Being sick is nature's way of reminding us: Hey, you're not invincible, take a break, buddy.
But man, I hate being sick. It's like being a superhero who suddenly loses their powers.
Oh, and two people I loved dearly passed away because of illness...
Wait, wait! Enough with the sad vibes! Let's change the mood!
Let me tell you a story. A completely embarrassing story. You're going to laugh at my pain, aren't you?
It happened on a rainy day. I was standing in front of my hotel, ready to head out to the shop and buy a new cloak because, obviously, fashion emergencies don't wait for sunny weather.
"Ah, crap. I left my wallet in the room." I groaned, parking my umbrella neatly by the hotel door like a responsible adult.
Back to the room I went, hunting for my wallet. Now, here's the thing about me: I'm terrible at keeping my room tidy.
My idea of organization? Piling things high enough until they resemble art.
So naturally, my wallet was missing. After tearing through the chaos for half an hour—half an hour, mind you—I finally spotted it wedged behind the closet.
"Aha! Gotcha!" I declared triumphantly, holding it up like a hero raising a sword.
"Wait... how did it even end up here? Did I throw it?!"
Wallet in hand, I marched back down, ready to claim my umbrella and face the rain again.
But...
"Huh?"
My umbrella. Was. Gone.
Yes, gone. The spot where I left it? Empty. Just wet pavement staring back at me like a betrayal.
"Wait a second... Did someone... steal my umbrella?!"
The rain didn't just continue—it upgraded itself into a full-blown downpour, as if the heavens had decided to troll me personally.
"Agh!" I shouted dramatically, making my brave (or foolish) decision to break through the rain.
I bolted toward the clothing store, rain pelting me like tiny needles.
By the time I reached the shop, I was soaked to the bone, my clothes clinging to me like I had just lost a fight with a lake.
As I stepped into the shop, the clerk's eyes widened.
"Hello, I want to buy a cloak!" I announced, dripping water onto the pristine floor.
"Oh, of course, sir! It looks like you really need one... you're completely drenched," the clerk replied, eyeing the growing puddle beneath me.
It was then that I noticed my shoes squelching with every step.
I froze, realizing that if I kept moving, I'd leave a miniature swamp all over the store.
So, like a considerate customer, I retreated back to the entrance.
"Uh, miss, could you bring me a dark green cloak?" I called out from the doorway, trying not to look pathetic.
"And I want it to be durable, waterproof, and—" I started rattling off an overly specific list of requirements, earning a mix of surprise and confusion from the clerk.
"R-right, sir. I'll find one for you," she said, disappearing into the shelves.
A moment later, she returned with a cloak in hand. "How about this one?"
I inspected it with a critical eye. "Perfect!"
"I'm glad to hear that," she said with a polite smile. "Is there anything else you'd like to buy?"
"No, this is enough. Thank you!" I paid for the cloak and carefully placed it in my bag, patting it like a prized treasure.
The clerk tilted her head. "You're not going to wear it now, sir?"
"Hm? No way! I don't want it to get wet—I just bought it!" I declared with conviction.
"But… you're already soaked. Isn't that the whole point of buying the cloak? To keep you dry?" she asked, clearly bewildered.
"Exactly! Which is why I'm keeping it safe. This cloak is waterproof and expensive! I don't want it ruined the moment I step out," I explained, feeling like a genius.
The clerk nodded slowly, though her expression screamed, This guy's crazy.
With my bag secured, I stepped back into the storm. The rain hammered down as if mocking my logic.
"Ahhhh!" I yelled, trying to shield my bag from the deluge.
Halfway through my heroic sprint, I sneezed. "Uh-oh... I really hope I don't get sick..."
"AH! I HATE RAIN!" I screamed to the sky, only for a bolt of lightning to flash dramatically in response.
Startled, I slipped and fell unceremoniously into a puddle, soaking myself even more (if that was possible).
But, through all of this chaos, I cradled my bag like it was my firstborn child, keeping the cloak safe from the cruel elements.
"I hate lightning," I muttered weakly, lying in the puddle of my own misery.
Back at the hotel, I knew I had to change clothes quickly. Getting sick was not on my to-do list.
But just as I was about to enter my room, something caught my eye—the door to the room next to mine was wide open.
"Huh?" I paused, curiosity taking over.
Before I could even process it, two women stepped out of the room. And not just any women—women I knew. White hair, unmistakable sibling energy...
"Amnesia? Avilia?" I blurted out, blinking in disbelief.
"Arche?" Amnesia called, her expression switching from surprise to pure judgment in record time.
Both sisters stared at me like I was some sort of rare zoo exhibit. And honestly, I didn't blame them.
My soaked clothes clung to me like I had just reenacted a tragic romance drama in the rain.
"Did you seriously brave the rain like this?" Avilia asked, her voice teetering between concern and annoyance.
I couldn't lie. I nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I did." And as if on cue, I sneezed. Loudly.
