abcnovels
Chapter 153: [Signal Of The End]
Chapter 153: [Signal Of The End]
Chapter 153: [Signal Of The End]
Let's go back a little in the story, specifically when Mai pointed to me for not growing in height.
"Doctor, is there a possibility I won't grow any taller like this?"
"Since you came alone so suddenly asking for a checkup, I wondered what was going on."
I had been visiting the hospital where I always received care.
Our relationship had grown quite frank over time.
Huh?
What if she finds out about "immortality" during the examination?
Well, I wouldn't usually bother with something this troublesome and risky.
But this situation could become a matter of life and death for me. Quite literally.
"Can you tell me why you think that?"
Well… I explained the situation. My physical measurement results were the same as last year, but as the doctor knows, I've already had my first period. So, I started to worry if this was abnormal during the ‘growth period'.
"Teacher! Could it be that I have some illness?"
"I see."
Sensei glanced briefly at the nurse standing next to them.
Were they making eye contact?
"In some cases, that is indeed possible. It could also be delayed growth due to medication. Let's start by measuring your current height."
The nurse brought over the height measurement tool.
Prompted by this, I stood on the height measurement tool.
My weight was measured as well.
"Alright, it's fine. What was the measurement for Iroha-chan's height?"
"Oh, I brought it with me just in case."
I handed over a paper with the results of the physical measurements, which would be quicker than explaining it verbally.
I even included the elementary school section.
The doctor looked at it, tilting their head in confusion.
Then they stared at the paper for a while before looking at me.
"Listen carefully. First, Iroha-chan's height is actually increasing."
"Huh?"
"At least according to the measurements we just took, you've grown slightly. Perhaps the results at school were due to measurement error or some variation during the examination. Such things can happen due to equipment, timing, or even your physical condition."
"What!? You mean I've grown!?"
Even if that's the case, something still doesn't add up.
"But does that mean my height can only increase within the measurement error's range?"
"Compared to other children, your growth is indeed very small. However, from what I've seen, it's not just this year; it has always been like this, hasn't it? It's certainly a cause for concern, and it's advisable to undergo a more detailed examination just to be safe."
It's difficult to argue when they say it's been like this from the beginning. But still…
"It's been less than 2 years since my first period. I should be growing from now on."
"Hmm? Ah, I see. Iroha-chan, you've got a big misunderstanding there."
The doctor looked at me as if they had finally understood something.
"Can you explain?"
"Actually, Iroha-chan, your ‘first period' is not the beginning of your puberty; it's actually the sign that your growth period is ending."
"What!?"
"So, after your first period, it's normal for your height growth to slow down."
The doctor explained, "Because the first period usually happens at the ‘end' of the second puberty. By the way, for boys, it's their voice changing.".
"Well, if I wasn't growing taller, does that mean my growth spurt was already over? Or rather, the period when I thought ‘my growth spurt had not yet arrived' was my growth spurt?"
"It seems you're slightly confusing the growth period with the second puberty. Well, that's more or less the case. Furthermore, it's not just ‘yet', that's actually the ‘peak' of your growth. Your height increases the most just before your first period."
"What!?"
I was taken aback.
So, could it be that everything was just my misunderstanding?
"Probably, your friends thought your height hadn't increased this year because they compared it to that peak period."
"So, it's not like I've become immortal or anything?"
"Huh? Immortal?"
"Uh…"
I hastily covered my mouth, but it was too late.
The doctor and the nurse were giving me a lukewarm look.
"Iroha-chan, it might be quite surprising, but in ‘reality', there's no such thing as eternal life. At least, I've been a doctor for many years, and I've never encountered it."
Gyaaah!
I felt my face burning.
Please don't say it in such a condescending way!
Wait a minute, though.
Could it be… The doctor is right?
"But you believe in gods, too, right?"
"Just because you believe in one thing doesn't mean the other thing exists, right? At least, immortality is different from gods; it's a physical concept and seems like something that could be proven."
"Well, that's true."
"At any rate, Iroha-chan, what I'm saying is your peak growth period has already passed."
"Ugh."
I thought to myself.
A black mark in history is being created right now.
Why did I ever believe in the fantasy of immortality?
That's something that, logically speaking, should never have been possible.
Experiencing one fantasy led me to think that everything must be fantasy.
Maybe this is why people fall for scams and new religious movements.
"Your growth period isn't completely over yet, so you'll probably continue to grow slowly each year."
"R-right."
"Well, I highly doubt that next year or the year after that will fall within the margin of error…"
"That's right! It's definitely not possible!"
The doctor and I shared a laugh.
It seemed like my "immortality" was just a misunderstanding.
"At least for now, we can't rule out the possibility of an issue with the growth hormone affecting your original height. I'll write a referral for a more detailed examination. The results should come back within a month…"
That's what the doctor said in the end.
***
The examination's result also came back as "no abnormalities"…
And that brings us to the present.
"Iroha-chan's chuunibyou~"
"Shut up."
I replied curtly to Mai.