NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57: Chapter 55
The continuous sounds of the monitor did nothing to hamper the beating inside my chest. S̶i̶r̶!̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶v̶i̶t̶a̶l̶s̶ ̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶d̶r̶o̶p̶p̶i̶n̶g̶!̶
This is it. This is the moment that I've been studying for. It's not like I'm getting cold feet now or anything, really. After all, it's just me, Sensei and the patient. No other nurse or any other person in the observatory. Yup. Just us and no one else.
"Ready when you are." Said my frog-faced sensei, Hevun-sensei, with the same kind expression on his face. "I understand that this is new, but I want you to remember that it is alright to make mistakes. As your mentor, it will be my responsibility to correct them in case anything were to happen." He smiles. "Not like that will happen. You'll do great, I just know it."
I nodded at him with a definitely non-shaky and firm intake of air, and definitely removed my head in the picture perfect calm. I̶T̶ ̶H̶U̶R̶T̶S̶!̶ ̶I̶T̶ ̶H̶U̶R̶T̶S̶!̶ ̶ I mean, it isn't like this poor sod's volunteered and signed a bunch of papers to put his life in my hands or anything. ̶M̶A̶K̶E̶ ̶I̶T̶ ̶S̶T̶O̶P̶!̶!̶!̶ No Biggie.
As the dark fog left my neck, it wafted down to the open incision of the patient. 'Okay, don't freak out. Moment of truth. Focus, clarity, precision and whatever els- I̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶n̶a̶ ̶d̶i̶e̶!̶!̶!̶ JUST FOCUS!'
I closed my eyes and put every single point of attention I have to sensing my smoke, my own energy.
My job --Or test, rather-- is to bring back this guy's hands to it's former glory. He's a pianist of high renown and had his career crushed in a car accident during a villain attack years back. Muscles were no issue, the bones were a bit trickier but it wasn't a problem that lasted long either. ̶I̶'̶M̶ ̶M̶E̶L̶T̶I̶N̶G̶!̶ ̶O̶H̶ ̶G̶O̶D̶ ̶N̶O̶!̶ ̶ The real challenge was nerves.
The cells of the nervous system don't heal the same way that other cells do, due to the fact that they are incapable of undergoing mitosis. Something so small, so delicate, so vital proved to be the major block. ̶N̶O̶T̶ ̶W̶H̶E̶N̶ ̶W̶E̶ ̶F̶I̶N̶A̶L̶L̶Y̶ ̶G̶O̶T̶ ̶O̶U̶T̶!̶
Enough to make him desperately running to Academy City just for a chance of a cure. One he saw in me.
W̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶m̶e̶a̶n̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶h̶o̶p̶e̶l̶e̶s̶s̶?̶!̶ ̶Even without his hands as they were, he would live. But my procedure? He would be back to being alive. Y̶o̶u̶!̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶,̶ ̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶?̶!̶
So I'm definitely not thinking about the extra large weight on my shoulders, nope, not at all.
My mind is completely and utterly occupied with my healing. T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶w̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶e̶.̶.̶.̶ And as I expected, when I left it be, it went straight to where the problem was and immediately started prompting the body to do it's things. But today is different.
Humans need foci to channel their magic. Either through wands or staffs, to circles and chants. Most humans need this to control it.
But I'm not human. So I did what I can do.
I manually took over the reigns, not letting it run wild and guided my heal spell to do something else, yet something similar.
My energy flowed. It trickled gently to where the nerve endings are supposed to be, it dug deeper, following the empty crevices until it found where the base of it is. And I imparted my will unto my magic.
T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶w̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶h̶a̶- It's working.
.
..
...
It's working still.
.
..
...
It worked and nothing gone wrong. Done with the nerves, the flesh and even the skin. Everything's alright.
"See?" Hevun-sensei gave me a gentle pat on my shoulder. "I did say that you'll do great. Now why don't you go on ahead and take the rest of the day off. Don't worry about anything else for now, I'll handle it."
I dumbly nodded while taking greedy gulps of air under my surgical mask as I wiped my wet cheeks. Sweat? Odd, I swear that it wasn't even that hot in here. Why do my eyes sting? My throat is also a bit hot. Need water.
And plans, since I have free time now.
~~~~~~~~
"And you went straight to me?" She said, half in mild exasperation and half touched.
"...Sorry." Was my automatic response.
"Don't be. I'm flattered, is all." She pat my head. "And proud, obviously. The incident did left it's scar on you- on us." A gust of wind brush past as we took in the scene from our lonely corner of the park. "Although, why this case in particular? There were plenty of patients who were similar but you didn't react in the same way."
"It- it was- remember that new thing I wanted to try with my smoke?" She nodded. "W-well, I was testing it. We already tried it on animals at the vets and we were testing it on a human today. The situation reminded of t-that day be-because it felt like I was one of those scientists we took down... I know it was for the greater good but it still felt so wrong."
