A hand landed on the head of a white devil, making her turn away from the window and face who did it.

Liz was not surprised to see it was one of the few people that she considered family who did it.

"What is the matter, Liz? Are you not feeling well now? You have been staring off into the distance for a while now."

Liz finally came back to her senses when she heard Margaret asking her this.

"It's nothing Margaret," Liz smiled at her roommate, giving her a reassuring smile, "I was just… looking at the scenery."

Although she tried, Liz failed to make Margaret take the bait.

The knight had been by the Medic's side for as long as she remembered. No matter whether her memories were gone or not, Liz still shared some common behaviour with her old self.

One was, she would always try to look away when she tried to lie.

Something that she was doing at the moment.

That and she was staring at the window for about half an hour now. She knew that Liz liked the outside but staring out at the desert for this long was not something she would do without a good reason.

But she must have had a good reason to not tell her as well.

Coming to that conclusion, the former radiant knight came up with an idea. Pulling her hand away from Liz's head, Nearl went deeper into the room. Liz followed her figure and saw her coming back with a chair in her hand.

The defender placed her next to hers and sat on it.

"You must be tired," Margaret said, "We did get a lot more missing now. So I can understand if you want a break. Just tell me and I will inform the Doctor to lessen our missions."

"No, it's not that. And please don't do that." Liz shook her head at her, "I don't want to trouble him any more than I already have."

After Lin Ye was given the position of Doctor, Liz knew he got busier now. Although he tried his best, Lin Ye was not able to do his daily visit to the medical department. And Liz had a hunch that he was giving more missions that were around the world for her.

Even Shining and Margaret agree.

Although Liz did not have proof, It was just something that he would do.

She was able to see more of what this world could offer other than suffering and Terra did not disappoint.

Even when she was not his responsibility anymore, Lin Ye was still looking out for her.

She wanted to help him in a way. If she was not able to carry the weight on his shoulder, at the very least Liz wouldn't add more.

"Are you really fine?" Nearl asked again to make sure.

"..."

Rather than answering, Liz looked back at where she was just staring at. The Landship was now in a desert so there was nothing to look at other than sand but that was not what she was looking at.

The direction her gaze was now on was where Laterano was.

She did not know why but Liz felt a sudden burst of pain in her chest and her body just moved on its own, staring in this very direction.

Before she could understand what was happening, the pain was gone as fast as it arrived. However, its effect still lingered on her.

Her heart was beating furiously.

She did not know why but her body was telling her something.

Something… terrible happened.


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


"Eyjafjalla… why are you here?"

"Eep!"

The poor sheep almost tossed the document in her hands into the air when she heard a stern voice calling her name.

Slowly, the volcanologist turned her head, hoping that she was just hearing things. There was a chance that her senses were just messing with her.

However, they were not.

In front of her was Sussurro. With arms crossed, the Medic was giving the girl a hard stern while tapping her foot on the floor.

It looked like she was waiting for the Caster to explain herself.

"... I was just going through some of my research." She muttered out an answer.

"You said that an hour ago," Sussurro was not impressed at her excuse. She looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall and glanced back at the volcanologist, "No, correction. Two hours ago."

Without anything to say, Eyja did the only thing she could do now.

"... Hehe."

The Medic sighed. When she first was assigned to be Eyjafjalla's caretaker, she thought it wouldn't be hard.

It was not like she was a bad patient. She might be one of Sussurro's best. She was well-mannered and always followed everything she said.

… Maybe not always.

The Caster had just been through treatment so Sussurro was assigned to make her able to recover.

She followed almost everything the medic asked her to do.

There was just one thing Eyjafjalla could not follow.

It was just a simple rule.

Don't push herself.

No matter how hard she tried to make the girl understand that she needed rest, the Caster would always try to sneak back into her research.

The medic admired her determination but she still needed rest and going through a mountain of materials like this was the furthest thing to that.

Just when she was about to give a stern reminder of her condition like usual, Sussuro noticed something about herself.

There was nothing in them today.

"You don't have your hearing aids?"

"Ah, yes." Eyjafjalla smiled at her comment and glazed her finger on her ear, "Although it is not how it used to be, my hearing is getting better now. I don't need to use any aids now."

"Really?" Sussurro had a surprised expression on her face before it morphed into one that had a smile, "Congratulations then Eyjafjalla."

"Thank you but I didn't do it on my own."It was all because of Senpai that I am getting better…. Or should I call him Doctor now?"

Sussuro needed a few seconds to finally realise who she was mentioning.

"Lin Ye?" Her face softened a bit while saying his name, "I think he would like you to call him normal."

"... Yes, that is something that Senpai would do," Eyja's voice was filled with respect when she said this, "He's amazing. If not for him, I might not be here now, continuing my family's legacy and research. I owed him so much for what he did for me."

The Caster then glanced back at the documents on her desk, "However he is still a person. Although he did not show it, he must be tired but he cares so much for people that he willingly puts aside himself for others… Although it might be little, I hope…"

When Sussurro glanced at the document in her hands, she finally noticed what she was reading.

