Chapter 80: Ch 80: Heal or no Heal

"Somehow, I have a feeling you will end up in the medical wing again soon. Now, would you like me to treat you the old-fashioned way or instantly? Just a warning, healing a crushed throat instantly will make you wish you were dead."

Riku told Noah as he forced him back into the bed and examined him carefully.

As a doctor, Riku had obviously noticed that this injury was superficial and not that deep. But he still gave Noah this option for recovery mainly because he wanted the guide to choose.

The esper-guide pair standing behind Riku did not look amused, and Noah could see Alan’s hand itching to grab him and run away.

But he stayed put because this was for Noah’s benefit.

Something had changed between Alan and Daniel; that much was certain to Noah even without paying much attention.

The pair that could not even look at each other before was standing close to each other, and they even exchanged a glance once in a while. This was much more progress than before, but it was still not at the level where they could be called ’official partners.’

’Still, this is progress and I need to push for it. I am sure they got this far because I left them alone for some time. Then, that means...’

Noah needed to stay out of the way of this pair. But if he insisted he wanted to return to his room, then they both would argue and nothing would get resolved.

So he needed a stronger excuse...

His eyes met Riku’s, who had already guessed what was going on inside his mind. But instead of approving, he gave Noah a glance filled with disapproval.

Still, he was a good person who decided to at least hear Noah out before throwing away his idea.

"Would you both please step out for a minute? I need to check on the patient and you both will distract me."

Riku told the pair, and Daniel looked ready to fight him when Alan grabbed his shoulder and pulled him out.

"Let’s not argue with the doctor here. I am sure he knows what he is doing. And I also assume that he is professional enough to respect other people’s boundaries."

Alan dragged a fighting Daniel outside, but his eyes remained cold when they looked at Riku. It almost felt like a warning, and Riku let out a sigh of relief as soon as the door closed.

"Those two give me the creeps. I have a feeling they are going to become a problem for you in the future as well. You had better distance yourself from them as soon as possible."

Riku advised while finally dragging his eyes away from the door. But he neither relaxed nor lowered his vigilance.

Noah, on the other hand, allowed his body to relax against the bed. The soft blankets engulfed his smaller frame, which made him feel better. He almost wished to disappear into such softness. But unfortunately, he could not do that.

Instead, he chose to answer Riku.

"They will be fine. They are only focusing on me because they are confused. It won’t be long before their esper-guide instincts take over and they bond. Don’t you think they suit each other?"

Noah asked with a chuckle, but honestly, he was starting to feel lonely inside.

He had only reunited with the pair for a short time, but the feelings he had suppressed all this time were starting to break free, which was not good.

Sigh

"Kid, I sometimes wonder whether you are blind or just choosing to look the other way for your own sanity. Do you truly believe those two will leave you alone, even if they get together? I cannot speak for Guide Daniel, but I doubt Alan would leave you alone."

Riku seemed confident, but it was only because he did not know the future.

The only reason Alan seemed interested in Noah right now was because he had not fallen for Daniel completely. But once he got hooked on Daniel’s guiding, there would be no coming back.

And then Noah would take his leave.

smack

Noah was so busy thinking about all this that he missed it when Riku smacked him on the forehead.

The medical esper looked annoyed at the fact that Noah was getting distracted, using such a tactic to make him pay attention.

"Stop frowning or it will ruin your face. Frankly, I have no idea why you believe those two will change, nor do I care. I am just here to tell you that there is a 90% chance you are wrong. Now, would you like to be cured instantly or stay here for a few days?"

Riku asked, and Noah made a quick decision.

After all, staying here was to his advantage and not because he was afraid of the pain that healing these wounds would cause.

...

Of course, this decision to stay here did not go well with Daniel or Alan.

"I don’t understand why you have to stay here and not come back. Now that Senior Kris is gone, we can return to our room..."

"Or we can return to my room and continue living like we were."

Alan interrupted Daniel’s words, which made the guide look at him with venom-filled eyes. Not that it distracted Alan from making his offer anyway.

They were both adamant, and it was hard to deny them what they wanted. So Noah looked at Riku for help.

The medical esper looked aside for a moment before he sighed and decided to help Noah out.

"I am afraid that I will need to keep Noah here for observation. This injury is minor enough to the point where he can get away with not getting emergency healing, but also bad enough to the point where I will need to keep an eye on him. Of course, I can heal him instantly, but the pain of having one’s throat rearranged is not a pleasant feeling..."

Daniel looked green in the face at those words and quickly shook his head.

"I see! In that case, it’s better if Noah stays here. We will come and visit you often."