"Hm... And I suppose you were also afraid that today's concession would enable more?" She gave me head a gentle squeeze of comfort. "You were afraid that by crossing a line today, you'd cross more of them in the future. 'For the greater good' is a line that helped enable tragedies to happen because the one acting upon them believe that it is for betterment of what it is they believe in. Some of the worst atrocities in history were committed by those who were truly and utterly convinced that they were in the right. You are afraid, that, eventually you fall off the deep end and become like those you hate."
My silence was all she needed, for it spoke volumes.
She ruffled my hair. "That's why we must always be vigilant of what we do and why we do it. I wouldn't tell you not to worry, because the fact that you do so means that your heart is in the right place." She lifted my head so it was to her eye level. "And if you're ever afraid of falling over, remember that I am here. And so is Uiharu, Saten, Haru, Hina, Mugi... You have plenty of people by your side." She gave me peck on lips before giving me a grin. "And if you ever fail to believe in yourself, then believe in me that believes in you."
'Did she just?...' I couldn't help but break into giggles. "Where did you even get that reference?" I asked between laughter.
"One of the girls at Tokiwadai's Judgement, believe it or not." She sighed a bit with a hand to her cheek. "Normally quite modest, that one. But she can be naive. Apparently she was pulled in by the showing of the remake smuggled in by certain other students."
"And you were pulled in too?"
She blushes a bit as she shakes her head. "Not at all. We were actually confiscating them. It was Oneesama that snuck into the office to try and get them back, got distracted and read them."
"Hm? And how come you didn't notice her?"
~~~~~
*Ping*
I took my phone out of my pocket and glance at the screen. "Hm? Oh, it's from Kuzuki. I wonder wha-"
'My boyfriend crossdressing is something I didn't expect to happen. Well, I kind of did, but not this soon. To whichever god, deity or whatever that made this happen, sincerely thank you.'
Cute. He looks good in that. Cute. The skirt looks nice. Cute. I should make him dress up more. Cute. Maybe we can go shopping together? Cute. Then go out for dinner. Cute. Hot. Then maybe stop by a love hotel. Hot. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Cute. I just want to-
"Shirai-san?! The blood! The blood!! Your nose is bleeding too much!"
~~~~~
"No particular reason." She said with a deeper blush. "I suppose Oneesama was just a luckier than usual that day."
I feel like she left something out, but going by her expression then it isn't anything bad.
"On another note, I heard from Uiharu about the stunt you pulled at school."
"Anything wrong?"
"None at all. I just think that it was sweet of you to do that for Haru, is all."
"I, well-" Don't blush. "...I know I kinda pulled you along today but enough about me, how did you week go?"
"Hm..." She ponders while her hand continues to pat my head. "I suppose the usual? I still excel at academics. Oneesama is getting into her usual antics, or not, depending on whether she has a date. As for my personal studies, oh! I managed apportation."
"You can? That really useful."
"Indeed." She's giddy and proud of it. "You aren't the only one learning new tricks. It will take some more practice to get used to it. At this time, I can only manage to apport smaller objects to my hand. As for the range, a few meters for now but it will eventually escalate further."
Our conversation devolved from there. Eventually, we had dinner together before returning to our respective dorms. The date might have been an impromptu one, but it was still enjoyable.
~~~~~~~~~~
More time passed. My new application of my healing energy was refined further in skill and finesse. There was still the occasional mild breakdown or panic attack, but it was something the fizzled out as I got more experience in using my new technique and more confidence in my capabilities.
I also sparred with Kuroko every now and then so we wouldn't get rusty with our skill in combat. Something we both needed because neither of us think it is feasible to let our skills stagnate by going against weaker opponents that we normally handle during our patrols.
I had a few more run-ins with a handful of Sticks --Chasers of Colour Goons is a mouthful of a name, and since they look the part then why not?-- but they were easy to put down. The only annoying part is that they can be such a nuisance.
The other side is still the usual as it is. I still hang out and help out occasionally at Dusk's Grace.
Yotsuya-san is taking care of the bracelet. We still keep in contact and she would occasionally ask for help in getting rid of the more stronger ghosts and spirits. Due to my existence, she doesn't automatically panic when she saw others like me, although she still refrains from coming into contact with them. A smart move, really.
Uiharu is getting better at codes and programs. Apparently, she's aiming for a spot at I-island so she's doubling down on her own training. Saten is unsure about what she wants to do in a few more years, but she's still thinking about while focusing on having fun at the present. Haru did mention that he wants a career that has something to do with plants but is more than content to mull it over some more for now. Shiina, surprisingly, said that she wants to be a photographer.
We're only at our second years, but even that has to come to an end sooner or later. In our own way, we're moving forward.