Tokyo: Let the wicked women pay the price!

In late December, the sky over Tokyo is as gray as if it were sealed with lead.

But today is a clear blue sky.

Outside the special medical examination hall of the Neurology and Psychiatry Physicians Association, withered ginkgo branches trembled nervously in the strong wind.

Saki tightened her cashmere coat and buried half her face in her thick scarf.

She could feel the chill seeping into her thick black stockings through the gaps in her boots.

She took the day off today and stood in the cold wind at the entrance of the examination hall.

At this crucial time when Fujino's future professional title is to be decided, she simply cannot sit in the warm hospital office waiting for news.

She looked at the cold and dilapidated examination hall.

This was decorated by a junior high school, and there was something written on the swing that said "Ichikyu's confession to a junior high school student."

The plaster on the walls had peeled off considerably due to years of neglect.

Saki touched the somewhat withered ginkgo tree, feeling extremely anxious.

She knew very well that she was even more anxious than Fujino.

Although she knew better than anyone that Fujino was good enough to pass the exam.

But this feeling is something that reason cannot control.

After all, this was a real step for Fujino towards the core of the medical department, and she felt both happy and nervous for Fujino.

......

In the afternoon, the examination hall doors opened.

Just like the college entrance examination, crowds poured out, some laughing and some wailing.

However, most of the test takers had a pale face that showed both relief and lingering fear.

They were all medical students, mostly in their early twenties and working in medical institutions; they were seasoned veterans.

But even now, many people who haven't left already know they're out of the game.

Like walking among a crowd, like a zombie, Nakamura Shuhei.

His face looked worse than the usual leaden gray of the winter sky; he was emaciated, his eyes were bloodshot, and he walked with a staggering gait.

Saki didn't spare much attention for this colleague.

She looked intently at the doctor behind her, who was clearly more at ease.

Fujino walked in front of Nakamura, his expression calm.

He had already secured victory; this trip was merely to reap the rewards of his triumph.

Not to mention the psychiatry content, even the neurology exam questions were handled flawlessly with Professor Muto's help.

"Fujino-kun... trigeminal nerve... the question about blood vessel compression..." He heard Nakamura's voice behind him and sighed.

Sometimes, even if you're told the scope, you still won't be able to review it.

People like Nakamura had already told the other party that trigeminal neuralgia might be a problem.

This wasn't an attempt to win people over; it was merely a well-intentioned reminder out of camaraderie among colleagues.

Why don't you focus on the structure of the trigeminal nerve? And its complications?

Isn't this a typical anatomical structure and complication?

"Nakamura-kun... this isn't the most basic one..."

His voice was a little hoarse, and he stopped speaking halfway through.

That was a slightly sarcastic remark.

This doesn't fit the persona.

"I looked at it... but I thought it would just be a test on anatomical pathways." Nakamura's lips twitched, his voice trembling slightly. "Who would have thought he'd test on the pathological mechanisms of microvascular decompression? That's not even a typical topic in psychiatry!"

Fujino didn't say anything, but simply patted Nakamura on the shoulder.

But both sides knew that a sad, thick barrier already separated them.

That's between specialized medicine and vocational medicine—

Thick barrier.

"Fujino-kun!"

Saki came up to him like a light bird and naturally took Fujino's arm.

She didn't ask "How did you do on the exam?" because in her mind, the name Fujino was synonymous with "perfect score".

She pressed her red, frostbitten cheeks affectionately against Fujino's shoulder, exhaling a puff of white breath, "You've worked hard..."

She then turned her head and saw Nakamura Shuhei, whose face looked grim: "Oh... Nakamura-kun is here too. How did the exam go?"

Fujino gently patted her on the head.

She then realized that she might have said something wrong, and Nakamura Shuhei's expression turned even more unpleasant.

Just as Saki was about to smooth things over.

Fujino answered the phone.

"Shh—I'm taking this call, it's Professor Kasai."

"Hey, Professor, please go ahead. Oh! Nakamura-kun is right next to me... Wait a minute? No problem! I'll tell him."

"Is it the same ryotei? No problem, let's go straight there."

He smiled at Nakamura after hanging up the phone: "The professor is treating, let's go."

Shuhei Nakamura pursed his lips.

What?

Is this a victory celebration banquet?

Then what am I?

Why not just send someone like Fujino, the winner?

Did I go there just to cause trouble for everyone?

Maybe we should just forget about it.

He hesitated, speaking haltingly:

"I... or I..."

Fujino interrupted his refusal: "The professor is treating, aren't you going to give him face?"

"Let's go."

Watching Saki follow Fujino and the two of them stand by the roadside hailing a taxi, Nakamura felt a pang of emotion.

It's normal for him to feel unbalanced.

People have this feeling when they see a genius.

But now, he feels a little relieved.

Fujino helped himself draw the key points.

It was my own fault for not being able to control it.

Those who frequently take exams know that leaked exam questions are like being given a map, but if you don't have the physical ability to cross the wilderness, that map is nothing but a piece of waste paper.

He was just a weakling holding onto a piece of waste paper, destined to be trapped and die in the desert.

......

"Hazy moonlit night"

It's still this upscale restaurant.

When Fujino and his two companions arrived, the professor and the others were already seated in the private room.

Professor Kasai sat in the main seat, smiling warmly, and kept inviting Fujino and Nakamura to sit on either side of him.

Inside the clinic, Assistant Professor Kobe, Specialist Takanashi, and numerous trainees and nurses sat in their respective seats, all looking cheerful.

Nakamura looked at the assistant professor, but in his heart he thought that this was probably the last time he would have the chance to sit at the head of the table next to the assistant professor in Kobe.

He devoured the expensive kaiseki cuisine, yet it tasted like nothing at all. His mournful expression seemed out of place with the atmosphere around him.

Whenever someone stood up to toast Fujino, Nakamura would instinctively shrink his neck, as if the sound of those clinking glasses was a lament for his career.

"Congratulations on the birth of the youngest specialist at the University of Tokyo Medical School!" Assistant Professor Kobe stood up, lowered his glass slightly, and clinked it with Fujino's.

"Speaking of which, Fujino-kun has also helped me with my questions, so he can be considered to have superb medical skills."

His laughter was hearty, showing no sign of displeasure at being overshadowed by Fujino.

Nakamura thought to himself, wondering if Assistant Professor Kobe was genuinely confused or just pretending...

Fujino sat gracefully beside Professor Kasai, raising his glass with elegance and poise.

He responded to each compliment with nonchalant ease.

However, faced with the teasing of his superior, Assistant Professor Kobe, he dared not remain seated and stood up to bow to the assistant professor.

Professor Kasai squinted at everything, extremely satisfied.

He lowered his voice and said to Nakamura, "Not doing well on the exam isn't necessarily the end."

"Look ahead."

Nakamura turned around following the sound.

Professor Kasai maintained his warm smile as he looked at everyone, only glancing at himself every now and then.

Yes.

You shouldn't harbor any resentment or bitterness.

These are all things beyond my control.

Fujino took in all of this.

He had originally planned that if Nakamura continued to be oblivious to his own limitations, he would teach him a lesson.

But if we stop bothering him, he's just a junior doctor under my command, so there's no need to target him.

Suddenly, his phone rang again.

That was a number without caller ID.

Ring ring—