Chapter 24: The Doctor Who Wanted to be a Detective
What exactly controls human consciousness? Is it a free-spirited soul or traceable hormones?
Biologically speaking, if an adult transmigrated into a child's body, their intelligence should theoretically be dragged down to that age level. A young brain is not fully developed; the lackluster hardware simply cannot run high-level computational "games."
If a toddler accidentally wets the bed one day, can it be determined that his spirit is troubled? Is it nervous tension or a psychological barrier?
Perhaps neither. The detailed cause is often cerebral dysfunction or the disappearance of spinal reflex arcs. Before the age of three, because the central urinary function is not yet fully developed, most toddlers will experience bed-wetting.
Aqua did not belong to that group.
As for whether the soul exists, the scientific community has yet to provide a definitive answer. But Aqua could tell scientists with absolute certainty...
The soul exists.
The evidence was himself.
Even if his brain was not fully developed, he could still think as calmly as he did in his previous life. As an elite doctor graduated from Tokyo National Medical University, the Aqua Hoshino who was Gorou Amamiya in his past life would not allow himself to commit such a humiliating act as wetting the bed, even if he was only four years old.
The moment he felt the urge, Aqua opened his eyes and quietly got out of bed.
It was the middle of the night. The blue curtains blocked the entire balcony, preventing even a sliver of moonlight from peeking through. The only light in the room was the faint white glow from the bedside lamp. On the large white bed in the center, two blurry silhouettes were visible. After adjusting to the darkness, Aqua could finally see their details.
Ruby, dressed in nondescript, oversized children's pajamas, was snuggled in the arms of Ai, who wore a white nightgown. The thin blue quilt that should have been over them had vanished; Aqua only found it on the floor after walking to the other side of the bed.
He quietly picked up the quilt and tucked them back in, not knowing what to say.
"One hundred percent Ruby kicked it off. Honestly, what if Ai catches a cold?"
Aqua said grumpily. Despite being a fellow "reincarnator," Ruby often behaved like a genuine child in certain ways, leading Aqua to conclude that Ruby must not have been a very bright girl in her past life. At the very least, she probably lacked self-care skills.
After finishing his internal critique of Ruby, Aqua walked quietly to the bathroom to relieve himself. When finished, he stepped onto a small stool to barely reach the height of the sink. As he washed his hands, the face of Gorou Amamiya suddenly appeared in the mirror across from him. Aqua felt no fear; instead, he greeted the reflection like an old friend.
"Yo. How are you doing? Past me?"
"Looks like you're doing alright. Perhaps reincarnation is a form of happiness for us after all."
"Probably. I'm satisfied with my current life—except for that biological father who suddenly popped up."
"Then should I thank the person who killed us back then?"
Gorou Amamiya wore a wicked expression: "Thank the 'stalker fan' who almost killed Ai as well?"
Aqua froze.
He remembered the events of that morning vividly. A fanatical fan wielding a knife attempting to assassinate Ai—he would never forget it as long as he lived. He had been hiding behind the glass door at the time, quietly watching the "scene" between Ai and Ryosuke. Even though he knew Hikaru Hoshino's plan, when Ai fell to the ground after being stabbed, Aqua's palms were still stained with blood from clenching his fists so hard.
That suffocating feeling was like a non-swimmer falling into a boundless deep sea, able only to watch themselves sink deeper into the dark, crushing abyss.
By comparison, discovering that Ryosuke was also the culprit who killed him was less important.
Late at night, people tend to become sentimental, and their thoughts often move faster than during the day. Gorou Amamiya's reflection gradually faded, turning back into the blonde-haired, blue-eyed toddler. He pursed his lips tightly, his expression solemn.
He had thought the matter was over—the danger resolved by Hikaru Hoshino, allowing the family to return to a peaceful life.
But Aqua noticed a fact he had overlooked.
Ryosuke, a college student living alone in Tokyo with no special skills—how could he have grasped Ai's information so accurately? Four years ago, Ryosuke managed to find the exact hospital where Ai gave birth; four years later, he found her front door.
A dark six-pointed star gradually appeared in Aqua's right eye, and a hint of a manic smile touched the corners of his mouth.
Someone was providing Ryosuke with information!
He was definitely not acting alone; someone else was pulling the strings!
That person was like a venomous snake, staring at Ai from the shadows, waiting for any moment to sink their fangs into her. They had finished off her attending physician, and now they had targeted her.
What exactly was their goal?
Aqua, who had been living a leisurely life, suddenly felt immense pressure. A sense of urgency cleared his mind instantly.
He could not let the mastermind continue to act freely. He had to stop them before they made another move on Ai. Only by making this time bomb disappear completely could Aqua feel a modicum of peace.
Every word Hikaru Hoshino said that morning echoed in his mind.
*"Based on the reliable information I've gathered, this is the situation. His name is Ryosuke, he's one of your stalker fans who once met you at a handshake event. Four years ago, he discovered the truth about your pregnancy and has harbored a grudge ever since, pushing your doctor off a cliff. Now he has found your residence again; I cannot predict what he might do."*
The doubt he had then surfaced once more.
Where did Hikaru Hoshino get his information?
Could it be that he was also investigating the person Ryosuke was hiding?
That would be the only way he could arrive exactly on the day Ryosuke attempted to assassinate Ai.
After reassessing, Aqua temporarily labeled Hikaru Hoshino as an "ally," but his cautious nature prevented him from trusting him completely. Rather than cooperating with Hikaru, he felt it would be better to investigate on his own for a while.
Because she was often away for work, Ai had given both twins mobile phones. Aqua returned to his room, fumbled for his phone, and searched for information related to Gorou Amamiya.
*"Dr. Amamiya went missing in the countryside of Miyazaki Prefecture four years ago and has yet to be found. Recently, the Metropolitan Police Department made a breakthrough in his disappearance; according to a notice released this morning, there may be more to the story."*
*"Regarding the suicide of a college student living alone in Tokyo, there may be a connection between the two cases."*
*"Follow the official account of the Metropolitan Police Department for more information."*
Ryosuke—the only lead. He couldn't let it slip away. Aqua made a decisive choice.
He was going to intervene in the police investigation.
The next morning, Ai woke up to find obvious dark circles under Aqua's eyes.
"Aqua, did you have insomnia last night?" Ai asked with concern. "If you couldn't sleep, why didn't you wake Mama up?"
"Mama would have used a beautiful lullaby to give Aqua sweet dreams!"
"I didn't want to disturb you," Aqua shook his head. "By the way, Mama, are you going to the office today?"
"Yes! I've been accompanying Biyoo to learn vocal music these past few days. Once he improves a bit more, we can release a new song together!"
Ai's face was lit up with a happy smile.
"In that case," Aqua pointed toward Ruby. "Can Mama take Ruby with you? Treat it as taking her to practice."
"I want to arrange my own time today."
As Aqua spoke, he took out his phone and dialed Director Gotanda's number in front of Ai.
The man's lazy voice came from the other end: "Hello? It's early morning—what does the precocious brat want?"
"Mhm. I have a favor to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Do you want to train me?"