Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior

A week had passed since Sion began rehabilitation without buffs, after exhibiting symptoms of Buff Addiction.

With the buffs gone, Sion’s muscle strength was significantly weakened, so the rehabilitation training menu had been almost entirely reset to the beginning.

Sion sat, slowly lifting her legs using her knees and thighs.

This was the same exercise that had caused Sion such muscle pain after practicing it alone for three hours during the night that she’d had to stop training.

“Okay, lift slowly…”

Sion diligently followed the instructions, but her base muscle strength was so low that there seemed to be no noticeable improvement over the past week.

This was the very reason why she had been training with buffs until now.

Still, she had progressed from being completely unable to train without buffs to being able to train without them for nearly two months. Now, it was important to be patient and take things slowly.

“Let’s take a short break before the next set.”

“Haa… Exercising without buffs is really tough.”

“It’s good to get used to that feeling of exertion. It might actually be a good sign.”

“Even so, it’s so hard… Can I rest until I feel better?”

Complaining about it being hard? Sion?

“Sion, are you alright?”

I crouched down in front of Sion, who was sitting in the chair, and examined her legs and expression.

Sion looked exhausted. Even while sitting, I could feel a slight tremor in her legs.

“Is it very painful?”

“Wouldn’t resting help? Actually, I feel a little cold.”

Despite it being midsummer, Sion was complaining of being cold.

The Center had magical cooling, but it wasn’t as effective as air conditioning, so the temperature wasn’t low enough to warrant feeling cold.

As if truly cold, Sion crossed her arms and hunched forward.

“Uh, uhm…?”

As Sion leaned forward in the chair, she seemed to lose her balance. Her body pitched forward, and she tumbled out of the chair.

“Sion!”

Fortunately, I was right in front of her, observing her, so I was able to catch her naturally.

Because of the close proximity and the suddenness of her fall, I had no choice but to catch her in an embrace.

“Huh? I can’t feel my strength…”

“It’s okay. Just like you said, Sion, some rest will help.”

About a week had passed since Sion had last received a buff. The full-blown withdrawal symptoms were beginning to manifest.

Chills causing her to feel cold for no reason, and now sudden loss of strength, a cataplectic attack.

Cataplexy was a symptom typically seen in narcolepsy patients in the modern world, but it could also occur in individuals with Buff Addiction as the body’s way of signaling its need for a buff.

“Will I really get better? You said I can’t use buffs anymore, but I’m scared I’ll never be able to move again and won’t be able to exercise…”

Whether from fear or an attempt to regain control of her body, Sion trembled in my arms.

Extreme melancholy, spiraling delusions of persecution, the overwhelming compulsion for a buff.

Hearing Sion’s pained pleas, I felt my own anguish grow at the thought of not being able to heal her immediately.

But I couldn’t rush things. I had already tried that once, and failed.

“You’ll get better. I promised I’d heal you.”

Right now, all I could do was hold her close and be her support, preventing her from falling.

I should be grateful that I could even do this much.

Fortunately, it seemed that I was someone Sion could rely on.

“Director Hope…”

“Let’s stop here for today.”

To help Sion back into her wheelchair, I lifted her, supporting her with my arm under her hips.

“Whoa, Director! I’m embarrassed!”

“What is it now?”

“I’m clinging to you like a koala!”

“I’ll put you down soon, so please be quiet. People are staring because you’re being so loud.”

“Oh.”

Sion closed her mouth at the mention of people staring. It was a relief that embarrassment was preferable to despair.

Would Sion find it amusing if I carried her around like this?

However, I was just as embarrassed, so I quickly placed her in the wheelchair and, along with Nurse Maid Mirei, escorted her back to her room.

“Is training already over?”

Serin, who had been waiting inside, asked with a surprised expression as we entered the room with Sion.

“Sion isn’t feeling well. We’ll stop for today.”

“Is she very unwell?”

“She’ll be fine after some rest.

I’m going back to the Examination Room, so if Sion seems unwell or asks for me, please come get me immediately.”

“Understood.”

Although I wanted to observe Sion’s condition further or stay by her side a little longer, I had my daily duties to attend to, so I had no choice.

