Kaito leaned forward, scanning the pages without rushing. “You’ve documented a lot,” he said, his tone calm. “It’s good to see the effort you’ve put in.”

Haru rubbed the back of his neck, a faint tension visible. “It wasn’t easy. Some days I followed everything exactly… other days I couldn’t even get out of bed on time. I messaged you once, like I told you. That helped, but…” His voice trailed off.

“That’s completely normal,” Kaito reassured him. “Depression isn’t linear. The important thing is that you’re noticing patterns, identifying triggers, and taking action. Even small steps counts too.”

Haru nodded slowly. “The grounding exercises helped sometimes. The journal helped me notice the worst moments. But… I feel like I’m still barely keeping afloat.”

Kaito tapped a pen thoughtfully. “That tells us a few things. The fact that you noticed the patterns at all is a good sign. It means you’re paying attention instead of just forcing yourself through it. A short walk helps a lot in regulating ones mood."

Haru shifted slightly. “I try, but sometimes it feels impossible. The surgeries, the hospital schedule… everything’s so rigid.”

“Understandable,” Kaito said. “Then we’ll focus on micro-strategies: five-minute breathing breaks between cases, stepping outside for sunlight, or even simple stretches in the operating room before scrubbing in. You’re not aiming for perfection, just incremental relief.”

Haru exhaled, a little of the tension loosening. “And the medication…?”

“It remains a tool, not a cure,” Kaito explained. “If you take it consistently, it can stabilize your mood enough for these small strategies to be more effective. Keep noting side effects or changes, and we can adjust as necessary.”

Haru nodded. “Alright. I’ll keep tracking it.”

Kaito gave a small, approving smile. “Good. Our goal is still on sustainable management, You came back today. That matters.”

Haru glanced down at his hands, then met Kaito’s eyes. “I… think I can keep going. Not perfectly, but at least… moving forward.” as Haru answer with a bit energetic.

“That’s exactly what matters,” Kaito said. “We’ll schedule the next session for two weeks from now. In the meantime, continue the journal, the grounding exercises, and micro-breaks. And remember you can reach out if things feel overwhelming before our appointment. You don’t have to wait.”

Haru gave a small nod, a quiet sense of resolve settling in. “Thank you, Dr. Tanaka. I’ll do my best.”

Kaito closed his notepad, his calm presence steady. “That’s all I ask. Step by step, Haru. Step by step..."

The session ended with that steady assurance. 

Haru slipped the journal back into his bag before standing.

“Two weeks?” he asked.

Kaito nodded once. “Another two weeks that is.”

This time, when Haru left the office, he didn’t rush back into the hallway immediately.