Chapter 29: She, in the Infirmary
Adele hadn’t expected Tang Linlang to suddenly suggest a trip to the infirmary during class… but she was eternally grateful. It had spared her from enduring another twenty minutes of agonizing discomfort.
It also meant that Linlang had been paying attention, had noticed her struggle, and had cared enough to do something about it.
Thank you, Linlang.
Adele’s fondness for the other girl grew.
She really was a good person: kind, compassionate, hardworking, and determined. Whoever ended up with her would be a lucky girl indeed.
Besides, a trip to the infirmary meant a legitimate excuse to skip the rest of class!
Adele’s eyes brightened. It was a win-win situation!
A small smile touched her lips, and her gaze, as she looked at Linlang, softened with gratitude.
Linlang carefully helped Adele navigate the hallways towards the infirmary, her movements gentle and attentive, a clear indication of her concern. She felt Adele’s gaze on her, and her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks warming.
Was it the gentle breeze blowing through the open windows, or something else entirely?
“Linlang,” Adele said, her voice soft and hesitant. “Could we… stop by the restroom first?”
Linlang’s eyes widened slightly, then dropped, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. She didn’t dare ask Adele what she needed to do in the restroom. She didn’t dare ask if… if Dorothy had done something to her… something inappropriate.
Even if she had, Linlang knew she would have to pretend she didn’t know. Otherwise… Adele would be mortified.
Adele… was her friend. Her inspiration. The light that had guided her through the darkness.
Even if that light had been tainted, stained with the shadows of the vampire world… in Linlang’s heart, it still shone brightly.
Her gaze hardened with resolve, and she nodded firmly.
Was she agreeing to Adele’s request? Or was she reaffirming her own determination?
The restroom was just around the corner. Adele, practically dragging Linlang along, quickened her pace, her relief palpable.
Wait… Is that the right analogy?
It didn’t matter. Nothing was more important at this moment than finding relief.
They parted ways at the entrance to the restroom, Adele practically diving into the stall marked with the universal symbol for “women.”
Linlang waited outside, her cheeks burning, her mind conjuring up all sorts of… interesting scenarios. She imagined Adele, inside the stall, taking out Dorothy’s…
Time seemed to stretch on, each passing second an eternity. Or maybe it was just Linlang’s overactive imagination playing tricks on her.
She didn’t even notice when Adele emerged from the restroom, her relief evident in her relaxed posture and the cheerful lilt in her voice.
Adele, oblivious to Linlang’s internal turmoil, patted her shoulder, leaving a damp spot on her shirt. She had washed her hands, after all. A little bit of water was to be expected.
Besides, she was a tactile person, comfortable with physical contact.
Linlang, startled by the sudden touch, jumped slightly, her eyes widening as she noticed the damp spot on her shirt. Her gaze darted to Adele’s lower body, her breath catching in her throat.
“What’s wrong? Is there something on me?” Adele asked, completely oblivious to her own allure. She leaned in closer, her face almost touching Linlang’s hair, her breath warm and sweet.
“Linlang, take me to the infirmary~” she said, her voice soft and coaxing, a natural charmer.
It was a request that was hard to resist.
Adele had never been one to pay attention to maps in novels. She was a lore enthusiast, not a cartographer. She had no idea where the infirmary was located. Even finding her classroom that morning had required Hermione’s assistance.
So, she needed Linlang, a native of this world, to guide her.
“…O-Okay,” Linlang stammered, her cheeks burning even brighter as Adele leaned in close. Her heart was racing so fast that she wondered if she was the one who needed medical attention.
They walked in silence, their earlier intimacy replaced by a strange awkwardness. Linlang couldn’t shake off the feeling that something had changed, that the closeness they had shared earlier had vanished.
It left a bitter taste in her mouth, a sense of… loss.
She tried to distract herself by focusing on Adele’s well-being.
“Are you feeling better now, Adele?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Adele almost blurted out, “Much better!” It was an automatic response, a desire to reassure the person who cared about her, even if it meant stretching the truth.
And to be fair, she was feeling much better.
But if she said she was completely fine… then she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the free bed and air conditioning in the infirmary, would she?
So, she bit her lip, her gaze darting away as she said, “I’m still a little uncomfortable. I think… I just need to rest for a bit.”
“Thank you, Linlang,” she added, her voice softening. “You’re the only one in the entire class who cares about me.”
She leaned in close, her touch lingering on Linlang’s arm.
Linlang, of course, didn’t pull away. She couldn’t. But the closer Adele got, the harder it was to hide her blush, the frantic beating of her heart.
They were both girls… but something within Linlang whispered that… it had to be Adele. No one else would do.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you, Adele,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“Before I met you… I was lost, adrift, powerless to change my fate.”
