AE thinks about her job but also 46. She wonder's if she is always a bother to him due to her being lost all the time not only that but she tends to talk to him about her job. She wonder's if 46 feel annoyed or bored listening to her and showing her the way.

" Sekkekkyu-san!" yelled a voice. She looks up and saw 46 there standing a few feet away from her as he looks tired and relief. " Sekkekkyu-san..." he walked closer to her as he helped her stand away from the window. " are you ok? I'm sorry what that cell said, your friends and mine are dealing with it"

AE didn't say anything but just looked down hiding her face feeling sad and guilty.

" Hakkekkyu-san... can I ask you a question?" asked AE still looking down.

" yes anything" he said.

" .... am I bothering you?"

" what? no you're never a bother, why would you think that?"

" it's just- I'm always getting lost, I'm clumsy and I always encounter a pathogen first... not only that but, your always there to save me and- I don't know! I'm such a klutz and-" before AE could finish, 46 hugged AE.

She felt warm and secured even safe when he hugged her. She hugged him back as she started crying again.

" Sekkekkyu-san" he said as he looked at her lifting her face to look at him. " you're never a bother to me. I don't care what other's say. What that cell said isn't true, your not defective nor a sickle cell. yes you do get lost and make mistakes but who hasn't? I've made mistakes in my past but I learn from them and so have you, you've improved well. You aren't an hour late to your delivery, only 30 minutes late and that's improvement"

AE's eyes widen as he said those things about her. She never really thought about that and yet here is 46 telling her that he is there and always watching.

" like the time where you helped me deliver oxygen through the heart?" said AE.

" huh? you know about that?" he said shocked that she knew that he was watching her.

" no but it's just a hunch and you've confirmed it" said AE as she is now smiling. 46 just smiled at her as he wiped her tears away. They looked at each others eyes for a while. They knew that it is chaos and the body isn't doing well but for some reason, when they are together, it's like all the problems disappear. " Hakkekkyu-san?"

" yes?"

"do you like me?" she asked.

46 was not expecting this question from her. He froze up for a second but remembers, he may not get another chance like this and the body isn't doing well. If he doesn't confess now, he may never will. Finally he answered her.

" I don't like you" he said as AE felt hurt and frowned again feeling foolish before he answered " I love you, Sekkekkyu-san" AE's eyes widen again as she let those words sink in " I've loved you since the moment I met you. Your so hard working, determined and full of passion with you work, your so cute whenever you learn a new path and whenever I'm with you, it's like all the problems disappear and I want to be by your side forever, it's ok if you don't feel the same, I just want to tell you this"

AE's feelings was then confirmed as she now has her answer and the confirmation that he does like her back. 

" Hakkekkyu-san, there is so many things I want to tell you but... it's best to show you instead" she said.

46 didn't understand what she meant but he saw her face getting closer to his as she closed her eyes and he then felt her lips against his. He felt his heart pounding like crazy as he felt his face heat up, it took a few seconds for him to calm down before kissing her back as he closed his eyes and pulled her in closer. After 5 seconds, they let go of each other as the blush on their face was as red as AE's hair.

" Sekkekkyu-san..."

" Hakkekkyu-san..."

They looked at each other with love in their eyes as they crashed their lips again.

Meanwhile with the others, 26, 48 and 89 was holding the red blood cells from killing the cell that insulted AE with their legs kicking in the air as they try to kick the cell and every cell was looking at them not knowing what to do. ME's right knuckles is already bloodied as the cell's left cheek was bruised with the cytoplasm coming out of his nose.

" how dare you insult her you jerk!" shouted AA as she tried to punch him before 26 stopped her.

" AE's a hard working red blood cell! She's learning and improving everyday unlike you!" shouted ME as 48 was holding her back from beating the cell up.

" if you think you're so smart then why don't you do the job?" said NT, she isn't throwing hands or anything but 89 is holding her arm as NT is the most level headed out of them but she is ready to commit a homicide if the cell in front of her insulted her senpai " yes when I met her, she is clumsy but she is hard working. cells like you don't do anything other then multiply, you don't have to circulate the body and deliver oxygen nor nutrients, you should be grateful that we, red blood cells are doing it for you so cells like you can survive and yet your here complaining"

NT made a good point as the red blood cells thought of it. Normal cells like them don't do anything other then multiply and create more normal cells.

This made the cell keep quiet as the normal cells around them looked down and thought about the red blood cells work as NT shared. They know that immune cells are there to protect them but the red blood cells are the core of the body since they are dependent on their work and giving them oxygen and nutrients. She was right, despite AE's mistakes, she still deliver the oxygen and nutrients not only that but she is hard working and has the determination and passion that not many red blood cells have.

