12 Health Checkup

"Unh, unh... there's no issue with Mio's health."

The doctor nodded with satisfaction as he finished examining Mio.

Hearing that there was nothing amiss, Jin exhaled unconsciously.

He had been slightly worried about whether this routine would suit a six-year-old.

"Right then, Higashi. Next is your turn."

"No, sir. I—"

"You've dodged this long enough. So have you. Your regular checkup will be overdue in half a year."

"I'm really fine. There's nothing wrong at all."

Mio murmured softly, watching Jin protest.

"Jin, do you dislike doctors?"

Jin froze at the words.

The doctor chuckled, observing his hesitation.

"See? You're setting a poor example."

"...Understood. I understand. Please, sir."

He raised both hands in surrender.

He'd probably planned it all along.

The examination proceeded smoothly.

During that time, Mio played in the hospital’s storage area.

"...Your body seems to be doing well. The regenerated cells have fully integrated and are undergoing normal metabolism. There should be no further issues."

"That’s what I said, wasn’t it?"

"Still, you shouldn’t be too optimistic. I’ve said this before—there’s no precedent for such extensive regeneration treatment as you’ve undergone. No one can guarantee there won’t be adverse effects."

Jin looked down at his own body.

His body was certainly composed of about eighty percent artificial components.

Going further would mean brain transplantation, at that level.

"Then, about Mio—"

"I heard you scored exceptionally well on the math test. I’m listening."

"Yes. Do you understand anything from that?"

"At the very least, there’s no sign of any acquired intervention on Mio’s body."

Jin exhaled, a faint unease stirring in his chest.

"Acquired... does that mean no congenital intervention?"

"...The correct answer is that we don't know. There's no anomaly in her body. Her cells are pristine—perfectly ordered, as if designed that way."

That was precisely what made it suspicious, the doctor said.

"Human beings always have some flaw. But Mio has none. It's as though she were engineered to be this way."

"A designer child?"

A human modified through genetic manipulation.

But in this case, one might argue that every person living within the convoy was such.

To endure the voyage through space, humanity had made minor, incremental modifications to their physiology.

The doctor, however, was referring not to these basic adaptations, but to children whose fundamental structure had been altered.

Even if that’s true, it’s still too beautiful. There’s no need to refine it to this extent. Such technology doesn’t exist on any fleet.

That’s precisely why the doctor said it was incomprehensible.

A human body so flawless it seems impossible to have been artificially altered… yet the beauty cannot be produced by artificial means… a contradiction, wouldn’t you say?

Well, all I can say is this—she’ll be a beauty in the future. Be ready for the day she brings a boyfriend home.

I’ll make sure to tell him he’s weaker than me.

The ace with the highest kill count in history saying it isn’t a joke.

The doctor laughed at Jin’s remark, then said the examination was over.

They picked up Mio, who had been idly bored at the storage depot, and headed home.

They ate dinner from a cube food ration, then relaxed for a while.

“Today, you’re not shining so bright.”

Mio murmurs, gazing up at the sky from the balcony of the residential unit, her tone tinged with regret.

The child, unaware of the terror of combat, seemed to await this beautiful sight with anticipation.

Considering the facts, enemy attacks always came at night.

As if aware of how much they disturbed the night.

Despite the fact that there is no day or night in space.

Jin, supporting himself at the waist to avoid falling, also looks up.

Will tonight pass without the alarm's dread?

Mio's instincts are usually correct; he thinks he might sleep tonight.

"Let's go inside soon."

"Alright."

It's helpful that she listens so well.

He lifts her small frame—barely a hundred centimeters—and carries her to the washroom.

Two weeks have passed since he began living with Mio.

Thanks to her quick attachment, Jin has not endured much hardship.

"Alright, Mio. It's sudden, but I'll be working starting next week."

"Working?"

"Yeah. Working."

"Wasn't staying at home already work...?"

Mio's eyes widen, showing surprise.

After living together, he's noticed something: her mouth stays still, but her eyes move quite a bit.

He's slightly shocked—she's been thinking about that.

"No. Not a teacher, like... a sort of mentor."

"Jin was a teacher...? Like wearing a white coat?"

