Chapter Ten: Realization
From the darkness inside Kazuya's bedroom an alarm sounded on Ruka's phone and on Ruka's heart monitor around her wrist as it beeped loudly.
A computerized voice came over Ruka's wrist-monitor saying, "ERROR 6! RESET! ERROR 6! RESET! Set parameters exceeded! Contacting EMS!" The message repeated itself.
Ruka grit her teeth as she said,"N-No! C…COME ON! Come..on…."
Kazuya felt Ruka shaking on the bed, but not talking.
Yelling in terror Kazuya jumped out of bed and turned on the lights. Quickly shutting off the speakers, he scrambled for his phone. Before Kazuya could get to his phone a notification tone on Ruka's went off as Hirano initiated a video call to EMS.
"Ruka? Ruka! Can you hear me? We got an 'ERROR 6.' Are you okay?" a paramedic asked on the video feed asked.
Kazuya wiped some sweat from his forehead, grabbed the phone, and said, "My girlfriend passed out! Please send an ambulance! She's-"
The EMS operator responded in a calm voice, "Calm down. We're sending an ambulance. We have your address. What floor are you on?"
Kazuya calmed down a little and said, "S-Second floor. Thank you."
"This is a normal reaction for those with PPS if they're out of their pulse range. Calm down. Is she conscious now? Is she shaking?" the paramedic asked.
Kazuya saw Ruka no longer shaking, but starting to get off of bed.
"She's uh...she's conscious. She's actually getting up. Ruka are you okay?" Kazuya asked worried.
"Tell her to sit down and get her some water. The ambulance will be there soon and they'll reset her monitor. Are you okay?" the paramedic asked.
Kazuya said he was okay and would get Ruka water and call back if anything else happens tonight. Feeling his own heart pounding Kazuya went to his kitchen to get a bottle of water.
"Are you okay?!" Kazuya asked as entered the bedroom quite rattled.
"Yes, calm down," Ruka said looking dazed with a hint of a smile.
Faintly in the background they heard the siren of an ambulance approaching. Kazuya calmed more knowing help was getting close and smiled when Ruka drank some water looking calmer. Kazuya was quite grateful the ambulance corp was just off campus being the second time he has needed them swiftly. Ruka picked up her phone showing Hirano giving a warning saying it needed a reset code and the last recorded pulse was flashing showing a reading of 125. Kazuya wondered what he was going to say when his neighbors start asking questions, but berated himself for wondering such things at that moment.
Outside in the courtyard Kazuya heard the ambulance pulling up with its siren blaring. Emergency lights flashing red and blue could be seen from his window and a radio dispatcher confirming arrival was heard. The distinctive sound of metal doors on an emergency vehicle opening and closing were heard followed by the hurried set of footsteps as two paramedics came running up the stairs with equipment.
As expected several residents had some outside and were wondering what was going on. Mizuhara was there too, but already had a pretty good idea of what happened.
Kazuya opened the door waving them over forgetting he was undressed and quickly returned inside to throw some clothing on. The paramedics laughed just a little, having a pretty good idea of what happened having gotten this kind of call before, and said to put something on as they walked inside. Onlookers gawked and murmured as to what was going on started and rumors almost immediately started to spread.
The paramedics quickly checked Ruka out and after making sure she was stable reset her wrist monitor. Once the heart monitor was reset Hirano immediately relayed current readings with notifications to check history for further evaluation. The paramedics began to interview the two of them, but knew from both of them being nude when they arrived what likely had happened. Kazuya froze up and stuttered attempting to relay the events. Shaking their heads, they explained while it was scary, and warranted calling EMS, it was something they'd seen before a number of times. They told them, perhaps a little worriedly, they may encounter this again if they perform this kind of "activity." Ruka looked at them angrily and felt quite embarrassed.
One paramedic took Ruka to the corner of the bedroom while she put on some clothing pouting a little as the paramedic told her to relax. The second paramedic took Kazuya to the kitchen.
The paramedic in the bedroom smiled and said, "Relax Ruka. As a lady too I know this can be embarrassing, but we've seen this before. Don't feel you're being singled out. My counterpart and I have seen plenty of other couples go through this kind of thing. Sometimes they are epileptic seizures, others are motor-control seizing up, occasionally a heart-attack, but the important thing is you're okay. Forget the neighbors and tell me exactly what happened from a medical level."
