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Chapter 34 – The Sweetest Gesture
The next day—Friday morning.
A shipment of targeted cancer drugs, specially ordered by Lucien D. Blackthorn's father from overseas, finally arrived at the hospital. The prior treatment had shown encouraging results, prompting Lucien's father to go all in—purchasing a full course of advanced medication valued at over 1.5 million yen.
Lucien was filled with conflicting emotions.
On one hand, he was deeply grateful. On the other, he felt crushed by the cost—both financial and emotional.
Even as the medicine arrived, all Lucien could think about was money.
> "I have to earn more… and fast."
The realization struck him hard: a year of hospitalization and treatment could wipe out everything his parents had saved over decades of hard work. They weren't wealthy people. Even if they could bear the cost in the short term, it wasn't sustainable.
> A single illness… and everything collapses.
So many families had fallen apart, slipping back into poverty because of medical expenses. It wasn't just misfortune—it was a systemic coldness that didn't care how hard people had worked for stability.
> Cancer treatment is a bottomless pit.
Lucien clenched his fists weakly beneath the covers.
> "I have to make money. I have to survive."
He wasn't just thinking about recovery anymore. There were stories he still wanted to tell. Goals he hadn't yet achieved. Dreams that could only be realized by staying alive.
But for now, even the revenue from Attack on Titan—serialized under his pen name Whale—was far from enough. Online releases barely brought in profit unless you had major commercial success. He needed to gain momentum quickly and earn the chance to publish physical volumes.
---
Once the hospital staff had finished preparing, Lucien received the first dose of the targeted drug.
To reduce the risk of resistance and maximize effectiveness, his doctor recommended a careful protocol: lower dosage, extended across multiple cycles. From now on, Lucien would be receiving an injection once every twelve days.
After the injection, his father briefly visited his ward. Though they exchanged few words, Lucien could feel the silent strength and concern in his father's eyes.
Then, his mother, escorted her husband to the airport. He had to return to manage work, though he clearly wished he could stay.
Alone again, Lucien lay quietly, reflecting on their sacrifice.
> Their love… is the only thing stronger than this disease.
His resolve hardened.
> I have to create. I have to heal—and earn back every yen they spent on me.
---
That afternoon, after school, Eriri Spencer Sawamura—better known by her pen name Eri Kashiwagi—returned to the hospital.
To her surprise and joy, she was finally allowed to visit Lucien inside the ward.
She stepped in, clutching a small bag of fruit in her hands. Her eyes immediately landed on Lucien, lying frail and pale beneath the white sheets.
Her heart sank.
She quietly pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.
"Lucien… are you feeling any better?" she asked softly. "The nurse said you had a procedure yesterday. Did it hurt?"
Lucien shook his head weakly, a calm smile on his lips. "It wasn't a surgery. Just radiation therapy. It didn't hurt much."
Eriri let out a breath of relief. "Good. I was really worried. Oh, I brought you some oranges—mandarin ones. Want one?"
"Thank you. I'd like one, but… I can't really peel them myself right now." He lifted his hands slightly under the covers, pretending they lacked strength. "Can I ask you to peel one for me?"
"Of course. Just give me a moment…"
Lucien's appetite had been poor recently, and the acidity of mandarin oranges seemed appealing. Eriri bringing exactly what he needed felt almost too perfect.
> Then again, Lucien thought with a mischievous glint in his eyes,
I'm not that weak… I just wanted her to feed me.
He stayed quiet, hiding the real motive behind his gentle tone.
Without suspicion, Eriri picked up one of the bright oranges and began peeling it carefully.
"This one's from Wakayama Prefecture," she explained as she worked. "I read that mandarins are rich in minerals and trace nutrients. They help support immunity… and even fight cancer."
Her voice trailed off as she concentrated.
Lucien couldn't help but smile at her seriousness.
She was so focused—her delicate fingers working with quiet care, her brows furrowed just slightly. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, and her eyes avoided his.
> She looks… cute like this.
He watched in silence, resisting the temptation to reach out and brush a strand of hair from her face.
As she neared the end of the peeling process, Eriri stole a quick glance at him.
Lucien was watching her. His hands still hidden under the blanket. His gaze gentle. Expectant.
Suddenly, it clicked.
> Wait… he wants me to feed him?
Her heart skipped.
Feeding someone was… incredibly intimate. The kind of thing only lovers did.
> What do I do?
She froze, her fingers hesitating. Her face flushed completely red.
No boy had ever asked something like this of her before. She didn't even know how she looked—if only she had a mirror, she thought.
> I bet I look ridiculous.
The idea of drawing her own self-portrait in this moment made her dizzy from embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Lucien kept his expression innocent, quietly waiting. His silence made it harder to decide.
> He's definitely doing this on purpose…
> But if I hesitate too long, he'll tease me forever.
With a deep breath, Eriri pushed through the nervous storm in her chest.
> Just do it.
She separated a plump wedge of orange, raised it carefully to his lips, and handed it to him.
Lucien took it gently in his mouth, then closed his eyes as he chewed.
"So sweet," he murmured, swallowing.
Eriri quickly looked away, her fingers fumbling for the rest of the orange. Her face felt like it was on fire.
Lucien smiled softly.
But in that one quiet moment, surrounded by hospital beeps and faint sunlight, a warmth passed between them.
A sweetness not from fruit, but from the simple act of care.
And Eriri, flustered as she was, couldn't stop herself from smiling too.
End of the chapter
200 power stone= 1 extra chapter
400 power stone=2 extra chapter
And so on