"
"I just heard you scheduled a surgery at the base today, so I came to check on you."
"Don't come closer yet," Chiba said quietly.
Valenti stopped obediently where she was. Only after Mr. Elu finished clearing the papers spread across the hospital bed did she slowly walk over and sit beside Chiba.
"Didn't we agree you'd take a proper two-month vacation?" Valenti frowned slightly. "You took on another mission, didn't you?"
Chiba waved a hand toward Mr. Elu, signaling him to leave. He bowed politely to both women and quietly stepped out, closing the door behind him.
"A new Chelate outbreak appeared on a wasteland in Sector Five," Chiba's voice was hoarse. "It felt strange. They sent out a distress signal, so I went to take a look."
"Was it handled?"
"Yeah, it's dealt with." Chiba looked at her. "Actually, you came at a good time. Tomorrow, could you tell Hesta that she doesn't need to go out the day after tomorrow? Have her come to my hospital room instead."
"What for?"
"Nothing special. I just want her to stay with me," Chiba replied. "Otherwise, I won't meet this month's companionship quota for her."
Valenti's face tightened. "…Do you even understand what a vacation is for?"
"Rest," Chiba answered immediately.
She knew what Valenti was implying, but the two simply looked at each other for a moment before Chiba ran a hand through her hair. "Can you do me one more favor?"
"What now?"
"My coat should be outside—the head nurse probably took it away. Inside the inner pocket, there should still be half a pack of cigarettes—"
Valenti frowned. "Do you really think I'd help you with that?"
"Fair enough." Chiba leaned back, gripping the metal railing of the bed. "But I'm fine, Valenti. These are just normal injuries. I'll be discharged soon—"
"At this rate, you might not even make it to thirty-five," Valenti said, tilting her head. "That was my father's diagnosis years ago. Chiba, what exactly are you thinking?"
Chiba didn't answer. She stretched her legs straight and completely relaxed her upper body, her long hair spilling over her chest.
Moments like this always felt incomplete without a cigarette. Her fingers tapped restlessly against the sheets.
She gazed off into space. "Even so… that's still too long."
A trace of shock crossed Valenti's eyes. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to slowly kill yourself like this?"
Chiba froze, then laughed, waving her hand. "Death is inevitable, Valenti. But I'll never walk toward it on purpose… I'd never do that."
Perhaps realizing her question had been too blunt, Valenti flushed slightly. She stood up and began arranging the fresh flowers on the side table to avoid Chiba's gaze.
"My father was talking about you the other day," Valenti said softly. "He said among all his patients, none have a stronger will to live than you."
"That's true," Chiba leaned back against the headboard. "I just happen to have a few bad habits that hit a bit harder than most. You don't need to worry about me… How's Dr. Viking doing lately?"
"The same as always," Valenti replied. "He's out on inspection with the Unified Army in the southern wastelands. At this pace, he'll probably arrive in Tanyi in about two weeks."
"A brave man, your father."
"You want to see him when he arrives?"
Chiba calculated the timing briefly and said softly, "We'll see."
They talked for a while longer. Just as Valenti stepped out of the room, she suddenly turned back. "Oh right—Ms. Anna's manuscript. I almost forgot to give it to you. It's a thick one…"
From her black shoulder bag, Valenti took out a stack of papers nearly four fingers thick—typewritten lines, densely packed yet neatly arranged.
From the moment she heard the name Anna, Chiba's expression subtly changed.
"My father's her attending physician now," Valenti said softly. "It's much easier to get her manuscripts these days. He can visit her every month."
Chiba silently took the papers. The manuscript had a separate cover page, where Valenti's father had written the title in cursive: When the Forest Sings – Part II.
"She's still writing these useless things," Chiba murmured. "No one's ever going to read them."
"I read them," Valenti protested with a smile. "They're fascinating. I've never seen anyone make forest ecology sound so engaging."
"How's her health?"
"Short term, stable. Long term… not great," Valenti said quietly. "She had minor knee surgery last month. If she recovers properly, she might walk again someday. My father's appealed to the Unified Government several times—he says what Ms. Anna needs isn't endless convalescence, but a return to normal life. Keeping her confined, even in a palace, is meaningless. At least when she writes, she's free."
Chiba said nothing, staring down at the manuscript. "Should I send this one to the same editor from Sector Fourteen?"
"Yes. There are two copies inside—one for the editor, and one Ms. Anna wants you to keep for her. She's worried the Unified Government will seize her drafts again during their next inspection."
"Got it." Chiba quickly found the dividing page in the stack. "I understand."
"Do you have anything you want me to pass on to her? Maybe—"
"No."
"Alright then. My father won't reach Tanyi for another two weeks anyway. You can think about it. After that, he'll head back to the Core City and won't stay long."
"Understood." Chiba looked up at her. "Thank you."
"It's nothing," Valenti smiled faintly. "My father says Ms. Anna lives in deep isolation now. If anyone could write to her, it would mean the world to her."
"…Then you should write," Chiba said. "When she taught us Introductory Natural Science, you were always following her around with questions—she must remember you well."
"I already did," Valenti laughed. "But it's been almost four years. I don't have much to say. You know how monotonous life at the base is—it's hard to make it sound interesting. But if it were you—"
"I wouldn't do any better," Chiba interrupted. "And most of what I do can't be mentioned anyway. If the letter got intercepted, it'd only cause her trouble. Don't push me on this."
Valenti sighed softly but soon smiled again. "Fair enough. Just a suggestion—don't take it to heart."
After she left, Mr. Elu came back into the room. Seeing Chiba tidying up the manuscript, he asked about it, and she explained.
"Would you like me to send it for you, ma'am?" Mr. Elu asked. "I can handle the mailing tomorrow."
"No need," Chiba lowered her gaze. "I'll be visiting Sector Fourteen next month anyway. I'll deliver it myself."
(End of Chapter)
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