“You’re scratched all over!” Mine gasped, and approached Addai, helping him stand.

“Ah, that’s…” he tangled himself in his explanations.

“Let’s go to the infirmary, or else they’ll be infected!” Mine grabbed Addai's hand and the paper bag. "Umbra, come," he called, and the cat jumped on his shoulders.

She looked at Addai.

Addai looked back at her.

She weirdly grinned again.

Addai looked at her in disbelief.

He was betrayed by his utmost trusted companion!

Mine dragged the other professor to the nearest infirmary, one that was empty that day and to which, luckily, he had the key: his department's infirmary.

The corridors of the Pure Mana building were wide and tall, filled with details in something that resembled gold and beige and white marble, recalling the legends of the halls of Heaven. The building was the university's largest facility after the Herbology Center, and it housed several related sections, such as the Department of Deities and Divination, magical writing, enchanted parchments, and transfiguration, among others. Structures attached to the building also drew attention due to their peculiarities, such as the prayer room, whose walls were adorned with meticulous details, the small chapel with its own utensils, and the infirmary next to the equalization room.

The ward was modest, with only three beds available for students. Also, there was the nurse's table, medicine cabinets and utensils, the consultation chair, a minifridge, a sofa for rapid treatment patients, and the consultation bed. The most minute details - such as the smell of latex from the gloves in the closet, the alcohol, and the ointments - went unnoticed by the teacher who searched the drawer, looking for cotton wool and a bottle of antiseptic to apply to the scratches on both of Addai's arms.

Each splash of water was a different electric shock. But Addai, perhaps due to his experience of receiving scratches from his cat, washed his arms properly with soap and water in the consultation room sink. Meanwhile, Mine packed the tools he would need to cover the deepest scratches, such as band-aids, antiseptics, cotton, and a healing ointment with a minty scent that he found.

“Sit on the sofa,” Mine asked, holding a cotton wool soaked in something that would certainly burn. “Sorry, I couldn't heal them with magic.”

“It’s fine. Umbra nails are resistant to magic. But wait,” he stopped Mine’s hands’ trajectory. "Lemme do it because you'll surely be merciless."

“How did you know that?” he teased, grinning mischievously.

Mine noticed that his coworker held on to not shiver or move his arm away while frowning and grunting. Examining each scratch, Addai applied the ointment to the deepest scratches and placed the bandages on top. Umbra approached and smelled the bandage, sneezing immediately afterward.

“It’s not a very good smelling, right?” Addai chuckled, and Umbra meowed melancholically.

Oh… his companion could feel guilt after all.

“Hey… I won’t stop loving you because you screwed up my arms, stop being all gloomy,” Addai took her in his arms. “See? I still love you,” he kissed her nose tip.

Mine saw how the phrase danced on Addai's lips as he affectionately stroked his sorrowful, purring cat. The contrast in his behavior was comical, if not tragic. The person in question often displayed a frown, an unwelcoming demeanor, and tended to use harsh and bitter language; but other times, Addai was sweet and gentle, with a relaxed brow and lips displaying smiles and dimples, his words still carried acidity but were also sweet.

“You do love her, don’t you?” Mine smiled.

“Dearly yes,” he smiled back unconsciously. "Umbra is my family," he chuckled as she licked his chin.

"See, Umbra? This brute is capable of loving, so take good care of him," Mine advised, and Umbra twitched her whiskers.

“Of course I am capable of loving," he grumbled, caressing his cat's head.

“Just a tad brute,” Mine chuckled.

“…” Addai frowned.

While Mine went to tidy up the cupboards he had messed up, Addai's eyes noticed his surroundings. As he gazed around the reception area, he observed the paintings of serene flowers and dreamy, abstract landscapes hanging on the walls. Everything was immaculate and tidy, from the few papers on the bulletin board to the pleasant air quality, complemented by his cat on his lap, purring contentedly.

The paper bag was still under the table, along with the mess Mine made to find the cotton, antiseptic, and ointment. Addai swallowed and, feeling his ears turn red, hesitated a few more times before asking something.

“... Did you like the biscuits?” Addai coughed and asked, almost mutely.

“What?” Mine asked, turning to face Addai, holding a messy cotton ball.

A flush crept across Addai’s cheeks, and his hands unconsciously started fidgeting.

He sighed and asked once again. “Did you like the biscuits?”

"Yes! They're the best I've ever eaten," Mine grinned joyfully. “Wait- Ah! Umbra stole them from you, didn't she?" he gasped and took the paper bag, ready to give it back to Addai.

“I baked them,” Addai blurted out, eyes already unfocused and full flushed cheeks. “But they weren’t stolen. They’re for you,” he looked at Umbra, who twitched her whiskers.

“Oh,” Mine voiced, mouth turning into an ‘o’ shape before closing.

This time, Mine was the flustered one.

He couldn't help but admire the meticulous craftsmanship of the decorations, and the biscuits were equally a work of art. His attention then shifted to Addai, who appeared to an "eye contact allergy" at that moment. A warm smile graced his lip.

"Thanks," Mine warmly smiled. "Maybe with this you paid for all the hard time you gave me. Also, if you wanted to poison me, it could be perfectly done because they’re delicious.”

"Hm," Addai nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

"I really enjoyed them, but they seemed to be hard to bake," he sat beside Addai, whose eyes widened a little, “here, let’s share,” he opened the paper bag.

“But they’re for you,” he tried to say, but Mine rested his index finger on Addai's lips, shushing him.

"Yes, but once it's mine... I can do whatever I want so," Mine opened one of Addai's hands and placed a biscuit on it, "I choose to share."

“… hm,” Addai nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

Umbra nuzzled on her owner, coincidentally dusting off the biscuits’ crumbs - in fact she was vacuuming the crumbs. Addai chuckled at her spacey behavior and how shameless she was to almost snatch a bite.

“So, shall we take a walk?” Mine asked, looking at Addai.

“What?” Addai looked at him, his mouth stuffed with a white chocolate biscuit..

“Oh! Your ‘eye-contact-allergy’ is gone!” Mine teased.

“…” he blushed a little again and frowned.

“Hahah! I'll stop nagging you for now," Mine laughed. “I need to find my cousin. I feel his test is over, so… shall we take a walk?"

"I look horrible!” Addai promptly protested.

"The Great Addai cares about his outfit..." Mine teased.

"OF COURSE!! I'm wearing my 'beggar’ look!!” he grumbled. "What if a student recognizes me?!"

“I'm kiddin'..." Mine laughed again.

"…" Addai slightly pouted, gathering some courage before asking. "Let's walk another day. Somewhere better,” he said, cheeks slightly dusted with a warm shade of red.

“Sure, but I’ll choose the place," Mine crossed arms. "I need to be even and surprise you," he grinned.

"... Alright," Addai faintly smiled. "Umbra! Don't eat the cotton!" he and Mine both gasped when the cat took the spare cotton on the table.