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In the classroom...

The class has just begun as Kohaku sat next to Byakuya, he was yawning despite being one of the top students in class. Byakuya quietly wait for the lecture to begin while writing down notes. He was busy scribbling down things from his notebook, while Kohaku took a peek at what he was writing and he was surprised that he write in Kanji, remembering that Byakuya was from Japan. Even though the class is not yet finished, he noticed that Kohaku seems to have something in his mind. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I can read Kanji, you know," Kohaku stated, pointing at the Japanese characters. "Really?" Byakuya asked curiously. Kohaku gave him the notes to Byakuya and took a glimpse of the notes. 'Wow, he has such perfect handwriting... mine is ugly,' he thought.

However, their conversation caught the attention of the students in their class, which shocked them all. It was rare for the student to speak with each other as Professor Hokuri lectured them. "Wait, I can explain--"

"No, it's fine. I was just looking for my USB disk and shit..." Professor Hokuri grumbled, before he was pinching the bridge of his nose and calmed himself. Good, he was distracted and forget his class for a while, earning a slight frown from Kohaku. 'His face said like he wants to sleep for years, gosh stop being so lazy like that!' Kohaku mentally thought, glaring at him for interrupting his 'babysitting' act earlier and getting his ass almost busted but able to keep a neutral expression at his face. Byakuya waited for the professor's USB to plug into his PC, then he clicked the USB icon on his window.

One of the Indonesian students, Julian Pradipta hummed with bored expression as he was spinning his pen. He has a short black hair with long bangs over his green-blue eyes and light tan complexion. He wears a casual collared shirt underneath the silver unbuttoned long coat and an inner crimson long sleeves--wearing a red fingerless gloves on his hands. Donning black jeans and black boots, he appears to be tall, similar height like Kohaku. "Kayana," he called him, making Kohaku's face soured when he heard him called. "Yeah, Julian?" he asked. "Seems like he doesn't care about that."

As everyone was waiting for Professor Hokuri to continue the lecture, Kohaku quickly opened the book to him. "Oh right, there's an important news for next week. There will be seminar and all of you must attend because it's mandatory, not only for us, but for other universities and colleges who are nearby Bali, I believe you must be attending."

Everyone started to cheer since it's not only for them but also their other universities, since it's the final grade for their master's degree. But, Kohaku is NOT a social butterfly who always goes out of the club or do some weird stuffs, he needs a calm environment--just like before he got into the university he wanted to. "So, congratulations for passing the first exam--there will be more exam and you have to finish your thesis for less than two years. So work hard, because you got one week for the next seminar that is held by the Udayana Warmadewata University Professor. This conference is going to be a learning experience for everyone, so do not slack off."

Even though he's a foreign professor, he still a cold bastard who usually nags at everyone, especially Kohaku. Everyone seemed excited, so do Kohaku. The atmosphere in the classroom turned into positive vibes, and they all feel glad and proud to attend this seminar. "Kohaku, are you going to come soon?"

Misuzu Shindō; the twenty-one years old Japanese-American young woman asked, sitting across him and Byakuya as she watched Professor Hokuri lecturing like usual. She has a straight, long blonde hair reaching past her waist, with her long bangs almost covering her eyes and fell between her face tied in low braid. With frameless glasses and fair complexion, she wears her casual campus attributes such as her white-blue collared sweater with her long sleeves covering her white shirt, dark blue jeans tucked into dark brown boots. With a pair of purple-pink flower ornaments attached onto her braids behind her ears to behind head, showing the pride of her family.

Misuzu is strong-willed, impassive and uptight, she kept a monologue over her thoughts and don't joke around too much. However, it's easy to sense that she's feeling intimidated when facing things like Phantom Beasts and she is also observant. Even though they became friends, Kohaku can see a bit of mischief and playfulness side of her, but he's still trying his best to find a new friend.

"Well, I have no choice but to come since it's a mandatory… What about you?" Kohaku replied calmly with a neutral expression on his face, feeling unsure when the lecturer said that he has no choice but to attend for the sake of their grades. "I'll just went along with it," Julian replied, yawning while adjusting his glasses after he finished scribbling his note. Misuzu remained silent while she wrote down on her notebook too, before the other student hummed when he look down at the desk.

