Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 85 - Caregiver

Chapter 85 - Caregiver

I drifted into sleep, peaceful and safe, cocooned in the quiet comfort of knowing someone was looking out for me. Myrrh was out there, buying food and medicine, and that simple fact settled a warmth in my chest. Even in my feverish haze, it eased my mind enough to let me rest.

The soft click of my door opening stirred me awake. Blinking groggily, I turned my head to see Myrrh stepping inside, the faint hallway light casting a soft glow around her. She balanced a large pizza box in one hand and a bulging grocery bag in the other, her greenish-blonde hair catching the light like a streak of fresh spring.

"Pizza delivery..." Myrrh announced with a playful lilt, her cute silent voice cutting through the quiet as she set the pizza box down on my desk. The scent of melted cheese and spices drifted through the room, mingling with the cool, sterile smell of the medicine bottles she pulled from the grocery bag. Alongside them, she laid out bottled water and a few colorful sports drinks, their condensation glistening under the soft room light.

I grabbed my phone and squinted at the screen. Two hours had passed since she left. I pushed myself up, my head swimming with the effort. "It's been two hours, huh? I slept like a log and didn't even realize you'd been out that long." My voice was hoarse, each word dragging a little more energy from me.

"Well..." Myrrh gave me a sheepish grin, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I had to beat up an old lady just to get that last discount pizza coupon." She chuckled, the corners of her eyes crinkling in amusement. Before I could respond, she knelt beside me, pressing a cold tablet into my palm and holding up two bottles for me to choose from. "Water, or sports drink?"

"Water for now," I croaked, popping the tablet into my mouth and washing it down with a long swig from the bottle. The coolness slid down my throat, soothing the rawness there, though the lingering dizziness made me sink back onto my pillows.

Myrrh stood and stretched, glancing toward the kitchen. "May I borrow your rice cooker? I'll make you some porridge."

"Sure." I waved a weak hand in the air, my eyelids already drooping again. "I'll just lay here and feel sorry for myself."

Myrrh scoffed adorably at my comment, her nose crinkling as she rolled her eyes. Without missing a beat, she turned back to the other side of the room, unpacking the ingredients she'd bought from the convenience store. To be honest, she'd taken a bit of a shortcut — the porridge came in a ready-to-cook pack — but she still added a personal touch, cracking an egg into the pot and tossing in some greens. The gentle simmer of the rice cooker filled the quiet, accompanied by the soft clinking of utensils as she stirred.

I didn't tell her, but sleep felt impossible now. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, making it rumble loud enough to be embarrassing. The rich, savory aroma of the porridge drifted through the room, curling into my nose and making my mouth water. I shifted under the blankets, watching her quietly from my bed, though she didn't seem to notice.

A few minutes later, Myrrh glanced over her shoulder to check on me. Our eyes met. She blinked, startled, then smiled shyly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"It's ready. I hope it suits your taste buds," she said, carefully ladling the porridge into a bowl. The steam rose in soft tendrils, carrying the comforting scent of warm broth and fresh greens.

I smirked, pushing myself up a little. "I just hope it's edible."

Myrrh's eyes narrowed. "Wow. Rude." She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Even I can cook something this simple. This is, like, a basic skill."

"Sure," I muttered, eyeing the porridge warily. "Basic skill. Says the girl who bought a ready-to-cook pack."

She huffed and shoved the bowl toward me, but I wasn't about to complain anymore. Not when the warmth of the bowl seeped into my hands and the smell alone made my stomach growl again. Whatever shortcuts she took didn't matter. I was starving.