After a full nap until sunset, Astra, now feeling refreshed, strolled through the corridors, nibbling on sweets and humming softly at their sweetness.
Just then, a voice called out to her.
She turned toward the sound and spotted Arisu struggling to carry a large box, her arms barely managing its weight. Astra sighed at the sight and moved forward to help, but Arisu quickly pushed her away, signaling that she could handle it herself.
With a huff, Arisu finally reached the edge of a bench and set the box down beside her, exhaling deeply.
Curious, Astra sat beside her, her gaze fixed on the box.
Arisu tapped the lid before flipping it open, revealing an assortment of herbs, dried up flowers, medicines, needles, and ointments. The box was packed with everything one might need for medical care it looked like it belonged to a physician.
"Here, my grandfather's box… It took a lot of trouble to sneak it out," Arisu said, wiping away invisible sweat. Astra glanced at the box again before raising a brow.
"You stole it? What was the need? Did you get sick?"
Arisu scoffed. "I didn't steal it I'm just borrowing it for a while. And even if I did, it's not for me, it's for you." She crossed her arms. "Aren't you the one who's sick? Look at yourself you collapsed out of nowhere yesterday."
Astra, unsure what to do, scratched her neck awkwardly. "Alright… but how exactly am I supposed to use this? I don't even know which medicine does what. It's not like we have a physician among us."
Arisu tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then responded, "Why would we need one? I know how to do it!" She puffed out her chest. "I've watched my grandfather treat plenty of people who had the habit of collapsing out of nowhere… I thought about it all night and may be you have the same habit like them, so I came to cure you."
Astra squinted at her. "You sure you can do it?"
Arisu shrugged as she dug through the box. "There's nothing this Arisu Kaneko can't do. Just wait and watch! After all, I'm the granddaughter of the once royal physician who is blessed by the God of Health!" She rummaged a little more, muttering to herself. "Where are they…? They were supposed to be right here… Ah! Found it! With this your habit can be cured permanently" Astra leaned in then immediately recoiled, her eyes widening in horror.
"WHAT?! Are you sure you're trying to permanently cure me and not permanently shut my eyes?!"
In Arisu's hands there were a set of tiny, suspiciously sharp knives… and a very long needle with an ominous-looking thread.
Arisu frowned. "What are you even talking about? I've watched my grandfather perform this many times!" She grinned. "It'll definitely cure your habit! We just have to—"
She took a step closer, needle in hand.
"NOOOO!"
Astra instinctively backed off, Arisu's frown deepened. "Oh, come on! I have experience in it—"
"You have experience in watching," Astra corrected, pointing an accusing finger. "There is a huge difference!" She backed away further. "Besides, I feel perfectly fine now! No need for this…. So, how about you put those things back and head home before someone realizes you stole it?"
She lunged forward."I told you I borrowed it! And I'm not leaving until you get treated. Come on, it won't take long! Trust me just sit still and—"
Astra dodged like her life depended on it which, in this case, it might be depend on it.
"NOPE. NO WAY. I don't trust you and I am not letting you stab me with that! PUT. IT. BACK!"
Just as Arisu took another step forward, ready to stab Astra with a needle again, she suddenly Stopped Completely.
She blinked. Her body wouldn't budge. Something was wrapped tightly around her waist, glowing faintly. When she looked down, her eyes widened.
"Huh?! What?"
A shimmering, rope-like light coiled around her, holding her in place
"what exactly are you attempting to do to her, Miss Maneko?"
Behind her stood Shion, looking way too relaxed, one hand casually waving at her while the other firmly held the glowing bind that had stopped her from moving.
Astra, who had been prepared to sprint for her life, exhaled the deepest sigh of relief.
"Were you just trying to hurt her?"
"I was helping her get cured! And first of all, it's Miss Kaneko, not Maneko!"
Shion shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips as he casually walked toward them pointing at the still very sharp needle in Arisu's hand.
"Whatever. But from where I was standing, it looked a lot more like you were trying to hurt than curing." Astra immediately nodded in agreement.
"Oh, I was helping! her to recover soon."
Shion raised a brow. "With a knife and a giant needle?"
"It's called advanced healing techniques! You wouldn't get it. It's The art of healing"
Shion with an raised eyebrow. "The art of healing? You were literally trying to stab her. Pretty sure that's not how it's done."
"What do you know? I watched my grandfather do this! A-and and it's even written in our Ancestry Record Book!"
"Yeah, unless the book is called '101 Ways to Accidentally Kill Your Friend' in the name of cure."
They both burst into laughter, completely ignoring Arisu's very offended expression.
"You two know nothing about advanced medicine! This is exactly why arts like this are disappearing these days!"
"Yeah, totally. Because people are terrified of the healing power of a sudden stab to the gut," Astra added, glancing at Shion.
Shion nodded, pretending to be solemn. "Tragic really. Future generations will never know the wonders of the 'Get Better or Bleed Out Trying' The art of healing because it's disappearing."
With that, he burst into laughter again.
"You make fun of it now, but one day, when you're on the verge of collapsing, you'll beg me to treat you!"
Shion smirked. "I'd rather die than get treated by you. After all, I'm now scared by the art of healing."
Arisu let out a frustrated sigh, dramatically flopping onto the bench, still bound by the glowing rope, glared at them. Astra noticed and glanced at Shion, subtly signaling him to release her. He shrugged and loosened his hold, letting the glowing bind disappear.
Astra walked over and sat beside the still-fuming Arisu, while Shion casually leaned against a nearby pillar, absentmindedly flipping his flute around his fingers.
"Don't be mad now. We were just kidding. And don't mind him he's always like that." She tilted her head. "I know you were just trying to help me…
Arisu still looked grumpy, her arms crossed as she stared off into the distance, ignoring Astra completely. Astra thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Ooh! You know what would make this better? Something sweet…..then how about some honey?"