" let's go" whispered 89 to NT as she nodded. They went to walk away as they walk out of the hall and they are now outside and at the entrance.

89 gestured to 26 and 48 as they nodded and went out of the ball.

26 took AA outside as they walked to a stream as they sat down on a bench with AA still steam with the comment the cell made.

" it's ok AA, 46 told me he's with AE now so it's fine" said 26.

" *sigh* she told me, ME and NT about the comments that cells made about her but I didn't know it was this severe. I'm such a failure at being her senpai" said AA as she buried her face in her hands.

" hey your not" said 26 as he pat on her back reassuring her.

" yes I am!" shouted AA as she is now looking at him with tears in her eyes. " I'm her senpai and I'm supposed to care and protect her but... I even failed at that. If I knew about the insults, I would've stopped it but I was so busy with helping AE to memorize the blood vessels and showing her the way that I didn't realize the comments"

" look AA, you were busy being with AE and being a great senpai to her and show the way, your doing a great job at that. Your something smart and caring and AE's lucky to have a senpai like you. I'm pretty sure she didn't tell you because she doesn't want to worry you, maybe she felt like it would be a burden to you. She must've cared about you a lot since she doesn't want you to carry the guilt" said 26.

" you think so?"

" yeah I do" AA didn't seem convinced before 26 continued " AA, your the most smartest, caring and nicest senpai for AE and I'm glad that you are a lot about her. I'm pretty sure the others also care about her as well. Those are some of the reason why.... I'm in love with you..."

AA looked at him with shock before 26 realized what he just said.

" u-uh w-well you see- uh..." stammered 26.

" no no it's ok 26.... I feel the same too..." said AA as she blushed. 26 also blushed at her comment. At least they know that they do have feelings for each other.

They looked at each other as they smiled. AA's face slowly grows closer to 26's face as he was internally panicking as he felt his lips crashed with AA's. The kiss was a bit short as they both pulled away.

" s-sorry... if it was bad..." she said.

" no it's ok..." they sat there looking at each other a bit awkward. " do you want to try again?"

" huh?" she said before she realized what he meant. " uh... if it's ok with you" she said.

They both look at each other as their face came together as their lips crash against each other closing the gap. AA's lips were soft while 26 was a bit rough as he hoped she doesn't mind the tea taste since he didn't have a proper meal in a while as he tasted some glucose taste on her lips. They deepened the kiss as AA held the back of his neck while 26 wrapped his arms around her waist as they deepen the kiss even more.

Meanwhile with 48 and ME, they went at the opposite direction of AA and 26 as they are currently sat on a bench next to a vending machine against a building as 48 takes out a glucose popsicle from it and gave it to ME.

" I thought you might be hungry so..." he said as he gave her the popsicle as ME took it.

" thanks" she said as she unwrapped it and took a bite. " sorry about that just now... I was just angry"

" no it's ok, I understand. Your just defending AE, besides what that cell said isn't right" said 48 as he sat next to ME " how's your hand?"

After AE left in tears and 46 chase after her, ME sucker punched the cell who insulted her which caused the cell to have a bruise and his nose to bleed. Due to the heat of the moment, ME didn't felt the pain at first until she and 48 left the scene and sat down, she felt the pain in her knuckles.

" it's fine, thanks for the bandage" said ME as she looked at her right knuckles which was bandaged up by 48 who brought a bandage in his pocket in case of emergency.

" no problem, a women like you should be treated like a queen" he said with a sly grin. ME simply rolled her eyes at his pick up line.

ME simply sighed as she turned away with a sad expression on her face. After the whole incident just now, it felt nice for a moment for her to punch that jerk of a cell in the face but she still felt angry and sad that she didn't realized the problem with AE and the comments made. Yes she told her, AA and NT however, she still felt like she can't defend her. Even as s friend, she felt like the worst. AE was the first red blood cell to welcome her and even though she was looking for her kouhai, NT, AE still want to welcome her in the body and even thank her for her job. ME felt happy that AE wants to be friends with her. She wants to do the same but after these couple of weeks, she felt distance from her as if she can't solve the problem with her. The more time she spent with her, for some reason, she still can't understand why cells would make fun of her and insult her like that. She knows and sees that AE is hardworking and it was her who introduced her to 48 and his friends but she still felt like a horrible friend for not defending her against the insult.

" hey... are you ok? Does your hand hurt? If it is then tell me and I can put something to cool it down" said 48 who was worried.

" no... it's fine" ME said still looking away.

" is it because of what I said? If it is sorry about it. Y'know I just like to use these pick up lines but if you don't like it it's fi-" before 48 can finish, ME stopped him.

