In the sterileboratory, Nakagawa Susumu stared intently at the pink embryo within the culture sk. After several days of development, the tiny lump of mouse tissue had matured into a proper embryo. Normally, after just one or two more days, the mice would be ready to enter the birthing stage and be born.
However, this mouse embryo was not within a mother''s body but in a specialized culture sk. While there was no difference in the environment, if the researchers did not wish for it to be born, it would just drown in that very sk despite reaching full development.
Of course, Nakagawa Susumu, understanding the significant implications of this experiment, would obviously never consider doing such a thing.
If the important experimental embryo died in the culture sk leading to a failed experiment, the consequences were not something a mere Trainee Doctor like Nakagawa could bear.
Though both Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi intended to nurture Nakagawa, he was, after all, just a Trainee Doctor. Even though Hiromi Jounouchi had arranged for him to manage theb affairs in her absence, it also meant that should any idents ur during the experiment, he would have to take responsibility.
That made Nakagawa tread on eggshells in the absence of Jounouchi Hiromi, fearing even the slightest mistake.
Fortunately, the experimental ns and steps that Hiromi Jounouchi had left him were well-organized, and as long as he followed her procedures to the letter, there would be no problems.
Even so, Nakagawa could not fully rx and immerse himself in the experiments, always seeming to be on pins and needles.
The other Trainee Doctors in theb thought that he might just be under too much stress, but only Nakagawa knew the real reason for his apprehension was something he could hardly admit—he was afraid of mice.
Yes, as a medical student, Nakagawa wasn''t faint-hearted. He had braved the rigors of medical school, but mice were his one true fear.
It stemmed from a terrifying childhood incident in the countryside where a mouse nearly crawled into his mouth while he was asleep. Because of this, Nakagawa always had a deep-seated fear of these squeaking animals, as if they might jump into his mouth at any moment.
But fortunately, now that Hiromi Jounouchi was back, Nakagawa finally felt a sigh of relief and no longer needed to be under such intense pressure.
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"Hiromi, how is your experiment progressing?" Chen Yu asked while eating lunch.
Hiromi Jounouchi, who had just finished checking on the experiments that morning, shoveled food into her mouth to fill her empty stomach, and took a moment to report to Chen Yu, "Progress is good, the mouse embryo is developing well, and there haven''t been any problems. Nakagawa-kun is very diligent and conscientious, very reassuring indeed!"
"Is that so? It seems Nakagawa-kun is certainly worth nurturing!" Chen Yu joked. If Nakagawa hadn''t shown such a serious working attitude, unlike other Trainee Doctors tainted by hospital politics, Chen Yu might not have paid him such attention.
Hearing Chen Yu''s praise, Hiromi Jounouchi nodded in agreement, "Hmm, as far as Trainee Doctors go, Nakagawa-kun may not be the most brilliant or the smartest, but he is by far the most industrious. He does everything seriously and to satisfaction. However, he seems a bit on edge, as if he''s always anxious, not yet mature andposed enough."
"Perhaps he just needs more experience. After all, he''s just a Trainee Doctor. Giving him more responsibilities should suffice," Chen Yu understood Nakagawa well, aware that he could sometimes appear like a nervous little animal, prone to panic.
"Indeed, more practice would be beneficial. Nakagawa-kun has a lot of potential, and I n to have him as my assistant for the treatment of Egawa Sae," Hiromi Jounouchi seemed to feel her hunger subsiding, slowing her eating pace and joking with Chen Yu, "Sorry, Mr. Chen Yu, let me borrow your capable assistant first."
"Be sure to return him after you''re done. Although Nakagawa isn''t ready to take on everything by himself, he''s still quite capable. I want to continue mentoring him," Chen Yu said casually, shaking his head without concern about Hiromi Jounouchi taking Nakagawa for more time, as Nakagawa had been assisting Hiromi Jounouchi before.
"By the way, Hiromi, are you going straight to the surgery for Egawa Sae without doing another human embryo experiment?" Skipping over Nakagawa''s matter, Chen Yu was more interested in Hiromi Jounouchi''s treatment n for the patient: "Are you performing the surgery yourself, or will another doctor do it?"
Upon mention of Egawa Sae''s surgery, Hiromi Jounouchi''s expression turned slightly troubled, "I wanted to conduct another human embryo experiment before the surgery, but Sae''s condition can''t wait that long, so I''m nning to start as soon as I have her consent.
As for the lead surgeon... I''m not confident in doing the surgery myself, as it requires theplete extraction of the embryo from the mother''s womb without damaging the tumor... In this hospital, the only one who can confidently perform this surgery, aside from Daimon-san, would be you, Mr. Chen Yu, right?"
"Professor Kube has the skills too, though he might be a bit slower than Daimon-san and me," Chen Yu mentioned the ability of Professor Kube to clean house, but did not take on the surgery: "Still, it would be better for you to choose Daimon-san for this surgery. After all, she''s the unstoppable Doctor X, and in all Japan, there wouldn''t be a finer surgeon.
Besides, a female doctor might be more appropriate for this kind of surgery. My hands are too rough. Holding a scalpel is one thing, but to reach into the womb and remove the embryo and centa together, I''m afraid I might tear the amniotic sac."
While saying this, Chen Yu extended his left hand in front of Hiromi Jounouchi: his fingers were long, his skin smooth, and his joints far from bulky, yet whenpared to a woman''s, his hand was still noticeablyrger.
"Surely not? For the Associate Professor of Tokyo University Medical School Hospital to say he''s afraid of not performing well in surgery—such words would hardly be believed if spread around!" Hiromi Jounouchi was somewhat surprised to hear Chen Yu express suchck of confidence and teased him for it.
Nevertheless, Hiromi Jounouchi did not press the matter, merely nodding slightly and saying, "Then I will discuss this with Daimon-santer."