As the words registered, Aena looked away. What was Cassidy even saying?! Her face burned and she became aware of her arm around Cassidy's shoulder, only the fabric of their uniforms separating their skin. Other thoughts wormed their way into her mind as she became conscious of the large surface of contact they were having. She didn't turn her head back for a while after that, and Cassidy didn't say anything more.
After the burning in her chest gradually dropped to a low simmer, Aena realized that they were on a path unfamiliar to her. She had initially thought that they were heading back to the dorms, but seeing how Cassidy had just taken a left turn that was definitely not in the direction of the Rosengard dorms, she wasn't so sure anymore.
"We ARE heading to the dorms," she asked tentatively. "Right, Cassidy?"
Cassidy just tightened her grip on Aena's shoulder in response.
"You'll find out soon enough."
With those ominous words and Cassidy's firm grip, she reluctantly allowed herself to be led by Cassidy into the twilit paths. It was only when they reached the central square that Aena had a small inkling in mind of their destination.
"The medical ward?"
Cassidy's eyes remained glued in front and she continued to stride forward at a brisk pace. That was the only answer Aena needed. She was too tired for this.
"I'm fine! A good night's sleep and I'll be as good as new!" She flexed her arm to show that she was okay. Cassidy gave her an incredulous look.
"Really?"
"Yeah, it barely hurts anymore," Aena stated. Cassidy gave her another skeptical look, as if to ask "Are you sure about that?" and proceeded to jab Aena hard in the stomach. Cassidy's hand was lightning fast, like a snake strike. Aena wasn't prepared for it at all, so without even having time to react, Cassidy landed a solid blow right where her previous injury was.
Aena couldn't help but let out a short yelp and suck in her breath. The jab itself wasn't very strong, but it still hurt like hell. Looking up, Aena saw Cassidy's incriminating eyes shining down on her. Feeling aggrieved, she put on her puppy eyes and tried to act like an innocent deer.
"... I guess it still hurts a bit, but that doesn't mean I need medical attention! I'll be fine. Earlier you said that you'll help me. Well, you can begin by going back to the dorms."
Cassidy ignored her and kept hauling her forward like a mother dragging a disobedient child.
They cut across the main plaza, trudged up the stairs leading to the medical building, and entered the doctor's office. Aena had her head hung low as she shuffled forward, hoping that Cassidy would take pity on her and turn back. Unfortunately, Cassidy was Cassidy, a stubborn girl.
The doctor on duty was the same woman Aena had first seen when she had passed out. Like a scene replaying itself, the doctor, who was behind her desk, lifted her head from the echoes of their footsteps.
Her face lit up in recognition when she saw Cassidy; then her gaze shifted towards Aena, and her smile turned into a sort of weak grimace.
"I thought I told you I hoped I wouldn't have to see you for a while," she said, her words directed toward Aena.
"Me too," Aena could only say awkwardly. It wasn't really her fault, she tried to convince herself.
"Good, because It would be quite worrisome if this continues in the future," she said, looking at the two of them sternly after her initial observation. "I see that you two are together again," she said, her gaze lingering on the arm thrown around Cassidy's neck. The doctor turned to Aena with a pointed stare.
"You didn't get hurt just so you can do that, did you?"
Aena scrunched her face in confusion until she recalled the fiery sensation she had felt earlier with Cassidy. She felt her face heating up again.
"What?! Of course not!" she sputtered.
"Hmmm… if you say so," the doctor said, letting out an unconvinced sigh.
Stopping the conversation, the doctor opened the curtain to an empty ward and beckoned them in. After lying flat on the bed, Aena was told to remove her clothes after she explained her injury. Aena was about to unbutton her blouse but then noticed Cassidy's penetrating eyes. She stopped.
"Er, could you look away?" Aena asked shyly.
"Why?" Cassidy stared back obliviously.
"It's uncomfortable."
"How so? Do you want me to make you comfortable then?"
Aena shifted uncomfortably on the bed. She didn't know what to say to that, and Cassidy making her comfortable… Needless to say, all sorts of wild thoughts rushed into her mind as she pictured what that could mean. She tried to curb those thoughts. Why wouldn't Cassidy just look away? Was it that hard?
A loud voice broke her from her thoughts, "Hey quit flirting already, I can just watch my romance dramas back home, thank you very much. If Miss Aena doesn't like it, then she doesn't like it."
She gave Aena a long look before making a shooing motion in Cassidy's direction.
Cassidy didn't defy her words and ducked out of the ward after a moment's hesitation, much to Aena's relief. Aena finally undressed and allowed the doctor to work. The woman promptly examined the area where Aena had been punched, which was already starting to bruise, turning an ugly shade of black and blue.
She probed Aena's abdomen with her gloved hands, and Aena winced occasionally as Mrs. Doctor pressed lightly around the area.
"Nothing seems broken, so it's most likely a bruised rib. I'll give you a cold compression and some regenerative solution, but let me know immediately if it worsens." The doctor wrapped some bandages around the area, pressing an ice pack against her skin. She then retrieved a bottle and poured it into a small cup which she handed to Aena.
Aena took the cup and gulped it down, feeling the warm liquid slide down her throat, already working its magic.
"It should be healed in about a week, but try to refrain from extraneous activity if you can."
"Alright, thank you," Aena smiled in gratitude.
"My pleasure, but I better not see you here again," she said, laughing.
Aena nodded and pushed herself up from the bed, swinging her body off. Just then, Cassidy popped her head back in.
"Done yet?"
"No!" Aena shouted quickly before spinning around and buttoning up her shirt. Jeez. Why ask if you're gonna look anyway?
"Ah, that's right," Mrs. Doctor turned to Cassidy, "seeing that you appear to be taking care of her, it would be best if Miss Aena doesn't engage in any strenuous physical activity in the next week or so, if you know what I mean."
She winked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Cassidy dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, looking oddly seriously.
"That's unfortunate."
The doctor let out a chuckle, "There's always after though. Always after."
Aena watched the interaction with bewilderment. The fuck?
"Kuhum."
She coughed to let them know she was still there—that yes, she was an actual, existing being.
"Um, could we leave now?"
"Yes, yes, just remember what I told you," the doctor said, leading the duo to the exit, the sliding glass doors exclusive to the medical ward.
They stepped outside after waving the doctor goodbye, Aena reaffirming once again that she wouldn't do anything reckless anytime soon.
Side by side, they headed back to the dorms.