“You… you made me realize that I couldn’t just… give up.”
“You… you gave me a reason to keep going.”
Or perhaps… Adele had become her reason to keep going.
“So… Adele… don’t give up!” she said, her voice gaining strength. “Don’t let Dorothy… or anyone else… break you!”
She clenched her fists, her words a silent vow to stand by Adele’s side, to support her in any way she could.
Adele blinked, surprised by Linlang’s sudden outburst of encouragement. But she smiled, a genuine smile that lit up her face, and nodded.
“I won’t,” she said. “And you… Linlang… you’ll become an amazing vampire hunter! I believe in you.”
“You… you believe in me?” If anyone else had said those words, Linlang would have dismissed them as mockery, as a cruel joke. But coming from Adele… it made her wonder… Could it be true?
“Of course I do!” Adele said, her smile widening. There was no hesitation in her voice, no hint of doubt.
Linlang stared at her, mesmerized by her smile, her warmth, her unwavering belief. It filled a void within her, a void that had been carved out by years of self-doubt and insecurity.
Even if she was weak, even if she didn’t believe in herself… someone did. Someone as beautiful and radiant as Adele.
“I… I won’t let you down,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
She quickly averted her gaze, afraid that Adele might see the depth of her feelings, the intensity of her… longing.
Adele, unaware of the turmoil within Linlang’s heart, simply nodded, assuming it was just a casual statement of support. She had no idea the kind of determination she had just ignited within the other girl, the desire to become… an amazing vampire hunter.
………………
The infirmary consisted of two rooms: a small office where the school nurse held her consultations, and a larger room, separated by a thin curtain, that housed three beds, each equipped with an IV stand.
It was a cramped space, designed for efficiency rather than comfort.
The infirmary was primarily used for treating minor ailments: colds, flus, sprains, and the occasional paper cut. It was a place for band-aids and over-the-counter medications, a haven for those seeking a temporary escape from the rigors of academy life.
They had recently added a vaccination service, though it hadn’t been very popular. Vampires, after all, were naturally resistant to most diseases, and the human elites often had access to healing magic.
For anything more serious, the infirmary was ill-equipped. Besides, Cromwell Academy was located right next to the city’s central hospital. If a student needed specialized care, they knew where to go.
So, the infirmary was, for the most part, a quiet place, a refuge for those seeking a legitimate excuse to skip class.
And the school nurse, a kind, middle-aged woman who enjoyed her quiet days, didn’t mind the occasional malingerer. A steady paycheck, a comfortable job, and the occasional amusing encounter… it was a rare find in today’s competitive job market.
If the infirmary were to be shut down due to lack of use… well, that would be a shame.
Today, however, was a busy day. Two patients in quick succession. It was a welcome change of pace, a chance for the nurse to feel useful, to dust off her medical skills. Even someone who enjoyed slacking off occasionally craved a sense of purpose.
The first patient was a beautiful young woman with long, flowing golden hair, her body covered in wounds. But she wasn’t seeking treatment for her injuries. She simply wanted to rest, to be alone.
The nurse, her heart filled with sympathy, had initially been outraged. Who could be so cruel as to harm such a lovely girl? They should be…
But then, she noticed the wound on the girl’s cheek, the one that pulsed with an icy blue energy, a telltale sign of the Ice Queen’s magic.
Oh… never mind.
Even the staff knew better than to question the actions of certain individuals within the academy.
The Ice Queen’s magic was unmistakable, its chilling aura a warning to all who crossed her path. But as far as the nurse knew, she wasn’t the type to abuse her power. So, what had transpired between her and this golden-haired girl?
It wasn’t that the nurse was prejudiced, or that she was trying to curry favor with the powerful… but was it possible that… the golden-haired girl had been the one at fault?
But it didn’t matter. Whatever had happened, the girl had clearly paid the price.
Celeste, ignoring the nurse’s curious gaze, walked towards the last bed, her shoulders slumped, her eyes dull and lifeless. She was on the verge of a breakdown, her usual confidence and pride replaced by a crushing despair.
She couldn’t bear to face the whispers, the mockery, the pitying looks from her classmates. She needed to escape, to hide, even if it was just for a little while.
She pulled the curtain closed, shutting out the world, seeking solace in the darkness.
Time seemed to stand still, each passing second an eternity, until the sound of the door opening, followed by the murmur of voices, startled her out of her reverie.
She flinched, her body instinctively curling up into a defensive ball.
And then… a voice, familiar yet unexpected, reached her ears, its melody as sweet and soothing as the sound of morning dew dripping from a peach blossom, its ripples echoing through her heart.
Thanks for the chapter (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