"Uh, sorry, you two. We can talk later," I managed to say between sniffles.
"I really need to change before I catch a cold—" Another sneeze interrupted me, sealing my fate.
I hurried into my room before they could lecture me further.
And well... you can probably guess what happened next.
The next day, I was a wreck. Completely and utterly defeated.
I lay on the bed, limp as a wet noodle. My body was on fire (and not in a good way).
Fever? Check. Cough? Double check. Sore throat? Oh, why not add it to the party?
I tried to be dramatic and brave, though. "I'll just... get some breakfast ..."
I muttered to myself, dragging my weak body upright like a tragic hero rising from the ashes.
Spoiler alert: I didn't make it far.
The moment I stood, my legs wobbled, and before I knew it, I face-planted onto the floor with all the grace of a collapsing scarecrow.
"Ughhh..." I groaned, lying there, questioning all my life choices.
And then, a knock came from the door.
"Uh...?" I croaked weakly, still sprawled on the floor. Who could it be?
"Arche? Are you okay?"
A woman's voice echoed faintly through my half-conscious state, but even in my weakened state, I could recognize it. Amnesia.
Summoning all the strength I had left, I dragged myself off the floor, each step feeling like a marathon.
I shuffled to the door, opened it, and found myself face-to-face with not one, but two familiar figures.
With my vision slightly blurry and my body burning up, I squinted at them.
"Huh...? Am I dead? Why are there two beautiful angels standing in front of my door?" I rasped, followed by a weak cough.
Avilia smirked, trying to stifle a laugh. "No, you're not dead, silly. Though... you do look like death warmed over."
Amnesia, on the other hand, looked genuinely worried. "Arche, you look terrible. What on earth happened to you?"
I sighed, leaning against the doorframe for support. "It's... a long story. Yesterday, I was heading out to buy a cloak, but the umbrella I planned to use was missing."
Both sisters exchanged a quick glance, their expressions shifting to something... suspicious.
Avilia hesitated before asking, "Uh... was it a black umbrella, by any chance?"
I paused, my foggy brain trying to process the question. "Hm... yeah, it was. Wait... how do you know?"
Guilt was written all over Amnesia's face, and Avilia suddenly found the floor very interesting.
"W-we're really sorry!" Amnesia stammered, bowing deeply.
"Huh?" I blinked, confused. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Well... yesterday, when it started raining, we saw an umbrella by the hotel door..." Avilia began, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.
"And, uh... we kind of... took it and used it," Amnesia admitted, looking absolutely mortified. "We're so sorry!"
I stared at them, my fever-addled brain taking a moment to catch up. Then it clicked.
"Oh... I see," I said, nodding slowly. Honestly, if I were in their position, I probably would've done the same thing. "Well, Thank goodness it's not you who's sick."
The two of them blinked at me, their faces a mix of guilt and confusion.
"You're not upset?" Avilia asked, tilting her head.
"We basically stole your umbrella, and you're just... okay with it?"
"Yeah," I said with a faint smile. "It's my own fault for leaving it there."
"Besides, I ended up getting sick because I'm an idiot, not because of you two."
"But..." Amnesia still looked deeply guilty, her hands clutching the hem of her sleeve. Avilia, too, glanced away uneasily.
"Seriously, I'm fine," I assured them, turning back toward my bed. "I can take care of mys—"
Before I could finish the sentence, my legs gave out, and I promptly face-planted onto the floor with a resounding thud.
"Arche?!"
The last thing I heard before losing consciousness was the sound of their panicked voices.
When I'm sick, I'm basically a drunk person. My speech turns into complete gibberish, and my balance? Nonexistent.
It's like my body throws logic out the window.
When I woke up, my head felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
I blinked a few times and noticed Amnesia and Avilia sitting by my bedside.
"Uh...? You guys are still here...?" I mumbled, my voice hoarse.
Amnesia smiled, a mix of relief and concern on her face. "Oh, you're awake! We were so worried about you."
"Are you okay? You've already fallen twice this morning," Avilia added, giving me a pointed look.
I opened my mouth to respond, but instead, the words that came out were, well...
"Aaaand... I-I will f-fall... in l-love w-with youuu..."
Silence. Absolute silence.
"...Heh... or, or maybe I already d-did... whooo knowsss...?"
Yes. I really said that.
Embarrassing.
Amnesia's face turned a noticeable shade of red, her eyes widening in surprise. "Huh...?"
Avilia, meanwhile, looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
"He sounds like he's drunk," she muttered.
"Hahaha... I-I'm s-sorryyy! I-I'm... like thiisss... w-when I'm s-siiick... hahaha!" I slurred, laughing uncontrollably as if this was the funniest thing in the world.
My fever must've gotten worse because Avilia's expression quickly shifted from amused to alarmed. "Oh crap, he's getting worse."
