The day passed, I talked a little with the doctor. He said that I have white coat syndrome, which raises blood pressure in medical environments, in addition to some trauma related to doctors and hospital settings.
That caught me a bit off guard, but I managed to understand it a little when I stopped to think about it.
I feel anxious here, especially when I'm alone in the room, and I start snapping my fingers without even realizing it.
Another curious thing was when I was watching the news on TV. I saw several heroes and noticed that it's kind of strange, heroes seem more like celebrities than the heroes I used to see in comics and movies.
I also saw that I might be in the same world I knew, just in the future, since we're already in the 22nd century. There are many possibilities, and I think it's better to put that aside and simply accept it. What has been happening to me lately is crazy enough already.
While still watching TV, I came across a report about the doctor. I recognized him because of the photo.
I picked up the phone the nurse left on the table in case I needed to translate something during an emergency and translated the report.
It says that a doctor from a large hospital committed suicide after being ambushed by heroes and the police, having been caught involved in human trafficking, torture, illegal possession of firearms, and a handful of other crimes.
"So he committed suicide…" I continue reading the report.
'What a strange feeling… I should be relieved that he's dead… but instead, I feel emptiness'
'Maybe I wanted revenge for the terrible days I went through'
'I still carry the hatred, I still remember the pain he caused me… and not being able to return it is so…' I take a deep breath, trying to force my attention back to the report.
Interesting, they didn't mention that a child was found at the scene, nor did they say the number of victims. They left everything open.
Then there's an interview with the hospital director, who says he regrets what happened and that he will provide monetary support for the victims.
"I didn't hear anything about that…" Then I stop and look at the door of the room, seeing that someone is knocking to enter.
"Kaneki-kun? May I come in?" I hear a familiar voice and hurry to respond.
"You can, Mr. Naomasa!" He comes in and glances at the report on the TV.
"Well, this was one of the things I had to talk to you about today," he says as he sits in the chair beside my bed.
He starts talking about how, at the request of the hospital administration, it was decided to leave out the fact that the victim in the case was a child, since it could worsen the hospital's situation even more.
The monetary support seems to be real; it has already been transferred to a bank account, but I won't be able to withdraw it until I'm of legal age or have a legal guardian.
I talk to him a bit about this, and he takes the opportunity to tell me that I'll be placed in an orphanage, and that I shouldn't comment about the money until I find a trustworthy family to adopt me.
He also mentions the possibility of emancipation, which would allow me to gain access to the money. He says I'm intelligent and should be able to achieve it easily.
That seems to be the best option for me, and he seems to notice that I liked this option more, so he gives me the contact of a friend of his who is a lawyer, but reminds me that I still need to learn Japanese and reach the minimum age.
Naomasa talks about the progress in obtaining my documents, saying it won't take long for them to arrive, and that when they're ready and I've been discharged from the hospital, I'll be able to go to the orphanage.
I thank him, and he leaves.
─── ◆ ───
The days pass. Nemuri comes to visit me from time to time, trying to make me smile again so she can take a photo, which she still hasn't managed to do.
I've been controlling my thirst for blood by drinking from myself in the bathroom at night. I don't like making people feel frightened just by looking at me.
The nurses and the doctor who were with me in the ambulance seem to be the best at ignoring it, but the others who pass by here can barely hide their discomfort.
I think it must be the stress of being in a hospital because of the traumas the doctor mentioned.
Naomasa returned one day holding a folder with my documents. I took a look at my ID, dual nationality on top of everything, all correct just as I told them.
I take a good look through the documents and notice that I'm already registered in an orphanage and should be taken there soon, since the doctor already told me that I'm okay as far as possible.
I recovered from malnutrition after taking some pills for a few days. I can walk normally now.
I just haven't walked around the hospital out of fear of being lynched because of the effect I have on people.
─── ◆ ───
On the day I joined the orphanage, I said goodbye to the doctor and the two nurses, in addition to receiving Midnight's last visit. She explained a lot about heroes during the previous visits.
When saying goodbye to her, I ended up smiling again.
This time, Nemuri didn't waste any time and quickly took a photo.
After getting the photo, she left jumping in victory, as if she had won the lottery.
I promised her that I would become a hero too.
Yes, I made that decision. This world has a chaotic society, with most people having superpowers, so I stopped to reflect on the situation I went through, where my powers were exploited and used, where I was tortured and kept in captivity.
I thought that children could be going through these kinds of atrocities at any moment, so I decided to become a hero in order to save them.
I still don't know what my Quirk really is, since I'm only 3 years old, and quirks usually begin to fully manifest at age 4.
Of course, I had some semi-awakenings of my quirk, according to the doctor, it was my body doing its best to survive.
Naomasa drove me to the orphanage and wished me good luck.
Then I get out of the car and greet a woman standing in front of the orphanage. She doesn't say anything and just guides me and shows me the place.
'They must already know that I can't speak Japanese… at least it saves me some trouble'
I notice the curious looks from the children. Some run away in fear because of the effect my eyes have. The adults look at me with curiosity, it's not every day that a foreign child joins the orphanage.
I let out a sigh.
'I guess living here will be more complicated than I thought…'I think as I see some adults whispering while I walk beside the woman.