CHAPTER 488: CHAPTER 352: BEHIND THE DOOR_2

"Really?" Miyazaki Shizuka asked softly, "Is the chair uncomfortable?"

"No, the chair is very comfortable. Where did you buy it? I’ll get one too." Fushimi Roku spoke sincerely; this chair is just right in terms of softness and firmness, even more comfortable than the sofa.

"This is custom-made; if you like it, feel free to come by often." Miyazaki Shizuka said with a smile, "I always welcome Fujimura-kun."

Outside the door, he is called Mr. Fu, but once inside, it’s Fujimura-kun.

"This is too expensive." Fushimi Roku twisted his body slightly and asked, "Are we doing therapy now, or just chatting?"

"Chatting."

Miyazaki Shizuka gave a definite answer and then raised the backrest of the lounge chair for Fushimi Roku, allowing him to sit up straight, eye level with her: "How do you view me, Fujimura-kun?"

"A beautiful psychologist." Fushimi Roku said.

"Thank you for the compliment, it makes me happy," Miyazaki Shizuka said with a smile. "What else? What’s your impression of me?"

"Impression... quite good." Fushimi Roku knew she was trying to make him relax, trying to lower his guard.

This is the first step in psychological therapy. If the patient doesn’t trust the doctor, any treatment is futile unless harsh drug treatments are used.

"Eh, so vague?"

Miyazaki Shizuka placed her hands on her knees, leaning forward slightly, her left hand resting on her right palm. She tilted her head gently, gazing at Fushimi Roku sincerely, her hair falling over her forehead, like a kind elder trying to talk: "Can’t be more specific?"

Fushimi Roku didn’t answer, instead asked, "How do you see me?"

He didn’t feel that Miyazaki Shizuka had any malice, but instinctively had a resistant emotion towards this kind of psychological probing.

If others know what he’s thinking, he feels uncomfortable; conversely, if he knows what others are thinking, he gradually relaxes.

Miyazaki Shizuka let out an ’um’, showing a contemplative expression, then seriously said: "From appearance alone, I think Fujimura-kun is very handsome, especially the eyes... You must be quite popular with the opposite sex, right?"

Fushimi Roku was embarrassed to admit he doesn’t socialize, but shamelessly nodded and asked, "What else? What’s your impression of me?"

"Well, I think Fujimura-kun should be a very optimistic person."

Miyazaki Shizuka’s eyes never left Fushimi Roku, her gaze neither sharp nor intense, without exerting pressure, only giving a feeling that ’Oh, she’s listening earnestly.’

"Why do you say that?" Fushimi Roku started to contemplate her as well.

"Because I can’t see any despair in you. You seem to take death lightly, or rather, cherish the present moments?" Miyazaki Shizuka probed.

In her view, Fushimi Roku is a terminal patient; otherwise, he wouldn’t be trying out "end-of-life care" treatments.

"Yes, being a cop is dangerous, I’ve long been used to it." Fushimi Roku put up a pretend front, pretended to say something profound, feeling like Andy Lau in ’Infernal Affairs.’

Miyazaki Shizuka laughed softly, not commenting. She changed the subject, introducing herself.

According to Miyazaki Shizuka, she’s under thirty, but specifics are secret since a woman’s age is secret; Arima Toshio used to be her mentor, she interned with him for a period, and after graduating began working at his clinic, mainly dealing with insomnia patients.

Besides, she loves eating takoyaki and various grilled meats, enjoys an evening malt beer alone at home, regularly works out but struggles to lose weight, and occasionally makes crafts, like plush toys, sweaters, small paper cuttings...

Currently, her goal is to save enough to adopt a Golden Retriever. Pets cost quite a bit in the city; she worries she wouldn’t care well for the dog, hence no action taken yet.

Finally, Miyazaki Shizuka jokingly added, "See, I’m just an ordinary person, not a cannibalistic old witch."