Amnesia leaned in, placing her hand gently on my forehead. The moment she felt my temperature, she pulled her hand back like she'd touched a hot stove.
"He's burning up!"
"Have you taken your medicine yet?" Amnesia asked, her voice tinged with urgency.
I shook my head weakly. "I have not..."
"D-Don't... g-get too clooose, y-you guyyysss..." I waved my hand dramatically, as if I were shooing them away. "Y-you'll get infeccted... hahhh..."
Then, with an exaggerated gasp, I continued, "I-I don't wannaaa... adddd... to the number of p-people goin' to the h-hospital... hahahaha!"
The two of them exchanged a glance, clearly torn between worry and stifling their laughter.
"Arche, you're impossible," Avilia sighed, shaking her head.
"We'll take responsibility. This is our fault no matter what," Amnesia declared, her voice firm and resolute.
Both Avilia and I froze, staring at her in shock.
"Sis..." Avilia muttered, clearly taken aback.
"Y-you're al-always... so n-nice, aren'tcha... A-Amnesiaaa?" I slurred, chuckling to myself like the world's biggest idiot.
Amnesia's cheeks turned a soft pink. "Well... I'm just doing what I have to do."
My fever-addled brain thought this was absolutely hilarious, and I chuckled even more.
Then Amnesia turned to me, her expression shifting to concern.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" she asked.
"...N-no... t-to be honessst... I-I just... j-just woke up... and... f-fell to th-the floooor, b-babe... hahaha!"
Please, someone, end me now.
Amnesia's worried expression deepened. "No wonder you look and feel worse. We need to get some food in you."
Avilia nodded in agreement. "Yeah, some porridge might help bring down your fever."
Both of them stood up, clearly ready to spring into action.
"We'll go buy you some porridge," Amnesia said.
"H-heeyyy, d-don't... l-leave meee, b-beautiful woman~..." I whined dramatically, reaching out as if they were leaving me forever.
"C'mooon, s-stayyy with meee~"
Avilia let out the most exasperated sigh and facepalmed. "Seriously, Arche?"
Amnesia, on the other hand, blushed even more. "I'm not leaving you. We're just going to get you some food."
"Ohhh my, y-you're s-sooo sweet... y-you don't n-need to d-do that thoughh..." My stomach, of course, decided to betray me at that moment with the loudest growl I've ever heard.
"Rrrr... Amnesiaaaa, p-please bring some porriiiiidge... p-pleaseee?" I whined pathetically.
Arche, why are you like this?
Avilia raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised. "Wow, I don't think I've ever heard a stomach growl that loud before."
Amnesia, instead of laughing at my misery, giggled softly. "Alright, alright. I'll bring you some porridge. Just hang tight, okay?"
She stood up, and Avilia followed her.
Before I could even attempt to stop them, they were gone, leaving me alone in bed with nothing but my fever and regret for company.
I groaned, sinking deeper into the blankets. "I'm the w-worst..."
They came back with a steaming bowl of porridge, and I couldn't help but blink in confusion.
Where did they even get porridge from so quickly?
"Th-thank youu for t-takin' the troouubbllee..." I mumbled, my voice wobbling just as much as my legs.
"It's alright. I didn't mind," Amnesia said, smiling softly.
"Yeah, we need to take care of you so you can get better faster," Avilia chimed in, crossing her arms like she was on some sort of mission.
They both sat beside the small table near my bed. Amnesia held the bowl in her hands, but then it hit her—she might have to feed me.
Her face turned bright red, and I noticed her hesitation. Stretching out a shaky hand, I offered a solution. "L-let me eat by myself..."
"Are you sure?" Amnesia asked, her concern clear. "I don't mind feeding you, especially since you're not feeling well."
I chuckled weakly, my hand still trembling as I took the bowl and spoon. "Hehe... Thanks, but I c-can do this myself."
"Okay, if you say so," Amnesia said with a soft smile, though she still looked a little unsure.
Avilia nodded. "But if you need help, just say the word. I mean it."
I nodded in thanks and focused on eating the porridge, though my hands shook so much I almost spilled it.
Somehow, I managed to finish the bowl without creating a disaster and handed it back to Amnesia.
"T-Thank you, both of you," I said sincerely.
"It's no problem," Avilia replied casually.
Amnesia took the bowl and smiled warmly. "Yeah, we're happy to help. Is there anything else you need?"
I reached for the medicine they'd brought earlier and took it with a grimace.
After a moment, I let out a relieved sigh. "I want to... rest," I muttered.
"Well, you should," Avilia said matter-of-factly. "Rest will help your body fight the fever faster."
Amnesia nodded, her expression gentle. "Yeah, rest as much as you need. We'll be here if you need anything."
I blinked at their kindness, feeling my cheeks heat up despite the fever.
"Y-You guys are so c-caring... I-I'm g-gonna blushhh... G-good night, babee!" I stammered, and without thinking, I dove under the blanket like a kid hiding from the world.
