One morning, Dr. Oguni entered the hospital, and he wasn't alone. Noticing Tsubame's curious gaze, he told her. "These are my granddaughters. Their parents have gone on an overseas business trip, so they're staying with me. Unfortunately, the babysitter had to cancel, so I'm bringing them in. They shouldn't be any trouble."
"I-it should be alright. It's Golden Week, so maybe, it won't be as busy." Tsubame smiled at the two little girls. "Good morning. I'm Tsubame."
"My name's Ayame." She must have been the older one, and she was fiddling with one of the braids in her hair.
"And I'm Suzume." The younger sister piped up. "Hello!"
"It's very nice to meet you, Ayame and Suzume." She glanced at Dr. Oguni, who was trying flattery, to get meal vouchers from one of the receptionists. "How old are you?"
"Five!"
"Eight. How about you, onee-san?" Ayame asked.
"Er…eighteen."
The girls glanced at each other, before Suzume declared. "Wow, that's old."
"Ah…" Tsubame felt like crying. "I'm still a student…"
The little girl gasped. "You're in school? Why?"
"I want to be a doctor someday, because I want to support others."
"I don't know what I want to do." Ayame honestly said. "Maybe, a doctor too? Like Ojii-san, but not really."
Tsubame had to agree, that Dr. Oguni was too flippant to be a proper example. "Then, why don't you ask girls like me? We can tell you more, about why we work here."
Then, Dr. Oguni turned back to them. "Girls, let's go."
"Okay. Goodbye." Ayame called out, as they were led away.
Suzume wasn't to be outdone, adding a hop to her step. "Bye-bye!"
Tsubame gave a cheerful wave. "Have a good day."
Megumi quickly reapplied her lipstick, as she looked into the bathroom mirror. Today would be a good day to catch up on filing, and she had to read that interesting publication, which detailed research done in her hometown of Aizu. She paused.
Were those children's voices? She glanced around, wondering why she didn't see a parental figure or nurse. If they weren't visiting or patients, what would they be doing here?
Two girls emerged from the stalls. They were both younger than ten, and their chatter stopped when they saw Megumi. Shyly, they headed for the farthest sink.
"Come on, Suzume. Let's wash our hands."
The sink was too tall for the younger girl, Suzume. The older girl must have been her sister, because she tried to lift her. But it didn't quite work, Suzume's feet only dangled off the ground.
Exasperated, Megumi walked over, urging the older girl aside and easily lifting the little sister by the waist. "There. If you need help, you shouldn't be afraid to ask for it."
"Thank you, obaa-san." Suzume said.
Her mouth twitched. "No, I'm onee-san."
"Do you work here, onee-san?" The older girl caught on quickly.
"Yes, I'm Dr. Takani. Now, who should be looking after you two? What's your surname?"
"I'm Oguni Ayame."
"Oh, you're Dr. Oguni's granddaughters. He did send an e-mail about the two of you accompanying him." She set Suzume down, for she had finished washing her hands. "I didn't see him outside. I should tell him that you two cannot be left alone." She opened the door for them.
"Why are you a doctor?" Suzume inquired.
"Why? Because people need me, and I will do anything to save them." And to atone for those she couldn't.
Dr. Oguni was at the end of the hallway, drinking from a bottle of tea. He strode to them, and his granddaughters left Megumi for him. "Oh, I see you've met Dr. Takani. Thank you, by the way."
"I hope you don't lose them again, Dr. Oguni." She dryly said, but spared a smile to the girls before she headed for the workspace.
Tae filled two small bowls with sukiyaki, and placed them before Dr. Oguni's granddaughters. They thanked her, and ate happily. It was quiet in the rest of the cafeteria; the lunch hour had just begun, and the rush wouldn't start for another fifteen minutes.
After handing over meal vouchers, the doctor conversed with her. "I've seen you in the hospital as well, as a regular employee."
"Usually, yes, I am. I thought of becoming a nutritionist, once. But instead, I work for them as a receptionist."
"Why don't you run this kiosk full-time? Many of the staff would be grateful."
"I considered it. However, I realized that I like being involved, in educating people how to eat. I'm considering going back for my degree."
"Your customers will support you." He turned back to Ayame and Suzume, who had stopped to listen. "The soup will get cold. Or would you two rather have something else?"
Suzume shook her head. "It's yummy."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"School has a nutritionist too, for making lunch." Ayame thought aloud.
"Yes, they would be important in your school. They tell people how to be healthy, by eating the right things."
"And that's fun?"
"It's enjoyable for me." She replied. "Food is important, in keeping you healthy. But it should be delicious too, so you eat it."
"Bunny onigiri are delicious and healthy." Suzume spoke up.
Tae laughed. "Yes, if you fill them right."
When they left, Dr. Oguni was being pestered about rabbit-shaped rice balls for tonight's dinner.
