Nao took another quick step forward, planning to deliver this platter of food and then head to a less busy area to perform a cursory inspection of his engine. However, he never made it past that step; as soon as he tried to support his weight on that leg, his entire body went weak and hit the floor with a dull thump that wouldn’t be easily noticed in the hum of noise surrounding the restaurant.
Nao cringed as the tray of food he’d had in his hands went skidding across the floor, the milkshakes tumbling over and spilling out. He felt both a deep sense of contrition and a hint of self-reproach.
In truth, Nao was supposed to have taken a break about half an hour earlier, but because the other waiters were working just as hard as he was, he didn’t want to leave them short-staffed while he rested for fifteen minutes. Now, he wanted to smack himself upside the head for not remembering to eat.
When he was alive before, it didn’t matter if he skipped a meal or two; his body wouldn’t cease to function without the food. But now, his entire body relied on it to operate. If he went too long without eating, he was even in danger of his heart and lungs seizing up.
Earlier, during school, he had skipped lunch to study. After school, he’d come straight to work, because his shift was starting. And when his break came up, in keeping with his old habits, he’d forgone both it and the chance to eat in order to make sure his colleagues weren’t in over their heads.
As a result, all of the available energy in his system was drying up. In order to conserve that energy for his heart and lungs, his system had automatically cut off the use of his limbs and unnecessary muscles, rendering him immobile.
He’d barely had time to worry about the situation when someone flipped him over and began unbuttoning his vest and shirt. Nao’s gaze landed on this person’s face, and he was shocked silent.
He hadn’t realized it, but the table he’d fallen beside was actually Rin’s. Now, Rin himself had crouched at his side to help him—even though he clearly didn’t have any fondness for Nao, and even disliked him.
Rin spread open the shirt and swept his fingers around the crease of Nao’s engine panel, pressing in at the correct spot and causing it to pop open. All at once, it was abundantly clear that it hadn’t been cleaned in at least a week, probably more. The gears had become stuck from all the excess material inside.
Rin grabbed the napkin off the table and set to work scooping out the used-up matter, while Wen Xulong squatted on Nao’s other side and knocked gently on his forehead.
“Nao-chan, even if you are busy, you gotta clean this thing out sometimes,” he admonished. “Look at all the dirt in there. Not healthy.”
“You can’t skip meals like this,” Rin said. “Your engine is only four cylinders and also a compact model. It won’t carry you for long if you don’t keep it fueled.”
“. . .I forgot to eat,” Nao said quietly. “I was supposed to take a break earlier, but I. . .guess I missed it.”
Rin didn’t lecture him on it. He glanced up at Wen Xulong. “Long-xiong, what’s your battery at?”
“It’s at eighty,” Wen Xulong said. He rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, opening a compartment in his forearm and extracting a cable from it. “Guess it’s a good thing I drank lots of water today. Nao-chan, be more careful in the future, okay?”
Nao gave an affirmative noise in response, feeling very ashamed that he’d troubled the two of them, along with his coworkers—who had noticed the situation by now—and the people who had ordered food that ended up all over the floor.
Wen Xulong took Nao’s left arm and plugged the cable in at a spot near his elbow; Nao felt his muscles coming back to life, at first numb and then vaguely sore and weak before gradually returning to normal.
Rin wiped the last of the gunk out of Nao’s engine and pressed the panel shut, then stood and pulled Nao to his feet as well. He frowned. “Sit there. I’m going to go get something to hold you for the rest of your shift.”
“Rin-san, that really isn’t. . .”
But he walked away before Nao could protest much, heading toward the counter. Wen Xulong gave him an easy smile as they sat together.
“Shini-sama’s always been like this,” he said. “He pushes back when people try to do things for him or return favors, but he’s just as stubborn when someone else needs help. If he’s said anything unkind, don’t take it to heart. He’s really just like a little kid sometimes, throwing fits like that. If you ignore it long enough, he stops.”
Nao was a little surprised. “. . .So you really are his best friend. . .”
