Chapter 5: Blame It on the Fever
Just before waking up, I somehow became aware that I was about to wake up.
As I tried to open my eyes, an unusually heavy sensation weighed down my body.
My head felt glued to the pillow, and my breaths seemed louder than usual.
It had been a while since I last felt like this.
Back in middle school, after confessing to Seto and Miyabi and failing spectacularly, I ended up isolated.
For months before Yuzuha saved me, I even ate lunch alone in the bathroom.
Back then, just going to school was agony—my body screamed in protest. I don’t want to go. If I do, I’ll be laughed at. Just as I started growing numb to it, I suddenly couldn’t move anymore.
……This feels similar.
But.
Amid my hazy consciousness, someone denies it.
—It’s not the same as back then.
Someone pulls me back to awareness.
When I open my eyes, the familiar ceiling stares down at me.
“Ugh…”
Dragging my absurdly heavy body, I head downstairs.
My parents must’ve already left for work—the living room is empty.
From the bathroom comes a presence. Shifting my gaze, I see my younger sister in uniform, curling her hair with an iron.
When Seira notices me, she lifts the iron from her coiled locks and smirks.
“Big onii-chan, oversleeping? Starting prep now’s kinda suicidal, don’tcha think?”
“Ah… Well, skipping breakfast should work…”
Today, I’m supposed to walk to school with Hanazono.
After swimming class, she unexpectedly invited me herself.
So I can’t be late.
Skipping breakfast is a given.
“Hmm. Well, do what you want. I’ve got a test first thing today—ugh, so annoying.”
Seira shuts off the iron and turns to face me.
Then, her eyes widen in shock.
“Wait, onii-chan—you’ve got a fever?”
“Huh?”
“Your face is super red. Did you check your temp? You definitely have a fever.”
“Dunno… But if I miss school, it’ll be harder to go next time. Once I admit I’m sick, I won’t wanna move. I’ll just… try going for now.”
“Oh, right, you did take a whole week off once… Nah, but a cold’s bad. You’d just be a nuisance going like this. Just sleep! Or better yet—go to bed!”
……She’s right. Going to school knowing I could spread my cold is pretty inconsiderate.
Breaking my promise is one thing, but giving Hanazono my cold would make me the worst boyfriend.
Seira actually thinking about others’ well-being… as her brother, I’m kinda touched.
I was about to tease her—just a little—for being so reasonable, when my vision suddenly flipped upside down.
Seira’s voice grew distant. Next thing I knew, I was sprawled on the floor, cheek pressed against the tiles.
“Wha—onii-chan?! You collapsed! This is bad!”
“……You’ve got a test. Just go. I’ll be fine.”
“Fine?! Stop talking like an idiot! Stay here—I’ll get help!”
……Harsh.
But having my usually sharp-tongued little sister fuss over me isn’t so bad.
With that thought, I let go of consciousness.
“…Nn.”
When I open my eyes, I’m on the living room carpet.
……Come to think of it, I vaguely remember being rolled sideways in my half-conscious state.
Dragging an unconscious guy upstairs is way too much work, so this was probably the best solution.
“Awake?”
“Mm… Yeah…”
I answer reflexively before turning toward the voice.
Remi peers down at me with an expression half-worried, half-exasperated.
Her hand moves toward my face.
“Whoa?!”
As I jerk upright, the blanket draped over me slips off.
……She covered me?
Looking up at Remi, now seated properly on the sofa, I rasp out,
“……Remi, why are you here?”
“Seira-chan called. Said I should check on you before things got worse. You hit your head, right?”
I don’t remember well, but my head does throb.
In that case, rolling me around seems kinda risky.
……Well, nothing happened, and she did go out of her way.
Holding my aching head, I mutter,
“Right. Sorry for the trouble.”
“What’re you apologizing for?”
“Y’know… for making you deal with this. The pillow, blanket—you brought these, right?”
I lift the pillow to show her before tucking it under my hips.
Makes a decent cushion.
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“……Don’t be ridiculous. Seira-chan brought those. I can’t exactly barge into Ryota’s room anymore.”
“Seira did? Surprising—she was running late.”
—Besides, you could come in.
I stop myself before saying it.
She declared last time was the end. It’d be weird coming from me.
And knowing I shouldn’t invite her over at all, this situation shouldn’t even be allowed.
……Well, I did collapse. Maybe it doesn’t count?
Struggling for a response, I glance at the clock—it’s already past nine.
Even if I left now, I’d be forty minutes late.
“Ugh, I’m definitely late now.”
The words slip out, and Remi sighs, shaking her head.
“Honestly. Ryota, you’re not late—you’re staying home.”
“Ugh… Really?”
“Obviously. You collapsed. I’m leaving soon, but you do have food, right?”
“Nope.”
