"Rene? Are you alright? You've looked pale since this morning." Fyna asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. I just feel like this room is too hot," I answered weakly.
"Hot?" she repeated in confusion. Fyna touched my forehead. "Oh my gosh, Ren! You're burning up—you have a fever!" She looked even more panicked. "What happened? How did you get this sick?"
"Maybe because of the rain last night. I'll be fine, Fyna. It's just a normal fever," I said, trying to calm her.
"Normal fever? You're clearly sick! I'm taking you to the infirmary right now!" she snapped.
When Fyna got this worried, there was no use arguing. All I could do was follow her orders.
After being examined by the school nurse and given herbal medicine, the nurse told me to go back to the dorm and rest.
"I'll take you back," Fyna said firmly.
"No, Fyn. I can walk back myself," I replied.
"No! I'm going with you. You're sick and I'm worried!"
"I know you are, Fyn. Really, I can handle it myself. Besides, don't you have that Lunar Flower meeting later?" I said, forcing a little smile.
"But—"
"Please, trust me. It's just a fever. I already took the medicine, and I'm starting to feel better." I smiled brighter to reassure her.
"…Fine. If you insist on being stubborn, go ahead. But promise me you'll go straight to your room and rest!" she ordered.
"Yes, I promise," I said convincingly.
After making sure I meant it, she smiled at me and went back to class. I had to lie to her that I was okay—I didn't want her worrying too much and losing focus during her activities. But the truth was, I wasn't fine at all. My head was pounding, and my vision was getting blurry.
"Are you sure you can walk alone?" the nurse asked one last time.
I nodded. I picked up my bag, thanked her, and left the infirmary.
Once I was outside the school area, my head started to hurt even more, my sight grew dim, and I could barely focus on where I was walking. My legs trembled as I forced myself to keep going.
After a few more steps, my body gave up. Everything went dark.
---
When I woke up, I slowly opened my eyes. I was lying in a room that looked exactly like my dorm room. I sat up, startled.
Wait—this was my dorm room.
How did I get here? I didn't remember walking back, let alone making it to bed.
It was already late morning. On my study desk, I saw some bread and a small note written on a leaf paper.
> It seems your fever has gone down. Please rest for the whole day so you can recover completely.
Don't worry about school, I already told them you're sick.
There's no meeting today, so I'll come check on you later.
Get well soon, we're all waiting to see you smile again.
—Fyna
P.S. Eat all the bread!
I smiled as I read the note and placed it back on the table. After a few moments, I noticed something strange—I was still wearing my full uniform.
How could I have fallen asleep like this?
I decided to take a bath and change clothes. Grabbing a towel and a clean outfit, I left the room.
After refreshing myself, I felt much better. When I came back to my room and reached for the doorknob, I heard a familiar voice.
"Ah! Thank goodness—you look better already," someone said.
I turned toward the voice. It was the dorm matron—a woman with neatly tied black hair and her usual cozy sweater.
"How are you feeling, dear?" she asked.
"Much better now. Thank you for worrying about me," I said softly, bowing my head a little.
"I'm glad to hear that. I was so worried when you fainted last night."
"Y-you were the one who brought me back?" I asked in surprise.
"Oh no, not me. You were carried here by a Guardian. He suddenly appeared, holding you while you were unconscious. He said you had a fever and collapsed on the road. I told him to take you straight to your room," she explained.
"Do you know who he was, ma'am?"
She shook her head. "No, I don't. I only remember he had silver hair, a handsome face, and wore a long white robe. Do you know him?"
"Ah… um… not really. I've only seen him once before, but I never know who he is." I answer. "But thank you so much for helping me, ma'am."I bow politely to her and smile.
"Make sure to rest well and recover fully," she said kindly before leaving.
I went back into my room, her words still echoing in my head.
"he had silver hair, a handsome face, and wore a long white robe. "
Silver and white robe.. Suddenly i remember it, the cause I cause i got this fever.
That description—there was no mistake. It was him. The Guardian from under the bridge.
How could that be?
He was the one who yelled at me, who told me to go away—and now he's the one who carried me back?
Why?
I sat quietly, staring at the bread on my table. Questions flooded my mind, but no answers came.
Why would he save me after being so angry?
How did he even find me on the road?
Was he is one of the senior's Guardian? Who is them?
I ate the bread slowly, still deep in thought. The more I tried to figure it out, the more confused I became.
When I finally finished eating, exhaustion washed over me. I decided to stop thinking about it—for now.
Lying down on my bed, I closed my eyes.
And soon, sleep pulled me back into silence.
----
End of Chapter 3