Interlude IV (Friday I, Conclusion)

Friday night, with the clock almost approaching midnight. ‘What did you get yourself into this time, Hikari? I hope it was worth nearly dying over,’ the doctor asked, with a hushed voice, as her view poured over the stricken patient.

Some irritation could be heard as she finished speaking. Her gaze drifted away from her hands (busy tending to the patient’s wounds), towards Hikari’s face.

Her long lashes…

Her cute and cool hair; shiny, with the braid on one side and side-ponytail on the other…

Her lightly-glossed lips...

When she’s not busy spouting nonsense, she is quite beautiful, to be honest.

As her thoughts wandered, her eyes continued to trace the entire length of the patient.

‘What am I thinking? I still only care for her as much as any medical professional would.’ Though her slim, yet strong build, her unique classic, yet modern outfit and the lovely water lily that she wears in her hair would probably attract anybody, let alone a fan of nature like me.

Glaring, with irritation, ‘Unlike the last two instances that you came to me, now I’ve got to be alternating between two wounds; one on the back and a corresponding one on the front,’ the doctor murmured while steadily adjusting the patient’s upper-body.

The doctor momentarily diverted her attention to the damaged navy-blue underbust jacket, which then lay draped over a chair. She leaned over and pinched its fabric between an index finger and thumb while eyeing it for a short period.

Woven with some Kevlar fibres, I guess? That would explain the ability to slow only lower-energy projectiles to some extent.

This one landed impressively close to where the pistol round was extracted from on Monday. So unladylike; the unsightly state of this shoulder.

Well, at least these ones should heal without too much scarring, the doctor thought as she inspected the gauze and bandages that had been firmly compressed to the area slightly above her shoulder blade. She soon after gently lowered the woman back onto the recliner and rested a hand on the gauze and bandages which covered the patient’s front.

With little more to do besides staring at the clock and screen displaying her patient’s vital statuses, the doctor began to debate with herself. Surely you didn’t come all this way just to die on me. Then again, something stupid like “It’d be an honour for a lady like you to stay with me in my dying moments” does sound like something you’d say, or at least think. Ugh, whatever; please regain consciousness soon.

After almost an hour of near complete silence, the doctor’s eyes snapped away from absently staring. Finally. The flutter of your eyelids is a relief.

‘Ha-whaa? How did I? Ugggh.’ Waywardly, the patient’s eyes darted in multiple directions.

Really? Trying to rise while my hand’s still there? ‘Please hold still for a little while longer. I’ve applied pieces of gauze and some bandages to the wounded areas, but they’ll need a bit longer to properly set,’ the doctor explained, in a neutral tone of voice.

Amid the silence, Hikari turned and tilted her head towards the voice and smiled, softly offering, ‘In this moment, looking at your cute face, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.’

Huh? I don’t remember asking how you were feeling. I didn’t give you any anaesthetic either, so how can you still be talking such nonsense?? Tsubaki thought. I better act quickly, to prevent the conversation from meandering down an irritating path, again. ‘Luckily, this time, the bullet passed straight through without hitting any vital organs.’

‘Luckily? I knew it! You really do love me, nurse Tsubaki,’ the patient mumbled, mischievously.

‘No! And that’s Doctor Tsubaki!’ she exclaimed, face phasing to tomato-red. Lord, whatever did I do to deserve having to suffer such an idiot? she thought, whilst pressing down on the gauze placed on the patient’s front, prompting a stifled squeal from the black and purple-haired woman.

The doctor sighed. ‘Though I’m certain it’s against my better judgement to ask; what on earth were you up to, that resulted in this mess that I’m tending to at the moment?’

‘Welll, I wandered into an arms cache and while attempting to convince the eighteen others who were at the negotiating table to surrender their ordnance to the police, one of them got pretty upset and turned their assault rifle on me. Honestly; the guys in this area are way too tightly strung,’ Hikari jested, still staring up at the ceiling. Yeah, I know; you’re pretty pissed at me right now or condemning me at least.

‘And did you succeed?’ Tsubaki questioned, blankly.

‘Yeah; in the end, I was free to make an executive decision, so those weapons are probably being seized by anti-firearms officers as I lay here,’ she concluded, with a little smile.

The doctor’s mind flooded with different thoughts, including, surely there was a better way to handle the negotiation? Couldn’t somebody else have gone instead of you, while you’re healing?

I really wish you would take better care of yourself, if not for your sake, then maybe for mine. After her last thought, she sighed and with a hint of despair in her voice, softly commented, ‘You really do know how to find trouble, don’t you?’

Just as the patient had settled down and seemingly drifted off once more, the brief period of calm was shattered by the loud, disruptive crackle of automatic gunfire in the street outside.

‘Eep!’

