And then the 18th day of treatment began.

"Bear with me, older brother"

Falma drew and examined Palle's blood, then shouted out in excitement. Bruno and Falma entered Palle's room together. It seemed like there was a faint smile on their lips.

"Good news"

Bruno also spoke.

"Good news?"

Due to the side effects of anemia as well as his fatigue, Palle was exhausted. Additionally, because his hair had been cut very short, he seemed dispirited.

"Since the beginning of treatment 16 days ago, older brother's leukemic cells have decreased by two orders of magnitude and now account for 3% of cells in the bloodstream."

"… what does that mean? There's still more?"

It's fine, Falma says as he shakes his head. The leukemic cells in the bloodstream won't immediately disappear. Nevertheless, by combining ATRA and anti-cancer medication the amount can be reduced below 5% which falls within a certain guideline. That is to say…

"Complete hematological remission. I'm happy."

"Congratulations, big older brother"

As Falma finished talking, Blanche entered the room with a large box in her hands.

"What are you holding?"

Palle looks at the box and at Blanche.

"Well-, This-. I brought a present because big older brother worked hard."

"Can I open it?"

"Yes"

"This is…"

Blanche's gift to Palle was a wig, which he accepted with a complex expression. He regretted how short Blanche's hair had become but understood why she chose to cut it. Palle expressed his grat.i.tude to everyone and said, "Thank you all". 

On the 18th day of treatment the remission induction therapy succeeded.

With the help of Falma and his family, Palle had overcome the first obstacle.

Palle, who had escaped the brink of death, began to take the first steps towards rejoining society.