Happiness prologue; Do you want to know?

(This is part of a multi-chapter story. If you haven't read the first one, go to https://pastebin.com/CTTP7bMU)




                                           Happiness prologue; Do you want to know?


*A year ago*

The building was a front, of course. From the outside, it looked like a bar, and from the inside as well I guess, only there was not a single customer. People knew better than to come in here. The door at the back of the main room was guarded by the scariest man I've ever seen; taller than me, covered in tattoos, but I suppose the scariest thing about him was probably the automatic rifle he held carelessly in his right hand.

Yakuza? Make sense, such a big operation... Of course they'd want a cut. And with their reach in the government, helps make this legit. If someone hears about it, helps make them look the other way too... Or make them unable to look at anything else ever again, if they won't listen. I don't like being in presence of such individuals... Worried not only about my safety, but also my reputation. Well, he told me this would be a quick visit... I can't help but smile; Heard that one before.

Nurse: 'Ah, Mister Nakai! Or should I say Doctor Nakai now? ...You look terrible.'

He's not wrong... But I'd like to see how he looks, after a month working eighty hours a week, barely doing anything other than working, eating and sleeping.

Hisao: 'Thanks, Nurse.'
Nurse: 'Still calling me by that name?'
Hisao: 'Why not? You call me Doctor, seems fair.'
Nurse: 'Fine, fine. So, you're sure about your decision? Once the deal is done, you can change your mind and we'll deal with it, but you won't get your money back, you got it?'
Hisao: 'Yes. Got it. And yes, I'm sure.'
Nurse: 'Perfect! Then follow me please!'

And with this, he turns and walks toward another door at a brisk pace. He's still the same smiling, energetic man I've known at Yamaku. I follow him, hoping he'll slow down a bit; Surely he remembers I have a heart condition.

Nurse: 'So, have you thought about what you wanted exactly?'
Hisao: 'What do you mean, what I want? I want what you're selling?'

Is he trying to make me say it? In some weird "Prove you're not a cop" mind game?

Nurse: 'Of course, of course. But we offer different options.'
Hisao: 'Like what?'
Nurse: 'Well you know. Speaking, mute, blind or not, that sort of stuff. Have you not thought about what you needed?'
Hisao: '...Not really. I thought they were all the same.'
Nurse: 'Of course not! Different folks, different strokes. Well, I'll show you anyway.'

He opens the next door, we walk down a few sets of stairs and arrive in front of a heavy metal door with a security clearance. He swipes a card in, look at a camera, and after a few seconds, the door unlocks, and we walk in;

Beds are lined up in a large room, ranks after ranks... Looks more like cribs, with the wooden guards around them. A quick look around tells me there's probably two hundred of them, maybe more. But there's not a sound to be heard.

Nurse: 'So this is the mute area. As you probably figured out due to not getting your ears blown off by hundreds of screaming girls.'

I take a look inside at a few of them; They're all so scrawny... Do they feed them enough? I suppose it's probably more practical to keep them thin, easier to have them gain weight than lose it, if needed. I guess the nurse picked up on my reaction because he explains before I even ask;

Nurse: 'I know what you're thinking, they're all so thin, right? If you like them a bit more on the chubby side, we keep a few fatties in the next room. Harder to keep them healthy though.'
Hisao: 'No... It's fine. Thin, I mean.'
Nurse: 'Good, good! Now, what are you interested in? Blind, deaf, paralyzed? Some limbs or none at all? Do you want one who can speak?'
Hisao: 'What's the difference?'
Nurse: 'Well for one, if you stick it up her ass she might tell on you. So you can't have anyone else see her. Ever.'

Talking about them like that makes me uncomfortable, but I try to hide it.

Hisao: 'Probably better if she's mute.'

I'm wealthy enough, but not nearly enough to retire and take care of someone all day long... I'll have to hire someone to help me, and I don't really want them to talk about... stuff.

Nurse: 'Concerned about what she would have to say? What are you planning, not anything deviant, I trust?'

