Chapter Fifteen
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."
-Fannie Lou Hamer
"38 degrees..." Ruri inspected the thermometer.
She collapsed back into her bed, sweat gathering on her forehead.
"Why did they have to take a trip to Okinawa for 2 weeks?" she groaned, trying to wipe away the sweat.
She pulled herself out of bed and attempted to get to her closet. Before she could even get close, she collapsed, sleep quickly overtaking her.
"Ruri-chan didn't come to class today," Aoko mumbled, putting her books in her bag.
Kaito sat in his desk, arms crossed and pouting a bit.
"I wonder if she caught a cold," Hakuba commented.
"Then why don't we go visit her?" she suggested.
The three of them left the school and made their way to Ruri's house.
As they went up to the door, Hakuba noticed something off.
Aoko rang the doorbell, and they heard a little chime go off inside.
They waited a while before Aoko rang it again.
Still nothing.
After 3 more rings, they were very worried.
"Is no one home?" Aoko wondered.
"I don't think so," Hakuba replied. "The 2nd floor light is on."
Aoko knocked on the door.
"Ruri-chan? Is everything ok? Is anyone even home?" she called.
A few moments later, they heard a crash and the sound of someone inside.
The door opened to reveal a tired and flushed Ruri still in her pajamas.
"Aoko-san?" she asked before fainting into Hakuba's arms.
Ruri awoke to the sound of someone yelling and coolness on her head.
"See?! Now look, she's awake thanks to you!" Kaito yelled at Hakuba.
She sat up, trying to chase off the grogginess she felt. The wet towel plopped onto her lap.
"Kuroba-san? Hakuba-san?" she questioned, her voice a bit raspy.
"Ruri-san, you're awake. We came to visit you but when you opened the door, you fainted," Hakuba explained.
Kaito's brows were furrowed together in slight distress.
"Ah, thank you..." she mumbled, earlier coming back to her.
"Aoko is borrowing your kitchen," Kaito told her.
"Ah...that's why I heard that..."
"You've got a fever of 40 degrees!"
"Oh...it went up..." Ruri mumbled.
"It went up?!" Kaito shrieked.
She nodded. "It was 38 this morning..."
"You're lucky we came, Ruri-san," Hakuba said, taking the towel and placing it into a basin of ice water.
"Sorry about all this," she lowered her head.
"It's not your fault," Hakuba reassured, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Still..."
Hakuba smiled a little. "It's alright."
"Is Ruri-chan awake? I've made porridge," Aoko came through the door of Ruri's bedroom.
"Oh, hello Aoko-san," Ruri smiled at the girl.
Aoko smiled and offered the porridge to Ruri.
"Thank you, Aoko-san," she took the pro-offered food.
"I'm glad you're feeling better enough to eat," Aoko took a seat next to Kaito.
Ruri nodded, taking a bite of the porridge.
"This is really good," she said, eyes widening.
Aoko beamed with pride.
"I'm glad you like it."
Kaito and Hakuba tried not to stare at Ruri.
The poor girl's sweat had soaked through her royal blue pajamas and they were beginning to look a little see-through.
Her face was flushed and she looked very tired.
"Ok, you two," Aoko began, looking at the boys. "Time for you to get out so she can change."
They looked at each other and silently walked out, all the while Ruri protesting that she didn't need anything.
"Ok! You can come back in!" Aoko called from inside the room.
Kaito opened the door and walked inside, followed closely by Hakuba.
Ruri now wore light pink pajamas and looked significantly better.
"Thank you for helping, Aoko-san," Ruri told the girl, who was getting ready to leave.
"No problem, Ruri-chan! It's what friends do!"
Ruri managed to see them to the door and they said their good-byes.
Sighing, Ruri shut the door and went back upstairs to her room.
"Friends...huh?"
The next morning, Aoko stared glumly at Ruri's desk.
"What's wrong with you?" Kaito asked, resting his head on the edge of her desk.
"I was just wondering if Ruri is better..." she mumbled.
"Aoko-san?"
Aoko and Kaito looked up to see a smiling Ruri.
"Ruri-chan!" Aoko hugged Ruri.
"Thank you for your help yesterday," Ruri said, smiling and awkwardly hugging Aoko back.
"I already told you, it's what friends do!"
Kaito pet Ruri's head.
"Glad to have you back," he grinned, making a pink rose appear.
"I can't die yet," Ruri smiled, taking the flower. Mirth twinkled in her eyes.
Ruri glanced around. "Where's Hakuba?"
Kaito grinned even wider and pointed upwards.
Ruri looked up to see Hakuba taped to the ceiling and very much looking like he was going to have aneurysm.
"Why?" she asked.
"He stole my newspaper," the magician replied, as if it was obvious.
"Ah."
Kind of a mini chapter. Well, that was just a chapter full of fluff and I hope you enjoyed it!
NEXT CHAPTER: RURI'S BIRTHDAY!
DFTBA EVERYONE!