They were not about volcanoes, the things that she was an expert in, they were about the research that was not hers.

On them was a name that she was familiar with

Lin Ye.

These were materials under the Doctor's name.

The Medic finally realised what Eyjafjalla was doing.

"You're reading his research," She looked away from the papers and glanced back at the sheep, "You're trying to help him."

"You're right," Eyjafjalla's face softened at being caught and looked back at the paper, more specifically at the name on it, "Although I am nowhere near being as helpful as the researchers that are under him, at the very least I can lighten the weight on him. No matter how little it is."

Her eyes widened at her but a smile made its way onto her face.

"I… can understand that. You're not the only one who thinks like that. Even the people on the research think like you."

The Caster's eyes widened at what she was hearing.

"Really?"

"Doct—Lin Ye is not good at sharing burdens," Sussurro sighed, "No matter how hard he tries to hide it, the researchers under him—even me—knew that he was doing most of the work. Adding in the fact he was doing diplomatic work as the Doctor, rest was something he truly needed."

"Senpai is an amazing person. I can only hope I can be just a bit like him one day," Eyja said hopefully but her voice's tone turned a bit sadder when she continued, "But… I really wish he would share his burden with others sometimes. I know there are a lot of people that would love nothing more to help him. I hope he won't push himself so much."

"Me too, Eyjafjalla. Speaking of pushing oneself too hard."

Sussurro grabbed her hand, pulled Eyjafjalla up from her seat and dragged her out of the medical department.

"Miss Sussurro?"

"You need to get some rest. I need to do some tests on you about your conditions."

"Wait Miss Sussurro wait I still need to—!"

"Not buts. You need to get some rest."


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


A body slammed onto the wall.

Fiamettta's head boggled at the impact of what she was feeling from her body crashing hard onto the wall in a lonely alleyway not far from the safe house.

The one that pushed her was now glaring at her eyes with such anger in them, it was like they were about to burn to a crisp.

For as long as she knew Mostima, she thought she knew her enough to expect everything that she could do.

This was not one of them.

She had never seen the Fallen look so furious at this moment.

That was saying something.

Mostima was not a stranger to being mistreated. Since she became a Fallen, people of her own kind shunned her away. Only a few people would treat her as a person.

Through all of this, Fiammetta never saw Mostima looking furious.

But if she could imagine how an angry Mostima would look, it seemed she did not know.

It was just a few inches away from her face now.

Her azure eyes looked like they had flames burning so brightly. The grips that she had on her collar were so strong that ripples could be seen on it.

It was like she was holding herself back in not killing her for Fiammetta's sake.

She thought that the Abomination finally controlled her body.

But that idea was tossed to the side when Fiammetta finally looked at her eyes.

Although there was anger in them, it was not the only emotion in them.

One of them was fear.

"I told you…" Mostima said through gritted teeth as her grip on her overseer's collar tightened, "I told you to not get him involved!"

"I know—"

"Then why did you do it!" Mostima screamed at her, "If it weren't for you— If you didn't— He would still be—Arghhh!"

With a yell, Mostima tossed Fiammetta to the side like a ragdoll.

Finally not having a hand on her neck, she was able to breathe better now. When her lungs were doing their job normally again, she looked back at Mostima and saw her pressing her head on the wall.

She looked completely broken now.

Not even the time she fell could compare to what she is feeling now.

Seeing her in such a state,

"I'm sorry."

Mostima spun her head to her so fast Fiammetta was afraid that it might fall out from her shoulders.

"... You're sorry?" She sounded like she was forcing out those words through her throat.

Her halo grew in size and started to vibrate. Some of the rubble near them started to float. Her breath was laboured as her eyes pierced into her being.

When Fiammetta was expecting the worst to come, the air around them settled down.

The only sound that could be heard around them was Mostima inhaling air to calm herself down

The Fallen pressed her palm on her forehead.

"Not again." She muttered to herself, "I'm losing him again."

Again?

Just when she was about to ask Mostima what she meant by that, Mostima slapped herself on both of her cheeks.

"No, he wouldn't give up on me. I won't as well," With her cheeks still red, Mostima reminded herself, "I will get him back."

Mostima raised her gaze back to the sniper.

"Fiammetta, where's he at now."

The Caster asked—No—She demanded.

"..."

The Overseer knew that if she told her the whereabouts of that man, Mostima would immediately go to him without a second thought needed.

This was something that the council did not want.

They still needed Mostima to be here in Laterano.

As an Overseer that worked under them, the right choice of action was for her to not tell Mostima anything.

For the best of Laterano, it was her duty to do anything for the city's benefit.

It was her responsibility.

However…

When Fiammetta stared into her eyes, she saw something in them.

They were begging her to answer.

She bit her lower lips and thought about what to do.

Her friend or the City?

After a while, Fiammetta let out a heavy sigh and stared back at Mostima.

