The dim fluorescent light buzzed faintly as the nurse stood in the tiny staff restroom, cleaning off blood from her uniform with careful precision. The sink beside her was stained with crimson streaks, a reminder of the chaos of the last couple of days. Somewhere outside, the distant hum of drones carried on, a cold and mechanical reminder of the new reality. She wrinkled her nose at the sharp metallic scent lingering in the air, shaking her head as though scolding herself for letting it get to her.

“Get it together, Hyejin,” she muttered, her voice slipping into Korean, steadying herself with the familiarity of her native tongue.

The mirror in front of her reflected a woman who looked far older than she felt. Her braided pigtails, once neat, were frayed, with streaks of dried blood. For a moment, she paused, her hands gripping the edges of the sink, her head bowed as she muttered “I’ve dealt with combat injuries before but this is something else” as the relentless buzz of drones persisted in the distention.

Inhaling deeply, she straightened up, “A fresh start,” she whispered, forcing a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her tired eyes.

From a clean locker in the corner, she pulled out a crisp pink nurse uniform and apron, smoothing the fabric as she slipped it on. Her stockings were pristine, a small luxury she allowed herself, and she took an extra moment to ensure her little brown pigtails were cleaned and neat.

She pauses for a minute, as she slowly reaches into the dirty laundry, grasping the revolver she pulls it out of the basket. With a deep sigh “I’ve best hide this under my apron” fearing one of the students getting a hold of it.

In the mirror, she finally saw the version of herself she wanted others to see, Nurse Choi Hyejin, happy-go-lucky, ever-reliable, and unshakable. “No one trusts a nurse who looks worse off than the patients,” she said with a chuckle.

As she stepped back into the nurse’s office, the facade of calm resolve replaced any hint of weariness. The room was still a battlefield of moans and muffled sobs, but the students glanced up at her arrival, their fear momentarily softened by her comforting presence.

“Alright, everyone,” Nurse said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. “Let’s see what we can do to fix you all up! And no whining, I’ve already had enough of that from the vending machines.” Her light-hearted tone was met with faint smiles, even from the most injured among them.

Her eyes fell on Sakura, crouched near a younger girl lying on a makeshift cot. Sakura’s fire axe, the torn fabric strap digging into her shoulder. A weapon carried with such calm by a teenager was unsettling, its edges still gleaned from the night before. With a steady hand, she spoon-fed the girl the viscous nutrient paste from one of the vending machines.

“I know it’s horrible,” Sakura murmured, her voice soft but firm. “But you need to eat.”

The girl whimpered, her lips trembling as she reluctantly opened her mouth. Sakura gently guided the spoon into her mouth.

“Ichika working hard on getting us some fresh food from the rooftop farm, you just gotta wait a little longer” as Sakura’s shoulders drop, leaning close so she could whisper in her ear, “maybe so eggs”

The Nurse gazes lingered on the scene for a moment. Caught a weak smile on the girl's face, but she also noticed Sakura's exhaustion, her uniform dirty and torn at the edges.

As she approached Sakura, “You’re a natural,” Nurse said warmly.

Sakura looked up, her eyes meeting the nurse’s. For a moment, her exhaustion flickered into a faint smile. “I wouldn’t say that. Just doing what I can.”

Crouching beside them, to examine the girls' conditions as she placed a reassuring hand on Sakura’s shoulder, her tone warm but teasing. “You keep this up, and I might have to start paying you. Nurse Sakura has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Sakura let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “I’ll pass, thanks.”

The nurse glanced at the younger girl. Her breathing was shallow, but steady. “Good work. Let me take it from here for now.” She straightened and clapped her hands, her voice rising to address the room. “Alright, people, let’s keep things moving. No one gets better by lying around and looking pretty!”

The Nurse moved swiftly across the room, her spirit never faltering despite the chaos. She approached Yuma, who was seated near a corner cot, her arm cradled against her chest. The bandages around her forearm caked in dried blood.

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“Alright, Yuma, let’s take a look,” the Nurse said, her voice soft but commanding. She knelt beside the girl, her pink uniform and apron a stark contrast to the blood and grime around her.

Yuma winced as the nurse began unravelling the bandages. “You’re a bit too good at this, remaining calm I mean” Yuma muttered, trying to mask her discomfort with humour.

“Comes with the job, I was a medic in the Korean military for a while” Nurse replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. “And with how often you three stumble in here, I’ve had plenty of practice.”

Yuma chuckled weakly but fell silent as the nurse gently probed the stitches beneath. The wound was healing, but the edges were inflamed.

Nurse’s brows furrowed. “It’s not infected, but you need to keep it clean. When’s the last time you disinfected this?”

Yuma shrugged sheepishly. “Not since Sakura bandaged it after the glass…”

Nurse sighed, shaking her head. “You’re lucky it’s holding up. Another day, and you’d be looking at an infection.” She dabbed the wound with antiseptic, drawing a sharp hiss from Yuma.

