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A fever? How was this possible?
My vision turned blurry as I stared at the digital thermometer. The screen read 39.4 °C for an oral temperature, which indicated a high fever.
Until Mok Uram pointed it out when we met in the dormitory hallway, I hadn't noticed my condition. Shivers wracked my body and my thought process slowed.
I wanted to use Gwak Gyeong-gu's 100 seconds of Grace, but my mental power had already been exhausted by the fever.
I should just sleep it off…
Knock.
"…Come in."
Something knocked on the balcony door. I knew who it was before even looking.
Since when is that Tiger polite enough to knock…
No, is it even polite when he only knocked once?
"Jo Euishin."
"…!!"
When did he get so close?
Baekho took the thermometer when it fell out of my hand. Embarrassingly, I stumbled back out of shock and he had to help me stay standing.
What was he doing using his abilities just to frighten me…
"I didn't."
He clearly did.
I expected Baekho to smile as he liked to do now, but he looked at me with a subtle expression.
"Come to the mansion."
"Did something happen?"
"You're sick. Come to the mansion."
"…What are you saying?"
I exclaimed in shock, but Baekho remained calm.
It seemed this Tiger had lost his mind. It was precisely because I was sick that I shouldn't go. The descendants and Tigers were there, what if I got them sick? What if I accidentally fell asleep due to the fever and…
"That won't happen."
Was he saying he would prevent it?
I didn't want to risk it, but seeing his confidence, I reconsidered my options.
If I showed up to Hwang Jiho's mansion while sick, wouldn't they keep me in quarantine? Cheon Eunha had a history of being ill while the descendants were precious children, so they should want to keep me away. Moreover, each Tiger seemed to have their own space, so the mansion and side buildings weren't crowded with people…
Instead of staying at the dorms and risking the health of class children, it might be better to quarantine elsewhere.
Of course, that was under the condition I didn't use a healing item first.
"Don't. The fever is due to exhaustion."
"Will it get worse if I forcibly heal it?"
"Yes."
So I had no choice…
"Come to the mansion."
Will he repeat it until I accept?
Seeing Baekho smile, it seemed I really had no choice.
"As I suspected, the benefactor is visiting today. This one shall prepare a grand meal."
That geezer welcomed us with a smile and sparkling eyes. Strangely, it was the Hwangho in his 20s instead of the Hwang Jiho I was used to.
Thankfully, Baekho didn't force me to go to the main building where the young descendants resided. But why did we have to go to Eunho's side building?
As I hesitated to stay, Eunho served tea for two more people.
"Baekho-hyungnim, did you go fetch Euishin-hyung?"
"Yes."
"I see. I thought Euishin-hyung looked under the weather today, but it seems like it worsened after class."
"Hm? Now that you say it, Jo Euishin looks strangely flushed."
Following Eunho's gentle words, Hwangho's eyes sharpened as he looked me over.
I hadn't intended to hide my condition from them when they would be my hosts, but being seen through so quickly was a little… no, a lot embarrassing. Was my poker face really this bad?
Baekho realizing was one thing, but I should be able to hide from Hwangho and Eunho.
Although both of them sometimes gave the illusion of being able to read my mind, to the point where Baekho's real mind reading stayed out of my sight for a long time.
"Euishin-hyung, sit down and drink some tea. You must be dehydrated from sweating."
"No, since I'm sick, I should…"
"It's not transmissible."
Baekho said clearly.
But why did I come here then?
That White Tiger's mouth twitched with a smile, and he pushed me to sit down at the same time Eunho pushed the filled teacup to me. As expected of my junior and my main playable character, they knew how to handle anyone… but why use it on me?
"Euishin-hyung is rare to catch when sick. Baekho-hyungnim, you worked hard to capture him. Thank you."
"Mh."
Don't respond so shortly when your attentive dongsaeng is talking to you.
The tea Eunho poured me was fresh ginger with some honey, perfect for sickness. Despite his words, he must have predicted I would come here sick.
Hwangho's eyes narrowed with distrust.
"How did the benefactor become sick? Have you been up to something behind our back again?"
"It must be the consequences of driving himself to the brink for a long time. Euishin-hyung, once you've finished drinking, please head to your room and rest."
"…"
My room? I'd heard them refer to the guest room in the main building as "my room" for the sake of speaking quickly, but since when did Eunho refer to the guest room in his annex as "my room" too?
Sitting next to me, I felt Baekho's body shake with silent laughter.
That Tiger. He's not hiding it at all.
"…How strange. I feel irritated seeing my old friend's laughter after a long time."
"I understand Hwangho-nim's feelings."
Hwangho and Eunho narrowed their eyes at Baekho.
It would be awkward if they found out now, so I quickly drank my tea to escape faster.
"To think that this one wouldn't notice the benefactor's health issue… How did Baekho manage to catch him?"
"That's right. Although I suspected Euishin-hyung would come here sick, I thought I would have to slowly convince him to come home. Baekho-hyungnim, when did you notice Euishin-hyung was sick?"