He realizes what Mio is imagining—her old attending physician during her hospitalization.

"No, not a doctor. Well... someone who teaches knowledge to various people."

"Oh. Jin, Jin. Teach something to Mio too!"

He suspects she's misunderstood the point, but he doesn't want to dismiss her request.

"Ah... Kids who stay up late get taken away by a ghost with pink hair. Did you know that?"

There are no ghosts.

Mio speaks quickly, her expression stiffening slightly.

Jin understands she’s frightened. He lifts the corner of his mouth.

Penguin plushies scattered across Mio’s room.

Purchased recently, but she seems to adore them deeply.

Jin feigns a sudden recollection, then continues.

"There’s also the toys that get angry if you don’t clean up. They come at night to the child sleeping in bed..."

"Wah-wah-wah!"

Mio flails her arms, cutting him off.

"I don’t need to hear any more..."

"Sorry, sorry. Anyway, I start work next week. So while I’m working, will you stay with Jake?"

"A scary person who makes delicious food?"

Jin finds it amusing—Mio sees Jake that way.

Honest, in her own way.

"That’s right. You met him recently, didn’t you?"

"Mmm."

She clings to him, pressing her head insistently against his chest.

After a moment, she looks up with a slight pout from beneath his sternum.

"Alright."

Jin strokes her head, calming her—she's testing his patience.

"Sorry. Next time off-duty, let's go see some fish."

"Swimming ones?"

"Yeah. The ones swimming."

"...I'll go."

Truthfully, she wants him close now, in this moment.

But she can't stay at the base.

A female instructor can't manage with a child.

And school enrollment is less than two months away.

They'll have to spend daytime apart, regardless.

If only this matter with the humanoid ASID were resolved by then... but the situation offers no reason for optimism.

"Then it's a promise."

"Mmm."

They link little fingers and press them together.

"Then let's get to bed soon. If we don't sleep early, the pink ghost will—"

"Good night!"

"Yes, good night~"

Before she could finish speaking, Mio dashed into bed.

Jin smiled faintly at her speed and climbed in after her.

As he settled her, her slight tremors still present, his thoughts drifted to the instructor role beginning next week.

That night, there was no attack.

◆ ◆ ◆

"Never thought I'd have you as a colleague, Higashi."

"Thank you for your guidance during my time at the academy, Instructor."

"Hah hah. Your class had more troublemakers than most."

The female instructor who greeted Jin upon his arrival at the training academy was someone who had known him from his own training days.

She could almost be called his mentor.

When Jin was reminded of those days, he could only bow his head in embarrassment.

He had never been what one would call a model trainee.

"Back then... well, how should I put it..."

"Thanks to you, I've gained a few more wrinkles. Look, right here."

Even as he says this, eight years have passed since graduation.

No significant difference in appearance is visible.

Still, one wonders how old this person truly is.

Always looks in her twenties, whether now or then—yet counting backward, it's undeniable...

"Let's just say the debt from those days will be repaid from now on."

A tap on the shoulder, as he speaks.

The impact disrupts the thoughts just moments before.

"I will do my utmost."

"Now then, let's discuss work. I heard the actual unit is out of the question..."

"Yes. I was explicitly ordered not to pilot one..."

A direct order from the lieutenant colonel.

Jin feels a sigh rising—clearly, the woman intends to keep him far from the front lines, completely.

"Nothing to worry about. Times like these, you know. Not likely we’ll let rookies touch actual units until those vermin stop their attacks."

Jin thinks it’s a reasonable judgment.

He decides to comply dutifully.

"Though it’s a humanoid unit."

"Then it’s those filthy whores."

A hearty laugh from his mentor brings back a sense of nostalgia. Jin asks the question he’s been wondering about.

"So, how am I supposed to instruct the trainees?"

"Likely you’ve heard—combat tactics instruction. You’ll spar with the trainees, offer critiques on combat performance. You’ve been drilled by the elders yourself."

"Yes. I remember the general idea."

The mentor nods. Jin nods in return.

"About right. When the fiscal year shifts, you’ll lead a class of your own. For now, that’s all. I’m counting on you, Instructor Tōgō."

Jin nodded firmly in response to the words.