Yumiko POV.

Classes went on as usual, with nothing new.

Once the teacher finished assigning a task, the lunchtime bell rang.

''Yumiko, let's go.'' Hina said good-naturedly.

''Let me take out my bento.''

Since I learned to cook, I started making my own lunches.

Even on the occasions when Raiden joins us for lunch, I usually share my lunch with him, which he gladly accepts.

Although Kawasaki is the first to make fun of this, that's why there ends up being an argument between us.

Raiden almost always refuses to have lunch with us, although if I insist, he ends up reluctantly accepting. I still don't understand why, but since I eat lunch with the others, I don't have many complaints about it, after all, I don't want to seem controlling.

Before we go to lunch on the rooftop, we stop by Yui's classroom to pick her up.

''Yui.'' Once inside her classroom, I called out to her.

''Yumiko!'' Her energetic and lively way of being is already part of Yui.

Yui took her bento and came towards us.

"Yahallo!'' Yui says it so often, it's rare that she doesn't greet like that.

''Yahallo Yui.'' Hina responded to her greeting.

''Hello, Yui.'' I found Yui's greeting strange, but Ebina always plays along.

''Mou, Yumiko! ¡You should respond as appropriate!''

''I told you; I find it strange.'' I'm a little embarrassed to greet Yui like that.

''I'm sure if Yumiko greets Tsurumi-kun this way, Tsurumi-kun would be pleased.'' Hina said with some mockery.

''Whatever.'' I looked away from them.

I didn't know whether to take Ebina's words seriously, but the idea doesn't leave my head.

''Maybe I can try it later.'' I said in a low voice.

''Yumiko!'' Yui started hugging me. ''You can do it!

''I don't know what you're talking about.'' I replied as I pulled Yui away from me. ''Let's hurry up, I'm sure she's already waiting for us.''

She's really annoying when we're late.

After walking through the corridors and up the stairs, we reached the rooftop.

"You're late.'' Her cold and disinterested tone is easy to recognize.

Kawasaki, Raiden's friend who I met after following him one day.

Initially, I feared she might take him away from me, but that wasn't the case. Raiden considers her his friend, even the way he treats her shows no preference, I was very observant during the first few days we met.

Also, although at first I considered Kawasaki as Raiden's friend, as time went by and thanks to Hina and Yui, I ended up being able to talk to her normally. Since almost every time we talked, we ended up arguing although nowadays that hasn't changed, I just find her company pleasant.

"We're not that late, are we, Sakisaki? Hina said as she walked towards her.

Kawasaki just gave a sigh, she got tired of telling Hina to stop calling her that. Hina is a tough nut to crack.

With our small talk over, Yui brought out a tablecloth where we proceeded to sit down.

After we met, we used to have lunch at the top of the water tower, but it was annoying to be going up and down all the time. Of course, sometimes we go to the cafeteria, but Kawasaki usually dislikes this idea, but she can't reply when Hina tells her to.

And like every day, Hina chatted with Kawasaki while Yui added some ideas.

More than a year ago I would just eat lunch alone or spend lunch buying food for others, but now things have changed. I would never have imagined that I could be enjoying lunch with girls I could genuinely call my friends.

I even consider Kawasaki a friend of mine, as I would be lying if I said a part of me doesn't enjoy arguing with her. Also, the times we go out to Karaoke or Hina drags her with us to the mall, Kawasaki is in charge of keeping any idiot who starts flirting with us at bay, of course I help with this too.

If Raiden came with us, we could avoid this, but he always looks for an escape from going out with us. Of course, in situations that require it, he does accompany us. According to him, it's very tiring to be with us. What's wrong with spending more than 3 hours looking at clothes and accessories?

''By the way, I thought Tsurumi was coming today.''

Now that Kawasaki mentions it, today I invited him to have lunch with us to talk more about Saturday's outing.

At first, I thought it would be just the two of us in Destiny Land, since he cancelled our visit to Destiny land.

