The end of October in Heijo-kyo always has continuous rainy days, with the damp, sticky air carrying a hint of chill.
I sat at my desk, finishing the day's accounts and jotting down some herbs to be replenished on a piece of paper. After taking off my glasses, I stretched my sore back, suddenly realizing that quite many people had come today, and I had forgotten to have lunch. I patiently listened to the resonating chimes of the heavy clock on the wall, which blended with the sound of rain.
Six chimes.
It was six o'clock, indeed time to close. A day had passed just like that, quietly fulfilling.
Perhaps this would be how my entire life unfolded, day after day. A monotonous existence, devoid of storms, doing my job in a small town, marrying someone in a few years, having children, and enjoying cherry blossoms and moonlit nights with my family, aging gracefully in the cycle of time...
I tidied up my ledger, put my glasses back on, and stood up. As I circled around the counter and desk to put back two pharmacy books to the nearby bookshelf, I pondered what to have for dinner. Should it be tea and porridge, or maybe ginger stew? Or should I go to Mr. Chiba's soba noodle shop across the street? But it was raining, and I felt a bit tired. Perhaps I could skip dinner tonight...
I seemed to hear a faint knocking sound amid the pitter-patter of the rain. I replied, "Please come in," my eyes lingering on the titles of the books on the shelf, still entangled in the matter of dinner.
The clear sound of the copper bell hanging on the door signaled that the person must have heard my response and entered. Although I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about having customers at closing time, I still turned around and offered a smile. "This is Yoshida. How can I assist you?"
The person was soaked through, water droplets falling from their clothes onto the wooden floor, leaving dark stains. Rainwater plastered their hair to their cheeks, giving them a somewhat disheveled appearance. A chilling dampness, carrying the scent of rain, permeated the room with their arrival.
"Getting wet in the rain can lead to a cold. In my opinion, taking good care of oneself can often avoid the need to seek medicine," I jestingly remarked. However, the person showed no reaction, which left me feeling somewhat dull.
The stranger handed me a piece of paper at my desk. As I read the names of the medications on it, my brow furrowed deeply. Nevertheless, I patiently glanced through the list, even though the first medication's name had already made me uneasy.
"These... these two medications cannot be prescribed," I said, furrowing my brow. I looked up at the person across from me, who seemed to have been staring at me while I read the list, making me quite uncomfortable. It felt as though... he had anticipated my response.
"It's a doctor's prescription. Couldn't you make an exception?" the person insisted, maintaining a calm tone but showing a hint of reluctance.
"It may be a doctor's prescription, but even if a doctor were to write such a nonsense prescription, I, as a pharmacist, cannot agree to dispense the medication," I explained sternly. I had a serious expression on my face, something rare for me. This prescription was infuriating. The doctor had been utterly irresponsible. Aside from warming herbs like ephedra, there were two medications, one highly toxic and the other a high-dosage painkiller. In this day and age, unless there were exceptional circumstances, such prescriptions were rarely seen, and they were definitely not suitable for a young and seenly healthy individual. It was no longer a matter of carelessness; this prescription was tantamount to endangering a person's life.
He remained silent, taking back the prescription. He bit his lower lip and, after a long pause, finally spoke.
His words completely angered me. He had actually requested only the highly toxic medication.
Reluctant visitors who didn't heed advice, coupled with my preexisting fatigue, made me somewhat lose control of my emotions.
I've always disliked patients who acted as if they knew better than professionals, ignored medical advice, and made their own decisions about medications despite having little knowledge. If everyone knew their ailments better than the physicians and pharmacists, what was the purpose of our job?
However, something about him made me start to understand.
"Show me your medical records," I extended my hand.
As our eyes met, I realized that the person was quite young. Though mature in demeanor, there was still a hint of youthfulness in the contours of his face. He didn't respond, keeping his eyes lowered, his face looked pale under the lamplight.
For some inexplicable reason, my anger dissipated. I wasn't intentionally being tough; I let out a sigh and said, "Well, it's a strong medication, much more side effects than captopril. Although it is very effective for heart failure in the short term, the symptoms will accelerate after stopping the medication for half a month... Anyway, I can't give it to you."
The person stared at me for a few seconds, then finally gave up. His face remained expressionless, as if it had never shown any emotion.
"Thank you, and sorry for bothering you during your rest."
He turned around, ready to leave.
As I watched his slight figure, drenched and trembling slightly, possibly from being soaked by the rain, I suddenly felt lonely. Considering that he was probably younger than me and not yet an adult, with the rain still pouring outside, I softened.
"Um... if you don't mind, you could wait until the rain subsides before leaving."
He paused for a moment, clearly hesitating.
"I don't have much to do, and I'm alone here anyway. It gets boring by myself. Why not stay and chat for a while?"
In truth, it's not entirely like that. After closing up each day, I usually spend my time alone, reading a few books and sipping some tea, and time just passes by. So, I've grown accustomed to it. Friends used to tease me, saying, "Yoshida, you're so young, yet you live like an old man..."
He turned to look at me, and I smiled at him. He lowered his gaze, his dark eyes calm as still water. He didn't say anything but simply nodded in agreement.