Catch Me If You Can (3) is the fifty-sixth chapter of Takashi Shiina's Zettai Karen Children.
Synopsis[]
Shiho Sannomiya chases after Shūji Sakaki who is climbing aboard Professor Saisen's yacht. She is wondering why he is not treating Kaoru Akashi who is suffering from heatstroke. Sakaki tells her that Kaoru will be fine, but he is worried about Saisen. Shiho would rather them not help Saisen since he hates Espers and already has several doctors aboard his yacht. Sakaki can't keep himself from ensuring that Saisen is okay.
Aboard the yacht, Sakaki asks the doctors of Saisen's condition; they are unsure of what they are doing, can't agree on a diagnosis and are too proud to ask for help. Sakaki pushes them aside and uses Psychometry to assess Saisen's condition. He diagnoses Saisen with a ruptured aneurysm and prepares to operate.
Shiho helps carry B.A.B.E.L.'s artificial blood supplies aboard the yacht from their boat. Sakaki asks her to assist him with the operation. The other doctors protest, but Sakaki convinces them that he will take all of the blame, and them all of the credit depending on the results.
Shiho is nervous, and Sakaki explains the operation they are to perform. He warns her that there will be a lot of blood and she doesn't have to look, just read his thoughts with Psychometry. After releasing Shiho's limiter, they begin.
Sakaki makes an incision; blood splurts out and Shiho flinches as a drop hits her. Sakaki tries to calm her down and explains that experiencing things in real life is very different that what she would normally see through Psychometry. Shiho is not interested in listening to his words; she believes that he hates her. Sakaki calls her a child; he doesn't hate her, but is envious of her. In his opinion, she is fortunate to be surrounded by people who care about her, unlike him at her age. He tells her that she doesn't understand how lucky she is. Shiho argues that she does understand, and that she knows when and where she should use her Psychometry. This annoys Sakaki, he dislikes it when she acts like an adult. Conversely, Shiho dislikes how childish Sakaki can be.
Later at Kōichi Minamoto's apartment, they recount their fishing trip to him and Aoi Nogami. Kaoru proudly shows off her tan lines, lifting her dress and shifting her underwear. Aoi asks about Saisen, and Sakaki explains that the surgery was a success while insulting the doctors. Minamoto tells him not to be so harsh; Sakaki retorts that Minamoto had gone overseas as a child, but he had to put up with arrogant Japanese doctors for much longer before giving up and leaving. Minamoto questions the rumor that Sakaki had left after hitting on all of the nurses; Sakaki admits to this, claiming he had forgotten.
Sakaki imagines what life would have been like had he been one of The Children. The girls dislike the idea. Minamoto doesn't say anything, but Shiho reads him and tells the others that he prefers having a team of girls. Sakaki excuses himself and secretly exchanges rude words with Shiho using Psychometry on his way out.