MEMELAND

Kai's eyes opened.

A white ceiling greeted him.

"..."

He blinked several times.

The smell of medicine filled the room.

Bandages wrapped around nearly every part of his body.

"...Hospital..."

A nearby attendant noticed him stirring.

"Doctor!"

"He's awake!"

Footsteps quickly approached.

Kai stared at the ceiling for a second before letting out a small sigh.

"...This feels... strangely familiar."

A muscular doctor entered the room.

Unlike Dr. Z—

This man wore a proper white coat over a body that looked like it could deadlift a wagon.

His arms were thicker than Kai's thighs.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly.

"Good."

"You're awake."

Kai couldn't help but think back to another doctor.

Another room.

Another white coat.

"...At least this one looks normal..."

The doctor tilted his head.

"Hm?"

Kai immediately shook his head.

"...Nothing."

The doctor pulled a chair closer.

"How are you feeling?"

Kai slowly flexed his fingers.

"...Like I got trampled."

The doctor chuckled.

"I'd say that's an accurate diagnosis."

Kai immediately asked,

"The battle?."

The doctor's expression softened.

The doctor continued.

"It ended four days ago."

"We won."

Kai froze.

"...Four..."

"...Days?"

The doctor nodded.

"You've been unconscious ever since."

Silence.

Kai slowly lowered his head.

"...I..."

"...I wasn't there."

"...Everyone fought..."

"...and I slept through it."

His fists tightened beneath the blanket.

"...I couldn't help."

The doctor looked at him for a long moment.

Then smiled.

"You've done enough."

Kai looked up.

The doctor folded his arms.

"The soldiers who carried you here said you collapsed trying to fight."

"You nearly died."

"You don't owe anyone an apology for surviving."

Kai remained silent.

Even so...

The guilt refused to leave.

After several moments—

Kai pushed the blanket aside.

"I'm leaving."

The doctor immediately frowned.

"...No."

"You need more rest."

Kai swung his legs off the bed.

"My friends are out there."

The doctor sighed.

"I said—"

Kai slowly stood.

His legs immediately trembled.

His vision blurred for a second.

Even standing hurt.

Yet...

He remained upright.

The doctor watched quietly.

"...Stubborn."

Kai managed a weak smile.

"...I've been called worse."

The doctor eventually stepped aside.

"I won't stop you."

"But don't overwork yourself."

Kai nodded.

"...I won't."

He took one slow step.

Then another.

Each one hurt.

But they were still his own.

Outside—

Fresh air greeted him.

Kai stopped.

The city stretched before his eyes.

The northern gate.

Half of it was covered in scaffolding.

Workers carried stone blocks while engineers shouted instructions.

Large cranes lifted damaged sections back into place.

Farther away—

The western district looked even worse.

Entire streets had been flattened.

Buildings stood without roofs.

Walls had collapsed.

Smoke still lingered in a few places.

Yet...

People were rebuilding.

Children carried small bricks.

Soldiers helped civilians lift timber.

Smiths repaired broken weapons in the open streets.

Life...

Was returning.

Kai slowly turned.

The eastern district remained mostly untouched.

The southern district had escaped with only minor damage.

He quietly smiled.

"...We protected them..."

A passing soldier noticed him.

"Ah."

"You're awake."

Kai nodded.

"...Do you know where Taai is?"

The soldier pointed toward a heavily guarded medical building.

"The Chief and Captain are recovering there."

He paused before adding,

"...Are you sure you're alright?"

Kai looked down.

Nearly every part of his body was wrapped in clean bandages.

"..."

"...Close enough."

The soldier scratched his head.

"...That's... not really reassuring."

Kai simply smiled before walking away.

Several minutes later—

He arrived at the secured medical facility.

Guards stood outside every entrance.

One stepped forward.

"Sorry."

"No visitors."

"The Chief is still recovering."

Before Kai could answer—

A familiar voice echoed from inside.

"Let him in."

The guards immediately stepped aside.

"...Yes, Chief."

Kai slowly entered.

The room was surprisingly quiet.

The first thing he saw—

Andrew.

Standing.

Fast asleep.

His scythe rested beside him.

His head occasionally nodded forward before jerking back upright.

"..."

"...How is he sleeping while standing?"

A loud snore answered the question.

Kai couldn't help but laugh.

Then—

He looked farther inside.

Taai sat on a reinforced hospital bed.

Or rather—

A mountain of bandages shaped vaguely like Taai sat on the bed.

Only his eyes and part of his mouth were visible.

"..."

"...You look..."

Taai raised one finger.

"Don't."

Kai immediately closed his mouth.

Taai let out a tired laugh.

"Smart choice."

Then—

Kai noticed someone else.

Sitting quietly on a wooden stool beside Taai's bed.

Head lowered.

Hands resting together.

Chocomint.

Kai stopped walking.

"..."

Silence filled the room.

Chocomint slowly looked up.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Neither moved.

The room suddenly felt much smaller.

And much quieter.