'Caring'

Augh... shut up...

Hibiscus, time to get up.

You're not even gonna answer?

No way you're thinking of lying in.

You sent me a message yesterday saying you were making rounds or something. That I should wake you up in the morning.

And here I am awake, and you're still sleeping. Haaah...

Eh, sleep in all you want. I'm gonna go rinse up.

Hm?

Hibiscus, you're still sleeping?

Wanna get up?

I just got back from field work myself. The mission wasn't easy. A huge hassle, actually. Not many people other than me could deal with it.

And Amiya gave me a hell of a lot of off days for it, so now I can sleep in for the whole day.

If I wasn't getting you up, I could've gotten a lot more sleep. Haaah...

Still asleep?

Then I've got to do something or other.

You said yourself last night, you were one of the Medical Department's elite at this point. You can't be late. I'll drag you out if I have to.

Though saying that isn't a first for me...

But having the chance to actually drag you out from your covers would be.

Hm-hmmm. What in the world would you do without me?

......

Still not getting up? I'm seriously gonna pull 'em. If you catch a cold, don't blame me.

Hibi—

Hibiscus, what—what's up with you?!

Why are your hands so hot?!

......

Hibiscus? Sis? Don't kid me like this. Haven't you always been pretty healthy?

Why would you just...

Sis! Sis! Say something!

I'm awake... Lava...

Stop shaking me...

Oh, s—sorry.

Are you okay?

A little chilly... and weak...

Probably caught a fever...

Fever? Your body can do that?

Oh, right!

Just wait for me a moment, I'll go and find a doctor for you right now!

It's no big deal... Lava, you don't need to...

Oh... honestly, you...

Hibiscus, I found a doctor for you!

Ansel, you need to take a look quick! Is she alright?!

Wait, calm down—ack, stop pulling me like that—

Good grief... I thought you had something urgent you needed to drag me out for. I see it was your sister.

It's n... nothing...

The sick aren't qualified to say it's 'nothing.'

Hmm...

Do you have a thermometer in your dormitory?

We—We do!

In our household medicine box...

I'll go and get it!

Don't rush.

It's just... a fever...

Hrmm.

Temperature's a little high.

And you're unable to exert strength?

Mm-hm...

Have your diet and work-rest balance been fine these past few days?

Health...

Healthy meals.

Okay, forget I ever asked.

You and Folinic are both the type that don't call for worrying.

......

You've likely been too exhausted as of recent.

Do the necessary... tests too... in a bit, please...

That way she can... feel a little calmer...

I understand.

Here, the thermometer!

Please bring the whole chest over. I can administer Hibiscus all the fundamental tests that way.

A medical kit of hers should contain the necessary equipment.

Got it!

With sufficient supporting data, I'll be able to discern whether her high temperature is a protective bodily response, or whether some other symptom has had knock-on complications.

We'll start with temperature. Here, open wide.

Aaah—

H—How is she?

No great cause for worry. Her body is just self-regulating somewhat aggressively.

Overexhaustion should be the main cause.

As long as she rests up for the next few days, she'll be back again in no time.

She'll want a bit of a lighter diet, reduced salt and sugar intake, and to pay mind to balanced nutrition.

So you're saying I've gotta make healthy meals for her...

The cafeteria can provide similar meals. You might not necessarily have to make them yourself.

As for other major points, Hibiscus knows more than well enough, so I won't go listing.

I'll file Hibiscus' sick leave for her at the Medical Department. Fang will tell the others.

The both of you shouldn't have any field work or missions lined up for the next couple of days, correct.

I don't, no.

None...

Then there shouldn't be any problem.

If you don't have any particular questions, then I'll be on my way. I'll leave you to watch over her, Lava.

Hey—

......

So I gotta look after you for a day or two, then.

Ah...

I never took any sort of nursing class.

Lava... if you want to train... go train...

Your sister's... a doctor... she's not that weak...

She can look after... herself...

*Cough*, *cough* *cough*...

That's enough out of you! Does your throat hurt? Do you need some water?

It's okay...

Look, I, uh, I wasn't—I'm not saying I don't wanna look after you!

It's just, that, I, I don't really have experience...

So if I get any part wrong. If you're uncomfortable.

Then tell me.

Lava...

Okay...

