Chapter Text
【IX】
Yesterday’s incident—where Dottore insisted on being treated by you and refused to cooperate with anyone else—had already spread throughout the hospital by this morning. You could understand it. If it were you, you’d probably gossip too.
Well… assuming you weren’t the main character of the story.
You let out a helpless smile. Even though you had mentally prepared yourself, the way your colleagues were looking at you still made you slightly uncomfortable.
Why was everyone staring at you like you were some celebrity stepping out onto the street?
“Hey, what happened yesterday? Why did that patient specifically request you?” the receptionist asked while you were clocking in.
“I’m not sure. The director only told me that he’d cooperate only if I went,” you replied while finishing the check-in process.
You wanted to know why too, okay? The man never said anything!
—
You had just reached your office and hadn’t even settled into your chair when someone knocked.
“Come in,” you said without looking up.
“y/n,” The moment you heard the voice, you immediately straightened up.
“Director? Why are you here? You could have—” —had me come to your office. But before you could finish, Arlecchino cut you off.
“My apologies. I didn’t intend to startle you. It’s just that the matter is somewhat urgent.”
As she spoke, she handed you a form. “The patient from yesterday appears emotionally unstable. Security had to struggle for a while before getting him into restraints. I need you to take a look.”
“Ah, alright.” You took the form and prepared to head to his ward.
“y/n, there’s one more thing,” Arlecchino called out.
“This morning, the board held a meeting. Considering his condition and his request, the hospital has decided to appoint you as his exclusive attending psychiatrist starting today.”
“You mean—”
“Yes. From now on, he will be your only patient. The others under your care will be reassigned.”
“I see…”
Arlecchino looked at you apologetically. “The police believe this arrangement may help stabilize him. In the future, we may also need your assistance in extracting information. I’m sorry to burden you with this.”
“Director, please don’t say that! This is my responsibility. If I can help, that’s enough.”
“Remember this. If he does anything to you, do not endure it. I’m here.”
“I will! Thank you, Director!”
You swore you would support the Director for the rest of your life. Seriously. Forever.
—
“y/n, you’re finally here… we were about to lose our minds,” one of the security guards sighed in relief the moment he saw you.
“What’s the situation now?”
“No idea. This morning he suddenly started acting like a child throwing a tantrum. Kept muttering your name too. I thought you said he was emotionally stable—just cold-blooded?” one of them scratched his head in confusion.
“Got it. I’ll go in.”
“Be careful, Doctor. Call us if anything happens.”
“I will.”
With that, you stepped into the ward.
His behaviour didn’t match either of the two personalities recorded in his file.
So… was there a hidden third one?
—
The man inside visibly calmed down the moment he saw you. Still dressed in restraints, he sat quietly at the table.
“Good morning,” you greeted as you sat across from him.
“Mm.” He nodded faintly.
“Who is it right now?” you asked bluntly. You were almost certain this wasn’t Dottore nor the “Doctor.” From yesterday’s experience, that version of him would have said something like, “Good morning, Doctor. What a pleasure to see you again~” There was something faintly childish about this presence. Your intuition told you this personality was younger than the other two.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The hospital has been very cooperative with your requests. So I’d appreciate honesty in return.”
“I don’t know.”
“…Alright. I won’t force you. Let’s begin today’s session.”
—
You’re back in your office.
The examination had gone smoothly. The only noteworthy detail was a brief moment when his eyes went blank. When he came back to himself, his behaviour was exactly the same as yesterday’s. That practically confirmed the existence of a third personality.
However, no matter how you questioned him afterward, Dottore deliberately avoided the topic—or brushed it off with vague nonsense.
You let it go. This would require patience.
Thinking that, you updated his file and reviewed today’s examination report.
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XXX Psychiatric Hospital – Patient File File Code: DTR02 ________________________________________ III. Personality Status Record At least two distinct personality states have been confirmed: • Personality A (Host Personality) o Identifies himself as “Dottore” o Stable, rational, and articulate o Capable of clearly describing the existence of other identities o Insists that he did not directly participate in criminal acts • Personality B (Alternate Personality) o Identifies himself as “The Doctor” o Extremely low emotional fluctuation o Exhibits strong antisocial tendencies o Highly associated with violent behaviour o Severe deficiency in empathy ⚠ Special Note: A third personality is suspected. No concrete details available at present. ________________________________________ V. Attending Psychiatrist Assignment By decision of the hospital board and in consideration of the patient’s condition and stabilization requirements, y/n is officially appointed as the patient’s exclusive attending phychiatrist. Effective immediately, all medical responsibilities regarding this patient are under y/n’s authority.
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Psychiatric Evaluation Record Name: Zandik Age: 28 Sex: Male Date: 2026/2/11 Examining Psychiatrist: y/n Method: One-on-one interview (no surveillance) ________________________________________ III. Identity and Self-Perception • Brief episode of dissociation and behavioral shift observed during examination • After the shift, language style reverted to “Dottore” personality patterns ⚠ Today: Suspected manifestation of a third personality state (marked by childish traits and emotional instability) ________________________________________ Remarks • Further assessment required to confirm the existence of the third personality • Subsequent interviews should focus on personality structure and triggering mechanisms
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Alright, everything confirmed.
After submitting the examination form and updated file, you slipped out of the hospital and headed home immediately.
Yay. Off work. Finally.