It was Kyoran Asagiri--the twenty-one years old young Japanese-American fellow, he was folding his arms while looking at the projector screen. He has a short, partially slicked-back light blue messy hair with long bangs along black streaks and light green eyes under his spectacles, he has a fair complexion and somewhat a grieving and somber look on his face--a pair of black piercings on both of his ears. He wears a dark blue formal shirt with rolled sleeves folded neatly to his mid-wrists, black vest, red tie, white belt, dark blue and light blue-striped pants with polished black and light gold platinum shoes. He has gold bracelets on his wrists and a dark brown and light gold trench coat draped over his shoulders, he also has white suspenders that tied them up around his waist and his black leather fingerless gloves.

Kyoran is known for his somewhat grieving and cold attitude, he seems... harmless even though he has his compulsion ability to confuse those lower than his station and make his opponents attack their own allies, this ability extends to be able to compel most humans in the opponent's immediate area. He's smart, able to memorize several steps in complicated orders and use those steps to plan out traps or strategies, but is unable to calculate his odds in a fight and underestimating someone he shouldn't. "I have seen everything from the beginning to the end, if I continue down this path, the sins that I will commit will keep mounting up. No matter what..." he muttered, his voice filled with exhaustion and... longing for something.

What makes Kohaku scared of him is one; he's a psychic, that alone he felt unease to confront him when he did. Second; he always slips a hint of 'upcoming future' that will happen someday from him in between the class after they became friends. Kohaku wondered why he was keeping his mysterious and distant at first, even after he knew him well as a friend; he don't talk about something personal. More worse, he says something vague until it became 'true' and disturbing.

Since then, he talked with them a lot. He really wasn't happy, he didn't even told Kohaku why he was sad in the first place--this guy rarely talks about himself, like he still wondering why is he like this. Byakuya doesn't even know either, because when he tried to get to know him--what Kyoran said was: "You seems very particular, or maybe that's just me? Guess I'm just bored."

Which left him staring at Byakuya in a baffled manner after he heard that. Later in a certain circumstance, even Byakuya received something of a lecture from Kyoran as well, and he reacted... passive, except just before he leaves without hearing another word from him. "I hate repeating myself. How many times I must talk to someone?" Byakuya muttered darkly, gripping his pen tightly enough to snap it. Julian can see that, he wasn't surprised about that.

Kohaku simply patting Byakuya's back, making him feel better after witnessing that event. Is this guy also able to read fortunes or something? That wasn't pretty bad, something happened between him and a student that recently died, Kohaku guessed. "Kayana!" he froze when he heard that female voice, before he whispered to Byakuya. "Leave right now, don't look back."

"Why?" Byakuya quietly asked as he held the strap of his bag and prepared to leave the class, since this is not the first time that someone heard his discussion with Professor Hokuri. "JUST DO IT!" Kohaku whispered when he glared at Byakuya and making him startled at his sudden scowl, he quickly glanced at Misuzu before he back to Byakuya and nodded towards the door which made him go out of the class when the lecturer asked a student a question. After he left, Kohaku knew it who it was as Julian said with a grin. "Yeah, you know her."

Shania Widjaya or Shania; the twenty-one years old Indonesian young woman greeted Kohaku with a hug from behind, making Kohaku shuddered in fear that she had a 'bravery' to do that to him. She has a long sandy blonde hair with her two long bangs framing her forehead on both sides, fair complexion and has blue-colored eyes--she also wears a red paint on her eyelids and flower card-like earrings on her ears. She wears a black tank-top underneath her red high-collared cropped jacket with white borders, black mid-thigh pants with dark blue short skirt over it--she also wears a black tights and dark brown knee-length boots.

Shania is mature and caring individual but also energetic and playful, when it comes to Kohaku--her playfulness tend to be on him. She's has a twin sister called Chelsea Widjaya, she has been with Kohaku during high school with the other four friends like Julian, Andrew Wiradtmadja, Karel Juan Rahardja or Juan, and lastly Jonathan Tedja--now all of them were in Warmadewata University together. Even though they were close friends, Kohaku was not fond of being close with Shania, despite that she's mature. She's a confident, cheerful and determined girl when facing danger, she's a bit immature though.

"What?"

