"Ugh..." I gradually opened my eyes and discovered that I was in bed. I rose from the bed slightly and glanced cautiously around the room.

"I'm in the hospital?"

I quickly noticed I was in the hospital because of how the plain the room looked, and from the visible window to the right of me, I could instantly see the "Aldin's South Hospital" on a sign outside.

I immediately gripped my hair, "Shit!... It's already morning. I wasted the entire night by being asleep! I-!"

"Mmm..."

I heard a groan beside me and realized someone was sleeping on my leg!

"Who is--"

"Ellie?"

On my leg was a golden-haired girl sleeping soundly on my leg was undoubtedly the person I was supposed to meet. Ellie, a girl who was born with a peculiar disease that prevented her from walking, and even magic couldn't heal her legs. She has been cooped up here in the hospital most of her life, and her flawless white skin was a result.

Her parents? Well, they could never be found after a particular incident.

I could feel Ellie wake up after she detected movement underneath her. Her sleepy face was quite adorable as she stared at me blankly for a moment with her unusual red eyes.

"Ah! You're awake!"Ellie snapped out of her daze and leaned over to hug me with all the strength she could muster.

"Someone brought you in after you had passed out...and I happened to see you being checked in...last night. And I was so worried... and...and." Ellie started to whimper quietly as her entire body shivered.

"Look, I'm just fine Ellie!" I flailed my arms in the air as I didn't know what to do to comfort Ellie. I gave her biggest smile I could muster and flexed my right arm muscles just like a certain someone.

"Haha! I'm a fierce pirate from the famous Axe Lions. Once you think we are down, we just get right back up! We won't ever quit!"

Ellie looked at me dumbfounded before she quickly pulled away from me and gripped the wheels of her wheelchair.

"Hmph! Idiot!" Ellie shouted as she proceeded to wheel herself out of the room.

"W-wait! Ellie!"I jumped out of the bed and quickly caught up Ellie, grabbing the handles of the wheelchair.

"What did I say?!"

I began pushing her forward down the hallway like it was normal, and despite Ellie's foul mood, she would let me push her wheelchair without a fight.

"Don't talk to me right now! Just take me out!" Ellie yelled as she crossed her arms.

I sighed as I wheeled Ellie to the front counter and signed to take her out. The people that work here all know me, so taking Ellie out wasn't a problem as long as she was brought back before the appropriate time.

(I gotta find a way to maybe cheer her up...I wonder if I take her there...)

I slowly wheeled Ellie out of the hospital and was met with a nearly blinding light from the sun until my eyes adjusted. The daytime on Aldine was absolutely beautiful, and you wouldn't expect this place to be run by pirates.

"How about we go for something to eat first?"

"Hmph!" Ellie merely turns her nose up as she closed her eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes...Haha..."I laughed awkwardly as I wheeled Ellie through the city.

The city was always busy with people during the daytime, and one would think how a place run by pirates be so peaceful. I asked that question so many times along with others, but nothing would come to mind.

Finally, after a little bit of walking, a food stand could be seen just ahead. An old man with grey hair was all smiles as he tended to his customers.

"Ah! Good afternoon, you two hungry?" The old man asked with a warm smile.

"Hello, Mr.Vaughn!" Ellie showed her most stunning smile to the man at the food stall.

Mr. Vaughn was just a typical old-man who sets up his stall in the same place every morning, grilling food for little gold as a hobby he says.

What a strange old man...

"So, what will it be today for you guys?" Mr.Vaughn asked as he simultaneously worked on other customer orders.

"I'll just have the usual. What about you Ellie?" I asked. However, Ellie flat out ignored my existence and ordered something for herself.

"Alright! Hold tight! I'll get it done in a jiffy!" The man laughed as he began to cook our orders, and the smell of it could make anyone drool from hunger.

A few moments later the man had our orders finished and wrapped in a special casing that kept the food warm while making it easy to eat on the go.

"Now, you two should make up after you fill your stomachs! I may be old, but I can still clearly see something is going on here. Besides you two little lovebirds sh-"

"HAHAHA! I GUESS WE SHOULD BE GOING NOW RIGHT IAN?"Ellie asked as she stared daggers at me, and I could only nod in fear for my life. I immediately pushed her wheelchair toward the busy street.

We continued to move through the city for several minutes before Ellie decided to speak up.

"Ian, I want to go to our usual place while we eat...Is that ok?"Ellie asked as she glanced up at me. She finally calmed down enough to speak to me again after several minutes of leaving the food stall.

"Oh...yeah sure! We could go there today" I answered swiftly with a smile.

"Great!"Ellie showed the most beautiful smile as she stared at me. I could feel the heat rise within my cheek as an unknown feeling comes over me.

"Well...let's go!" I immediately pushed Ellie towards our destination. I heard Ellie giggle for some apparent reason as we made our way to one of the highest points on Aldine.

The place was a grassy hill with a singular tree promptly placed on top of it. I didn't quite remember when this place became special to Ellie, but for some reason, her mood would always improve when we reached this area. I parked her wheelchair against the tree.

"Help me out!"Ellie raised her arms above her head as she held her food tightly in one hand. I quickly assisted her out of her wheelchair, and held her close. Her red eyes were staring into mine as if she was expecting something.

Seeing Ellie's face up close made me feel some kind of tightness in my chest. The distinct feeling was something new to me and if I knew how to act on this feeling then maybe...