Then we're doing this. You need to eat breakfast first. I'll go make some in a moment. I'll do the dishes after we're done.

Is your appetite gonna be a problem?

It won't...

Hmm...

Want me to get a washbowl first, then, so you can wash your face and stuff?

(Nods)

Just give me a moment.

(Pulls at a corner of Lava's hem)

Oh. Is there anything else?

(Mouths a 'thank you')

Nothing to thank me for. You got ill. I'm off for a couple days. It pretty much works out.

Phew... finally, all done...

Jeez, nursing's rougher than I thought. I don't feel cool at all.

If you asked me to do this in front of everyone else, I'd refuse point blank.

......

Are you full?

(Nods)

Then you can go back to sleep now.

Close your eyes, and get some proper rest.

I'll wash out the bowl, and then I'll go do the dishes, and then—not sure.

Eh, anyhow, for now that's that. If you need anything, set the alarm on this clock to go off. I'll come right over when I hear it.

Be good.

(Pats Hibiscus's face)

......

Mmnn... brush, washing-up liquid.

(Did I give Hibiscus's face a pat just then?)

Hmph...

(Mum and dad love treating us like that.)

(Not sure if they've gotten the letter from last week yet.)

(Mm... is that how Hibiscus treats me too?)

You need to eat healthy meals.

Be good.

(Ugh...)

(Whenever she acts like that, chances are she's trying to boss me around.)

(......)

(I don't know if that one bowl of meat porridge was enough to fill her.)

(Should I peel her a piece of fruit too?)

(Or maybe roast some meat?)

(I really wanna set up a stove right by her bed and barbecue meat for myself.)

(Make her starve drooling.)

(......)

(Let's go with peeling fruit, yeah...)

I sliced some fruit for you. Do you want it?

Zzz...

Sleeping pretty heavy, huh.

......

Weird, actually, how she doesn't look all that loathsome when she's asleep.

(Pinches Hibiscus's face)

Zzz...

Still running high.

Hope she'll recover a little soon. That way I can prank her with a completely clean conscience.

Haaah... I've been busy half the day. I'm a little tired myself now...

Guess I can nap a little by her side...

......

Zzz...

Huh?!

Did that wake you up? Sorry...

It's the alarm I set for your porridge.

I...

Do you want it right now, or in a bit?

Now, I guess.

Lemme get it.

Ah-ah-ah, don't get up. You knocked out all the way from yesterday to today and now you want to be up and about?

Lie—down—for—me.

Weagh...

(When did Hibiscus get this strong?)

I asked around a little. It was Pith who got you into this state after taking you out for special training.

This isn't Miss Pith's fault.

This was going to be a high-intensity training session, anyway. It might look pretty ruthless at first, but nothing ever starts smooth. I'll be fine after I'm used to it.

Still, you can't wreck yourself with training like this...

I think it's worth it. I can feel how I'm getting stronger, Originium Arts precision or otherwise, training like this.

Besides...

Besides?

I was warned about this training, going into it. It'd be majorly intense, it'd be tough making it through and I'd need a good mentality and so on.

I told the instructors: 'It's fine. My sister's a medic. Even if I end up half dead, as long as I still have breath in me, she'll bring me back.'

......

More or less how it went. You get the idea.

Lava.

What?

I'll overlook it this time, but if you end up like this after special training again, I'll officially raise dissent with the HR department.

You don't need to—

I don't care what kind of improvement you might get out of this. It only matters to me whether this is going to damage your health.

No matter what, you can't...

......

I'm sorry...

Hibiscus? Sis?

Don't—don't cry. C'mon, look at how big you are.

Do you know how worried I was when I found you?!

I'm alright, aren't I...?

Just a little overdraft on my strength. And a few grazes.

No, not this...

Do you still remember... how you ended up at Rhodes Island...?

That...

I helped a bunch of merchants repel some bandits, and someone noticed I was an Infected...

Then their caravan dumped me... and I remember someone or other bashed my head in. Then I passed out.

And when I woke up again, I was aboard Rhodes Island.

And somebody'd healed my injuries.

I heard an operator in the field picked me up on the way back? Lucky thing I was only minorly injured. Wasn't much trouble for others.

They were heavy injuries...

Huh?

I thought, after I lost touch with you, the next time we met, you'd still be the same awkward you, but...