As she worked, the nurse’s gaze flickered to Sakura, who was across the room, crouched beside a younger student. “How’s she holding up?” the Nurse asked quietly, her voice low enough that only Yuma could hear.

Yuma hesitated, her eyes darting to Sakura. “She’s... not okay,” she admitted. “She’s trying to act strong, but after everything in the games, and with Reo still missing, it’s eating her alive. I’ve never seen her like this.”

The nurse nodded slowly, her hands steady as she wrapped fresh gauze around Yuma’s arm. “It’s a lot for anyone, let alone kids your age. And with the resources we have…” She trailed off, glancing at the dwindling supplies stacked haphazardly on a nearby cart.

“Not much left, huh?” Yuma asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Nurse grimaced. “We’re down to scraps. Antibiotics, clean water, bandages—you name it, we’re running out. And the vending machines…” She let out a humourless laugh. “They’re a cruel joke. Charging points for things like antiseptic spray. As if these kids don’t have enough to worry about.”

Yuma’s face darkened. “Sakura’s been refusing to spend points on herself. She skipped dinner last night and breakfast this morning”

The Nurse's hands stilled for a moment before she gave a small nod. “Of course she is. But she’s no good to him if she collapses first, or worse”as she secured the bandage with a soft pat and stood, stretching her back. “That should hold for now. Don’t strain it too much, and come back if it starts to swell.”

“Thanks,” Yuma said, flexing her fingers experimentally.

The Nurse gave her a pat on the head before moving toward the door. “I need some air. Yuma, Sakura, keep an eye on students for me, will you? They’ll listen to you, even if some of them pretend they don’t.”

Stepping out into the hallway, she exhaled deeply, the metallic taste of blood and antiseptic still lingering in the back of her throat as she loosened her pink apron, letting the cool air hit her neck as she leaned against the wall.

A familiar figure approached, the unmistakable silhouettes of Mr Hanson, his posture tense, a deep scowl etched into his features.

“Hanson,” The Nurse greeted, her tone neutral. “How’s it looking on your end?”

“Same as yours, I’d bet,” he replied gruffly, running a hand through his short-cropped hair. “Kids breaking down, staff on edge. Akasuki’s been trying to hold the line, but it’s slipping. Fast.”

She crossed her arms, nodding grimly. “It’s worse than I thought. Supplies are almost gone. We’re rationing as best we can, but it won’t last.”

Hanson’s eyes flicked to her apron, stained with fresh blood. “You’ve been holding up?”

“Barely,” she admitted, her voice softening. “Reminds me of my army days. Field tents, triage, doing what you can with what little you’ve got. But this…” She gestured vaguely toward the school around them. “This isn’t war. It’s worse. At least out there, you knew who the enemy was.”

Hanson grunted, his expression hardening. “Same. And here? Here, the enemy’s everywhere. Fear, hunger, desperation. It’s in their eyes, Hanson. Even the staff. It’s only a matter of time before someone snaps.”

A heavy silence hung between them, the weight of reality pressing down like a vice. Finally, the Nurse straightened, her gaze steely. “I’ll do what I can. For the staff, too. We’re all hanging by a thread, and if one of us falls…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

Hanson gave a sigh “Let me know what you need, but can you come upstairs, am worried about a few of the older staff members”

“Of course, let me tell the girls while I grab a medical bag” As the nurse heads back inside her office with her usual brisk steps, her presence immediately drawing the attention of Sakura and Yuma. The room was quieter now, the injured students either resting or watching the nurse.

“I need to head upstairs to check on the staff,” she announced, moving quickly to a supply cabinet. Her hands darted between shelves, gathering essentials, a roll of bandages, antiseptic wipes, a few remaining syringes filled with painkillers, and stuffing them into a worn black medical bag.

“Upstairs?” Yuma asked, rising from her seat. Her freshly bandaged arm hung stiffly at her side. “Are they okay?"

“They’re holding on,” the nurse replied, slinging the bag over her shoulder. “But Hanson’s worried about a few of them. Stress, lack of medication… it’s starting to take a toll on some of the staff that have ailments.”

Sakura stood as well, her gaze flicking to the supplies in the nurse’s bag. “Do you have enough? Should we go with you?”

The nurse paused, her fingers lingering on the strap of her apron. She turned to the girls, her expression softening. “No, you two need to stay here. The students look up to you both, even if they don’t show it. If something happens while I’m gone, they’ll need someone strong to rely on.”

“Can you do me a favour?” Sakura asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound calm. “Can you check the system again for Reo? I don’t even know if he’s alive anymore.”

The nurse’s expression softened as she crouched slightly, meeting Sakura’s eyes. “You can count on me,” she said firmly. “I’ll search again. We’ll find him.”