Tetsuko no Shugotenshi [Solo]

Elise couldn't help but feel hesitant as she followed her mother into the facility, and who could possibly blame her? The hospital was a place that in recent days had produced so many terrible memories for Elise, and yet the lass also felt compelled to follow her mother. The chance to become Tetsuko's hero, it was something Elise had always longed for, the very foundation for her desire to become stronger and remain at U.A, and yet at the same time Elise knew deep inside that it was not a guardian that Tetsuko sought, no... the role of knight had been a responsibility her lover had taken upon her.

Once they entered the hospital Elise noticed how quickly they had left behind behind the areas that were open for the public, and instead started to travel into the sections where all sorts of research was being conducted. "The reason I didn't ask for Luka to come with you is because this is a matter that involves only you Elise, we're almost there."

It didn't take much longer till the two arrived at a sealed door, a brief swipe of the keycard she had in her pocket allowing her mother to open the lock of the door, and now she had realized her destination, Elise's concern only grew: This particular place had two sections, the first was the office of her parents, and the second was her father's research laboratory.

"Why did you bring me here mom?" It was a question which led Elise's mother to pause for a moment, when finally she addressed a matter that had been quite difficult to approach so far. "I'm certain Tetsuko explained some things to you after your little date with her during the festival, right?"

Elise nodded her head briefly, thinking back about how sorrowful Tetsuko looked at that time, the knowledge of just how heavy a burden her lover carried on her shoulders being something which had haunted Elise's thoughts for quite a while. "If I recall right her mother is sick or something?"

However, her mother shook her head lightly and turned toward her, and the words that followed were like a thunderbolt that struck out of nowhere. "She isn't sick, she is disabled because of an intracranial injury."

A cold chill ran across her body as Elise asked hesitatingly. "Then do you mean that-" Her mother nodded her head sorrowfully as she continued. "Ever since that incident Tetsuko's mother hasn't been the same, and I'm certain that must be weighing heavily on the poor girl's heart."

A brain injury? How in the world did one expect her to help Tetsuko with that type of problem?! However, an idea quickly arose within her. "But mom, aren't you a brain surgeon? You're one of the best in the entire country!" Upon hearing her words Elise's mother smiled weakly and shook her head lightly in response to the statement. "What do you think I been trying to do all those years? Unfortunately, the damage is too deep for a full recovery to be possible, at the very least with the way medical science is currently."

As if a iron weight was latching onto her, Elise could feel her hope slowly drifting down into despair as she asked hesitatingly. "Then is there no way to help her?" However, in response to those hesitating words Elise's mother spoke firmly. "I didn't say there is no hope, remember your father's words: A doctor never despairs, especially in front of his patient."

Approaching her desk her mother seemingly pulled out a key and approached her as she continued speaking. "Your father was conducting research into a means to help people cope with the symptoms and consequences of intracranial injuries, surely you know where I am going with this?"

Elise nodded her head firmly as she felt the key being placed in her hands. "His research could help Tetsuko's mom also!"

A light nod was made by her mother who ushered Elise toward the door leading into her father's laboratory, and upon unlocking the door Elise stepped inside. It felt odd... in the past she used to visit this place so often, a place that felt so lively when her father was still alive, but now it felt somewhat cold and empty... Approaching her father's desk Elise opened the drawer with the key she had been given, and spotting a small electronic device similar to a tablet picked it up, a few pressed activating the system as Elise peered onto the various notes and documents that were stored on it.

"Those are all pharmaceutical recipes and medical treatment concepts but... they are incomplete!"

Turning toward her mother Elise couldn't help but feel as if her mother had known this already, especially judging from the somber look upon her face. "Indeed, your father died before he could complete his research."

Slowly her mother approached her, gently raising her arms to rest them on her shoulders as she looked at Elise, explaining further. "This is your father's legacy Elise. I'm confident that you're skilled and determined enough to complete the research of your father. You know all too well that Tetsuko doesn't need a knight to protect her, she needs a guardian angel to support and inspire her, besides the Shindou family has long helped us. Whether it are her parents, or Tetsuko herself, the Shindou family have always been our closest friends and saviors in our time of need, surely you felt this with your relationship with Tetsuko, right?"

Elise nodded her head firmly as her mother finished speaking. "Then it's about time that we return the favor, help Tetsuko save her mother."

----

A few hours had passed since then, and as evening settled in and Elise made her way back toward the dorms of U.A. she was quietly typing a message for a certain iron-blooded knight.

Tetsu, we need to talk...
I'll be waiting for you at the dorm once you're back from Kashima.

This would be the start of a new adventure.

1007 WORDS

NOTES

And so it begins~