Unfortunately, it was an invitation for everyone. The reason for this was for Raiden to fulfill the promise he made to Kawasaki's sister.

On the last day of the vacation, Raiden went to look for me when I went astray, and for that he had to break the promise he made to Keika to watch the fireworks together.

So, Raiden made a new promise to Keika. He would take her to see better fireworks, Kawasaki told us.

But still, the fact that we can go together to Destiny Land is already good, maybe I can manage to spend time alone with him.

''Maybe he sent me a message.''

I turned on my cell phone to check it. In the morning we had class with Hiratsuka-sensei, and she warned me that if she saw my cell phone again, she would confiscate it, so I turned it off during her class so I wouldn't be tempted to use it. What's wrong with using the cell phone when class gets boring?

I noticed I had an unread message on LINE.

''I'm sick, I won't be attending today.''

This surprised me since Rumi told me that he was not someone who gets sick easily, and when he does, his condition is terrible.

''Yumiko, is something wrong?''

Hina's words brought me out of my thoughts.

''Raiden is sick, so he didn't attend class today.'' I said with a neutral tone.

''Knowing Tsurumi-kun this must be nothing to him.''

''I hope Tsurumi-san gets better.''

''Tsurumi will be happy to do nothing today.'' I could notice a brief pause in Kawasaki's words, but I didn't pay attention to it.

''I think the same thing, tomorrow Raiden will come as good as new, so we'll leave it for tomorrow.'' I'm worried about Raiden, more so because of Rumi's words.

Once classes are over, I'll go to his house. Although, as Hina said, Raiden is responsible and attentive, so he should have been cautious about this, but I don't lose anything by checking.

Once the classes were over, I went straight towards the exit.

Since Raiden joined a club, I usually go to the train station with Hina and the others.

But today I apologized to them, as I had to go to Raiden's house, even Kawasaki also mentioned that she had plans today.

Of course, I could mention to them that I would go to see Raiden, but knowing what a good person Yui is, I'm sure she would accompany me, and since I won't be able to be alone with him on Saturday, I want to have him all to myself for today.

It may sound selfish of me, but since the vacations are over, we haven't been able to spend much time alone. Mostly because Raiden has joined a club, so he can no longer join us when classes are over.

Putting my selfish thoughts aside, I was already close to his house, I sent him a message on LINE, but there was no answer, maybe he is asleep?

As I turned into one of the streets, I noticed a certain girl who looked familiar.

We exchanged glances for a brief second, recognizing each other in the process.

''I thought you had plans, that's why you couldn't go with Hina and Yui.''

I hope it's just a coincidence though for all, I know she also knows where Raiden lives.

''I can say the same, you said you had things to do, and from what I can see, you're a long way from home.'' I could notice the tone of displeasure in her voice.

''I wanted to take the long way around.'' I reluctantly replied.

''What a coincidence, I thought of doing the same thing.''

We exchanged glances once more and continued on our way.

After a few seconds I arrived at Raiden's house, but a certain person also stopped right here.

''As far as I know, you don't live around here, so you can go on your way.'' I was in a bad mood, I didn't expect Kawasaki to come too.

''I can say the same about you, Miura, go on your way.''

Apparently, neither of us is going to give in, so it's no use lying anymore.

''I just came to check on Raiden, so, if you came for the same reason, you can go on your way, I can handle it.'' I said in a defiant tone.

''You're not one to give me orders. Also, Tsurumi told me that when he gets sick, it's something serious, so since he once took care of me, I can't ignore this."

We both walked to his door and rang the bell.

There was no result though.

''Will he be asleep?'' I asked.

''That's most likely.''

I took out my cell phone to call him, but there was no answer.

This is worrying me.

A few seconds later, though, I could hear his footsteps and his voice.

''I'm coming.''

Hearing him reassured me.

I could also tell that Kawasaki's expression also changed.

But then, we could hear the sound of something falling, it was a loud noise.

''Raiden!?''

