It was a normal school day for Ryoma, but something felt off as he arrived at school. Sakuno was nowhere to be seen. He checked his LINE messages, but there was no reply from her. Ryoma usually left before Sakuno in the mornings, so he had never seen her at home. As he looked out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of her running late, he realized she was truly absent.

The bell rang and their homeroom teacher, Ms. Sasaki, entered the classroom and took attendance like usual. She asked Ryoma to meet her in the teacher's office later. They continued with their lessons, but Ryoma couldn't shake off the worry about Sakuno's absence. During recess, he made his way to the teacher's office, leaving behind the trio who headed to the cafeteria without him. Since Sakuno wasn't coming to school, Tomoka followed the trio to eat lunch with them.

Ryoma opened the office door and went to Ms. Sasaki's desk. "Echizen-kun, you're here." Ryoma just bowed a little.

Ms. Sasaki handed him a handout. "Ryuzaki-chan is not feeling well, she's having fever. Can you give this to her?"

Ryoma took the handout. "Sure. I didn't know she was sick."

"Her grandmother called to inform me. I thought you two lived together, so you would know." Said Ms. Sakaki. "Thank you, Echizen-kun".

Ryoma left the teacher's office and heading to the cafeteria, Ryoma opted for a light meal of sandwiches instead of his usual fare. He sat with the trio and Tomoka.

Tomoka looked at the handout that Ryoma put on the desk. "Is that for Sakuno, Ryoma-sama?"

"Yeah." He answered.

"Is she okay? What did Sasaki-sensei told you?" Tomoka asked, made the trio waiting for Ryoma's answer as well.

"She's having fever." Said Ryoma.

"Hope she will get well soon." Kachiro said with worried look.

Tomoka looked at the handout. "Ryoma-sama, can I give this handout to Sakuno? I want to visit her."

Ryoma's heart skipped a beat at the thought. He knew that if Tomoka went to visit Sakuno, she would probably figure out that he lived in that house too. Sakuno had always been adamant about keeping their living arrangement a secret, and Ryoma didn't want to jeopardize that.

Ryoma finally decided what to answer. "Well. I don't think that's a good idea. Sasaki-sensei said it is contagious."

Tomoka made sad face. "Yeah, I guess I will visit her when she got a bit better."

"Yeah Osakada, you should do that. Ryuzaki will got sad if you get fever from her." Said Horio.

Ryoma felt relieved with her decision, as he finished his sandwiches.

After school was over, Ryoma gathered his belongings and telling the trio that he couldn't make it to tennis club practice that day. He asked them to inform the coach about his absence before slinging his tennis bag over his shoulder and hurrying out of the classroom.

The trio and Tomoka watched as Ryoma left. Ryoma quickly made his way back home. Upon entering the house, he was greeted by Sumire, who holding tray of porridge, medicine and a cup.

"Oh, Ryoma, you're back. No club activities today?" Sumire asked.

Ryoma shrugged nervously and try to change topic. He didn't want her to know that he skipped the club activities. "Is that for your granddaughter?" He asked while pointing at the tray.

"Yes. Her fever has return suddenly. She barely eat too since morning. I need to give her medicine too." Said Sumire.

"I'll bring it." Said Ryoma. Ryoma took the tray from Sumire and headed upstairs towards Sakuno's room.

He leaned his tennis bag against the wall outside her door before knocking and seeking permission to enter. "Ryuzaki, it's me. Can I come in?"

However, before he could enter, he heard the sound of a plastic cup falling and water spilling. Alarmed, Ryoma pushed open the door and was shocked to see Sakuno lying on the floor, as if she had fallen from her bed.

Ryoma quickly put the tray on the desk and tried to support Sakuno's body as she struggled to sit up.

"Ryuzaki, are you okay?" Ryoma asked, concern evident in his voice as he felt her burning hot skin. 'She is burning, was it because of the rain yesterday?' He thought. Sakuno opened her eyes halfway and weakly whispered, "Ryoma-kun, I want to drink."

