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Everyone says that White Blood Cell is terrifying.
They would never say it to his face, of course… I may be a bit of an airhead sometimes—okay, most of the time—but I can still see just how the other cells view him whenever I'm on my routes.
"He's covered in germ guts!"
"Immune cells are always so intense!"
"He likes his job a little too much!"
I hear it all the time.
The other cells back away in disgust or get frightened whenever they see him covered in germ blood or wielding his knives. Yet, they rarely ever appreciate what he's actively doing for them.
If it weren't for immune cells like him, then this whole body would be jeopardized! So I try to make it my personal goal to always thank him.
He deserves it!
"It was nothing. I was only carrying out my job."
White Blood Cell tells me all the time—those were even his first words he ever said to me. I don't know if he's just used to the treatment or if he really views what he does as merely that.
Still though, I like making sure that his efforts don't go unrewarded every time I get the chance to see him. It took him a while to get used to me thanking him all the time, but I hope he knows that I seriously mean it when I tell him.
Even with the last infection the body went through, White Blood Cell and the others worked their hardest to save all cells and this body.
I mean, sure, I find his phagocytosis rather gross and I do get concerned if he's gotten himself hurt whenever he fights, but I would never fault him for any of that at all.
It might seem rather silly, but…
No matter how bad things can get, whenever I see him show up, I feel… Safe… Like, really safe. Because I know just how dependable he is. I trust him with my life. Literally.
He's saved me so many times in the past, as well as guided me whenever I, you know, get lost.
Like when we first met, he did both! He saved me—twice! And he also helped me find my way back to the lungs from the kidney. We… We even shared a short tea break together as he managed to get the body to sneeze out that nasty pneumococcus out of the body.
"Here. Sit and watch with me."
I could never forget that day, even if I tried! It was so memorable to me.
And every time after that, he's been there whenever I needed him—whether I need saving or when I need to find the right way again.
Um… Speaking of which…
Hold on. I need my map.
…Oh, no… Seriously?!
I missed the superior mesenteric artery! Ugh! Why do these routes have to all look the same?! This map is so complex to figure out!
"Red Blood Cell?"
That voice. I know it from anywhere.
"White Blood Cell!"
My cheeks are feeling red and warm. They do a lot whenever I see him, but I sometimes wonder if he's ever noticed.
"Are you alright?"
A common question he asks me in situations like this.
"I, um… I just missed my turn is all…"
I know he would never really be upset with me for admitting such mistakes—he never does—but I always get so embarrassed whenever I have to say it. I don't want to seem like I'm incompetent. Especially since he's so wonderful at what he does.
"Heading to get some nutrients in the small intestine?"
A good guess. Well… I'm not delivering oxygen on this particular assignment, so it would've been an easy assumption.
"Yeah…"
"Do you need me to help you?"
That tone… He's so gentle and sincere, never condescending.
I honestly love it when we walk together, but still…
"I don't mean to trouble you, White Blood Cell... I mean, aren't you busy on patrol?"
The last thing I want is to be an inconvenience. Especially to him. I know he has to constantly be alert in case his receptor goes off and warns of potential threats.
"Not that busy. I'm actually free at the moment, so I don't mind."
Did he just smile? It's making my heart beat faster that I can't help but smile back.
"Okay."
I hope it's not rude that I let a little chuckle slip. I don't think it was since he didn't say anything about it, just…
"Come on, Red Blood Cell."
Again, that gentle tone that makes me know he's got that kinder side to him that the other cells unfortunately can't see.
He's so trustworthy, that I'd follow him anywhere. This is certainly no exception.
There's something about seeing White Blood Cell walk with me each time that I can't help but look over at him every so often. I can't help it. He always looks so calm and collected. It's almost… Charming.
Are my cheeks getting red again?
"Hmm? Are you okay, Red Blood Cell?"
Oop! Caught glancing at him! Think of something to tell him, Red Blood Cell!
"Ye—yeah! I'm fine, White Blood Cell. I was just… Thinking about something was all."
"Really? About what?"
"Um… Well…"
Huh? I know that sound… It's his receptor!
"Hold that thought, Red Blood Cell! I'll be right back, so stay at a safe distance!"
White Blood Cell…
He just ran off towards the danger. I know he wants me safe, but… I have to follow him to make sure he doesn't get hurt. I guess it'll be okay if I don't get too close—just enough to see him.
"Oh… A red blood cell!"
A streptococcus?!
Wait! Aren't they hemolytic?!
…Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all!
I'm so scared, I can't move!
"Don't you dare touch her, filthy germ!"
And just like that, there's a dead bacterium right in front of me. I can't believe I was so close to getting myself killed!
And behind that thing…
"White Blood Cell! You saved me!"
He's just looking at me… And coming over! Maybe this time he's mad at me?
"I'm… I'm sorry, White Blood Cell! I knew I should've stayed where I was! I… I didn't mean to—"
What?! He's… He's hugging me!
"Shh… It's okay. The important thing is that you're not hurt, Red Blood Cell."
Again, that soft tone—just with a touch of worry to it, obviously. I guess he's not mad at me after all. But, then again, I can't recall when he ever was before now that I think about it.
But… Wait. Wasn't his arm…?
"White Blood Cell! You're hurt!"
"It's just a scratch…"
Typical. He never likes to express pain. But I can't simply ignore it… Time for the first aid kit!