There was a moment of silence.
"It's still morning..." Avilia muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Just leave him. He wants to rest," Amnesia replied, though I could hear the amusement in her voice.
With that, they left the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
As I drifted off to sleep, my feverish mind slipped into a dream.
I found myself walking through the dimly lit hallway of a school, my footsteps echoing ominously against the cold, tiled floors.
The murmur of voices surrounded me, faint whispers that pierced my ears like needles.
"Hey, don't go near him. I heard anyone who gets close to him will die."
"Yeah, he's cursed. A bringer of bad luck."
"Did you know his parents abandoned him on his birthday?"
"And even when his grandfather died... he didn't shed a single tear."
Each word was like a dagger, cutting deep into my soul.
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of their judgment settle on my shoulders.
My steps faltered as I approached one of the girls who had been whispering about my family.
I grabbed her by the collar and pinned her against the wall, my grip tightening around her neck.
Her wide, terrified eyes met mine as I snarled, "Shut up or die."
A chorus of screams erupted around me. Chaos broke loose as several students rushed to intervene, their fear transforming into misguided bravery.
But it didn't matter.
They all fell.
One by one, their bodies crumpled at my feet like broken dolls.
I stood atop the heap, staring coldly at the faces of those who dared oppose me.
My voice echoed in the silent hallway, cold and devoid of emotion.
"You're all parasites. Useless. Your presence means nothing to this world, and your absence would make it better."
The remaining students stared at me, frozen in fear.
No one dared approach me after that.
My past had become their nightmare, and I was their living curse.
From that day forward, they gave me a name: The Emotionless Monster. A cringe-worthy title, really, but one that stuck.
Loneliness wrapped around me like an unrelenting shadow, suffocating yet familiar.
Everyone avoided me, and I avoided everyone.
I was utterly alone.
My eyes shot open. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and beads of sweat trickled down my face.
My breath came in ragged gasps as I scanned my surroundings, trying to ground myself in reality.
I wasn't in the school anymore.
I was in my room, lying on my bed.
"Huh…" I exhaled shakily, turning my head to see Amnesia and Avilia seated beside me.
Their faces were etched with concern.
"Were you having a nightmare?" Avilia asked, her eyes narrowing in curiosity as she leaned closer.
I quickly shook my head. There's no way I'd tell anyone about my past.
Nope, not happening. I don't need to add "social outcast" to my résumé.
"Yeah, it was pretty scary," I chuckled awkwardly, brushing it off.
That's when I noticed something cold stuck to my forehead.
I reached up and peeled off a wet cloth. "Wait… Did you guys put this here?"
"Uh, yeah," Amnesia admitted, a little shy. "It's to help bring down your fever."
Ah. So thoughtful.
This actually made me feel a bit better—not just physically, but emotionally, too.
I could also feel my nonsensical rambling start to fade away. "…Mhm. Thanks, you two."
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Sorry about earlier."
"When I'm sick, I… uh… act drunk. But hey, everyone's got their quirks, right?"
Avilia raised an eyebrow, muttering, "Yours might be too unique…"
Amnesia chuckled, brushing it off.
"It's fine, really. Everyone has their own thing. No need to apologize!"
Feeling a bit braver, I made my next request. "Oh, this might be a hassle, but could you guys get me some soup?"
"There's money in my bag—you can take it from there."
Avilia glanced at Amnesia, who nodded. "Sure, we'll grab it for you."
They both stood up and walked toward my bag. However, as Amnesia reached for it, she hesitated, giving me a wary glance.
"Um… Are you sure it's okay for us to open this? It's your bag, after all."
I waved them off. "Yeah, yeah. I told you to, didn't I?"
When they opened my bag, however, the room went silent.
Inside were items that definitely shouldn't be in a regular person's possession.
Guns, grenades, and what looked suspiciously like a detonator.
"…You keep these in your bag?" Avilia asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and alarm. "How did you even book a room with this?"
I grinned sheepishly, the drunk-like haze creeping back in. "I-I hid 'em reaaally well… A-and those staff people? Th-they're sooooooo dumb… Hahaha!"
Avilia recoiled. "Ah! He's drunk again!"
Meanwhile, Amnesia's attention was glued to the contents of my bag, and it wasn't long before she spotted something interesting—a photo of Elaina.
"Arche? You've got quite a lot of Elaina's photos, huh?" Amnesia's voice was filled with surprise.
"Oh? Are you like her?" Amnesia chuckled, a teasing grin on her face.
"O'coursh I liiike herrr!" I slurred, grinning like an idiot. "She'sh… totaaally mah tyyype!"
"Looong hairrr… beaut'ful eyezz... 'n a shoft voishh!" I waved my hands dramatically, like I was trying to serenade an imaginary crowd.
"I c-couldn' ashk fer moreee!" I blurted out, barely staying on my feet, laughing like a drunk idiot.
