tears of mercury | beastars

chapter 8. THE GODMOTHER SIGHS

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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The sunlight outside was starting to soften, casting warm golden tones across the school grounds. After concluding her business with the Gardening Club, (Name) decided her next stop would be the school clinic.

She walked briskly down the corridor, clutching the rough sketch of the rose decorations Dom had given her earlier. The image of Haru's bandaged arm briefly flashed in her mind, and though she pushed it aside, her unease lingered.

The clinic door creaked slightly as (Name) opened it, stepping inside. The sterile smell of alcohol and cleaning products immediately greeted her, along with the faint sound of papers rustling in the background. Dr. Akagi, a male koala and the school's doctor, looked up from his desk. His small, round glasses perched on his nose as his beady eyes blinked in surprise.

"Ms. Amamiya, what brings you here?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.

"Hello, Doctor. I need some painkillers and a roll of bandages." (Name) replied, walking toward his desk.

The doctor raised a brow, setting aside the file he had been reviewing. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No, not me. It's for someone else. Nothing serious."

Dr. Akagi leaned back in his chair, his short legs barely reaching the floor. He studied her with a measured expression, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "Are you sure it's nothing serious? If it is, you should bring them here for proper treatment. Painkillers and bandages can only do so much."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, her tone polite but firm. "Thank you, Doctor."

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Rising from his seat, he moved to a cabinet and retrieved the items she requested. "Here," he said, handing her the small bottle of pills and a neatly packed roll of bandages. "But remind them—if the situation worsens, they need to come see me."

"I will," she assured him, tucking the items into her pockets. "Thanks again."

With that, (Name) left the clinic, the door clicking shut behind her.

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Most of the Drama Club's members had either gone back to their dormitories or were wrapping up for the day, checking props and tidying up the stage. The air hummed with a blend of excitement and exhaustion as the New Student Welcome Event drew closer.

(Name) scanned the room, her eyes searching for a certain red deer. When she didn't immediately spot him, her gaze swept over the space more carefully. Finally, she noticed a figure backstage, seated on the floor behind the thick velvet curtain. His back was to her, his posture rigid despite the casual setting.

She approached quietly, stopping a few steps away. "Hey." she said softly.

Louis whipped his head around, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. His brows were drawn tightly together, his gaze burning with frustration—or perhaps something deeper. The intensity of his stare felt like a physical weight, but (Name) didn't flinch.

"What do you want?" he snapped, his voice low but edged with irritation.

She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "If you're feeling unwell, you should rest before the play. Pushing yourself won't help anyone."

"I'm fine," he shot back immediately, the sharpness in his tone like a whip crack.

(Name) raised a brow, unimpressed by his defensiveness. She could tell something was bothering him—his usual composure was replaced with an uncharacteristic tenseness. But she decided not to press too hard. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the small bottle of painkillers.

"Catch." she said simply, tossing it toward him.

Louis caught the bottle with ease, his reflexes sharp despite his apparent fatigue. He frowned at the object in his hand, then looked back at her. "I don't need this." he muttered, his tone quieter now but no less stubborn.

(Name) was already turning to leave, her footsteps light on the wooden floor. Over her shoulder, she called, "Take them if it gets serious. And don't worry—I'm not the type to spread rumors about whatever's going on with you."

Her voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. "Rest up. The Drama Club needs its star in top shape."

For a moment, Louis just stared after her, the bottle of painkillers still in his hand. He clenched his jaw, his pride warring with the dull ache in his body. He hated appearing weak, especially in front of others. But (Name)'s words lingered in his mind, their sincerity cutting through his defensiveness.

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Louis leaned his head back against the wall, exhaling a long, slow breath.

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As (Name) exited the auditorium, the cool evening air brushed against her skin. She paused for a moment, gazing up at the darkening sky. Her thoughts wandered through the day's events—from discussing roses with the Gardening Club to her visit to the clinic, and finally, her tense exchange with Louis in the Drama Club.

Each encounter carried its own weight, weaving into the fabric of her responsibilities. Her hand drifted to her pocket, brushing over the bandages she had asked for earlier. She thought of Haru and her injured arm, briefly debating whether to visit her tonight. But it was late, and Haru was likely in her dormitory room or doing the territory time. Tomorrow, she decided, would be a better time.

The school grounds were quiet now, with most students back in their rooms or doing the territory time that is used once every two days. In the stillness, (Name) reflected on her role at Cherryton Academy.

The tension between species and personal struggles of others often seemed overwhelming, yet she found herself drawn to helping in whatever way she could. Whether it was arranging flowers for the New Student Welcome Event or offering support to Louis, she felt her efforts, however small, carried meaning.

Cherryton wasn't just a school to her—it was a sanctuary, a place where she could find purpose amidst the chaos.

With a quiet sigh, she straightened her posture and began walking toward the dormitories. If she squinted into the distance, she could almost swear she saw Igarashi and the others waving at her from afar.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new moments to navigate, and new burdens to bear. Yet, (Name) welcomed it all.

This was her way of contributing, of carving out her place in a world that often felt divided. Every small action, no matter how insignificant it seemed, felt like a step toward something meaningful.

Whatever lay ahead, she knew she was ready to face it, confident in her ability to make a difference.

✅ EDITED