"Please, White Blood Cell… Let me at least bandage it."
Please.
"…Alright, Red Blood Cell."
He's taking off his jacket! And it's making my heart race! I can't look away!
His arms… They look so strong. Well, obviously since he has to fight a lot of germs.
But… Those same arms gave me that hug. He was pulling me close. But, at the same time, it felt… Delicate. Like he was scared to hurt me if he wasn't careful enough.
And putting this bandage on, it's like I can feel his strength. It's impressive just how much self-control he has—to be fully unleashed one minute, then incredibly gentle the next.
The same could be said about his eyes—at least his visible one. Full of fury when germs were in sight, but a rather fonder gaze just like he has now.
"By the way, Red Blood Cell…"
Hmm?
"What were you thinking about earlier? Before my receptor went off."
He remembered about that?
"Um… Well…"
I could still hear some of the surrounding cells around us talking about what just happened. They still found White Blood Cell intimidating and violent. Was that all they noticed? They seriously didn't see him just now with me?!
I knew what to tell him.
"I was just thinking… How do you feel about what everyone thinks of you whenever you fight. Like, how do you deal with it?"
Um…
…Maybe I said the wrong thing? He's being quiet now and just… Looking down to the ground.
"…It's just words, Red Blood Cell. I just make sure that I do my job by keeping them and the body at peace. As long as I'm able to do that, then… It really doesn't matter what they say about immune cells like me."
Why does he have to hide so much hurt?
"Well, if it means anything to you, I think you're truly great, White Blood Cell. The body is very lucky to have an important cell like you be a part of its immunity."
Did I just say all that cheesy stuff out loud? My heart's racing again, so I must have.
But it can't be all that embarrassing to admit all that. He is smiling after all, so at least I made him feel better.
There was a brief moment between us though. It wasn't awkward or anything—I hope. Just… Quiet.
It was like the only thing in motion was my heart, still fluttering. Not in a I'm-in-so-much-danger sense, but more in a I-can't-believe-I-said-all-that-to-him sense.
I want to say something to clear everything.
But…
"Thanks, Red Blood Cell. I… I really appreciate you saying all that."
How can something so simply said make my cheeks feel warm and my heart feel like it's running a marathon?
But I can't concentrate on that now! Not when we're getting back to resuming the route…
I just need to put my focus on how to get to the small intestine. Just like White Blood Cell's able to put his full concentration whenever he does his job, so must I!
He motivates me. And I can do this just as well as he can! I've got this! I've definitely—
"Red Blood Cell?"
"Yeah?"
"The small intestine is this way…"
"Ah! I… I knew that!"
…I actually didn't…
As I look at him though, he doesn't even tease me or patronize me about it. I'm not surprised. He never does.
If anything, he just gives a light chuckle with that cute smile on his face sometimes. I wonder if he realizes I know when he does that as he usually tries to hide it with a cup of tea or something.
But while we're walking—the correct way—I do know at least this…
Whenever he's with me like now, I know he's with me. I know I can never get lost. I know I'm safe with him.
Even as he's walking here next to me, with a tear on his jacket's sleeve and a freshly bandaged arm, he looks so calm… As if the earlier incident just now didn't even happen.
There's just no way he could be a mere ruthless neutrophil that everyone else sees him as. All they seem to associate with him are just blades and blood. But with how I see him… I see how he still watches over everyone—how he watches over me…
He does it so naturally and without even hesitating.
And he even makes the time to make sure he's able to go above and beyond to help me find my way anywhere in the body!
He probably doesn't realize it, but whenever he does help me, I simply breathe easier. Not only does he bring peace within the body, but he brings that same sense of ease to me as well.
I can only dream of having the same amount of value to him like he does for me!
…I guess that's what makes me blush each time he appears and why my heart flutters whenever he speaks to me.
And the rare times he does smile… It's like he reserves them only for me.
Maybe because he knows how much I let him know how vital he is. Because he really, truly is!
I wish he could simply escort me everywhere. Not because I need it—okay, I do—but because I really love…
…I really love his company.
But… I know we each need to do our jobs on our own. I'm just glad that I'm lucky enough to have him be there for me.
"Looks like we're here… Thanks, White Blood Cell. It… It means a lot to me when you help me."
That smile… So modest. It feels like I could understand him as if he were saying that it was no trouble at all without even saying a word. I wonder if that means anything…
"I guess I'll have to go get those nutrients…"
Why is parting always the hardest part to do?
"…By the way, Red Blood Cell…"
Hmm?
"In regards to earlier, when you were asking what I thought of what other cells say about me…"
"Ye—yeah?"
"I just want you to know… That you're the only cell whose words I truly value."
Really?! I… I do have value to him after all?! I just know I'm blushing my face off right now! Like, way more than he is!
I want to say something that makes everything less awkward. But what can I even say? All I can do is just smile. I can't really help my blushing though.
But his expression… It looks like he could read me like I just did.
"Thanks, Red Blood Cell."
His tone… It sounds… Warmer—almost affectionate.
My heart just beat harder the wider his smile grew.
"Of course, White Blood Cell."
With just a second longer, we shared another smile between us until we resumed our jobs. He turned around to continue his patrol. And I…
…I had to see him walk off to his duties. Just for a bit.
And there he goes, blending into the crowd as always.
However…
To me…
He'll always stand out more than any other cell in this body.
What I see in him that no one else seems to see…
He is… He's amazing.
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