Shinobu Kocho wearily took off her white coat and stood beneath the light, rubbing her sore, gritty eyes.
She had spent three full days caring for the patient brought back from Suzuki. Today, his vital signs had finally improved, lifting the weight from her heart.
What should I do? She walked to the bookshelf and pulled out the Herbal Medicine Book at random, flipping through it without taking in a single word.
Oh, right. I should go to bed now.
She had only managed to snatch two or three hours of sleep over the past three days. Even a Swordsman who practiced a Breathing Style would feel exhausted.
She put down the book and headed toward her room, then decided she ought to eat something first.
Honestly... why had my brain suddenly stopped working?
Shinobu Kocho, had a few sleepless days really turned your brain to mush?
She fumbled her way to the kitchen and turned on the light. In the cupboard were sushi rolls her sister had left for her.
The rice wrapped in nori carried the faint scent of sushi vinegar, lightly sweet and tart, refreshing and appetizing.
Shinobu Kocho barely managed to eat three before she started looking for water, only for a cup of warm milk to appear on the table.
Kanae watched her with an indulgent smile. "How old did you turn this New Year? You're a grown-up of fifteen now, and you're still eating in the kitchen like a hamster."
"Nee-chan..." she called softly.
"I know you've worked hard. Drink your milk and go to bed." Seeing the faint dark circles beneath her sister's eyes, Kanae stroked her black curls with a pang of sympathy.
"What about you, Sis? Why are you still up so late?"
"I just finished washing up and was about