Azur Lane: Rebirth

Ch9: Recovery

Fuck my life and every decision I've made since my return. Life? I'd give it all away if it meant no longer experiencing this pain but try as I might it seems my new body refuses to die...well I suppose my old body also refused to die but the fuck do I care! This is hell! What did I do to deserve this?

Z23: Lady Hood, you need to finish drinking the medicine.

Me: Medicine? Is that what you're calling that bowl of liquid shit?

Z23 laughs at my words but still insists that I drink the absolutely rancid thing she has in her hand. Just looking at it makes me want to puke.

Me: Take it away. If staying in bed is all that I need to do to recover then I promise I won't move another inch, just throw that thing down the sink.

Z23: It's not that bad. 

As if to show me herself, she puts a spoonful into her mouth. I can only laugh as I watch her face turn green before she hurriedly excuses herself as she hightails it out the room.

I'm still rolling with laughter when Vestal comes in and when she sees the bowl still full, begins berating me for not taking my medicine.

Me: Vestal, with all due respect, I'd rather die.

Vestal scoffs, taking the bowl, before muttering under her breath that I should just go do what I said if I'm not going to let her treat me properly.

I'm surprised by her words but they further confirm that this Vestal is not the one I'm used to from the Eagle Union. 

Me: I'm sorry. I appreciate all that you've done for me but can't you at least make something that's not so...disgusting?

She looks at me before sighing. I tense up as she walks over, picking up a glass of water as she does.

Vestal: Here.

She hands me some capsules and the glass of water before demanding that I take them before her eyes. Seeing this as the much preferable choice, I hastily down them before opening my mouth to show her that it's all gone.

Vestal: Good, now get some rest.

She begins packing up her things when Z23 returns to the room but freezes upon seeing Vestal. The latter ignores her presence as she makes her way to the door but right as she's about to leave, I open my mouth.

Me: Thank you.

Vestal doesn't reply but I can see her smile as she closes the door behind her.

Z23: I'm sorry for trying to force you to drink that...that...thing.

Me: Haha. It's fine. At least now you know how I feel.

Her face goes green again as she remembers the taste and she hurriedly excuses herself once more, even as my laughter rings out into the hallway after her.

Perhaps life isn't as bad as I made it out to be. Perhaps this life will be fun, after all.