Fushimi Roku understood her point, coughed twice, explaining, "I really didn’t intend not to sleep, just... um, just... to blame this overly comfortable chair."

Miyazaki Shizuka laughed, expressing her understanding; she too wouldn’t want to be hypnotized by a stranger. If Fushimi Roku didn’t truly wish for it today, they could stop here, and consider rescheduling in the future.

Fushimi Roku felt a bit bad and said, "It’s alright, I’m ready now."

"If you can’t sleep, don’t force it," Miyazaki Shizuka waved her hand, standing up: "Psychological treatment is meant to make you more relaxed, not add to your mental burden... This should be addressed when you don’t mind anymore."

Fushimi Roku rose to leave but suddenly remembered Kazama Tatsuya’s various changes and the hypnosis tape’s magical effect, so he laid back down, asking about the tape.

"Oh, you know Mr. Kazama?"

Miyazaki Shizuka showed surprise; Kazama Tatsuya was also a patient she attended because Doctor Arima doesn’t treat clients with assets under two million—if a customer entering wears no branded suit or luxury watch, he rejects them, citing unavailable slots and refers them to assistant Miyazaki Shizuka.

She told Fushimi Roku this afterward, pleading with him not to tell anyone; otherwise, if Doctor Arima finds out, she might lose her well-paying job.

Japan’s mental health field has always been niche, generally lacking attention, and in poor conditions. Coupled with economic recession over the past couple of years, if she gets dismissed, she might end up straight unemployed.

"It’s agreed upon, this is our little secret."

Miyazaki Shizuka insisted they pinky swear, so Fushimi Roku had no choice but to comply, listening to her recite the ancient spell ’Pinky swear, one hundred years of no change’ in a childlike tone.

Since establishing the hypnosis tape was Miyazaki Shizuka’s creation, Fushimi Roku expressed wanting to experience lucid dreaming, requesting Miyazaki Shizuka record some personalized tapes.

"Well..."

Miyazaki Shizuka showed a troubled expression.

Fushimi Roku could only guarantee he’d make every effort to cooperate and not pretend to sleep, singing ridiculous songs under disguise of hypnosis.

Miyazaki Shizuka agreed, yet after much fuss, instead, Fushimi Roku became more spirited. The more he wished to sleep, the less he could... especially upon closing his eyes, anticipation for upcoming dreams stirred his body into heightened excitation.

Continuing like this was futile; Miyazaki Shizuka suggested drug assistance, such as melatonin or mild sleeping pills, to help Fushimi Roku sleep.

"Then melatonin it is."

Fushimi Roku was wary of contemporary prescribed drugs’ issues, thus refrained from sleeping pills.

Miyazaki Shizuka stood up, opened a cabinet, and brought out a box of colorful gummies, saying with Doraemon’s discovery tone, "Ta-da~ Melatonin gummies, homemade by me, very tasty, give it a try... Ah~ Open wide~"

She opened the lid, took one gummy with her finger, reaching it towards Fushimi Roku’s mouth. He considered asking if she washed her hands but felt it might spoil the mood, so he refrained, obediently opening his mouth for her to feed him.

Fushimi Roku chewed and swallowed; they were indeed tasty, sour and sweet.

After swallowing, he lay back in the lounge chair and closed his eyes.

Miyazaki Shizuka drew the blinds, switched off the clinic’s lights, and darkness enveloped the room, they could only faintly see each other’s shadows.

Some ten minutes later, Fushimi Roku felt his eyelids growing heavier, sleep beckoning. He didn’t resist but changed position and fell into a deep slumber.

Faintly hearing Miyazaki Shizuka’s voice beside him, her words blurred beyond hearing, he merely wished to sleep, to rest.

Soon, he lost track of time, his consciousness drifting into darkness.

After some time passed, Fushimi Roku discerned another sound.

His consciousness gradually returned, a familiar iron door appeared before him, painted with the number...

"137"

Fushimi Roku recognized this door; he’d stayed behind it for some time.