Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

1.22 Nurses Advice

A dull, rhythmic beeping met Y/N's ears before anything else.

The world felt foggy and her limbs weighed her down as though she were submerged underwater. A slow, dragging pulse echoed in her skull, reminding her of the last thing she remembered—well, she didn't remember much at all.

Y/N's eyelids fluttered open, met instantly by the white fluorescent glow of... the nurse's office? The sterile scent of disinfectant filled her nose, and for a brief moment, confusion laced her thoughts. What...?

Then she heard a voice, hushed yet sharp.

"I'm just saying, maybe two people is too much right now. So, you can stop standing there like a useless twig," Mika's familiar voice muttered.

A scoff. "A useless twig? Maybe you should be the one to—"

"Oh, please, Akira. She doesn't need a man right now."

"Excuse me?" Akira's voice was low, warning.

Y/N blinked blearily at the ceiling, momentarily more entertained by the bickering than concerned about her own state. Were they seriously arguing over this?

Then a soft rustling caught Y/N's attention, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing closer. Before she could fully register the approaching presence, a sudden clatter rang out, then—

"You shoved me!" Mika accused.

Akira sounded indignant. "I did not shove you."

Mika huffed. "You put your arm out—intentionally—to block me."

"Because you were in my way," Akira snapped.

"Ohhh, I was in your way? I was the one furthest from her."

Akira let out a long, long, slow breath, clearly restraining himself. "Bitch."

Silence.

Mika let out a noise of frustration. "I hate you so much right now, you little bastard!"

Y/N finally let out a weak cough, it was probably best to end their discussion right about now. The two voices immediately cut off. A sharp scrape of a table, followed by hurried footsteps.

"You're awake!"

A blur of movement, and then Mika and Akira were at Y/N's bedside, leaning in a little too close. She blinked slowly at them, throat dry as she tried to summon words. "...What happened?"

She barely managed to croak it out before Mika turned expectantly to Akira—who, for some reason, had gone stone cold silent.

Y/N, despite being still groggy, immediately caught the tension in his posture. His jaw was clenched so tightly she thought he might shatter his teeth, and there was something in his gaze she was seeing a lot more often, something dark.

Mika hesitated before rolling her eyes. "Oh, for god's sake—look, you fainted, Y/N. Collapsed right before your second class." She said it lightly, but it was clear concern edged her tone. "You've been overworking yourself."

Y/N frowned. "...What do you mean?"

Mika shifted on her feet, avoiding her gaze. "Well... The nurse said you shouldn't have to go to all your classes anymore and the principal agreed. Just your Circle classes. The rest have been temporarily dropped."

Y/N blinked. That took a moment to process.

Her? Not taking classes? That wasn't—

She wasn't given a choice?

She turned to Akira instinctively, but his expression hadn't softened. If anything, his jaw ticked, and when he finally spoke, his voice was a low murmur.