I couldn't hold back secrets when I was sick. Nothing could stop the floodgates of truth.
Amnesia's eyes widened.
"He didn't hesitate at all!"
"You're good at taking pictures, huh? I'm surprised," Avilia chimed in, looking at me with a smirk. "Did you take this photo secretly, stalker?"
"Mhm! I'm realllyyy goood! Don't undershtimate meee, honeyyy!" I nodded vigorously, grinning like I'd just won a prize, feeling ridiculously proud for absolutely no reason.
"And... of coursshe not!" I waved my hands, laughing.
"I alwaysh askh permission to take her photooo... So that when she shees that I have her photooo, she won't be suspishoushh!"
Avilia smirked. "We're not undermining you, Arche."
Amnesia chuckled, shaking her head. "You're just acting like a drunk right now, so it's hard to take you seriously."
Amnesia glanced down at my wallet and then looked at Avilia. "Let me buy it, Avilia, you stay here with Arche."
"Eh? But why?" Avilia raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Amneshiaaa, you can jusht… take teh walletttt," I slurred, blinking like I was trying to focus on something that was miles away.
Amnesia chuckled at my condition, amused but also slightly concerned.
Avilia still looked worried, glancing between us. "Is it really okay?"
"Yea, it's fine, I'll be right back after picking up the food," Amnesia replied with a wave as she headed for the door.
And for some reason, the idea of being left alone with Avilia made me feel... nervous? Was I about to say something else embarrassing? Probably.
Would I care? Definitely not.
She left us alone, and Avilia and I were left staring at each other in awkward silence.
"Helloo darlin', there'sh only the twooo of ush lef..." I said, my words dragging out, grinning like a fool.
Avilia's eyes widened, her face turning slightly pink.
She quickly sat next to my bed, clearly trying to keep things in check.
"Don't say anything weird," she warned, her voice stern but a little softer than usual.
I let out a half-drunk laugh, trying to sound serious but failing miserably.
"Ahahah! I want to... apologizhe! I've troubled you two..." I slurred, still trying to sound dignified but failing spectacularly.
"I actually... didn't want to, but becaushe of your sister'sh... senshse of reshhponsibility, I w-was forced to accept."
"Oncce again, I am sorryyy..." I mumbled, barely managing to lift my head, wishing I had more control over my body at this point.
Avilia blinked at me, her expression softening a bit, though she still looked slightly guilty.
"There's no need to apologize. It's not your fault."
She sighed, glancing at me with concern. "But you don't look good at the moment. Your illness seems to be getting worse."
"Mhm... Nooo, I'm actually... better... thank you for takin' care of meee." I mumbled, trying to give her a reassuring smile but only managing a weak, feverish one.
"If I were to take care of myself, I'd... have a hard time..." I said, my words slurring more with each breath, and then I broke into a fit of coughing, my body shaking slightly.
Avilia's brows furrowed, her concern evident. "See, you're definitely not okay."
I tried to wave it off with an exaggerated grin. "Nah, nah... just a little cough. Totally normal... right?" But the dizziness made my vision blur.
Avilia looked at me, her worry deepening. "You're really not okay."
Avilia gently touched my forehead, her fingers hesitating for a moment. "Your forehead is still burning."
I coughed again, this time with a little more force, and my fit of coughing seemed to be getting worse.
Avilia's expression grew more worried, her eyes never leaving me as I continued to cough.
"This doesn't look good," she said, her concern obvious as she checked my temperature.
"Do you need to take any more medicine?"
I barely managed to lift my head, my voice slow and slurred as I responded.
"I... I can only take medicine... three times a day... mornin', afternoon... and evenin'..." I paused, still struggling to focus.
"And it has to be drunk... after eatin'... that'sh why I askedh Amnesia to buy... soup for meee..." I trailed off, feeling utterly exhausted.
Avilia's eyes widened in surprise. "Ah, so we have to wait for my big sister, huh?"
"Absoluuttely, babe!" I said, my voice a mix of weak excitement and exhaustion, barely able to lift my head off the pillow.
She gave me a look, clearly not amused. "You're really going to keep calling me that, huh?"
"C'mooon, you're a cute girrl, you're myyy type," I slurred, grinning like an idiot.
Avilia's cheeks turned bright red, and she quickly turned her head away. "You really don't filter your words, do you?"
"I prefer Elainaaa thoughhh," I mumbled, my words slurring even more as I shifted slightly.
"Of course, you would..." Avilia said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Wh-What ish thish... jusht a few minutes ago, I wazz fine..." I muttered, my voice barely making sense as I stared at nothing in particular.
"B-But why am I talkin' like thish again? D-Do you know shomethin', babe?" I asked, my tone half-accusing, half-confused, like I was trying to solve a mystery.
"S-Seee?!" I added, waving a hand dramatically before letting it flop back down on the bed.
Avilia chuckled, clearly amused but still worried. "You're just acting like a silly drunk, that's all."