Following the squeal, Tsubaki instinctively lifted her patient from her resting spot and hauled her to the corner of the clinic furthest away from the street.

Thankfully, the changing/ examination cubicle is sturdy enough to protect you, should things really get out of hand; it was initially made to resist earthquakes, after all.

After multiple bursts and single blasts of gunfire outside, the raging gun battle paused, returning the area to silence.

The period of calm ended with an almighty blast which vigorously shook everything, created a gaping hole in the front of the clinic, scattered debris everywhere inside and jolted the black and purple-haired woman awake.

Great; one of a few things the insurance doesn’t cover; terrorist acts, the doctor thought, as she frowned at the patient, before her cheeks transitioned to glowing red and her lips quivered, as the woman’s eyelashes fluttered. Eek! Why now?!? Your face is all I can see!

Oh no.

I never got to see them while you were unconscious, but up-close, your rich, amethyst eyes produce an almost inescapable gravitational effect; I can’t look away, even though I want to, especially as we’re standing with our chests brushing against each other.

The woman flashed the doctor a mischievous smile. Oh ho? Pressing me up against the wall? And here I thought that it’d be me who makes the first move. ‘Ah, so you’re one of those doctors? I see…’

The doctor hastily darted from the changing cubicle and underdressed patient. Get your mind out of that gutter, woman!

‘Uwah; what a mess! Here I was thinking that the scene after storming that weapons stockpile was a disaster zone,’ Hikari jested, relatively quietly, as she surveyed the wreckage with slightly widened eyes. She then hurried to add, ‘Just so you know; this one wasn’t my fault, I think.’

‘Hmm, I’ll let you off, just this once,’ Tsubaki begrudgingly remarked, with a forced smile. Her tone shifted to less tense and almost relieved, ‘At least the destruction didn’t destroy what I was working on.’

After brushing away the debris on the examination recliner, Hikari sat back down. It’s been years since I’ve been afflicted by that post-operation drowsiness; this takes me back… She enquired, with curiosity evident in her voice, ‘Eh? What were you working on?’ After a brief pause, she continued, with a mischievous smile, ‘I can’t imagine it was anything lewd, but it must have been pretty interesting if you were still here, this late at night.’

Rolling her eyes, the doctor internally remarked, How can somebody in that injured state still have enough capacity to be so idiotic!? Eventually, she let out a small sigh and admitted, ‘I was actually working on a personal project; nothing to do with medicine.’

‘I see; and that’s all you’re gonna tell me?’ Hikari remarked, intensifying the stare that she gave the doctor.

‘Huh!?’ You’re genuinely interested? I didn’t anticipate that permutation for this conversation. ‘You’re awfully inquisitive tonight; you’re not spying on me for the benefit of some shady organisation, are you?’ she asked in a slightly nervous tone.

‘Wouldn’t that be a fun assignment, heh,’ Hikari muttered quietly, with a little smile.

While shooting a disapproving glare, ‘I can hear you over there, you know,’ Tsubaki replied.

‘No shady organisation; just an innocent young lady who thinks that the doctor is beautiful, smart and intriguing, in her own way,’ she quickly remarked, with a flirtatious smile, quickly followed by a hushed utterance of, ‘although she’s a hopeless tsundere.’

The doctor’s head raised slightly and she dramatically inhaled, to signal her annoyance. This woman! Honestly; who in the world did I upset to deserve this? She really doesn’t get it; does she? I’m not lovey-dovey at all! I am not letting you steer this conversation back into the gutter or letting you get the sense that you’re in control of the discourse. Tsubaki fought back with, ‘As if you’d even care what I was doing,’ irritation evident in her voice.

‘Try me,’ Hikari fired back firmly, with a friendly smile, which relaxed the doctor’s expression a bit, at least.

‘I was working on an AI; it’s been my pet project for the past couple of years.’ Kind of embarrassing to be revealing information like this about me to you, of all people.

‘Ah; that’d explain the laptop then. Are you planning on using that project for an app or a robot or something? Either way, it sounds pretty cool; I know I could probably never do anything like that...’ Hikari concluded, with a friendly smile, though her voice carried a pensive tinge.

‘Colour me surprised, I never pegged you for having any tact,’ Tsubaki replied, slightly playfully. ‘It’s for small autonomous robots; land, air and to an extent, water.’ Her explanation cued Hikari to give a nod of approval, with her facial expression clearly saying not bad.

‘I may have fallen a bit behind on science and technology as of recent, but I can respect a good hustle, Hon. I think it’d be pretty cool to see a robot that you make as well, hehe,’ she admitted. Yep; you’re exactly who I thought you might be. And thus, your fate has been sealed…

The doctor absently stared at Hikari, pondering. Eh? That might have been the most well-mannered tone of voice you’ve used all night. Who’d have thought; she does have her admirable moments, I guess. This one’s still got a very long way to go, though; if she thinks she can convince me that she’s the kind of person I’d fall for, not that I plan on doing so anyway.

