* * *
Though Jin's stamina had improved somewhat, he still couldn't walk for long. He got out of breath after just a short distance, so of course the outing would be via wheelchair.
The passage I'd taken to enter the Underground City had stairs, so I'd worried about that, but fortunately, this vast underground city had quite a few routes to the surface. Some were sloped paths instead of stairs.
The one we were taking now was a slope, and the destination was Lake Shore at a fairly low elevation. A sparsely populated lakeside with beautiful scenery—perfect for a stroll.
Besides, the men I was taking along... weren't ordinary dangerous folk.
One was the empire's highest-bounty rebel leader, and the other his right-hand man. Of course, that fearsome rebel leader was honestly so frail even a single child could overpower him.
"Will this be enough? Shouldn't we add another layer...?"
Rishar looked worriedly down at Jin in the wheelchair. He'd just added a thin cardigan over Jin's usual poet shirt, but it must've looked too light to Rishar.
But—
"It's summer now, Rishar. Too many layers and he'll get heatstroke."
I sighed. Jin already looked stifled with the mask on, and he recoiled in horror at the thought of more clothes.
"I brought a blanket just in case, so don't worry too much."
Rishar still seemed uneasy about taking Jin out. But since Jin himself wanted it so badly, Rishar eventually pushed the wheelchair without further protest.
After a long uphill climb, a circular door etched with magitech circuits like those common in the Underground City appeared. Rishar placed his hand on one part of the circuit, and it slid open smoothly.
"Wait a moment. I'll check ahead."
Rishar drew his gun and stepped out to scout. Jin swallowed dryly, tense. I felt a bit nervous too. How long had it been since I'd touched surface soil?
"Seems safe. Let's go, Jin."
Rishar returned and pushed Jin's wheelchair outside. Rodent gripped my hand tightly. Excitement lit Rodent's face. His thrill infected me, lifting my spirits too.
"Wow! I've never seen a lake like that! So amazing! It's huge!"
Rodent ran excitedly along Lake Shore. Born in the city's slums and never seeing the outside until the Underground City, he had every reason to be thrilled.
"Rodent, don't go too far. You'll get lost."
Rishar scolded him. But even Rishar, watching the excited Rodent and Jin, had unusually warm eyes.
True sunlight from the sky—not the dwarves' fake sun—shone down on me. So warm.
We'd come out in the morning to finish before midsummer's scorching heat, but I'd underestimated the summer sun. It was already this hot.
The Underground City maintained mild temperatures year-round, so I hadn't felt seasons passing. But out here, summer hit hard.
"...Nice."
Jin rose from the wheelchair and stood on his own feet on the ground.
It was a moving moment. When we first met, he couldn't even sit up in bed, yet now he stood on two feet on the surface—without help.
Jin closed his eyes, feeling the sunlight on him. Then he removed the mask over his mouth and nose.
"Jin, the mask..."
Rishar tried to stop him worriedly, but I blocked his hand and shook my head.
"A little while should be fine. How much he must want fresh air."
Jin smiled faintly, chest swelling with deep breaths. Was outside air that good?
After breathing deeply for a while, Jin started walking along Lake Shore. On his own power, without support.
And after a few steps, he staggered. I rushed over and grabbed his arm.
"Walking alone is too much, huh..."
Jin muttered sadly.
Seeing that expression strangely stung my heart too.
"Keep going. I'll support you."
"Thanks, Doctor."
Jin smiled faintly.
Yes, even as his cane or crutch—I just wanted to stay by Jin's side.
Supporting him, we walked slowly step by step along Lake Shore when Jin started coughing lightly.
Oh no, our flounder... Stamina gone already?
Rishar strode over and fitted the mask back on Jin's face.
"Shouldn't we head back now, Doctor? Jin's condition..."
Jin looked shocked at 'already?', but I agreed it was time.
Vitamin D synthesis from this short outing was doubtful, but catching something outside would make it pointless.
"We'll come tomorrow too, Jin. Back inside for today."
Jin looked regretful but sat back in the wheelchair. His first outing in nearly a year and a half bedridden ended after just over 10 minutes.
* * *
The short outing didn't just leave regret. Comfortably seated in the Greenhouse bed, Jin recalled the sunlight on his skin.
After so long, the sunlight bestowed gentle grace on all surface things as always. That warm, cozy light—no dwarf-made fake sun could imitate it.
"...Tired?"
His friend's voice came. Eyes closed, it might seem so.
"Not that."
Not intentional, but his current poor feelings toward Rishar made his tone colder than intended.
Rishar seemed startled by the chill. Though illness made him irritable, Jin rarely showed emotions.
"Jin, what's wrong?"
Worried his condition had worsened, Rishar fretted. Jin snapped only when unbearably ill.
'Pathetic. Losing control like this.'
Jin sighed. He had to rein in his emotions. His loyal friend was blameless. Astrid was... lovable enough to captivate anyone.
So Rishar liking her wasn't strange.
"...Sorry."
Jin apologized hollowly. Had he fallen so hard reason faltered?
The problem started at breakfast in the bedroom, reading affection for Astrid in Rishar's eyes during their talk.
Foolish. Not noticing his closest friend of nearly 30 years' feelings so late.
"Jin, if something's really wrong, tell me. No, I'll fetch Ober Teacher now."
Rishar hurried out. Jin stopped his obtuse friend.
"I'm really fine. If you come back pale, Doctor will rush in looking like she'll die of worry."
He no longer wanted to see Astrid's pained face each time he fell ill. Never so resentful of his frailty. Her green eyes full of hurt made him feel pathetic.
"Since when?"
Rishar blinked blankly at the question.
"I'm not you, Jin. Can't tell what you want to know."
Jin stifled a chuckle. Right. You're not me. That was a relief.
Rishar realized he liked Astrid and avoided her. Puzzle solved on why he'd dodged her lately.
Such a loyal friend. Cherishing him above all, believing unwaveringly.
Unlike loyal Rishar, he was petty. Jealous his friend liked the woman he wanted.
'Not fitting for the infamous King of the Underground City.'
Though much improved, Jin was always ill. No one knew how long he'd live. One illness gone, another would come.
So he couldn't confess to Astrid.
But knowing Rishar's feelings made him resent him pettily.
Rishar was healthy, reliable. Could protect Astrid from any threat. Unlike him.
'So maybe jealous now.'
Jealous of loyal Rishar. Love making him this foolish?
Wisdom was all he had—now stolen by love for Astrid... nothing left.
"No, nothing."
Jin smiled downcast. Too ashamed to meet Rishar's eyes. Rishar looked exasperated.
Sorry, Rishar, but Jin couldn't ease his frustration.
His mind could craft a perfect excuse to fool Rishar, but he wanted to punish him somehow for igniting this burning jealousy.
