Lights covered Garu's eyes as he groin in pain, deflecting it with his hand while sitting up to look at his surroundings. The room is big, or he should say it's more less like a room. There are three walls here while one is an open area, exposing the sky at the same level as the clouds. Garu wasn't sure where he was, but all he remembered was bright flowers and this familiar feeling in his chest that no longer lingering.

"You're awake."

Garu heart jumps then notices a young boy, who wasn't too far from his age, putting a meal tray beside him. The boy moved closer, which made Garu cautious of him. Within an instant, he grabs Garu's face then his hands. Up close, the boy is actually blind, and the same goes with his movements.

"Your temperature is normal," he said, letting go of Garu then leave to burn some incense in a pot. "You and Pucca slept on the garden bench in the middle of the night, where cold can kill you. Luckily you two were found before frostbites started to form."

Sounds caught their attention, coming from the hallway and into the room. It belongs to Master Soo. He looks worried as sweat is dripping down from his forehead.

"Oh, Garu. I thought—"

Master Soo didn't finish when his four maidens pushed him to the side as they emerged into the room. Pitifully fallen to the floor as Master Soo felt he had broken something. They all fawn over Garu, which overwhelms him, so he quickly hides behind the closest person, and that's the blind boy. With this, many people around the boy had him nearly lose balance.

"Ladies, ladies," the blind boy began, settling them. "He slept for two days straight and just woken up. As for your irrational action, ladies." Showing how confused and frightened Garu is. "See, it's scaring him. So then, stay within ten feet away from him. And no touching. He needs rest to regain his strength."

"We're deeply sorry, Soso."

"We didn't mean to scare him."

"He's such a cutie that we can't help it."

"Bug off, Soso. Mind your own business."

They all say it at once that it's hard to catch every single word, however, an insult was heard but was let it slide.

"Do as he says. Let Garu eat first and then talk," Master Soo helplessly said, getting his old body back to his feet. The ladies grumble in disappointment. "Why are you here? Where's Dada?"

"At the Goh-Rong because Pucca is sick. She doesn't sound too well from what I heard," Soso answered.

"Her illness sounded worse from each news I heard. How's the chef are handling?" Master Soo asked, seeing Soso shake his head while sighing. "What about you, Garu? Are you feeling better?"

Garu opens his mouth then closes, feeling confused as to why there's no word coming. Out of horror, he gasps and grabs his throat. Something is wrong, and Garu can't see it. From all those gasping, he soon succumbed to unconsciousness, alarming everyone as they ran toward him.

Master Soo was a bit late to the scene because he was far, but could see that there's something on his neck. A seal. It belongs to his mother, which makes no sense as to why she would do such a thing.

"He's still weak. We should let him be. Come, ladies," Master Soo said, excusing him and his maidens out of the room.

For whatever reason, Master Soo needs to check on his mother. No one or anyone ever saw her. Other than her children, which some knew her whereabouts, and that happened to be Master Soo. The Honorable Mother staying in his palace, more than usual, somehow seems suspicious of her character.

◆ ◆ ◆

"Her fever isn't going down."

The three chefs are worried as Linguini wipes a few sweats on Pucca's forehead. Her fever hadn't gone down but kept on rising. This's the first for them to experience as such, wishing her condition gets better. They felt miserable but didn't notice Dada entering. He ignores their grieving and focuses on cleaning the area, where a sick person shouldn't be buried.

Dada should be in their spot right now. Unfortunately, the restaurant isn't looking too good if they continue locking themselves here. The chefs need to go out and keep the customers entertaining with their meal. Outside. Where to begin. The village is filled with mindless living beings, like real zombies, minus the eating brain part. It fell miserably on how vital their noodles are worth.

Dada wants to say something but doesn't have the courage to speak. Then came a savior, Ching, who barged in while putting the chefs back into their positions. For whatever reason, Dada felt thankful to her.

"Those three are hopeless when it comes to Pucca." Ching returned as she puffed her cheek out of anger. "She can't get any worse..." Ching muttered, feeling Pucca cheek then panic. "Gosh. We had to take her to a hospital. With that kind of temperature, she won't survive. Dada."

"Y-yes?"

"Call the hospital and tell them to send an ambulance to the Goh-Rong."

"Okay... I'll leave and..."

There it goes again, that's what Dada grasps his situation. His head hurts, no matter what he fought. Very soon, darkness will succumb to his subconscious. He needs to leave before anything that's out of his control will damage others. Slowly to the door, Dada was about to leave, then Ching grabs him and hands him a bowl full of water.

"Before you make that call, replace this water first," Ching said, waiting for his response.

Dada just stared at her, then sighed and said, "Her fever is high doesn't mean she'll be close to death. Why bother the physician?"

"What? I—"

Clearly, her face showed confusion, which made Dada chuckle under his breath. He ignored Ching's instruction because his agenda changed. The bowl went back to Ching, while Dada walked and observed the room.

"But first, we'll fresh out the room." Dada opens the window when a nice breeze comes in. "That's better. The room needed to be clean, and she had to take those clothes off. It's wet because of her sweat." Everything that explains is steadily processed through Ching as she watches him agape of her mouth. Dada can tell from her reaction, so he said, "Can you make something hot, like a stew. In case Pucca is woken up."

Ching didn't question but slowly nodded her head and left. If that's out of the way, Dada can peacefully organize the room. Before he began, a glimpse of Pucca made him smile at how settled she's breathing. Then an uncertain image appeared in his head, screaming and a dying man. Dada groin, hoping his aching head would stop.

"I'm... Dada," he whispered. "And I... I love Ring Ring. Yes, that's me. I'm no one but me."

—————

This act was supposed to be on the fourth, but I changed my mind. I save this act later for the fifth. The previous act, the one that replaced this one, it was supposed to be saved for a special chapter. An omake, extra. Whatever it is called after an epilogue of a story.

It's the fifth act, and I promise every five chapters released in a series will receive a gift. Drawing. I'll draw, in my best capability, that's related to the chapter. It won't be great, but good for practice. The art will be in my DeviantArt, or will be part of the chapter if the site lets me.