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When Yu got a call from Nanako’s elementary school, letting him know that she was sick, he made his way there as soon as he could. Upon his arrival, he was handed a feverish, sniffly Nanako, who immediately clung into his shirt, not wanting to be put down.
“We think she has the flu,” the school nurse said, as Yu rearranged his hold of Nanako to something a little more comfortable. “It shouldn’t be too serious, but you’ll want to take her to the doctor if her temperature gets any higher, or if you notice any other symptoms arising.”
“Is there anything I can do to make her feel better?” Yu asked. With her in his arms, he could tell she was very warm. He immediately felt bad about sending her to school that morning. His uncle was out of town on a business trip, and Yu had been in such a hurry to get to school that he didn’t notice that Nanako wasn’t feeling well.
“You’ll want to give her plenty of fluids. She might not have much of an appetite, but try to get her to eat a little. You can give her painkillers to lower her temperature and relieve any pain she might be in. An ice pack might help as well. Other than that, keep her warm and comfortable. This should pass on its own.”
“Big Bro… I wanna go home,” Nanako grumbled. “I don’t feel good…”
“Yeah, Nana-chan. We’re going home,” Yu said, thanking the doctor and going to carry Nanako home. She was awfully quiet, which Yu ascribed to her being tired and feeling crappy. “Nanako, we’re home.”
No response.
“Nanako?”
Yu was worried for a moment, until he realised that Nanako had fallen asleep. She probably needed the rest, so Yu decided to let her sleep. After all, he had a few phone calls to make.
The first was to his principal, informing him that he might not be in school for a few days, depending on how long Nanako was sick. Yasogami’s staff were aware that Yu was living with his uncle, and also knew about Ryotaro and Nanako’s accident last year. They were more than understanding, and told Yu to take as much time as he needed.
The next phone call was to his uncle, letting him know that Nanako would be at home with the flu, and that Yu had it handled. Ryotaro offered to come home early from his trip, but Yu insisted he didn’t need to.
The final call was to his boyfriend, Yosuke, letting him know that he wouldn’t be in school for a few days. Yosuke had been understanding and offered to let the rest of their friends know, saving Yu from having to make extra phone calls, which Yu appreciated.
“Big Bro…?”
Yu put his phone down, going to Nanako’s bedroom.
Duty called.
Nanako got very clingy when she was sick. Yu left her on the couch to make her a sandwich for lunch, and she was crying by the time he got back. Eventually, Yu started carrying Nanako around the house, since she would start sobbing if left alone for even a minute. All that training in the TV World left him with a decent amount of muscle, which came in handy.
Yu followed the nurse’s advice, giving Nanako plenty of water and encouraging her to eat when she was feeling well enough. Apart from that, Nanako spent a lot of time sitting at the kotatsu, a box of tissues within reach. Yu had been maintaining Ryotaro’s rules about screentime before, but he felt like exceptions could be made for Nanako while she was sick.
At one point, Yosuke came by to drop off some homework for Yu, as well as some groceries from JUNES. He even offered to make them lunch, which Yu was grateful for, presenting Yu and Nanako with a homemade curry.
“Dad swears by it,” Yosuke explained. “The spice knocks the flu right out of you.”
Yu was a little hesitant. Leaning in, he whispered, “You know Nanako’s picky about spicy food…”
“It’ll be fine, partner! I added half the spice to her portion. Plus, her sense of taste will probably be a bit messed up right now, anyways. I don’t think she’ll notice if it is a bit spicy.”
Sure enough, Nanako loved the curry, eating a whole portion and asking for seconds. Yosuke smirked, slinging his arm around Yu’s shoulder, so his lips were right by Yu’s ear. “I’d be a great dad, I’m just saying.”
Shoving him back, Yu retorted, “Let’s wait another ten years, at least.”
“You want to be an aunty, don’t you, Nana-chan?” Yosuke said, turning to Nanako.
Nanako looked up from her curry. “Daddy said if Yu has any babies before he finishes university, he’s gonna be grounded until his babies are in university. I don’t know why he’s worried… you guys can’t make babies, anyway.”
Yosuke was momentarily stunned into silence, before bursting out laughing. “Your family really doesn't hold anything back, huh?”
“Nope,” Yu laughed. “Come on, Nana–chan. Let me wash that plate.”
Yosuke took the plate before Yu could touch it. “I’ll sort it. You go help Nanako wash up.”
Though Yosuke had obviously been joking before, he really would be a good dad.
Shame they had to wait, really.
The last few days had passed by smoothly, all things considered. Apart from a scary moment when Yu was worried Nanako might need to go to the hospital - his fears being assuaged by a phone call to Sayoko, who told him Nanako would be alright - it hadn’t been anything Yu couldn’t handle.
Then, he woke up with a weird… fuzzy feeling in his head. His throat was all scratchy, and he felt so hot all over. It took him a few moments after waking up to realise that Ryotaro was standing in his doorway, suitcase beside him.
“You’re home,” Yu said slowly. “That’s good. Nanako missed you. Is she better now?”
“Looks like she bounced back,” Ryotaro answered. “How about you? Are you feeling alright, kid?”
Yu blinked. He did feel a little odd… “I’m alright. I’ll get up in a minute.”
Ryotaro stepped into Yu’s bedroom, placing the back of his hand on his forehead. “Oh, Yu… you’re burning up. You must have caught the flu from Nanako. Stay in bed. Let me get you some lunch.”
A part of Yu wanted to insist on getting up and making lunch himself, but he had to admit, it was nice to be looked after.
Making sure Nanako felt better was definitely worth this.