But Hayato did not immediately give her an answer. Instead, he said, "I have something to say to Mr. Kiichiro," and then invited both the doctor and Hayato out of the room.
Hayato was already old enough to be sensible and knew what was most important.
So she walked with light steps to Madam Tsubaki Miyajima's ward, where she had been before, and bought dinner on the way back... It was indeed around dinner time.
After Miyajima Kiichiro regained consciousness, the first person he saw was Hayato.
He was indeed a master of martial arts, with a clear understanding of his own physical condition.
So Miyajima Kiichiro's first question was,
"Old man, how long have I been unconscious?"
At least it wouldn't be a matter of a few hours...
"Ning Hao. It is now 3:22 AD, and I am an artificial intelligence..." Hayato said in an electronic voice.
Miyajima Kiichiro looked at him blankly.
"I forgot that you, old man, don't know what 'artificial intelligence' is..." Hayato uninterestingly reverted to his original voice.
"...You." Miyajima Kiichiro wanted to retort but couldn't find the words... Because he, who didn't even understand the internet well, naturally didn't know what AI was, but he stubbornly said, "...This has absolutely nothing to do with my question. Don't be absurd."
Hayato held up three fingers:
"Three days."
"...Wh-!" Miyajima Kiichiro was startled, and he immediately tried to sit up... Although he had been in a coma for three days, the continuous sleep had allowed his body to recover remarkably well. The places that should have been painful now had extremely slight pain. He threw off the covers.
"I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush yet," Hayato said.
"But Tsubaki..." Miyajima Kiichiro was very worried. Too much could have happened in three days. Perhaps Tsubaki had already been targeted by that newborn Snake Mound George.
"She's fine," Hayato said with a faint smile.
He stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at Miyajima Kiichiro with a superior posture: "Old man, do you want to know what happened?"
Miyajima Kiichiro's eyes narrowed. He seemed to discern the serious tone hidden within the young man's playful words. He paused, and after throwing off the covers, he ultimately did not get out of bed.
"What?"
"I can tell you, but you must understand... if you know, you won't be able to stay out of it," Hayato said. "I'm warning you, this is a quagmire. You must think it over carefully. If you feel scared halfway through, you can tell me to stop, and I won't blame you..."
Miyajima Kiichiro frowned. He was very familiar with this kind of warning. The young man's tone now was just like when he spoke to the young man in Chapter 233,
"Did you do it on purpose or by accident?"
Speaking to him in the same tone, in a somewhat lecturing manner.
"Deliberately by accident," Hayato said.
"Heh."
Miyajima Kiichiro pouted. Although he didn't yet know what had happened, he was still willing to trust the young man's character. Since he said Tsubaki was fine and could joke with him so calmly, it proved that Sakura should also be safe... There was no need to worry for now. Miyajima Kiichiro then responded with a cold laugh to the young man's provocation,
"I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice... Don't worry, I received professional training when I was young, so I won't be afraid."
Trying to scare him?
Who did this kid think he was? Miyajima Kiichiro was not famous for nothing.
"Alright, first, some good news." Hayato said with a smile, "Snake Mound George is dead."
Miyajima Kiichiro's deliberately put-on, leisurely expression, which he was feigning for Hayato, instantly crumbled under the young man's words and radiant smile.
"...Pfft! W-what did you say!?"
"Snake Mound George is dead." Hayato repeated, "The Snake Mound George that you couldn't deal with and were scared to death of, is dead."
"I didn't..."
Miyajima Kiichiro wanted to forcefully say, "I wasn't afraid," but saying such words... not to mention the young man, even he himself didn't believe it.
Miyajima Kiichiro hesitated for a moment, looking at Hayato, who had just spoken those words, with a very complex expression.
"...You,"
He was about to ask, "Did you do it?" but after a brief thought, he stopped himself: "...Never mind, you don't need to tell this old man about such things."
He knew it would be useless to know.
Miyajima Kiichiro hesitated slightly, then said, "...Then I hope the person who extended a helping hand will be extra careful... The forces behind Snake Mound will probably seek revenge."
"Is there a possibility that they are all dead?" Hayato scratched his face a little shyly.
"!?"
Miyajima Kiichiro's old eyes widened.
Hayato continued:
"No need to be surprised, he only did some minor work... And there's a second thing, which might be good for me, but probably not for you, old man."
"What?"
"Prepare yourself mentally."
Miyajima Kiichiro took two deep breaths.
"Don't worry, this old man..."
Before he could finish saying "has seen a lot," Hayato scratched his head and said in a very innocent tone:
"Your son is dead."
"...!!??"
At first glance, it sounded like an insult, but to Miyajima Kiichiro's ears, it was not so. After three seconds of stunned, he more clearly realized that Hayato was stating a fact.
Miyajima Kiichiro's facial muscles, which had gradually slackened with age, twitched slightly twice, and then his fingers clenched the quilt.
The hospital ward's quilt was crumpled by his grip.
Hayato silently watched the old father, and after a pause, he spoke:
"I'll tell you about Snake Mound George... to tell you about Miyajima Sosaku's death. I think even if I don't tell you about Snake Mound, you have the right to know about Miyajima Sosaku's life and death."
The light in Miyajima Kiichiro's eyes flickered for a long time, first looking at Hayato, then shifting slightly, and then looking at the twilight outside the window.
Finally, he let out a sigh of relief.
"He had previously fled abroad, and his return this time should also be considered illegal immigration... Plus, in this world, the only one who would think of that scoundrel is probably this old man... His death won't cause any ripples. You, rest assured." Miyajima Kiichiro seemed to have accepted this reality; he loosened his grip on the bedsheet.
"Mm," Hayato nodded.
...As expected of a Japanese world, it seems the police don't even care about illegal immigration. "But telling me this is useless," Hayato said. "...For what comes next, you really need to be mentally prepared."
Miyajima Kiichiro took another deep breath. With the experience of the previous two times, he felt that nothing could scare him anymore...
"Regarding Miyajima Sosaku... the one who acted wasn't me, but Miss Tsubaki," Hayato said.
"..."
Miyajima Kiichiro nearly rolled off the bed. Fortunately, Hayato helped him, barely steadying his body.
When his hand went to support the old man, he could feel his body trembling.
However, it wasn't the kind of trembling caused by fear, sadness, or anger; upon hearing about this tragic "sibling rivalry," Miyajima Kiichiro was actually trembling with excitement, and a hint of relief even appeared in his eyes.
"That's great…"
Miyajima Kiichiro seemed to be muttering to himself, "...Sacrificing family for righteousness, Tsubaki... she truly carries the bloodline of Miyajima... Tsubaki has become stronger. From now on, this old man can be more at ease..."
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