Chapter Text
Bandage Buddies.
Chapter one: It takes two nerds to raise a child.
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Mikan, who was trying to look through her patient’s files, had to stop. Her head was pounding, each throb being more painful from the last. She could feel her over exhilarated heartbeat, sweat coming down from her forehead from the effort to continue reading, to put it down and move to the next stack of papers, her breath coming out to fast. Now that she had lost the will to continue, she collapsed onto the floor. Curling into a ball, she let out painful sobs out as her body shook from the strength of her tears, and it was an hour before she calmed down enough to let exhaustion take over her and bring her into the peaceful world of sleep.
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After she had described her latest stress attack to her doctor, she seemed worried.
“Tsumiki-san, you already have a above average stress from your anxiety. If you continue to have stress attacks like these, you could have a heart attack.” The very idea of the heart attack made Mikan squeak in fear.
“I’ll prescribe you new pills to help lower your stress level, and I’ll try to get you stronger anxiety pills, but… I think you should try a different tactic. Like animal therapy.” Mikan tilted her head and questioned what she meant.
“Animal therapy is a tool where people use animals, ranging from dogs to camels, to help people with there nerves. It’s been proven having a pet reduces stress level. I can hook you up with someone.” Mikan’s mind recalled a boy with weird hair and a long scarf that carried four hamsters with him at all time. He was the Super High School Animal Breeder. Maybe he could help….
She declined the doctor’s choices of people who were well known animal handlers.
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Mikan regretted her decision when she came back to Hopes Peak, staring at Gundam’s room, hand ready to knock, just an inch away from the door. She shook, anxiety bubbling up as she tried to get the courage to talk to him. She knew it was important, but it just seemed so hard. Talking to him, a man she rarely interacted with and asking him to do such a big thing. Would be bothered? Annoyed? He probably had more important things to do then help her with her problem.
Just as she decided to head off, Gundam appeared in the hallway, rushing towards her.
“I have noticed a mortal trying to break into my kingdom. Who are you? Your ranking as well, you must tell me.” Mikan gasped, eyes widening as she clenched her hands together, nervousness and anxiety popping as he angrily glared at her.
“M-M-My na—name is Mikan T-T-Tsumiki… um…. D-d-do you mean my…. title…? My t-t-t-talent?” He blinked once, giving her the sign that was correct.
“I-I’m the Su—Su—Super High School L-Level Nurse… n-n-nice to meet you…” He continued to stare at her and she swore she could feel her soul being sucked out of his body before he blinked.
”I don’t sense danger from you, but I may be mistaken. What is your purpose in visiting me?”
“W-W-Well…. see… I have r-really bad stress and m-my doctor recommends me t-t-to try out animal therapy and I t-think you would know plenty about it s-s-so….” She trailed off, unable to make eye contact as she realized how stupid of her thought was. Why would an animal breeder know this?
He blinked slowly. She read somewhere that cat’s that blink slowly around there owners trust them. She wonders if it implies to him as well.
“….Very well. I shall help you in this torturous quest of freeing you from your deadly curse.” She brightens up.
“T-Thank you Tanaka-san! I’m eternally grateful!” He smiles very lightly.
“Now, did they say what animal they needed to free you?” Shaking her head, Gundam thought deeply, his fingers tapping against his chin.
“….While dog’s can lower stress, this appears to be a deal where you get to keep the animal as a sacred protector, you might not want to deal with the vigorous exercise dog’s need daily. Bird’s war cries would be too much for your ears, and you don’t look like the type that enjoys lizards or snakes. You’re clumsy, right? I have heard exaggerated stories from our male warriors, the chef and the shark mostly.” Mikan blushed, remembering all the times she’s slipped and landed in an embarrassing position.
“Y-Yes….”
“Fish are out of the question. They require to be taken out of the tank constantly for cleaning and upkeep, and I cannot have a clumsy person handle heavy glass equipment or delicate fish. So that leaves you with one possibility… A CAT!”
