NOVEL FROG Side Story: Asha’s Diary I
#1: I decided to write a diary.
Since someone might read it, I created a simple cipher, replacing the alphabet’s characters with symbols.
I’ll try to write here whenever something important happens.
#2: I don’t like her.
There’s a limit to how dense people can be.
Why can’t this stupid nurse respect my personal space? Because of her, I can’t focus on my movements and drawings!
I’ve decided to ignore her.
#3: Lip reading.
Since the nurse talks so much, I tried to make her useful by reading her lips.
I thought if I could understand her lips, I wouldn’t need anyone to write things down for me.
I spent all day analyzing her, but I still couldn’t understand a word. Was she even speaking English? This is harder than I thought.
I’ll try again once I master my movements. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions yet.
#4: By a hair.
Today, they tried to collect my blood.
I was anxious as I copied the doctor’s system for drawing blood. The gem’s body has blood, but I don’t know how “human” this blood is.
I’m exhausted. I need a break...
#5: They did it again!
It seems the blood disappeared after a while.
Well, that was to be expected. The gem’s body is just an illusion, after all. Thankfully, they assumed it was just a logistical issue.
Maybe if I add more energy, I can make it last longer.
#6: I hate her!
Today, I was improving my gem’s parallel thinking system, and that stupid nurse interrupted me in the middle of it!
She’s so frustrating! I spent the whole night fixing everything from scratch, simulating heartbeats again.
Did I ever mention how much I hate her?
I hate her!
#7: The stern woman.
The woman who stole my first kiss seemed to be better than I thought.
She doesn’t waste my time with small talk or interrupt me like the nurse does. Before each exam, she explains the process and gives me all the information I need.
Thanks to her, I can pass the exams safely. The nurse could learn a thing or two from her.
She even brings me gifts sometimes.
#8: I WANT TO DIE!
Today, I had an appointment with a gynecologist.
Ah! So embarrassing!
Kill me! Someone, kill me!
I can’t look the doctor in the eye.
During the exam, I couldn’t stop myself from scanning her entire body. I feel like such a creep. I’m sorry for stalking you, doctor.
Should I try to recover my gem? Maybe if I fix my neural system, I could die from the pain.
#9: Teddy bear?
The doctor’s gifts are getting weirder by the day.
A pink teddy bear?
Was that really her taste?
No, I shouldn’t judge. Anyone can like pink or cute things. It’s not my cup of tea, but I won’t reject her kindness.
#10: She took me out.
It was very kind of her. There were a lot of people, and they all looked so different.
Is it because this is a cartoon world? Everyone has such distinct faces.
So many people approached me today. I had forgotten how uncomfortable that can be, but it was fun walking with the doctor.
[Drawing of a tree]
I decided to draw the tree we saw today. This way, I’ll never forget.
#11: AAAAH!
They saw my drawings!
I can’t show my face anymore.
Who draws that badly?! What if they think I’m mentally ill?
I’m so stupid!!
[Seven lines of self-blame were hidden.]
I want to die.
#12: Nothing.
Surprisingly, nothing happened.
The doctor is acting like everything’s normal.
The nurse has also stopped being so overbearing.
#13: Peaceful.
Nothing happened today. It was peaceful.
I used the time to practice my movements, and I’m really proud of my progress.
The doctor stopped by briefly but left quickly. She seems busy. I hope she’s doing okay.
Doctors are always so busy.
#14: Melancholy.
I don’t want to admit it, but I’ve been feeling a bit sad lately.
Sometimes, this wave of melancholy hits me for no reason.
The nurse has stopped talking. Now she just stares at me, and it’s strange.
The doctor also seems so busy.
I’m worried about her. She reminds me of Grandma.
It always feels like she’s hiding something important from me.
I wish we were closer. I don’t really know much about her.
#15: Black Suit.
Priyanka—that’s the doctor’s name. It’s a unique one.
Today, I had an uncomfortable encounter with a man in a black suit.
He was polite and kind, but something about that suit was intimidating.
In my past life, I would’ve handled it better.
The nurse brought me back, she was so strange these days but when I saw her being weird as always again I felt a bit relieved.
I can't understand myself anymore.
The doctor is still talking with him. What is she doing when she’s already so tired?
I’m worried. She always overworks herself. Someday, she could die from it.
How can she call herself a doctor when she can’t even take care of herself?
And what is the hospital staff doing, letting her work herself into the ground?
Is there anything I can do...?
I’ll think of something. The doctor always helps me. I don’t want to just keep taking from her.