Hikari broke the peaceful silence that fleetingly filled the destroyed clinic. ‘You know it’s only going to get worse, right? I’d know; after all, I get involved in those battles all the time and keep ending up here needing your expertise.’

‘Hmm, you might actually be right. But where would I even go? So far as I know, pretty much everywhere either has or is descending into chaos.’

‘I have a place away from the city that should be safe, for now. We could stay there for a little bit and if you like the area, I could help you set up a new operation there,’ Hikari calmly responded. I doubt she’ll buy it, but I guess it’s worth a shot, right?

‘Right. You’re suggesting that we go together?’ Tsubaki responded, eyes narrowing, with suspicion.

‘Well, yeah,’ the patient responded cheerily.

‘Why would I agree to something like that?’

‘Well, I can handle all of the bad guys if or when they come and you can patch me up if or when things go sideways. I think we’ve got pretty much everything covered between us.’ The black and purple-haired woman smiled warmly as she finished.

‘Yeeaah, no, thanks,’ the doctor replied blankly. You were dead weight more than anything when the chaos outside raged on a little while ago.

Playfully frustrated, ‘Come onnn; where’s your sense of adventure?’ After a brief pause, she added, ‘At this rate, you’ll die alone in this clinic, and I can’t have that happen,’ transitioning to a more serious expression.

Following a hearty sigh, ‘Fine, but don’t get the wrong idea; if you’re offering to be my bodyguard for free, then that’s fine by me.’ After a brief pause, ‘I guess your idea could work, but if it goes wrong or I don’t like it, you’re getting left on your ones, I promise you,’ the doctor firmly added.

Twas a close call, but I’ve succeeded! Hikari flashed a pleased smile. Clearly, you’re not certain though, so I’m gonna have to do things a bit differently if I want to make you mine.

Following another strange silence descending on the open-air clinic, Hikari rose to her feet and delicately skipped towards what used to be the front of the clinic. I guess I’ll get the car ready while you finish packing up your belongings and stashing away work-related contents then.

Her purple eyes fixed to one spot near where the entrance used to be. Ah.

‘So, um, Tsubaki, you wouldn’t happen to have a vehicle we can use?? Hikari asked nervously, frowning in disappointment. Poor thing got caught in the same blast that wrecked the clinic, I see.

‘I do have a bike, why?’ slightly perplexed, Tsubaki asked slowly.

Turning back to the doctor, ‘Yeah; we’re not gonna be able to use that car that I came in; it sort of got blown up, heh.’ She laughed, although disappointment weighed heavily on her voice.

‘Well, that’s inconvenient,’ Tsubaki began, sounding a bit annoyed. First you get shot and then your car gets blown up; I’m not sure if I should be irritated with the amount of trouble you’re bringing into my life or feel sorry for you, with the bad day that you’re having.

Offering a light comforting smile, ‘My bike’s across the street, among that row of them,’ Tsubaki offered whilst pointing in the direction of a row of scooters, neatly arranged, diagonally, at the opposite edge of the road.

After collecting her helmet from under her desk, the pair briskly advanced in the direction of the bikes. Once they arrived at the other edge of the road, Tsubaki stashed her bag in the luggage compartment, before letting her hair down and tying it into a single ponytail, followed by putting on her mint green helmet, prompting the other woman’s eyes to widen as she fixed her with a surprised stare.

Um, what? Of all the bikes here, the dark grey Varg is yours?? ‘Wait, wait, wait. This one’s yours?’

‘Yes. Is it such a big surprise?’

‘I thought you’d ride a regular scooter, like a normal person; not a high-performance electric dirt bike.’

‘I guess you’ll be surprised to hear that it’s the 60kW Alpha spec as well then. I originally bought it with adventuring intentions, but that’s a conversation for another time; let’s get moving before more trouble heads our way,’ the doctor coldly informed, taking a seat on the bike and depositing her bag in the rear storage basket.

Before flicking down her visor, she lectured, ‘Ground rules; one; no idle chatter, two; no sudden movements, three; no funny business when holding my waist, understood?’

Was the harsh glare for the point about the waist really necessary? ‘Yes, yes,’ Hikari sulked. Such a tease; giving her audience the chance to admire her with a fresh hairstyle and then telling them to keep any and all opinions to themselves. Still, I’ll definitely take this opportunity to make like those pair of young ladies who toured on an electrified XT225 Serow as a win.

‘You’re going to be navigating anyway, so you should focus on that,’ the doctor advised, as she took her seat.