''Tsurumi!?''

We both called out to him in unison, but there was no answer.

My mind thought of many situations, but it wasn't time to stay frozen without doing anything, after all, I'm not the girl I was before.

''Miura!''

''I know.''

We both started knocking on the door, but still there was no response from Raiden.

I didn't want to think that the worst had happened.

''Tch!''

Kawasaki looks just as worried as me.

''Wait a minute.'' I remembered something Rumi told me.

"What's wrong?''

I moved one of the pots that had a plant in it, underneath was a spare key.

''How did you know where the key was?''

''Rumi told me that they always had a key in case of an emergency.''

I used the key to open the door.

''Raiden!''

We both quickly entered his house.

''Nya.''

Kuro was licking Raiden's face, Raiden was lying unconscious on the floor, apparently, he had passed out before reaching the door.

I bent down to check on him. When I touched his forehead, I noticed that he was burning with fever.

What do I do, I didn't expect something like this could happen, my mind has too many thoughts to be able to do anything? Do I call an ambulance? Or do I call my father to help him.

''Oe Miura, react! Help me move him!''

Kawasaki started to lift him up.

That's right, the first thing is to get him to a better place. If it weren't for Kawasaki, I would have gone blank.

''Nya, Nya.'' Kuro looked worried about Raiden, just like us.

I helped Kawasaki carry Raiden on her back.

Although it may not seem like it, she's strong, I highly doubt I could carry Raiden alone.

We moved to the living room where we laid Raiden down on the couch.

''Miura, don't just stand there, help me take off his top.''

''What do you mean?'' I said somewhat nervously.

''Tsurumi is running a fever, his clothes must be soaked with sweat, we can't leave him like this. Besides, we have to bring his temperature down. Have you never dealt with a sick person before?''

I didn't like the way she told me this, but she was right, I have never dealt with someone sick. The times I got sick, it was my grandmother who took care of me.

Kawasaki sat Raiden down and began to remove his upper clothing.

I used both hands to slap my face, my nerves wouldn't let me think, and I wasn't going to let Kawasaki do everything.

''How can I help?'' I said firmly.

''Get a damp cloth to put on his forehead, and wipe him.''

I went to the kitchen and did as Kawasaki instructed.

When I returned, Raiden was already half-naked, but this was no time for me to get nervous.

''I'm going to clean him up.''

I ran the damp cloth over Raiden's torso, normally I would be nervous doing this, but this wasn't the time to let my emotions control me.

I slowly wiped his chest and arms; I even wiped the scar on his chest.

Kawasaki put the wet cloth on Raiden's forehead once I finished cleaning him.

When we were done with what Kawasaki said, I went to Raiden's room to get him a change of clothes.

We got him dressed with some difficulty, but we made it.

I saw Kawasaki head for the kitchen, so I followed her.

''Thank you.'' I said it in a way that she managed to hear me.

''Don't mention it, Tsurumi helped me once, so I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.''

''By the way, how did you know what to do?''

If it hadn't been for Kawasaki, I wouldn't have been able to help Raiden, because my nerves had gotten the better of me. I feel angry that I was stunned at that moment.

''Since I have younger siblings, it's common for them to get sick, so if I wanted to be able to help them, I must know how to be able to help them.'' Kawasaki said with a tone full of confidence.

Unlike Kawasaki, I didn't know what to do, if I had come alone, I wouldn't know what to do or who to call.

She checked the refrigerator, but her expression said she didn't find what she was looking for.

''There are some ingredients missing. Miura, take care of Tsurumi while I go buy the missing ingredients to make some rice porridge. Plus, I'll also bring some medicine.''

I found some medicine wrappers in Raiden's room, but there were none left.

''But you're the one who knows what to do.'' Although I didn't want to accept it, Kawasaki knew how to handle the situation better than I did. I didn't feel confident enough to be able to help him if something happened.

