"It's finished, Airi-chan. Let's wait for you laboratory result then we can see your progress."
"Thank you, sensei." A girl with light long hair called Airi, bowed to Shigure-sensei, the doctor who had examined her. Airi went out of the doctor's office to the waiting room, where her mother waited for her.
"Is it done, Airi?" Her mother asked worriedly.
"Yes, no need for another test. Shigure-sensei said we just need wait for the lab test, okaa-san."
"I'm glad. Here, sit down. You just ate a little this morning, try to eat something while we are waiting."
Airi sat obediently beside her mother, accepted the plastic bag from her mother which contain snacks.
This afternoon was time for regular monthly check up the doctor had scheduled for Airi in the hospital. Shigure-sensei, doctor who had been caring for Airi had done so since she was but a babe.
As a third child from a fairly aged couple, Airi was born premature, thus weakening her immune system. She got sick fairly often in her childhood, and her parents, worried, didn't even let her attend elementary school.
Thankfully, when she grew up, her immune system got better and better. She had put a bit of weight, got a nice growth spur, and didn't get sick every week anymore.
This year Airi turned twelve years old, and Airi hoped that her health would allow her to attend junior high school next year.
"Shirogane Airi."
After waiting for an hour, her name was called by the receptionist, and she went back to doctor's office with her mother.
"Airi's result is…" Shigure-sensei began, then sighed.
Airi's mother beside her tensed.
"Great." Airi's mother exhaled a relieved breath.
"Yet her laboratory findings are…" Shigure-sensei paused again. Airi's mother tensed again.
Inwardly, Airi rolled her eyes, exasperated. From the first pause, she had known what Shigure-sensei was doing.
"Great too! Ha ha ha." Shigure-sensei laughed heartily. Witnessing the process of his patient's health getting better and better after every visit, Shigure-sensei heart was overjoyed.
A sickly babe when she was just born, who was in intensive care for weeks, now could glare at him because he had teased her mother. She now had filled out cheeks, shiny hair, and healthy flush on her skin.
It was no short of a miracle.
Airi could not fault her mother for falling for Shigure-sensei's tricks, as she was really worried about Airi's health. Thankfully, the doctor only teased his patient when their results was good.
Now, her mother was smiling brightly to her, proud with her progress.
"Then doctor, can she go to school next year?" Her mother asked.
"Her immune system is better, and she had all her injection. I would suggest mild exercise everyday to build stamina and balanced diet to support her progress. But yes, she has no prohibition to go to school anymore." Shigure-sensei said with a smile.
Airi's mother was overjoyed, and Airi finally sighed, relieved.
They went out of the doctor's office after making another appointment next month.
"Let's go home, Airi-chan. Tell otou-san quickly, this called for celebration!" her mother enthused.
Airi just smiled indulgently.
For this was indeed a celebration for her.
--=--=--=--=--=--
"Airi, it's been a while since we go out together. What are your plans for today?"
Airi brother's voice distracted her from her almost-done homework for today.
She shook her head.
"I don't have anything planned for today, nii-san."
"Then should we go eat out? There's a new restaurant recommended by my friend in Odaiba. It's not far."
"En, okay. Let me finish this first." She finished her homework with renewed vigor.
Since she had a weak body and was often sick, she was homeschooled by her parents. Now at twelve years old, she didn't have much opportunity to go out and make friends. Thus, her time hanging out with her siblings when they had time was cherished by Airi.
After quickly finishing her homework, she went out to the car with her brother, Hiroto.
Hiroto was her eldest brother. He had graduated from university and was helping their father managing their company. He was often times busy as a bee, but in slow days like this, he liked to go home at lunch time to accompany Airi.
Because she often got sick, usually Hiroto only accompanied her at home, playing games together or just helping with her homework. Sometimes when she was well, her brother would look for a nearby place to take her, so she wouldn't be bored at home.
Today's journey was short, but Airi enjoyed the view on the Rainbow Bridge.
After a short drive, her brother parked the car on a parking space in the neighborhood.
"Let's see, where is it? Let me check the address first in my phone." Hiroto opened his phone and fiddled with it, while Airi waited beside him.
The weather today was pleasant and the sea breeze blew past Airi, making her long hair somewhat disordered. She was tidying it up when she was distracted by a loud laughter.
Wondering where were the laughter from, she looked around.
There was a park just across from her. There were many children playing there. Some were playing soccer, some were running around. There were many of her age, and a group of them walked past where Airi and her brother stood.
She faintly heard some of their conversation.
"… summer camp next week, it'll be fun!"
"I can't go, there's…."
"Aww, come on!"
"Airi, let's go." Her brother called Airi.
Airi was dazed for a while, before snapping out of it and began following her brother.
She took a last glance to the park before they went into a corner. The park was out of Airi's sight, and the rambunctious laughter fade, pushed away by sea breeze.