In the kitchen the second paramedic sat down and motioned Kazuya to do the same and said, "Okay dude...leave the boasting out and tell me what happened medically for you and as you could best observe for her. You can boast to our brothers later, but as a fellow guy I know it was a little bit embarrassing to be seen by us naked and 'caught.' However, you're not the first couple we've encountered in the midst of such 'activities'."
Kazuya wiped his brow and nodded and began to relay the series of events medically while the paramedic took notes.
"It was very close to her passing out she told me not to stop. I told her I felt we should, but both of us got too caught up in the moment. I feel so stupid. When Hirano gave the triple-vibrate warning I said we should stop, but by that point she was already passing out," Kazuya said half-scared and half-embarrassed.
"Don't let this go to your head. Do not let it go to your head, but what likely occurred is that she was on her way to climax when she passed out. Don't let it go to your head for the simple reason is that is not a compliment and I must tell you it could be a huge source of contention. Her doctor can explain it better, but the sad fact is that this is likely her limit. She likely cannot go beyond this level without suffering PPS episode. It'd be like you're able to enjoy your favorite food and having it taken away at the last minute, but not just that time...every time. It is sad, but you need to talk to her doctor about it. I have seen this before with a patient we once were dispatched to who would always have a seizure just before any level of intimacy beyond a passionate kiss. It wasn't performance anxiety. His brain simply couldn't handle it," the paramedic told Kazuya as he shook his head and finished his notes.
In the bedroom Ruka had just received the same conversation from the other end.
"I can never experience it?" Ruka asked in tears.
"Maybe someday you can. Sweetheart, don't give up. You could have been very scared tonight, very excited. It's okay. If it makes you feel better the first time my boyfriend and I were about to be intimate I was scared to even let him touch me and it wasn't because I didn't love him or feel safe with him. I just had such anxiety and it wasn't fear from being intimate. It was just this fear that it wouldn't be exciting or it would be a let down for him, that somehow I'd make him want to leave me. We get idealized views of sex. We get caught up in what we think it will be like from movies, TV shows, and especially romance novels. It wasn't like a fairy tale and I knew he was disappointed, but you know what he did? He just held me in the dark saying it didn't have to be that night. We stayed together in the dark as he stroked my hair while we told goofy stories of our past dates with other people, joked about stupid movies, and more. We laughed, we hugged, and I felt better. After a while he asked if I was hungry and I realized I was in tears. He hugged me tightly and asked why I was crying and I said I felt I was letting him, and more importantly myself, down. He let go, pulled me in to kiss my forehead, hugged me again saying it didn't have to be that night, and he was just happy to be with me. I thanked him and then suddenly realized I was really hungry and we walked into town. Most of the places to get anything to eat were closed, but we found a street vendor closing down and he gave us the last burger off his grill. It was very rare, very greasy, nothing to be proud of...and it was the best tasting one I'd ever had. We got married five months later and from that night on we would always look for him whenever we visited that part of town, but never saw him again. Every so often we attempt to recreate it in our kitchen, but just for fun as we know the experience can never be captured again. Ruka...when we leave tonight, dry your eyes and walk downtown. I know there are a few street vendors still cooking food. Find something to eat and that will be the memory tonight and not of our arrival. Maybe someday you'll tell this story to another," the paramedic said while smiling.
Ruka cried and reached out to hug her when the paramedic opened her arms wide and hugged her back gently saying it was all going to be okay. The paramedic released the hug and called out to her partner saying she was done and told Ruka to give them a call if any other unusual activity occurs. Wiping her eyes Ruka motioned the paramedic in for a second hug and thanked her hugging her tightly. The paramedic smiled and hugged her back tightly once again saying it'd all be okay.
Bidding the paramedics goodbye at the door people were still outside murmuring. Kazuya laughed and told everyone the show was over and they could all go home now. Mizuhara stood looking at the two of them to see if they were going to say something when they just nodded and said they were going to get something to eat downtown. Mizuhara nodded knowing they were okay and closing her door giving that "I am here if you want to talk" look.
Downtown Kazuya and Ruka saw a few street vendors selling foods. They walked over to one selling New York City-style hot pretzels. The vendor smiled at them coming up and said that they better order fast as he has only one left and Kazuya paid him for it. Ruka smiled and when biting into it found it to be to be too cool and soft. The vendor apologized, said he'd be glad to warm it up, and smiled as he threw it back into the hot box. A few minutes later took it out freshly warmed, but it was now a little burnt. The vendor apologized and was about to refund her when she smiled and said it was perfect the way it was to his surprise. Kazuya was a little surprised, but when he saw Ruka start to smile he suddenly smiled back.