She gave me a fond yet slightly exasperated look, shaking her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Amnesia finally came back, carrying a steaming bowl of soup. "I'm back! Here's your soup, Arche."
I tried to lift my hand to grab it, but my hand felt weaker than usual, somehow even less cooperative than my usual clumsy self.
"Huh...?" I blinked in confusion.
Amnesia placed the bowl on the table beside my bed, noticing my struggle.
She raised an eyebrow, concern flickering in her eyes. "You... can't lift your hand to grab the soup?"
"D-Don't worry, I can do it!" I said, puffing my chest out with what little confidence I had left, reaching for the spoon with shaky determination.
But the moment I grabbed it, the spoon slipped right through my fingers and clattered to the floor.
"Or... not..." I muttered, staring at the spoon like it had personally offended me.
My pride? Well, it had just taken a nosedive.
Avilia stifled a laugh as she watched my struggle, clearly enjoying the show.
Amnesia picked up the fallen spoon, her face softening with amusement.
She handed it back to me, her voice gently teasing. "Um... do you want us to feed you?"
I felt my cheeks flare up as I flushed with embarrassment. "Y-You don't need to!" I stammered, my voice a mix of weak protest and total humiliation.
I was so not doing well at this whole 'being sick' thing.
"But you can't even lift the spoon," Avilia pointed out with a dry tone, clearly amused by my ongoing struggle.
Amnesia, however, didn't give up. She took the spoon and gently tried to feed me.
But as soon as she did, her face turned as red as a tomato.
"...Amnesia, y-you don't hafta... f-force yourshelf..." I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my own cheeks as I avoided eye contact, lying there like an embarrassed mess.
"No, look, your face is getting redder," Amnesia remarked, her voice soft as she held the spoon near my mouth.
I swallowed awkwardly, trying to stay calm but failing miserably.
Avilia, observing this train wreck, looked between the two of us with a speechless expression.
She noticed Amnesia's hands shaking as she held the spoon, clearly flustered.
Then, without warning, Avilia grabbed the spoon from Amnesia's hand and shoved it into my mouth, her cheeks slightly pink.
I froze, my eyes wide. "Avilia?!" I choked out, completely shocked by the sudden shift in the feeding arrangement.
Amnesia stared at us in disbelief, her mouth slightly open. "You—"
Avilia pulled the spoon out of my mouth, completely unfazed.
"You guys are wasting your time," she said with a straight face, still blushing.
"H-Huh?!" I stammered, now thoroughly flustered and redder than a tomato.
Avilia just gave us both a bored look. "You're both embarrassing to watch," she deadpanned.
Amnesia, flustered as ever, shot back, "Hey!"
"Just let me feed him," Avilia said with a confident smirk. "I promise I won't get flustered or anything."
She then took over, much to my discomfort.
Being fed by her was... well, it was not something I'd ever imagined would happen.
After the soup was finally finished, Avilia set the empty bowl on the table, and I managed to take the medicine without further incident.
I let out a small sigh. "I'm better... huff... too bad, I can't get out of bed."
Avilia sighed in relief, "That's a relief."
Amnesia then placed the back of her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature. "Looks like your fever's gone down too."
"Thank you for taking care of me," I muttered, feeling a little guilty but thankful all the same.
Amnesia chuckled, "It's not a problem. We're happy to help."
I gazed out the window, my mind wandering. "It's so boring here..." I sighed dramatically, taking a deep breath.
"I know, but you need to rest," Avilia said with a knowing look, crossing her arms.
Amnesia nodded in agreement, "Your body needs rest to recover quickly."
With that, they left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Normally, when I was sick, I'd just sleep to pass the time, but... now? Now, sleep was the last thing I wanted to do.
Maybe it was because of the incident earlier, but the idea of being fed by Avilia still caught me off guard.
I couldn't shake the image of her slightly red cheeks when she fed me.
"Mhm... jokes aside, but Avilia really is my type," I mumbled, pulling the blanket over my head like I could hide from my own thoughts.
"Arche! Get a hold of yourself!" I mentally screamed at myself.
"You already have Elaina!"
"Aghh..." I groaned, remembering Avilia's face as she fed me. Her slightly flushed cheeks... dammit, she's so cute.
I let out a sigh, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. She was just too adorable.
I rolled over, trying to pull myself together, and looked out the window.
My head spun a little, but I managed to stand up, my legs wobbling beneath me.
"Hmm..." I mumbled, the dizziness making everything spin.
The fresh air from outside felt good against my face, though. It was a moment of clarity—until I started feeling guilty.
"Huff... I've really troubled them..." I sighed, looking down at the ground.
That's when I spotted Amnesia outside the window, walking away from the hotel.
She turned her head and looked up at me, her eyes widening in shock when she noticed me.
I couldn't make out what she was saying, the dizziness messing with my focus, but I tried to read her lips.
"I..." I squinted. "Lov... e... y... ou?"
