Vol. 1 - Ch. 37 - Calls from abroad

Yuki called me every day.

“Marc! What the hell! Is it safe to have a medical facility in a building that looks like it's going to collapse? And...the smell is terrible."

“You'll get used to it.”

"I heard that this place is away from the conflict areas. A lot of injured people are brought here."

"...Yes. You can't treat people in the middle of a war zone.”

“...And there is a shortage of anesthesia...”

"Yes, that's right. Isn't it amazing what people are capable of? We don't have enough supplies. But there are volunteers to make up for it. I was surprised too. Some of them are paid, some of them are helping out for free.”

“......."

“What's wrong, Yuki? You're quiet.”

“... because...”

"Don't you think Japan is an amazing country? Everyone has access to medical care. That's the norm."

"…I'm ashamed of myself....I said I wish there was something I could do, but here everyone is helping each other. Different countries, different genders. But everyone wants to help others. I was arrogant.”

“Yuki. It's different. Not everyone can do this. After a few days, people disappear without you even knowing it. I can't stand it….”

“..... Marc, one more thing!..... I hate bugs! There are so many of them! They even came into the tent where I was sleeping. I'm going to cry..."

She must be crying on the phone, her voice was trembling. She blames it on the insects, but she probably wants to turn away from the horrific scene. She was talking cheerfully on the phone, but I was pretty sure she was probably crying.

Oh, no! No, no, no!I can't stand it! I want to hug her!

"Yuki. Don’t strain yourself.”

“Of course!”

So cheerfully came the reply.

Some things have changed during our daily phone calls.

In the beginning, she used to talk to me in such a painful way, but recently she seemed to have made friends with the local children, and we have been talking about them a lot.

"Kids are so cute. I can understand why Marc wanted to take pictures with them."

A child's gleeful voice can be heard on the other side of the phone.

“At any given time, children are always the hope of a country. But there have been many deaths of children in developing countries and children of refugees. Yuki, please cheer them up with your smile."

"Is that what you had been doing?"

“That's right. Even nutritional supplements are in short supply. As you've probably found out after eating it, it doesn’t taste that good. But for them, it’s like a lifeline.”

“Well... yes. Yesterday we lost another infant. Coming here, I can really appreciate the value of food.”

Yuki's voice has become stronger. Her energy and mentality have also become stronger. But what's to happen when she comes back to Japan... I'm a little worried.

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