Chapter 9

2:15, Infirmary

"…So remember Momo-kun what I said about flexibility training. It'll help you when performing Dunk Smash and your other high-power moves," finished Reina as she led Momoshiro outside the infirmary.

"Will do Reina-san. I'll also make sure to buy a new pair of shoes the next chance I get. I didn't know they had to be replaced so often!"

Momoshiro's enthusiasm and attentiveness made this session more like a meeting between friends than business. If only all my patients would be this agreeable. "The general rule of thumb is to replace running shoes between 350-550 miles. Of course, the frequency depends on a person's running style, body weight, and the surface on which they run. Considering how often you and Ryoma play tennis, on top of training, it comes as no surprise that you'd wear them out much more quickly."

Reina cheerfully waved at Momoshiro's departing back. Stepping back into the office, she cleaned up the supplies from her sessions and finished updating the players' profiles. It was now past three and Reina remembered that she had a phone call to make.

Logging into her e-mail account, she scrolled down the inbox. Professor Hughes, Professor Hughes…ah, here it is.

Professor William Hughes was a sixty year old English expatriate who resided in New York City by way of New Haven, Connecticut. He possessed a witty tongue, a fondness for argyle vests, tea, and strangely enough, American football. He was also her mentor and a renowned clinical researcher on autoimmune syndromes, his focus being acute polyneuropathy.

Reina met Professor Hughes while she was studying at Yale. He was married to her then Course Director who eventually supervised her Honors Thesis. Dr. Sarah Hughes liked to host intimate dinners for the most promising students under her guidance and had invited Reina into her home on Thanksgiving during her second year. Having learned that Reina's father was a fellow Englishman and how she herself visited England quite often, William Hughes regaled Reina about his youth in London for the duration of her visit. Somehow, Reina became a research student under him. During the summer after her third and final year as an undergrad, the team led by Professor Hughes made huge segue way in the treatment for diseases that targeted the peripheral nervous system.

Upon learning of Reina's sudden, impending trip to Japan during their weekly chats, he suggested that she get in contact with a neurologist at Kanai General Hospital. Apparently, their research was cleared for mass clinical trials. A surgery on a patient with Guillain–Barré syndrome was successfully completed not too long ago in Japan at said hospital. Professor Hughes wanted Reina to observe the after effects of the treatment and to aid the hospital's doctors with further testing. It was a good opportunity for her to observe the results of their research on an actual patient, so Reina agreed to spend a couple days every week at the hospital for three months.

Tapping the telephone number she was given by Professor Hughes on her cell, Reina waited for the other line to pick up.

"Kanai General Hospital, Dr. Itou Takumi's office. How may I help you?"

"Hi, my name is Hayworth Reina and I was informed that Itou-sensei was expecting my call."

Sometime later with Tezuka

Tezuka left his group with instructions to do free practice until dinnertime and headed for the infirmary. I must apologize for this morning's incident, Tezuka reminded himself.

It was 3:58 when Tezuka reached the infirmary's hallways when he noticed the doors of the infirmary open. He could also hear snippets of a phone conversation.

"…try intravenous methylprednisolonein combination with the immunoglobulin. It should hasten recovery and it may benefit the patient. You mentioned he was an athlete of sort's right?"

Standing by the doorframe, Tezuka saw that Reina had her cell phone against one ear while she jotted down on a notepad whatever the person on the other line was saying. "…Friday around 3? I should be able to make it. I would like to meet the patient…I will see you on Friday then Itou-sensei. It was lovely speaking with you too... Ja ne."

Reina was putting the finishing touches to the map she drew of the hospital's main intersections when she noticed Tezuka standing at the doorway. "It's already 4? The time sure flies by. Come on in and have a seat Tezuka-san. And please take off your jersey." Tezuka closed the door, and sat down on the small stool next to Reina and unzipped his jersey. Placing it on his lap, he looked at the young woman. Her eyes were focused on the notepad in front. From his vantage point, he could make out the wispy tendrils of almost blonde hair that escaped her braid, and saw her long, dark lashes fluttering as she blinked.

Quickly finishing her notes, Reina turned to face Tezuka who looked blank faced as ever.

"Are you going somewhere Friday?" Reina blinked at the unexpected question.

Tezuka wanted to hit himself over the head. Now she knew he'd been eavesdropping. His mouth just seemed to have a mind of its own when Reina was near. "I am sorry. You do not have to answer that. It is not my place to ask."

