Chapter 33: He Is Fine
Chapter 33: He Is Fine
Kiro and I went downstairs to the living room. His doctor was there talking to Madam. I wondered why they were having a conversation in the living room, even though Joday might find out. She doesn't know yet about Kiro’s condition. As we approached, the doctor turned to us and greeted Kiro with a smile. "Kiro!" The doctor greeted him with a handshake. Miss Linda sat on one of the elegant sofas, and I hesitated for a moment before deciding to sit beside her. The atmosphere felt tense, and I wondered if my presence added to it. With a soft voice, I whispered a question to her, "Where is Joday, Miss?" Her eyes remained fixed on a distant point, and she replied without looking at me, "She's in the maid's quarters. I told her not to come out for now, so I hope she won't." I sensed her uneasiness, and it made me wonder what could be causing her to act this way. Was it because of what she saw earlier, Kiro and me standing so close? Or was there something else on her mind that she was trying to hide? Trying to ease the tension, I asked about Kiro's health, "I'm glad to hear that Kiro's condition has improved, Miss Linda. The doctor seemed optimistic about his recovery." She nodded in agreement, but her gaze remained distant, as if she was preoccupied with other thoughts. The doctor's announcement filled the room with a sense of relief and joy. "Congratulations, man! You're already cured! You're fine, HAHA!" His cheerful words echoed, and everyone couldn't help but burst into applause. Madam and Miss Linda's faces lit up with wide smiles, and even I couldn't contain my surprise and happiness, a smile spreading across my face. I watched as Kiro's expression transformed from uncertainty to happiness. It was a moment of triumph, a victory against whatever had been ailing him. The weight of worry that had been lingering in the air seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and optimism. Curious about his treatment, I listened intently as the doctor explained, "The antidepressants, naltrexone, and mood stabilizer had an effect on you." It was a relief to hear that the combination of medications had worked in improving his condition. Knowing that Kiro was on the path to recovery filled my heart with gratitude.
"But the biggest factor that contributed to your overall improvement is the self-help groups. You became more interactive with people... I heard a girl went into your room sometimes when we thought your condition was getting worse, but it turns out you didn't do anything to her," the doctor said, glancing at me. He smiled kindly at me. "I guess you became good friends with her?" The doctor's question piqued my curiosity, and I watched Kiro closely, waiting for his response. Kiro nodded with a smile, confirming our friendship. I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth, knowing that our bond was acknowledged. As the doctor continued to discuss Kiro's progress, I couldn't shake off the unease I felt because Lady Linda was sitting right next to me. She had witnessed that compromising position between Kiro and me earlier, and I couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed by it. Why did Kiro choose to corner me against the wall instead of approaching me normally? I couldn't help but wonder if it meant something more or if it was just a playful tease. Trying to shake off those thoughts, I refocused my attention on the conversation. The doctor's explanation provided some clarity, and I listened intently. "You see... You got comfortable with people, and it helped with your compulsive sexual behavior," the doctor explained. "I am so proud of you, man! You're cured!" As the doctor's words resonated in the room, a wave of joy swept through us. The doctor's voice exuded genuine happiness and admiration for Kiro's progress. With a wide smile, he stood up and approached Kiro, extending his arms for a heartfelt hug—a doctor celebrating his patient's triumph. Kiro's face lit up with a mix of relief as he embraced the doctor. The hug symbolized not just a professional accomplishment but also a deeply personal victory for Kiro. He had battled his demons. "Thank you, Doc," Kiro replied gratefully. "Omy! Thank you!" "Good heavens! Thank you, Lord!" "Thank you for the good news about my son's condition, Doctor," Madam said. "But... There are certain situations or past events you must avoid to prevent your disease from getting triggered, man," the doctor warned, and Kiro listened carefully to the doctor's warnings and
nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the importance of avoiding certain triggers to maintain his progress. As the doctor left, Kiro took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and newfound hope. He turned to me and smiled, silently expressing his gratitude for being there with him throughout his journey to recovery. When our eyes met, I smiled at Kiro, praising him for his progress. But my smile faded when I noticed a trace of sadness in his eyes despite him smiling. What was he thinking? He walked away towards the garden, and I followed him quietly. He stood there, deep in thought, facing the plants. I joined him in the garden, the soft rustling of leaves providing a soothing backdrop. Kiro's face was a mixture of emotions as he gazed at the greenery before us. I respected his silence, allowing him the space to process everything that had transpired. The warm afternoon sun bathed us in its golden glow, creating a comforting atmosphere. I could tell that Kiro was contemplating the doctor's words, the weight of his past struggles evident in his eyes. With a gentle smile, I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, letting him know that I was there to support him through whatever he was going through. His eyes met mine, filled with gratitude for my presence. "You're already cured," I stated. "Hmmmm…." "But why do you look like that? Aren't you happy with what the doctor said?" I asked him, turning to face him. Kiro let out a small sigh, his expression a mix of emotions. "I am happy, Lyka, really. It's just that... I can't shake off the feeling that there's something more to this…. and" I furrowed my brows in confusion, trying to understand what he meant. "More? What do you mean, Kiro?" He leaned against a tree, looking into the distance as if searching for the right words. "It's just that...being cured is great, but I can't ignore the fact that certain situations or past events might trigger my illness again. I don't want to fall back into that darkness, you know?" His vulnerability tugged at my heart. "Kiro, it's okay to feel worried, especially after what you'veContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
been through. But you're not alone in this journey… you have Madam, Miss Linda….and me.” I tried to comfort him. He sighed. "Who wouldn't be glad if they were cured of a condition, Lyka?" he asked. I gasped and nodded. I guess he was bringing up the same topic again. "But why aren't you smiling... when... you're happy? You should smile," I asked. "Not everyone who smiles is truly happy. Not everyone who cries is necessarily sad," he explained, looking at me with deep meaning behind his words. It was profound, and it made me feel like I was drowning without knowing how to swim. I just nodded, trying to hide my frustration at his answer. I didn't understand what he meant, or perhaps I was hoping for a different response from him. He sighed. "I mean, Lyka... I am happy, genuinely happy right now despite the doctor’s warning. But I just can't be happy knowing that I am cured while carrying the burden of the memories of what I did to those women... It makes me sad. The damage has been done," he swore, shocking me as I had never heard him swear before. I turned to him with a heavy heart, trying to find the right words to console him. "I-I'll say it again... It's not your fault—" "Nope, it's my fault. Blame it all on me—" "That's because of the condition you—" I tried to interrupt him, but he cut me off. "Nah. It's my fault, Lyka... I molested them... or worse, raped them... It's my fault! It's my condition's fault! It's my own fault! It's really my fault!" "It's my fault that I trusted and loved her..." his voice weakened. I wanted to reassure him that he shouldn't blame himself, but before I could speak, he whispered again. "It's my fault that I trusted and loved her..." despite not knowing the context of his words, I was left speechless, and Kiro noticed, turning to look at me. His eyes widened as he realized. For some unknown reason, I looked away. Her? Who could it be? Was there a girl, lady, or woman who might be the reason for his despair? "L-Lyka..." He said my name hesitantly, and I turned to face him, wondering what he wanted to say.
"Hmmm?" I replied with curiosity. I wanted to know more, to understand what he meant by ‘her’ and what had happened in his past. But I hesitated, feeling the weight of my position as a mere housekeeper in this opulent mansion. Who was I to ask about his personal life, right? In my mind, there were countless questions, and ‘her’ remained a mystery. I wondered if she was someone from his past or perhaps someone he cared deeply about. But I held back, biting my lip, not daring to pry into his private affairs. I want to know every detail that made him who he was. But my mind told me to remain silent, to respect his privacy, and not to overstep the boundaries of our positions. So, I kept my questions to myself, locking them away in the depths of my mind. I suddenly lost my appetite. Why am I feeling like this? "N-nothing," he said, and we fell into silence again. We both stood there, facing the plants, with no one making an effort to break the silence. I was about to start a conversation again, but then it started to rain. The raindrops were light, but I was surprised when Kiro held out his hands and approached me. He placed his hands on my head. "Huh? What's that for?" I asked him, puzzled. I didn't know why he did that, but it felt special, like a connection was forming beyond words. "Just don't ask, Lyka... Come on, it's raining," he ordered, and we quickly started walking. As we walked together in the rain, I couldn't help but notice Miss Linda and Madam looking at us from the mansion. Their gazes seemed full of curiosity and surprise. I wondered what they were thinking, observing us in the rain like this. Was it strange to see their housekeeper and Kiro together at such a moment? Did they suspect something more between us?