He practically fled the room.
I couldn’t help but sigh. Being a grad student these days seems so tough. A message from your advisor is like a summons from the grim reaper.
Mr. Evans returned just then, surprised to find me alone. “Christian left?”
I nodded, smiling. “Yes. He said he’d be back later.”
Mr. Evans looked relieved, then began to discuss the next steps with me.
“The doctor thinks it would be best for a family member to come to the hospital.”
“Your parents are abroad and can’t get back right away. Should I contact your brother?”
Brother?
I have a brother?
Seeing my blank expression, Mr. Evans looked as if he expected it. He took my phone, tapped the screen a few times, and handed it back.
“This is your brother.”
I looked down.
A profile picture of a beagle wearing sunglasses stared back at me.
The contact name: “Human ATM”
09:10 0
Our chat history was sparse, mostly consisting of transfer records from him. And whenever someone made me angry, he was the first to take care of it, with the spe-
ed of a paid subscription service.
“Flora, you probably don’t remember, but Derek is your brother. Not by blood, he was adopted by your parents.”
“He’s three years older than you and has always taken good care of you,” Mr. Evans explained.
I understood. I sent a message to the contact.
[Bro.]
He replied almost instantly.
With fifty consecutive question marks.
I didn’t understand his surprise, but I dutifully typed on.
[Are you free right now?]
Human ATM: [Yeah! What’s up? Who bullied you again?]
Human ATM: [Send me their info, I’ll go sort them out.]
Human ATM: [Need cash? Sending it now.]
Human ATM: [Also what did you just call me? Can you say it again TvT…]
What a strange brother. And what a strange request.
But I obliged him: [Brother, can you come to the hospital?]
Another string of question marks appeared.
Then, a voice call request popped up.
I’ve always hated answering calls. Amnesia hadn’t changed that.
I ruthlessly declined it.
Human ATM: [? Why didn’t you answer? What happened?]
Human ATM: [Is this a scammer?!]
Human ATM: [Phone scammers can rot in hell. Give her phone back or I’ll end you.]
Me: [Don’t want to answer the phone. Too lazy.]
Human ATM: [Oh, it’s you.]
Me: [I have amnesia.]
Another row of question marks. It really fit his profile picture.
Human ATM: [So do you still remember who I am?]
was getting annoyed. [Yes, you’re my brother, aren’t you?]
Chapter 1
Human ATM: [Yes, yes!! I’m your favorite brother!!]
Please stop adding your own weird adjectives, I thought.
I pretended not to see it: [If you have time, can you come to the hospital?
Human ATM: [Send me the address.]
After sending the location, I added, fearing he might worry: [Don’t worry, it’s
Human ATM: [Okay, big bro will be there soon ^^.]
I reassured him: [No rush, Mr. Evans is with me. My fiancé just came
There was a moment of silence from his end.
Then, a rapid–fire string of shocked question marks.
Human ATM: [Fiancé?? Who the FUCK is he!!?]
Serio
to
see
me
too.)
Chapter 2
wants to
see
a
family member.]
It wasn’t long before Derek rushed in.
He was still in a suit, but his sharp haircut and the stud in his left ear clashed with the formal attire.
“Flora…”
Derek sat by my bed, his face a mixture of emotion and anticipation. “So, you only remember me after losing your memory?”
Me: “Uh, actually, I don’t remember you either…”
Derek: “?”
I handed him my phone. “Mr. Evans told me the person with this profile picture is my brother,” I said helpfully.
Derek took the phone, glanced at it, and his mouth twitched. “Why am I named ‘Human ATM‘?”
I was beginning to think everyone I met today needed to be hospitalized more than I did.
“If I knew, would it be called amnesia?”
Derek: “Good point…”
Though my adopted brother seemed a bit unreliable, he was the only family I had right now,
I tugged on his sleeve and asked softly, “Brother, can I be discharged? I want to go home.”
Derek’s heart melted into a puddle. “No problem! I’ll go handle the paperwork right now!”