"I don't mind Tezuka-san. The doors were opened so anyone who passed by could've made it their business," Reina laughed off. "I was just speaking to a colleague of my mentor who is a neurologist in Japan. His hospital recently performed a surgery that the research team I had been a part of helped develop." Animatedly, she continued. "The treatment method is still at the clinical trial stage, and the success rate is only 50%, but the surgery was successful and…" Reina trailed off as she realized that she'd been prattling. "Sorry Tezuka-san, I'm babbling. I sometimes talk too much, especially when I'm excited…"

Tezuka thought she looked endearing. With her eyes lit up in enjoyment and cheeks flushed a rosy hue, Reina made a lovely picture. "That's okay. Please continue. I would like to hear the rest."

Reina smiled sheepishly but resumed her explanation. "I won't bore you with the medical jargon, but the surgery was successful and it looks like the patient is well on his way to a full recovery. I was asked by my research supervisor to examine the postoperative effects, and to continue research at the hospital until I return to the States."

"So you will be in Japan for a while?" Tezuka asked.

"Hai until the end of August."

That would give him more time to…what exactly? It does not matter to me as to how long she stays, argued one side of Tezuka's brain. Another voice countered, this is your chance to make a move. 'A move?' voiced the logical side of his mind incredulously, why would he need to make a move? There's too much of an age gap, and even if she were interested, it ranted, she is returning back to America soon and she lives there! His rationality overcame his whims and Tezuka was resolute to abandon all thoughts concerning Echizen's cousin. He was jolted out of his reflections when a cool and delicate hand grasped his left arm. With that, all logic fled from his mind.

"Looks like you've been hard at work Tezuka-san. Your left arm looks to be in good condition." Reina continued to prod at the arm, making her way up to his shoulders. By this stage of her examination, Reina stood up from her chair and bent slightly at the waist to accommodate her exam. She picked up Tezuka's arm and rotated the shoulder joints slowly. The rotator cuff seems healed too but I better incorporate some sports massage to go along with the strengthening exercises. Too absorbed in her work, Reina failed to notice Tezuka's troubled eyes and how his breathing had seemed to falter.

Due to her bending, Tezuka's line of sight was directed at her chest. When he inhaled to take in air, which his brain was sorely lacking at this point, he could smell Reina's natural scent underneath the lavender lotion she used. Rather than any floral or food descriptive so many romance books employed in their narrative, Reina gave off the impression of something dark and heady, dangerous in its sensuality. Tezuka's eyes also closed in on the tops of her full breasts. When she came closer to see something better, he altogether stopped breathing.

"Tezuka-san, along with your usual rehabilitation exercises I would like to try some sports massage techniques. It allows for more joint flexibility thus enabling your rotator cuff to better respond to strengthening exercises. Can you come see me in the evenings?" There was no response. Perhaps he hadn't heard her.

"Tezuka-san?" His continued lack of response made Reina face the silent senior who was gradually turning red from the lack of oxygen.

"Tezuka-san?!" Reina called out in alarm, "are you feeling alright?"

Tezuka hastily gulped in some air and nodded.

"You must be exhausted after your flight and having to fill in for Coach Ryuzaki so suddenly. Plus, standing outside in the sun and heat…here, come and lie down on the bed and rest for a bit."

"I am fine, Reina-san. I really must retu-"

Reina ignored Tezuka's protests and practically dragged him to the examination bed. She forced the reluctant third year to lie down and took off his glasses for him, setting them down on the counter.

"You'll rest for the next thirty minutes of our session Tezuka-san. Doctor's orders!" finished Reina resolutely.

Tezuka knew a losing battle when he saw one. He would just quietly lie here until he could get back –

Reina's hands suddenly appeared in front of his face and tenderly forced his eyelids closed. Next, he felt her fingers at his temple, massaging the tension out. "Just keep your eyes closed and relax for a while. This massage should ease the tension and relax the strained muscles of your face Tezuka-san."

Tezuka was highly uncomfortable with another person touching him so freely. Not even his mother was so carefree; she knew of his aversion towards touchy-feel actions. Yet, he was unable to stop Reina. Her cool finger fluttering about his forehead, cheeks, and jaw line felt so good. In a matter of minutes, Reina smiled as she noticed Tezuka's even breathing.