Mei's back turned stiff as she heard Y's words. Though she knew he was only caring for her, she still felt as if someone had touched a sore spot. Her eyes turned cold before she calmed down and grunted at Y. "No need."
Y, who was about to get up and order for the trash can to be changed and more bags to be brought in, stopped and stared at Mei. His expression clearly spelled out, "What?"
Mei looked at him and got annoyed. Despite Y being a lot older than her, Mei couldn't help but poke his head with her finger that had regained strength and pushed his back. "I said no need."
Y was flustered. "But you're going to vomit again! You want to go around showing your weakness or something?-" The words had just left his mouth when he felt his wits coming back to him.
With eyes wide and clear danger seeping from within them, Y stared down hard at Mei who was still seated on the sofa with her back laid against the cushion. "You're not thinking of going out of here right now right? I get it you need your break Mei but you're not okay right now! You've already lost a lot of blood and it's that time of the month Mei. Do you really think you'll be okay going around all weak with him still on your tails? The moon is high and so is he-"
"Hilton Froster!"
Mei didn't let Y finish his words. She knew very clearly where his words were leading to. More than that she was pissed. Despite his care towards her, his words sounded a little degrading. This wasn't the first time nor will it be the last but Mei wasn't here to listen to his nagging. She was barely eighteen but she was still an adult.
An adult who could make her own decisions. She didn't need him to tell her what to do. From the bottom of her heart she appreciated the care and sincerity that he was showing her but this was too much. It seemed too fake.
Maybe it was because she didn't think anyone could care for an outsider like he did? Perhaps that was why he kept forgetting that he wasn't her father nor was he someone who could make decisions for her.
When Y heard his real name being yelled out by Mei he froze. His expression retracted as though shrinking back. At that moment he seemed to have returned to his senses as he shook his head in shame and sat down next to her. "I'm sorry. I crossed my boundaries again."
Mei silently acknowledged his apology.
"Are you going to leave? Will you be alright? Should I get someone to send you back?" Despite having been called out merely seconds ago he was still back to his caring self. Mei didn't seem surprised by this at all. In fact she just nodded along with his words. "Yea."
After a long pause Mei decided to tell him. Afterall he was only caring for her. She didn't have the heart to make him worry more than he should.
"I found the item. Drank it an hour ago."
Y sat up straight upon hearing the words "the item". He still couldn't get his head around the fact that she was able to get the item! It was such great news! After two long years of searching she finally found it!
"You really found it! You really- found it…" Y started mumbling things towards himself when he realized that she still vomited blood despite having drunk the item.
His face fell as he looked at her with deep worry. His eyes started watering on behalf of Mei and he couldn't help but want to give her a hug of comfort. "Oh Mei… our poor Mei… The item… it doesn't work does it?"
Mei felt her eyes twitch. How could this old man be dumb in such critical times?! "Y. I only had ONE drink. No matter how effective it is it wouldn't work that much within such short notice. But it did work. I don't think I'll be in that much pain this time around."
"You mean…"
"Yea. It stopped. This vomiting fit would've lasted longer than this, remember?" Y listened to her words and felt that it made sense. Right, he thought.
He recalled that time two months ago where her fit started earlier than expected. Backups had gone to take over the last of her mission while she went on the side. Luckily their mission was near the hotel areas so Mei had checked into one right after ditching the mission. Y had coincidently been there as well. He had seen how cold her body gets during that time.
His mind still remembered how her body trembled severely as though she was having a nightmare before her body gave in all its strength and she started vomiting. A mess of blood and everything she had throughout the day.
That time her fit lasted over half an hour however this time around she was able to come back to her senses within a mere twenty minutes. This was progress. Big progress!
She had only taken one drink and her condition was so much better!
Delighted he turned his eyes to face Mei and hope filled his eyes. Mei on the other hand couldn't stand the sight of him any longer. Was she the one who was going through this or him?
Mei snapped at him coldly. "Stop that."
Y broke into a smile before nodding. He still didn't do anything to retract the intense joy and delight with the mixture of hope that spilled through every pore of his body. Mei could only sigh hopelessly. Clearing her throat, Mei slowly got up from the sofa. She had taken her time getting up so as to avoid any form of dizzy spells and perhaps sudden shock to her muscles. The last thing she needed was to fall flat on her face or get nagged at by Y for being weak.
Mei lifted her legs and walked on the same spot and even raised her hands above her head and to her sides. When she was sure that the blood was flowing through her again she faced Y who had also stood up and said, "I'm leaving."
Y wanted to say something but it could wait so he merely nodded at Mei and watched her leave through the door.
"Take care of yourself and call me if you need any help."