บท 100: Chapter 100
"Requesting a military challenge was not a smart move. By the first two points, you should have realized that Bianca's swordsmanship is similar to yours. Adding to that her superior physique and the fact that you can't use your powers, it was a reckless decision," said Luke, approaching Wednesday, walking quickly toward the infirmary with a rarely seen expression on her face.
"I don't need your lecture, Luke. I know," said Wednesday impatiently, without looking at Luke and walking even faster.
"Then, why did you do it?" Luke asked, quickening his pace so he wouldn't fall behind. It was the first time he had seen Wednesday angry in any way. It seemed she didn't like losing.
'I did it because of you,' Wednesday thought without responding.
Bianca's comment about Luke had bothered her. It annoyed her that Bianca was so ungrateful and called Luke a psychopath when he had saved her from Hyde.
Aside from losing, what irritated her most was that she got upset over a negative comment someone else had made about Luke. She wasn't like that. She didn't care if the other students insulted someone else, or so she thought.
Not receiving an answer, Luke decided to keep his mouth shut and followed Wednesday to the infirmary. It was his first time visiting Nevermore's infirmary.
Inside the infirmary, the first area was the reception. It looked like a typical medical office, with its desk, shelves filled with many books, and an examination bed for patients.
Then, there is another area separated by double doors, where there are many rows of beds with white sheets and privacy screens. This is where students need to rest and recover. Usually, in Nevermore, there are many injured students due to practice fights, such as fencing duels, the ones Luke had in his psychic powers class, etc.
"What are you guys doing here?" asked Divina, who had just come out of the second area. She was surprised to see Luke and Wednesday, who had blood on her forehead.
"We need the nurse. Is she here?" Luke asked.
"No. After attending to Enid, a girl from another class came saying they needed her help immediately in a classroom. It seems someone fainted, and it was safer for her to go there," Divina explained.
"Mm. Is Enid okay?" Luke asked, concerned. Wednesday went to sit on the examination bed to wait for the nurse.
"Yes, she's sleeping now. The nurse said it was just fatigue and exhaustion. With enough rest, she'll be fine. I'm going to class to inform the teacher. See you," said Divina, leaving the infirmary.
When Luke looked toward Wednesday, he noticed that she had pulled a white curtain, and he could no longer see her. Ten minutes later, she retracted the curtain and changed from her fencing uniform to her Nevermore uniform.
A long-sleeved white shirt buttoned to the collar with a black tie. Over the shirt, a fitted black vest. On the lower half, her usual black skirt.
"Do you mind if I change?" Luke asked, pointing to the bed with the curtain. He had also brought his bag with his clothes and wanted to change.
Wednesday didn't say anything. She simply got up from her spot and sat in a chair against the wall. Five minutes later, Luke had changed. He was now wearing a white shirt with a tie and black pants. The nurse still hadn't arrived.
'She's very quiet,' Luke thought, looking at Wednesday, who was staring at the floor with her dark eyes.
"Do you want me to heal the cut?" Luke asked, and Wednesday looked up.
"Do you have the knowledge?" Wednesday asked.
"Yes," Luke replied. The cut wasn't deep or very big. Wednesday nodded. She trusted Luke's abilities and didn't want to keep waiting for the nurse.
The first thing Luke did was wash his hands with soap and water. With clean hands, he approached the bed.
"Come here," Luke said, patting the examination bed. It would be easier to heal her wound from there, as the height was better compared to the chair where Wednesday was sitting.
Wednesday got up from the chair and sat on the bed. Her gaze was now almost level with Luke's.
"May I touch your forehead? Your bangs are covering the wound," Luke asked, looking at Wednesday's face. He knew she didn't like physical contact, no matter how light it was.
"Go ahead, but be careful, blood is hard to clean," Wednesday said, nodding slightly. To heal the wound, someone had to touch her forehead, whether it was the nurse or Luke. She preferred the latter.
Luke stood in front of Wednesday, his hands steady yet gentle as he lifted her bangs to reveal the cut on her forehead. She showed no sign of pain, her face remained stoic.
"It's not too deep, but we need to clean it well. Let me," Luke murmured as he inspected the wound.