He smiles his stupid grin, the one I've seen many times at Yamaku. I ignore his question;

Hisao: 'So other than that...'

He realizes I'm dodging the question, but doesn't press further.

Nurse: 'Well, we have something for everyone, as I've told you. Deaf, blind, paralyzed... Some who were born like that, some who got a little help.'
Hisao: 'A little help?'
Nurse: 'Do you want to know?'
Hisao: 'I don't know, do I?'

I reply instantly without thinking about it, but I quickly regret asking;

Nurse: 'Well, you know. There aren't that many quadruple amputees around, the demand is high. But do you know what there is, in nearly unlimited supply? Unwanted daughters, and parents happy to be rid of them.'
Hisao: '...I didn't want to know.'
Nurse: 'You probably won't want to know that Emi just barely escaped this life either, then.'
Hisao: 'What?'
Nurse: 'Remember Emi, from Yamaku? Well, after the accident... Dad is dead, mom is poor, no money for the operations she needed to save her life. The only reason she's still alive is that I had a guy looking for someone like her. So we saved her, and were about to do some... Modifications. But the guy died, and no one else wanted her. So we handed her back to her mom, and to this day she still thinks we did it out of the goodness of our heart.'

I feel sick thinking about what Emi could've gone through... What monsters would want to hurt her, to do that to her? But I come back to my senses and realize... I am here, so who am I to judge? I don't want to hurt anyone though. Or at least, do the least possible evil.

Hisao: 'I'd rather have one who was born like that. No... modifications.'
Nurse: 'A soft heart, are you?'

He grins again.

Nurse: 'Literally and figuratively.'

I don't know what to say to that, so I keep silent. The nurse picks up on my shame, and changes the topic, to try and stop me from having second thoughts.

Nurse: 'So, quadruple amputee from birth, deaf, mute, blind, anything else?'
Hisao: 'What else is there?'
Nurse: 'Some people have specific tastes. Anything comes to mind?'
Hisao: 'Not really. Just the...basics?'
Nurse: 'Fine, fine. How about this one then?'

He points at a girl sleeping on her bed, peaceful.

Hisao: '...She's black.'
Nurse: 'You don't like blacks? She fits your requirements.'
Hisao: 'It's not that, it's just... People will ask questions, won't they? Won't look like we're related or anything.'
Nurse: 'Doesn't matter. You won't tell them you're related anyway. This just brings more and more question, who is the mother, where is the mother, how did she lose all her limbs...'

I cringe at that last question, and make a weird face.

Nurse: 'What, you think people won't ask those questions? You better prepare yourself to have answers, because they definitely will. And that's why you're not related. You're her caretaker. So you don't have to know her backstory.'
Hisao: 'Her caretaker?'
Nurse: 'Yes. You're a doctor, right? You save lives, you help people, everyone knows you for a good person. She's just one more person you're taking care of.'
Hisao: '... I see.'
Nurse: 'Anyway, you don't seem fond of chocolate. How about this one?'

I ignore him, and take a look at another girl instead; A cute girl with shoulder-length brown hair, rolling around on her bed from one side to the other. She's not sleeping, and I'm not sure what she's doing... Maybe it's a game to her? Or some kind of exercise? Maybe she's just having fun. I move closer and take a better look at her. She's obviously blind, but her eyes are wide open, like she's looking for something... She's beautiful. And not as skinny than the others, which is a good thing - though she's still a bit thin to my taste. They're all wearing the same clothes - pink onesies designed specifically for them; No sleeves - but she's filling them a bit more. She randomly turns her head in my direction when I move closer, like she's looking at me.

Hisao: 'What about her?'
Nurse: 'You like this one? Yes, she would fit your type. As you can see, she has some burn scars from an incident at a young age, but it doesn't seem to trouble you. One more minor detail though; Her vocal cords aren't snapped like most of these other mutes. Just damaged. She won't ever be able to speak, but she can make some noises... Moans, growls, that sort of this. Is that a problem?'