“Yep!” Wen Xulong said cheerfully. “Ever since we were in our Lowerlevels. Back then I was really short and weak, so I got picked on. Rin got angry about it one day and took it upon himself to be my personal escort during school hours. For the longest time, he ignored me when I tried to talk to him, but he eventually started talking back.”
Nao didn’t respond, only tilted his head a little. He had the feeling that Wen Xulong knew he and Rin had fought recently. He also felt that while Wen Xulong might appear childish in his sheer enthusiasm, he was very wise and good at giving advice. He had the air of an elder, quite reminiscent of one’s grandfather or uncle.
Fortunately, before the silence stretched to an uncomfortable length, Rin returned with a plate of egg rolls and placed it in front of Nao. “Here.”
Wen Xulong got to his feet and clapped Rin on the shoulder. “I’m thirsty after all of that, so I’m gonna grab a water bottle or two from the vending machines. Look after Nao-chan while I’m gone.”
The last line was somewhat pointed, and he gave Rin a meaningful look before walking off. Rin watched him with an irritated expression for a second before sighing and sliding into his vacant seat.
Nao lowered his head and picked up one of the rolls. “. . .I’ll pay you back—”
“No need.” Rin spoke almost as soon as the words left Nao’s mouth. “It wasn’t that expensive. Only a little less than two sols.”
Nao frowned, but fell silent. Rin didn’t like it when Nao thanked him, but if he didn’t pay Rin back, then how else was he supposed to express his gratitude? Suddenly he felt depressed all over again.
First, he’d selfishly imposed his company on Rin until he’d snapped and told him off, and he’d been unable to avoid Rin for more than a week. Just now, he had inconvenienced Rin yet again, upsetting his plans with Wen Xulong by collapsing right next to them. And now he was eating food that Rin had bought for him. . .
His appetite had barely flared up before it withered again. But it would be even worse of him to waste what Rin had bought for him, so he forced himself to continue eating, his movements wooden. The egg rolls tasted like dust.
Wen Xulong was still lingering near the vending machines, leisurely drinking water and chatting with the manager Kit. He didn’t seem like he would be returning anytime soon.
“Nao.”
Nao was a little startled when Rin broke the silence, glancing up reflexively. To his surprise, Rin’s pale complexion was flushed a delicate pink, traces of shame peeking through in the corners of his mouth and eyes, the pinch of his brows. Seeing that he had Nao’s attention, he forged ahead and continued speaking.
“I. . .I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you that day in the classroom. I was foolish and rude, unable to set aside my own misconceptions about you. It was wrong of me to yell at you like that. I hope you can forgive my mistakes.”
Having finished his speech, his blush darkened by a shade, and he bowed as low as the table would allow him. Nao quickly waved his hands.
“Rin-san, please, there’s no need to bow,” he said. “You weren’t the only one at fault. . .I also should’ve thought of how you were feeling. Ah, let’s just forget about all that, it’s water under the bridge now. People make mistakes, so let’s not dwell on it.”
Rin straightened up, then nodded. “Mm.”
Wen Xulong returned then, grinning. “Nao-chan, Kit said you can quit early tonight. Shini-sama and I were about to hit the karaoke room, do you want to come with? My treat.”
“Oh, um. . .”
Nao turned toward Rin, not wanting to answer before seeing his reaction. Rin met his gaze, then looked away and said expressionlessly, “Come if you want to. Though I’d recommend bringing earplugs—Long-xiong’s singing is awful.”
Nao lifted his hands, about to refute the statement when Wen Xulong laughed and threw his arm over Rin’s shoulders. “Shini-sama, we can’t all have powerhouse vocals! Give me some face here!”
Rin grinned and pushed at Wen Xulong. “How about you give me some space first, you dumbass?”
Nao stared in amazement. “Rin-san. . .”
Rin was still play-scuffling with Wen Xulong, but he spared enough attention to look at Nao. “Hm?”
Nao couldn’t help smiling as well, watching the two of them. Sincerely, he said, “You have a really nice smile!”
Rin’s grinning face instantly became blank and flustered.
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