Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 18: Nightingale

When Shining is back, she sees Lin Yie squatting in front of her dorm with his head lowered. His luggage and pet supplies are scattered on the ground. She tilts her head, "What are you doing?"

Lin Yie looks up at her and says blankly, "What do you think?"

"Why don't you wait inside?"

"Are you for real right now?"

"Yes." She nods sincerely, "I am serious."

"... I was kicked out."

"Why is your nose bleeding?"

"I didn't pay attention, so I ran into the door frame."

Shining says carelessly, "I thought Nearl beat you."

Lin Yie wides his eyes, "You did it on purpose! You devil!!"

"No. Why would you think that?" Shining acts innocently.

"... You knew Nearl is here?"

"Of course, she is my roommate."

Lin Yie grinds his teeth, feeling like he was betrayed, "Yet you still let me go in. And by myself!"

"Couldn't you use your ability?" Shining says, "Couldn't you control her?"

Lin Yie is speechless, "What are you talking about? She was holding an axe. An axe!! You know, something that could kill me!!! "

"But you approached me, I was holding a sword." Shining says calmly. 

"I told you before, you will meet many more sick people in Rhodes Island. Many of them are harder to deal with than Nearl. What will you do then? Wait for my rescue?"

Lin Yie opens his mouth. He wants to argue back but he doesn't know what to say. What she said sounds right, but also not quite right?

Without waiting for his response, Shining walks inside, "Come in. Are you really going to sleep in the corridor?"

(Maybe)

Lin Yie thinks it is better for him to sleep outside than to sleep next to an angry furry that will chop his head off at any moment. 

However, he also thinks Shining is right. If he chickens out on the first day, what about his future? He needs more courage to deal with these weird and angry furries. Suddenly, the light ahead of him is replaced with never-ending darkness.

(I hope I last for at least 6 years here...)

He takes his luggage and walks inside again, reluctantly.

Perhaps Shining said something to Nearl. When Lin Yie is inside, Nearl only stares at him coldly but she doesn't say anything.

The Nearl right now is not the knight that wears heavy armour. She is dressed casually, revealing her white arms and thighs, blond hair that reaches her waist, and a furry tail.

Although Lin Yie is very curious about her tail, he doesn't dare to look at it right now. He forces himself to look at Shining instead.

... While still stealing glances at it. Just a bit.

Shining puts down her staff and sword. Then, she points at the sofa, "Tonight, you will..."

"If you let him sleep here, I will really fight him to the death," Nearl says coldly.

(Scary!!! That really scary!!!)

Shining looks at her, "He can't?"

"What do you think?"

"I think it is fine."

"You really need someone to check out your brain, Shining."

"He is only sleeping on the sofa."

"Still no!" Nearl raises her voice, "Shining, I only allowed you to bring him for an entry test, but I absolutely won't agree to let him sleep in our room."

"I thought you only had a misunderstanding, and living together should help solve that."

"This why I think you need help, Shining."

Shining sighs, "Nearl, you really should put away your bias. You saw what Lin Yie did that night. He is a good person. He only did it by accident. And he is really sorry about that. He even brought you a gift." Shining searches through her pocket and finds a cream, 

"Look, it's a hair removal cream... Oops. It is this nutrition cream."

Lin Yie can feel Nearl's murderous intent again. He really wants to cover Shining's mouth and beg her to stop. 

(Can't you see Nearl holding onto her axe again?! She is about to explode?! Do you really want to see me half dead and save me again?!)

"Enough!" Nearl slams the table, "He will take the entry exam tomorrow. After that, we will know whether he gets to stay or not. If you really want him to sleep here, I will sleep outside."

"But I already asked. Amiya and Doctor are still not back." Shining says, "His entry test needs to be pushed back."

"So you want him to stay until Amiya and the doctor are back?"

"No, I plan to let him come in contact with Nightingale before that."

When Nearl hears Shining's plan, her face changes immediately,

"No way. What are you thinking?!" She is angry, "You want to hand Nightingale over to a vet who hasn't passed the entry test?! Are you crazy!!"

"I trust him." Shining says, "And I am not handing Nightingale over. I am just letting him come in contact with her. After all, I don't know when Amiya and the doctor will be back."

"I won't agree to this."

Shining says calmly, "Nearl, I am Nightingale's guardian, not you."

Nearl freezes.

In the next few minutes, neither one of them speaks. Nearl's expression is complex, while Shining's expression looks cryptic, partially firm and yet, apologetic.

(Should I really be here...)

Lin Yie can somewhat understand what they are arguing about. It is about Nightingale. She should be the kid Shining mentioned before, and she needs his help.

However, Nearl doesn't seem willing to let him contact Nightingale. Maybe it is because of her distrust. Lin Yie doesn't know what he should do. He can't just promise he will cure Nightingale. That would be so stupid, so he just stays quiet and does his best to be ignored.

Shining breaks the silence, "Nearl, I don't want Nightingale to keep living in torment."

Nearl also talks, "Then, I will make it clear. Shining, even if you are the closest person to Nightingale, I won't let you hurt her. I don't want her to suffer in the hands of some vet."

"Nearl..."

"There's nothing left to say. If you really want him to see Nightingale, then talk to my axe and shield." Nearl walks outside, "I will get some fresh air outside."

Lin Yie quickly moves out of her way.

When Nearls passes him, she suddenly stops and looks at him in silence before speaking, "No matter what I think, I admit what you did that night was outstanding. It might not be a bad thing to have you as my colleague but don't ever think about Nightingale. I will really kill you."

Lin Yie doesn't know what expression he should show her, so he says meekly, "Alright...."

"Spend the night at 15C. Ansel should still have a spare bed. Just don't cause him any trouble." Nearl slams the door.

*Bang*

Only Shining and Lin Yie are in the room now.

Lin Yie looks at Shining. She sighs, "You heard her."