Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 135: There Are Things You Can't Forget

It... felt like a long dream.

Lin Yie rubs his head, as he sits up to look around. He thought he would be greeted by Shining and Nearl in the nursing room, but to his surprise, he woke up to see an unfamiliar ceiling in a room filled with the smell of disinfectants.

"Good evening."

Lin Yie turns his head toward the familiar monotonous voice, albeit with difficulty, as his exhaustion slowly sets in..

"Ptilopsis?" Lin Yie feels his head is getting heavier as he asks, "Where am I? What happened?"

"You are currently in the infirmary. Half an hour ago, you were experiencing a high fever."

"A fever?" Lin Yie closes his eyes and places a hand on his forehead, but he doesn't feel anything that resembles the symptoms of fever, although he does feel a bit exhausted, "How did this happen?"

"Unknown," Ptilopsis says, "You were in Ms. Liz's dream for more than ten hours. When Ms. Liz woke up, you suddenly lost consciousness with the beginnings of a fever. This was the first recorded instance wherein you experienced a negative effect on the use of your ability. Therefore, it was decided for you to be relocated to the infirmary and placed under constant supervision. You had been asleep for approximately twenty-four hours."

Lin Yie takes a minute to organize his thoughts. He mutters, "Was I really in there for that long?"

Wait, shouldn't he ask about Liz's condition first?!

He quickly asks, "How's Liz doing right now? Is she okay?"

Ptilopsis doesn't say anything. Instead, she just points at his left side.

Lin Yie turns his head and sees Nightingale. She seems to be fine. He breathes a sigh of relief and asks, "Has she been here all this time?"

"Correct," Ptilopsis says, "After the end of her dream, Ms. Liz refused to leave. She has accompanied you for more than twenty hours. Do you need me to wake her up?"

Lin Yie shakes his head, "Just let her sleep. Have you guys talked to her yet?"

"Ptilopsis can determine the nature of your question," Ptilopsis says, "As desired, the treatment was successful. Ms. Liz now remembers her past while retaining her memories of Rhodes Island. Psychological tests were performed on her soon afterwards. The test results are..."

Lin Yie frowns, "How are the results?"

"Normal."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Her psyche is intact and without flaws," Ptilopsis says, "Her intelligence has been restored, and she can wield Arts. She's normal now."

Lin Yie shakes his head, "I don't like the way you described it."

Ptilopsis tilts her head.

Lin Yie brushes Nightingale's hair gently and sighs softly, "She has always been normal, but she's only freed from her prison recently. Or should I say, she has grown up?"

Ptilopsis states, "Ptilopsis thinks that you are behaving in a manner befitting Ms. Liz's father."

"The heck is that metaphor?"

"Ptilopsis deems the analogy appropriate and logical."

Lin Yie rolls his eyes in resignation, too tired to dispute her, "Whatever."

"Ptilopsis has an additional inquiry."

"What is it?"

"Are you disappointed?"

"What?"

"Based on your phrasing, you believe Ms. Liz has grown up, not restored," Ptilopsis says, "Based on past research, when a father sees that his daughter has grown up, his emotions become quite convoluted."

Lin Yie is speechless, "I'm not her father!"

"Then, why are you experiencing the same emotions"

"What?"

"Know this," Ptilopsis points at Nightingale, "Ms. Liz might never call you Pineapple Bun again."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Lin Yie asks, "She never remembered my name."

"Are those your true feelings on the matter?"

"Of course."

I meant what I said. I meant what I said. I meant what I said...

But under her stare, Lin Yie eventually surrenders, "Alright. Alright... But isn't this a good thing?"

"It is," Ptilopsis says.

"Then, that's enough."

Lin Yie looks at Nightingale again and sighs softly, "Liz is Liz. Even after growing up, she's still Liz."

Nightingale squirms before opening her eyes slowly. She lifts her head and meets Lin Yie's eyes.

"Good evening," Lin Yie smiles, "Liz."

Nightingale stares at Lin Yie in a daze. After a moment of silence, she mutters, "Pineapple Bun."

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Draft by Demosama

Proofread by PanzerComrade56