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"G,morning!"
"Morning, Nico." Kanshi and Keigo replied in unison. Both of them were busy cooking something in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Miharu was still slumped on the couch, looking half-awake.
"Where's Moi-chan?" Nico asked, puzzled. Usually Morihito would already be bustling around, preparing breakfast, while the others lounged lazily on the couch, just like Miharu right now.
"No idea. He didn't prep breakfast for us, so I'm guessing he's still asleep," Keigo chimed in as he set several plates of omurice made by him and Kanshi onto the dining table. "Food's ready."
Miharu stirred at that, slowly getting up from the couch with a face that still screamed I am not awake yet.
"That's weird …, Moi-chan oversleeping?" Nico muttered. Morihito Otogi was almost never late. He went to bed on time every night and woke up right on schedule every morning. His sense of timing was impeccable. Ever since they were kids, Moi had always tried to be perfect. Too perfect, sometimes.
"If you're that worried, why don'tcha just check on him later?" Kanshi said casually.
Nico gave a small nod, though something still felt off. "You guys have part-time today?" she asked, noticing how neat Kanshi and Keigo looked even though it was Sunday.
"Yeah, Senpai's got stuff to deal with, so I'm stuck covering the cafe all day," Kanshi replied.
"We're heading out right after this," Keigo added, shoveling food into his mouth with one hand while typing on his phone with the other. Keigo had always been the most active on social media among them, but lately he'd been glued to his phone even more than usual as if there was a girlfriend he needed to update 24/7.
Not long after, Keigo suddenly stood up and carried his plate to the sink. "Sorry, Nico, I think I gotta go now. Could you do the dishes later?" he said, grabbing his bag and rushing out the door.
Before Nico could even respond, Kanshi stood up too. "Manager just texted me. Sorry, Nico."
Watching that, Nico and Miharu could only stare at each other, slowly shaking their heads as if they could read each other's thoughts.
They just didn't want to do the dishes, aren't they?!
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In the end, Nico took it upon herself to clean up the kitchen and dining table on her own. She couldn't bring herself to make Miharu help because he still looked worn out even after breakfast, so she let him flop back onto the couch and half-watch a morning anime playing on the TV.
By the time the clock hit nine, there was still no sign of Moi waking up. That was when Nico decided to bring Moi's share of breakfast to his room.
"Moi-chan," Nico called softly as she knocked on his bedroom door. There was no answer.
"Moi-chan, are you still asleep? I brought your breakfast," she tried again, this time a little louder just in case he hadn't heard her.
Still nothing.
Honestly, Nico was starting to panic. Acting on impulse, her fingers turned the doorknob, and to her surprise, it wasn't locked. She pushed the door open. Nico knew it was rude, but right now, she needed to make sure Moi was okay.
"Moi-chan?" she called out.
She could vaguely make out Morihito lying on the bed. Nico fumbled along the wall until her fingers found the light switch. The moment the room lit up, she gasped. "Moi-chan!"
"Nico…?"
"Moi-chan, are you okay?" Nico asked, rushing to his side when she saw how weak he looked. Without thinking, she pressed her hand to his forehead. "You've got a fever!"
"I'm not," Moi muttered, trying to brush it off. "I just … need a little rest. That's all." He didn't want to look weak in front of anyone, especially not in front of Nico, the one he was supposed to protect.
"No, you are sick. Don't move, okay? Nico will go get some medicine for you. Wait here," Nico said firmly before hurrying out of the room. For a split second, Nico considered using a spell. But with Moi like this, she didn't dare risk causing more trouble for him.
Nico's frantic movements startled Miharu, who had been lying on the couch. He sat up, blinking in confusion. "What's wrong, Nico-san?"
"Moi-chan has a fever. I'm trying to find some medicine, but I think we're out," Nico replied, rummaging through drawers and cabinets.
"Morihito-san? Got a fever?" Miharu repeated, clearly baffled. He'd never seen Morihito fall ill before. With how tough he was, Miharu had honestly thought he might be as immune as himself.
"Yeah …, I think we need to buy some."
"I'll go. Nico-san, you stay here and look after him."
"Are you sure?" Nico asked, hesitating. Miharu didn't exactly look full of energy himself this morning.
"It's fine, I've rested enough," Miharu said, already grabbing his black parasol and heading out the door.
Truhtfully, Nico was just as confused. Moi barely ever got sick. He was always strict about his health. He even making sure everyone ate properly, pushing balanced meals on them, and organizing workout schedules on their days off. Which was exactly why seeing him like this worried her so much.
Nico eventually set the untoched plate of breakfast down on the dining table. She returned to Moi's room not long after with a bowl of porridge instead. She wasn't really confident it tasted good, but she'd tried her best.
"Here," Nico said softly, helping Moi sit up. "Eat a little, okay?"
"Thanks, Nico." Morihito murmured.
As expected, the porridge wasn't great. It barely had any flavor at all. But Morihito ate every last spoonful anyway, forcing it down for Nico's sake.
After that, Nico brought over a cool compress and gently placed it on his forehead.
"Sorry for causing you trouble today, Nico. My condition's slipping."
Nico blinked, then shook her head immediately. "No, it's okay. I'm glad."
"Huh…?"
"I mean it," she said, smiling softly. "Nico finally get to do something for you. You're always taking care of me and the others. So … let this be my payback."
Moi didn't reply, but his grip on the blanket tightened just a little.
When Nico stood up, ready to leave, she gently said, "Get some more rest, okay? Nico will be right outside if you need anything."
Just as she turned, her hand was caught. Morihito didn't say a word. He couldn't. But Nico understood anyway.
So, Nico sat back down beside him. She stayed there quietly, waiting as his breathing slowly evened out. Watching him like this made her smile without realizing it. She remembers the day when they were kids. Back then, Moi always pretended he was fine, even after getting into fights and coming home bruised. He'd act strong, like nothing hurt.
But Nico had always known better. She used to hold his hand back then too, just to remind him she was there. Just like now.
Morihito eventually drifted off, still holding Nico's right hand.
The bedroom door creaked open slowly. Miharu peeked in, a plastic bag full of medicine in hand. Nico lifted a finger to her lips, silently asking him to keep quiet, then gestured for him to place the medicine on the nightstand.
Once Miharu did, Nico carefully slipped her hand free and left the room with him.
Neither of them noticed that Moi hadn't fully fallen asleep. His cheeks were faintly red.
"It's just the fever …," he muttered to himself, turning his face into the pillow.