Smiling widely she said, "Say 'Ah'."
Kazuya smiled and opened his mouth happily nomming on a piece. Ruka bit into a piece after saying he was so cute. The vendor smiled to himself knowing this night somehow held a significance. The vendor then gave them a can of Coco Cola from his cooler saying it was his way of apologizing for the burnt pretzel, but was just giving it to increase the night's charm a little by having them share a drink too.
Kazuya smiled and took the can after thanking the vendor and they walked off both giving a smile and wave. Together the two of them walked arm in arm into the night creating a fond memory sharing a cold drink and slightly burned pretzel under the stars.
Two days later Ruka and Kazuya sat in Dr. Humana's office. While both scared of what he'd say they both remembered what the paramedics said and to their mutual shock Dr. Humana wasn't angry.
"Calm down you two. I'm not a school principle and you're not getting 'suspended' or anything. You're both human and I am just glad there weren't any adverse effects that we can see. I read the hospital report and agree with what they have said for the most part. Your nurse friend is coming and she wants to speak to you privately Ruka and I need to speak with Kazuya alone," Dr. Humana said.
A moment later nurse Yamada took Ruka away to another room and had her get on the table. Taking her pulse nurse Yamada said not to worry, that she wasn't angry or disappointed, knew that this could happen, and was also happy there weren't adverse effects.
"Dr. Humana told me what happened. The paramedic who saw you is actually a friend of mine. Yes, we were breaking confidentiality and please don't report me, but we feel as women this 'is an intimate matter' we should talk to you about it. We both feel you have a shot at achieving it and it may just take time. Yes, further 'research' would need to be done, but you're in a quandary. Dr. Humana is having the same discussion with Kazuya and there is an inherent danger we must tell you about," nurse Yamada told her.
Kazuya sat looking back at Dr. Humana and asked,"What's the 'inherent danger'?"
"You're too young to understand the concept of banging on a TV when reception is bad. I can't use that analogy, so what can I say? Ah...ever smack a flashlight, when you know it has working batteries, against your hand if it won't work and suddenly the light comes on?" Dr. Humana asked.
"Sure I have. Why? I don't get it." Kazyua asked.
"Kazuya...the light goes on, but you don't know what happened. It works, but you don't know what was wrong and surely don't know if it damaged the flashlight more in getting it to work, fixed the problem, created a new problem for next time, or what. Will it work normally next time? Will it take more hitting it to get it to work? Will it work next time at all? We don't know what happened to Ruka, but if you get further I highly doubt you would have 'fixed her' and made her extend her range like you have some 'magical powers', but right now it means that you've likely found her maximum RPM, her highest level of physical intensity. However, I'm not naive, after all we're both human, and both males. All I can tell you is to be careful. You are 'part' of this study, so I cannot —nor should I really— tell you how to behave. All participants are supposed to be living life as they 'normally' would, but this is new territory. All I can say is now that you know the 'maximum speed' you can drive a car around a turn I wouldn't recommend going any faster. As sad as that is to sound I wanted you to know it. After all...there may only be a crash and no thrill of how 'dangerous' you were when driving, but again neither of us are your parents. I need to speak to both of you about something else so hang back," Dr. Humana said.
Seated again together Dr. Humana told them the second phase of the clinical testing and started by going over the dates.
"For the next couple of weeks Ruka will be taking part in some structured testing. Some would call it 'stress-testing' like it was for heart conditions, and in a way it is, but not the way it would be thought by most. Some of the tests are pretty interesting, but in every case there will be sort of a 'panic button' if she signals it is becoming too much. The whole idea is to test the range of the PRE, but not overload it. The standard test will come to an end when you either signal us to stop or when the PRE overloads...which we hope won't happen of course," Dr. Humana said.
Ruka nodded.
"The in-lab testing will be finished in four weeks and then there will be a final two weeks of normal activity and then you'll report back to have the PRE removed and results analyzed. This is an amazing test and could ultimately not only help people such as yourself, but also those who face other cardiac issues. You could well be part of testing for a new era of treatments. It's an exciting time," Dr. Humana said smiling.
Ruka and Kazuya smiled to each other and held each other's hands feeling some good coming out of the recent experience landing them in Dr. Humana's office.
