Healed

It's been a couple of days since then. Envy didn't say much more and in fact kept refusing to talk about anyone else, so Tarou and I focused on training. I worked on plans at the start but Gaia quickly changed that into dead ants, creeping me out for a while until I got used to it and focused back on healing.

'"You're great with plants. Now let's see how you do with an actual moving organism!"'
I keep walking forward, thinking back on my training.
'The switch was unexpected, but I've already become good at it too...
Is there another switch after this or something?'
I'm about to turn a corner when I hear it. I turn slightly, to see a splotchy cat meowing. Spotting it just in time as it grabbed a mouse and suddenly turning towards me.
'Circle of life...'
I hold my hand to my chest, feeling the necklace.
'I wonder.'

I crouched down as I slowly extended my hand towards it.
'Maybe I should-'
"Whatcha looking at?"
Aya's sudden question interrupts my thoughts and I see the cat run away.
"Oh! There was a cat?!"
'...The hell was that...?'
Tomo taps me on the shoulder as I stand up.
"Kazu? I see you're back on Earth with us."
I nod to him before letting out awkward laugh and saying.
"Sorry, I was distracted thinking about my training..."
He sighs.
"Yeah, I think that's happening a whole lot more often recently."
"Ahhh! Another one!"

We both look at Aya, who squeals with excitement, as she points ahead at another cat, a chubby orange one.
"Look, another kitty cat!"
We watch as she crouches down and slowly crawls towards it.
"I'm not gonna hurt ya... I just wanna pet-"
Before she can finish talking to the cat, it suddenly hisses as it starts violently scratching at her hand.
Before it gets worse, she quickly jumps up, running back towards us.
"Bad kitty! Owwww..."

'...!'

"Why did it start doing that..."
As Tomo looks at her worried, I quickly take her hand and cast my magic.
"HEAL!"
Soon enough it becomes much better, with only very light scratches left.
"Woaaah...! It doesn't hurt at all now! Thanks! I bet Light Show will be jealous with all your progress.
...Did you need you shout out the magic though?"
'I got serious there... I'm glad she's safe, when did that cat get here anyway? She needs to be more carefu-'
Tomo looks towards me.
"Yooo... That was awesome! Your training is paying off."
I nod at him.
'Yes. Training is paying off.
Well, of course it is...'
I look towards Aya.
"Light Show huh?"
"Yeah! We became good friends thanks to all my stubborn visits to check on her progress."
'I wonder if I'm at Light Show's level yet...'

We all look back at where the cat was, only to see nothing there.
"Cheh... Ran away already..."
Tomo laughs as he says.
"The cat knew you'd show no mercy clearly! Hahah."
"Hey...! I... Maybe I would, the cat doesn't know..."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you two ready to keep going on our walk? With hopefully a more present Kazu and a less hurt Aya?"
"Yeah!"
I nod at Tomo again with a smile, and we resume our walk.

...

The next day I walk into the lobby, heading towards the training grounds, as a hero walks past me, hurrying off.

The morning training goes well. Tarou was busy mastering his new tornado magic, while I kept healing a bunch of ants, until finally lunch came as we headed to the cafeteria.
I look at Gaia and hesitate before asking.
"Uh... What... What is the next step after this? Is there one?"
Gaia stops and looks back at me, confused.
"We went from plant to insects, so I was wondering..."
"Ohhh."
She comes closer and places her hand on my shoulder.
"If you're thinking that you're going to have to heal some dead animals then don't fear, I ain't doing that."
I let out a sigh of relief and she continues.
"No, next step you'll be helping out people. Probably assisting nurse Ruby here, unless you'd prefer helping somewhere else?"
'...Helping people.
Heh, I guess I got a head start by healing Aya.'
I smile at her and nod.
"Here is fine. When will I be doing that?"
"Hmm..."

Tarou smiles wide and says.
"He could totally do it now! I've been getting close with Tomo and he sent me a message saying you've been doing a little extra on the side. Hahah."
Gaia looks at Tarou, then back at me, waiting for me to explain.
"I just... Healed my friend after she got scratched by a cat. That's all."
Tarou doesn't hesitate and says with a teasing smile.
"A friend? That's not what Tomo's been sa-"
A quick jab is enough and he quickly shuts up, though the smile remains on his face.
'Is he becoming a second Tomo or something? Honestly...'
"Okay!"
'What?'
I look at Gaia and see her giving me a thumbs up.
"I'll put in a word to get you under nurse Ruby.
Remember though, you'll be doing actual help with actual people. Try your best not to do anything bad."

