Chapter 168:

Chapter 168:

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In response to Tadano's question, the headmaster awkwardly asked with a puzzled tone.

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"Why did you go on a trip? What does that mean?"

"No, well... I remember going on a trip, but I can't recall why. I met someone during the trip, but I can't remember who. I met you before the trip, but... why did I go on a trip?"

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The headmaster looked at Tadano with a perplexed, yet serious expression. Then he spoke in a thoughtful tone.

"Tadano-kun? What's the matter?"

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"Oh, no. Nothing's wrong. It's just that, well, why did I go on that trip? The reason doesn't come to mind. It was because my parents passed away, and I told you I would drop out."

"Did that not come to mind either?"

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At the headmaster's question, Tadano took a short breath. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

"...Yes, that's right. I said I would drop out... I said I wanted a break and would go on a trip. So, the headmaster offered to accompany me. Haha. I remember. I'm sorry for saying something strange out of the blue. Haha..."

——

Despite his confident smile and saying he remembered, Tadano's voice carried a slight awkwardness. However, the headmaster did not overlook this subtle discomfort.

From the beginning, Tadano's words were incorrect.

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The headmaster asked Tadano in a serious tone.

"Tadano-kun."

"...?"

"Do you really remember?"

——

At the headmaster's question, Tadano hesitated again. His calm breath began to tremble, and along with it, his pupils and fingertips shook slightly.

After a brief silence, Tadano spoke with a voice filled with uncertainty.

"...I don't remember well."

"After my parents passed away... Meeting you here... I remember that, but after that, I don't remember well..."

——

Even as he spoke, Tadano continued to make an effort to grasp something vaguely remembered. However, the smoky memories seemed to disperse as if teasing Tadano when he tried to catch them.

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"Why can't I remember? A regular... shop... Who was that woman? What was her name? Certainly, it started with ‘Yo,' didn't it? Was it Yona? Yoki? No, it wasn't such a name. Did it even start with ‘Yo'? Why did I go on a trip? It was something important... Or was it important?"

——

He felt as if his stomach were filled with stones, a suffocating sensation. Suddenly overwhelmed, Tadano clenched his fist and pressed it hard against his stomach. Cold sweat broke out.

Observing Tadano intently, the headmaster didn't seem to be merely assessing Tadano's condition. Instead, it appeared he was contemplating what assistance Tadano might need at this moment.

After watching Tadano for a while, just as he seemed about to make a call somewhere, Tadano abruptly stood up.

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"Headmaster, I've returned the money, so I'll take my leave now. I'll contact you later. Uh, I'm feeling a bit tired, that's all. Excuse me."

"No, wait. Let me contact a doctor who might help you-."

"It's okay. I'm really fine. It's just that I feel a bit exhausted. I'll take my leave then."

"Wait, Tadano-kun! Just a moment-!"

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Avoiding the headmaster's urgent plea, Tadano hastily left the headmaster's office. Then, like fleeing, he rushed outside the building, taking deep breaths.

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"...What's going on?"

——

Everything else seemed normal, but there were gradually parts where he couldn't remember.

Woeful... oppressive.

He took calm deep breaths and reflected on his memories.

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"I clearly... came to drop out after my parents' funeral. And... talked to the headmaster about it. Then... I went on a trip and met a girl... somewhere."

——

He couldn't recall the conversation with the headmaster or the girl he met during the trip. No matter how hard he tried to remember, only vague scenes surfaced, like waking up right after a dream.

If it were something unimportant, he would have ignored it and moved on. However, Tadano felt an odd concern that the part he couldn't remember was significant.

But he couldn't remember why it was important.

Then.

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"Tadano Kenji, please enter examination room 1."

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Upon hearing the receptionist's words, Tadano quickly walked into the examination room. Inside, there was a middle-aged doctor with a friendly smile.

The doctor gestured for Tadano to take a seat.

"Please, have a seat."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Tadano, what brings you in today? What seems to be bothering you?"

The same question Tadano heard from the receptionist on the first floor. Although it might sound strange to say that he couldn't remember, Tadano decided to speak directly this time.

"Today, my memory is suddenly not working well."

"Memory? You mean you can't remember things that happened today?"

The doctor, who had been smiling kindly, suddenly lost that smile. Tadano's worry deepened as the doctor's reaction differed greatly from the receptionist's on the first floor.

"Yes. Suddenly, my memories have become unclear."

"Your memories are unclear?"

The doctor looked puzzled at Tadano's words. It didn't seem like he doubted Tadano's words.

"Um... yes. Suddenly, I can't remember certain things, especially those related to a person."

At Tadano's words, the doctor's face showed a perplexed expression. Touching his chin with his fingers, he spoke with a solemn voice.

"Suddenly not remembering things related to a person... that's not a common symptom. I can't think of any cases off the top of my head."

"Yes..."

"Have you consumed excessive alcohol or something similar?"

"I haven't drunk to the extent of excessive drinking."

"Hmm... Besides not remembering, do you have any other symptoms?"

"Well, not really. I've had frequent headaches, especially at night or in the morning."

The doctor continued his series of questions, asking about recent significant events, whether Tadano completely forgot certain things, when the headache started, and how it manifested.

After more than twenty minutes of questioning, the doctor, with his forefinger resting on his chin, spoke in a serious tone.

"Based on what you've told me, it's difficult for me to pinpoint exactly what disease or symptom this is. We might need to take some pictures."

"Pictures?"

"Yes, an MRI."

"I don't know what that is, but can it accurately diagnose my symptoms?"

"To be honest, I can't guarantee that. It's the best option we have."

The doctor's words were the typical response in such situations. Although frustrating as a patient, Tadano couldn't complain to the doctor.

As Tadano nodded in understanding, the doctor cautiously continued.

"However, the cost is quite high. The MRI machine is relatively expensive since it's a newly introduced device in the country."

"Money is not an issue."

"If you say so... Alright."

Once the decision was made, Tadano changed into a patient gown and underwent the MRI. The scene of the MRI itself wasn't significant, quickly transitioning like fast-forwarding through a video.

Four days after the MRI.

Tadano returned to the hospital. Throughout the past few days, he struggled to recall that woman's face, but instead, his memories became even more blurred.

Despite reassuring himself that it was probably nothing significant, Tadano couldn't find solace.

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"Tadano Kenji, please go into examination room 1."

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With the receptionist's words, Tadano entered the examination room. It looked the same as when he came four days ago.

However, the only thing that had changed was the expression on the doctor's face as he looked at Tadano.

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"Mr. Tadano, please take a seat for now."

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The serious tone of the doctor seemed to imply that there was much to discuss.

Feeling an unexplainable sense of pressure in the doctor's voice, Tadano awkwardly took a seat. Just as he was about to ask, "Is there any problem?"

The doctor, perhaps showing films resembling brain images, spoke.

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"Why did you come to the hospital so late?"

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