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Did I just read that right?
I quickly looked again, but she was already gone.
"Huh?!" I blurted out, my mind racing.
Just as I was trying to process what just happened, my room door creaked open.
I whipped around, surprised to see Amnesia standing there, her expression unreadable.
"A-Amnesia..." My voice barely escaped my throat.
Before I could say anything else, my body instinctively backed away, my back hitting the wall.
She was walking toward me now, and I was frozen in place, caught between confusion and embarrassment.
"Uh... Amnesia, you're more suited to Arthur than me, you know?" I said, stumbling over my words as she kept walking toward me.
"It's not that I hate you or anything... but he suits you better."
"Huh? Arche, you're rambling," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she continued her approach. "Like I told you before—"
I quickly cut her off, my hand waving frantically.
"Wait! Wait! Let me prepare myself mentally!" I took a deep breath, puffing my chest out as though I was gearing up for some serious battle.
"Okay! I'm ready!" I straightened up and looked her in the eyes, determined to face whatever came next.
Amnesia blinked at me, looking both surprised and confused. "I say—"
I could feel the sweat starting to bead on my forehead, the tension making my stomach twist.
"Wait... what?" I muttered to myself, still trying to shake off the dizziness.
"I told you to rest, right?" Amnesia finally finished, raising an eyebrow at me. "But why aren't you in bed?"
I froze. I... read that completely wrong. My brain was clearly failing me with the dizziness. I felt like an idiot.
I let out a long, heavy sigh. "Forgive me," I apologized—again, this time for two things.
Amnesia's expression softened slightly, but her tone stayed firm. "Huh, now go back to bed, Arche."
I nodded quickly, feeling a bit like I'd just been scolded by my mother, and slunk back into the bed as she gently tugged the blanket over me.
I stayed still, only my head poking out from the blanket like some awkward turtle trying to avoid detection.
"By the way, where's Avilia?" I asked, my voice muffled under the blanket.
"Huh? She's resting," Amnesia replied, tucking the blanket tighter around me like she was trying to wrap me in a cocoon.
"And you don't rest?" I asked, genuinely curious. "I'm sure you're tired from taking care of me too."
"Oh no," Amnesia chuckled, sitting down beside me. "I used to take care of Avilia a lot when she was sick. So, I'm used to it."
I blinked at her. "Wait, so you're a pro at this?"
She gave me a small smile. "Yep. I'm the seasoned caretaker."
And just like that, the weight of my embarrassment started to ease.
But still... I couldn't help feeling like I'd just made a fool of myself.
Unlike her, I don't have any siblings, so I'm pretty bad at taking care of sick people—including myself.
"You're a good woman, aren't you...? Unlike you, I will never be as good as you," I said, letting out a long, deep breath, feeling slightly sorry for myself.
"Ah! No, you're a good person, Arche! You've fought criminals many times," Amnesia quickly corrected, trying to lift my spirits.
She thinks too highly of me, but I let it slide. "I'm sure you've fought criminals more than me, I can see from your abilities."
I sighed, feeling a little envious of their sibling bond. "I wish I had a younger sibling like you guys," I chuckled, staring up at the ceiling.
"Huh?" Amnesia blinked, clearly caught off guard by that statement.
"Alright, I want to rest," I said, trying to change the subject.
The bed was looking way too inviting at that moment.
"Mhm, okay! Have a good rest!" Amnesia cheered me on, making it sound like I was about to conquer something rather than just nap.
"By the way, I forgot to return your wallet," she said, placing it on the table next to me.
"Ah, I even forgot that I lent my wallet to you," I admitted with a sheepish grin. Honestly, I completely forgot.
"Arche, you should remember things like this more, you know," she reprimanded me gently, a little smirk playing on her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard that, babe," I teased, feeling a bit cheeky.
"Huh?!" Amnesia blushed in surprise. She then caught the grin on my face and realized I was messing with her.
"Hey, you're not drunk! I know that!"
I chuckled softly, my voice slurring slightly, "Don't worry, I w-won't be like a d-drunk anymorrre."
My words were a dead giveaway that I wasn't convincing anyone.
"Why are you suddenly acting like a drunk person again like that?!" she asked, wide-eyed.
"Weeell... thish will jusht... appear shuddenly," I said, my words tumbling out, trying to act casual, but failing miserably.
"Then you should rest so you won't be like that again," she replied with a playful sigh, crossing her arms.
"Shee you, babee!" I said, waving my hand dramatically, still half-laying down.
Amnesia blushed again, her cheeks turning pink. "Yeah, yeah, see you..."
She gave me one last look before heading out and closing the door behind her.
Once she was gone, I sank back into the pillows, finally letting myself relax.
As soon as I heard the door click shut, I let out a quiet sigh of relief, and before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up, I was surprised to see it was already night. I must have slept way longer than I thought.