''For the time being, Tsurumi is fine, his temperature decreased, it's normal for him to keep sleeping, but don't forget to change the cloth on his forehead, it would be bad if the temperature rises again.''

''But...''

''Or can't the great Miura do something as easy as that?'' The mocking tone with what she said I'm annoyed.

''Oh?! Of course, I can do it, in fact, you can leave, when you come back, Raiden will already be better without the need for you to do anything else.'' I answered annoyed.

''That would be best.'' Kawasaki went to the door. ''I'll borrow the key; I'll be back in a few minutes.'' After saying this, she left.

I know she just said that to give me confidence, but playing along with her isn't so bad.

I went to the living room to see Raiden. He was sleeping peacefully.

''Really, how can you be so careless to the point of passing out in your driveway?''

With my finger I touched his cheek.

''What would have happened if I hadn't decided to come?''

But there was no response to my complaints, although when he is better, I will tell him again.

While I was playing with his cheeks, Raiden started to move, and his expression showed that he was in pain.

I touched his forehead, and he was getting warm again.

I took the cloth from his forehead and went to the kitchen to wet it.

Seeing him like that is not something I like.

When I returned to the living room, I was surprised to find that Raiden had stood up.

He was getting undressed.

''How hot.''

''Raiden, don't get up, you need to rest.''

I approached him to make him lie down again.

''Raiden?'' He asked hesitantly as he looked around. ''Where am I?''

''You're in your living room, you fainted at the entrance, you should be more careful, you worried me, you idiot.'' At least seeing him conscious, I'm glad.

''What do you mean? AHHH, my head hurts like hell.''

He started holding his head with both hands.

"You're still sick, go back to lying down on the couch.''

When I tried to get him to lie down, he pushed my hand away.

"Raiden?''

''You've been saying that name for a while now, but I haven't... AHHH, how it hurts.''

"Don't be stubborn and lie down on the couch.''

According to Rumi, Raiden usually raves and speaks gibberish while sick, and this seems to be the case.

I tried to get him to lie down for the second time, but Raiden grabbed my wrist.

''I see, so that's how it is, that's why I didn't understand what was going on.'' Raiden started to stare at me. ''You're not bad at all, though maybe too young for me, but since it's a dream, I don't see the problem with having a good time until I wake up.''

''What the...''

Raiden pulled me to his chest. His arms wrapped around me.

''Raiden!?''

"Come on, let's have some fun before I wake up.''

Does he think he's dreaming?

Being close to him, I could feel his temperature, he's really hot.

He threw me on the couch and lay on top of me.

''Raiden, wait, I'm not ready for this. Besides, you're sick. And you must...''

''Shh, don't worry, let's just have fun.'' He whispers in my ear.

The way we are, I can't put up any resistance.

I saw these situations in some novels, but I didn't think it would happen so soon. Let alone that he would be the one to take the initiative, although the idea itself doesn't bother me.

What are you thinking? This is no time to have that in your head. I dispelled those thoughts from my mind. But because of the current situation, it was difficult to do so.

Raiden put his head next to mine.

There's no way out of this. But maybe it was just a matter of time before it happened, or that's what couples commonly do, so it was said in some magazines I read.

''Be gentle.'' I said somewhat embarrassed by what was about to happen. My face must be red.

I felt his body pressed against mine, but there was no movement on his part.

''Raiden?''

Even though I called out to him, there was no response. I could hear his breathing, it's calm and steady.

''Did he fall asleep?

Upon closer inspection, Raiden fell asleep.

Did he pass out again? Not that this disappoints me or anything.

But now there's a problem, Raiden passed out on top of me, and I can't move him or get out of here.

"Miura, I'm back." I heard the front door open in addition to Kawasaki's voice.

This is bad.

''I bought what I needed, plus I brought the m...'' She paused.

Our gazes met.

''You came back quickly, huh.'' I said the first thing that came to my mind.

''What the hell do you think you're doing?!''

''It's not what it looks like, Raiden got up, said some things and passed out on me!''