“Oh, right, Sion. Don’t try to do any extra exercises on your own just because you didn’t get enough training today. I shouldn’t have to tell you this anymore, right?”

“I know!”

“Alright then. Get some rest. I’ll come see you after my work is done.”

“…Okay.”

After confirming that Sion had gotten into bed with the help of Serin and Mirei, I turned and headed for the door.

With Serin there, things should be alright.

“Director Hope!”

“?”

Just as I reached for the doorknob of Room 104, Sion called out to me.

“I’m still here. Is something the matter?”

“Just… please…”

Turning back, I saw Sion clutching the ladybug-shaped cushion I had given her, barely managing to lift her head to look at me.

“Will you really come see me? After your work is done?”

I wondered what was wrong, but it was a relief that it wasn’t pain or discomfort.

“Of course I will. Don’t worry and rest.”

After seeing Sion nod, I left the room and headed for the Examination Room.

She wanted me to make sure to come see her. Was she anxious?

Quite some time had passed since the afternoon session began, so it would soon be evening, and I could visit Sion.

Addiction treatment, while requiring a doctor’s help, relied heavily on the patient’s will.

I could only hope that Sion would overcome this.

*****************

“Serin.”

“Yes, Sion?”

Director Hope went to see another patient. I’m in so much pain, but I can’t do anything without him…

“Could you leave me alone for a while?”

“Sion…”

I don’t need anyone but Director Hope, so why…

“But the Director asked me to look after you. Should I call him for you?”

“It’s okay. I just want to be alone.”

“…Alright.”

After Serin left, I hugged the bright red ladybug the Director had given me even tighter.

I know. Director Hope is the most important person in the world right now.

He heals countless people like me, sleeping only three or four hours a day, doing what needs to be done for the world.

He shares data and resources so that other countries can provide rehabilitation treatment like the kingdom does, personally creating training programs, manuals, and curriculums. He’s an amazing person.

During the war, I was also the most important person in the world, but I don’t think I ever accomplished anything as great as what Director Hope is doing now.

I simply fought and won, fulfilling my given mission with the power I received. I can’t compare myself to Director Hope, who pioneered a new field of medicine with his own strength and helps countless people directly and indirectly.

He’s my colleague, someone I can rely on and ask for help, but he’s also someone who dedicates himself to the world, someone I shouldn’t monopolize or hinder.

I know this. I understand it better than anyone. But, still…

“Can’t you just focus on me?”

Turning on my side, I hugged the ladybug tightly, closing my eyes as tears trickled down, soaking my pillow.

The wet pillow quickly turned cold.

Is it selfish of me to want him to focus only on me, at least when I’m in so much pain?

Curled up like this, crying, I almost imagined hearing the Director’s voice somewhere, saying, “I’m here, so don’t cry.”

I’ve never wished for anything other than peace and well-being for the world, but now, I clearly desired something.

I’ve never felt such an intense longing for anything before.

What I’d felt before was a yearning, a hope, a feeling for the world and a greater cause. But this was clearly different. This was pure selfishness. A desire, even.

A feeling that filled me completely, wanting to take away the kindness and service meant for others, for no reason at all.

Is a hero who harbors selfish desires still a hero? Is it wrong to want something?

Thoughts spiraled, one after another. Aimlessly, endlessly, continuing on without a destination.

No matter how many questions I asked myself about things I didn’t understand, no answers came.

The unanswered questions only frightened me.

Thinking of the person she wanted to see, Sion looked at the clock. He had promised to visit her when he was finished with his work.

Six minutes had passed since Hope left the room and she sent Serin away.

Six minutes of crying, trembling, yearning, pleading, persuading herself, wandering through her inner turmoil, surrounded by unanswerable questions, shedding tears of fear.

It hurt, it was difficult, and the unknown tormented her. But Sion endured.

Sion, the hero, knew better than anyone that pain wasn’t eternal.

She had always been the one to end pain, but now, she could only huddle under the covers, waiting for Hope’s return.

It had only been three hours.

Just three more hours… Believing that Hope would return after his work and end this pain, Sion endured, despite the hurt and hardship.