He lets me think about it for a moment, then smiles, and continues;

Nurse: 'Or a boon?'
Hisao: 'Moans, you say? Is it possible to... You know, get her to like it?'
Nurse: 'She's not a doll. Of course she can like it. If you're good with the ladies, catch my meaning?'

I blush and turn away, and for a moment I feel like I'm back in high school, ashamed to talk about this stuff. I try to segway into another topic.

Hisao: 'And what about love?'
Nurse: 'Love?'
Hisao: 'Is it possible for them to feel love?'
Nurse: 'Well, that's a tough question. They probably don't understand much about anything, and love... Who really understands love? But why do you ask?'
Hisao: 'What I mean is, I'd like her to want to be with me.'
Nurse: 'Oh! A romantic, are you? Well, they're quite simple, and it's easy to make them need you, want you... in a way. You'll find out soon enough I'm sure. Figuring this stuff out is part of the fun you'll have, I wouldn't spoil it for you!'

He pauses a moment, then keeps going;

Nurse: 'You're a smart kid, if anyone can figure it out, make them understand love, it's you!'
Hisao: 'I see...'
Nurse: 'Perfect! So it's a deal?'
Hisao: 'Sure, I guess.'
Nurse: 'Good! You have the money?'
Hisao: 'You told me checks were fine, right?'
Nurse: 'They sure are! Here, make it to this company, we'll deal with the rest.'

I take a look at a company's name on a sheet of paper. Never heard of it. I write the check and hand it to him, and he gives it a lazy once-over; No reason to worry about it, who in their right mind would try to scam these people?

Nurse: 'Seems in order, thirty million yen, as we said.'
Hisao: 'Why is it so much?'

I ask the question like I'm talking about the weather, but I'm still curious.

Hisao: 'I mean, adoption doesn't cost ten percent of that.'
Nurse: 'Then why don't you adopt?'
Hisao: '...accountability?'
Nurse: 'You got it! You're not paying that much for her. You're paying that much for her papers, for legal support... As weird as it sounds, this operation is all legit. But if someone comes nosing around, well, you're also paying that much for some arm-twisting, if needs be. Oh, and for her birth certificate - Legit too. Which leads to the next question, how should we call her?'
Hisao: 'Call her?'
Nurse: 'Yes, humans have names, even those missing a few limbs. What should be hers?'
Hisao: 'I don't know... Never thought I'd need to give her a name.'
Nurse: 'Well, you can think about it now. It's like buying a puppy. You have to give it a name.'

I think about it for a few minutes, then a name comes to me. I'm not sure why, but my mind seems to think it's a good idea.

Hisao: 'Iwanako.'
Nurse: 'Rare name. Where does it come from?'
Hisao: 'Err... Long story.'
Nurse: 'Tell me. I like long stories.'
Hisao: 'Some girl I had a crush on, a long time ago.'

He doesn't say anything, obviously sensing there's more to this story, and wanting me to go on.

Hisao: 'When I had my heart attack.'
Nurse: 'I see. Well, this won't do.'
Hisao: 'Why not?'
Nurse: 'How to explain... You see, I don't care what you're going to do with her.'

He hesitates, but continues anyway;

Nurse: 'I've seen the face you've made when I told you about Emi... Well, if I told you what some people have done with theirs, you'd puke your guts out right here and there. So you can do anything you want and no one's gonna stop you. You can take her the minute she's yours, no one cares... Or you can try to wait, to make her fall in love with you...'

He snorts derisively, making it clear what he really thinks about my vision, then continues;

Nurse: 'But the past stays in the past. It does no good bringing it back.'
Hisao: 'Nice of you to take care of me so I don't get hurt by old feelings.'

He laughs.

