Chapter 37

Explaining the situation to the three of them was quite a challenge.

Aina, worried simply because her mother was crying.

Karen, approaching with a stern look and pressing questions.

Rolf, silently gripping his cane.

If Stella hadn't explained the situation, I don't know what would have happened... Just thinking about it is scary.

But once the misunderstanding was cleared up, everything went back to normal.

Everyone's focus shifted from my false accusation to finding a cure for the "living rot disease."

"This living rot disease is called 'beriberi' in my hometown."

"Beriberi?"

The four voices overlapped perfectly.

I nodded and began explaining about beriberi.

"Beriberi is a disease that occurs when you don't get enough nutrients."

To survive, humans need various vitamins, and a lack of these can lead to illness.

Beriberi, which is currently affecting Stella, is a prime example of a vitamin deficiency disease.

One way to determine if someone has beriberi is to tap the hollow below the knee and see if the leg jerks.

In healthy people, tapping the area below the kneecap causes a reflexive leg jerk, but in those with beriberi, this reaction is less likely to occur.

When I tapped below Stella's knee and her leg didn't jerk, I was certain that the disease called "living rot" was actually beriberi.

If left untreated, beriberi can cause numbness and paralysis in the limbs, and eventually lead to heart failure and death.

In Japan, during the Taisho era, it claimed tens of thousands of lives annually, but the treatment is surprisingly simple.

All you need to do is take the missing vitamins.

In Japan, vitamin supplements are sold not only in pharmacies but also in convenience stores.

"So, I'll go back to the store to get the medicine."

"Shiro, there's a cure for the living rot disease!?"

Karen was surprised by my words.

Next to her, Rolf, who is usually smiling, also had wide eyes in shock.

"Shiro-nii, is there a medicine to cure Mom?"

Aina asked, her voice trembling.

Her teary eyes held a glimmer of hope.

I squatted down to meet Aina's gaze.

"Yep, there is. I'll go get the medicine, so please wait."

"Okay, Aina will wait."

"Alright, I'll be right back."

I pretended to go back to the store but actually returned home first.

With the item in hand, I went back to Aina's house.

"Sorry for the wait!"

The sun had set, and moonlight was streaming through the windows due to the time it took to return.

In front of everyone, I opened my hand.

"Stella, please take this."

I said, taking an orange tablet from the small bottle I was holding.

"You mean this orange thing?"

"Yes. It might look a bit toxic, but this is actually the medicine to cure the 'living rot disease.'"

"This pill...?"

"Yes."

Stella stared intently at the tablet in my palm.

To be honest, this tablet is the last lifeline for overworked salarymen in Japan and one of the most famous vitamin supplements, 'Chocola BB.'

It's so effective that it can even cure mouth ulcers quickly.

I can confidently recommend it.

"Shiro, I'm not doubting you, but... will it really work?"

Karen asked.

As the mayor, she couldn't help but ask.

"One dose won't cure it, but if you take it every day, you'll get better and eventually be completely cured."

"Take this medicine every day...?"

Stella said with a pensive expression.

Is it the color?

Does she find the bright orange color of the tablet off-putting?

But then,

"Since it's medicine, it must be quite expensive, right?"

Stella asked.

Ah, that's what she was worried about.

I shook my head.

"Don't worry about the cost."

"But..."

"Besides, I plan to collect the payment later. With Aina's smile."

"..."

Stella was speechless and looked back at me.

"I've been helped a lot by Aina since coming to this town. Now it's my turn to help her. Please take it."

"Shiro...?"

"Mom, take the medicine."

"Aina..."

"Hurry up, hurry up."

Aina brought a glass of water to the bed.

"...Okay, I'll take it."

With Aina's help, Stella took the vitamin supplement.

"Take one tablet in the morning and one at night."

"Understood."

Stella nodded.

With this, I believe Stella's vitamin deficiency problem is solved.

However, according to Karen, there are still people with vitamin deficiencies in the outskirts of the town.

In that case,

"Let's cure everyone."

I muttered and immediately took action.