Kohaku replied with a cold glare as his voice sent shivers down anyone's spine, but she took no notice of this and smiled brightly. "Oh come on, you're in international class with me. I've been busy with organizational activities, so I won't be back in class until tomorrow," Valen explained with a bright smile and started to rub his head, before he saw his crackhead friends that made Julian gulped. "Crap, Andrew and Juan are here!" he whispered, Kohaku nodded--they have to act casual or a murder will occur. And they successfully escaped from them. Luckily Andrew has a basketball club, while Juan have a drama club, by the time the class finished--the three friends excused themselves from them.

Andrew is an Indonesian who has a dark brown short hair with messy bangs over his green eyes and cheeks, he has fair complexion and wears glasses. He always dressed in casual shirt and coat attire, giving his attire the impression of nobility--while Juan has a laidback attitude, he has a black messy hair with his hair side covering his eyes underneath the black and orange hooded coat, with a cuff on his right ear and has sharp cyan eyes with an indifferent expression on his face. While Andrew is very chill--when the situation is heated, Julian and Juan have this bond to tease him to make him get irritated faster. Shania was very close to all of them, as they still remain with Andrew, even if he kept scolding all three of them, him and Shania would work together to stop the three's recklessness.

"Are you guys going to seminar too? I have arrived from somewhere and planning to join too," Shania asked, twirling her hair. "Uh, we'll go with our classmates," Julian answered, rubbing his nape as Kohaku sighed when his friends are near him. "I had no choice, also I need to catch up with an exchange student--we are already friends."

"Wow! You befriended him that easily?! Go get him, Kohaku!"

Juan said that made Andrew's eyes widened before he patted his back excitedly as he chuckled with a glee, the other laughed as he saw Byakuya's expression when he was leaving them alone. Kohaku immediately catch up on him, before he glanced at him. "Sorry about that, they were super fast if they caught their prey and teasing them mercilessly," he explained.

Byakuya seemed lost for words, he's just standing there looking at him. In the end, he was able to escape--but something in Byakuya's expression changed--his voice was slightly rough. While he walked beside him, Byakuya stopped on his track that made him puzzled--until Kohaku saw him taking out his inhaler and began to inhale it into his mouth. 'Fuck,' Kohaku cursed his lack of attentiveness and ran over to him when he saw that. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine... give me a minute," he said, putting the inhaler into his pocket and continued walking, grunting as he kept breathing. "Byakuya, do you have asthma?" Kohaku asked, who was worried for him. Byakuya nodded affirmatively and said in between breaths, he coughed a little before he explained. "As you may know... I have severe asthma, I don't wanna get rid of it but it's a fact that cannot be denied, and it always bothers me," Byakuya replied, brushing it off casually. "How long you had an asthma?" Kohaku asked, seeing him taking a normal breath as Byakuya explained. "I had it from when I was born, and my younger sister Kyouka had one like me from when she was born. Our late-parents said that it's hereditary, and it meant that they both had it as well."

Kohaku was quite surprised when he heard that. Byakuya had a younger sister? Then his gaze was fixed back onto his work as the minutes have gone by. "The fuck? How bad is it?"

"I can't do harsh sports that involved hiking or anything like that, but I can do something else," he shrugged, brushing his hair. "However, it did not interfere with my everyday life. I just need to be more aware and careful, that's why I take an inhaler anytime I can since I can't leave it from my side. I took swimming just to cease down the symptoms. That way, I won't get out of breath so easily and my lungs can get stronger," Byakuya added. "Huh, you're pretty brave about that."

Byakuya simply glanced at Kohaku, without saying anything else as he kept walking. "So, do you have a little sister?" Kohaku asked, but that question made Byakuya comically looming over him with a darkened, stiff face. 'AH SHIT!' he internally cringed himself. 'Idiot, he told you that his parents passed away! What will you do if he freaks out?!?!' Kohaku thought, not liking the fact that his glare is even worse than his. Byakuya seemed uncomfortable as he remained stoic, although he did seem pensive. He looked over the question for a moment or two, then he turned away. "Well..." he finally said, he appeared hesitant and anxious about his question. "Yes, I have a little sister and she's in international school. Her name's Kyouka Shinobu, she's in her second-year in high school."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Kohaku sighed in relief, he rubbed his temples and made a surprised noise. "Anyway, your English isn't that bad though," he smirked. "Really? My pronunciation wasn't wrong, wasn't it?" Kohaku grinned as Byakuya playfully teased him when he used his hand, making him slapped his hand away. He also chuckled, by the end of the afternoon, they went back home. Once he went back to his mansion, Kohaku yawned loudly as he stretched his arms. He still don't want to waste his free time--especially Byakuya being the topic after he became his best friend, that he finally used his chance and rest.

