Snippet #2275759

A huge smile filled the boy’s cheeks when Hana laughed. It was one of the most beautiful sounds his ears had ever had the honor to be graced with hearing, a symphony of joy and peace. Nana’s tail began to thump beside his leg, signalling she was just as happy as her master.

"Well, since Nana hasn't eaten you yet, I think a tour would be a great idea. And a little help unpacking would be greatly appreciated." Hana said cheerfully. With a sigh of relief, Zeal relaxed his body as the previous thoughts disappeared into the back of his mind, waiting to surface again at the smallest sign of self-doubt. His companion’s eyes widened so naturally, he would never have thought she was blind.

"Oh, your hand! It isn't hurting, is it?" She asked worriedly, biting her lip. Zeal’s gaze drifted back to his currently useless limb. At the moment it didn’t hurt because of the drugs the nurse had so kindly administered but later on it was going to hit like a steam train. He tried not to think about it. “I’m fine, I can’t even feel it.” It wasn’t a lie and besides, Zeal wanted to make Hana worry as much as he wanted a large scorpion to crawl up his butt.

"I don't want to make you lead me around if you're hurt..." Zeal shook his head. “Hey, I’m fine. Besides, I was the one who offered. If anything, you’re leading me.” It didn’t really make sense but it was the only thing he could think of. “Just let me get the nurse to put this in a sling.” At the sound of her name, the nurse was already over with a roll of gauze and a bottle of pills. With utmost ease, she moved his arm into position and quickly made a sling. She leaned in, hopefully out of earshot of her blind patient. “Look, I know you want to help her. You’re a good kid Zeal. Just make sure to take three of these when those painkillers wear off. Trust me, you’ll need them.”

Zeal nodded and went back to Hana, standing awkwardly beside her. Normally he’d have just touched her shoulder to get her attention but, at the moment, he was unable to do that. Instead, he gave a little cough to emit his presence. “If you’re alright to walk we can go whenever you like.” He shot a quick glance at the nurse, gaining a nod of approval. Nana barked happily and bounded beside him, nudging Hana’s hand with her cold nose. She seemed to relax at this contact, a new sense of security filling her big, brown eyes.

In his head, Zeal was already planning out their route. First, they’d go to the music room. The black-haired boy grimaced a little at the thought of Wolfgang. He always went out of his way to pick on Zeal. ‘Hopefully, he won’t be there.’ Then they’d visit the library and say hi to Yuuko. Finally, they’d walk to the dorms where he would help her unpack. A sudden realization hit him like a blow to the gut.

How was he going to help her without his hand? ‘This is going to be harder than I thought.