Chapter 220 The First Goal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Starting today, I’ll be in your care,” Niikawa Yoshimi said with a bright smile. “I’m Niikawa Yoshimi! Please treat me kindly, everyone!”
”Yoshimi-chan, you’ll begin by learning the massage parlor side,” the supervisor explained, nodding encouragingly. “Once you’re used to it, you’ll also help out with the esthetic salon. Do your best, okay?”
”Yes! I’ll give it my all!” Yoshimi answered, her voice full of energy.
With that, the reception team for Spring now included four members—Nana, who was assigned to the massage parlor, Kamitsubo, Chiaki, and the newcomer Yoshimi.
From now on, these four would handle both massage and esthetic reception duties. Harue’s esthetic salon, which had operated by appointment only, had also changed its policy to accept walk-ins anytime.
”Oh, today’s your rehab day, isn’t it, Nana?” Haruto asked, glancing her way.
”Yeah! I’m going to succeed for sure today!” Nana replied, her fists clenched with determination.
Having once been classmates, Haruto and Nana now spoke casually when customers weren’t around. Of course, during work hours, they behaved properly as manager and staff.
”You were so close last time. I know you can do it today, Nana-chan!” Chiaki said with a warm smile.
”Thank you! I’m counting on you again today, Chiaki-san!”
Until now, Haruto had made sure that Nana could feel each rehabilitation session. No matter who you are, if it doesn’t feel real, rehab becomes unbearably hard.
Last time, Nana managed to stand upright—just for a moment, just barely—but still, she stood. And that glimpse of progress gave her the will to aim higher this time.
”Alright, let’s start with the usual bending and stretching.”
Haruto helped Nana lie on her back atop the treatment table, then gently moved each of the joints in her lower body—stretching, bending, rotating. If left still, the joints would grow stiff.
”Okay, I’m going to sit you up now.”
”Got it! I’ll try my best!” Nana responded with a small nod.
Helping someone who can’t use their lower body to stand is no easy feat, even for a grown man. That’s why, during this part, someone always supports from the front and back.
Chiaki, who had grown especially close to Nana, was always the one who helped with this.
”Alright, here we go! One… two… three!”
Everyone knew what “three” meant—it was time to stand.
Chiaki’s timing was perfect, moving smoothly with Haruto to lift Nana.
”Okay Nana, I’m letting go now,” Haruto said gently.
”…Yeah!” she replied, her voice tight with focus.
・
・
・
”…Hey… I… I’m…”
”Congratulations, Nana! You’re standing on your own!” Haruto said, his voice rising with joy.
”Yay! You did it, Nana-chan!” Chiaki cheered.
”Photo time! I’ll take a picture!” Kamitsubo said, pulling out her phone.
”Y-Yeah! I want to show my sister too!” Nana said, her voice shaking with excitement.
”Suzume-san will be so happy!” Yoshimi added.
”Alright, ready? Say cheese!”
Click.
It had been about six months since Nana began rehabilitation. The first big goal—”to stand steadily on her own”—had finally been reached.
Next was the step beyond that: to stand up by herself.
From a seated position, she could probably lift her hips a little using her hands. But beyond that… it would take real strength in her legs.
Haruto had once explained to Nana and Suzume about how to build up that strength. At the time, he told them there was no need to answer right away.
But now that the first goal had been cleared—he had to hear their decision.
”When Suzume-san comes to pick you up today,” Haruto said calmly, “I was thinking we could talk a bit about what’s next.”
”Let’s surprise her with this photo when she arrives!” Chiaki suggested brightly.
”Nana-chan, if you greet her while standing, won’t she be totally shocked?” Yoshimi said, already imagining the scene.
”That sounds wonderful! Can we take another photo later?” Nana asked, her eyes shining.
”Of course!” Chiaki replied with a smile.
”Let’s all work together to surprise her,” Haruto said, looking around at the team.
As her sister, Suzume probably already knew—if there was even a chance that Nana could walk again someday, she would accept anything necessary to make it happen…
Even therapy methods that required a great deal of vulnerability.
What answer will Suzume, a lawyer by profession, give?
Notes:
• Yoshimi – Female. A high school girl who guides Haruto to her grandmother’s house. She is wary of doctors due to past experiences and becomes agitated when Haruto reveals her grandmother’s condition. Her relationship with Haruto is tense, and she sides with her family in distrusting him.
• Kamitsubo – The receptionist and assistant of the Haruto’s clinic.
• Chiaki – Female. Sentaro’s daughter. She is supportive and caring, trying to convince her father to seek help for his back pain. She is persistent and believes in the potential benefits of Haruto’s massage therapy. She acts as a mediator between Haruto and her father.
• Nana – The one dating Haruto before she goes to Hokkaido.
• Suzume – Female. Nana’s companion, who is just as beautiful as Nana. She has a husky voice, which makes her age and relationship to Nana (sister) slightly ambiguous. She is supportive and polite, accompanying Nana to the job interview.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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