Uki frowned. Those two little girls seemed to be lost, they were far too old to be anywhere near the NICU. Tokio-san would have approached them without a second thought, but she had an appointment with her obstetrician.
Gingerly, Uki approached them. "Hi there. Are you looking for someone?"
"Our grandpa. He went out, and he isn't back yet. We wanted to find him." The older girl said.
"Does he work on this floor?"
"He's Dr. Oguni."
Uki was unfamiliar with the name, but she returned to her chair. "I'll call the lobby so he can pick you up." She did, and heard from his division that he was in with a patient who needed counseling. She told the girls that he was occupied. "You'll just have to wait." She expected them to sit quietly, but apparently, they just woke up from their afternoon nap and were too energetic. After chasing each other from wall to wall, they introduced themselves to her and eagerly talked.
"What's your job?" The younger sister, Suzume, jumped up and down.
"I'm a nurse."
"Do you like it?"
"Sometimes. It's hard work, but I care about the patients. We take care of sick babies here, and I want to help them get better."
"Oh." Suzume paused. "Can we see them?"
"No, they're sleeping."
Ayame was contemplative, and she eyed the pens on the other side of the counter. She reached for one. "We can make cards for them, to tell them 'get well soon'. They would be cheered up."
The babies couldn't read, but the task would keep the waiting girls busy. She handed them two sheets of printer paper and blue pens. After noting that they were engrossed in scribbling, she returned to her work.
Eventually, Dr. Oguni retrieved them, and the 'cards' were given to Uki. The papers were covered in doodles of the spring weather and messy hiragana, but the sentiment was appreciated. She taped them to the windows, across from the incubators.
Misao almost tripped over them, as she was heading for the vending machine. They shrieked and she gasped. "Oh, sorry!" She righted the two girls, steadying them so they wouldn't fall. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, we are." The older one answered, patting down her younger, startled sister. But the smaller girl began to hiccup, tears welling in her eyes.
"Ah, I must have scared you." Misao winced, feeling terrible.
"It's okay. Come on, Suzume, don't be a crybaby."
"I'm not a crybaby! You're mean, Ayame!" Then, they began to fight, yelling at each other. The noise would be disruptive, and Misao hurriedly searched her pockets. The kaleidoscopes were for patients, and she only had enough money to buy drinks for everyone in the workspace. But, this pocket did have something.
"Hey! If you two make up, I'll give you these." She pulled out two miniature chocolate bars, still in their wrapping. She could spare them, she still had more in her desk. "Go on, hold hands and apologize to each other. Then, I'll give you the candy."
The girls grudgingly obeyed.
"Sorry."
"I'm sorry too."
"Aw, you're good girls, aren't you? Here, one for you and for you too." She passed a candy to each of them, and they sullenly chewed. "I'll take you back to your grandpa, I heard that he brought you in today." She matched their pace, as they walked.
"Thank you for the chocolate." Ayame said.
"No problem. I like seeing people's smiles, when they feel better. Do you two feel better?"
"Yes." Suzume answered. "It was sweet."
"Well, great, my job's done here!" They reached the correct department, and she stayed long enough to see Dr. Oguni scold them for leaving for the bathroom, when he wasn't available. The girls were calm though, and Misao started to whistle as she left.
At long last, the day was over. Kaoru was about to take the elevator down to the lobby, when Dr. Oguni entered with his granddaughters. He was carrying them, for they looked worn out.
"And I thought I wouldn't get to see Ayame and Suzume today." She greeted the girls, and they sleepily replied.
She had already finished her rotation with Dr. Oguni, but he was interested in how she was doing. "How was your first week with the dermatology division?"
"It was good, thank you. But I still prefer family medicine and pediatrics." She admitted.
They talked a little, over her future plans. She wouldn't be in pediatrics until the end of summer, but that was fine with her. She was willing to wait, for her true goal. In the meantime, she would do her best in the other divisions and learn what she could.
Finally, the elevator stopped. When they walked out, Ayame stirred. "Kaoru-nee? Do you like it here?"
"Of course. Some days are better than others, but I can't turn away, from people who are suffering. And, I believe in the importance of life. To take care of others' health, that's to devote yourself to life."
"That's cool." Suzume must have been imitating someone she heard, because it sounded so unlike her. Kaoru laughed.
"The two of you can do it, if you want to be the same. And you know what, if anyone says otherwise," She leaned in, to fiercely whisper. "Tell them you can." She was rewarded, with their delighted, determined expressions.
Dr. Oguni departed in a different direction, and as he did, Kaoru heard Ayame's little voice again.
"Ojii-san? I want to work here someday."
Suzume joined in. "Me too, me too."
"That makes your grandfather very proud." Dr. Oguni said, and he meant it.
The sun was setting and the warmth of the day still lingered in the air. On her way home, Kaoru smiled.