Chapter 425 – Amnesia…?!
They say forgetfulness is a blessing from the gods.
As mentioned before, memories are the pieces that form a person.
So, each and every memory is precious and valuable.
However, not every memory can be considered so.
The unbearable physical pain that cannot be expressed in words.
The heartbreak that naturally comes when parting ways with someone.
The humiliation felt while being bullied and beaten during school days.
And the moments of misery eating in the bathroom while others don’t know.
Is there anyone who wants to carry that for a lifetime?
Absolutely not.
Instead, they’d want to pretend it never happened or at least forget it in their heads.
That’s why forgetfulness can be seen as a kind of blessing.
Excluding the extremely painful or very meaningful memories in life.
The scars that won’t fade slowly disappear over time.
They merely become small scars in the heart, a handful of memories.
“Patient, and guardian, please prepare yourselves.”
“Yes, please tell us.”
A doctor approached Shinwoo’s bed with a gloomy expression.
He dropped a bombshell of shocking words.
“Right now, Shinwoo has amnesia.”
“I suspected as much…”
Amnesia.
It literally means losing one’s memories.
In a way, it’s quite dangerous and shocking encapsulated in just five characters.
But surprisingly, we often see it in daily life too.
From simple forgetfulness where one can’t remember what they said,
To a blackout from drinking too much and not remembering at all.
And memories completely gone after anesthesia during a surgery.
It could be seen as a perfectly natural phenomenon.
“Does that mean Shinwoo has forgotten everything? As in, you have to teach him from scratch?”
“Of course he forgot, but it’s not at a level to worry about.”
As mentioned earlier, we can consider it an extension of the blessing of forgetfulness.
But not everyone would agree with that.
Those experiencing it or their loved ones might feel it’s a curse.
The most representative and cruel example would be dementia.
“What do you mean by that? Do you think it’s reasonable to say not to worry about it?”
“Isn’t that a bit irresponsible?”
“Amnesia doesn’t actually damage factual information, you know.”
Or we can’t leave out the peculiar cases like this current amnesia.
The heroines tilted their heads at the doctor’s words.
The doctor suddenly turned his gaze to Shinwoo.
“Shinwoo, let me ask you one thing.”
At those words, Shinwoo looked at the doctor with bright eyes, waiting for him to continue.
The doctor immediately handed Shinwoo the mobile phone next to him and began to speak.
“Do you know how to use this thing?”
“Yes, I know how to use a mobile phone.”
Then, as if to prove it, Shinwoo turned on the phone and showed the doctor the screen.
He wore a puzzled expression, wondering what was the point of asking that.
But the moment he heard the next words from the doctor.
“Then can you tell me what you’ve done with the phone?”
“That’s…”
Shinwoo’s hands trembled, stopping his actions.
“Or you could just show me right now.”
“…I don’t know…”
If someone saw this, they’d misunderstand him for doing something terrible.
However, at this moment, Shinwoo was firmly in a state of amnesia.
So, this clearly stemmed from the fear of not remembering anything.
Soon after, Shinwoo quietly turned off the phone and set it down.
For some reason, he fiddled with the phone as if feeling a bit disappointed.
Leaving him be, the doctor turned his gaze back to the heroines.
“Now, do you understand what this means?”
“That means Shinwoo’s amnesia isn’t going to cause big issues in daily life.”
“Exactly. They exist in separate domains.”
Upon hearing the doctor’s statement, the heroines nodded in agreement.
“In simpler terms, he retains social common sense as if he’s alive.”
“How strange. You mean he doesn’t understand that Elf Coins are currency?”
“You being alive is also hard to comprehend.”
“Shut your mouth.”
With that, the explanation regarding Shinwoo’s state could be considered complete.
Having retained social common sense but forgetting everything about himself due to amnesia.
Thus, one important issue remained.
“Doctor, what then should we do to bring Shinwoo back to his former self?”
“First and foremost, absolute stability for the patient is essential. And then gradually, we need to find his memories.”
“What’s the method for that?”
Right away, the question of how to regain Shinwoo’s memories arose.
While the doctor pondered how to explain, a Red Dragon nearby suddenly interrupted the conversation.
With an unexpectedly carefree expression.
“How about giving a little more breath to the head—”
– Bam!!!
Of course, the cost for that chuckle was calculated with Caressy giving the head a smack.
