Enjoying the caresses, Noah remained in that position for a little while longer. He felt as though he shouldn’t, that he should be the one trying to help her. After all, Ting was the one who had taken risks and suffered because of it, not him. Yet it was the first time he was genuinely cared for and looked after by someone else, and this made him hesitate.

  He sniffled as he moved. That was enough for him. So he decided to switch roles.

  Ting didn’t say anything, she simply wrapped herself back into the hug. This time, she stroked his back, not his head. But in the end, the position didn't matter to her as long as she felt comforted. However, this was actually her favorite position, having her ear close to his chest. The synchronized heartbeat made her feel closer and more connected to Noah, more alive, and being able to hear it so clearly was a new, strange form of joy. It was a sensation she kept getting used to with each passing day.

  — What did you do to save me this time? Did you give me some miracle pill? — she asked jokingly, then froze when Noah confirmed. Ting looked at him with growing curiosity, — Do you have another one...?

  — Of course, do you want to see it?

  She nodded without delay. — But not now... — She returned her attention to his heartbeat. — We need to talk a bit more first.

  Noah stiffened for a brief moment. — Did you not like something I said? — Then, despite the hesitation in his every move, he resumed his gentle gestures.

  Ting shook her head. — To be honest, I think it’s a bit scary... Not what you said exactly, but the weight it brings me. — She slid under the covers, crawling up until their eyes were level. They looked at each other. — I don't like the indifference with which you treat everyone else except me. I don't think you should reach out to just anyone you meet on the street, but there are cases where it should be obvious to help. Can't you see it that way?

  — I understand what you mean. Well, yes, I know in theory what’s right or wrong. But that doesn't mean I can bring myself to care. In practice, it's different. — He touched one of her scars after bringing her hand out from under the covers. — Would it be worth it? Is there a reason to do so? Should I? Why? Would I gain something from it? What? Gratitude? Closeness? Or would it have something to do with the future, near or distant? These are all questions I catch myself thinking whenever I have to do something for someone else. With you, that doesn’t happen. — He interlaced their fingers. — Depending on the situation, the only thing I can think about is whether what I do will please you or not.

  — And does that still apply even when it’s just children’s lives at stake? — she narrowed her eyes. — Because I’m certain that even if you weren’t here by my side waiting for me to wake up, you also weren’t trying to help that boy’s sister get better while you were out of the room. Am I wrong?

  — ...No...

  Opening her fingers, Ting separated their hands. — Then I don’t think we’ll get very far even if we do marry, Noah. After all, what will you do when we have children? Will you bear with them simply because they're linked to me but never truly love them? I couldn’t handle that.

  At first, Noah was stunned by what he heard, then he smiled. — To think you’re already planning so far ahead. Children... I hadn’t even thought about that yet. — He stroked her hair, brushing the strands away from her face.

  Ting frowned. — Please keep taking this seriously.

  — I am, but I don’t know what to say... Like I said, changing isn’t easy, Ting. Even more so in just a few days. I could pretend, but that’s not what you want, is it?

  She shook her head.

  — Then why not try to change your approach a little? Instead of waiting for your connection with me to change you over time, why don’t you actively try to be different while acting unlike your usual self? — she suggested.

  — Well, I already do that with you.

  — No, not just for my sake. I’m not talking about helping people just because I asked, but trying to do it voluntarily sometimes.

  — Well, I can try. Now, if we’re done with that subject, can we talk a bit more about-

  — The healing pill! — Ting sat up, stopping his slow approach to her neck. — Where is it? Come on, let me see it!

  Noah smiled in relief. Maybe it was just her way of hiding her fears, he knew. Still, that light in her eyes seemed real, and that’s what he saw.

  He got up. — Alright, I- Are you serious...? — he sighed, — But before that, there’s something I need to tell you. Rather than calling it a ‘thing’, from now on call what brought me here ‘her' or ‘system’. Apparently, she is more sentimental than I could have imagined.

  — System...?

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  — Well, it’s like an interface floating in front of me that other people can’t see.

  — Floating... — Ting moved her arms in the air, trying to feel something. — And ‘she’ is here now?

  — Yes, but you can’t touch her either. — He laughed. — Think of it as something like a spirit, you know?

  She nodded. — So does that mean I could see her if I reached the Nascent Soul stage?

  — No, it’s not that— Wait, what? So it’s possible to see spirits if you’re at the Nascent Soul?

  — If everything in the book is true, yes. I remember it said that from the Nascent Soul, ‘a new world could be seen’. Spirits, ‘death’, and other things. It said that everything would become possible. But maybe that was just exaggeration?

  — Well, I don’t- — Noah froze, eyes fixed on some random spot in the air.

  — Did something happen? Is the ‘system’ saying something? — Ting asked, glancing in the same direction in hopes of seeing something.

