Chapter 3: The Lament of the Little Girl in the Rain
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Chi Feichi put the phone back in its place. Was this... suspicion that his parents had psychological disorders?
“Dr. Fukuyama, the hospitalization fees here aren’t cheap…”
“Is there really a history of mental hereditary illness?” Fukuyama Shimei’s expression grew serious as he advised, “If a problem is found, it needs timely treatment…”
“No, what I mean is,” Chi Feichi said in his usual calm tone, “please spare them. If the whole family gets admitted, who will pay the hospital bills?”
Fukuyama Shimei was momentarily taken aback but then softened, “Hospitalization isn’t always necessary. We can also try to solve things through communication. That might even help your recovery.”
“I’m not being sarcastic, but I’m a bit curious—is it an occupational hazard to see everyone as having issues?” Chi Feichi countered.
“Sort of,” Fukuyama Shimei thought for a moment, not denying it was an occupational hazard, then suddenly asked, “Mr. Chi, can you tell me the date tomorrow?”
Chi Feichi glanced at the calendar on the wall—it was August 21 today—“August 22.”
Fukuyama Shimei corrected him, “Tomorrow is August 11. It seems there’s still some problem with your time perception.”
Chi Feichi: “…”
He hesitated for 0.01 seconds between slamming the table or not... Well, Dr. Fukuyama’s occupational hazard might be a bit much, but he was still a very responsible and good doctor.
“Hmm... but no need to rush or avoid it,” Fukuyama Shimei said, jotting down notes while reassuring him, “Take it slow, it will get better.”
Chi Feichi: “…”
Expressionless × 2...
“All right,” Fukuyama Shimei finished his notes and looked up with a smile, “We’ll try again tomorrow.”
Chi Feichi wanted to say, “Take him away, give up, no cure,” but he guessed that once said, he would be inundated with a warm, comforting speech again. So he changed the subject, “I’d like to apply for an outing.”
“Is there something you need to do?”
“Go buy two books.”
“You want me to know the contents of the books, is that okay?”
“What time will you be back? I’ll help you register the outing.”
“Five in the afternoon.”
“The forecast says it will rain today. Remember to bring an umbrella.”
...
Outings require a confirmed return time and accompaniment.
This was the reality of Chi Feichi’s life in the psychiatric hospital.
Accompanying him was a young male doctor, Kitagawa Ando.
Very young, dressed neatly in a black suit, trying to look serious but instantly revealing his status as a rookie new to the hospital.
“Dr. Kitagawa, are you nervous?” Chi Feichi asked casually as he carried the chosen books to the cashier.
Kitagawa Ando immediately denied, “No.”
Chi Feichi silently labeled him a ‘rookie’—far less seasoned than Fukuyama Shimei, who could smile anytime.
“Don’t be nervous. I won’t attack anyone and I have always maintained my rationality.”
Kitagawa Ando secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then noticed the books Chi Feichi had selected.
On the left pile: Introduction to Psychology, Measurement of Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Psychological Measurement…
On the right pile: Murphy’s Law, Analysis of Human Destructiveness, Three Lectures on Theory, Studies on Hysteria, The Interpretation of Dreams, Contributions to the Theory of Sensory Perception, Crime and Personality, Lying…
Kitagawa Ando: “!”
Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
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What are you trying to do? What do you want!
“That’s all,” Chi Feichi had already paid, set aside two books, and wrote his address on a label, handing it to the clerk. “Pack the rest in a cardboard box and deliver it here. If no one’s home, just leave it with the uncle at the apartment reception.”
“All right!” The clerk took it with both hands. “We’ll have it delivered by around three this afternoon!”
Chi Feichi nodded and took only the two books he picked out as he left.
The Interpretation of Dreams and Introduction to Psychology.
Kitagawa Ando hurried to follow. “Ahem, Mr. Chi, why are you buying these kinds of books...”
“Is it forbidden to read such books?” Chi Feichi asked calmly.
“No, not exactly, but...” Kitagawa hesitated, “Well... I’m not sure either. I’ll have to ask Senior Fukuyama when we get back.”
Chi Feichi nodded and then focused on waiting for the green light at the intersection.
Kitagawa Ando felt tears welling up inside. Even though they were standing side by side, and he was wearing a more formal suit, while Chi Feichi was in casual clothes, somehow it felt like he was more of Chi Feichi’s little follower.
Could this be what they call “presence”?
It’s not scientific, absolutely not scientific. He was the doctor...
Suddenly, raindrops began to fall from the sky.
“Huh? It’s raining?” A passerby waiting at the light reached out to catch a raindrop.
The light turned green, and a couple behind them complained as they hurried past.
“I told you it would rain today, and you still didn’t bring an umbrella.”
“You didn’t bring one either.”
“Fortunately, Senior Fukuyama reminded me...” Kitagawa Ando said gratefully, rummaging in his handbag for two umbrellas. “Mr. Chi, since your bag is empty, I’ll hold your books for you.”