“Where is this…?”
“Since you’ve forgotten, I’ll help you find your way back.”
“Wait, I remember!”
– Bam!!!
“It’s too late now.”
In the end, the Red Dragon had no choice but to showcase that cheerful smile on the cold hospital floor.
– Bam!!!
“I didn’t say anything!”
“You just got hit.”
Another Red Dragon, remaining silent, also got hit for no reason.
“Why on earth?”
“Originally, if a cat beastman acts like a jerk, they get hit.”
Definitively, the Red Dragon’s words seemed like a cliché.
Usually, those who lose their memories in traffic accidents tend to have this happen.
It’s characterized that to regain memory, you need to get hit by a car twice.
But contrary to that thought, it’s incredibly dangerous.
The brain may already be compromised by the initial shock.
It’s hardly likely the condition would improve by delivering another strong blow.
One could even say it’s miraculous they’re not in a vegetative state.
And just to back that up, the doctor hurriedly waved his hands.
Worried that perhaps one of the joints might pop out, he moved quickly.
“Absolutely not! Doing so will likely eliminate any chance of restoring the memory!”
The doctor was quite the fussmaker.
After calming down a bit, he gazed back at the heroines, cautiously opening his mouth.
“Memories aren’t separate; they’re interwoven forms.”
“For example, like branches of a tree or a net?”
“Therefore, if you shake one, it’ll eventually move the whole.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The doctor slowly nodded.
“Then can we take hold of Juji and shake him a lot?”
“…No.”
He interrupted again.
The doctor momentarily lost his speech and paused for a moment.
He cleared his throat a couple of times and continued.
“First, please just engage in the actions you used to do often to revive his memories.”
“Then it seems we should spend another night together.”
At that statement, Ayeon showed a mischievous smile.
“That should trigger something right away, right?”
“Th-that’s scary… why are you looking at me like that…?”
At that, Shinwoo flinched momentarily.
However, in contrast to that, Hyeji suddenly blurted out a thought.
“Wait a moment, so this situation is similar to being Shinwoo’s first meal?”
“Huh? Wh-what do you mean by that…”
Shinwoo stared at the girls with innocent eyes, clueless.
That was starkly different from the usual gaze that seemed lazy and idiotic.
“P-please don’t eat me…”
For them, that action stemmed from an inexplicable fear.
Thanks to that unfamiliar reaction, the girls’ gazes subtly shifted.
Before they knew it, they were licking their lips.
Soon the girls, seeing Shinwoo trembling like a young animal.
Suddenly exchanged hostile glances and growled at each other.
Rather than recovering Shinwoo’s memory.
“Get lost. From today, this story will be about pure love, not harem.”
“Husband! Ignore those tail-wagging girls around here!”
“Don’t be fooled. Those here are just dog pups, not loyal hounds. The real hound is me.”
“What nonsense. Only I share a deep bond of pure love (anal) with our husband.”
Showing a strong desire to impose their intentions instead.
Yet, things didn’t escalate much further than that.
Thanks to the doctor’s urgent shouts to stop them.
“Everyone, calm down! Such actions will only worsen the patient’s condition!”
Upon hearing the doctor’s plea, the girls promptly shed their predatory attitudes.
And while the longing in their gazes wasn’t easily erased by the doctor’s words.
“As I said, the patient’s absolute stability is crucial right now!”
After observing the somewhat calmed heroines, the doctor let out a sigh.
Then, he looked around them and began to speak once more.
“The best thing would be to revisit memorable places or meet precious people.”
“Got it. Let’s at least start with that.”
“Well then, you can discharge him now. Should you need anything, feel free to come back.”
“Understood.”
Once the doctor left to check on other patients,
Spencer, who had been silent until now, spoke up to the heroines.
“So, what will you all do now?”
“Well, we should explore as suggested.”
“Having a husband with an empty head isn’t so bad either.”
“Having one empty head is enough with you around.”
“Why is your mouth so sharp, you damn cat jerk!!!”
As the rest of the group bickered,
Hyeji softly extended her hand to Shinwoo.
He carefully took her hand and got up from his seat.
“Let’s go, Shinwoo.”
“Yes…”
Thus, they began their steps toward retrieving his memories.
Having always been together, it felt familiar yet.
This time, it was a slightly unfamiliar journey.
