SHARPER || Chishiya Alice in Boarderland

-40- no complaining

The next day, my routine is the same as always. I go through the motions, dropping off things for the others, making small talk, checking in. But as usual, I find myself lingering at the last room, the one that's becoming something of an endpoint for my rounds. A final stop before I head out.

When I step inside, nothing has changed. Niragi Suguru, as the label on his bed reads, is still unconscious, his body still covered in burns that look impossibly painful. The sight of his charred skin unsettles me, but I ignore the instinct to recoil. It's just skin. Just wounds. Nothing more.

And across from him, Chishiya lies there, looking as uninterested in life as ever.

"Morning, sunshine," I say, setting my bag down. "Miss me?"

Chishiya doesn't even glance at me. "Unfortunately, you're hard to ignore."

I grin. "Good. That means I'm doing something right."

I pull out the salve again and move over to Niragi's, bedside, gently taking one of his burned hands in mine. The skin is rough, cracked, and fragile. I work carefully, spreading the ointment with deliberate movements, trying not to cause any unnecessary pain—not that he would feel it in his current state.

Chishiya watches me silently. As always, his gaze is heavy, analyzing, picking things apart. I ignore it for as long as I can, but eventually, he speaks.

"You're too slow."

I scoff, not looking at him. "Excuse me?"

"Your technique is inefficient," he continues blandly. "You waste time hesitating."

I roll my eyes. "Forgive me for not treating burned skin like I'm buttering toast."

"You don't have to be reckless. Just precise."

I huff. "Oh, and you would do it better?"

"Yes."

I glare at him. "Then by all means, Doctor Shuntaro, get up and take over."

He smirks. "I'm comfortable here."

"Of course you are," I mutter, shaking my head. "You just like criticizing me."

"Because you react so well to it."

I point the salve jar at him. "One day, I'm going to ignore you."

He raises a brow. "I doubt it."

I exhale, finishing up Niragi's arms before stepping back. "Alright, done." I turn to him. "Your turn."

Chishiya doesn't move. He just looks at me.

I cross my arms. "Have you been outside today?"

He stares.

"Don't give me that look. You need to walk a little. Get some fresh air."

"I don't need fresh air," he replies flatly.

"Oh, so you're a plant now? Surviving purely on photosynthesis?"

"I prefer controlled environments."

I groan. "You're a doctor. You know better than anyone that movement is important for recovery."

He exhales slowly, like I'm the exhausting one. "I'm still alive."

"Barely." I narrow my eyes. "Tell you what. I'll make it worth your while."

He blinks, intrigued but unimpressed. "Doubtful."

I grin. "If you walk with me for ten minutes, I'll give you a surprise."

His stare sharpens. "I don't like surprises."

"You'll like this one."

There's a beat of silence. "Tempting." Then, he hums. "But no."