Notes: I decided as it was my birthday, I'd be a little more giving and post this chapter early. Not sure when the next chapter will be out. Still ironing out some details. Again, some slow development here but I hope it's okay and I hope you guys enjoy this somehow. ^^
Contrary to popular belief among his peers, Hiruma actually really did care about those around him although he definitely refused to show it. Yes, he pushed them around a lot and tends to injure them with his bullets, but he understood that people had their limits. And that sometimes, only sometimes, it's better to accept these limits.
He was often reckless when it came to pushing himself, and he would give the same treatment to the other players under him. Especially the Devil Bats, whom he knew had potential although it wasn't the same now. Compared to the Devil Bats that needed a lot of pushing initially, Saikyoudai Wizards was a lot easier to handle as most of them were smart enough to know their limits, and know how much to push themselves. Sans the other hundreds of players, that is. They needed lots of pushing, but if they wanted to be a part of the regulars, that's what they had to do.
That said he still looked out for them. And together with Anezaki, they both ensured the team was in top condition. He knew he could depend on her, because no matter how far ahead he was, she was there right behind him.
So when he saw the way she was yesterday, he could sense something was wrong. He didn't want to say anything as it may have bothered her of where he was looking, but the first thing he noticed was how pale her lips were. He's seen those lips painted light red from the lip balm she wears when out at the field. And he's seen them in plain, healthy pink as they worked late nights at his place. They looked nothing like how it looked yesterday.
And that was when he noticed that her complexion was getting pale as she was about to leave. This alone was enough to prompt him to take some action. He insisted on walking her home, but she assured him that she was fine and that she was going to meet her mother anyways. She seemed persistent, so in a rare case of accepting defeat, he allowed her to do what she wanted.
The way she was bugged him all morning as he prepared his coffee and settled before his laptop to browse through the data collected so far. That was when his phone began to ring. He had many phones, but he recognized that particular one as only she had the number to that phone.
He answered it nonchalantly. "Don't you have a class to attend, Fucking Manager?"
"Urgh! You know that's not true since you memorized my schedule, Hiruma-kun…" she replied, though she sounded different.
Hiruma stopped looking at his laptop. Too many signs. Something is definitely up. "Oi, you sound horrible."
"It's just a cold, it's no big deal."
There it is again, her persistency to push her limits. "Doesn't sound like it's just a cold."
"Think what you want," she sighed. Her breathing seemed irregular. "I called because I just remembered I had some data on the new players back at my place that I forgot to pass to you. I'll come over in a bit then I'll head to class."
He frowned. "It's pretty cold outside."
"I'll just wear extra layers," she insisted. "It's just a quick run! And I've taken some medication. I'll be all right. It's just one class today. After that, I'll definitely go straight back and rest."
"Don't be such a masochist, Fucking Manager. Stay at home."
There was a pause for a moment, before she finally said, "I'll skip class but I'll make a quick trip to your place. Then I'll head home, okay?"
He wanted to argue over this, but he realized a part of him really wanted to see her. He grunted in annoyance and she took it as a signal of approval.
Hiruma waited as patiently as he could, distracting himself by going through some old data from other teams, or going online to see if there was any news worth noting. But he soon realized that she was taking a lot longer than usual. He looked out the window and cursed loudly.
It had snowed. Not a lot, but it was enough to drop the temperature beyond comfort. Of all the fucking times! He quickly grabbed his sweater and jacket, and rushed out. A strong gust of wind blew towards him as he stepped outside, cold and unforgiving. He began to curse even more.
He rushed towards the bus stop where he knew she would alight from, but he needn't go far as he saw Anezaki walking from the bus stop slowly. Her eyes were blank and her face looked a lot paler than yesterday. She wasn't wearing the 'many layers' as she had promised and she was shivering…
AND she was carrying her books and her laptop! He ran towards her and the first thing he did was grab her stuff from her, then shouted, "Are you fucking crazy?"
Mamori snapped out of her dazed state upon hearing him. "Ah, Hiruma-kun…" she murmured. "I'm sorry… it started snowing while I was in the bus and…"
He wasted no time to listen to her explanation. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her quickly back to his place. As he held her, his fears were confirmed. She was definitely sick, and she was getting a fever.
They didn't say a word as they walked back to his place, as the cold wind made it harder for Hiruma to keep Anezaki warm. When they finally did, he put her stuff down and proceeded to put the heater on high.
"But your electricity bill!" He heard her protest.
"If you want to fucking worry over something, worry about yourself!" he scolded her as he finally took a good look at her. She was not in a good state at all. She wasn't looking at him straight, and she looked like she would collapse anytime soon.
"But… but…" He watched as she struggled to come up with an excuse as to why she was here, why she had to be here. "The… data…"
"It's just about the new players, that can fucking wait." He sighed as he held her wrist and led her to his couch. "Sit, I'll make you some coffee… and I'll put in that fucking disgusting sweet stuff that you like."
She didn't display any form of retort. He frowned as he watched her stare blankly ahead, but he proceeded to make the coffee, as he contemplated whether it was safe to take Anezaki out, when to take her to the doctor and whether or not to alert her parents.
As he brought the coffee towards her, he was now presented with a bigger problem than he had expected.
Mamori had passed out now, and as he placed his hand on her forehead, he cursed loudly.
Her fever had shot up. And she was sweating profusely now.