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This route looks clear. However, I should still keep myself vigilant at all times.
No distractions.
But I should still get some tea to keep my energy up. I guess I can spare a few seconds to get one right now.
The machine is nearby anyway.
At least the tea doesn't take too much time to prepare. Only a few seconds. I look into it and see my reflection in it. Quick. Efficient.
Unlike…
I just had to sigh from the thought.
…Why is it that whenever I order tea… She comes to mind?
I just need to return to my patrols. It shouldn't be interrupted any further.
But even as I walk down through the arteries and veins in the body, she still manages to come to mind.
Even now.
It's not like it should really matter though.
She's only one of the trillions of other red blood cells. She still does her job like any of the others. If anything, just a bit more… Eccentric at times.
I'm not saying that she's inept. She does finish her routes, which is still commendable.
But the way she goes about it is far from efficient like the others do. Always getting lost. Always getting rerouted. Always not knowing how the body runs...
It's frustrating that I had to sigh to ease the thought.
If only she at least knew the body more, she wouldn't need as much help all the time.
I've been helping her ever since she was a new rookie.
However, that's still no excuse.
I was also fairly new on the field as well when we met. And I already knew more than her. I get around as I'm supposed to. Competency was not an issue.
But with her…
I wouldn't say hopeless.
She's just rather naive.
But I wouldn't fault her for that.
She is… Curious. And when she asks for how the body runs or what other cells are, I provide the necessary information to help her learn. She seems to retain whatever I tell her.
My eyes peeked over around the corner.
But it's not that I'm actively looking for her. I'm still on-duty. I'm still on the lookout for pathogens. Not for red blood cells.
It was clear. And she wasn't there anyway.
…
So why does she remain on my mind?
I just need to—
AH!
Impact!
It caused my grip to slip and I end up dropping my tea.
A gasp and an apology from a nervous yet familiar sounding voice.
"White Blood Cell! I am so sorry! Are you okay?! Please be okay!"
…
I look over and it's…
Of course.
"Red Blood Cell."
She's heading off in the opposite direction before I could say anymore.
Anyway, I have no time for that right now to see what she's doing.
Once I'm done brushing myself off I need to return to work. My patrol must resume. And she needs to do the same regarding her delivery.
As for my tea, I can just—
"Here, White Blood Cell."
…
She's back. And in her hands…
"I got you some new tea. I'm real sorry."
There's a blush across her face. Residual embarrassment from the collision, most likely. It wouldn't be interpreted as anything else.
I accept it from her.
At least she's thoughtful.
But why is she still just here instead of returning to her delivery route?
…
Oh, no.
She couldn't be…
"Lost again, Red Blood Cell?"
The color on her face deepens.
"Ye—yeah… I… I kinda am…"
…
As expected.
I really need to do my assigned route. But…
"Where do you need to deliver to?"
"Um… The left kidney."
That's… Outside my patrol…
However, she does need the help.
And it is essential that oxygen gets delivered properly.
But if pathogens were to…
I had to let out a sigh. But I doubt she noticed it.
"Come on. I'll get you there."
Her expression brightens immediately and she gasps in excitement. But I'm not sure why. I'm simply escorting her where she needs to go.
"Yay! Thank you, White Blood Cell!"
She's following rather close to me. Not behind. But next to me.
She's staying close. Closer than necessary for simple navigation.
But I don't seem to mind. As long as she follows and gets to her destination are what matters here.
"Sorry again about bumping into you, White Blood Cell…"
Her tone sounds rather unsteady. I don't know why. I have no hostile intentions towards her.
"I was looking at my map and… I… I didn't see you."
That explains the collision.
I still don't understand her demeanor.
"It's alright, Red Blood Cell."
"Ar—are you sure?"
"Yeah. It's nothing."
…
She's smiling. It's small though. But it's there.
It should mean nothing to me. But—
I shake my head to dismiss the thought any further.
It means nothing. It should mean nothing.
So why am I looking at her again?
"Um… White Blood Cell?"
"What is it?"
"You've been… Looking at me… Is… Is everything okay?"
…
"I'm just ensuring you're still remaining on the correct route."
My pulse feels elevated. But… My receptor isn't pinging. And there are no germs are in sight.
"Hmm? But… I'm right here."
"Right… So as long as you are, then you'll reach the kidney soon."
"Um… Okay…"
She's staying a little closer now after that. And that smile is back as she's looking away.
She was like that as we continue through the artery.
I should say something. Not that it's bothersome. But…
"Red Blood Cell…"
My mind suddenly went blank.
But I sense something. Not a pathogenic attack. But—
"Watch out!"
I instinctively pull her aside, shielding her against the wall as a large piece of broken tissue crashes just nanometers from where she stood.
"Sorry about that! Please be careful of falling pieces!"
A platelet calls out from above where the debris had fallen.
…
It's then I open my eyes again and realize…
She's… Close.
Too close.
Just a couple nanometers at most of a distance.
I'm still holding her wrists against the wall.
Our eyes are meeting.
And I… Don't know… For how long…
"…White Blood Cell?"
…
My grip releases immediately.
"Are you alright?"
My voice feels… Off as I said that.
"Ye—yeah… I… I think so…"
…
She remains. But I turn.
The danger is gone.
So then why is my pulse still elevated more than it was before?
I clear my throat. Hopefully that normalizes my pulse.