We continue towards the cafeteria, passing by a hectic scene as a bunch of heroes run past us heading out of the building, which is when Gaia receives a message.
"Again?! I need to send Wild in..."
Tarou and I glance at each other before I ask her.
"Anything wrong?"
"Yeah... I think so. You know what, just practice by yourselves, I need to check something and won't be able to be there the afternoon."
Tarou doesn't hesitate, asking before she can leave.
"What's going on?"
Gaia sighs.
"I'm not sure if it's anything but... A lot of animal attacks have been happening this morning. For all I know, what happened to little Kazu's friend is part of it too. I just need to check what's going on is all."
With that she runs off, but not before shouting a final message to me.
"Head to the infirmary! Don't worry, I'll make sure to go put in a good word now with the nurse!"

She disappears around a corner, leaving us both there.
Before long, Tarou's stomach grumbles and he says with a smile.
"Well, let's go eat then!"
'I feel like Gaia forgot we were eating first...'

"Finally. You are hard to get to. This place is a maze."
I turn around and see what looks to be a little girl staring at me.
"...Hi?"
'Is she lost? But she was trying to get to me... Could she be a fan? No way...'
Tarou then asks.
"Oh, do you know Kazu?"
She shakes her head.
"Not personally, I've just seen him."
'She really is a fan?!'
Tarou lets out a laugh.
"HAH! No wonder then. Approached the first person you recognized huh? Are you lost? Where do you live?"
"Hm? I come from Fukaya."
"WHAT?! Wow, you're really lost... Hold on I'll guide you to the lobby and get someone there to help you."
He looks back at me.
"I'll meet you later!"

Before she can say anything, he quickly runs off with her, as I see them turn a corner, heading to the lobby.
'That was surprising...'

...

It doesn't take me long to reach the infirmary, hesitating to open the door.
'I hope I'm ready... No, I'm sure I am! Well, I have to be.'
Slowly I knock on the door, and a gentle voice inside lets me in.

The infirmary looks just as I remember it. Besides me and the nurse it was mostly empty, with just one guy sleeping in one of the beds.
"Hello Kazu. Gaia let me know you'd be doing the great kindness of lending me some help. Is that right?"
I nod nervously as I keep glancing to the guy.
'I wonder if he's going to my first- Well, second person I heal.'
Nurse Ruby notices who I'm looking at and lets out a small laugh as she puts her finger to her mouth in a motion to keep quiet.
"Don't tell anyone. He needed some rest because of late nights working, so I let him sleep here."
'Kind as always.'
"I won't..."
She pulls a curtain, enclosing the bed just as the door opens with a hero walking in.
Nurse Ruby quickly walks up to him and motions to one of the beds which he takes.
"Hello, Kazu here will be helping me today. I hope you won't mind him working on you."
"As long as I get better I don't care..."

I nod and begin my training for the afternoon.

...

Before I know, evening has arrived as another hero leaves the infirmary healed.
"I hope you enjoy the candy! Have a great day now."
Nurse Ruby turns towards me and pats me on my head.
"Great work. I don't know what I would have done without you."
'...She's just saying that... But...'
I smile and look away.
"No problem... I'm nowhere close to your level though."

'Her level... I have to try!'

"Actually, I wanted to ask."
"Yes?"
"Could you... Use your healing on my mom? She's in a coma from casting a really strong magic... So-"
Before I can finish she cuts me off as she says.
"I could... But I'm incredibly busy here with barely time to rest. How about I do it later?"
I look down, defeated, and nod.
"It's a promise, okay?"
After saying that, she chuckles and pulls out another bowl from the cabinet, handing it to me.
"But I wasn't a patient..."
"You helped a lot today! Consider this your bonus."
I look at it and take it.
"My bonus...?"
She walks towards the door and opens it.
"Yeah, the thing you were here for was experience after all. Unless... Maybe you just enjoy my company?"
I stare as she then strikes a cute pose after saying that.
"Joking~ Anyway, you're done for the day. See you tomorrow!"
I walk out of the infirmary, slightly blushing as she closes the door behind me.
'...I feel like this is gonna be tiresome in a different way.'

Ping!
I pick up my phone and check the message that arrived.
'From Tomo. I wonder what he wants...
...?'
"My cat is missing! Have you two happened to see it?"
"...Huh?"