The Lying Counselor’s Eloquent Reasoning - Chapter 9
“In other words, the heart is susceptible to changes in the body, and vice versa. For instance, there is a phenomenon called stigma. This is when the body reproduces the sacred image of Christ, and it is usually found in devout Christians. It is said that their deep religious beliefs somehow affect their bodies and make them do this.”
“I’m not a Christian.”
“There are other, more familiar examples of the spirit influencing the body. You often hear that, you know? Mental stress can cause stomach problems, for example. Or the story of a person who went through something so traumatic that they suddenly lost their voice?”
“Well, I guess so.”
“Stomach problems induced by mental stress are the result of autonomic nervous system malfunction. If you lose your voice due to severe mental stress, it is called psychogenic loss of voice. This is a kind of hysteria or dissociative disorder. This is not a rare case.”
“So what? Other peoples’ stories have no connection with me!”
“The connection exists. You are simply not conscious of it. Think about what you’ve been through. How many times did your mother change her expression when your body became the way it is now? And how desperately did she attempt to help you recover? I’m positive that you must have reacted coldly to your mother, but inwardly you must have been terribly relieved. Regardless of the horrible things you said to her, you were sure that she would never give up on you out of compassion for you. And that’s why that gray body was kept intact.”
“So! Don’t make assumptions all over the place!”
“Haha, you don’t have to turn red, this is merely in the scope of my own personal reasoning.”
Uroma appeared remarkably composed.
“For example, if we consider the circumstances that led to the discoloration of your skin, it could simply be a psychogenic skin disease. It’s a type of psychosomatic disease. However, what triggered it was your imitation of suicide, in other words, self-injury, which you inflicted upon yourself because you hoped that your mother would take care of you. And the fact that the traces of the consequences of that self-injury are unnatural and indelible, presumably due to your unconscious wish, and the fact that your mother indulges you with it and you enjoy visiting hospitals together. Considering these facts, I suppose it is appropriate to assume that you are suffering from Munchausen’s syndrome. Well, I’m not a doctor, so I can’t officially diagnose it as a disease. This is my personal opinion only.”
“I don’t want that! I didn’t ask for it!”
Tomomi had no choice but to dismiss Uroma’s words one way or the other.
“You’ve taken the liberty of assuming that I’m a heartbroken, pathetic, sore loser, but what’s the point? Even if I were to believe you, how would my body be cured? It’s not going to recover!”
“… Right. There’s no sense in saying anything if one isn’t consciously aware of it.”
Uroma chuckled again, this time in a nasty way. Afterward, he abruptly opened his desk drawer, took out a small bottle, and placed it on the desk. It seemed to contain a number of white pills.
“That’s all I have to say. Thank you for your patience. Here’s your medicine.”
“Medicine? For what?”
“It’s a medicine that will restore your skin color.”
“… You mean it?”
Tomomi couldn’t believe her ears. Why would such a thing suddenly emerge out of the blue? This was far too strange.
“Well, it’s understandable if you don’t trust me, but why don’t you try taking it here and now anyway? It’s okay, it’s not poisonous.”
Uroma grabbed the small bottle and offered it to Tomomi. Is this true? Tomomi accepted it with reluctance.
“So why don’t you try one right here and now to prove it’s not something strange.”
Tomomi took a piece from within and handed it to Uroma. “As you say,” Uroma put it into his mouth and swallowed it quickly.
“What do you think? Am I as energetic as I look? That proves this is not a poison, right?”
“Yes…”
Seeing that it was harmless, Tomomi swiftly popped a piece of it into her mouth. Her doubts had not totally disappeared, but for now, she was still eager to cure her body.
The effects of the medicine were immediate.
“Eh… no way…”
This time, Tomomi doubted her own eyes. No sooner had she swallowed the pills than the skin on her hands had regained its original healthy color. Turning up her sleeves and tugging at her collar, she examined the rest of her skin and discovered the same result. Indeed, the color had shifted in an instant after swallowing the pill.
“Y-You, what exactly are you?”
She was inevitable of feeling amazed by him.
“I’m glad to know the medicine worked.”
Uroma looked at Tomomi and grinned. His expression was brimming with confidence.
“If I keep taking these pills, will my body continue this way?”
“Certainly. Take one pill daily before going to bed. That shouldn’t pose any problem.”
“One pill every day before bed… That’s it?”
It was incredibly simple. Almost like an ordinary medicine. Like some kind of stomach medicine you can buy anywhere.
“However, it is a highly sensitive medicine that will balance your heart and mind. Therefore, please promise me. Never attempt to disrupt the balance of your heart and mind again, such as imitating a suicidal act. As long as you keep that promise, the effects of the medicine will last forever.”
“I understand.”
Even without being told, Tomomi had no intention of pulling a stupid stunt like that again.
“So, Tomomi, when you have exhausted all the pills, please come back here again. You can thank me then.”
“Hah.”
Tomomi, who was prepared to possibly be charged a hefty fee on the spot, was slightly taken aback. At any rate, that day, after receiving the medicine, she headed home at once.