Nurse: 'Dr. Nakai... You're smarter than me and better than me in a thousand ways, but sometimes you're as dumb as you were in Yamaku. It's not about that at all.'
Hisao: 'Then what is it about?'
Nurse: 'Let's say you're with her someday, and you just so happen to meet one of your former classmates. One who knows about Iwanako. The real Iwanako. Now she asks you who that is, and you tell her she's... Iwanako. Is it a coincidence? Did you take her because she remembered you of a lost love, and if you did, what did you have in mind?'
Hisao: 'Aren't you reaching there? Odds are I'll never meet anyone from my old school, and even if I did, I don't recall any of them being a detective or anything like that.'
Nurse: 'Maybe not, but we don't care how likely it is. We'd rather not risk it at all. These things they're just... Complications. And we don't like complications.'

He's still smiling, but there's something new to his voice, his expression; Seems more threatening than usual.

Hisao: 'Fine then, pick any other name, I don't care. If I'm her caretaker, it shouldn't be my call anyway, right?'
Nurse: 'There you go! Let me think... How about Kaori?'
Hisao: 'And you talk about uncommon names? Where is this one coming from?'
Nurse: 'Some old Okinawan.'
Hisao: 'And what does it mean?'

He smiles again, this time in a reassuring manner;

Nurse: 'It's a lost dialect, but the interpretation goes something like... Reason to live. A sense of purpose, a reason to wake up every morning. One could describe it more simply as... happiness.'
Hisao: 'Happiness? That's her name?'
Nurse: 'Well, Kaori will do. You're not from Okinawa, are you?'
Hisao: '...Fine. Kaori it is.'
Nurse: 'Perfect! It will be done. I trust you're ready to have her at any moment now? It usually doesn't take more than a few days to file in the paperwork.'
Hisao: 'Yes, I'm ready. Will it be...discreet, when you bring her to me?'
Nurse: 'Discreet? What do you mean?'
Hisao: 'You know... We probably don't want people to see that?'

He shakes his head.

Nurse: 'How exactly do you see this happening, Nakai? Think we're gonna bring her to your house in a bag of potatoes and drop her in front of your door? I told you, this is all legit. A medical, paratransit vehicle will bring her to your place, and nurses in uniforms will push her to your door in a wheelchair. And if you can believe it, there won't be armed guardsmen anywhere in sight.'
Hisao: '...fine. I get it. So... That's it then?'
Nurse: 'Unless you have any other questions, yes, it's all settled!'
Hisao: '...I probably won't see you ever again. So thanks, I guess.'
Nurse: 'The pleasure is all mine, Hisao.'

First time he called me by that name in a very long time, I'm a bit stunned. I'm about to walk out, but I can't stop looking at all these girls, laying on their bed, awaiting someone to come pick them up like a kitten at a pet store. Despite what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it, I'm still a bit uneasy about it. As he usually does, the Nurse picks up on it;

Nurse: 'I know why you're doing this, Nakai. I'm part of the reason you were contacted in the first place.'
Hisao: 'Oh?'
Nurse: 'I know what it's like to be a doctor. I might not be a doctor myself, but obviously, I know a lot of them. The hours, the stress... There's a reason I'm not a doctor, why I'm just a nurse with this... side job. I know you don't have any time for yourself. I keep track of Yamaku students after they leave, especially brilliant kids like you.'
Hisao: 'What's your point?'
Nurse: 'I know you haven't been with anyone after Yamaku.'
Hisao: 'Are you stalking me?'
Nurse: 'I wouldn't say that, but of course we choose our clients carefully.'

I'm not sure what to say to that, so I end up saying nothing, and the nurse continues;

Nurse: 'I know the kind of life you're living. Tough job, long hours, no love, no friends... You're always alone. Can't talk to anyone, when you're not working you're sleeping... That's not a way to live your life... It's as if you gave up on life, after Yamaku and the university. You're not living, you're just surviving. An empty human shell. I know you have it rough... And what we do here, is to help people like you. Give you an opportunity to experience something else.'

Can't say he's wrong... I want to take a moment to reflect on all this, but he keeps going;

Nurse: 'Because everyone, even broken human beings, deserve a chance at happiness.'



End of the prologue.