That day after school, having no part-time work scheduled, Alexander did not go straight home but instead visited the National University Hospital in the city.
“…Impressive, I guess. It’s a huge hospital…”
The white walls, giving an impression of cleanliness, were dazzling, and the marble-tiled floor seemed to gleam. The hospital interior was teeming with people who looked like doctors in white coats, people who looked like patients, and autonomous robots resembling cleaning supply closets.
And then there was the reception desk, just to the right of the main entrance. The receptionist on duty was not a human, but a giant 3D hologram of a cat, projected by a pale blue laser. Alexander approached the desk and spoke to the holographic cat.
“G’day, I’m looking for a friend who was brought in here…”
“I do apologise. As per Article 173, Section 4 of this hospital’s manual, I am unable to provide such information.”
The holographic cat replied in a synthesised voice. Alexander’s face scrunched into a frown.
“Look, it’s urgent, I really need to see her. Can’t you tell me what room she’s in? White hair, red eyes, her name’s Yun Ert—”
“I do apologise. As per Article 173, Section 4 of this hospital’s manual, I am unable to provide such information.”
But her opponent was a machine, an inflexible machine. In essence, it was the manual itself.
It was a far cry from the late 22nd-century artificial intelligences that were said to have been capable of flexible thought and understanding complex emotions. The AI of the 43rd century was on par with that of the dawn of AI; in other words, it was a piece of junk with only the most basic functions.
So, Alexander gave up on trying to reason with the machine and decided to look around instead.
She began searching for a member of staff, preferably someone who looked timid, weak-willed, and likely to fold under pressure.
“…Like I’m gonna find anyone like that. Besides…”
But it was not so easy. There were plenty of staff members, but every single one of them had a face worn out from dealing with other people. They all wore an aura that made one hesitate to even approach them.
No choice, I’ll head home for today. Just as Alexander thought that, a doctor walked past her.
“—…Yes, that’s right. —…Yes. Her condition is as you say. I would say her progress is not very good. We have not been able to find an effective treatment… What? No, that method would put too much strain on the patient’s body…—”
He was short, about 160 cm tall. His hair was the colour of a clear blue sky, and his irises were red. He had pale skin, a round, boyish face, and large glasses. Wearing a slightly oversized white coat, the doctor walked by whilst on a call, and Alexander’s eyes were fixed on him.
A doctor, or maybe an intern? Alexander wondered, glancing at the doctor’s chest. The name tag hanging from his neck listed his department as Neurosurgery & Brain Science. His name was Aristide Pevalossam.
“…Pevalossam?”
The peculiar surname, Pevalossam, felt familiar to Alexander. She recalled the events of lunchtime. Yuni had said something.
“Elaine and Lenny told you, didn’t they?! Even Dr Pevalossam said we don’t know what might happen… And yet you keep doing whatever you want! Please, just stay by my side! Because, if something happened to you, I…—!!”
Could it be that this doctor right in front of her was Yun’s physician?
The answer lit up in Alexander’s mind like a lightbulb, only to be immediately dismissed by pessimistic reasoning. Such a miracle couldn’t possibly happen so easily. …or so she thought.
“—…That is why I am telling you we cannot resort to such a dangerous measure when considering her physical condition. Given Yun’s current stamina, it is clear she would not be able to withstand such a therapy…”
Hang on a minute. Did he just say Yun …
“…She is already pushing herself as it is. Besides, she herself has no desire for any more…………—Look here, senior technocrat Varlozzi. With all due respect, I understand her better than you do. And she is not your guinea pig. She is my patient. I am truly grateful for your advice. However—”
“Hey, you.”
Her patience worn thin, Alexander grabbed the doctor’s shoulder firmly. The doctor looked at Alexander with a start, then quietly ended the call. Alexander said to him, “You just said senior technocrat Varlozzi, didn’t you? You mean, the…”
“W-who might you be?”
“I’m Alexander Colt. A friend of Yun and Yuni.”
“Colt? …Could you be Douglas Colt’s daughter?!”
When Alexander introduced herself, the doctor became visibly flustered. He looked up at the ceiling. Then he muttered.
“…Oh, God. What have I done…?”
“Hey, Dad.”
“I have nothing to say to you, Alexander.”
Her father was glaring at a scrapbook filled with old newspaper clippings. Alexander tried talking to him, but received no particular response.
Lately, her father had been stubbornly refusing to talk about the case. The further his investigation progressed, the tighter his lips became. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, he had lost weight, and he seemed to have become gaunt.
Her father used to be better built, more of a stocky, solid, medium-build type. But now? His cheekbones seemed to protrude prominently from his face, and the paunch around his middle had shrunk. One could say he had successfully lost weight, but it was far from a healthy way to do so.
“It’s not about the case. It’s, um, well…”
“What is it, Alexander? If you have something to say, just spit it out.”
“Well, it’s just that, Mum asked me the same thing the other day, so I thought I’d clear up any misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstandings?”
Contrary to her heart’s desire to have a serious talk, trivial words came out of her mouth. The “misunderstanding” was about her relationship with Yuni, but right now, that was the last thing on her mind.
Why can’t I say what I really want to talk about? Alexander was exasperated with herself for telling such a pathetic lie. But at the same time, she was hesitant, unable to decide if this was something she should even consult her father about.
“It’s about Yuni. She’s really just a mate. Nothing more, and I don’t want it to be anything more.”
“I see. …So, your mother asked you the same thing, did she? Huh…”
Alexander was clutching a small memo in her left hand.
Written on it was a number for a prepaid mobile phone. It was the number for the senior technocrat Pellmond Varlozzi , given to her at the hospital by the man who claimed to be Yun’s doctor—a physician named Aristide Pevalossam.But Dr Pevalossam had said that Varlozzi was a cautious man, and he might not be using that number anymore. So there was no guarantee that calling it would connect her to him.
Even so, she had boldly insisted he give it to her, but now Alexander was feeling anxious. Was it okay to call this number? Would it even connect? And even if she did get through, what was she supposed to say to the Pellmond Varlozzi?
It was a huge catch, obtained by chance through impulsive action. But the information she had gained was too much. It was too much for a mere seventeen-year-old girl to handle alone.
“…”
“Don’t look so grumpy, Alexander. Alright, I get it. We’ll drop the subject. I won’t ask you again. My apologies. So don’t be so angry.”
Her father said, placing his large, rough hand on Alexander’s head and patting it a few times. Then, he pulled her into a tight hug.
Held in her father’s embrace, Alexander squeezed her left hand shut. She clenched the memo she was holding even tighter, crumpling it into a ball.
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