Chapter 36 - Taking her home
Her hand felt cold in mine, the once smooth skin now marked by the faint wrinkles of an illness that had lingered far too long.
[System used 88 points to cure 1/10th of the disease]
I closed my eyes, focusing my chakra. A soft, warm light emanated from my palm, casting a gentle glow over her hand before vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
"How do you feel now?" I asked, my voice gentle yet tinged with concern. I kept my hand over hers, feeling the warmth slowly returning, the lines of pain beginning to fade.
She looked up at me, tears welling in her eyes as she slowly flexed her fingers, her expression a mix of disbelief and joy. "I... I feel warm again," she whispered, her voice trembling. "And I can see clearly. My condition is so much better than before. It's like... like a heavy fog has been lifted from me."
I couldn't help but smile, a sense of relief washing over me. "I'm glad," I murmured, glancing outside at the sky, now tinged with the deep hues of evening. "It's getting dark."
Turning back to her, I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the question I was about to ask. "Akane... what do you think? Would you like to come with me?"
Her eyes widened, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks as she looked down, her fingers nervously intertwining. "Yes," she replied softly, her voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and quiet determination. "I want to."
As she spoke, notifications began ringing in my mind, each one like a soft chime of hope.
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 21]
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 31]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 57]
The final notification rang out, and the world seemed to hold its breath as we stood there, connected by something deeper than words. Without thinking, I gently scooped her up into my arms, carrying her in a princess carry. Her surprised gasp quickly turned into a soft smile as she rested her head against my chest, her trust in me palpable.
The walk to my new apartment in the city was quiet, the evening air cool against our skin. I could feel the weight of the day pressing down, the exhaustion starting to catch up with me. It had been inconvenient to move around so much, especially with Akane still recovering.
She was pretty light, she didn't get much nutrients in these days.
As we neared the apartment, I formed a shadow clone with a simple hand sign, instructing it to inform the others that I wouldn't be returning tonight. I wanted to make sure Akane was settled and comfortable first.
Opening the door, I stepped inside and carefully placed Akane on the sofa. She looked around the small but cozy space, her eyes wide with curiosity and slight amazement. I could tell she was trying to take in every detail, perhaps feeling safe for the first time in a while.
"Akane," I asked gently, noticing the weariness in her eyes despite the curiosity, "are you hungry? Should I cook something for you?"
Her eyes lit up at the offer, and she quickly nodded. "I can help with the cooking," she replied, a spark of enthusiasm in her voice as she offered to assist.
I couldn't help but smile at her determination. "Alright, then," I said, nodding in agreement. "Help me cook."
Together, we made our way to the kitchen, the atmosphere between us lightening as we prepared the meal side by side. Each small task she completed brought a sense of normalcy back into her life, and I could see her spirits lifting with every moment we spent together
As we worked in the kitchen, the scent of simmering vegetables and steaming rice filled the air. The simple act of cooking together felt almost surreal after everything that had happened, a small slice of normalcy in a world that had been anything but.
Akane's movements were still a bit unsteady, but she insisted on helping. I watched her carefully, ready to step in if she needed assistance, but she managed well enough on her own. Every now and then, our hands would brush as we reached for the same ingredient, and I could feel the warmth of her recovery slowly spreading.
"You're doing great," I said, offering her a reassuring smile as she carefully chopped some vegetables.
She looked up at me, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "It's been a long time since I've done anything like this. I almost forgot how much I enjoy it."
"Cooking is... calming," I agreed, stirring the pot on the stove. "It's nice to have something to focus on, something simple."
We continued cooking in comfortable silence, the occasional soft clatter of utensils the only sound in the small kitchen. When the meal was ready, we set the table and sat down to eat, the warm light of the apartment casting a soft glow over the room.
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 67]
As we ate, I noticed how Akane's eyes brightened with each bite, a small smile playing on her lips. It was as if the meal itself was restoring her strength, bit by bit.
"This is really good," she said between bites, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Thank you... for everything."
"You don't have to thank me," I replied, my tone gentle. "I'm just glad to see you getting better."
After we finished eating, I cleared the dishes and set them in the sink, while Akane stretched out on the sofa, her expression one of contentment. I could see her eyelids growing heavy, the exhaustion from the day catching up with her.
"Do you want to rest?" I asked, noticing how she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
She nodded, stifling a yawn. "I think I need it... but I don't want to impose."
"You're not imposing," I assured her. "There's a spare room you can use. It's not much, but it should be comfortable."
I helped her up from the sofa and guided her to the guest room, the soft moonlight filtering through the curtains as I opened the door. The room was simple, with a bed, a small dresser, and a window overlooking the quiet city streets.
Akane hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, her hand still holding onto mine. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I nodded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Get some rest. I'll be right here if you need anything."
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 75]
She gave me a small, grateful smile before walking to the bed and lying down. As I pulled the blanket over her, she closed her eyes, her breathing slowing as she drifted off to sleep.
I watched her for a moment longer, making sure she was comfortable, before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind me. As I leaned against the wall, the events of the day finally caught up with me, and I let out a deep breath.
The apartment was quiet now, the only sound the soft hum of the city outside. I made my way back to the living room and sat down on the sofa, running a hand through my hair as I tried to process everything that had happened.
My mind was still racing, thoughts of Akane's recovery and the strange connection we shared. There was something about her—something that made me want to protect her, to keep her safe from whatever else might come our way.
As the night wore on, I found myself dozing off on the sofa, the exhaustion finally taking its toll. My last thoughts before sleep claimed me were of Akane, resting peacefully in the next room, and the quiet hope that tomorrow would bring even more healing for both of us.
The next morning, I woke to the sound of soft footsteps approaching. Blinking away the sleep, I sat up and saw Akane standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of embarrassment and concern.
"Did you sleep here all night?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah, I guess I did."
"You should have taken the bed," she scolded gently, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "I could have stayed on the sofa."
[Ding!]
[AKANE'S favorability increased to 79]
"It's fine," I replied, stretching out the stiffness in my muscles. "I didn't want to wake you. You needed the rest more than I did."
She gave me a look of gratitude, her eyes softening. "Thank you... again."
I smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through me at her words. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better," she said, and I could see the truth in her words. There was more color in her cheeks, and her movements were more fluid, less burdened by pain.
"That's good to hear," I said, standing up. "I'll make us some breakfast, and then we can figure out what to do next."
As I started to prepare breakfast, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The day ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, it felt like there was hope—hope for Akane's recovery, and hope for whatever future lay ahead.
"Her heart was thumping hard with excitement and happiness, the overwhelming emotions making it difficult to contain her smile."
[A/N] : what do you, I improved my grammar and updated previous chapter, give me a good review.