He went to a nearby cabinet, took out a first aid kit, and began preparing the supplies: gloves, gauze, antiseptic.
"I didn't expect you to be so efficient. Is this a hidden talent?" Wednesday asked with interest, watching Luke's actions.
Luke smiled slightly. "Having a photographic memory has its advantages," he said as he applied antiseptic to a piece of gauze and gently pressed it against the wound. Wednesday didn't react, except for a blink.
"Maybe we should injure ourselves more often to take advantage of your skills," Wednesday remarked.
"I'd rather be the one causing the wounds than receiving them," Luke said, and Wednesday nodded, sharing the same sentiment.
He then took an antibiotic ointment and began applying it. Once finished, he took a band-aid from the kit and carefully placed it over the cut on Wednesday's forehead.
'A few minutes ago, he was so ruthless against his opponent in fencing. And now, here, so careful and gentle. It's... intriguing. That duality,' Wednesday thought as she looked at Luke's face, which was very close to hers. She rarely saw this careful and delicate side of Luke, who was usually rude and had a tough demeanor. She had only seen him act this way with Enid, and now with her.
"All done," Luke said, making sure the band-aid was securely in place.
He noticed a gaze and lowered his eyes from Wednesday's forehead. The girl's dark, deep eyes were staring directly at him.
At that moment, Wednesday took the initiative. Without warning, she leaned forward slightly and kissed him. Luke was taken aback by the sudden move, but he didn't move from his spot.
He closed his eyes and savored the kiss. It would be dishonest to say he didn't have feelings for Wednesday. For months now, they had spent time together, solving the mystery and discussing topics they both had in common. He had realized how many similarities they shared.
The kiss was brief but intense. Luke enjoyed it as much as he could. For a long time, he had wondered what it would be like to kiss Wednesday's lips. Today, he finally knew.
After a few seconds, they parted and looked at each other. Luke noticed a subtle shine in Wednesday's eyes. Her expression remained stoic, and there was no blush, but something was different from her usual look.
Luke didn't know what to say. He knew anything he said could be used against him, and cheesy lines that worked with other girls wouldn't work here. So, he began tidying up the first aid kit. Wednesday stayed silent, still in the same spot.
Luke had never experienced such an odd moment after kissing a girl, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Both of them were like that. Neither would make a sappy comment.
"Did you have any visions about me? Am I destined for a horrible death or something like that?" Luke asked with a slight smile, putting the first aid kit back in the cabinet.
Wednesday's visions usually occurred when she touched an object or a person. Kissing would also count as touching.
"No. Maybe it should have lasted longer…" Wednesday replied.
Luke, who was facing away from Wednesday as he put away the first aid kit, raised an eyebrow—this was a clear insinuation. He turned and looked at Wednesday, who was watching him from the bed.
"We should make sure," Luke said, standing in front of her. This time, he took the initiative and kissed her. Wednesday accepted the kiss, closing her eyes.
The kiss was much longer, lasting almost two minutes. They both opened their eyes and pulled away. "Now?" Luke asked.
"Nothing. You'd notice, since I'd pass out," Wednesday replied, shaking her head. Her anger from the earlier loss to Bianca had vanished, leaving her confused by these new emotions.
"We could try for another minute," Luke suggested, leaning in again, but this time Wednesday stopped him.
"That's enough, Luke…" Wednesday said, standing up from the bed. She was at her limit. It had been her first kiss, and she had never experienced such intimate contact with another human in general. She enjoyed the kiss, which also troubled her, as she had always criticized human relationships.
Wednesday walked toward the exit, opened the door, and paused before leaving. Without turning around, she said, "We need to talk about the new murder tomorrow. Meet me at the cafeteria?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll find you at breakfast," Luke replied. It was a good sign that she still wanted to see him after this and wouldn't start ignoring or pushing him away.
Wednesday nodded and left the infirmary. Luke remained silent, staring at the floor as a deep feeling of guilt washed over him. Just one wall separated him from Enid, who was resting nearby.
'What did I do?' Luke thought, scratching his head as he walked toward the area where Enid was sleeping. It wasn't hard to find the bed where she lay. Seeing her face filled him with even more guilt, but his concern for her outweighed everything else, so he sat down and waited for her to wake up.
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