Chapter Text
…
For a while, they kept watching the trees together. Or at least, that was what it looked like from the outside. In reality, Damian kept sneaking glances at Anya every few seconds, each one making the strange silence feel heavier and heavier.
The cool breeze brushing past them helped him regain a bit of clarity. Crying earlier, and then drifting off for a short while, had eased him somewhat. His head didn’t feel like it was splitting apart anymore.
But his fever was still higher than normal. He waved one hand slightly, hoping the air would cool him down, then cast another sideways glance at Anya.
Ugh… I’m such an idiot- I cried right in front of her! And then I fell asleep , on her lap, of all places!! And on top of that…
His teeth clenched as another memory resurfaced. The moment he had grabbed her wrist when she was about to leave. It had been completely instinctive. He barely remembered doing it clearly, but he had grabbed her anyway.
DAMN IT!!! Seriously- Did I do anything else embarrassing while I wasn’t fully conscious!?
His spiraling thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a sneeze.
Damian turned toward the sound. Anya had wrapped her arms around her knees and was shivering slightly. During the day, the weather was warm enough, but mornings were undeniably cold.
At first, Damian didn’t quite understand it. He hadn’t been feeling cold himself.
Huh? Is she sick too? Did I infect her?! But she looked fine just a moment ago!
Concern crept into his voice as he spoke.
"Uh… are you okay?"
Anya opened her mouth to answer, but another sneeze escaped her first. She sniffed lightly and then replied.
"Oh, I’m fine. It’s just a little chilly."
Another gust of wind blew through the courtyard, making her shiver even more. She looked like a small stray kitten left out in the cold. Damian stared at her, worry tightening his chest, followed immediately by frustration directed at himself.
She’s cold, and she isn’t going back because of me... She can’t just leave me here alone- That’s why she stayed in the first place! DAMN IT! I’m nothing but trouble for her!
He muttered internally, irritated and restless. Meanwhile, Anya rubbed her hands together, then pressed them against her cheeks, trying to warm her numbing skin. It didn’t seem to help much.
Ugh… it’s cold… When are we going back inside?
She glanced toward the school building, half-expecting the bell to ring at any second. Of course, it didn’t. She sighed softly.
That was when she noticed Damian suddenly standing up.
He moved behind her, and Anya tilted her head back slightly to look at him. But before she could say anything, warmth settled over her shoulders.
Her eyes widened. A jacket had been draped over her.
Anya blinked several times in surprise, then slowly turned to right. She looked up at Damian, who had already sat back down. When he realized she was staring at him, he stammered nervously before speaking.
"I-If you want… you can wear it. It’ll be warmer…"
He quickly turned his head away, pretending to examine the scenery, clearly trying to hide his face. Anya continued to look at him for a moment longer, then turned forward again without saying anything.
She slipped her right arm into the sleeve, then her left. The sleeves were a bit long, swallowing her hands slightly. One by one, she buttoned the jacket closed. She pulled her hair out and glanced down at herself.
It was a little big on her, but it felt really warm. As heat slowly returned to her body, Anya turned toward Damian again, her expression softer now.
"Thank you, Sy-on boy."
Damian turned back to her for a brief moment and nodded in quiet agreement. Before looking away again, he studied Anya wearing his jacket, his gaze lingering just a little longer than necessary.
Doesn’t look… bad. I hope it’s warm enough…
He faced forward again.
Cute…
Anya suddenly raised her hand and pointed at something, calling out to him.
"Sy-on boy, look."
Damian glanced at her first, then followed the direction of her finger.
"Hm?"
Between the trees, a large clock tower was visible. The hands pointed to nine fifty , only ten minutes left until the class ended.
Damian’s eyes widened when he realized it.
"Oh! There’s barely any time left until the lesson ends! We have to go to the infirmary before break starts, or they’ll think we were just hanging around outside and skipped class!"
He stood up immediately , but it was too sudden. His body didn’t keep up with him, and dizziness hit him all at once. He staggered backward and grabbed onto the tree to steady himself.
Anya stood up at once and hurried to his side.
"Are you okay?"
Damian shook his head lightly, trying to clear the haze, then answered.
"Y-Yeah… don’t worry. It’s just…"
He turned toward Anya and continued shyly, trying to ignore the heat rising to his cheeks.
"...let me... hold on to you."
He was looking at her to wait for her answer when a sharp pain shot through his head. He squeezed his eyes shut with a quiet gasp.
Then he felt his left arm being lifted. He opened his eyes again and turned his head , only to find Anya right there.
She had draped his left arm over her shoulder and was gripping his wrist firmly. With her other hand, she held onto his waist to keep him from falling.
Finally, Anya looked up at him, meeting his eyes.
"Then let’s go."
Damian froze in panic. For a split second, he thought about pulling away. But his legs, trembling from exhaustion, betrayed him, forcing him to lean against her.
The sudden weight made Anya wobble to the side, and Damian went with her. They both stumbled slightly, but after a moment, they managed to regain their balance.
Once they did, Damian finally spoke, his voice quieter now.
"O-Okay… let’s go to the infirmary…"
Slowly, step by step, the two of them walked together through the trees and out into the courtyard. From there, they headed toward the entrance that led back into the school building.
…
Knock Knock
Hearing the sound, the school nurse turned her head toward the door. She walked over, opened it, and found two small children standing there.
"Hm? What are you two doing here during class time? Wait a second… you…"
Her eyes landed on Damian’s face, flushed a deep, unhealthy red. Understanding dawned on her immediately.
"Oh my, do you have a fever? Come on, come on, let’s check it right away!"
Damian opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything, Anya sneezed loudly.
"Achoo!"
The nurse turned to her this time, eyes widening.
"And your face is red too! A lot of students have been getting sick these days. Sit down, both of you. I’ll check you both."
They both nodded obediently. The nurse opened the door wider to let them pass, then turned toward one of the cabinets.
Meanwhile, Anya carefully guided Damian toward one of the beds inside the infirmary.
She climbed onto the bed first, then reached out her hand to help him up. Damian didn’t hesitate for even a second. He took her hand and sat down beside her.
One hand was cold , the other was burning hot.. But somehow, once they were holding hands, the warmth evened out.
The nurse rummaged through the cabinet for a moment, then turned back to them.
"Hm… the thermometer’s missing again. I’ll go check the next room and find another one. Maybe I’ll bring you some candy too."
Anya’s eyes sparkled instantly.
"Candy!? Can I have two!?"
The nurse opened the door to the adjacent room and answered before leaving.
"In that case, I might as well bring the whole bowl and let you choose."
Then she left the room. Anya turned to Damian with excitement written all over her face.
"Did you hear that? We’re getting candy!"
When she looked over, she realized he had already laid his head down on the pillow and fallen asleep. She poked him a few times.
"Hey, Sy-on boy?"
She was already used to him falling asleep suddenly, so she didn’t expect an answer. Then she heard a sound.
Ding Dong… Ding Dong…
"Oh, that's the bell."
The nurse returned, holding a thermometer in one hand and a bowl full of candy in the other.
"Alright, let’s check your temperatures. Oh- Is your friend already asleep?"
Anya thought to herself.
Friend? Hehe~
She was just about to answer with a grin when Damian, who hadn’t fully fallen asleep yet, suddenly forced his voice out as loudly as he could.
" I'm awake...And we... WE AREN’T FRIENDS!"
The nurse laughed softly and walked closer.
"Alright, alright. However you say."
…