"Can you finally get rid of that disgusting self-satisfied grin?"

Sorry, Miko, I can't and won't do that.

Shortly after the little cuddle session, a doctor came to my room and did a few final checks on me before I was discharged. On Miko's advice, I didn't even open the bill that was given to me, even though I was curious how expensive all these drugs were.

"Eliza can't pick us up. I've never seen Lilith drive, so that leaves the bus or walking to get to the train station."

"Where do we even want to go?" We are still standing right outside the hospital, enjoying the fresh air. I still feel a bit wobbly on my feet, and I'm starving.

"Wherever you want to go. I thought you might want to eat something, but maybe take a shower and change your clothes first."

Now that she says it, the clothes that I changed back into are still covered in dirt after I was lying on the grass outside the dungeon yesterday. Miraculously, the poncho was the only thing that was stained with blood. Which we carry around with us in a plastic bag.

"Are you reading my mind?"

"I was just expressing my own desires."

"Makes sense. Want to shower together?"

"Sure, will you wash my back?"

I don't have to look at her to know she's trolling me. At least she got on board without calling me disgusting.

"Let's go for a walk," Miko decides.

"Fine."

I haven't been out and about in this town for ages. It's only a 15-minute drive from us, but apart from the emergency room, there's nothing here that you can't find in our city as well.

"You know the way?" After all, she's going ahead quite confidently.

"What do you think?"

"Nothing at all."

"Then why are you asking?"

"Small talk?"

"We've really talked a lot, haven't we?"

"That may be true by your standards, but tell me, is it that awful chatting with me?"

"I didn't say that. I'm just tired."

Somehow, I had suppressed the fact that Miko was by my side the whole time. It's mean to think that I wouldn't have believed her to do that, but in the end, I know I'm not much more than a colleague to her.

But that's fine for now. I won't fool myself into thinking that this will change. Ever since I helped these people with my magic, I've realized why I took this job, and having Miko around is just a bonus.

I would never have thought that helping others would make me so happy, but I feel almost proud here.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"I don't know, am I not allowed to?"

"I'm just curious."

"Probably because I'm happy that everything went well."

"I see."

I hadn't noticed that Miko even looked over, but it was nice to know she was checking up on me. I paid a bit more attention to it for the rest of the way, but she apparently noticed I was waiting for her to give me another glance. In the end, we arrived at the station without exchanging another word.

"I'll go and get the tickets."

"Do you want something from the kiosk?"

Miko interrupts her walk to the ticket machine and visibly thinks about my question.

"A latte and a sandwich. Thank you."

With her order in mind, I set off. For myself, I get strawberry milk and a chocolate bar. My whole body craves sugar, no matter what horrendous prices I have to pay for it.

With my loot packed in a bag, I meet Miko in the hall again.

"The train will be here in twenty minutes. Maybe it's already waiting, and we can get on it."

"You're definitely not allowed to eat inside."

"I couldn't care less."

"All right."

I walk through the small station lobby towards platform number one with my delinquent companion. In fact, the train is already waiting for us. Miko presses the button to open the door.

"Off to the back."

"There's first class."

"Exactly. I got us tickets for that."

"Wow, why are we traveling so classy?"

"Because the area is closed off by a door. I don't want to hear a screaming child or anyone else."

I fully empathize with Miko, but the extra 5€ was never worth it for me.

Arriving at our luxury seats, which are one-to-one like the others on the train, we face a difficult decision. Who sits by the window? As I have not paid, I dare not make any claims. But Miko notices that I'm hesitant to sit down.

"Slide in there. I don't care where I sit."

I do as I'm told and get down on the inner part of the two-seater. Miko follows and drops next to me. We're really close together here. I can hear her breathing, smell her, and notice how her eyes burrow into me.

"Can I help you?"

"I'd take my latte."

"Of course," I grab her drink from the plastic bag and hand it to her.

"Thanks."

While Miko sips her drink, I unwrap my chocolate bar and inhale it without further ado.

After a while, the train started its engine, and the steady hum somewhat lulled me. When it finally drives off, my eyes close for the first time. A sudden jerk of my head falling forward wakes me up. I look around, slightly panicked, and discover Miko, who has also fallen asleep. Glancing at my phone tells me we've only been gone for some minutes.

The train wouldn't even take half an hour to get us home. But that's definitely enough time to rest our eyes a bit. A little later, I wake up again because I feel something bumping into me. I slowly open my eyes to look for the culprit and discover Miko leaning her head on my shoulder, sleeping like a rock. I would love to take a photo, but before I can try, I'm back in the land of dreams.

"Kayla, we're here," I sigh heavily, even before I'm fully conscious. With half-closed eyes, I stroll after Miko.

"So now, to my apartment or the guild?"

"Let's go to your place. It's closer."

"Aye, aye."

◆

"What kind of shampoo is that? It smells good."

"Huh... you're interested in something like that?"

"What do you mean? Body care? Pleasant smells? What do you think I am?"

Right now, Miko was wrapped up in my clothes, smelling like my shampoo and looking at least twice as attractive as usual, possibly due to her slightly wet hair.

When we arrived at my apartment, we showered one after the other, not together as she had previously suggested. Perhaps it was best after I wanted to close the chapter, to run after her love and recognition for now.

"You're thinking something stupid again, aren't you?"

She busted me.

"What makes you think that now?"

"I can tell by your smile."

"Is it possible you're paying much attention to my face?"

"Since I can't read minds, it's best to try and understand the person in front of me."

"Do you know what else works?"

"What?"

"Questions. You could just ask me what's on my mind."

"Hmm, I wouldn't want anyone to ask me what I'm thinking."

"Why?"

"My thoughts are for myself. I don't have to explain or account for them. No matter how much my thoughts contradict my actions, no one will or can judge me for it."

"If you keep watching me so closely, you'll be able to read my thoughts on my face one day."

"Is that bad?"

I shake my head. "No, not at all. Come on, let's test your ability."

"All right."

"What was I thinking earlier? What did my smile tell you?"

Miko rests her chin on top of her right hand and grimaces as she thinks deeply.

"Anything about me?"

"Correct. What exactly?"

"You haven't been ogling my body for a change."

"Hey! I never do that!"

A lie.

"Is it really that noticeable?"

"Can't you feel other people's eyes on you?"

"Not really," I shrug my shoulders.

"Many people checked you out on the way from the hospital to the station and from our station to your apartment."

"Oh, why?"

"I don't know. Maybe the hospital bracelet on your wrist - which you're still wearing, by the way - or your wobbly way of walking."

"My walk?" I pout unwillingly, and Miko giggles. Rare to see her like this.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's okay." I sigh and let myself fall onto my bed.

"So, what was I thinking about if it wasn't your body?"

"How cute I look with wet hair?"

"How?!" I jump up.

She just starts laughing.

"Lilith and Eliza have told me that a few times, I just guessed your head works the same way."

Wow, that lady is pretty full of herself. And rightly so. With slightly flushed cheeks, I lie down again.

"Do you have a hairdryer?"

"In the drawer next to the bathroom door."

"Thanks."

I hear her open it but not take anything out.

"There are only panties here."

"What?!"

I jump up again to find her looking at me with a big smug face and the hairdryer in hand.

"Nice to see you're so fit again."

"Stop teasing me."

"It's fun, though."

"You're a monster."

"I know."