48. Tender
Rin's stirring a large pot on the stove, a dirty apron tied around her waist.
I hope I don't mess this up.
She purses her lips as she remembers earlier, when she'd arrived here. At her friend Len's house. She'd come because he hadn't arrived at school, and she'd brought him the day's assignment.
It had taken Len forever to answer the door, and when he did, Rin had been shocked to see him coated in sweat, his blonde hair undone and messy. His face was a brilliant red, and he had leaned against the door for support.
Totally sick, and he hadn't told anyone. Len could be pretty stubborn that way, preferring to keep his problems to himself.
Not today. Rin had pushed right past him and declared war on his illness. No way was she going to just leave him to fend it off himself.
Now, he's resting in his room, and she's attempting to make edible soup. She's not the best at cooking, but under these circumstances, Rin would do her best to make Len feel well again.
"Rin…?"
She turns to see the exhausted boy peeking around the kitchen corner. He wanders in, ruffling his hair with his slim fingers. "What are you doing…?" His words are slow, and his voice is hoarse from soreness.
"Making soup for you to get better. What are you doing up?" She demands, returning to her diligent stirring.
"Heard noises…" He mumbles, coming near and looking over her shoulder at the yellow broth. "Is that… chicken noodle…?"
She nods. "Yes. Now go back to bed, it'll be ready soon-"
Rin pauses in her stirring as a heavy weight lands on her shoulder. Her eyes trail to the mass of blonde hair brushing against the side of her neck. Len sighs against her shirt.
"...Thanks, Rin." He says quietly. "You didn't have to… But, thanks anyway."
Rin blushes slightly. "That's… what friends are for, right?" She says, raising a hand and tenderly brushing away his hair. "To take care of each other."
Len lets out a thin chuckle. "Yeah. I'll make sure to return the favor."
He moves away from her, and for some odd reason she almost misses the pressure on her shoulder. "I've got a serious headache… I'm going to lie back down."
"Yeah, take some aspirin and go back to bed." Rin says. "I'll come in soon with some of this."
"'Kay." He sounds like a small child, and she hears him shuffle back to his room.
Rin turns after he's gone and stares in the place he had been standing just moments before.
Slowly, an affectionate smile spreads across her face, and she returns to her soup-making