The moderately hot water from the shower washed away the cold sweat I'd shed all night. If only this warm water and lavender scent could wash away my worries and anxieties too.
It was agonizing to worry about Jin dying, but what saddened me more was that I could never hear the dying words Astrid had heard from him in the original story.
In the original, Jin and Astrid loved each other, but not me.
A man as perceptive as Jin, who could read others like an open book, would never fall for a shady otaku like me. Our appearances might match the Astrid Jin loved in the original, but our insides were completely different.
Still, as long as Jin stayed alive and breathing by my side like now, I could be content.
"Alright, let's start the day energetically today too!"
After a warm shower, I swung my arms wildly and stepped out of the bedroom.
My morning routine began with checking vital signs on the awake Jin in his room, force-feeding breakfast and medicine to the whiny Jin child who hated eating, then heading to the Greenhouse.
But today was a very, very! Special day. There was another schedule before the Greenhouse.
Though I'd diligently fed Jin various nutrients thanks to my food and nutrition knowledge, some couldn't be obtained from food alone.
Vitamin D!
This nutrient, synthesized only when sunlight hits the skin, was inevitably lacking for the prince trapped in the Underground City's small Greenhouse.
Jin, who had suddenly worsened from acute stress, thankfully regained his strength after a few days. Wanting to strengthen his bones, I'd persuaded and re-persuaded Rishar!
Today, he was finally going out for the first time to photosynthesize. His first step on the surface in months since entering the Underground City.
"Doctor, you're here?"
Jin greeted me.
Our stamina-lacking flounder slept a lot, yet woke early every morning to greet me, sensitive as he was. He dozed off like a sickly chick during the day instead.
"Gonna take your temperature. Put this in your mouth."
I placed the thermometer Lui made into Jin's mouth. Lui was truly an amazing engineer. Thanks to her, I'd been able to measure Jin's temperature these past few days.
Testing on myself and others, it averaged around 36℃, so her invention seemed to work fine. The problem was, our Jin child...
"37.7℃... Sigh..."
His temperature was always higher than normal.
They say inflammation raises body temperature—could Jin's illness be inflammation-related? Chronic bronchitis...? Not with severe high fever and systemic symptoms, so probably not pneumonia.
"Same as usual, right? Isn't it, Doctor?"
Jin grinned sheepishly.
That's the problem—that this is your 'usual,' flounder sir.
As if his calling me 'Astrid' had been a lie, Jin started calling me 'Doctor' again. Well, better than blushing uncontrollably when called by name.
"Stetho-"
-scope time, but before I finished, Jin had already unbuttoned his shirt and was waiting. Daily morning ritual—he was used to it now.
"Breath sounds are good. How was breathing overnight?"
Jin smiled brightly at my question.
"Slept very comfortably, Doctor."
Jin always said that, but I couldn't trust him. So I asked Reilly, on night duty today.
"Reilly, how was Leader overnight?"
Reilly glanced at Jin, then squeezed his eyes shut. His resolute face looked like a loyal retainer about to give candid advice.
"Around 3 a.m., a brief coughing fit... Didn't sleep deeply, but otherwise fine."
I glared at Jin. He wilted and looked away. Why hide symptoms from your doctor?
Severe cough at dawn... Not in great shape. Should we cancel today's outing? Full summer now, but our flounder worried me—outing felt risky.
"Then today's walk is off..."
I said regretfully, but Jin protested desperately, face like the world ended.
"Doctor, how can you? I'm fine. I've waited so long for today..."
Seeing his disappointment tugged at my heart. Months since my last outing, but for Jin, even longer.
Highest bounty rebel leader—outings hard anyway, but bedridden for 1 year and 5 months since illness worsened. Never left Underground City.
"But catching a cold outside..."
I fretted, but Jin pleaded earnestly.
"Cold in summer? Doctor, I'll be really good. Please..."
His eyes, sad like a kid whose picnic was canceled—my soft heart couldn't refuse. Sigh, what to do with this child.
'What to do with me, liking this childlike man.'
I sighed deeply. Fine, warm weather—wash hands well after, brush teeth, dress warmly.
"Then eat all breakfast without complaint."
I said sternly. Jin nodded vigorously. Moving so energetically—state not too bad.
Soon Betty brought breakfast: protein-rich fried eggs, healthy oat bread, fiber-packed veggie soup, vitamin-rich fresh juice.
Normally he'd whine 'too much,' 'arm hurts,' 'jaw aches can't chew,' 'stomach full'—but today's huge reward: surface walk. Ate cleanly, chewing diligently without a word.
As Jin ate desperately, Rishar and Rodent arrived. Going out together.
"How's Jin's condition? Sure he can go?"
Rishar asked. Hard to answer easily. Seemed okay now, but long illness—no full confidence.
"Hmm... But better than staying underground forever—fresh air gradually for recovery."
Discussing with Rishar, my nape prickled—I turned. Jin stared piercingly.
"Jin, why stare like that?"
Rishar looked awkward; Jin shook head.
Suddenly so gloomy... Ah, could it be...?
"Worried you can't go? Promised—if eat well, we go together."
I cooed softly like coaxing a child. Jin chuckled at me.
"Doctor treats me like too much a kid. I'm way older than you."
I coughed at his words. Rishar felt like oppa... but Jin, same age, never. Honestly seemed 12, not 32.
Separate from liking Jin—didn't feel older, unavoidable.
"Whatever, as long as we go. Rodent?"
Jin beamed at Rodent. He nodded.
"Yes! Leader!"
See, same level as Rodent. Original described father-son-like, but now siblings.
Their bright smiles facing each other—so pretty. Jin, Rodent. I unwittingly mirrored their smiles.
If I could protect this smile, this happiness... I'd fight any fate.
