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[Here comes Shang Qinghua, who seems to be dropping by the study for a quick visit when he notices Oda.]
Don't mind me, sir. I'm only here to pick something up.
Don't mind me, sir. I'm only here to pick something up.
[ when qinghua finds oda, he's sitting on a desk, focused on a piece of paper. in his hands is a pencil, and it looks like he's thinking of what to write but...
well, the sheet's still blank. and from the way that oda looks up with slight surprise, it's obvious that he's been fixed on writing something for a while now. ]
Oh. Yeah, go ahead. [ he sets the pencil down, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. ] I'm not really sure why I'm here in the first place.
well, the sheet's still blank. and from the way that oda looks up with slight surprise, it's obvious that he's been fixed on writing something for a while now. ]
Oh. Yeah, go ahead. [ he sets the pencil down, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. ] I'm not really sure why I'm here in the first place.
[ shang qinghua finds his gaze drawn to the paper, where it lingers for a moment longer than he intends. ]
It looks like you meant to write something. Should I come back later?
It looks like you meant to write something. Should I come back later?
. . . If it's time, I have some to spare. What troubles you?
[ time to start pressing every key in sight. ]
Ah—this might be forward of me, but your difficulty with putting down the words in your mind . . . Is that not called a block? An open discussion may be of help.
Ah—this might be forward of me, but your difficulty with putting down the words in your mind . . . Is that not called a block? An open discussion may be of help.
[ he studies oda like he wants to say more, but ultimately doesn't press the matter. ]
I won't force you; however, I'll listen if you have anything to say.
[ anything at all. in the meantime, he reaches over to take a fountain pen. ]
I won't force you; however, I'll listen if you have anything to say.
[ anything at all. in the meantime, he reaches over to take a fountain pen. ]
[ tucking the pen away, he closes his eyes and inhales. as he exhales, his shoulders slump a little. ]
Ah, so you remember. You don't need to worry. This is not the first time I have witnessed death.
Ah, so you remember. You don't need to worry. This is not the first time I have witnessed death.
Even if death isn't permanent here, it is vicious to take the life of a junior. With how many children are taking part in this contest, I thought the majority of us would have agreed upon this . . .
Then it falls on us as their elders to protect them; however, this curfew makes it nearly impossible for this one to carry out such an important task here.
Is there really nothing that can be done? In the past, we’ve witnessed our fair share of miracles through fervent prayer and audiences with the great gods. Is it too optimistic to appeal for a week where the contest advances without anyone's death?
[ to say oda was concerning toward the end of the trial would be an understatement. shang qinghua has no intention of seeking the man out—better to allow the grief to process first—so he snaps his head up in surprise when he spot oda in the lab. ]
Sir?
Sir?
[ oh, no. he strides over to pick up a roll of bandage. ]
Let me help. Are you still bleeding?
Let me help. Are you still bleeding?
This is . . . Sir, this can become serious if you don't take care of it now. Let me at least fetch some water, so you can clean your leg.
[ setting the roll of bandage down, he briskly exits the laboratory to return with a bucket of water and a washcloth. ]
[ setting the roll of bandage down, he briskly exits the laboratory to return with a bucket of water and a washcloth. ]
[ he ran back and forth as fast as he could! setting the bucket down, he wrings excess water from the washcloth and offers it to oda. let the man keep face and wash his own leg. ]
It's no bother. Making sure that everyone's looked after is what I do.
It's no bother. Making sure that everyone's looked after is what I do.
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