The receptionist blinked, hands poised nervously over her keyboard.
"I'm sorry, sir… but I can't give out patient information without permission. It's hospital policy."
Yamashita's gaze didn't waver.
He didn't argue.
Didn't raise his voice.
He turned toward his assistant.
"Call that woman again," he said quietly. "The one listed as his emergency contact."
"Ask where Haruki is."
"Yes, sir," the assistant replied immediately, already stepping aside to make the call.
The assistant held the phone to his ear for a moment, then spoke politely.
"Hello? Yes, we're from Yamashita Corporation. May we ask where Haruki is?"
A pause.
"…Oh. ICU?"
"Understood. Thank you."
He ended the call and turned back.
"Mister Yamashita. She said Haruki is in the ICU wing."
Yamashita nodded once.
"We go there."
Without another word, he turned—his group falling in step behind him.
