Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 152

Chapter 152: Ch 152: No one’s fault
[Hello! Who is calling this number? If this is a prank call, then I will track you down before I kill you. Oi! Could you speak up?

The old lady’s voice cracked two times when she yelled at the phone.

Hearing her speak, no one would have guessed she was a doctor, much less trusted her to handle a case delicate case dealing with mental health.

Even Rika felt awkward hearing that harsh tone and did not know how to bring up what happened.

“Doctor Kureha, this is Rika speaking. There is a situation and-”

Rika’s voice was dry and cracked as well. She did not sound like herself, which likely caused the old doctor not to recognise who she was.

“Who? Sorry, lass, but I don’t know you based on your voice. I’m busy, so that I will turn the phone down now. You can try contacting my staff if you need medical help.”

The old lady was incredibly stiff and wanted to use her time effectively. Rika knew what she had to say but did not want to say it to others.

Finally, the medical staff could no longer wait, and the young beta doctor helping Rika out decided to interfere.

He reached out and grabbed Rika’s phone from her light grip and decided to continue the conversation that Rika had all but abandoned.

“Excuse me, Doctor Kureha, I am a medic from XXX hospital. Miss Rika told me that you were the doctor. She is currently in shock, and we would like you to come in if possible. Otherwise, can you send us her files so that one of our doctors can take over her case?”

The medic was professional the whole time he spoke. He was polite and had a calming aura.

Rika’s phone was on loud-speaker, and everyone could hear the old lady on the other side speak.

“Rika…hmmm, Ah, now I remember. Sorry, lad, but which hospital did you say you were at? I will come to pick her up. I cannot allow an outsider to handle Rika’s case. Some people would be ‘very’ unhappy if that happened.”

The doctor did not say it out loud, but she did imply that it would be better for the medics of XXX hospital to try and avoid Rika’s case.

The young beta looked hesitant, especially once he noticed Dr. Kureha’s non-serious attitude and the lack of a professional attitude from her side.

However, as a doctor, he knew how delicate some cases could be for the patient, and he respected Rika’s privacy.

“I see. Then, we will…wait for you to help us. Is there anything you want us to keep prepared for your visit? Any medicine you want us to keep in stock?”

The young beta doctor asked Lady Kureha, but she quickly declined.

As much as this felt like a gesture of goodwill, it would have given the others too much information about Rika’s condition if Dr. Kureha had asked for any specific medicine.

So, she refrained from speaking about it much.

“You both, please come with me. I will take you to the hospital as well. Is there anyone else we can contact for your friend? Maybe her family or significant other who could care for her?”

The doctor asked again, but the Dorm Lady quickly shook her head.

“Charon does not have a good relationship with her family. I am currently acting as her guardian and will complete her paperwork.”

Rika blinked at this new piece of information she had not had before.

She knew that Charon liked to stay in the dorms and not talk about her home much, but she did not realise that the situation was that bad for Charon back home.

‘Why did I expect Charon to tell me about her home life? It’s not like I ever opened up to her either, so isn’t it an equal thing between us? I should not be feeling as disappointed as I do!’

Rika quickly snapped herself out of her thoughts and focused on the people around her.

She also realised that she was being taken someplace (Likely the hospital) without being aware of it.

The dorm lady wanted to come along as well. But she needed to lock the dorm before she could follow everyone else out.

“You all go ahead. I will follow you later. I also need to find someone who will take Shuu in for some time while we deal with this situation. I don’t think the hospital would allow a dog in there.”

As soon as she heard those words, Rika felt a surge of panic. She held the now quiet puppy in her arms and did not want to let go.

But the dorm lady held her arms out for Rika to hand over her puppy.

“Ah, it’s okay. You can bring the puppy with you if it helps your mental health. Our hospital is animal-friendly. I don’t think separating the puppy from the young lady’s side is a good idea.”

The medic likely noticed how close Rika was to falling and giving up on the situation. So, he quickly tried to interfere before more damage could be inflicted on Rika’s psyche.

Rika was thankful for the emotional support and followed the doctor on another hospital trip.

However, for the first time in a while, it was not for Rika, who was sick (not the main culprit of the trip).

It felt familiar but hollow at the same time. It was the same feeling Rika got every time she had to accompany Suzie to the hospital – hopelessness and agitation.

“Don’t scratch yourself, or you will start bleeding. I understand you feel annoyed, but this is not the time to hurt yourself like this.”

Fey noticed what Rika was doing, so she reached out to grab her wrist and put it down.

The disapproving look she gave Rika also felt familiar, making the tension spike.

Rika noticed that the young doctor wanted to say something. But she pretended she did not see his look and quickly turned away.