Chương 14: Chapter 4 The Night I Became a Witch(Part 1)

There were countless things I needed to say. What came next. What needed to be done. How I was supposed to explain any of this. While I was organizing my thoughts, someone spoke before I could.

"I'm so glad you're okay. Are you hurt anywhere? You haven't eaten since noon, right? I picked up some rice balls from a convenience store. Think you can eat?" Rina hurried to my bedside, clutching a plastic bag. Behind her stood a middle-aged man in a white coat, watching us with an amused smile. My attending physician. Takatsuki, I think? He'd introduced himself earlier, but the headache had made it difficult to remember much of anything. Perhaps noticing my confusion, he introduced himself again.

"I'm Dr. Takatsuki. Judging by your expression, the headache seems to be improving." He glanced at the clipboard in his hand.

"We'll run another detailed examination tomorrow. If everything looks normal, you'll likely be discharged. However..." His expression became serious.

"The nurse mentioned that something is supposed to happen around midnight?" Until now, I hadn't felt hungry. The tension had probably suppressed it. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! But the moment I saw Rina acting like her usual self, my appetite came roaring back. I accepted the rice ball and took a bite. Salmon. Good amount of salt, too. After washing it down with the tea she'd brought, my thoughts felt noticeably clearer.

"Thanks, Rina. It's good." I looked between her and Dr. Takatsuki.

"There's something I need both of you to hear." The two exchanged puzzled looks.

"I know how ridiculous this is going to sound. Honestly, I'd be grateful if it turned out to be nothing more than a dream." That got their attention. Rina sat down beside the bed while the doctor folded his arms. I took another bite of the rice ball before continuing. At least my thoughts were organized. That much hadn't changed.

"When the clock hits midnight, I'm going to turn into a girl." Silence.

"If we're talking appearance... albino would probably be the easiest comparison." Still silence.

"I want both of you to witness it. Record it if possible. Be witnesses." I raised a finger.

"That's the first thing." Then a second.

"The other thing concerns tomorrow's examination." I looked directly at Dr. Takatsuki.

"If the transformation happens, I doubt any medical test is going to come back normal." His eyebrows twitched.

"There are reasons for that, but I'd rather explain after midnight." I shrugged.

"If nothing happens, feel free to assume I'm sleep-deprived and talking nonsense." The room grew noticeably quieter. Both of their expressions darkened. Which was fair. A man who had vanished inside an impossible structure and reappeared hours later was now claiming he'd become a teenage girl at midnight. I'd question my sanity too. The problem was that I had evidence. The ring still sat on my finger. The items I'd brought back from inside the Gate were still very real.

To deny reality, I'd have to assume one of three things: I was still unconscious somewhere inside the Gate. I was dreaming. Or I'd already been killed by the Three-Eyed monster and this was some final hallucination. Personally, I'd prefer the version where I was still asleep in my own bed. That sounded much nicer. Dr. Takatsuki finally spoke.

"Mr. Kuroe." His tone was careful.

"Have you ever been diagnosed with gender dysphoria?" I blinked.

"Or perhaps felt that your body and your identity didn't match?" Ah. So that was where his mind had gone. Honestly, I couldn't blame him. Unfortunately for that theory, I had a wife, children, and a perfectly healthy interest in remaining male. Not that I had much say in the matter anymore.

"No." I shook my head.

"And for the record, I'd very much like to continue having a normal married life with my wife." Rina's ears turned red. I ignored it.

"But circumstances are what they are." I spread my hands.

"If midnight comes and nothing changes, I'll be happier than anyone." I inclined my head toward him.

"If your shift ends before then, just leave a camera recording. That's all I'm asking." Dr. Takatsuki stared at me for several seconds. Then he glanced at the clock. 11: 30 PM. Only thirty minutes remained.

"Mr. Kuroe." His voice was slow.

"You do understand how unbelievable what you're saying sounds, correct?"

"Very."

"At the moment, you're classified as an important observation subject. You're the first known person to emerge from one of those structures." He exhaled.

"Midnight, then?" I nodded.

"Midnight."

"Very well." The doctor stood.

"I'll make preparations." With that, he left the room to retrieve recording equipment. The door closed behind him. Leaving only Rina and me.