The following Saturday night Kazuya and all of his circle of friends got together for drinks at their tavern. The girls in the group told Ruka there were rumors circulating that Kazuya's "passion" caused her to pass out and while they knew that wasn't exactly the case smiled that many women think that now. Ruka laughed a little, but worried in the back of her mind.
Outside the tavern the group waited for their buses and taxis when a group of fellow students stumbled out of the local bar down the street. Three females, all "slightly buzzed", came up to Kazuya and the first one smiled while the second one put her arm around him.
Pulling him close to her, the second girl purred, "Hey, it's 'Humble Hero'...word around campus is that you're too much for your girlfriend to handle. I bet I could handle you."
Ruka was appalled and shouted for the girls to beat it.
Kazuya's friends were all shocked and the girls were about to restrain Ruka and the guys about to grab the girl when Ruka felt a triple-vibrate warning from Hirano. Her pulse suddenly very high, due to the body's natural defense mechanisms readying for a possible fight/flight response from three challengers, she balled her fists without even realizing it.
Suddenly Ruka felt scared of a PPS episode she felt coming.
Ruka gritted her teeth and said, "No, no...NOT NOW! N…not..."
Kazuya somewhat angrily pushed the second girl off him and sneered at her as he quickly went over to Ruka.
With her vision starting to get a little shaky she slowly calmed down feeling once again her PRE compensating for the situation and calmed a little more managing a weak smile at Kazuya while saying she was okay. Hirano warned her that her pulse was still at high levels and to reduce activity at once. The second girl came back over and grabbed Kazuya from behind and while joking Ruka didn't find it funny.
"Wow! You're such a caring guy. Virile and caring. You sure you can't lend him to me for the night 'little girl?' He needs a woman," the woman said as she latched onto Kazuya's arm just to anger Ruka further.
Ruka shouted angrily at her and threatened her with physical reprisal as she stood clearly shaking with anger.
A crowd had started to form as people from both sides of the street came out to hear the commotion.
The second girl finding it funny pulled Kazuya closer just to trigger Ruka again. The little girl with the blue ribbon in her hair growled like a lioness and ran at the girl until she was restrained by Kazuya's female friends.
Ruka stood gritting her teeth attempting to calm herself, but sadly this time a PPS episode occurred and she dropped to the ground shaking.
A computerized voice came over Ruka's wrist-monitor saying, "ERROR 6! RESET! ERROR 6! RESET! Set parameters exceeded! Contacting EMS!" The message repeated itself.
Kazuya shoved the girl off him and knelt down by Ruka taking her hand and told the girl to beat it. Kobi took the girl by her shoulders and "helped her" get back into the bar. At that moment Ruka's phone connected via video to EMS and after confirming the situation said an ambulance was on its way and asked Kazuya to stay until they arrive. Kazuya motioned his female friends over, took one of their purses, and gently lifted Ruka's head and rested it upon the purse. Kazuya held Ruka's hand in a few tears as she came back to consciousness. Kazuya smiled and helped Ruka up as she thanked him and apologized to the group.
"Don't apologize to us. That woman was the cause, not you," one of the girls said while giving a smile.
Kobi glared towards the bar and said,"Don't worry Ruka, she was the problem. She was the cause! She's the one who should be apologizing! Not you."
Ruka nodded to Kobi and thanked him as she put Kazuya's arms around her from behind and took a deep breath. Drunkenly laughing the third girl pulled Kazuya away and put her arms around him from behind also finding it funny to trigger Ruka.
"Clearly you're not up to the challenge of being with him. I could show you how to please him far better than you can," the third girl said in a voice indistinguishable from sarcasm or challenge.
Ruka grit her teeth in an attempt to ward off another PPS episode she felt coming fast. Unable to even get a word out she collapsed a second time shaking a lot. Kazuya's female friends grabbed Ruka's challenger and yanked her off before shoving her back into the bar.
The tavern owner came out with a bottle of water having heard what happened.
"That bar always gets the 'very best clientele.' Sorry guys," the owner said and invited them all back inside for tea and to get off the sidewalk.
Ruka started to get up and thanked the owner, close to tears, and said she'd like the most relaxing tea he had.
The first "slightly buzzed" female of the group slowly came up to Ruka apologizing for her friends' behavior in a calm voice. Ruka saw her walking towards the group, but didn't hear a word, and only felt herself pass out as a third PPS episode struck. Kazuya saw Ruka's face starting turn a pale blue and saw what looked like a few veins on her forehead for an instant. Regretting the need to do it, Kazuya pulled out Dr. Humana's card and called his cell phone to notify him of the event. Ruka woke up a few moments later to Kazuya once against holding her hand in the street and apologized in tears.
