Study 02:
The Doll with Arthrosis
Let’s return to the present for a moment.
“I was so surprised. I couldn’t believe you just changed the sign without saying anything!”
“Heh heh. Sorry, yeah!”
“As if apologizing is going to… well, it doesn’t matter now,” Sapphee said, letting out a breath. “At any rate, that was how the three of us—you, me, and Glenn—started doing consultations.”
Lime laughed, her elbows resting on the table. “It was so fun, yeah.”
Sapphee didn’t find it quite as amusing. After all, Glenn had forgotten all about it. Lime had to know why, and yet, she laughed as if it didn’t matter. Sapphee didn’t know if she could do the same in her place.
“Why did you change the sign?”
“Uh, well, Glenn’s performance in the classroom really stood out, and…I thought it would be a good chance for him to get to know everyone, yeah.”
“I see…”
Once the fuss over Cerve ended, Sapphee had planned to invite Glenn to join her lab…mostly so he didn’t have to be alone. Lime had the same idea, but she was thinking further ahead. She was trying to help Glenn fit in at the Academy and in the classroom.
“Of course, we ended up with a reputation as medical students who’d treat any problems students had…”
“Heh heh! Good thing I spread those rumors!”
Sapphee was growing exasperated. “That was you, too?”
News of their lab spread fast and the patients were soon lining up. Glenn, the medical prodigy, had treated the work like a residency at a hospital, even though it was nothing more than a student-led lab. Any truly serious afflictions or symptoms were passed on to Cthulhy immediately, and even simple treatment was only provided at the discretion of the patient, who was responsible for any resulting complications. But that didn’t stop a steady stream of students from coming in with minor concerns.
“Glenn certainly earned a reputation,” Sapphee said.
“Well, he was the only human student in a school full of monsters, yeah.”
It was easy to go back to reminiscing about their school days.
“Remember that one patient?” Lime asked.
Sapphee remembered them quite clearly. That patient’s footsteps still echoed in her memory.
✦ ✦ ✦
As a student, Glenn was always exhausted.
“I can’t believe Dr. Cthulhy gave us permission to do this…”
“Good thing I went to her directly to ask, yeah?”
“What?”
Lime was massaging Glenn’s shoulders. He’d wondered how well she’d be able to massage with such squishy arms, but the elastic force of her hands was surprisingly effective.
Cthulhy had accepted their application to change the focus of the lab right away. And, even though they were still students, they’d received permission to perform certain medical procedures. She’d also certified Glenn to provide some examinations.
“My, my…your muscles are tight.”
“Whose fault do you think that is?” Sapphee asked, glaring at Lime.
“Heh, sorry, yeah.”
“The lab’s getting at least one patient a day. More on busy days. Most are minor complaints—lower back pain, shoulder pain, immobile tail, wing stiffness… but Glenn has a reputation to live up to now, on top of the classes he’s taking. It’s too much!”
“Sapphee, you sound like a meddlesome aunt, yeah?” Lime teased.
Sapphee was livid. “We’re practically the same age!”
Of course, she was concerned about Glenn. He was doing the work of a hospital resident while still balancing a full class load. No wonder he was so tired. For his part, Glenn was glad his reputation was growing and that people felt they could rely on him. But there was a limit to what he could do as a student. Sapphee and Lime were doing their best to help, but they had their limits, too.
“Well, I’ll make sure that he keeps up with his studies. Leave it to me, yeah!”
“Lime,” said Glenn. “Didn’t you get an F on last month’s quiz?”
“Ugh.”
Glenn must have struck a nerve, because Lime bent over backward at an angle that would have been impossible for a human. Then she went even further, twisting her torso to look at Sapphee from the other direction.
“Okay. Then you’ll have to teach him, big sister.”
“Where do you get off calling me big sis—oh.”
Just then, there was a polite knock at the door.
“Excuse me,” a calm voice said. Her footsteps were stiff as she entered the lab, making a clanking, rhythmic sound. “I’m sorry, is this the lab that examines monsters?”
“Umm, and you are?”
The girl standing before them had long hair. She was wearing a French maid’s outfit, which probably made her a servant of one of the students or teachers—not unheard of on campus, but also not common. That was when Glenn noticed the groove at her elbow joint, which seemed to wrap all the way around, like a ball-jointed doll.
She must be…
The visitor bowed deeply. “Allow me to introduce myself. I serve as the secretary to Dr. Draconia, head of the sorcery department. My name is Bellmer. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Th-the sorcery department?”
Glenn was astounded. He didn’t realize that news of their lab had spread so far.
Bellmer stared at Glenn with her unblinking eyes.