“C-Cat?”
“Cat’s are relatively simple, Tsumiki-san. They can bathe themselves, causing a lesser need for frequent baths. They go in a litter box which is easy to clean and easy to replace. While they do require much playing, but with modern day toys, it is possible it can be kept at bay while you’re busy.” Mikan listened carefully, and once he was done, she gave a slow nod.
“Then tomorrow, you will have a kitten that I have hand-picked myself!”
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“EEEEEEE! Tanaka-san, it’s adorable!” Gundam smiled with pride, watching as Mikan stared at the small kitten. He decided that a Japanese Bobtail would be perfect for her, and chosen the most behaved one out of the litter to give to her.
“I’m glad you enjoy it, Tsumiki-san…. say, are you aware of how to pick up a cat?”
“Huh?”
“Despite common belief, you have to pick up a cat in a certain way, Tsumiki-san. To disobey the cat’s preferred way can land you in its deadly claws or hatred.”
“I-I don’t want my cat to hate me! Please, tell me how to do it!”
“Let me show you.” Gundam placed one hand behind the cat’s front legs, then placed his other hand on the back legs and hindquarters. The cat relaxed in his hold, swinging its tail around.
“Now you try.” Mikan nervously gulped and nodded, picking up the cat the same way Gundam did. While her arms shook, the cat seemed equally as relaxed as it did when Gundam held it. It even purred, eyes closing and fell asleep in her chest. Gundam smiled at Mikan’s reactions, her eyes widening and a huge smile appearing, along with a pink blush.
“T-Thank you Tanaka-san! This was extremely nice of you!” She whispered, her eyes still sparkling from the cat’s approval. With those loved filled eyes directed at him, it caught him off guard, deep pink filling his face.
“O-Oh yes, it was no bother.” He whispered back, lifting his scarf high on his face and looking away. Mikan giggled, and Gundam swore his heart skipped a beat.
“I-I have to go… goodbye Tsumiki-san.” He blurted out, walking out of the room, giving a lazy wave as he closed the door behind him. After standing by Mikan’s door in silence for a few seconds, he dashed off, entering his own room. In there, he stuffed his whole face in the scarf, letting the dark gods lick is face in an attempt to cool him off.
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“Ah, Tanaka-san, I don’t know what would had happened to my Tsukimi-chan if you didn’t help her!” Gundam nodded, looking at the sleeping cat. Just a day ago, the cat was sluggish and tired, losing it’s normal energetic vibe, like everything had been sucked out of it. Gundam was able to determine that the cat hadn’t fallen ill, simply over exhausted itself by staying up to late and playing so much. Eating too much food was also a cause of this, and he had just shown her how much Tsukimi needed.
“S-S-Say… Tanaka-san…. I’m still learning a lot about cats… and you know all about them. So maybe we should… meet often… and r-r-raise the cat… t-t-together….” Mikan looked to the ground, shaking as Gundam stared with a bright pink face.
“L….L…Like….parents?” Gundam immediately regretted his sentence, seeing Mikan eyes shoot up and her face turn pinker then his.
“Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-YES…. THAT’S A THING WE CAN CALL IT.” Mikan yelled out, inwardly cringing at the volume. Gundam nervously laughed, finding it very hard to stop it.
“HAHAHHAHAHA… HAAAAHAHAHHAHAA….HAHAHAHAHA…. TRUE TSUMIKI-SAN. TRUE.” Mikan joined in with the odd laughter, and it ended up waking up the cat, who let out an angry ‘meow’ to complain. Gundam immediately scratched her chin, his other hand petting the soft fur. In a few seconds, Tsukimi closed her eyes and rested her head back on her bed.
They stared at Tsukimi, both of them smiling lightly. They unknowingly got closer and held their hands together, feeling a weird special feeling neither of them had experienced.
Of course when Tsukimi woke up a few hours later and they realized they had been holding hands for that long, neither of them could stop screaming from the shock.
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End! :3