CHAPTER 102: CH 102: YOU DON’T LOOK SO GOOD - PART 2

Kana’s heart pounded in her chest as she struggled under Lysera’s weight.

Every second that ticked by made her panic rise higher, her breath quickening, her arms trembling with effort as she tried—and failed—to lift Lysera properly.

Her strength wasn’t enough. The realization cut into her sharply, leaving her frozen and gasping as dread settled over her.

That was when Irielle’s voice cut through.

"Kana."

Kana turned her head sharply, startled, finding Irielle standing just inside the doorway.

Her sharp eyes narrowed as she scanned the scene, and in a single glance she seemed to read every thought running through Kana’s head. She clicked her tongue in irritation.

"Stop panicking. You’ll only waste time."

Kana opened her mouth to protest, but the words tangled with her breathless struggle. Her lips quivered, unable to form a reply.

With a sigh, Irielle abandoned whatever preparations she had been making and stepped forward.

She crouched down, slipping Lysera’s arm over her shoulder with ease.

Her movements were swift, efficient, not hesitating even for a moment as she pulled Lysera upright and braced her weight against herself.

"I’ll move her inside. You make the preparations. Water. Towels. Whatever you need."

She said firmly.

The relief Kana felt at hearing that made her exhale shakily.

"R-right. I’ll handle it."

With their roles switched, she found herself suddenly free to act. Her legs moved faster now, darting toward the house with purpose.

Meanwhile, Irielle supported Lysera as though it was the most natural thing in the world, her strength and composure evident in every step she took as she bore the sick woman’s weight.

Kana, halfway into the kitchen, paused for just a moment and glanced back over her shoulder.

The sight she saw struck her unexpectedly. Irielle, calm and steady, carrying Lysera’s fragile form, their figures pressed together as though perfectly matched.

Something about it made them seem—if only for an instant—like they belonged in that position, as though they completed a picture Kana herself couldn’t quite fit into.

Her throat tightened at the thought, her chest aching in a way she didn’t want to name.

Then Irielle’s sharp voice shattered it.

"Kana! The water, now!"

Kana flinched, heat rushing to her face as she spun back around.

"Y-yes!"

Shaking the distraction away, she threw herself into her tasks, rushing to fill basins with cool water, gathering cloths and whatever else came to mind.

By the time she returned, Irielle had managed to settle Lysera onto the bed, propping her against the pillows with an almost military precision.

Kana knelt beside the bed and pressed the damp cloth to Lysera’s forehead, brushing strands of damp hair away as she worked.

The heat radiating from Lysera’s skin was enough to make her shiver. It felt as though her fever was blazing unchecked, no matter how carefully they tried to bring it down.

"Irielle. This isn’t enough. Her fever’s too strong. We need a doctor to look at her."

Kana murmured, worry lacing her tone.

Irielle, standing at the side of the bed with her arms folded, frowned.

"You think I’d leave you here alone with her, in this condition?"

Her voice carried that same edge of irritation as before, but beneath it, Kana could hear something else—a quiet refusal born of unease.

Kana raised her eyes, meeting hers.

"Please. Look at her. It’s dangerous to wait. If something happens because we didn’t act, we’ll regret it."

The weight in her gaze was different from her usual meekness. It was firm, unwavering, a silent plea that demanded to be taken seriously.

Irielle’s lips parted, ready to argue, but the sight of Kana’s determined expression seemed to take the words from her.

For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then she let out a slow, reluctant exhale.

"...Fine."

Kana’s shoulders eased with relief, though worry still clouded her features.

"I’ll get someone. But if anything happens while I’m gone—"

Irielle said, her tone clipped, almost like she was swallowing her irritation whole.

"It won’t. I’ll be here. I’ll take care of her."

Kana interrupted quickly, her voice steady despite the anxiety gripping her.

"Tsk, she’s not the one I’m worried about, Idiot. You are the one who disregards her safety for other’s sake. I’m afraid what you would...nevermind. I will go and come back soon. Just, don’t get yourself hurt or anything. I’ll be back soon."

Irielle studied her for another beat before finally turning and heading toward the door.

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Kana let her attention fall back to Lysera. She adjusted the cloth on her forehead, dipping it back into the basin and pressing it down again.

The heat still hadn’t relented. Kana bit her lip, her chest tightening as she whispered softly,

"It’ll be fine. Just hold on a little longer."

She smoothed her hand down Lysera’s arm, as though the contact itself could reassure her.

"You don’t need to worry about anything right now. I’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of you."

Her voice trembled at the end, but she forced the words out anyway, clinging to them like a promise.

Kana’s hand lingered on Lysera’s arm, the feverish heat pulsing against her palm. She felt so fragile like this, so unlike the confident figure she usually saw.

The weight of responsibility pressed harder on Kana’s shoulders, and though her heart raced, she kept her movements steady—changing cloths, keeping the water cool, making sure Lysera was as comfortable as possible.

She kept speaking in low tones, even if Lysera couldn’t hear her.

"It’s okay... everything’s under control. You just need to rest."

The words were as much for herself as they were for Lysera.

Every sound from outside made her glance toward the door, waiting for Irielle to return. But until then, she refused to falter.

She forced her breaths to stay even, her hands to stay calm.

No matter how uncertain she felt, Kana would not let Lysera sense it—not while she was relying on her so completely