I slowly sat up in bed, realizing I hadn't showered or changed clothes since this morning. Definitely needed to fix that.
After locking the room, I quickly changed into fresh clothes, feeling a lot better.
I then sprayed some perfume on myself, trying not to smell like a sick person for too long.
"I don't want to bother them anymore," I muttered to myself, thinking about the time I had spent lying in bed.
I walked down the hallway, passing by Amnesia and Avilia's room.
I glanced at their door as I walked by, feeling a little guilty.
"Thank you for helping me all this time," I said quietly, mostly to myself.
But then, just as I took another step, my head started spinning.
A sharp dizziness hit me, and before I knew it, I stumbled and fell hard to the floor.
"Ouch," I groaned, my face smushed against the cold ground.
The door to their room flew open, and I looked up to see Amnesia and Avilia standing there, eyes wide with surprise.
Amnesia looked shocked, but Avilia just sighed, like she was used to this by now. "Arche, is falling your hobby?"
I couldn't help myself, even lying on the floor. "Yes, because I like falling in love with you, babe," I teased, my voice still a little weak.
"Huh... You're still teasing even though you're lying on the floor," Avilia replied, rolling her eyes.
Amnesia quickly helped me up, looking concerned. "Arche, what are you doing?"
I grinned sheepishly. "Hehe... I just wanted to buy some food. Don't want to bother you guys anymore. Do you wanna come along?"
Avilia raised an eyebrow. "It looks like we have to come along. We don't want you lying on the road."
"I agree," Amnesia nodded, still eyeing me cautiously.
I chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Looks like I have no choice..."
We ended up heading to the restaurant together.
By then, I was able to stand on my own without needing their help, though I still wasn't entirely sure I was back to normal.
We entered the restaurant, the warm glow of the overhead lights making the place feel inviting.
"What would you like to order?" the waiter asked with a polite smile.
"Hmm..." Amnesia and Avilia exchanged thoughtful looks. After a moment, we started ordering.
My eyes immediately locked onto the Parfait at the dessert menu. My stomach growled at the thought.
"Sir, I would like to order a Par—"
"Arche, you're still sick!" Amnesia scolded me before I could finish. "No parfait for you."
"Mhm... Okay..." I muttered, feeling like a kid being told to eat their vegetables. Forced to accept it, I slumped a little in my seat.
"Choose something that's good for your condition, Arche," Avilia chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of concern.
She seemed like the responsible one in this trio, which I guess was no surprise.
I sighed dramatically but complied. "Fine... I'll have... bread with warm milk." I could practically hear my stomach whimpering in disappointment.
Amnesia and Avilia, seeing my sad choice, ordered their own food, choosing dishes that wouldn't tempt me into making bad decisions.
It almost felt like they were doing it out of pure concern—either that or they just didn't want me to be jealous.
"You guys are really caring, aren't you?" I said, trying to keep things light.
"We don't want you suffering, watching us eat something you can't have," Avilia replied, giving me a rare, soft smile.
We spent the rest of the meal chatting, the atmosphere warm and easygoing, a nice contrast to the earlier chaos.
As we finished eating, I couldn't help but notice how nice it felt to have people who genuinely cared.
The walk back to the hotel was peaceful. The moon hung in the sky, casting a silver glow over everything.
The quietness of the night seemed to invite me to reflect, and of course, I broke the silence with a typical Arche moment.
"Hey, once again, thanks," I said, my voice casual but sincere.
"Huh? You always thank us. We told you, it's fine," Amnesia replied, looking a bit confused but smiling anyway.
"You gave us a bit of trouble, but that's because we took your umbrella," Avilia added with a small laugh, clearly amused by the whole thing.
"But still, thanks," I repeated, a bit more seriously this time. "You guys have been taking care of me all day…"
"After today, I can take care of myself," I added, trying to sound confident, even though I was still wobbling a bit.
"Really? Are you sure?" Amnesia asked, raising an eyebrow.
She was always the cautious one, making sure I wasn't pushing myself too hard.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine from now on." But then my expression softened.
"Um... I also want to apologize because we made you sick," I added, feeling a little guilty.
"Hey, I should be the one saying that, Sis, because I asked you to take the umbrella," Avilia said, a hint of concern in her voice.
I smiled and patted both of their heads, an action so sudden it caught them off guard.
"It's okay, I'm actually happy to be noticed by you guys," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with being sick.
Both of them froze, surprised by my uncharacteristic gesture.
Amnesia blinked rapidly, and Avilia's cheeks tinged with a light pink, her usual stoic demeanor momentarily faltering.
I chuckled. If I had a younger sibling, I thought to myself, I'd want one just like them.
They were a handful, but they cared. And that was something I didn't take for granted.
"Thanks for everything," I said one last time as we continued walking, the soft sound of our footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
Sometimes, we don't need to be perfect to be appreciated.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little attention and presence, and in the midst of chaos, we find warmth that's unexpected.