Outside the infirmary, crisp footsteps suddenly sounded in the corridor.
"Second-years, head to the cafeteria first. Younger students, don't crowd the stairs. And you, stop stuffing chalk into your classmate's ear."
Dick's voice carried from down the hall.
"That wasn't chalk, he was the one who-"
"I don't care who started it. Take the chalk out, apologize, then go clean the blackboard."
A student walked off, muttering.
Dick rounded the corner with a stack of exercise books in his arms and a ring of keys hanging from his waist.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw Yang Ming.
"Principal!"
Dick rushed over, nearly knocking over the medicine cart beside him.
Yang Ming reached out and steadied its edge.
"Slow down."
"You're finally back!"
Dick set the exercise books on the table and opened his arms for a hug.
Yang Ming raised his left arm to block him.
"I'm injured."
Dick stopped immediately, his gaze dropping to the bandages.
His smile faded a little.
"Is it serious?"
"I can still beat you up."
"Then you're fine."
Dick grinned again.
Retsu Unohana watched him with gentle eyes.
"Dick has been getting up early to train every day, finishing his coursework at night, and volunteering to help the teachers manage the students."
"Did Bruce teach you that?"
Dick nodded.
"He said a real assistant couldn't just charge ahead. You have to know when to observe, when to wait, and take responsibility for the people around you."
Selene leaned against the doorframe.
"The thing he says most often is, 'Don't let your mistakes become someone else's wounds.'"
Yang Ming looked at Dick.
"Did you remember that?"
"I did."
"Then why did you almost knock over the medicine cart today?"
Dick fell silent for two seconds.
"I'm responsible for the big picture. The medicine