Volume 1 Chapter 46 Olivia And The Special Lunch
It seems that some patients can still walk. Doctor Michael and the female nurses helped carry the food they prepared on trays. They arranged it on the large table in the dining room, and the nurse rang a bell to signal lunchtime.
"Actually, even when we call for mealtime like this, very few patients come here by themselves."
Doctor Michael said, frowning.
"There's nothing wrong with their insides. There's no problem, but if they say they don't want to eat, we can't force food into their mouths. ...In the end, if we do that, they'll just throw it up."
"...It would be nice if they could eat even a little."
If those who just started having White Moon disease feel this way, then those who are bedridden must feel even worse.
I clasped my hands in front of my chest and waited, wondering if anyone would come to the dining area.
Sir Ciel and Sir Roxas stood on either side of me, patiently waiting for the patients to arrive without saying anything.
After a while, a small girl who looked about ten years old peeked in.
She wasn't wearing a hospital gown but a dark blue dress.
Her fluffy hair looked like a dandelion, and her skin and hair were very pale, with only her emerald green eyes standing out. She was an adorable girl.
"Doctor, is the food ready?"
"Ah, Olivia. It's mealtime. Do you think you can eat today?"
"I don't really want to eat, but... I was called by the bell."
Olivia, a girl with a nervous look, walked into the dining area, followed by several thin men and women who each took their seats.
However, everyone seemed to be staring blankly into space and didn't reach for their spoons.
"The food today is special, the nurse said," Olivia said.
"Yeah. Today, the famous chef Ms. Lydia from town made the meal. It was introduced by Sir Ciel from Saintwise and Sir Roxas from the Duke Girard family. I hope you eat at least a little," replied Doctor Michael.
"Um, it's the soft octopus risotto. It's octopus, but it's really soft, so I think it will be easy to eat..."
Olivia looked up at Doctor Michael as I spoke.
After Doctor Michael kindly responded, I bent my knees to meet Olivia's gaze.
"Soft, octopus...?"
"Yes...! It's soft, really soft."
"You're funny, Big Sister!"
As I gestured to show how soft the octopus was, Olivia smiled happily.
"But... it smells good. It smells delicious."
Once Olivia sat down at her seat, she peered into her plate.
Sir Ciel leaned in close to my ear and whispered softly.
"...Olivia is Doctor Michael's daughter."
"...!"
I jumped in surprise.
It was ticklish to be whispered to, but I was more shocked by the content of what he said, and I widened my eyes, staring at Sir Ciel.
Sir Ciel didn't say anything more and quietly looked at Olive (Olivia-chan) and Doctor Michael.
"Since big sister made it, it would be rude not to eat, right, Doctor?"
"That's true. Ms. Lydia came all this way to cook for us, so it would be nice if you could eat to show your appreciation."
"...Yeah. I'll try eating it. I feel a bit hungry. But the sound of the bugs is so loud, and talking like this is really hard. My chest always feels tight."
"...Olive, I don't want you to push yourself."
I know I shouldn't cry, but the little girl's words are too painful.
Tears start to well up in my eyes.
"Sister, don't cry. Your cooking looks delicious. It really does."
"I-I'm sorry for making you worry. I..."
"Sister... um, I'll eat a little bit. So please don't cry."
Even though I should be feeling bad, seeing Olive caring about me makes me tell myself I shouldn't cry, and I rubbed my eyes.
Olive held her spoon tightly and scooped up a bite of octopus risotto. Then, she slowly brought it to her mouth.
"──It's delicious!"
"Olivia...! Is it really, Olivia?!"
Doctor Michael, who had been watching, leaned forward and asked.
"Can you taste it, Olivia? Do you feel sick? Are you pushing yourself?"
"Doctor... it's delicious. I don't feel sick. It's like something stuck in my chest is gone... and my head doesn't hurt anymore. ...Huh...?"
Olive tilts her head in confusion.
"The bugs aren't making any noise. The buzzing sound I always heard in my head is gone. I can't even hear the woman's voice that mixed with the wing sounds."
"A woman's voice...?"
Sir Ciel furrows his brow and whispers softly.
"I don't remember my brother mentioning anything like that."
"I heard it for the first time too."
Sir Roxas and Sir Ciel exchange quiet words. Meanwhile, Olive is happily eating her risotto.
"It's delicious, delicious... The rice is so good... The octopus is sweet and tasty...!"
"Olivia...!"
"Dad, I can eat! I can eat..."
Olive calls Doctor Michael "Dad" for the first time instead of "doctor."
Doctor Michael's eyes fill with tears. The nurses look at each other and say, "No way," "It's a miracle...!"
Other patients, watching Olive, pick up their spoons and start eating the risotto too.
Voices of surprise rise up, saying things like, "It feels unreal," "It's delicious," "I can eat..."
"...Lydia. You did well."
Sir Roxas says briefly while watching the scene.
"Ms. Lydia... Are you okay?"
Sir Ciel looks at me with a worried expression.
I feel weak, like I'm about to fall to my knees on the floor.
Sir Roxas and Sir Ciel reach out their hands to help me.
"...I'm so glad..."
I'm just really happy that Olive and the other patients can eat.
I'm happy that everyone is pleased.
"I'm glad you could eat the food..."
Tears that I had been holding back started to fall. I always thought I couldn't do anything. But it makes me really happy that they can eat the food.
"Ms. Lydia, what are you... no, more importantly, everyone, let's take the food to the patients in the hospital room. They might not want it, but just get them to take at least one bite."
Following Mr. Michael's instructions, the nurses each took a tray and headed to the hospital room. It didn't take long for the whole place to be filled with joyful voices.
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