"If you're able to continue, we should proceed."
"Um… Okay…"
Our eyes meet once more before I begin leading her again.
…
She's following even closer now.
"White Blood Cell?"
"What is it?"
"You were close… I mean! That was close!"
"Ye—yeah."
"You… Moved really fast… To save me…"
My pulse is up again.
"It was necessary."
"But you didn't even hesitate."
I turn to look at her.
"Hesitation would have led to you getting badly hurt."
She didn't say anything. But her face became flushed again.
She's even closer now too.
Just slightly.
And… It's not vexatious.
What did I say to cause that reaction from her?
And why has my heart not returned to its normal pace yet?
The kidneys are not far from here.
We soon arrive towards the left one and we stop just ahead of it.
"This is your destination. Just go straight through the renal artery."
"Right…"
She's giving that smile again.
"Thanks, White Blood Cell…"
I'm not sure if I heard her correctly. But I could have sworn she added "for everything" after that.
Her face has gone redder for some reason.
I don't understand why this warrants such a reaction. This was protocol to get her here in one piece after all. As long as she follows through with her delivery, it was worth it.
"It was my duty."
…
She's… Still here.
I should… Stay and see if she needs anything else.
…
But she simply leaves. However, it looked like she wanted to say something first.
…So why didn't she?
…
I should resume my patrol…
I'm watching her walk off. Until she's out of sight.
But why?
And why is there pressure in my chest when I turn away from her?
I look back.
But she's already gone.
That should be my signal to return to my patrol.
I should get some more tea on my way back though.
The previous one... The one she gave me…
I dropped it when I…
That memory surfaced in my mind.
…When I saved her.
I'm still thinking of it. How I pulled her aside. How I shielded her. How close we—
No.
It was purely rescue protocol…
And this tea?
It's not the same. It's not as sweet as the one she gave me.
…
But that really shouldn't matter.
My patrol takes priority.
…As it should.
I've returned to my assigned route.
…
All clear. All at peace.
At least this blood vessel should be safe for—
PING!
My receptor!
A filthy germ is nearby! I need to get to it before—
There it is!
I rush towards it for a quick strike. That will suffice.
"Die!"
As expected.
One swift swing was sufficient. Cleanly.
Everyone around appears unharmed as I scan the surrounding cells.
…
…At least she wasn't among them.
Red Blood Cell would have been affected if she were present.
…
I should return to my patrol again.
…
This route is clear.
The corner… Clear.
The next vessel… Clear.
…
But at this branch.
My duty is on the left.
However to the right…
…
They lead closer to the lungs. And that's where—
I assess both paths.
…
The left has enough units. The right could use one more neutrophil.
I walk through the right blood vessel.
The path is clear.
No signs of an attack.
Looks like a safe route to the lungs.
But I should continue to ensure it stays that way.
I check the corner for any hidden rogue pathogens.
…
No signs.
Red Blood Cell usually doesn't take shortcuts anyway.
I… Should continue.
…
Everything is remaining peaceful.
My eyes still keep scanning.
Just in case.
There could be germs somewhere.
And the route needs to be kept safe.
…Just in case she passes through here.
…
Clear.
Still…
She isn't here.
…
Another branch in my way.
Both of them still lead towards the lungs.
But which of these is the one I need?
…
Red Blood Cell has frequented the left more than the right.
I look down the left route. It looks secure.
Deep breath.
…
Left.
As expected.
The vessel is… Clear.
And…
…She's not here.
I can continue forward.
Or return and take the path on the right.
…
…One more scan of the area first. Just in case.
Again… All clear.
I return to the junction and turn into the right branch.
…
All clear here too. No sign of pathogens. No sign of—
The memory from saving her resurfaced again.
How I was shielding her. How I grabbed her wrists. How we were just mere nanometers apart from each other.
…
The vessel turns up ahead.
I turn and…
Dead end.
…
Red Blood Cell… Isn't here.
I let out an exhale.
…
I… Should turn back.
The pulmonary artery.
I scan the area. Just in case.
…
Too many red blood cells to tell.
I continue towards the lungs.
Still checking.
…
…No…
Perhaps… I just missed her.
…
Again. The memory returned.
We were so close together... Our eyes had met—
"White Blood Cell?"
I know that voice!
I turn towards it…
"Red Blood Cell…"
…
She was there.
"Um… White Blood Cell?"
"What is it?"
"I… I thought I saw you earlier… But then you turned…"
So… She was nearby.
"I… I was trying to get back here."
My voice felt off again.
That smile returned on her face after I said that.
It's making my pulse race again. But… It's also making me smile too.
"I… Also noticed that you didn't have your tea. So… I got you some, White Blood Cell."
She handed me a cup of it. As I grab it, our fingers brush.
I look into it. And this time, it's her I see in it. Warm. Sweet.
"I guess… That's why you didn't see me right away."
My breath caught.
…
She steps closer to me.
But I don't back away.
I just look at her.
"Where's your next delivery, Red Blood Cell?"
"Huh? …Oh! …Um…"
She pulls out her notes and scans it.
"I need to go to… The nasal cavity."
Perfect.
I smile.
"Come on. I'll make sure you get there alright."
She's smiling a little more than before with a small blush on her face again.
…
I begin to walk in the upper direction.
…
And she follows.
Not behind me.
But beside me.
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