The Stillwater Medical Research Institute in Mountain Ridge was not as well-known as international or government hospitals. However, their contributions to medical research could not be overlooked when mentioning some of the major advances in global techniques.
This good reputation was the reason Seiji was willing to come back to Mountain Ridge and join the institute even though he was doing well elsewhere.
Even though it was a hospital, the focus was on the research of complex medical conditions. The work was more exciting for Seiji who felt that he had exhausted all the available medical knowledge in existence.
Joining the institute gave him an opportunity to expand his knowledge base and contribute more significantly, so he liked his job a lot.
Plus, he had a little more flexibility with regard to his time than in a regular hospital. When he had patients, he could focus on them for the whole period until each case came to an end. He did not need to take on countless patients.
The only requirements were the collection of a lot of medical data and the regular publishing of the results from the cases he took on.
"Good morning, Dr Yamazaki. You seem chipper today."
Seiji looked at his colleague with a smile. The man before him took a step back. He had never seen Seiji smiled so warmly, even to his superiors or his patients.
"Good morning, Dr Nomura," Seiji responded.
Dr Nomura was creeped out even more. Usually, Seiji grunted in response to his cheerful hellos. He wondered if he should call emergency services even though they were in a hospital.
"Have you been possessed? Should we call a priest?" He asked with a serious expression.
"If I was possessed, the spirit would have possession of my body. Do you think that is how you should handle such a situation, Dr Nomura?" Seiji asked.
"Maybe I was warning the spirit because it seems more pleasant than the normal you." The other doctor retorted. "So, why are you so happy?"
Seiji chuckled. "My sister is too cute. How can I not be happy?"
Dr Nomura looked at Seiji in surprise. The man did not talk about his family a lot, but he was sure he did not have a sister. However, it was better not to ask too much.
"Never mind that. Have you heard about the new doctor joining us? She is supposed to be super young and beautiful." He said excitedly.
Seiji had heard about the new doctor, but he did not respond directly. He was displeased because he could not boast a little about his perfect little sister a little more.
"What is it to you? Aren't you already married?" He asked.
Dr Nomura chuckled a little. "There's nothing wrong with taking a look. This lady is called Dr Nishimura. She is only twenty-two, but the management is talking about her as if she is some kind of immortal heavenly expert."
"You should become a paparazzi or a tabloid writer if you are that interested in gathering information." Seiji scoffed.
"Gathering information has become a second instinct. I was converted into a gossiper by my snarky patients. You would not believe how much gossip I hear about the Mountain Ridge elite. I could start a tabloid and make billions." Dr Nomura sighed.
Seiji looked at Dr Nomura with narrowed eyes. This fellow doctor was a cosmetic surgeon. His cases were not often complicated except when he was dealing with a dangerous, natural or accidental, deformity.
Furthermore, his contributions to the medical field were less contentious than other fields.
Cosmetic medical devices and techniques could be patented without public outrage. However, when a curative method or product was sold, everyone around the world would climb on a high horse and scold medical companies for profiting off disease and suffering.
Therefore, Dr Nomura was like a golden goose in the institute.
Unfortunately, he did not have the dignity and awareness of a precious doctor. His gossipy behaviour was particularly incurable.
Seiji thought of asking about the rumour mill because he was a little worried about the bad things being said about Akira. However, he reminded himself that it did not matter. His sister was happy.
"Let's go to the meeting," Seiji told Dr Nomura.
"Roger. We can get a little more information by seeing the real person in action." He responded with enthusiasm.
"Dr Nishimura is giving a lecture on her planned research into the brain stimulation of comatose patients. That should be your focus."
"You know, if you were more interested in things other than medical techniques, you would not be an old single dog. If you keep going like this, it might fall off from the lack of use." Dr Nomura laughed vulgarly while looking meaningfully at Seiji's crotch.
Seiji's face darkened at the crude implication.
"But don't worry. You have a friend in me. If it falls off, I will give you a discount on your treatment. I am currently working on enlargement options. Not only will I repair it for you, but I will also make sure that it is large enough to slay dragons." He added righteously and placed an arm around Seiji's shoulder as they walked into the auditorium.
Seiji pushed him away with disgust on his face. "Can't you talk properly?"
"I am talking properly. I am giving you an update on medical techniques." Dr Nomura laughed. "I was meaning to ask you if you could do a cardiovascular consult for me. Let's meet up later, okay?"
Seiji was not listening to him anymore. His eyes were drawn to the beautiful young woman at the podium. The woman had long hair held in a ponytail, and a pair of simple glasses were perched on her nose. Furthermore, she was wearing a white coat.
However, he could not be mistaken.
It was that crazy girl, Hina!