His father still on official duty outside Bali and he will back after two weeks, he wondered what is his widowed old man is doing--ever since his mother passed away when he was so young. Kohaku always been in charge of cooking and cleaning the whole mansion except the rooms. He sat on the couch and opened the television, it seems every channel is just showing the news or movies, there's nothing good anyway. 'There will be seminar huh...' he thought.

Next week...

There was a seminar in the college campus of Warmadewata University in Bali, which Kohaku absolutely hated attending seminars even his best friend Byakuya didn't like attending there. Not because they hate the topic, but because it's mandatory. The speaker asked the question to the crowd about the world's most intelligent person and Kohaku honestly not a fan of it to list the names, as he answered without a single clue and Byakuya keep staring at him before he averted his attention to others. Their friends already got bored, even Julian wanted to skip but he couldn't leave the seat and was tempted to bail, but the lecturers still watch over him so he had no choice but to go with it, Andrew's head thump onto the desk and a soft snoring sound was heard, almost getting a detention. Shania sighed softly, why is the seminar so boring when talking about natural disasters?

While Misuzu and Kyoran always focused on the lecturing, it appears like they were 'invested' into the topic instead of the rest who grew bored of them. Not only that, the subject of the seminar was about biochemical engineering and atomic physics, which is obviously nuclear--something that Kohaku didn't understand about. Thankfully, beside both of their seats--Professor Hokuri is with them so he can explain quietly about the lecture. Kohaku glanced at Byakuya who was sitting beside him, he saw that Byakuya looks bored and sleepy while listening to the professor in the podium, and he can easily tell that he hates to attend this seminar.

The infamous professor of Warmadewata University just came as he stood there with a charming smile on his lips, standing beside the other researchers. He was Rihan Pratama or Professor Rihan, the forty-four years old Indonesian lecturer who's very well-known from his expertise and intelligence as a scientist. He has a brown hair neatly combed to side slicked back bangs, fading to gray, strangely enough he looks so young despite his age and has a casual look on his face, his round almond eyes often stare at others and look at them with a smile--as if evaluating them. He was charismatic from how he delivered the conference and held the mic tightly, with the straight smile on his lips. "I think the reason why some of you chose this profession is to make scientific discoveries and technological innovations. This approach to research and development has been shown to be successful, as it is one of the best techniques to resolve complex problems in a multidisciplinary way. Because of the shortage of such talents, both scientists and experts in technology, especially in the field of biomedicine, are extremely wanted."

Kohaku didn't know why, but whenever he look at the lecturer's eyes--something seems... eerie about him, almost unnerving. Then he quickly glanced away from Byakuya with a shiver, remembering his last encounter with that man who despises and avoided him for the last week in the university. He thought Professor Hokuri is the scariest of all, but Rihan seems to have his own intimidation in his presence. He doesn't dare to say to anybody about that, especially not with that devil standing at him. Although he was smiling as if he was friendly, his stern and piercing gaze betrayed this image, making him unreadable.

There was a break time, now it's time for them to leave the seminar and gathered in the dormitory, "Finally, we can get a break! Fuck, that was so fucking boring..." Julian cursed, sitting on the couch as Shania sit beside him, while Andrew and Juan were leaving with the others students as well. "Professor Hokuri, is it true that you used to work with him?" Sanju asked the young adult professor, curious on what happened with those two men in their past lives. "Not really, I just met him during my student life, then we shared projects for a year or so," he stated, sipping his tea as his apprentice nodded. "Then how is he?"

Professor Hokuri sighed in annoyance, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I... rather not talk about him," he said, putting his cup on the table while all of the students looks intrigued, they wanted to know more. "But, it's true that he and I are used to have a project together, and you can find out that we are rival right now," he explained, glancing at Kohaku who seems listening to him, despite his disinterest about his own life. "Huh, really? So that's why you're acting like a grumpy bitch back then," said the professor's assistant as the instructor ruffled his hair and slapped him to the back of the head before standing up. "Oh come on!" Kohaku yelled in frustration, making his face heat up with embarrassment as he scowled at him, but his face soured when the students laughs at his misfortune. 'You're doing this on purpose, you stupid fool!' Kohaku thought darkly.

