Sumire

Bugsy nuzzles her nose into the crook of my arm. I hold her as gingerly as a newborn kitten, tracing the black stripes on her orange fur. Whatever it is, Ruka will take care of it, I think.

The address I searched up led to a clean-looking little clinic smartly placed on one side of a two-street intersection. It was right beside a mini mart and a pastry shop after that. Through the windows I could see two costumers left, their pets close beside them. I sigh. Someone shoot me if they're going to make me wait when I'm not even here for the vet. With the hand that isn't holding up Bugsy, I give the door a push, and the golden bell above it signals my arrival. The two dogs the other costumers have instantly react to my presence. They start barking at me and won't shut up until I finally snarl in return. Their owners' eyes widen. "It must be my cologne," I explain. "They've probably never smelt Dolce before? Pity."

The lady on the desk is busy writing something on a record book so I walk over and tap a finger repeatedly on the counter. When she finally looks up, Counter Lady is irritated and sizes me up - head to toe. From the corner of my eye I also see the other two customers stare at me in disbelief. Old hags.

She clears her throat and plasters on a fake smile. "How may I help you?" By being a little quicker? That's what the stupid door bell was hung for.

"My cat needs medical attention."

"You don't say," she says wryly. "There's a waiting, ma'am. Please get in line."

Bugsy hisses at her, and I too could feel my catty side itching to make an appearance, but I decide to let it slip. After all, women in remote regions like these, stuck in dingy little towns with close to little accessibility to fashionable outlets, health wellness centers, and cuticle care, plus living on – most likely – low wage earnings should be sympathized with and not judged. I mean, it's already bad that they're non-alices, add poverty into the mix and it's really just sad. Kind souls such as myself really ought to be rewarded for the restraints we undergo just so others don't feel inferior to us.

"Actually I'm not here to see the attending veterinarian. My name is -"

"Sumire?" Ruka appears from the corridor leading to what I guessed to be the vet's office. He wears a shocked expression on his beautiful face and a neatly pressed white doctor's coat over a light blue dress shirt unbuttoned just enough for me to see his collar underneath. I have to hold the counter for support. Seeing him dressed up for the job he's always wanted is like having my girlish fantasies relived right before my eyes. The only thing missing is an equally dashing Natsume Hyūga at his side.

"It's been a long time, huh Ruka-kun?" I try on my best smile and decide to be a little daring with a friendly kiss on the cheek.

It's simply adorable how he hasn't changed a bit. Shy and modest Ruka flushes at the gesture and returns the sentiment with a genuine little smile. "It sure does feel that way. What brings you here?"

I motion to Bugsy comfortably curled on my arm. Ruka turns to Counter Lady, "Nanami, please tell Sato-san I'm just going to take a short break."

Counter Lady Nanami stares daggers my way before nodding coyly at Ruka. That flirt! After I've been so considerate about her feelings? "Follow me, Sumire," Ruka says before going back the way he came through the corridor. "Coming," I chirp, looping my free arm playfully over his. I wink at Counter Lady, and I see her break the pencil she was holding in half.

Only when we are safely inside Ruka's office do I untangle my arm around his and show my amusement with a laugh. Poor poor Nanami. You're not near close enough to being compatible with a high class Alice such as Ruka Nogi.

"What's so funny?"

"Looks like someone has a little crush on you, Ruka-kun," I say smugly.

"You don't mean Nanami, do you? She's always been welcoming."

"Didn't seem that way when I came in a while ago." He gives me a pointed look. "Okay okay, maybe I was a little impatient, but I drove all the way here – the middle of nowhere – just so Bugsy could have the best medical attention. I think I deserve a little extra treatment right now."

"May I?" He asks, and I hand Bugsy over to him. "Hey, there little fella."

"It's a she. Her name's Bugsy." He starts doing the routine check-up, and I can't help thinking that this is what Ruka was born to do. "I actually just adopted her from the streets. Cute, isn't she? She's normally really playful too, but lately all she does is lie around all day. She doesn't eat much, doesn't drink much… I was going to see a vet in the city, but I'd feel much more at ease if the diagnosis came from a fellow Alice."

As I talk I look around and notice that his 'office' isn't much of an office after all. It's more of closet space, to be honest. Everything is neat and well polished, to be sure, but there's really just enough room for a desk and a filing cabinet. The window shows a most splendid view of the red-bricked wall of the next establishment, small wonder that Ruka's blinds shut halfway.

He's so engrossed in attending to Bugsy that he doesn't see my look of disbelief as I survey the area. "Ruka, this is horrible," I can't help but say. "This room barely fits you and me, let alone accommodate a bunch of playful animals."

He smiles bashfully. "I did just start the job a few months ago," he tries to defend. He lays Bugsy on his desk and squeezes around it so that he could sit on the chair on the opposite side. He reaches inside his drawer and feeds Bugsy some catnip. He smiles affectionately when the feline licks it off his hand. "I'm more of an apprentice here. Doctor Sato is the actual vet."

"Ruka, I haven't met the guy, but I'm pretty darn sure you know more about animals than he does. Can he bend a mountain-sized, overfed, out of control, yellow chick to his will? I don't think so."

"I miss Piyo."

"That's not the point! I bet this Doctor Sato of yours secretly feels threatened that his assistant is more talented than he is, and so gives you this crappy office so you would feel discouraged and eventually quit! Ruka, I'm telling you this because you can do so much better. As the president of your fan club, I cannot accept this!"

He laughs. "Sumire, I can't possibly own my own clinic at eighteen."

"Yes, you can! You're amazing, Ruka!" I don't know where all this enthusiasm is coming from, but I know it's the truth.

"I still have a lot to learn. Doctor Sato has been a good mentor." He smiles contentedly, marking the end of this argument. Oh, Ruka. Kind, sweet, humble, and talented Ruka.

Bugsy meows, stretching on the desk, turns in a circle and lies down like a ball, cuddled into herself. I stroke the space between her ears and ask Ruka for the verdict. I'm expecting a quick, easy reply, but to my surprise Ruka's brows furrow in thought, staring at Bugsy in deep concentration.

"Ruka?"

He sighs. "I'm proud of you, Sumire," he says, casting me a small smile that I can't help but blush at. "Adopting street cats… not a lot of people would do that. She's a great pet, I'm sure, but she tells me she's in a lot of pain. It doesn't look so good." Ruka's bright blue eyes steel themselves. I suck in a deep breath, ready for the worst.

"How bad is it?"

"The symptoms point to feline distemper. I'm not gonna lie, it could be fatal. We're going to keep observing her, okay? I'm going to get her white blood cell count and administer some antibiotic shots."

I bite my lip. "I wasn't prepared to stay long. To be honest I thought you were just gonna check her, and she'd magically feel better or something." I pet Bugsy endearingly. Her fur is dry and she doesn't respond to my touch. "Do what you have to."

He smiles. "We're going to save her, Sumire," he says reassuringly. "If you need a place to stay, there's a small inn nearby, or my apartment is always welcome if you wish." The thought of spending the night with Ruka is making me more excited than I should be. "The clinic closes early today, so if you have nothing to do, there's somewhere I want to take you to."

Is it just me or is Ruka Nogi asking me out on a date? My cheeks are flaring up. My eyes widen. My heart is beating like crazy. "W-where are we going?"

He stands up and takes off his doctor's coat and smiles. "Natsume's expecting me for lunch. I'm sure you'd want to see him again."