''As if I'm going to believe that lie!''

''It's the truth!'' I said with all the strength I had.

Kawasaki helped me get Raiden off my back, although she didn't believe me when I told her Raiden had gotten up and ended up fainting again.

Now she thinks I'm a pervert who took advantage of Raiden who was helpless.

I'll even get with him later for putting me through that.

Good thing Raiden remained calm after that.

''It's strange, isn't it?'' Kawasaki asked.

''What do you mean?''

We are currently in the kitchen finishing some rice porridge, which is good for sick people.

''To Tsurumi, it's normal to see him full of energy, being so cocky and looking as if he can do anything with ease but seeing him in that state is so surreal.''

''I understand. It's weird to see him so helpless and needing others.'' Since at first glance Raiden looks like the person who can do everything alone, but that's not the case.

''And that's why you took advantage of him?'' She said with a mocking tone.

''I already told you it wasn't like that.'' I decided not to push this any further.

She put a smile on her face.

She lowered the fire to the pot; we finished preparing rice porridge for Raiden to eat when he wakes up.

I helped with the preparation although it was somewhat simple. Besides, Kawasaki brought medicine and some energy drinks.

I'm a doctor's daughter, but I have no idea how to deal with someone sick, I'm really pathetic. I could only curse my incompetence today.

The ringing of Kawasaki's cell phone brought me out of my thoughts.

She took out her cell phone and answered.

''Hey, Taishi, what's up.''

(...)

''Really?''

(...)

''It's okay, don't worry, I'm near that place, so I can pick her up.''

(...)

''See you at home.''

She hung up.

During our conversations with the others, I found out that Kawasaki also has another younger brother, this one attend middle school. And apparently, he also gets along very well with Raiden. Do you want to introduce him to your whole family? Aren't you going to introduce him to your parents as well?

Although Raiden already knows my parents.

"Miura.''

"Tell me.'' I replied.

''Taishi won't be able to pick up Keika, so I'll have to do it. Otherwise, I would hesitate to let you take care of Tsurumi since I have a bad feeling about what you would do to him if I left them alone.''

''I already told you that it was an accident.'' I said while staring at her.

''I hope so. The pot should have a few more minutes left, and it should be ready by now.''

''Don't worry, I can take care of that.'' Since I know the basics of cooking, I can take care of turning off the pot and serving it.

''I hope so.'' She said with a provocative tone.

''You can go, I'll stay until tonight. Besides, I don't have much else to do.''

''Then I'll entrust Tsurumi to you.''

I accompanied Kawasaki to the door.

''By the way, thank you again.'' I bowed.

''I didn't think you would ever thank me like that.''

''Don't let it go to your head, it was only because I didn't know what to do, otherwise, you would have been in the way.''

''Whatever you say.'' She replied with a sarcastic tone.

We both smiled at each other's words.

''See you tomorrow.''

''See you later.''

Once I said goodbye to Kawasaki, I went back to the kitchen to turn off the pot.

When Raiden wakes up, it's enough to heat up the pot. Since, I doubt he will wake up in the next few hours.

I approached him and checked his temperature. He was no longer burning hot like when I found him, but he was still warm.

I removed the cloth from his head and dampened it to put it back on him.

He looks so peaceful in his sleep.

Since I had nothing to do, I sat down next to him and pulled out my cell phone to pass the time.

As I did so, I noticed Raiden begin to squirm in place.

''Mother...'' Although it was kind of low, I could hear him.

''I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please...''

The tone with which he said this was painful, as if those words were something difficult to say.

''Don't hate me, please.''

His voice sounded sad, to the point where it seemed as if he would start crying at any moment.

Did he have a fight with his mother?

''Don't leave me. I didn't mean it, sorry, sorry...''

He began to squirm in his seat. His expression is one I've never seen before, it's as if he's really suffering.

''It's okay, I'm here for you.'' I said gently.

I held his hand and started stroking his head.

