After meeting everyone again after being in a coma— Raye and the others talked. They started catching up. Most of them were just filling Raye in on what they had been doing for the past month. Which Raye already knew some of it from Jerusha— But hearing things directly from them was much more detailed. Raye listened with a smile resting on his face. At first, Jerusha was still quiet, still feeling the embarrassment from earlier. She calmed down and joined the conversation. They all started talking, sharing stories, and updating each other. Lycus. Devin. Lena. Jerusha. Kyle. Sofia. Leon. Allen— They were having a good time too. Catching up with Raye... They were really worried. And now that they saw him awake, alive, and smiling— It finally felt real. And as the conversation went on— Kyle suddenly unwrapped something. "Alright! Enough talking, eat up!" Kyle grinned, holding them out. "Whoa, you brought all that?" "Heh! I came prepared!" Everyone started eating. The room was filled with the scent of grilled meat, the sounds of chewing, and the occasional teasing. For the first time in a while— But as the afternoon arrived— They started leaving... He couldn't leave the shop unattended for too long, especially since it was still being rebuilt. "Don't worry, I'll drop by again later." Kyle said, waving as he left. Next was Allen, Leon, Lycus, and Devin. They were heading to the woods—probably to spar. "Rest up, Raye. We'll be back later." "Next time, you're joining us." "Yeah, no slacking off forever, you know." Raye laughed, waving them off. She needed to make more potions to help the injured. "Take care, Raye. And don't push yourself too hard." She reminded him before leaving. She returned to the library. Studying more healing magic. But as she left, she gave one last glance at Raye before disappearing behind the door. Raye and Jerusha were left alone again. "I need to go back to my dorm too." Even Jerusha needs to leave. "I need to clean myself up and take care of a few things." She had been with him since the moment he woke up. She probably needed the break. He weakly nodded his head. "I'll come back first thing in the morning, so don't worry." Jerusha said with a worried smile. And smiling back at her— A reassuring smile of his own— "Rest well. Don't worry, I'll be fine." Jerusha stared at him for a moment. Compared to the last one— This one felt lighter. She turned and left, the door shutting behind her. Raye was left alone in the room. The warmth, the noise, the laughter that filled the room just moments ago— Only silence remained. The same one that had just been patting Jerusha's head earlier. The same one that had just been grabbing a beef skewer. The same one that had just been waving goodbye to everyone. It just rested on his lap. His fingers twitched slightly. Then loosened them again. A sigh escaped his lips. For the past month, he had been unconscious. But now that he was awake— Now that he had felt the warmth of his friends again— He leaned back against the headboard. He stared at the ceiling. His mind started drifting— Back to the moment he collapsed. Back to the moment he almost didn't wake up. His eyes slowly shut. 'What if I never woke up?' A question that made his heart nervous. 'Would they have still been laughing like that?' He asked, pertaining to Jerusha and the other. 'Would they have still eaten together like that?' 'Or would they have been—' Raye clicked his tongue, shaking his head. 'What was he even thinking?' He said in his head, realizing how negative he was being. Jerusha and the others... That should be enough. Raye clenched his fist again. The silence of the room pressed against his chest. And for the first time since waking up— He realized something. Being alone in an empty room... Remembering about Old Man Rey... Raye realized that being weak in this world can make you lose something or someone important. And so with a resolute expression on his face— "I need to recover fast and get out of this damn room." He laid down on the bed and rested instead. Four days had passed since Raye woke up. "You're good to go now. We hope to not see you here so often." Raphael said that with a smirk on his face. He was being discharged! Raye exhaled, a small, relieved smile forming on his lips. He was healed enough to leave the hospital. He could finally go back to normal. And hearing that news— He muttered that under his breath. "Yay! You're out now!" Jerusha's voice rang out, full of excitement. Her violet eyes glowed with warmth. Her hands were clasped together, and her smile— It was genuine, bright, and happy. A strange, yet familiar warmth pounded in Raye's chest. A realization dawned on him. From the moment he had opened his eyes— She had been watching over him when he was still in a coma. She had been the first person he saw when he woke up. Through the past few days— Raye's gaze softened. His mind recalled even more. She even kept her promise. She brought Pyro and Zephyrus yesterday. And just remembering how excited the two spirits had been— How they nuzzled into him, full of joy and relief— Raye's smile widened. He continued remembering. Not just these past few days. Throughout the time he knew her. Every single time she had helped him. Every single time she cared for him. And at the end of all those thoughts— Something clicked inside Raye. He realized something himself. A truth he had never acknowledged before. His lips almost curled up even more. His face threatened to heat up. And looking at Jerusha again— The way she cheered for his recovery. The way she looked so happy just because he was okay. His heart pounded faster. A single thought entered his mind. His heart confirmed it. And even more than that. Raye's face heated up. His heart was pounding so fast, he almost thought it would burst out of his chest. A thought entered his mind. 'I want to tell her.' 'I want to tell Jerusha how I feel...' Raye declared internally. (Bruh... That's bold...) He suddenly shook his head, forcing himself to calm down. It all came crashing back down on him. This wasn't the time. Not when things were still uncertain. Not when there was still so much ahead of them. After finally calming himself down— 'Once everything has settled… that's when I'll tell her.' Raye declared that to himself. He just stayed silent. He looked at Jerusha. She was still smiling. Still cheering for him. A bright, genuine smile on her face. Jerusha blinked, tilting her head in confusion. She had noticed the way Raye was staring at her. But she didn't question it. She just kept smiling. She just kept being Jerusha. And looking at her like that— 'God, she's so cute.' Raye thought of that. His heart was beating faster. Raye took a quiet breath, steadying himself. He wasn't flustered. He wasn't panicking. He had already made up his mind. His feelings were clear, but he would wait. Jerusha called out, tilting her head slightly. He had been staring at her for a while now. "Ah... It's nothing." Raye simply smiled, his gaze warm and unwavering. Jerusha blinked but then just shrugged it off, still smiling brightly. "Well, come on! You just got discharged, right? Let's get out of here!" She stretched her arms and turned toward the door. Raye let out a small chuckle. He followed after her, his steps light. Even if he wasn't saying it yet— And that was enough for now.