"He was holding a thermometer."
"Hm? I'm not sure I like the implications of that. Were you spying on the benefactor?"
"You knew he would come here."
Baekho's rebuttal made the device-spying Hwangho fall silent.
Meanwhile, the only one with common sense spoke to me gently.
"Euishin-hyung, don't drink so quickly. Is it that you want to lie down?"
"…I'm fine."
"But you're shivering."
When I looked, it turned out that Eunho was right.
It wasn't that I was shocked I was sick, I knew when I chose to use a thermometer, but I didn't realize it had gotten that bad. It was a good thing I didn't try to fix it with a gwangrim. If I exhausted all my mental power right now, I would be defenseless.
But since it was that bad, I didn't want to remain here any longer. I already imposed on the Tigers often, I couldn't let them deal with me when I was disagreeable and sick.
"Jo Euishin looks like he's thinking something stupid."
"You're right. Euishin-hyung, you're not thinking about leaving now, right?"
"…Since it's not transmissible, I can stay in the dormitory without risking anyone else."
"Are you saying our classmate children will take care of you?"
"…?"
Why would they do that?
I stared at Hwangho in confusion. Strangely, his expression grew angry.
"Did you come here expecting us to leave you alone in your room until you recovered?"
"…What else?"
Hwangho fell silent.
Eunho's teacup made a clink as he put it down.
Even Baekho's silent smile disappeared.
I felt that I vaguely understood their implication, but I couldn't understand.
When I was a child, my parents worked hard to raise me and my siblings. Even when they were tired, they were so kindhearted that they would play nurse when I fell sick, doing everything they could to make me more comfortable, taking the time to get medicine for me, putting up with my unnecessary demands.
My younger siblings hated being sick, but they hated seeing me sick even more, perhaps because it meant I wouldn't play with them. Even though our parents scolded them a lot, they would stay by my bedside and make up bedtime stories so I could rest faster. But because they made so much noise, I grew irritated with them and asked them to leave, so they would quietly sit on the floor and play together, glancing back at me to check my mood…
I took it all for granted.
"…Jo Euishin?"
"Euishin-hyung…"
"…"
I seemed to hear some distant voices, but could not lift my eyes from the reflection in the teacup.
"…At least the benefactor isn't running away."
"Euishin-hyung should know better than to run away from people who wish to care for him."
"Haha! I wonder if he knows that, though."
I could feel that they were trying to lighten the atmosphere, but it was difficult with Baekho's heavy gaze fixed on me.
Still, I couldn't deny their effort when they were already burdened with my presence.
"Are you sure you want me to stay here? I won't be able to plan anything."
"So you're self-aware of your current condition at least."
Hwangho answered with a smile, taking it lightly.
"We're not asking Euishin-hyung to stay because we expect something from him. Are you thirsty?"
That would prolong the talk. I refused a tea refill.
"Euishin-hyung doesn't need to be so polite with me."
"Hahaha! It's a lost cause trying to convince him."
"But isn't he using informal speech with Hwangho-nim?"
"Hm, perhaps because he finds me annoying?"
If he knew, then why did he still act annoying?
But strangely, seeing that geezer's irritating smile, my fingers warmed up.
"He can't drink more. He's nauseous."
Baekho effortlessly ruined the mood. The smiles dropped off Hwangho and Eunho's faces.
"It doesn't show on his face at all… Baekho, since when are you this close to the benefactor?"
"Baekho-hyungnim is smiling a lot recently."
Do you see that? Even your old friend and dongsaeng are annoyed with you.
But Baekho only smiled at the triple scolding.
"Jo Euishin needs to rest now."
"…Why are you deciding that on your own?"
I vainly tried to fight back again, but Baekho cut off all escape routes with the next words.
"His fever was at 39.4°C earlier, and it's risen since."
"What did you say?"
Hwangho and Eunho straightened up in shock.
In the next moment.
Maybe because I was tired, my vision blurred, and suddenly Hwangho in his 20s form was helping me up and leading me toward the stairs.
"I've contacted Hyangrok."
"Uh? Why?"
"Haha, you're suddenly acting lively, that's nice."
Don't just laugh, explain why Hyangrok has to be called…!
I tried to turn and look at Hwangho's face, but he kept pushing me forward. My step was unsteady, so I had to focus on where I was going with no chance to escape.
"This one is already preparing a nutritious meal for the sick, so the benefactor won't suffer for too long."
"Euishin-hyung might feel cold. I'll fetch some more covers."
"…"
Baekho didn't say anything, but he followed us as if saying not to try to escape.
Seriously, these three…
I'll stay, so don't look so worried.
That evening.
The Tigers gathered in Eunho's annex.
"Is Jo Euishin not here? The Wings Council reported that he wasn't in his dorm room…"
"Haha, your Wings Council is well-informed. Jo Euishin is resting in his room."
Kim Sinrok glanced at the clock in question, but stayed silent. Seeing his son's confusion, Jeokho didn't hold back and asked.