This seemed to work, as he started to calm down.

''Don't worry, Raiden, whatever problem you've been having, I know they'll be able to fix it.''

I continued to stroke his head.

Within seconds, Raiden calmed down. He continued sleeping as if nothing had happened.

When I wanted to return to my seat, I noticed that Raiden was still holding my hand.

''What am I going to do with you?''

He looks so peaceful in his sleep.

I stayed by his side since I have nothing better to do, not that I feel comfortable holding his hand.

While I was at it, I kept stroking his head.

''Yumiko-san? Yumiko-san!''

I slowly opened my eyes as I heard my name, I had fallen asleep.

''Rumi?'' I said as I looked at the owner of the voice calling me.

''Yumiko-san what happened? Why were you asleep next to my brother?''

It was dark, so it was already late.

I stood up, Raiden had already stopped holding me as I was still sleeping.

''I guess I fell asleep.'' I put my hands to my eyes. ''Raiden is sick, so I was taking care of him.''

''Onii-chan is sick?'' Her tone of voice detonated that she didn't know.

"He didn't tell you?''

''In the morning I found it strange that he wasn't at breakfast, he just left a letter that said he went to school earlier.''

I see, if Rumi knew that Raiden was sick, she wouldn't hesitate to stay home to take care of him, that's why he preferred to hide it from her.

''Surely he didn't want to worry you.''

''Stupid Onii-chan. Always wanting to do things on your own.''

It would be better not to mention to her that we found Raiden passed out at the entrance. That would only make her worry more.

''By the way, Rumi, is Raiden having problems with his mother?''

I can take the opportunity to ask her about this.

Although she looks a bit puzzled by her expression.

''Onii-chan is on good terms with my parents. In fact, I can't imagine Oka-san being upset with him, let alone the two of them arguing. Why do you ask?''

''It's just that he mentioned something about it while he was asleep. Also, that his expression was like...''

''Don't pay attention to him, he was probably delirious because of the fever, as I told you, it's something that usually happens. I even asked him about it once, and he told me that they were just delusions without foundation. It's better to let them go.''

I felt there was something else in those words, but if Raiden himself said not to pay attention to it, there's no reason to worry about it anymore.

''You really are an idiot, Onii-chan, making Yumiko-san worry.''

''They won't let me sleep.'' Raiden said with his voice a bit sleepy.

''I'm glad you woke up.'' I said in a calm tone.

''You have the nerve to say that after you didn't let me know you were sick.''

Rumi started pinching his cheek.

''I'm sorry, but if I told you, it's certain that you wouldn't have wanted to attend classes because of me.''

''If you knew anyway, you should have told me, Onii-baka.'' Rumi is furious.

I could only laugh at their exchange of words.

''That came in handy.''

Raiden finished drinking some energy drinks, as well as his medicine.

He already looked better, plus he also ate the food we prepared with Kawasaki.

''You were very careless to have no one to take care of you.''

''My mistake. But it turned out well, so it's nothing to worry about.''

As usual, he had a carefree attitude.

''Rumi is right, you're an idiot.''

After Rumi scolded him, and Raiden stroked her head for worrying about him, she went to her room, though I noticed a smile on her face.

''I'm sorry for being an older brother who worries about his cute little sister attending classes.''

''Even though you could have ended up in a serious condition?''

''Which didn't happen, so it's not worth dwelling on the past.''

''You're really a...''

''Thank you for taking care of me while I was sick.''

Raiden ducked his head at me.

This caught me off-guard. I told Raiden most of the things that happened while I was unconscious, of course I left out some things.

''Don't worry, it's what I would do for someone I care about.'' I said somewhat blushing as I averted my gaze from him.

''Although I have Kawasaki to thank as well. I can't imagine how it would have been without her.''

I punched him in the arm.

''Raiden-baka!''

''I'm still sick, you know?'' He complained somewhat sore.

I hit him again while sticking my tongue out at him.

I'm really glad you're okay.