CH 47

“… What the h**l is this all about?”

—After completing the physical examination.

When we next came to the playground attached to the hospital to have my motor skills tested, Kashiwagi-san raised an eyebrow.

There, many athletic and muscular Americans were stretching carefully.

I asked.

“Kashiwagi-san, what’s going on?”

“This playground is supposed to be reserved for today, but there are a lot of people who I don’t even know. Who’s in charge, huh… Ah, it’s him.”

As Kashiwagi-san walked noisily to express her displeasure, she spoke in English to a mature American man in a coach-like jersey.

“Hey, we’re supposed to have the place to ourselves today. This is not a park, get out of here immediately.”

Kashiwagi-san’s strong words attracted a lot of attention from the people around him, who were thought to be players.

When the coach-like man confirms that Kashiwagi-san and I are the only two in the room, he responds to Kashiwagi-san with a friendly smile.

“We are the short-distance runners of the World Championships. Actually, we had to rent this playground for training on short notice because we couldn’t use the playground we were supposed to use—”

“I don’t know, we booked it first. I don’t know if the clerk allowed it on his own, but you’ve to leave now.”

Kashiwagi-san conveys her message without any hesitation.

Then one of the bossy athletes intervened.

“We’re the national team of the United States of America. Don’t you understand the gravity of the situation?”

“That’s important to me, too. I have to take exercise data from the patient for follow-up.”

Hearing Kashiwagi-san’s story, the players chuckled a bit.

Again, this time someone who appears to be another player speaks up on his own.

“Give me a break, this is too important a time for final adjustments. The opening ceremony of the World Championships is tomorrow. Even you know that, don’t you? You should be honored that we’re using this place, okay?”

“I won’t obey an order, even if it’s a presidential order. I booked this place ahead of time, you have to follow the rules. Or, if you want to negotiate, bring a nuclear switch.”

Although surrounded by strong men, Kashiwagi-san does not change her demeanor in any way.

I was on edge and stood right behind Kashiwagi-san so that I could protect her in case something happened.

While controlling the players’ arrogant attitude, the man who appeared to be the coach made a suggestion to Kashiwagi-san.

“Okay, then you can use part of the playground. It’s just one patient, right? Then you wouldn’t be using that much space.”

Kashiwagi-san turned blue with anger at the remark.

“You can use it, you say? Why are you in a position to give permission? And I’m not giving you permission. I’ll say it again, this ground is reserved for me and my patient today.”

I whispered secretly to Kashiwagi-san, drenched in cold sweat, as the mood was about to turn explosive.

“Hey, Kashiwagi-san! Isn’t it good? ‘m sure we can use the playground… together.”

“No. Who says if you are in a great position, are you allowed to break the rules? Above all, I don’t like the attitude of trying to gain an advantage by the number of people or the size of their bodies, and they are taking advantage of the fact that I’m a woman. Besides—”

Kashiwagi-san switches the language to English and speaks to the coaches and players.

“I was saying this for you guys… but now that it’s come to this, fine. I’m fed up with your attitude, too.”

Crossing her arms Kashiwagi-san smiled wryly.

“Just as well. Let’s settle this with a short race. If Yamamoto wins, he gets to use this whole playground.”

After a moment of silence at Kashiwagi-san’s comment, all the players started laughing out loud.