"Did you annoy him so much that he went to bed early?"
"Hahaha!"
Hwangho was too busy laughing to explain and Baekho was guarding Jo Euishin's door, so it fell on Eunho.
"Euishin-hyung is sick with a fever."
"…He's sick?"
"Did you call Hyangrok yet?"
"Hahaha, of course I did. He's already come and gone. Jo Euishin will start taking medicine once he wakes up."
"Alright. Take good care of our benefactor."
Jeokho shamelessly spoke like he was ordering Hwangho around, but it only amused Hwangho.
Kim Sinrok muttered.
"So that's why… The Wings Council received messages from students that Jo Euishin wasn't answering his door at the dormitory. I was wondering why they were so determined to find him."
"Class president Kim Yuri already contacted this one. I have told them Jo Euishin is waiting."
If Jo Euishin were here, he would have showed an interesting expression at Hwangho in his 20s referring to Kim Yuri as his class president, but the Tigers and descendant present didn't feel anything odd about the scene.
"…But I'm surprised. Jo Euishin came to rest here?"
Kim Sinrok showed a subtle expression. Jeokho realized what he meant and asked too.
"It doesn't seem like something he'd do on his own. Did you kidnap him directly from class?"
"…No, this one did not realize he had a fever."
"Ah?"
It would have been easy to blame Hwangho.
But.
How cleanly did Jo Euishin hide his sickness that Hwangho didn't notice?
Hwangho paid a lot of attention to their benefactor, so he wouldn't miss even subtle signs. Even if Jo Euishin's sickness progressed slowly, that meant Jo Euishin realized he was feeling strange but purposefully hid it from Hwangho's eyes.
"Euishin-hyung has always been like this…"
Eunho spoke quietly.
In between Jo Euishin and Eunho, the one most emotionally impacted by Jo Euishin's sickness was Eunho.
So much so, that the words slipped out.
"Even in his original world…"
"…Did Jo Euishin hide away?"
Hwangho hesitated to ask, seeing his old friend's state, but Eunho clearly wanted to share, just not knowing how to.
Eunho paused, then spoke again.
"Yes. Did Euishin-hyung ever tell you…"
"Eunho? If it's difficult to say—"
"…Did he ever tell you how he died?"
A chill went through the room.
The supernatural waves trembled violently, but remembering the fragile human upstairs, they managed to calm.
"Died?"
"Jo Euishin died?"
"Didn't he only transfer through worlds?"
"…Are you saying his previous body died before that happened?"
The three pressed Eunho for answers, hoping to hear him deny it, but.
"If not died, then at least he was on the brink of death. If he was transferred over even a second later…"
"…"
Cheon Seongheon hadn't needed to die in order to be transferred, and Eunho doubted that Gye Idam, who looked relatively well-adjusted, had died either. Would the transfer have grabbed Jo Euishin's soul mid-travel to the Underworld? Or…
Did they nearly risk never meeting Jo Euishin?
All of them shared that thought.
If Jo Euishin never came here…
Not only what would have happened to them and this world, but also.
What that would mean for Jo Euishin…
"…Then, the reason Jo Euishin constantly refuses treatment."
"It's related, but I don't think it's the cause. Euishin-hyung just doesn't take care of himself."
Hwangho looked relieved. At least Jo Euishin didn't hate being a patient because he'd died as one.
"Did he get treatment for his sickness?"
"No. It was too expensive."
Eunho's voice clearly expressed his frustration. If only Jo Euishin had relied on him, Cheon Seongheon would have happily paid for treatment.
"In the will he left me, he said there was no hope of surviving. But…"
Eunho bit back the next words.
Jo Euishin could have at least lived his remaining days in less pain.
Hwangho spoke cautiously.
"Hyangrok said his current body is healthy."
"Yes, it doesn't look like the illness transferred over."
Like a taunt wire snapping, they fell back into their seats.
"That's a relief…"
"Hwangho, make sure to keep an eye on him."
"Haha… even if you don't say that, this one was already planning to."
Thankfully, it was only a little fever from exhaustion. So long as they kept watching Jo Euishin, they could intervene once he was hurt and nurse him back to health.
"Euishin-hyung will continue to hide his hurt from us, so… Hwangho-nim, Jeokho-nim, Jeho. Please continue to watch over him…"
Eunho smiled gently.
"…and send him to me so I can convince him."
"Hahaha! I wonder what Jo Euishin would say if he heard you?"
"…Yes."
"Seems like only Eunho can 'convince' our benefactor."
The Tigers could clearly hear the threat, but they were all on the same side and agreed anyway. Eunho was greatly satisfied with this alliance, but, hearing Jeokho's words, looked to the stairs with a subtle look.
"It's not just me who can convince Euishin-hyung. After all, it's Baekho-hyungnim who managed to catch him this time…."
Guarding the door to Jo Euishin's room with Snare.
Baekho opened his eyes.
"…Baekho-hyungnim will surely take care of Euishin-hyung's health."