Ryoma nodded and said, "Okay, I will get it for you." Gently picking her up bridal-style, he placed her on the bed and let her sit comfortably. Grabbing the jug of water from the desk, Ryoma filled a cup and handed it to Sakuno. She took a few sips, grateful for the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.

Ryoma rushed downstairs to get a kitchen towel. Sumire, who was in the kitchen, noticed Ryoma's urgency and asked, "Is Sakuno okay?"

Ryoma reassured her, saying, "Yeah, don't worry. I will take care of her." With that, he headed back to Sakuno's room, where she was sitting still on the bed. He took the empty cup from her hand.

"Thank you," Sakuno whispered weakly, her eyes fluttering closed. Ryoma wiped the spilled water on the floor with the kitchen towel and said, "You need to eat, Ryuzaki."

Sakuno shook her head, "I don't feel like eating."

Ryoma insisted, "You still need to eat and take your medicine." Seeing her reluctance, he took the porridge from the tray. "Open your mouth," Ryoma instructed gently, feeding her spoonful by spoonful. He wiped her mouth with a tissue, making sure she was comfortable. Once the porridge was finished, he gave her the medicine and a glass of water, watching as she swallowed it.

"Now lie down," Ryoma said softly as he squeezed the damp towel in the basin. Sakuno just obliged and lie down. Ryoma wiped her hands, neck, and face. Placing the cool towel on her forehead, he tucked her in and watched as she fell asleep, her breathing steady and peaceful.

Ryoma went downstairs in the kitchen, washing the bowl from Sakuno's meal. Then he went upstairs to change his school uniform. He took his tennis bag outside of Sakuno's room and made his way to his room. After changing into fresh clothes, Ryoma made his way back to Sakuno's room. He gently touched her forehead and felt relief wash over him when he realized her fever had gone down. He sat by her bed, watching her sleep and wiping the sweat from her face. As he leaned against the wall, exhaustion overtook him and he fell asleep sitting up.

Sumire opened Sakuno's room to check on her. But the things she saw made her smiled. She thought like there was something brewing between them now. She decided to give them some space and let things unfold naturally. She closed the door gently and leave them both.

About two hours after that, Sakuno woke up to see Ryoma sleeping, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him sleeping so peacefully. She couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions towards him, knowing that he had stayed by her side through the night. She took her phone and quietly took Ryoma's sleeping picture. She blushed when she saw the picture she took.

Sakuno tapped Ryoma's arm, tried to wake him up. "Ryoma-kun."

When Ryoma woke up, Sakuno blushed again seeing his eyes looking at her. "Ryoma-kun, you should sleep in your room. It must uncomfortable sleeping like that."

Ryoma said while stretching his arm, "I'm fine. Are you feeling better now?"

Sakuno said with smile. "Yes I am. Thanks to you. Sorry we can't practice together today."

Ryoma smiled at her words, feeling a warmth in his chest that he couldn't quite explain. "That's okay, your health is more important." He got up from the seat and put back the chair. "Just chat me if you need anything."

Sakuno nodded. She looked at Ryoma as he started to walk towards the door. Ryoma gave her last look before he shut the door. Sakuno smiled at him.

When Ryoma closed the door, Sakuno lay in bed, her heart racing with excitement and nerves. Sakuno couldn't shake the feeling of butterflies in her stomach as she watched Ryoma leave her room. She couldn't believe how caring he had been, taking care of her when she was sick. Sakuno sighed, 'I think I'm falling for him all over again. This is bad'. She thought. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep back.

Meanwhile, Ryoma closed his room door and leaned on it, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to make sense of the strange emotions swirling within him. It was as if a storm of conflicting feelings had descended upon him, leaving him feeling both worried and relieved at the same time. He lay down, tried to push aside the confusing feelings that were bubbling up within him, and tried to sleep again.