Chapter 35: Higashino Makoto, National Hero
Beika General Hospital, Inpatient Ward.
In a spacious, sunlit private VIP room, Makoto's right foot hung suspended in traction, wrapped head to toe in white bandages.
That single flying kick at Kyoto Station had wrecked his foot completely.
A 10th Dan Black Belt only sharpened his strength and technique—it did nothing for raw physical durability, nowhere close to a freak like Kyougoku Makoto.
He wasn't even on Conan's level, if it came to that—that superhuman elementary schooler.
After all, Conan could send a soccer ball flying hard enough to blow up a satellite with those stubby little legs of his, and walk away without a scratch.
"The latest update from Beika General Hospital: Higashino Makoto-san, the One-Kick Superman, is recovering remarkably fast and may be discharged as early as next week."
"The Prime Minister has already publicly stated that Higashino Makoto should be named the 2021 Person Who Moved Japan!"
"Kyoto Prefecture has announced it will grant Higashino-san the title of Honorary Lifetime Citizen of Kyoto!"
"Tokyo Metropolis has named Higashino Makoto-san one of Tokyo's Top Ten Outstanding Youth!"
"According to online reports, fans across Japan have already spontaneously formed over a hundred Higashino Makoto fan clubs, with experts estimating the total fanbase could reach into the millions."
"In light of Higashino-san's heroic act, and his repeated assistance to police in solving cases, the Metropolitan Police Department will be appointing him as a Special Advisor to the department, with the treatment of an Inspector."
...
On TV, one news report after another, all about Higashino Makoto.
Even the front pages of every major newspaper on the table were plastered with his name.
Ever since he'd kicked that bomb clear off the platform at Kyoto Station and saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives.
In just a few short days, the name Higashino Makoto had spread across all of Japan—across the entire world, even.
Every television, every newspaper, every online platform—Higashino Makoto was everywhere.
Some vendors had even printed posters of Makoto's bomb-kicking heroics and were selling them to droves of female fans at a premium.
By now, Higashino Makoto had become a bona fide national hero of Japan!
"Higashino-san, time to check your temperature again!"
The young, pretty nurse picked up the thermometer and took a deep breath.
Her cheeks flushed pink as she slipped it under his arm.
She looked so nervous and shy that you could practically hear her heart pounding.
"How is it?"
Makoto asked.
He'd been in the hospital five or six days now.
Probably thanks to that 10th Dan Black Belt, his body was healing at an incredible pace.
Even the hospital's own orthopedic specialists were stunned.
They said he'd likely be discharged in just a few more days.
"36.8°C—perfectly healthy!"
"Well then, I'll be on my way!"
The little nurse took the thermometer and hurried out of the room in quick, dainty steps.
"How was it? How was it? Did you get to touch him?"
"Did you two talk?"
"Does Higashino-san smell nice?"
"When's it going to be my turn?"
"Right, right—I want to be on duty for Higashino-san too!"
...
Seven or eight little nurses swarmed the doorway of his room.
They crowded around the nurse who'd just come out, peppering her with questions, endlessly curious about the man inside.
Out in the hallway, a crowd of reporters was waiting too.
Cameras of every size, heads bent together, murmuring among themselves.
All of them hoping for a shot at an exclusive interview with this national hero.
It could make headlines any minute now!
"Makoto, feeling any better?"
Ran walked in, asking with concern.
"Much better. The doctor says I'll be discharged in a few more days."
Makoto said with a smile.
"That's good to hear!"
"Oh, right—I made some chicken soup."
She opened her thermos and poured out a small bowl.
Steam rose off it, the smell rich and warm.
"There's also a CNN and a BBC reporter outside who want to interview you."
"Want to see them?"
Ran asked, spoon-feeding him the soup with her own hands.
"Fuck the news!"
"Not seeing them!"
Makoto said irritably.
Day after day, it was either reporters or fans—it was exhausting.
The flowers in his hospital room alone could have stocked an entire flower shop.
As for the banners, medals, trophies, certificates, and citations—those had piled the cabinets full, way too many to even count.
These past few days, there hadn't been a single peaceful moment in that hospital.
And with Ran having classes during the day and the hospital too far from school, she couldn't stay to keep him company.
As for Okino Yoko—well, she was a huge celebrity.
There was no way she could come visit his bedside while surrounded by a swarm of reporters.
"Oh, all right."
"By the way, there's a woman named Mizunashi Rena outside too—she says she's an anchor from Nichiuri TV and wants to interview you."
Ran said, still casually feeding him soup.
"Interview, interview, interview—that's all any of them care about!"
"Do these people ever quit?"
"Can I get a moment's peace around here?"
Makoto couldn't help but burst out cursing.
"I—I'll go chase them all off, then!"
"Tell them never to come back!"
Ran said quickly.
"Forget it. It's not easy for them either—they're just doing their jobs."
"That one you mentioned—the Mizu-something—go ahead and let her in shortly."
Makoto said, resigned.
"These reporters—if you don't give them one interview, they'll swarm like flies and never let up."
"Okay, got it."
"Don't be upset, okay?"
Ran comforted him gently.
A moment ago, his little outburst had come across completely seamless.
Even someone as close to him as Ran had taken it at face value—just an exasperated reaction to the reporters outside.
…
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Higashino Makoto — Protagonist. Transmigrated.
Mouri Ran — Shinichi's childhood sweetheart. Series: Detective Conan.
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Translated by CheapBiscuit.
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Throw those power stones here, lemme catch them!
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