Chapter 138: "Best of Luck"

"The injured Akikawa Kyousuke was stabbed in the neck with a dagger, resulting in a wound approximately 6 centimeters deep."

Upon hearing these first words from the doctor, Misaki Itakura, already pale, felt as if all the blood in her body had drained away in an instant.

Suddenly, she felt dizzy.

Even though Misaki Itakura didn't understand much about medicine, she knew that injuries to the neck were considered extremely dangerous.

The neck housed many vital structures and organs.

Even a small mistake could endanger a life.

"Are you... are you sure it's 6 centimeters deep, not 6 centimeters long...?"

Misaki Itakura asked, her voice trembling.

If someone were stabbed 6 centimeters deep in the neck with a knife, the chances of survival were slim to none.

She prayed in her heart that it was just a mistake.

However, the doctor's next words extinguished the last glimmer of hope in Misaki Itakura's heart.

"The injured Akikawa was stabbed directly in the neck with a dagger, causing a wound 6 centimeters deep."

Misaki Itakura felt her legs go weak, and her body almost collapsed.

'It's over—'

This was the only thought that remained in Misaki Itakura's mind at that moment.

"But fortunately, although the wound was deep, the dagger avoided the critical areas in the injured Akikawa."

"Huh?"

Misaki Itakura, who had been so dizzy that she was about to faint, suddenly became more alert after hearing the doctor's words.

She let out a sound of confusion, and the black eyes behind her thick-framed glasses reflected her deep disbelief.

"In other words, the carotid artery, jugular vein, and trachea—life-threatening areas—were unharmed."

"Additionally, the nerves and spinal cord, which could have caused severe paralysis and serious neurological complications, were not damaged either."

"The injured Akikawa only suffered superficial soft tissue and muscle injuries."

"Since there was no significant nerve damage, he could be discharged from the hospital in two or three days."

"If he recovers quickly, it will take about two weeks; if slower, it should be around four weeks."

The doctor delivered the details about Akikawa Kyousuke's condition in one go.

Misaki Itakura felt as though she was on an emotional rollercoaster while listening.

The combined impact of despair and surprise left her feeling dizzy, as though reality itself were slipping away.

She couldn't even remember if she had thanked the doctor.

When she came to her senses, she was already standing in the hospital corridor.

'Mr. Akikawa, how in the world did this happen...?'

'Why would something like this occur when we were separated for just a short while...?'

'What kind of victim's physique do you have?'

Misaki Itakura couldn't help but cover her face with her hands.

Initially, Misaki Itakura had felt that she was unlucky enough, having her family murdered. After all, most people never encounter something so tragic in their lifetime.

Yet, surprisingly, as an artist, Akikawa Kyousuke seemed even unluckier than her.

It had only been three months since she met Akikawa Kyousuke, and the artist had already experienced three attempted murders.

Two of these incidents had occurred just a day apart.

And both happened at this film exhibition by the harbor.

'Miss Yoko is right. Mr. Akikawa and Miss Suzuki cannot continue to have contact.'

'In the future, if the Suzuki Foundation offers work, I'll refuse it all.'

Misaki Itakura was thinking this to herself as she arrived at Akikawa Kyousuke's hospital room.

She was about to reach out and knock on the door when her eyes shifted to the side.

She then saw Yoko Okino hurrying toward her, the panicked actress appearing in her field of vision.

From the moment Misaki Itakura met Yoko Okino this time, she no longer felt the same excitement and enthusiasm in her heart.

Instead, her heart was immediately filled with panic.

Not long ago, she had promised Yoko Okino that she would stay by Akikawa Kyousuke's side.

Now, because of her "neglect of duty," Akikawa Kyousuke had been attacked and nearly killed.

Misaki Itakura had no idea how to explain this to Yoko Okino.

"Miss Yoko..."

Misaki Itakura's voice was low, and she didn't dare look Yoko Okino in the eye.

"How is Kou-chan?"

Misaki Itakura heard an emotionless voice in front of her.

Her heart clenched, and intense panic surged within her. She hurriedly recounted everything the doctor had just told her.

"The doctor... the doctor said Mr. Akikawa will be discharged from the hospital in two or three days... he could recover in as little as two weeks..."

Misaki Itakura stammered in a panic.

"So what?"

"Are you saying that since Kou-chan's injury isn't serious, you can sit peacefully among the audience and enjoy watching the movie starring me?"

Misaki Itakura had never heard such a cold and unfamiliar tone from Yoko Okino before.

She was stunned.

Unexpectedly, Yoko Okino, who had been participating in the film festival on stage, appeared hidden among the throngs of tourists.

"No... no... that's not what I meant..."

Misaki Itakura trembled as she replied, her voice shaking.

She wanted to refute Yoko Okino loudly.

She was only Akikawa Kyousuke's manager, not his bodyguard.

Even if she had been by Akikawa Kyousuke's side, there was likely little she could have done to help him.

True, it was wrong of her to leave the artist alone during work, but what right did Yoko Okino have to treat her so coldly?

Besides, Akikawa Kyousuke had been the one to suggest that he didn't need her to accompany him.

However, Misaki Itakura said nothing.

Because for some reason, faced with Yoko Okino's chilling aura at that moment, she couldn't muster the courage to refute her.

"I'm just a manager, not a bodyguard. What obligation do I have to protect Akikawa Kyousuke?"

"You, Yoko Okino, what qualifications do you have to treat me with this attitude?"

Misaki Itakura suddenly raised her head in shock as she heard this.

Those words hadn't come from her mouth.

They had come from Yoko Okino in front of her.

Yoko Okino had guessed her exact thoughts.

It was just like when she had first met Akikawa Kyousuke.

People who seemingly had nothing in common with each other appeared to monitor her inner thoughts at all times, voicing them with pinpoint accuracy.

A growing sense of terror began to rise in Misaki Itakura's heart.

That cheerful and lively image of Yoko Okino that she had held onto for six years suddenly crumbled.

She began to seem terrifying—frightening.

Before Misaki Itakura could recover from the shock of Yoko Okino's words, she saw Yoko Okino tilt her head slightly, giving her a sweet, cheerful smile.

"Miss Itakura is right. I'm being a bit presumptuous."

"So from now on, I won't trouble Miss Itakura with managing Kou-chan's work."

"I'll handle Kou-chan's future work arrangements myself."

Misaki Itakura watched Yoko Okino smile sweetly at her before turning, opening the door, and entering Akikawa Kyousuke's hospital room.

The next moment, a great sense of grievance erupted within Misaki Itakura's heart.

(End of Chapter)