Kohaku always get teased for his messy attitude and messy hair, so does Byakuya, and everyone in the same class as they take the whole classes, including today's seminar. Usually, the students in international class were in many different places, but, unfortunately, they were in different classes, except for the elite college such as him. Byakuya didn't mind attending a seminar about atomic physics--biochemistry engineering, he understand their technical aspects. The lecturers and the seniors were elated as the whole seminar had ended. "You're Kayana, right?"

Professor Rihan asked, seeing that Kohaku retaining his cold gaze even when his eyes glinted a little. "Correct," he replied curtly as he kept being monotone and he had a neutral expression, in which the researcher quirked his lips into a wry smile. "Next time, why don't we meet in private? After all, I've always wanted to meet you."

Kohaku didn't doubt, however what bothered him was that he hated meeting people, especially the intimidating researcher. He didn't feel relief until the mysterious man finally left him alone, that's when the tension had released in his body and sigh tiredly. Until someone caught his eyes, it was Kyoran, and he met his gaze with his eyes glowed with the familiar light, he seems tired after knowing his future will change. As Professor Rihan left, Kohaku was about to leave until Kyoran spoke. "Be careful, Kohaku."

Wait, why is he talking to him right now? Also, why did Kyoran looked very tired when he blinked at him. "Huh, you actually talking to me, normally," Kohaku questioned as Kyoran stared at him, folding his arms loosely. "No... be careful with that stranger."

Kohaku was startled when Kyoran said that, he seemed concerned about his strange behavior, he does not usually talk to anyone like that--if he wasn't sure enough. "Alright, I'll keep it noted, but why are you suddenly concern about me?"

"... You are different from everyone else."

'The hell, can this guy talk more?!' Kohaku thought after he heard Kyoran's reply, the words made his heart skipped a beat, but instead he brushed it off as he took a calm, deep breath, yet still trying his best to keep his composure. Maybe he was right, or maybe not?

The next day, Kohaku was listening to Professor Rihan teaching in his class like usual--why is this guy so popular again? That smart ass mouth sure annoying, he already read the teaching materials. Kohaku closed his eyes in irritation and he tilted his head slightly, brushing it off as a yawn. Even his friends were stunned to see him sitting next to Byakuya, asking some random questions to tease him. After the class is over, Kohaku decided to get something from his lab first--while letting his friends went to the parking lot to get their motorbikes.

Kohaku look around the lab, before he entered inside as it was empty. 'Alright, I have to gather my materials,' Kohaku thought, kneeling as he take the containers from the shelves when suddenly--he sensed something behind him. Kohaku quickly turned around to see that Professor Rihan was behind him with a cheerful face, and he looked a bit taken aback before greeting him a smirk. He recognized that smile, and it's probably him that waiting behind him in the dark. "What are you doing here?" Kohaku asked, managing to not sound bitter as he looked at him with a cold stare.

"I'm just doing my job, like you," he replied as his expression didn't change one bit, his answer made Kohaku glance in disapproval and ignored him while muttering 'jerk' under his breath. "I want to give you an offer to become my lab assistant, I promise I will pay you an affordable price--and a lovely free time together with me and my friends. How's that, Kayana?" he asked with a smile, but Kohaku--even though he didn't like being Professor Hokuri's lab assistant--is enough because he was already kind enough to deal with his lazy ass and his attitudde. "Professor, I already got an offer from a professor who is far better than you, the offer I was accepted earlier. So, my apologies... I have declined."

Professor Rihan became nervous and started to sweat anxiously, as he's staring at him blankly and a bewildered expression. "Come on, do you really trust that American lecturer more than me?" the professor asked that made Kohaku glared at him, still fixing his words that are related to his first-year professor. "You only know the half of it," said Kohaku as he walk away from the scientist who remained standing there in shock, but he closed his eyes with a dark smirk on his lips. "Kayana, you've been my student since you're in your first year in bachelor's degree... is that how you say it to your former mentor?"