Then you were on the operating table, Lava—burnt up like a fireball...

I couldn't... do anything to help...

The only thing I could do was—attend to you after the operation... just like now.

You were—crying my name, non-stop, in your bed...

What? Wait, I never heard about this before...

Then—Then why didn't you tell me—

Because I knew you'd act out if you got awkward! It was so tough just finding you. What if you just ran away again?

So before you recovered and officially came on board, I didn't even dare show up.

Ugh...

I'm not—I'm not that unreasonable.

Of course you are!

You got lost when we left Victoria BECAUSE you were being so difficult, Lava!

That—That was an accident...

In any case, you can't let anything like this happen again. Do you understand?

(Quietly) Okay...

Mm-hm. There's a good girl.

Oh, that's right. What were you dreaming about?

If you don't mind, you're safe to share some of your dreams with your sister. It'll be good for your recuperation.

Huh?

Mm-hm. I'm listening.

I... I saw...

What did you see?

I saw you...

Was there anything about me?

You were...

Go on. I'm listening.

(Pats Lava's face)

Hmuh?

Go on, then. What did you dream of?

(I can't, this is too embarrassing! I can't say it!)

Nothing!

Nothing at all!

Be good.

I won't!

I didn't have a single dream!

How can you be so difficult right after waking up, Lava?

*Sigh*...

Being difficult isn't anything new. Why is your face so red, though?

Did you manage to get a fever too?

Nope!

Just lie down now, and I'll take your temperature.

What do you need my temperature for?

Don't bring the thermometer over, I don't have a fever! It's nothing!

The sick aren't qualified to say it's 'nothing.'

Can't you tell the difference between a fever and blushing?!

Why would I be making you blush?

Be—Because it'd be so embarrassing having to tell you how you were so ill in my dream you couldn't even speak, duh!

Uh.

That's more... or less how it went...

Heheh. Hearing that actually makes me pretty happy.

It's because usually... like, sis, you're...

I'd never be taken out that easily.

Mm, but it's always hard to expect the unexpected. So in future, I really might need you to look after me, Lava.

Of course, I've always believed you'll be there to help your sister out in bad times.

Even if you usually never listen and you're always so obstinate, you have plenty of ideas, and you're always fast to act.

Is this just a really roundabout way of criticizing me...?

It isn't.

*Sigh*...

Fine.

Do you have anything to eat? I'm a little hungry.

Yep, I do.

This is wonderful. It's not everyday we can get along so well.

Just wait a moment. I'll bring it over for you.

......

(So back then, she was there too, huh.)

(I wondered why there was a voice that sounded so familiar.)

(......)

(If not for Mr. Johann teaching me, Hibiscus wouldn't have seen me again...)

(I've got no idea how he's doing these days in Leithanien. Someone as talented at music as him probably got famous by now.)

(Maybe a letter...)

(I don't know when mum and dad'll send a reply...)

(Everyone's... going through really rough times...)

(If I could just be more powerful, then...)

Here we go, now. Here's some porridge, fresh off the flame. Eat it while it's hot.

(Sniffs it)

It doesn't really smell like anything. Isn't it meat porridge?

In your dreams, it was. This is cutting-edge healthy porridge. Healthy AND tasty!

(Healthy?!)

You—wait, hold on, did you put in that weird healthy powder or whatever it was you made?!

That's right. It'll be easier to absorb, and faster to deliver nutrients to your body.

Let me just ask, first... have you tasted it yourself...?

Of course I have~

I eat three square meals a day, and my nutrition's especially well-balanced. That's why it's you who gets ill and not your sister, you know.

Here, try it. Healthiness is the most important thing.

I don't wanna. I'm not gonna have a single spoonful.

I went to a lot of pains improving it. Just give it a try.

Like I'm gonna trust you! You said you improved it last time, and it still wasn't—

Here!

Wmmhphh!!!!!

Mmph?

......

It's like it... tastes... kind of tolerable now?

Riiight~

Mm...

?!?

Eugh, no.

Nononono, what's up with this aftertaste?!

Urp—don't tell me you just delayed the taste and called that better!

That's right. You can drink all the porridge in one gulp now, can't you?

Hibiscus, we are NOT done!

Bleuch...

Mark my words! I am... eugh... NOT done with you!