“Thanks for the trouble.” Chi Feichi withdrew his gaze from the sky, took the umbrella, and handed the books to Kitagawa Ando.
The rain grew heavier, and the already gloomy sky darkened further.
Pedestrians without umbrellas hurried by, heads down, stepping faster through the accumulating puddles.
As they walked along, the street grew emptier. Along the sidewalk, a small figure wrapped in an ill-fitting white coat lowered their head, leaning against the wall, stumbling barefoot and slowly walking.
Chi Feichi saw the figure and stopped.
Kitagawa Ando looked puzzled and followed his gaze, “That child...”
The next moment, the small figure was tripped by the hem of the white coat and fell into a puddle, with dirty water splashing onto already wet brown hair.
Chi Feichi sighed inwardly but still approached Ai Haibara.
Seeing the little girl fall in the rain looked truly heart-wrenching...
Ai Haibara struggled to stand, wiping rain from her face with her soaked sleeve. Just as she was about to keep going, she found her path blocked and looked up.
In the rain stood two tall, slender men holding black umbrellas directly in front of her.
One appeared more mature, dressed neatly in a black suit and white shirt, black hair cropped short, with a serious expression.
The other, who seemed to hold the dominant position, was younger-looking, also dressed entirely in black.
His black windbreaker zipped up high, the loose collar shielding part of his face. His short black hair fell softly, and his pale purple eyes looked calmly and indifferently down at her.
Could they be from the organization?
Had she... been discovered?
Ai Haibara’s face turned pale, frozen in place, staring wide-eyed at Chi Feichi with panic and vigilance.
Chi Feichi noticed Ai’s unease, glanced down at his own clothes, then looked at Kitagawa Ando. Today’s outing was indeed interesting—both of them dressed all in black, crouching down and looking straight at Ai Haibara.
“Where are you going? I’ll take you,” he said.
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Ai Haibara: “...”
Vigilantly staring.
That calm tone, that cold gaze... He might sincerely be asking where she’s going, but offering to “take” her there was probably mocking her plight.
Kitagawa Ando, acting tough beside him, softened his expression a bit, cleared his throat, and smiled, “Mr. Chi, I think you scared her. You should smile at kids instead of always keeping a serious face.”
Ai Haibara: “...”
Still watching vigilantly.
These two guys... are they deliberately mocking her?
“Oh... really?” Chi Feichi said noncommittally. He could guess that aside from Shinichi Kudo, who shared the same experience of shrinking and had enmity with the organization, Ai Haibara trusted no one.
Not to mention their all-black attire, which obviously triggered her nerves during such a sensitive time...
Ai Haibara could no longer endure it. Since she was going to die sooner or later, why accept their mockery? She took a deep breath. Though weak, her voice was filled with coldness.
“Enough with the mockery. Just carry out your mission. You...”
The one singled out by her gaze was Chi Feichi: “...”
“You’re not just an outsider, right?” Ai Haibara looked at Chi Feichi. Though she couldn’t read minds, she vaguely sensed a threat from him. Coupled with his indifferent eyes and temperament, he was unlikely to be a mere peripheral member of the organization.
He must be... a codename member? Who?
“But it doesn’t matter anymore,” Ai Haibara’s expression calmed. “Just get on with it.”
Kitagawa Ando was baffled. “Uh, little sister, what are you talking about? Wait! Mr. Chi, you…”
Chi Feichi had already picked Ai Haibara up, holding the umbrella in one hand and her in the other. “She told me to act.”
“No, but...” Kitagawa Ando was at a loss for words.
You act when she tells you to?
“Have you noticed? Her physical condition is off,” Chi Feichi said, feeling her forehead. “She’s got a slight fever. It’s better to take her to the hospital.”
Kitagawa Ando became serious, pulling out his phone to look up nearby hospitals. “Let me check where the closest hospital is... Little sister, where’s your home? Do you remember your parents’ phone numbers?”
Ai Haibara was stunned. Maybe she had misjudged these two?
But the organization might be searching nearby; she had to stay away from here...
“No, no!” Ai Haibara’s right hand gripped Chi Feichi’s sleeve tightly, looking up at him with a terrifying seriousness. “I can’t go to the hospital!”
Chi Feichi understood—probably not far from the place she escaped from. “Then how about my place?”
“No!”
“No!”
Ai Haibara and Kitagawa Ando spoke in unison.
Ai Haibara fell silent. She couldn’t drag others into trouble.
Kitagawa Ando earnestly advised, “Mr. Chi, your outing time is only until five this afternoon. There’s just over an hour left. You must return. It’s better to take her to the hospital. Also, you should try contacting her family—they’ll worry if they find her missing. Little sister, do you remember your home contact info? Uh, little sister?”
Chi Feichi held the now unconscious Ai Haibara: “She’s already passed out.”
Kitagawa Ando: “...”
Was he being too wordy?