" no it's not that" she said as she finally turned to him with the same sad expression.

" what is it then? Is it about that cell? It's ok, you didn't so anything wrong besides you defended AE and that jerk deserved the punch anyway" said 48.

" it's not that...." she said.

" then what is it?" said 48 as he is now worried and concerned about ME.

" it's just- I feel like a bad friend to AE" confessed ME.

" why would you feel like that?"

" ever since I met her after the hemorrhage shock, she's been really nice to me and she's hard working and determine even passionate. I've never seen nor met a red blood cell like her before. She reminds me about myself a little bit"

" why is that?"

" I was someone clumsy and I would sometimes get lost like AE and it was the first week of my job, because of that, some cells would tease me but after a while, I got used to the job. AE reminded me of me when I first started my job. And it pains me that no one defended her, not even her other red blood cell workers other then me, her senpai and her kouhai. I feel like a bad friend because I didn't help her before and I just feel so guilty now..." said ME already having tears in her eyes. She then felt a hand on her left cheek wiping the tears away as she looked at 48 with tears in her eyes.

" it's not your fault or anyone at all. You all didn't know that this was coming and I'm pretty sure that AE thinks your a great friend. I know that she is someone who is really kind and caring so don't worry. Besides, I'm pretty sure she thinks you girls are enough of friends for her. 46 told me he's with her and she's feeling a bit better" said 48.

" thank you 48"

" anytime. do you want to go back?"

" no it's ok, can we just sit here for a while?" she asked.

" that's fine by me princess" he said with a grin. ME rolled her eyes as she teased him back.

They talked to each other for a while to pass the time and to learn more about each other. After a couple of minutes, they looked at each other with a smile on their face and a faint blush. Before they knew it, their faces came closer with each other as 48 put his hand on her left cheek holding her face as they felt their lips crash with each other as ME used her left hand and held his hand which was on her cheek. It took a few seconds for them to realized they were kissing each other as they pulled away breathing in.

" I can't believe we just did that" said ME who was in shock.

" yeah me too but... I don't hate it" said 48

" me neither" said ME as she smiled.

" hey I want to-" before he can continue, ME cut him off.

" I know, I like you too, you charming bastard" said ME as she pulled his collar to have his face closer to hers.

48 smirked as he and ME's lips crash one more time as they felt their tongue touch each other and enter each others mouth.

Meanwhile, NT and 89 was sitting at the staircase in front of the ball entrance as NT was hugging her legs while 89 was sitting next to her.

" hey are you ok?" asked 89 to NT who's head is on her knees as her arms hugged her legs.

" yeah I'm fine..." said NT.

" if it's about your senpai, 46 already told me she's  ok and she's with him" said 89 hoping it would make NT feel a bit better knowing her senpai is with his friend.

" that's good..." said NT feeling a bit relieved that at least her senpai is safe but she still didn't look up.

" hey, what's wrong? You don't seem fine at all" as 89 touched her right shoulder with concern on his face.

" it's ok, you don't have to worry"

" but I do, NT your feeling upset and I want to help you. So please tell me what's wrong so I can try to help you" said 89.

NT's head was raised as she looked up at the dark sky. The sky was dark however, there are some small stars up there to brighten the sky. She thought about what had happened as well as her senpai. When she first met AE, she admit, she didn't respect her at all due to her clumsy nature and her ability to get lost and get into trouble. Because of that during the hemorrhagic shock, she didn't mean to get mad at AE but was just stressed because of the situation and since it is her first day on the job. She felt guilty at that time and even now since her senpai is doing everything to help cells get their oxygen and is willing to die in the process. At that point, NT felt regret that she yelled at her senpai and have forced her to carry several boxes of oxygen while NT was sitting on her knees in the cold snow watching her senpai torture herself for others as NT yelled for her senpai to stop and to wait. Sometimes, she would even have nightmares of her being helpless as she watches her senpai go through it again. She felt horrible for that time and all because she didn't have any confidence in her senpai nor respect. All her life as a red blood cell, she only focuses on the knowledge and work but she never considered the mentality of the job and only after the shock, she sees AE being someone determine and passionate. something she didn't learn during her time at the bone marrow.

" I just feel guilty and regret..." admitted NT as she now looks at 89 with a sad and guilty face.

" why? is it because of what that cell said and what you said to him? It's not your fault and he deserves it anyway" said 89.

" no... it's not that..."

" then what is it? Is it about AE?" Said 89 as he knows that NT is still worried about her senpai.

