"Elichi? You in here?" Nozomi peaked her head into a room.

All she got as a reply was a groan of pain. Nozomi pushes open the door to Eli's bedroom. She had come to check on her after getting told she was sick.

Eli was lying on her bed, curled up on her side. Her covers had been thrown on the floor at some point. She was holding a pillow to her chest. She wearily looked up at Nozomi. Her eyes were red and she looked very tired.

"Did you take any medicine today?" Nozomi asked as she walked over and felt Eli's forehead.

Eli nodded. She sniffled as she reached for a tissue. It was the last one in the box. Nozomi took the box and recycled it. She found a new one and replaced it. Eli mumbled out something that sounded like a thank you. It was too muffled to understand.

"Anything you need?" Nozomi asked.

Eli couldn't talk. Her throat was too sore and dry. She motioned to her throat and coughed. Nozomi seemed to understand the motion. She left the room again and later came back with a glass of water. Eli slowly sat up. Her body ached in pain as she did so.

Nozomi helped her up. She held the cup as Eli's hands were shaking as she tried to drink. The water lasted for only seconds. Nozomi set the glass down. She sat on the side of the bed.

"Is it only you?" Eli asked in a very hoarse voice.

Nozomi nodded, "Yep. Just me."

Eli slowly slid back down onto the bed. She felt horrible. This was not a fun experience. Being this sick was no fun for anyone. Nozomi gave her a sympathetic look as she reached down and brushed some hair out of her face.

"You're really sticky with sweat. Do you wanna go take a bath?" Nozomi suggested.

"No…"

"Come on. It'll probably help you feel better." Nozomi tried to persuade her.

"Don't wanna…" Eli whined.

There was more to it than that. She had never mentioned to anyone her differences. Even Nozomi didn't know that most wouldn't exactly consider her a girl. The thought of someone finding out was scary.

"Come on, I'll help you." Nozomi was determined and started tugging her up and off the bed.

"No…" Eli didn't have the voice to really argue.

Nozomi led her to the bathroom. Eli sat on the ground as Nozomi started a bath. Eli watched her, unsure what to do. Should she just tell her? Or could she get her to leave and say she could manage herself?

"Nozomi?"

"Hmm?" Nozomi hummed to say she heard, but didn't turn to look at her.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Sure. What's up?" Nozomi glanced over her shoulder to look.

Eli refused to look at her, "Um… I'm… I'm trans…"

"Oh. So that's what it meant."

"Huh?"

"My cards told me something similar. I couldn't figure out what it truly meant. Guess this explains it." Nozomi explained.

"That's not fair." Eli pouted, "Your cards shouldn't have the right to tell you those types of things."

Nozomi giggled, "I'll be sure to talk to them about it then."

Nozomi turned off the water. She dried her hand and then knelt down by Eli. Eli tensed slightly. She was nervous about this next part.

"I don't know that I can trust you to bathe." Nozomi said.

"C-close your eyes then." Eli mumbled.

"Alright." Nozomi agreed and closed her eyes.

Eli carefully undressed herself. She grabbed Nozomi and used her to stand up. Nozomi kept her eyes closed as Eli guided her to the tub. Nozomi used her free hand to feel the tub and help Eli get in without falling. Eli took a deep breath as she stared at her body.

"I… I guess you can open your eyes…" Eli mumbled.

Nozomi opened her eyes, but made sure to keep them only on her face. Nozomi helped Eli get herself clean from the sweat. Eli made Nozomi close her eyes when she went to get out. Nozomi agreed as before. Once Eli was dressed in fresh clothes, they slowly made their way back to the bedroom.

Eli laid down on her bed. Nozomi sat down beside her and felt her forehead. Eli felt a little less hot than earlier now.

"Do you think you could eat?" Nozomi asked.

"I think so." Eli nodded.

Nozomi went and made her some simple soup to try. She brought it back up on a tray and sat it on Eli's leg. Eli stared at the soup for a while.

"Can you feed me? My hands don't feel too steady yet…" Eli blushed and refused to make any eye contact at her.

Nozomi giggled, "Aww… Elichi looks so cute when she's embarrassed."

Eli pouted. Nozomi bopped her on the nose. Eli looked up at her. Nozomi smiled and picked up the spoon. Eli's face remained red as Nozomi fed her. It took a while, but she managed to eat all of it.

"Good job." Nozomi smiled.

Eli pouted again. Nozomi seemed to just love teasing her right now.

"Nozomi? Do you… care about me being… you know… trans?" Eli couldn't take the question on her mind any longer.

"Not at all." Nozomi gave her a reassuring smile, "You're still the same Elichi I've known all these times."

"I'm glad… I haven't told anyone but my family…" Eli mumbled.

"I feel blessed to know you told me first out of our friends."

"Stop teasing me!"

"Sorry." Nozomi chuckled, "I'll stop."

They sat in silence for a while. Eli sighed. She leaned back on her bed. Nozomi took the bowl down and cleaned it. She returned to find Eli was half-asleep. When she entered, it stirred her.

Eli held out her arms. Nozomi giggled slightly as she climbed onto the bed. Eli curled up into her. Nozomi winced at the heat that suddenly engulfed her from Eli. Eli seemed content, so she didn't want to disturb her.

"Goodnight, Elichi. Sleep tight." Nozomi started brushing her hair.

"Night…" Eli yawned.

Nozomi smiled as Eli's breathing became steady. Nozomi laid down and closed her eyes. While she felt hot from Eli's body heat, she was still content with this arrangement. Just having Eli here was worth it.

Nozomi was starting to drift off when she started recalling their earlier conversation. It had been a surprise for her, even with the slight notice from her cards. Nozomi glanced at Eli. She didn't see her any different. She didn't know how she could. She was not the type of person to hate. This was no exception.