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“Rui isn’t here?”
His mother shook her head apologetically, “he just got sick and won’t be attending school. Despite his stubbornness he still insisted on going, but when he got ready he collapsed.”
Her purple eyes expanded in worry, “is he okay? Did anything else happen?”
His mother nodded her head, “nothing else is wrong. Perhaps after not being sick for a while it all came back to him this once. Though, I’m not sure that would explain how weak he is right now.”
Nene could feel herself a bit relieved and still nervous.
It was unusual for Rui to be sick, sometimes when they were younger, Nene would question why he always seemed fine—his body looked like he was immune to sicknesses despite not eating any vegetables.
“Then, can you tell him he needs to watch over himself?” Nene requested, the worry still evident in her voice.
“It’s nice seeing you care for him, I’ll be sure to let him know. But you better go now, school might start soon.”
Nene looked at up at the sky, the clouds were starting to disperse away from the sun considering it was starting to get more sunny. That was the signal for her to go.
“Thank you,” she bowed her head as a farewell and left to head for school.
And it was probably the most weirdest feeling she’d had yet.
The familiar ‘annoying’ presence she was used to was gone.
Was this how Rui always felt? When she was sick and couldn’t walk by his side?
Thoughts like those were reoccurring on the walk to school, her eyes stayed glued on the ground.
The moment she arrived at Kamiyama, all she could just feel was how tired and drained of energy she was. The thing is, Rui’s talkative self seemed to energize her more than she realized it.
When she arrived to her class—luckily not late, she sat down and felt emptiness?
All of this just made Nene’s thoughts get put into a jumble. Since then she wasn’t able to focus well in class, her fingers occasionally tapped to her table rhythmically ignoring her teacher’s words—her mind kept going back to how Rui was.
He had collapsed so it would be obvious she would be worried. He got sick after who knows how much years it had been, it would also be obvious she would be worried.
“Kusanagi,” the teacher called out to her sternly, “whats made you stop listening to class?”
Everyone turned to look at Nene. Feeling all their eyes on her for a negative reason made her anxiety spike.
She stayed silent not knowing what to say until she got an idea, “the upcoming test..”
The teacher raised an eyebrow before letting out a sigh, “if you’re distracted about the test, then it’s best you listen.” They went back to teaching and dismissed Nene’s distracted self.
Meanwhile, the timid girl hid herself in her table even more, only this time, she was less concentrated than she was before.
Walking back home felt similar to how she walked to school this morning.
It was quiet and lonely.
And after putting some time to think what the right move was, she had decided to stop by and see how he was.
She approached his house and rang the doorbell. Nene expected his mother to open the door for her, completely forgetting the fact that she had gone to work.
When the door opened, it revealed a worn out Rui; his eyes drowsy and he looked like he was about to stumble any minute.
“Nene..?” He mustered with the remaining strength he had left.
“Oh my god Rui,” she immediately let herself inside the house and held onto his hand.
“Why aren’t you in bed? You’re supposed to be resting,” she lightly scolded him and ushered him back into his room upstairs.
“My parents, they aren’t home..” He slightly sniffled as he tucked himself into his bed tiredly.
Nene felt lost upon seeing his weak state, “do you want anything? Food?” She knelt down and pressed her hand against his forehead and noticed its hot temperature.
“You’re burning up..” She muttered and looked around for a clean cloth.
Once she found one and made it damp, she folded it and gently placed it on his forehead.
“The fuck even happened to you..?” Nene caressed his cheeks. His breathing began to get heavy and he closed his eyes exhausted.
“I don’t remember you even getting a fever this bad when we were young..” She held his hand and held onto it tightly. “Do you need anything?”
“I’m hungry,” Rui spoke drowsily. He tried to get up from his bed, the cloth on his forehead fell and he almost stumbled in the process.
“Rui stay still!” Without hesitation she rushed to his side and immediately carried him back to his bed.
“Idiot, are you that stupid? I’ll get you food so stay where you are, you’re sick,” Nene mumbled gently. Despite the harsh words she only wished for his safety.
He closed his eyes again looking like he was about to take a nap. His chest slowly rose up and down but his breathing was still heavy.
Upon seeing him rest, Nene visited the kitchen she was already familiar with. She looked through the cabinets and saw a cup of noodles.
It was good for Rui to eat and also good for Nene since she wasn’t the greatest at cooking.
She began to prep the materials and added hot water to the noodles. After a while the food had warmed up and was ready to serve.
With her free hand, she opened the door to his room and saw him still there lying down.
“Rui, here,” Nene sat down and got a table nearby and placed it next to his bed.
He continued to lie down, not bothering to get up.
“Rui,” she called out to him again but a bit more louder. Once she said his name he tiredly sat up and leaned his back on the bed frame.
He blinked a little bit still feeling out of it. Nene watched as he looked like he was about to fall asleep again.
“You need to keep yourself full and hydrated Rui,” she paused, “if you won’t eat then I’ll have to feed you.”
He mumbled as Nene dipped her spoon into the broth. “Open your mouth,” she placed her free hand under the spoon so the liquid wouldn’t fall.
Rui obliged and carefully opened his mouth letting Nene feed him. “Is it hot?” Her spoon went in the broth again.
“It’s just right,” he said with a hoarse voice. His nose was still stuffed and he looked like a pale ghost.
“Just keep eating okay? Do you still want me to feed you?” Her eyes loom over his face waiting for his reply.
“Still feed me?” He asked quietly trying to save his voice.
She nodded her head and continued to feed him his food. Slowly, his voice was starting to feel better but not his temperature.
“Better?” She asked and reached to touch his forehead again, still burning up.
Nene sighed as she got up to put the bowl away. When she came back, she sees his peaceful figure drifting to sleep again.
Her hands reach for the damp cloth that had fallen and she placed it on his head. After she did that she heard him mumble something incoherently.
“Nene..” He said her name weakly. “Stay.”
She sat on his bed and placed her hands on the sheets. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay till your parents come back.”
Rui mumbled something quietly again but kept repeating it till Nene heard him, “I’m cold.”
She raised her eyebrow, “you’re cold? Do you want another blanket?” Nene got up in case he wanted one.
“No,” he paused, “come here.”
She listened to his request and got close to him. “Rui? What is it-“ Her body was pulled into his bed and Nene found herself being embraced by him.
“Cold..” He slightly shivered and held onto her more, thinking her body warmth would remove the coldness of his own.
Knowing her movements were restricted, Nene did nothing but lean into him. “Alright,” she hugged him back, “just this once.”
Just this once will I allow myself to be selfish and be with you.