Kohaku stopped when he grabbed his wrist, making him defensively, pulling his wrist away from his hand. "No means no," he sternly hissed at him, raising his voice even though the other people might hear them, he has never once shown that expression to any student because he always smiled in a kind and patient manner. "How about this? If you don't accept my offer, I'll reveal your deepest, darkest secret in front of everyone. Say no and there will be consequences," Professor Rihan threatened in a cool, casual tone that makes Kohaku frozen in place. "You know nothing about me, Prof."

He snapped, speaking in a low tone while his emotions suddenly getting tangle into a tightrope. "I know, and so many professors wouldn't even--I mean have not--got anything like this before. But, you're one of the rebellious student with a high grades, from what did you do back then?"

Kohaku became quiet as he couldn't find the words he could say. He just silently stayed that way. Professor Rihan then leaned his head towards his ear. "Go on, give it a go. Make a mistake and mess up. I won't blame you."

This guy... Kohaku stepped back and the professor tried to get closer to him, he had enough despite rejecting him politely and all he did is to punch his face... which pissing Professor Rihan off. The rejection made the professor's pride shattered, fueled with wrath that he does not accept any refusal. "Why you...!" he growled, Kohaku had to use his karate skill to defend himself--but before he could; the professor caught him by surprise.

For unknown reason, Kohaku felt a fear and defenselessness, almost making him shiver as the professor leaned to his face with a spiteful smile on his lips. "Not gonna lie, you have a handsome and beautiful face," he whispered, making Kohaku's expression darkened and now it was his turn to grab the collar of his lab coat and pulled him roughly to the wall. "Say that word again to me, and I'll chop your own dick and make it a salad you son of a bitch!" he growled, before his eyes widened when Rihan grabbed a dull object that could potentially knock out his student. "You think this is over? I'm NOT alone you know..."

The last thing Kohaku knew... is one of his 'students' knock him out from behind and drugged him with the sedative that was poured on the cloth, torturing him and dragged him far from the lab--Kohaku tried to resist as he was placed at the back of the building. All of a sudden, his face went pale when he heard the sound of unzipping the pants and he trembled, hearing Professor Rihan whispered something at his ear.

"Listen up kid, how much longer will you sleep peacefully? I'll steal whatever I can and leave a permanent scar in your body."

Few hours later, Professor Hokuri yawned when he was about to enter the lab--his eyes widened to see blood everywhere and he snapped. "WHO THE FUCK DID THIS AND WHERE DID MY STUDENT GO?!"

Just like that, he wanted to alert the authorities about this and he was going to text on Kohaku's number--he noticed that he was offline. Where is he? He saw the lab assistants who were part Professor Rihan's team shrieked to see him, they ran off until Professor Hokuri aimed his dart to the wall in front of them. "Why are you brats are still here?" he questioned, approaching them intimidatingly when suddenly... a phone's ringtone could be heard, making him a bit taken aback but his stoic expression remained unchanged as the students shrunk in fear. "RUN!"

They didn't realize that Professor Hokuri effortlessly took them down by his martial arts skills and that's when he found an antidote in one of their clothes, he watched the students got knocked out as he told the other Indonesian lecturers to keep them guarded with the security guard. He had to search Kohaku, where the fuck is his lab assistant? He know this brat didn't like him, but at least he should've let him known.

He found Kohaku in the backyard.

Kohaku was unconscious but breathing weakly, making Professor Hokuri gasped in horror. "KOHAKU!" he yelled, examining him while he started to contact the ambulance, he won't lie that he was shocked to see bruises and wounds all over his body, the sign of blood from his... No! He won't continue, he couldn't believe this is happening. "Kohaku, can you hear me? Listen, I need you to stay awake as long as possible, you can do that right?" he asked in a panic tone, before holding his wrist to check the pulse and did it to the other wrist.

Kohaku coughed up blood and grimaced from the pain, his face turning paler. Oh god, Professor Hokuri can see how the cuts and marks the culprit left on his flesh under his clothes and the dark scars shaped as scratches made his face drained with its blood. This is bad, he must act now. "Hold on, let me fix your clothes first." he whispered, grunting as he carefully put Kohaku's arms around his neck and carried him in the bridal style, he has to treat his wounds as the paramedics did their first aid to heal him.

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