Chapter 144: Fever in the Family
The morning after the long night at the hospital, I dragged myself through my shift at the café. The kitchen was noisy, steam hissing from the stoves and the sound of knives chopping filling the air. My head felt heavier with every second, but I forced my hands to move.
“Oi!” Miko leaned over the counter, smirking. “Where did you run away last night with Keiko, huh?”
I nearly dropped the ladle. “Run away? I was at the hospital!”
Aki joined in, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Naughty girl, you didn’t sneak into a hotel, right?” She clasped her cheeks dramatically. “Kyaa, how bold!”
I let out a long sigh. “I gave you two plenty of lovey-dovey time yesterday, you know. Don’t start with me.”
“What?! No way!” they both protested, their laughter echoing through the kitchen.
Suzuka, who had been absent yesterday, popped her head up from behind the shelf. “Ha? Ha?! What’s this? Please tell me! Don’t leave me out!”
Their teasing continued like an endless storm. I raised my hands in surrender, mumbling, “I’ll pass…” and slipped away to check my phone, craving a moment of peace.
The screen lit up with unread messages. From Keiko.
I quickly opened them.
> We’re back home now. Mom’s resting.
> I’ll help with the renovations too. Are you okay?
A smile tugged at my lips despite my fatigue.
> I’m glad to hear that. Tell me if you need help.
A moment later, her reply buzzed in.
> Sorry, Ryusei…
I frowned at the screen. Sorry? For what? I wanted to ask, but before I could type, Miko called me back to the kitchen. Break time was over.
With a sigh, I shoved the phone back into my pocket. My shift stretched on endlessly, and by the time I headed toward the old man’s bar for my night shift, my body was ready to collapse.
---
The bar smelled faintly of smoke and alcohol, familiar yet suffocating. The old man’s voice droned on as he recounted the typhoon’s damage, but his words blurred together in my ears.
I forced a smile, nodding every few seconds, pretending to listen. My hands were moving on their own—wiping glasses, setting bottles—while my mind drifted in and out of haze.
Then suddenly, the world tilted.
My vision blurred, dark spots filling my sight. The last thing I felt was the cold wooden floor against my cheek before everything went black.
---
When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t at the bar anymore.
The ceiling above me was familiar, decorated with Rin’s childish stickers of stars and moons. My breath caught. This is Rin’s room…?
I tried to sit up, but a wave of pain and heat slammed into my skull, forcing me back down. My whole body burned.
“Ah—don’t move!”
Keiko’s worried voice filled the room. She appeared at my side, a bowl of steaming soup in her hands. Relief and fear shone in her eyes.
“You’re awake…” she whispered, gently pressing her palm against my forehead. Her hand felt cool against my feverish skin. “Your fever’s still high.”
“…Keiko?” My throat was dry, the words barely audible.
She set the bowl on the nightstand and sat beside me. “You collapsed at the bar. Master called me right away, so me and Rin brought you home together.”
Shame flushed through me. “I… I’m sorry. Even in a time like this, I just caused more trouble for you.”
Keiko’s expression softened, though her eyes narrowed slightly. “Don’t start. You’re not trouble, Ryusei. You’re my family too. My husband. Don’t forget that.”
Her words pierced through the fog of guilt and fever, warming my chest more than any blanket could.
“Keiko…” I whispered, smiling weakly. “…Thank you.”
She returned my smile, then picked up the tray. “Here. Eat a little, then take your medicine.”
I struggled upright, my body weak, and took the spoon from her. The soup was simple—rice porridge with vegetables—but every bite felt like comfort itself. She watched closely, making sure I ate enough before handing me the medicine.
As I swallowed the pills with water, she spoke softly. “Rin was so worried, you know. When I told her, she rushed faster than I’ve ever seen. She even said, ‘Dad can use my room. I’ll sleep in the living room.’”
My chest tightened at her words. Rin…
“Is she asleep now?” I asked quietly.
Keiko nodded. “She pretended she wasn’t tired, but the moment she lay on the couch, she was out.”
I chuckled faintly, though it hurt my head. “That girl…”
Silence fell for a moment. The quiet hum of the heater and the faint sound of rain outside filled the room.
“…You really scared me,” Keiko whispered suddenly, her voice trembling.
I turned to her. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, though she tried to hide them.
“Yesterday with Mom, and now today with you…” She bit her lip. “I thought I was strong enough to handle everything, but the truth is… I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you too.”
Her words sank deep, hitting the very core of my heart.
Slowly, I reached out and took her hand in mine. My palm was sweaty and hot, but she squeezed it without hesitation.
“I’m sorry, Keiko,” I whispered. “For worrying you. For pushing myself too hard. I… I need to remember that I don’t have to carry everything myself.”
She nodded, her tears finally slipping down her cheeks.
“That’s right,” she said firmly, though her voice wavered. “We’re a family. Whatever happens, we face it together.”
I pulled her gently closer until her forehead rested against mine. “You, me, and Rin,” I murmured. “Our family.”
For the first time in days, peace settled in my chest.
"Keiko... Get some rest... You must be tired too," I said softly to her.
She nodded with a gentle smile as we exchanged our goodnights.
---
Before sleep claimed me, I whispered into the quiet room:
“Thank you… Keiko. Rin…”
And with their presence surrounding me, I finally let go, sinking into the most peaceful sleep I’d had in a long time.