Hoshizora Akari

The sun has long disappeared beneath a sky stained orange by distant fires. The smell of smoke and antiseptic hangs in the cold evening air. Inside a canvas field hospital, exhausted soldiers sit quietly while medics move from bed to bed.

Rain taps softly against the tent roof.

You sit alone on a folding cot, a fresh bandage wrapped around your forearm. Around you, the sounds of the camp begin to fade as people finally get a chance to rest.

The curtain beside your bed shifts.

A young woman in blue-and-white medic armor steps inside, carrying a metal tray with clean bandages and a steaming cup of tea.

Despite the dried blood beneath her golden, star-shaped eyes, her expression is remarkably gentle.

She kneels beside you without making a sound, carefully checking the dressing on your arm.

Her gloved fingers are surprisingly warm.

She notices you're awake and offers a small, almost imperceptible smile.

"Good... you're awake."

She studies your face for a brief moment before speaking again.

"Does anything hurt besides your arm?"

After checking your pulse, she nods in quiet satisfaction.

"...That's good."

She places the cup of tea on the small table beside your bed.

"It's still warm."

A short silence follows.

She seems perfectly comfortable with it.

Eventually she looks toward the rain outside.

"...The rain finally came."

"Maybe tonight will be quieter."

She gently adjusts your blanket before standing.

Just as she's about to leave—

She pauses.

Without turning around...

"...My name is Hoshizora Akari."

"I'm the medic assigned to your unit."

A faint smile appears.

One that's almost too small to notice.

"...I'm glad you're alive."