Kazuya and his friends all said to relax and went inside the tavern to wait for the ambulance and when it arrived Kazuya was greatly relieved when he saw the paramedics were the ones from a few weeks ago. Smiling at Kazuya they quickly allowed him to accompany Ruka to Ayuka General Hospital. Once the ambulance arrived Kazuya was taken to the waiting room.
Inside the ER the doctors checked her over and reset Hirano. The monitored activity was downloaded from Hirano and prepped them for Dr. Humana who arrived 20 minutes later.
Dr. Humana took Ruka to a nearby office and shut the door saying what he needed to tell her was private and she requested Kazuya joined them. Dr. Humana insisted saying this was a matter of privacy and nurse Yamada wasn't available and he just didn't want to embarrass her and requested she just tell him later.
"Ruka, you have to understand this isn't easy. I doubt you remember it happening since it was many years ago, but I told Kazuya to call me if he ever saw you turn pale blue after a PPS episode. The doctors told me you had three in under ten minutes. That's quite disconcerting because I don't like what it means," Dr. Humana said shaking his head.
Ruka's eyes got wide and she exclaimed, "Oh my god! What's wrong?! Am I-"
"Relax Ruka. You're okay. Nothing bad is happening, it's just not easy to say. The thing is the last time this happened you were very young and you'd gotten over stimulated to the point your mother had to take away a video game for fear you'd pass out again if over-stimulated. The events leading up to your mom's decision was due to a period you had three PPS episodes in under ten minutes the day prior. What happened to you I cannot remember without your file, but I think you were at a haunted house at a festival. Thankfully you were with family, but the bad thing is that your range was reduced...suddenly the 'acceptable range' got narrower. The results & symptoms from last time are the same as tonight. I fear your range may be reduced again, even more than before. Will this last? I don't know. There are cases where the body 'relaxes', and the range can be restored, but who knows what will happen? You have to remember that PPS is not fully understood, it may never get that way, and your heart-along with all those who PPS-is dependent not only on physical activity, but mental too. When it comes to the beating of the heart, there is a lot which is sub-consciousnessly attached, but I know you know that...you saw it earlier tonight. I am sorry to be delivering all this, but we'll analyze the results and cross-reference yours with others and I'll see you at my office tomorrow afternoon. We're gonna get through this, you have the heart of a warrior and nothing stops you," Dr. Humana said in a slightly upbeat manner noticing Ruka had started to cry a little.
Ruka smiled weakly and nodded.
"One last thing: Go grab Kazuya, stop by the deli and get a treat, and spend the rest of the evening holding each other watching a funny movie...doctor's orders," Dr. Humana said smiling.
Ruka smiled and hugged him hard with a single tear in her eye and thanked him.
During the next few weeks Ruka's time at the testing facility had seen a wide variety of testing. Outside the lab things were uneventful with normal activities. The two of them attended classes, had date nights, spent time with friend and family alike, and their "own research" never causing another PPS event. While Ruka didn't say anything about it, she was discouraged and getting angrier at her own limits blaming herself for her body's own conditions.
The evening after the final laboratory testing session Ruka joined Kazuya for dinner at his place. Ruka was doing her best to be upbeat, but was sad underneath it all as she felt her progress was meager at best. They ordered in food from a good restaurant and sat eating them at his table and Ruka cheered up as the two drank a glass of wine over steaks happy the testing was over. During the meal Kazuya told her how thankful he is that she's in his life.
"I'm just glad we're not seeing any of those girls from the bar lately. It really bothers me Kazuya, I felt I escaped the girls of my primary school who would attempt to scare me. Now I have women who try to trigger me and worse they're using you to do it. I know it's not your fault, but it angers me that people are weaponizing someone I love to hurt me. It literally hurts my heart," Ruka said with a slight frown.
"Ruka, my dear sweet and powerful Tsunami, don't let these women bring you down. They're jealous. They see you happy, they see you with a lucky guy-a very lucky guy-and they want it. Maybe not me persay, but they want your joy. I am sorry your joy is being used by them causing anger and sadness. When it comes to 'matters of the heart' you're the strongest person I know, a beast. You have the heart of a warrior," Kazuya said smiling.