She made her decision.

"He's back at Rhodes Island's Landship now."

Mostima finally had her smile back on her face.

But it was not the smile that Fiammetta got used to seeing.

It was the smile that Mostima would have every time that man came up.

"They should be near us now. I still need to hurry."

Mostima turned around to leave but was stopped when she heard footsteps l. She looked to her side and saw Fiammetta by her side.

"I need to follow you. You don't have transportation and flying there would just tire out your wings."

"... Thanks."

With that, both of them ran to their destination.

However, as they ran, Mostima said something.

"He better be okay." Her voice was back to a more threatening sound as she continued to run beside Fiammetta, "Or else your wish will come true."

"I will be out of your life."

Rather than saying anything Fiammetta just picked up her speed and led the way faster.

That was enough for Mostima to know she got the message across.

She was not joking.


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


"You… like me?"

Doubts fill Ye's very voice as he asked the woman in front of him to make sure he was hearing things wrong.

Blue eyes were trying their best to stare at him.

"... Yeah." Yue's face was blazing red when she admitted it, "Don't ask what I mean by that. You're better than that."

Ye did not expect this was the first for him to hear after he came back home from graduation.

For the contents, let us rewind time a bit.

His parents took him back and the first one to meet him was Yue, one of his best friends from childhood.

No.

She was his best friend.

Just when Ye was talking to her, asking all sorts of questions, Mom suddenly asked Yue to give me a tour around the place. Her excuse was that Mom and Dad wanted to get the house ready for the celebration for him and Yue.

She also finished her study in oceanology.

Although confused, Ye was fine with it. A lot of time has passed, and there must be so many new things now in the place.

As they left, Mom whispered something to Yue that made her face even redder than a stop sign.

This was a normal occurrence. His mother loves to tease the poor girl. He did not even bother asking what Mom told her.

With now only the two of them left, Ye asked if she had anything in mind to do.

She offered to go to the beach, saying that the place had gotten better. The government finally got up from their asses and cleaned up the damn place. With Yue being someone that loved the ocean this was a massive win for her.

He was happy for her.

So as they were walking toward their destination, Ye noticed how far she was walking ahead of him.

Strange but Ye did not say anything about it, thinking that she had a good reason for doing so.

Oh, she had a reason.

It was just not one he ever expected. Just when they were about to cross the bridge of their small town, Yue suddenly stopped right in her tracks.

Ye opened his mouth to ask what was the matter but was cut off when she dropped a bomb on him.

"I like you."

So here he was. A man that just got his first confession.

And he did not know how to react.

"...Why?"

"Why not?"

Her quick answer almost left him speechless.

Keyword: almost.

"I can think about a lot of things for that," Ye hummed, "I just don't know how to… love."

"Nonsense. I see how you treat your parents. If that's not love, I don't know what it was," Yue got closer to him.

"They're different."

"... Do you not like me?"

Ye bit his lower lips.

"I—," He was stumbling on his words, something that Yue never thought he could do.

From the moment she had known him from his first day in school, Ye always knew what to say and how to say it.

He was mature. Even when they were kids.

However, when Yue got to know him better she learned a lot more things about him.

He loves spicy food.

Being around people was calming to him.

He enjoyed nature.

A cat had nothing on him when it came to curiosity. Everything fascinated him. From the very world that they were on to just a simple doughnut.

So many things she learned about him.

And the more she knew about him, the more she liked being around him.

Seeing that Ye was still fumbling around, Yue took action and grabbed his hand with both of hers.

"I can wait."

"... What?"

Yue smiled at his shocked expression.

"Minus your parents, I know who you are the most." Yue said a bit proudly at that fact, "I know you never really thought about falling in love. And you have no idea how to be in love."

"So I want to be the first person that makes the aloof Ye's heart beat faster."

"I want to be the first thing that you think of when you wake up."

"I want to be the person that you can rely on."

With each sentence that she said, Yue got closer to him.

Their faces were just a few inches away now.

"I want to make you go through what you made me go through for so long."

Then she bumped her nose on his and ran off behind him.

Ye turned around and saw Yue smiling at him with a blush still on her face

"Let's go home!" She shouted at him, "Your parents must have finished cleaning up by now."

Ye did not have time to say anything as Yue sprinted away to his home.

Now alone, Ye stood there speechless.

Slowly, he tapped on his nose. There was a lingering heat on it.

Ye let out a tired sigh and smiled in the direction where Yue ran off to.

"I am still no match for her, huh?" He hummed, "It looks like I need to ask Dad and Mom about girls then. Joy."

With that, he walked away from the bridge and was on his way to his home.

As he walked away, a white hooded man stared at his fading back.

When Ye was finally gone from his sight, he looked down at the river below.

On its surface, the man saw bubbles appearing.

"It seemed that he couldn't save you," He hummed, "What an unlucky cat you are."

"A Storm drown."


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


Draft: jaq

Proofread: Discord

Edit: Jaq