" yes... when I first met her, I admit, I didn't even respect her despite her being my senpai. I didn't even care about her but still do the job with her since AA told me too. Yes she is clumsy and always a klutz. I even find it weird that she is friends with a white blood cell. Because of this, I gave up when it was just me and her delivering the oxygen in the cold snow. During at that time, I fell down ready to give up, she tried to help me but I hit her hand away and yelled at her saying there is no point in doing the job anymore since it is just me and her around the area and the body was about to die due to blood loss. I kept yelling at her saying to stop but she stopped me and told me she will deliver the oxygen herself and took three boxes of oxygen and dragged it with a rope tied to her and carry another box of oxygen in her hands as she walked away in the snow. I realized what I said and done but it was too late, she already was walking far away. I kept yelling to tell her to wait and to not deliver the oxygen since despite me not respecting her, I don't want her to die because of me and that time of giving up. Until now, I still feel guilty about it and I regret not helping her and giving up at that time. I sometimes even have nightmares about it, me stuck on the cold snow while AE was walking away, tired and cold. some other time I'm stuck on the floor while AE was yelling back at me even though I know she wouldn't do that. She is a great red blood cell but... I'm a horrible and terrible kouhai and a horrible and terrible red blood cell for treating her like that" said NT who had tears running down as she relived the memory and the dreams at that time. " I mean... what kind of red blood cell am I who yelled at her senpai and then give up?!"

89 was shocked to hear this from NT. He always thought of NT as someone who is tough and competent in her job and even takes pride in it but, he has never seen her this low and vulnerable before other then during the haemorrhage shock.

" hey NT" said 89 as he put his hand on her back. " your an amazing red blood cell as well as hard working like AE and a wonderful kouhai, AE is lucky to have you as her kouhai. She always tells me all the good things about you like your hard working, really smart, she even says she doesn't even think your a rookie but rather a hot shot. She even says she doesn't even know what to teach you since it seems like you already got everything in hand. Yeah she did say that you kinda gave up during the shock but, AE herself wants to take the load off you because she thinks it may be too much for you to handle, plus your a new red blood cell at that time. That's why she volunteer to deliver the oxygen. AE really cares about you and she is happy that you learn something from her even though she feels like there is nothing to teach you. AE even doubted herself of being a senpai since she felt she is not worthy of being your senpai"

" well... all the red blood cells who were my senpai didn't let me stick around much since they said I'm too competent and I don't need a senpai. I'm just surprise AE didn't ditch me already" said NT as she remembers the time where she first started her job, not even an hour later, at least 3 red blood cells who was supposed to be her senpai, immediately told her to find another red blood cell to learn from since they realised she already have everything and all the knowledge she need for the job and all three of them didn't know what to do with her. AA overheard one of them say about NT as she decided to help NT by having AE be her senpai.

" pretty sure she thinks your someone she can stick around. Plus you did learn something right? That is enough for AE to be happy for" said 89.

" thanks"

" no problem"

They sat there for a while as 89 started talking with NT either nodding but also say some short replies back. At one point, NT gathered all her courage as she looked at 89 dead in the eye. It made 89 stammer a bit and wondered if he said anything wrong since she has the usual poker face but he decided to keep on talking about his personal stories with pathogen encounter as he looks at her. He then realize that NT's face was a few inches away from his as he felt sweat coming out as he stammer in his words. He was cut off by NT crashing her lips against his. 89's eyes widen but closed as he accepted the kiss and kissed her back. It was only for a short moment before they stopped and pulled back.

" sorry... I just wanted to do that... I hope it didn't bother you" said NT who's face was already red.

" no it's ok NT I understand... does that mean that you like me?" asked 89 who was a bit excited and hoped she did.

" no" said NT as 89 frowned as his hope went down the sewer. " I love you, you goof ball"

89's eyes and smile widen as he hugged NT to which she hugged him back. They looked at each other one last them before closing their eyes and placed their lips against each other.

Unbeknownst to the red blood cells and white blood cells, a couple of black blood cells from the bell tower of the bone marrow saw what happened as they felt their cytoplasm boil with rage. How dare those blood thirsty white blood cell punk kiss them?! They had it up to here as they finally needed the red blood cells to complete their plan.

" let's go" said BB-11. They rest nodded as they separated ready to start their next step of the plan. They know that this body is already in stage 3 and after that, there is not that much chances of survival and this world will collapse. They will make sure that the red blood cells will be with them and be right next to them as their queen who will rule this world with them. They will make sure that the white blood cells would not get in their way. This was the end for them.

This took longer then I expected. (almost 4 hours to be exact) Ok everyone! Buckle up! These next couple of chapters are going to be intense and filled with some fighting scenes. Also hope you enjoy this chapter so far. See you all later. Bye!