Ruka got cross at him and said,"Don't say that. Don't say 'matters of the heart' Kazuya...I don't like that wording. My heart is literally what matters to me most, I am dealing with 'matters of it' at all times and not at a 'greeting-card' level."
Kazuya looked nervous and said, "S-sorry...I just...I just..."
Ruka frowned a little and said,"I am sorry Jitterbug, but I am worried. Those are some very nice words...I am happy you consider me a warrior. Dr. Humana does too, all in my support-group are warriors. We fight the good fight together, but that is what is giving me some cause for grief and anger: I am worried. I haven't been getting such good results and my fight-all of ours-rages on daily. What if I find out at the end of the study I haven't progressed at all? What if I find out the larger pleasures in life are beyond me? I love you and want to feel elation with you in all forms of life. I want my heart to beat faster for you while we hold each other joyfully, passionately, and with great excitement trying new things. I want to be able to go on intense roller coasters with you, maybe climb mountains, and I want to someday be able skydive! I want to look fear in the eye. I want to look the very sky in the eye and feel nothing but life, no fear. Kazuya, I have lived with enough fear...and now I fear I can't get any better. That's the worst part: I had come to accept my limits, then was given a chance to improve, and now am getting little back. I know others are having success...I don't see them at the testing facility, but we're a close community and at our support-group meetings we all discovered a number of us are participating. There are more around the area and while we're not supposed to talk to each other we are there to support each other in troubles and triumphs."
Kazuya smiled and said, "That's great news. It is a great group. I am so happy you introduced Mizuhara and Sumi to their boyfriends. They are both very happy and-"
Ruka shook her head and said,"I wasn't finished. Mizuhara and Sumi experiencing great joys at their fortune is wonderful. I know Kage and Gogin are 'over the moon' for the two of them. When it comes to the study, we attempt to be subtle about it and just say 'an experimental treatment' is going on, but we all know we're part of the same study. I have learned it is working well in virtually everyone I speak to, everyone except me. I feel like the world is mocking me and while I know that sounds dramatic it just feels horrible that I was born with this, learned to accept it, found you, felt great, learned of this greater power, and suddenly I feel like I was thrown off a horse or just came to a wall or a door of some place saying to keep out."
Kazuya put down his fork and got up to walk across to Ruka. Hugging Ruka very tightly he said he was happy to be with her every minute and would be happy to hold hands with her and nothing else due to the joy she brings him. Ruka looked up at him with the softest eyes and felt very relaxed.
Suddenly Hirano gave a single-vibrate warning and Kazuya got scared. Checking her phone Ruka gave a nervous laugh and told Kazuya she is making her feel so calm she's approaching her lower limit. Ruka hugged him back hard thanking him and the two finished their meal happily. Once Kazuya put Ruka in a taxi, he said to text him when she got home and went inside.
Ten minutes later Ruka tiptoed past Kazuya's door and knocked softly on Mizuhara's door happy she saw the light turn on. With her finger over her mouth to keep quiet Mizuhara quickly motioned Ruka in asking what was wrong.
"I'm broken. My body is having trouble telling which direction is up," Ruka said looking half-scared and half sad.
Mizuhara asked what she meant and Ruka proceeded to tell her about the events from the night of her multiple episodes of PPS encounter through enjoying dinner with Kazuya earlier. Mizuhara listened intently, offered her a Drake's coffee cake, and tea.
Ruka appreciated Mizuhara's compassion and understanding and asked she brew up a cup of cocunut-shavings tea having found it to be really relaxing.
Musing over the the words Kazuya spoke to Ruka at the table she smiled and said,"That sounds really sweet. I wish I could tell him it was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard. I wish he'd been more like that when...uh...when I was helping him look for someone. If he had that kind of maturity and romantic side, I bet he'd have found someone fast."
Ruka shot her a half-angry look before calming and said, "That's the problem. I worry the other, lower acceptable, range of my pulse is in danger. I never had Hirano give me a warning of the lower range and it scares me."
"Never?" Mizuhara asked with concern.
Ruka smiled and said, "Well once but that was after I'd spent all night up with a friend at a slumber party," but that was a long time ago and we were all very tired so I am giving myself a pass."
"What can I do? Why did you want to speak with me?" Mizuhara asked.
Ruka gave a look of seriousness with a hint of a smile and said,"I need be able to have my mind and body realign, to relax and recover, to gain some focus again. I need to visit with someone who has the power to help and I need your help getting in touch with an angel."
Mizuhara smiled and nodded.