Before she could start the bike, Hikari quickly responded with a bow, ‘Thank you! For the ride and for patching me up this past week, obviously.’

Huh!? Where did that come from?? I appreciate that you’re thankful, but that’s a bit out of the blue, that and it’s almost unsettling how proper you’re being. ‘Sure, whatever; quit being embarrassing and let’s go,’ Tsubaki responded, gently, yet still audibly dismissive.

Smiling again, Hikari took her seat and responded equally as gently, but more positively, ‘Let the girls’ ride begin.’ I’ll not rock the boat, so to speak, so I’ll keep my true thoughts and feelings concealed for the time being.

Riding under a starry sky, hands around her waist, heading for the family home would be a pretty romantic affair, if you weren’t so guarded, Doc.

It won’t matter either way, Tsubaki; just as I sneak into hostile territories before anybody knows it, I will sneak into your heart before too long as well...

❀

‘The entire scene cleared out and not a scratch on us; that’s pretty good going, if you ask me,’ the woman with a bright orange highlight and long ponytail commented, with a satisfied smile on her face.

Both herself and Kasumi casually strolled further East, though they planned not to stray too far away where the confrontation had just occurred.

They had concluded together that staying with a local for the night might be the best way to both get a shower and possibly find some information on the remainder of the gang they had tangled with.

While the car that remained at the scene, (with keys still in the ignition) would have been good for making quick progress on their travels, the women agreed that it would probably be too hot to be of any real use to them.

During the late-night stroll, Renka could also be seen frowning slightly, while she considered, I wonder if she’ll forgive me for not being armed at the start of whatever mission we take on next? Then again, carrying or trying to use a loud weapon wouldn’t be of much use anyway; it’d just put one or both of us in more danger than necessary. Argh! Dear God, if you’re listening, please help me cross paths with somebody carrying a suppressed weapon, or at least one with a threaded barrel. I’m also gonna have to figure out a good time to explain to her what caused that misfire and avoid playing with thermal energy until then…

The area surrounding the gang installation that the pair had just disrupted showed little signs of disruption and appeared relatively peaceful, partly because it wasn’t too far from a police station, but also the proximity to mountainous areas, plus a dense population of shrines and temples had contributed to the relatively low criminal activity as well.

Rather than heading toward the region’s capital city, Renka insisted on sticking to a route that ran along the outskirts. This route took the captain’s fancy as it would lead the two women past more mountains, forests and parks despite its proximity to the residential and inner-city areas.

Renka concluded that she had collected enough information to at least start her own investigation into where the remaining gang leader could be. ‘Maybe if we’re lucky; he’ll come to us, just like the other leader did, heh,’ Renka commented, after turning to Kasumi, gaily smiling.

She wandered closer to the black and pink-haired woman as they advanced and linked onto her right arm. Leaning in, she quietly and playfully asked, ‘Say, Kasumi, how was your first time?’

‘Given that neither of us died or so much as got injured, I think it was alright. I might change my mind if the police decide to get in touch with us later on about it though.’

You and your ridiculously high energy and enthusiasm levels are one fire that I’m definitely not going to add any unnecessary fuel to, especially after the rush of today. I could tell you that it’s been years since I’ve had to rely on someone and have things go as smoothly as they did back there, but that would probably set you off like a firework. We didn’t really have any time to plan out how to deal with the second wave of gang members and yet still managed to deal with them as if it were a coordinated strike. What’s more remarkable is that we managed to pull it off without even exchanging any words when things kicked off; almost as if we were naturally in sync, transcending the need to communicate. Or maybe I’m just so unfamiliar with all of this that I’m just imagining things; who knows…

Attempting to make eye contact with Kasumi, while still wrapped around her right arm, Renka reacted softly, ‘You knooww, I was actually pretty impressed with how well we worked together back there. Effective planning is one thing, but being able to work well with a partner in a life-or-death situation on the first operation is pretty special, especially when they’re coming from two entirely different backgrounds.’ Gaze drifting away from her companion, Renka pondered for a short while. ‘If or when we get some free time, we have definitely got to face each other; it’d be fun to find out where your weak points are.’ After a short pause, she tightened her grip on Kasumi’s arm slightly and resumed softly, ‘We still have some work to do, but after how this week has been so far, I’m looking forward to wherever this road leads us together.’

Under the starlit sky, with the sound of rustling trees not too far away, the area of the city that the women strolled through had a tranquil atmosphere; almost the polar opposite of the scene they were in the midst of almost an hour prior.

Even I can sense the intimacy of the moment, but I honestly don’t know how to respond to you, despite not being in objection to your thoughts and even having aligned opinions in some places. Kasumi gently replied, a hint of warmth almost evident, ‘I’m looking forward to it too.’