“Liar. Your mom would never let the fridge go empty.”
……Now that she mentions it, Mom always overprepared whenever Remi visited.
“Not that. I mean stuff like porridge or jelly—things you can eat with a cold. There’s some leftover rice, but I don’t have the energy to cook it.”
As I speak, my head grows warm and fuzzy.
“Mm… I’d rather sleep than eat.”
“No.”
Remi shuts me down flat.
“That won’t help you recover. And what about medicine?”
“I’ll manage. My mom’s pretty lax about—”
“Fine. I’ll call her for permission. Just wait—I’ll make something quick.”
With that, she pulls out her phone.
A few scrolls later, she holds it to her ear—actually calling.
When Remi’s lips curve up, I know Mom picked up.
“Ah, It’s Remi. Thank you again for the other day. Yes, it was lovely. Oh, not at all—next time I visit, I’ll bring sweets you’ll like.”
……Her gratitude sounds so mature. Then again, she’s always been polite.
I definitely can’t pull off Remi’s smooth, refined speech—heck, elementary-school Remi might’ve outclassed me.
Through the phone, Mom’s cheerful voice booms: “Oh my!” “Don’t worry, just use whatever! Sorry!” How loud is she talking?
“Medicine? Ah, the white cabinet? Thank you. No, no trouble at all. Yes, see you soon. Take care.”
Hanging up with flawless grace, Remi turns to me.
“Got permission. Stay lying down.”
“Ah, thanks……”
“……? Why do you sound so down?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Really?”
Maybe Remi’s refined persona works because she was always this polite.
As someone who’s known her since childhood, I never found her act worth cheering for—but realizing it takes real skill makes me respect it more.
Once I’m better, I’ll treat her to some pastries as thanks.
……My list of debts keeps growing.
Watching Remi move deftly in the kitchen, I let my eyes drift shut.
“Hey, wake up.”
“Mm……”
Rousing from a brief sleep, the savory scent of food fills the air.
Slowly sitting up, I follow the aroma.
Before me lies the ultimate sick-day comfort food: porridge.
And the egg on top shines like gold.
“Whoa, actual porridge. Looks amazing.”
“It’s nothing special. There’s more in the pot for lunch—just reheat it later.”
“Can I really eat this?”
“Leftovers would just trouble the Yoshiki household. Even if you don’t finish, Seira-chan will handle the dishes. She’s responsible.”
Whether Seira’s responsible is debatable, but I’ll let it slide.
Sitting down, I clasp my hands.
“Well then, gratefully… Itadakimasu.”
Scooping a spoonful, I bring it to my mouth.
The steaming porridge melts on my tongue, sliding down effortlessly.
Not needing to chew—what a blessing.
And that phenomenon where eggs taste incredible when you’re sick.
“So good……”
Mumbling, I glance at Remi.
Her lips soften briefly before she nods.
“……Good. Eat slowly.”
Her voice is tender, almost nurturing.
The warmth in my chest stirs a memory.
“……This brings me back. You took care of me like this before, didn’t you?”
“We did have moments like that. You remember a lot from back then.”
“Of course. Like when we got filthy at the park, washed off in the river, and I caught a cold.”
“The cause being so stupid hurts to recall.”
Remi massages her temples, exasperated.
Smirking, I take a few more bites.
From mouth to throat, throat to stomach
the heat spreads through me.
Despite my lack of appetite, I could devour this.
Being sick isn’t so bad.
“So, how’s the fever?”
“Dunno. Didn’t check.”
“Ugh.”
Remi’s hand moves toward my forehead.
My spoon freezes mid-air.
She blinks, withdrawing.
“Sorry, force of habit. Where’s the thermometer?”
“Co… counter.”
“Got it.”
Remi answered briefly and stood up from her seat.
She immediately grabbed a thermometer and came stomping toward me.
“W-what are you doing?”
The moment I asked that, she thrust it under my arm.
“Cold!? No matter how you look at it, that’s way more dangerous!”
“Shut up, just stay still and let me take your temperature.”
In the old days, she would have just placed her palm on my forehead.
Remi probably had the same thought, which is why she acted the way she did just now.
“…Fine, I’ll let you take it.”
“Hmph.”
I probably shouldn’t mention that it used to be forehead to forehead.
I recalled the interactions between Remi and the boys back then.
──What, do you have a fever? Come here for a second. …You really do, you’re burning up.
──Gyah, Nikaido is kissing Yoshiki on the second floor!
──Huh? I was just checking his temperature with my forehead.
──Then you’d normally use your hand! Do you like Yoshiki?
──At least more than you. Don’t worry, even if you got a fever, I’d just be happy about it. And who are you, anyway?
…That boy was incredibly shocked that she didn’t even recognize him. I forgot his name too.
While I was thinking about that, the thermometer beeped.
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