Perhaps, a god from a machine?

Her breath hitches, and she abruptly stands, clutching her textbook tightly against her chest. Her grip on the textbook falters, and before I can react, it slips from her hands and tumbles to the floor. She startles, bending down quickly to retrieve it.

“Ah!” she exclaims, fumbling with the book as though her hands suddenly forgot how to work. Her movements are hurried, almost frantic, and I can’t help but smile softly at the sight. It’s rare to see her lose her composure like this.

As she clutches the book to her chest, her face is a deep shade of pink. She glances at me once, her gaze darting away just as quickly, and mumbles something inaudible before making a beeline for the door.

The door swings open just as she reaches it, and the school nurse enters, her cheerful voice breaking the tension. “Hello, Falin-san. Thank you for watching over him.”

Falin nods rapidly, almost comically, and stammers out, “Y-You’re welcome!” She sidesteps the nurse and nearly stumbles over her own feet in her rush to leave. Her hurried footsteps echo down the hall, leaving behind a faint trail of embarrassment.

The nurse watches her retreating figure, then turns to me with an amused expression. “What was that about?” she asks, raising a brow. “And by the way, Renyuki-san, I heard your speech earlier. Quite the bold one, aren’t you?”

I rub the back of my neck, feeling the warmth creep into my cheeks. “Well… maybe just a little.”

Her smile turns playful. “A little? Half the staff was talking about it afterward. You’ve certainly made an impression.”

Great. If I made an impression, the contents I have talked about are already put into consideration. Students will think about them none-stop. I sigh internally but manage a sheepish laugh. “Let’s just say I have a knack for speaking from the heart.”

The nurse chuckles lightly. “Well, it’s good to see someone so passionate. But take it easy, alright? You’ve already had quite the eventful day.”

I nod, her words grounding me. Falin’s reaction replays in my mind, each detail seared into my memory. Her shy retreat wasn’t just about embarrassment -it was the weight of being truly seen, of having her motivations and passions recognized.

I glance out the window, the sunlight pouring in like a silent promise. These losing heroines deserve to be understood, to be valued for all they are. And I’ll make sure that happens, one step at a time.

-------------------------------

Falin's POV

I have made a crucial mistake.
Incompetence, inexperience, or even the excuse of youth can’t justify something like this. I may not be known for maturity, but I truly believed I was better than that.

For someone who dreams of making others healthier, happier -who wants to stand as a steady figure for people, I need composure. Like doctors and nurses, I should be able to keep my tolerance high, no matter the situation.

I thought I was managing, even with Ukaru at my side. But then another extreme person appeared, and… I faltered. One more presence, and it was enough to send me fleeing. Clearly, I still have a long way to go.

Renyuki-san. The very patient I left behind. The fact that he was the one who made me run, it gnaws at me. Each time I replay it in my mind, it feels heavier, more shameful.

Now, back in my room, I try to distract myself. The light is bright, the apple in my hand crisp, the book open before me… but none of it eases my thoughts.

My room is simple, almost plain for a girl my age. The only real hint of “girlishness” is the oversized bear plush sitting on my bed. Assistant Dr. Mr. Polar Bear; my unlikely confidant. He’s dressed in a sharp black suit and crisp white collar, clearly a doctor of high standing. And yet… no pants. His nonchalant expression makes him look both ridiculous and endearing. Every time I glance at him, I can’t help but laugh softly before turning back to my book.

Of course, his design must be deliberate. A serious doctor above the waist, a joke below it. Maybe that’s what makes him comforting: the balance of dignity and silliness. Come to think of it, maybe he doesn’t make my room look girlish at all.

What I am proud of is my collection of books. Shelf after shelf, crammed into the little space I have. The hours I don’t spend patching up Ukaru are here, in my library. Reading, learning, chasing knowledge. I love the sciences, biology, chemistry, but also the stars themselves. On clear nights, I sometimes drag out my modest telescope to map constellations. It’s not fancy, but it works.

When Ukaru isn’t wandering the streets, playing the justice-giver like some kind of Catman…

Lately, I’ve been reading something different: shounen romance. At first it was “research," a way to understand what kind of girls boys find appealing. I’ve read shoujo romances before, like any young girl, but shounen romance… it’s built differently.

And the first thing I noticed: long-haired girls dominate. They’re the ones the authors spotlight, the ones most often chosen by the protagonist.

By that measure, I’m already losing. It’s not that I hate long hair, but it’s simply impractical for me. Always in the way, impossible to manage. I cut it short for freedom, and truthfully… I think it suits me better. Still, I can’t help but wonder what Ukaru thinks of it.

But when I picture Ukaru, Renyuki’s voice slips in uninvited. His words about preferring short hair echo so clearly that my heart skips, traitorous and loud. For an instant, it feels like I’ve wandered into the pages of a shoujo romance… and the realization makes my head spin with heat.

Renyuki-san is… strange, in a a good way. He appeared suddenly, almost theatrically, yet he said things I didn’t know I wanted to hear. Things that reached me directly, like he already understood.

Is this… what they call a Deus ex machina? 
Or maybe… something else entirely.

I know, deep down, that his existence makes me believe I’m not entirely hopeless in catching Ukaru’s attention. And perhaps… perhaps there’s even a chance that he, too, might find short haired girls more appealing.

The thought alone is enough to make my face burn. I still have such a long way to go. Even if it’s about romance, that doesn’t excuse losing my composure so easily.