"Ugh… I smell too much like him. That shampoo has such a long-lasting smell."
Rai frowned as he got ready, running his fingers through his hair as his hair, his skin, everything except his clothes smelled like Zade.
Since Zade had messed around with his things, Rai had been using Zade's products instead, every time, generously.
Actually, Rai had already found his shampoo, body wash, and toiletries hidden away in the corner of the bathroom cabinet yesterday.
He just hadn't bothered taking them back.
Because, if Zade wanted to play games, fine.
Rai could play too.
And this time, Zade would pay for it.
Rai decided he would keep using Zade's things and wouldn't touch his own until Zade himself put them back where they belonged.
It was fine if he smelled like Zade. After all, Zade didn't own the scent. And he should stop thinking he smelled like Zade, it was just the shampoo and soap…
Rai caught his reflection in the mirror and smirked while styling his hair, oddly pleased with himself as he realized he didn't get to be this petty in a long time. It felt kinda nice...since it was Zade...
That morning, Rai was silent enough that he didn't wake Zade up like yesterday.
Also, Rai didn't think he needed to inform Zade about breakfast or lunch either, as Zade had a big enough brain to understand that the food left there was accidentally made extra and he could take it.
So Rai left quietly like that, without seeing Zade's face at all, and honestly, it felt like a perfect start to the day.
Because Rai's good mood was so obvious, Teacher Lia couldn't help but glance at him twice, as he was smiling even while staring at his textbook.
She and Rai hadn't talked much the day before, but she had already decided he was kind, as he seemed to care about the children genuinely. It made her admire him, and she found herself wanting to befriend him.
"Teacher Rai seems to be in a good mood today," she said with a smile.
Rai chuckled softly. "I'm always in a good mood. I've finally properly gotten used to the environment here."
"I see. It does take time. You're from the city, after all. The last teacher we had was from a city too. He complained nonstop about not being able to live here."
"So he left?"
"Yes. After exactly one week and two days."
"I see…"
They chatted a little longer before heading to their respective classes, and on the way, Rai ran into the principal, who cheerfully stopped him for a chat.
"Rai, I didn't get a chance to talk to you yesterday," the principal said. "How is it with your housemate?"
Rai smiled politely. He had many thoughts about his housemate, but none of them suitable to say out loud.
"He's fine, sir. We talked and got to know each other."
Rai's eye twitched as he lied through the polite smile. The principal seemed satisfied enough, so Rai managed to walk away quickly.
'He wants me to lie. That's understandable', Rai thought.
'But if his father ever visits, everything will fall apart. And the principal will realize I lied too.'
Still, Rai wasn't too worried. He felt like the lie in his head was reasonable enough.
'I'll just say that the asshole changed too much after fifteen years. That I couldn't recognize him, and that we didn't really talk much, and I didn't recognize the person I hate to the core and will never forget.'
Yeah...that sounded reasonable.
.....
"Bro, you seriously need to tell me who made these. I want to thank her."
As usual, Shawn was relentless, questioning Zade while Zade handed over one of the two lunch boxes for them to share.
"Then you should thank me," Zade said casually. "I cooked it."
Shawn immediately burst out laughing.
"If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. You can't even fry an egg. Who do you think you're fooling?"
"Ah! Then I guess there's a lunch fairy somewhere who decided to bless me."
Zade shrugged as he said it, to which Shawn nodded seriously, making others laugh while Zade scowled.
"Of course. You believe nonsense over me."
"A lunch fairy makes more sense, Zade. So is she pretty? Did you see her?"
"No," Zade replied flatly. "If I ever do, I'll let you know."
Zade played along, and they chatted until lunch ended about half an hour later, and everyone returned to their wards.
"Be honest," another doctor asked as they walked together to their wards.
"Did you get a girlfriend?"
"I didn't, dude," Zade replied. "Shawn's just suspicious because I brought homemade looking lunch instead of my usual store bought meal kits."
"Well, I'd be suspicious too."
Zade grinned in response.
"Actually, I recently got a housemate."
Zade finally confessed.
"Ah! So the housemate cooks for you too?!"
"Mmm."
Zade hummed, smiling slightly, noticing the other person's grin.
"Yeah, yeah, go on and tell everyone. I know you're itching to run back."
Zade teased him, kicking him lightly. He knew the group loved teasing each other, and this was great news to share too.
Actually, Zade would have told them about Rai earlier, but he was having fun seeing Shawn so curious. That guy was nosy, and Zade felt he should let him wonder by himself a little longer, so he kept silent.
The other laughed loudly in response to which the both earned a sharp look from an elderly nurse passing by.
"So is this lunch fairy a gir-"
"Doctor Grey," a nurse interrupted as they reached the doorstep of the ward, "the lab reports you requested are ready."
Their conversation had to end there, and Zade followed the nurse in while the other went on his way.
After Zade sat in front of the computer and was about go through the files, another nurse approached hesitantly, which was already a sign she had something he wouldn't like to hear.
"Doctor Grey, there's a patient...she's twenty-five. Apparently a second-year medical student. And…"
"Let me guess," Zade said calmly. "She asked for my number, because of romantic interest."
The nurse sighed. "Yes. I refused, but she asked me to give you hers. She was discharged earlier today, and you weren't here, so she couldn't meet you before leaving."
"…You know what to do, miss."
"Yes, but she was very pretty. Educated-"
"Miss," Zade warned.
"I know," she said quickly. "I'm sorry. I'll throw it away."
"There's no need to ask me again," Zade said quietly. "Just discard them. I'm not interested in relationships or marriage anytime soon. Thank you for caring, but not this."
"Yes, doctor."
This wasn't the first time. Numbers came through nurses often.
There were even a few village girls too, whom he often saw around his house, but then the old man noticed and scared them away.
Of course, he had to do that, because otherwise his father would be furious if Zade fell for a village girl and ever brought one home.
Which was hypocritical, considering his own mother had been one, someone who came to the city for work and met his father there.
Zade sighed as his mood worsened at the thought of his father and the missed calls he had ignored.
The missed calls were probably past ten by now.
Maybe he'd call today. Make an excuse…
'He is going to scream at me again. At least now he can only scream at me once a week instead of every day. So it's alright, Zade.'
After finishing his last round of the day on the ward, Zade headed back toward his cabin to pick up his things and leave as he could leave as early as 6 pm today due to little work he had, but then his eyes caught the sight of the cafeteria on the way.
He paused for a moment, then made a quick stop there before leaving the hospital.
"Two large strawberry jelly cups, please."
'…Oops.'
He bought two instead of one by accident…
Maybe the bastard back home still likes these...