Rudy considered her request before a mischievous smile played on his lips. "Do you know the meaning of the word 'treat,' Kaguya?" he asked, raising an eyebrow
Kaguya's cheeks tinged with a faint pink hue, but she nodded. "Yes, of course."
Rudy's hand affectionately patted her head, his touch comforting. "Then let me treat you all tonight. It's a small gesture to express how much I value your friendship. When someone treats you, it's because they want to do something nice for you. It's not about repaying, it's about sharing moments and making memories together."
Kaguya couldn't help but smile at his words, her heart warmed by the sincerity in his gaze. "Thank you, Rudy."
She bit her lower lip, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. Rudy's presence had always been a source of comfort for her, a reminder that there was goodness in the world even when her dreams had been dashed before.
As their eyes locked, Kaguya felt a sense of trust and comfort she hadn't experienced in a long time. A moment of vulnerability overcame her, and she found herself sharing her worries with him.
"Rudy, I have a medical exam coming up. It could be my chance to become a doctor again, but I'm so nervous. I don't know what the future holds. If I pass, it might give me another chance to become a doctor. But if I fail... I don't know what I'll do."
Rudy's presence felt grounding, his voice soothing as he responded. "Kaguya, worrying about things we can't control only adds unnecessary stress. Focus on what you can do to prepare, and have faith in your abilities.Remember, you have the strength to handle whatever comes your way."
Tears glistened in Kaguya's eyes as she looked at him, her heart touched by his belief in her. She found herself drawn to his presence, the way his words had a way of calming her fears. He was like an anchor in the storm of uncertainty.
"I know, but…" Kaguya sighed, her worry still evident in her voice. "My dream was trampled once, Rudy. I don't want that to happen again. If I fail, I'll have to continue working as a nurse, and while I love my job, I've always wanted to be a doctor."
Rudy's hands cupped Kaguya's face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. His voice was soothing as he reassured her, "Kaguya, you can't predict the outcome of everything. But what you can do is put in your best effort. The results will follow. And remember, your dreams aren't defined by a single moment. It's a journey."
Kaguya felt her heart lighten under Rudy's reassuring words. She leaned slightly into his touch, their faces so close that she could feel his warm breath against her skin. The moment felt charged with an unspoken connection, and Kaguya's heart raced. She was on the brink of something - a leap of faith that could change everything.
She moved forward to kiss Rudy on the lips, And then, as if a splash of cold water had jolted her senses, Kaguya remembered. She remembered that Rudy was married to Maria, who was pregnant with his child. Her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment, Cursing herself for not seizing the moment when it was right in front of her, Kaguya swiftly changed her course of action. Instead of moving in for a kiss, she went for a hug, wrapping her arms around Rudy as tightly as she dared.
Rudy's laughter rumbled through his chest as he returned the hug. "I can't wait for that day to come, Kaguya," he replied, his voice warm and full of genuine happiness.
As Rudy held Kaguya in the comforting embrace, his mind wandered through the labyrinth of his memories, piecing together the puzzle that was Kaguya's journey. He knew from the other worldline that Kaguya had never fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor, and yet here she was, a dedicated and skilled nurse. The incongruence nagged at him, and he found himself lost in thought as he held her close.
In that other worldline, Kaguya's dream had been trampled by some unseen force, and he couldn't help but speculate that money and influence might have been at play. He remembered how hardworking and dedicated Kaguya was, her relentless pursuit of her dreams evident in her every action. Doubting her efforts was out of the question.
As the memory played out in his mind, Rudy's conclusion began to form. Kaguya's path had been altered by those who valued wealth over merit, who manipulated opportunities to their own advantage. It was a realization that left a bitter taste in his mouth, anger simmering beneath the surface.
His mind flickered to a darker memory, one he had witnessed in that other worldline. Kaguya's life had met a tragic end at the hands of a mentally ill patient. The moment was seared into his memory, haunting him with its stark reality. He couldn't hold the mentally ill responsible for their actions, for their grasp on reality was tenuous at best. No, Rudy's blame was directed elsewhere, to those who had shaped Kaguya's journey to its unfortunate end.
His grip on Kaguya tightened slightly, his fingers unconsciously seeking solace in the touch of another human being. He couldn't change the past, but he could forge a different path for Kaguya in this worldline. A worldline where her dreams could still be realized.
Rudy's thoughts shifted, drawing parallels between Kaguya's circumstances and the metaphor of the jungle. If someone ventured into the jungle and was attacked by wild animals, the blame couldn't be placed solely on the animals. They were acting according to their nature. Instead, the responsibility lay with the person who had entered the dangerous territory and of course the reasons and the circumstances of the person.
Similarly, Rudy found himself attributing Kaguya's situation to the corrupt officers of the medical university, the ones who had paved the way for her dreams to be dashed. In a world driven by greed and power, their actions were a reflection of their own twisted values.
'This world…no, every world needs an order… a perfect world order… where everyone is treated equally. And I… will make sure that happens… I will create a world where they would have to work hard to even survive…'