  — Well, yes, but...

  — What? Is it important?

  — ...She’s asking if you’d like to see her, too.

  — What…? — she turned to where Noah was looking. — Is that really possible?

  He nodded.

  — If that’s the case, then- — Ting blinked, incredulous. She blinked once and again. She felt like even blinking twenty more times wouldn’t have been enough.

  She didn’t scream or cause a scene, quite the opposite. Her eyebrows shot up, yes. And her mouth fell open reflexively. — That’s the ‘system’…? — The glow from the screen was strangely beautiful, with a divine and transcendent air. Hesitantly, she reached her hand out to the interface and realized there was no touch sensation, though it was clear she was interacting with something; the screen kept changing according to her commands.

  [...Nice to meet you, Huo Ting.]

  Hearing the voice emerge in her mind, she drew back. — W-What happened? — She raised one of Noah’s arms to hide behind him. — How can it speak? And what’s with that voice? It’s a child…?

  [“It”...?]

  Ting shrank, a tinge of embarrassment rising. — Sorry...

  [And I’m actually older than both of you.]

  [Anyway, take the pill you wanted to see so much.]

  A small greenish sphere glowed in the air and dropped onto the bed.

  Following every step of its appearance, Ting lowered Noah’s arm and quickly slid over to where it fell. She sat down, not minding that it wasn’t on the mattress, and leaned in to admire the object. She was afraid to touch it and somehow ruin the pill.

  — Wouldn’t it be better to pick it up so you can see it better?

  — N-No, but what if I break it?

  — I think you’d be more likely to break it if you keep looking at it like that. — Noah joked, picking up the pill and placing it in her palm. — Well, is it broken?

  Shaking her head, she denied it. — It’s beautiful..! — she whispered, a bright smile on her face.

  — ...It really is.

  [I don’t think she’s talking about the pill, Noah.]

  Ting smiled. She didn’t mind the gentle touches and kisses continuing on her neck and shoulders. Nor did she pay attention to the caresses across her abdomen, for she knew they lingered only over her scars. Most of her focus was on the little sphere in her hands, on its sweet fragrance, which seemed to have a calming effect as well as healing, and also on the cloud patterns that drifted across the pill like a true imprint of the sky on its surface. Ting even felt as though they were moving.

  — What are those? Other pills I’ve seen didn’t have these markings.

  Noah rested his chin on her shoulder. — It’s a sign that the pill reached the highest degree of quality. Let's say each cloud represents a different level of perfection. — He kissed her near the ear. — They made it possible for you to be healed from such wounds, even though it’s a basic pill.

  — And you did this?

  He shook his head. — I found them in the forest. — he clarified. — Now, more importantly, can we talk a bit more about that subject you brought up?

  — Which one?

  — Children. — Ting let the sphere slip, then caught it in the air. — I was honestly surprised to learn you’re already thinking about it.

  — I’m surprised you’re not, actually. Between the two of us, I’m not the one always taking any chance to grab you.

  [It’s true.]

  — I guess it’s natural to think about. — She touched the hand resting on her belly, then looked him in the eyes. — Besides, it’ll become real at some point.

  — At some point... I think the only thing I can say now is maybe I’d like to have a boy.

  — And I’d like a girl. — Ting raised the pill as if she was gazing at a star.

  Noah squeezed her tighter, bringing her closer. He kissed her shoulder. — Hmm, then we’ll have two?

  — Ah, sure, and if both are girls—

  — We’ll keep trying.

  Ting smiled, but then closed her hand, hiding the pill. — Alright, — after moving aside the arm holding her, she turned to him. She gave him a serious look and opened her palm, showing the sphere. — But before that, there’s something you need to do, right?

  Noah froze. He couldn’t think of the answer. Was he supposed to take the pill and put it away?

  No, that can’t be it...

  He glanced at the interface, looking for help.

  — Really? Did you forget I can see it, too, now? — She arched an eyebrow in displeasure. — Were you really listening to what I said earlier?

  He nodded.

  — Doesn’t seem like it.

  Looking away, Noah seemed to think for a few moments. — The girl? — he guessed, still uncertain.

  Ting confirmed with a nod. — If you’re seriously considering we might have children someday, starting with children might be easier for you. Think about how you would feel if our daughter were in the same situation as that girl. I’d be devastated. And you?

  — ...Angry, probably.

  — Well, that’s something, I suppose. — Getting out of his lap, Ting waited for Noah to take some action. However, he did nothing, just kept staring at her, looking confused. She sighed. — What are you going to do with that pill?

  He reconsidered. — I’ll give it to the girl...?

  Was that an answer? Ting sighed.

  — I’ll wait here, so go ahead. Go, before something happens to her.